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

Commentary: Let’s listen and speak to each other instead of being against our neighbors

The Harvest Moon holds appeal for people from a global range of cultures. We celebrate here at Thanksgiving and like to think we are thanking the indigenous tribes for helping us to prepare the local … more

By Mike Fink | 10/13/22

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: Historical displays are ready for empty storefronts

We at the Bristol Historical & Preservation Society believe that history can help advance our town’s economic development and provide solutions to current problems. To that end, last … more

3/6/20

Letter: Consider a ‘tax holiday’ to help state and businesses

There exists in Bristol a pithy expression of truth: “What happens after the Fourth of July Parade?” The answer is “Winter.” Each year Rhode Island … more

4/22/21

Commentary: Put your cell phone away for a minute...enjoy the beauty of nature in the fall

Look up from your cell phone. Please. The sky is on fire. Don’t miss it. Foliage is transitioning to flame and to tangerine and to ochre. These colors, hidden in summer, are becoming visible as … more

By Betsy Shea-Taylor | 10/13/22

Editorial: It’s just common sense — even in a pandemic

Emotions run high these days, with most people quarantining at home, many worrying about loved ones, far too many wondering how they will pay their bills, and no one knowing when and how there will … more

4/23/20

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: Federal budget is a debt sinkhole

Well, it was a good laugh. The closing sentence in the letter titled " Thankfully our Presidential Leadership gives us hope ” states that we should all have a little love, compassion and … more

4/23/20

Editorial: The virus masks the best education possible

A few weeks ago we shared our opinions about mandatory masking in schools. Based on some reactions , you might think we advocated for citizen revolt against both the government and the medical … more

8/26/21

Talking Politics: Gov. McKee's budget comes at a great time for candidate McKee

STORY OF THE WEEK: With the September 13 primary fast approaching, RI Gov. Dan McKee last week unveiled a spending plan that doubles as a way to appeal to a wide swath of Rhode Islanders. Big spend … more

By Ian Donnis | 1/26/22

Letter: Dissatisfied RI Residents must stay and fight

No single political-party always works in the best interest of all people. more

3/28/24

Editorial: Theater company deserves better than eviction

Perhaps this drama will have a happy ending, but the plot to pry the Bristol Theatre Company from its home in the former Reynolds School building feels unnecessarily dark. First, the theater … more

4/22/21

Letter: Taliban rout and storming of U.S. Capitol eerily similar

Those of us who took Latin in grade school know that “Sic Transit Gloria” represents what the U.S. is experiencing with the fall of Afghanistan. Americans and democracy really had no … more

8/25/21

Troubled Philly trip continues to make waves for McKee

STORY OF THE WEEK: The troubled March trip to Philadelphia by two Rhode Island officials continues to make waves. Following revelations, via ProJo, about a January lunch at the Capital Grill that … more

By Ian Donnis | 6/27/23

Letter: Trees for the people and the planet

When we take care of trees, trees take care of people and entire ecosystems. more

3/28/24

Letter: Farewell, Goglia’s! We won’t be the same without you

When Goglia’s market closes its doors, Bristol won’t lose just a great neighborhood market, it will lose an institution. No other place shares its one-of-a-kind character. Built by … more

4/23/20

Letter: Use masks as an opportunity for growth

One of the disturbing messages coming out of the more recent Bristol Warren Regional School Committee meeting was the idea that mask wearing is cognitively, physically, and emotionally harmful to … more

8/25/21

What has become of us?

June was pockmarked by events which suggest to me that ethics as a guiding force is in full decline. Locally, we had the pathetic saga of two administrators of Gov. Dan McKee engaging in unchecked … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 6/27/23

Be very careful with Officers’ Bill of Rights

Another legislative session in Rhode Island has come and gone without any action on a perennial issue, reform of the Law Enforcement Bill of Rights. To be sure, some Constables on Patrol (COPS) have … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 8/1/23

Letter: Individual ‘rights’ vs. community responsibility

Over the past several weeks, I have followed the ‘mask debate’ as it pertains to the start of the school year. The increasingly polarizing rhetoric around this reflects an erosion of our … more

8/26/21

Letter: Bill threatens Portuguese-American community and businesses

During these recent months of the COVID-19 health pandemic, it is easy to lose track of important issues that affect the people in our community. One example is a recent bill (H 8123 – … more

8/27/20

Letter: Bristol may be moderate now — but for how long?

In last week’s edition of the Phoenix there was an article which contained interviews with various local candidates and their belief that Bristol voters cast their ballots for more … more

11/12/20

Letter: Can we try to meet in the middle now and then?

As the election season heats up, and the letters to the editor are becoming more numerous and combative, it's obvious the divide between the liberals and conservatives is growing deeper by the day, … more

8/27/20

Letter: For this voter, ‘no record found’ on Election Day

Election‎ Day‎ 2020 — A‎ day‎ that‎ will‎ live‎ in‎ infamy.‎ Wanting‎ to‎ avoid‎ the‎ big‎ crowds‎ I‎ decided‎ to‎ … more

11/12/20

Editorial: SEL screening should be applauded, not feared

Instead of fearing or being suspicious of a new screening procedure for social-emotional learning, parents would be better serving their children by encouraging their participation in a tool which may benefit their mental health, and overall wellbeing. more

2/15/23