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

Letter: Don’t allow Robin Rug developer to skirt Bristol’s Master Plan

To the editor: Developer Brady Sullivan is asking the Planning Board and Town Council to eliminate substantial benefits to Bristol taxpayers by changing the Zoning Map and Master Plan attached to … more

1/20/22

Letter: COVID was deadly, and vaccines helped

To the editor: Last week's Phoenix contained a letter to the editor from an individual lampooning and criticizing those who advocated for and received the COVID-19 vaccination. This individual … more

9/1/22

Can R.I. cut its way to a better business climate?

S TORY OF THE WEEK: Can Rhode Island tax-cut its way to a more appealing business climate? That question has been subject to debate for years and it won’t stop now. For supporters, … more

By Ian Donnis | 4/4/23

Letter: A safer bike path should be everyone’s goal

To the editor: Last week, I took advantage of the Citizen’s Forum to speak briefly at the Bristol Town Council meeting. Here is basically what I said: I live along the East Bay Bike Path, … more

8/10/23

Talking Politics: Dr. Scott was the right person at the right time

STORY OF THE WEEK: Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott was the right person in the right place at the right time when the pandemic came to Rhode Island. Although she had never faced a challenge of that … more

By Ian Donnis | 1/20/22

Letter: Why no referendum on Yarn Mill development?

To the editor: Regarding the impending ill-advised development of the Bristol Yarn Mill Complex, I hope the pragmatic, forward-looking and spot on letters of Mr. Mascena and Mr. Salesi were read … more

8/10/23

The House Speaker heads into 2023 in good standing

STORY OF THE WEEK: House Speaker Joe Shekarchi remains in an enviable political position heading into his second term in what is sometimes called the most powerful post in Rhode Island state … more

By Ian Donnis | 12/20/22

Letter: Are we asking the right questions about massive wind farms?

Construction is underway to build thousands of huge wind turbines from New Jersey to Maine. From an average Joe’s perspective, this process feels extremely rushed, and there are dozens of unanswered questions. more

12/20/23

Letter: Vaccine skepticism 'increasingly untenable'

To the editor: In 1919 the Volstead Act was passed, which was a nationwide mandate to make the manufacture and sale of alcohol illegal. It failed, and was repealed. We still, nonetheless, have … more

11/17/21

A troubling look behind the scenes in the seafood business

STORY OF THE WEEK: New Bedford’s half-billion-dollar commercial fishing catch is one of the economic bright spots in southern New England. But the underside of the seafood business includes … more

By Ian Donnis | 9/26/23

Commentary: On Mother’s Day, don’t forget moms who struggle

Mother’s Day is the day when we celebrate our moms and the other women in our lives who have given us love, guidance, inspiration, and support.What we don’t often do on Mother’s … more

By Diane LeValley | 4/29/22

McKee’s approval ratings are low, but does it matter?

On the surface, a new Morning Consult finding showing Gov. Dan McKee as the lowest-ranked governor in the nation (with a 38% approval rating) doesn’t reflect well on the incumbent. But if McKee … more

By Ian Donnis | 7/29/22

Letter: Here we go again, fighting to preserve theater

To the editor: Let’s be real. We’ve been here before and we’ll be here again. When it comes to theater programs and other art programs, all we ever seem to do is fight, and the … more

2/2/23

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: Growing dismay for school committee leadership

To the editor: Like many East Bay residents, I’ve followed with growing dismay the ongoing actions and statements of the current leadership of the Bristol Warren School Committee. Their most … more

12/9/21

Letter: Michael Byrnes forever changed my life

To the editor: I was so sad and in tears to hear that Mr. Michael Byrnes passed away. On Dec. 20, 2022, I even exchanged several short emails with him. In his first email, he mentioned he had a … more

2/2/23

Letter: Who scorns women? Look at these democrats

To the editor: This letter is in response to Will Newman's letter of April 7, titled " Not hard to see who scorns woman in America ." Mr. Newman forgets about the Democratic … more

4/29/22

Letter: On the Mt. Hope theater program

To the editor: I’m writing in response to the article, ‘ Theater to be ‘phased out’ of Mt Hope High School’ , stating that the decision was driven by low enrollment … more

2/2/23

Letter: Bristol has shown it does not care about systemic racism

Bristol proves, time and time again, that they do not care. Racism is pointed out — in conversation, in this newspaper — and it is brushed aside by people who do not care enough to take a … more

5/19/21

Letter: Our students offer the biggest indictment of our schools

To the editor: The Mt. Hope Student Union claims in their overlong public comment, quoted in toto by Tumblr-blog Uprise RI, that our doomed collegebound “are checked for their bigotry, … more

12/9/21

Letter: Bristol should be more competitive for their police

To the editor: This is the final week that the Bristol Police Department will be accepting applications for their latest recruitment drive, and first off, I would like to congratulate the … more

2/2/23

Letter: Why I decided to get a firearm

To the editor: Several years ago, it occurred to me that I wanted to take greater responsibility for my safety and that of my family. I am a daughter, sister, mother, and a registered nurse. As … more

4/18/21

Letter: Are the political oligarchs dividing our country?

When law-abiding, hard-working people of a free country massively arm themselves, and learn to shoot a gun in order to protect their families from a self-serving government that no longer works to … more

5/19/21

Letter: Pay attention to the real threats to our liberty

To the editor: Liberty, in common usage, means “freedom from arbitrary or despotic government or control.” Thankfully, because of our constitution, we have a system of laws to … more

4/29/22

Commentary: Study land routes for massive Mayflower Wind cables

Editor’s note: This letter was sent to the chief officer of the Environment Branch for Renewable Energy at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in Sterling, Va. It was titled: “An open … more

By Greg Vespa | 1/12/23