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

Letter: Disrespectful eyesore on Hixbridge

We drove across the Hixbridge bridge today and just before heading east over the bridge, on the left, were a series of mangled trees. Ripped to shreds (same horrible machine that … more

4/16/25

Letter: On the paper's letters policy, and national politics

This paper’s decision, based on some opaque policy, to print letters to the editor on local issues only is their rightful business. This decision may rest on the belief that national … more

4/15/25

Letter: Remember the ladies

To the editor: I am writing regarding the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act which just passed the US House and is headed for the US Senate. I urge you to contact all senators to demand … more

4/15/25

Letter: Federal actions will impact us locally in many ways

I am writing again to express my concern about the damage that DOGE is doing to Social Security. They are now changing policies on what actions can be handled online, which will force thousands of … more

4/11/25

Letter: A call to action this Saturday

This Saturday, April 5, there will be a nationwide peaceful protest and rally against the Trump regime and Elon Musk. The 50501 Movement, HandsOff, and The Women’s March are collaborating … more

4/2/25

Letter: Why Shana Teas has our vote next Tuesday

We write to support Shana Teas to be re-elected to the Westport Select Board on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Shana has proven herself to be an incredible asset to the Town of Westport. She is smart, … more

4/2/25

Westport Community Schools superintendent Tom Aubin advocates for schools at a past Town Meeting.

Letter: Thomas Aubin will be hard to replace

Westport is losing a giant. Superintendent Tom Aubin will leave big shoes to fill in our schools. He has been an unrelenting champion for our kids, determined that each student should get the best … more

4/2/25

Letter: Protecting public lands toward state climate goals

Article 97 of the Amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution, establishes the public’s right to a clean environment and protects public lands designated for conservation, natural resources, … more

3/26/25

Keeping close watch on the on-again, off-again tariffs

STORY OF THE WEEK: Tariffs “will always tend to crush the spirit of enterprise and cripple the productive energies of a country.” If that sounds like a gripe from Canadian Prime Minister … more

By Ian Donnis | 3/10/25

Letter: Most all of us are descendants of immigrants

To the editor: It’s a wonderful month — “Irish Heritage Month,” and like many of you I am a descendent of Irish immigrants. My grandparents left Ireland in … more

3/9/25

Letter: Trump’s wrongs are too many to be listed

To the editor: Mr. Trump is right about a few things. First, the long-standing dispute between Israel and the Palestinians can be resolved by asserting that Palestinians don’t matter. … more

3/7/25

Letter: USAID’s destruction will impact all of us

Most Americans a month ago had zero awareness of the US Aid Program — what it did; who it benefitted; what it cost. But since Trump and Musk tried to cut off funding for these programs, we have … more

3/5/25

Letter: The truth about whales, acoustics, and the cost of windpower

Robert Rand, an acoustical engineer from Brunswick, Maine, [Rand Acoustics] spoke during a presentation at a meeting in Dartmouth on October 23, 2024 at the Stackhouse Club. Robert has developed … more

3/3/25

Letter: More questions after wind reps come to town

Representatives from Vineyard Offshore, parent company of Vineyard Wind I and II, spoke in Westport at the Offshore Wind Advisory Committee meeting on Thursday, February 20. Approximately … more

2/25/25

Letter: Why I'm stepping aside from select board race

After careful consideration, I have decided to withdraw my nomination papers for Select Board in order to remain on the Westport School Committee. While I sincerely appreciate the encouragement … more

2/19/25

I pledge allegiance to Trump

Nobody would argue that government is not corpulent and needs a diet, which the President is doing. While scholars are focused on whether much of President Donald Trump’s purge of programs and … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 2/18/25

Letter: Our democracy is worthy of a champion

Democracy is messy because everyone has an opinion. Governing in a democracy is hard because finding common ground among swirling opinions is often exceedingly contentious. This dilemma can … more

2/5/25

Impacted by opioids? Westport wants your input

Members of the Westport Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Committee (OSFAC) will hold a focus group next Monday, Feb. 10, in the Westport Library’s north room. It runs from 5 to 6:30 p.m. … more

2/4/25

Letter: Worried about election consequences? There is help locally

We 33 members of the Westport Democratic Town Committee watched with great interest the inauguration of Donald Trump as our nation’s 47th president. His life embodies, his campaign espoused, … more

1/27/25

Letter: Feasibility study will help Westport plan its future

I am pleased to share an update regarding the future of Westport’s municipal buildings. This week, the Westport Select Board is set to approve a contract with RGB Architects, Inc. for a … more

1/8/25

Letter: Westport is rising to the offshore wind challenge

Westport's newly formed Offshore Wind Advisory Committee (OSWAC) met for the second time this past Thursday, Dec. 12. It will convene again on Jan. 16, 2025, at 5:30pm in Westport Town Hall. At its … more

12/18/24

A Great Horned Owl surveys its territory from a native cherry tree perch in the East Bay. Great Horned Owls are widespread across the U.S. but bird count surveys have shown a significant decreasing trend in the eastern region. Photo courtesy of Butch Lombardi.

The symbiotic relationships between owls and woodpeckers

Head outside on a clear winter night in the East Bay and you might just be greeted by the deep, soft hoots of Great Horned Owls advertising their territories and calling to their mates. Listen more … more

By Cindy and Ed Moura | 12/12/24

Dr. Patrick T. Conley, chairman of the U.S. Constitution Council, delivers an address to dignitaries at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall on Dec. 15, 1991, to mark the Bicentennial of the Bill of Rights. U.S. Chief Justice Warren Burger delivered a similar address on that day in Richmond, Virginia.

In praise and recognition of America’s Bill of Rights

December 15 is the anniversary of our Bill of Rights. On that date in 1791, Virginia’s ratification of Articles I through X of our Constitution incorporated them permanently into our … more

By Patrick T. Conley | 12/4/24

Message of Hope: Westport forms Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Committee

Welcome to Westport Health Notes, a monthly column from the Westport Board of Health (BOH). The goal is to share information with our community about local issues and projects, public health alerts, … more

By Donna Amaral, RN | 12/4/24

Letter: Thanks, from 8th Bristol District candidate Thrasher

Today, this chapter of our campaign for the 8th Bristol Representative comes to a close. I want to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve accomplished together, express my heartfelt … more

11/26/24