Opinion | EastBayRI.com - News, Opinion, Things to Do in the East Bay

Letter: Musings on Little Compton's Town Meeting, and the way things were

The 2024 Little Compton Financial Town Meeting is now history. Once everyone had checked in, it was called to order at 7:22 p.m. To include extensive instructions from our Town Moderator, it lasted … more

5/24/24

A large patch of Native Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa) replaced an area of turf grass lawn in the authors’ Barrington yard. The plant is an important nectar and pollen source for many native bees, especially bumblebees and long-tongued bees. It is a host plant for several native moths and a nectar source for butterflies. The prickly pads escape herbivore browsing but the fruits provide a nutrient rich meal for wild turkeys, deer, coyotes, and foxes. This native plant is rare and endangered in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Is it time to rethink the traditional lawn?

Spring is in the air, and so too are the noxious fumes and aural assault of overpowered lawn equipment. Bird song and children’s voices fill the air only to be abruptly halted by the roar of … more

By Cindy and Ed Moura | 5/21/24

We’re approaching peak time for state budget debates

In a sure sign that the end of the General Assembly session is approaching, House Speaker Joe Shekarchi has slated a budget caucus for Wednesday afternoon at the Statehouse. A … more

By Ian Donnis | 5/21/24

Letter: Fishing is a problem at Nanaquaket Bridge, too

Regarding t he article on fishing restrictions from April 9 (Anglers balk at fishing restrictions proposed in Tiverton), the Town of Tiverton definitely needs to take action and start imposing and … more

5/17/24

Letter: Yes, be careful what you wish for

To the editor: Well, one thing Will Newman and I agree on is to be careful what you wish for (Letter: 'Careful what you wish for,' The Post, May 2, 2024 edition). Several weeks ago he wrote an … more

5/16/24

Good vibes and good times for the leaders of the House

STORY OF THE WEEK: Rhode Island House Majority Leader Christopher Blazejewski has a bit more gray hair these days, but his status as the heir-apparent to House Speaker Joe Shekarchi remains … more

By Ian Donnis | 5/15/24

Letter: Vote to encourage affordable housing in Little Compton

Little Compton residents recently received the Report of the Budget Committee in advance of our upcoming Annual Financial Town Meeting. It includes Article 5, a warrant article from the Little … more

5/14/24

Letter: Bathed in lush green, life returns to the Back 40

Well, my world finally turned green as I hoped it would and it brought some things to remember. • One morning I looked out and saw a tiny yellow warbler scavenging for t insects in a bed of … more

5/13/24

Letter: Don’t pull up the tracks — reconnect rail line

To the editor: I read with amusement the glee to pull up abandoned rail tracks in Tiverton to be replaced with a bike path to improve access to the Fall River MBTA station. It truly … more

5/13/24

Brown looks good after peaceful resolution with student protestors

STORY OF THE WEEK: Pro-Palestinian protests at Brown University came to a peaceful end last week – a contrast to the mass arrests and disorder seen on many campuses across the … more

By Ian Donnis | 5/7/24

It’s more clear than ever – the kids are in crisis

STORY OF THE WEEK: State-mandated disclosures about the deaths and near-deaths of Rhode Island children have become increasingly frequent over the last year. Twenty-eight fatalities and an identical … more

By Ian Donnis | 4/30/24

Letter: Help Rhode Islanders afford the medication they need

Fighting cancer is indeed a battle, and we can’t win it alone. Our lawmakers can help by passing legislation that removes the financial barriers many face to get care and treatment. more

4/25/24

Letter: Seasons is no mom and pop operation

Seasons wants to make Tiverton's Zoning Board believe the fairy tale that they are a "mom and pop" business perfect for Tiverton. Their paid traffic engineer and real estate experts will … more

4/23/24

Serious bridge concerns were first documented in 2015

STORY OF THE WEEK: As the state awaits a forensic review of what went wrong with the Washington Bridge, the ProJo’s Patrick Anderson delivered a must-read story this week contextualizing how a … more

By Ian Donnis | 4/23/24

Letter: Managing to save Atlantic herring is a tall order

Thanks very much for your column on the status of Atlantic herring in the March 28, 2024, East Providence Post. As you probably know, the U.S. Supreme Court has taken up the Atlantic herring … more

4/16/24

RIPTA director’s resignation highlights myriad transportation problems

STORY OF THE WEEK: For a long time, it seemed as if Scott Avedisian was destined to be mayor in perpetuity of Warwick. He could be counted on to win re-election as a genial GOP moderate, even amid … more

By Ian Donnis | 4/16/24

Letter: The month of magic cheerfully approaches

By the time you have read this you will have paid your taxes, right? And filled and hung your Hummer feeder, right? I wish I could say I had drained all the standing puddles, and got the temperature … more

4/16/24

Investigative team starts digging for Washington Bridge answers

STORY OF THE WEEK: “We’re leaving no stone unturned as far as accountability,” Gov. Dan McKee said last Friday, as he unveiled Max Wistow and Jonathan Savage as the lawyers who will … more

By Ian Donnis | 4/8/24

Letter: Concerns about the Mt. Hope Bridge

The failure of the Washington Street Bridge has been extensively reported. It seems there may also be reasons to raise questions about the Mt. Hope Bridge. more

4/4/24

Editorial: APRA fight has government protecting government

Committees in both the Rhode Island House of Representatives and Rhode Island Senate have listened to testimony on a bill that would update and improve the state’s public records law. … more

4/4/24

Ken Block has done a service to this country

Many readers will remember Ken Block as a two-time candidate for Rhode Island Governor and technology entrepreneur who helped the State of Texas save more than a billion dollars in food stamp fraud … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 4/3/24

Block’s book battles confirmation bias with facts

STORY OF THE WEEK: Add Ken Block to the lengthy list of people who’ve told Donald Trump or his campaign that his fake narrative about a stolen election in 2020 is a lot of baloney. In … more

4/2/24

Letter: Dredging the Sakonnet River is a mistake

Dredging in the Sakonnet should be prevented and the attendant difficulties in bringing ashore the power cables returned to Massachusetts where they belong. more

3/28/24

Letter: History’s lesson: Our strength lies in diversity

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI): These ideas are anathema to white Christian nationalists who fear losing their “rightful place” and their power and authority in America. DEI … more

3/28/24

Representatives of the Little Compton Food Bank make their way down the parade route on St. Patrick’s Day.

Letter: Parade was a moment of brightness and joy

Adamsville was a sea of many shades of green on Sunday, March 17 for the start of the marvelous and amazing, but very short, St.Patrick’s Day parade. There was not a grumpy face to be … more

3/21/24