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

Letter: A world without domestic violence is possible — if we act

To the editor: Imagine a world with no domestic violence — where no Rhode Islanders have their lives cut short by abuse, where children do not witness this violence, where our … more

12/6/21

Letter writer Mike Proto took this photo of a swampy field shortly after a recent rainstorm to illustrate his point that claims of flooding at the school were not simply over-exaggerated.

Letter: A correction on Mt. Hope flooding

To the editor: Last week's Bristol Phoenix contained a completely erroneous contribution in their “Speakout” section regarding the wetlands at the current Mount Hope High School … more

7/27/23

Letter: Cartoon showed prejudice against Catholic Church

To the editor: The last acceptable citadel of fashionable public prejudice seems to have been confirmed in the Portsmouth Times’ editorial cartoon drawn by Charlie Hall this past week. The … more

9/4/23

Commentary: Saddened masterpiece ‘Superman’ building is being thrown into the dustbin

Paris is endeavoring to repair and restore Notre Dame Cathedral. We here in Providence have neglected our only Skyscraper, the most poetic and "philosophical" structure in our downtown. It saddens me … more

By Mike Fink | 2/14/20

Letter: Hoping to start the new year with a clean slate

I grew up on Hope Street in Bristol, and while I now live outside of town, I proudly consider myself a “Bristolian.” In 43 years, I missed our parade only once. In the 1960s, my late … more

7/22/21

Dr. Karissa Niehoff, chief executive officer of the National Federation of State High School Associations; and Mike Lunney, executive director of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League.

Commentary: Bad behavior by coaches, parents and fans must stop

There’s an unfortunate trend continuing in Rhode Island and across the nation that must be stopped: the bad behavior of coaches, parents and fans at high school athletic … more

By Dr. Karissa Niehoff and Mike Lunney | 9/26/22

Editorial: In the public interest, it’s time to update the public records law

Setting aside journalists and citizen watchdogs, most people don’t care about public records laws — until they do care. When they find themselves in a land dispute with a neighbor, preparing a legal defense for their son’s disputed arrest, or questioning why a school district is building a new school instead of renovating an old one, they will care a lot about public records laws. more

3/1/23

Letter: More offerings for kids in the paper?

To the editor: I read the police entry but I didn’t see any comics or games. That’s why I think you should put comics and games in the newspaper. I’m sure there are a lot of … more

7/27/23

Letter: Progress needed on gas-powered lawn equipment

To the editor: A couple of weeks ago, one of your readers suggested that we provide the community with information about legislation that we’re sponsoring in the interest of transparency and … more

2/24/22

Letter: Removal of bike signs was a knee-jerk, unsafe reaction

To the editor: I am disheartened, frustrated, and bewildered that some people have reacted so strongly against the installation of simple, harmless street signs around Bristol meant to create a … more

7/10/23

Letter: ‘Diversity’ committee would undermine the government and citizens of Bristol

Editor’s note: The following is an abridged version of a letter submitted to the Bristol Town Council prior to hearing a proposal to create a Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. … more

1/27/21

Letter: Thank you! Getting my shots was easy peasy

With all the negativity that has been going on lately, I wanted to write something about feeling good. Getting my first Covid shot was so frustrating, to say the least. But … more

4/15/21

Bruce Burdett at a patio table outside his Bristol home, where he often works. The editor of The Sakonnet Times and Westport Shorelines is retiring this week after 45 years with East Bay Newspapers. “There’s something in all of us that likes to tell people stories, and this was my way to be able to do it,” he said.

Editorial: Sight unseen, his pen was most powerful

This has always been a special space in the local newspaper. Whether thoughtfully crafted after hours of research or thrown together on hectic deadline, the editorial is a revered tradition that … more

7/22/21

Letter: Teacher: ‘I feel complicit having students wear masks’

To the editor: Thank you so much for working on the piece about families wanting mask choice for their families. I am a first-grade teacher in Middletown and a parent and read every page of your … more

2/24/22

Letter: In response to a Speakout call

On bond skepticism, one reader ponders, should only people who have cars pay for the building and upkeep of roads and bridges? more

10/26/23

Letter: We should all think before we throw

All my adult life I’ve been obsessed with trash. In 1986, as a young, very pregnant woman in Brooklyn, my husband and I went door to door, distributing informative pamphlets in our … more

1/27/21

Editorial: ‘Tax the rich!’

When state governments need money, they often focus on familiar targets: personal sins (drinking, smoking and gambling), fossil fuels and the rich. In the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing … more

4/15/21

Op-Ed: ‘Secure Choice’ is good for Rhode Island

Nearly 200,000 working people in Rhode Island do not have access to an employer-provided retirement savings plan. This savings deficit could push the state over a costly retirement cliff resulting in … more

5/25/23

Letter: Restore civility to our town and country

The Bristol Phoenix (July 30) was replete with letters from various citizens. To see so many Bristolians express their views is indeed encouraging, as it demonstrates a keen interest in local and … more

8/14/20

Letter: Strong leadership raises our level of public discourse

I want to express my thoughts on the Bristol Town Council meeting held on Jan. 20. On the agenda was a petition to establish a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of the Town Council. Many of … more

1/28/21

Letter: Candidates who want ‘transparency’ not being open or honest

To the editor: While researching the Bristol School Committee election, I stumbled into a couple local political groups on social media. I was irritated to see these pages spreading the typical … more

10/21/22

Letter: Rigorous kindergarten curriculum?

If we are putting the pressure of a curriculum on children in kindergarten, I fear for their mental health. more

9/20/23

Letter: Misguided vigilantes are snitching on their neighbors

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, I have observed the Bristol police report becoming larger every week, with the majority of incidents being so called “concerned citizens” … more

5/14/20

Letter: Corrupted ‘freedoms’ and the death of discipline

I’ve been wondering lately about the true meanings of two works in our English language. The first word is “freedom,” and the second is “discipline.” The present … more

8/14/20

Letter: Bristol could learn from Barrington’s diversity example

It was disappointing to see that the proposed Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee did not succeed in being sanctioned by our Town Council. Many of our citizens spoke both pro and con about this … more

1/28/21