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

Five-way governor’s race took a curious turn last week

STORY OF THE WEEK: With less than three weeks until Rhode Island’s Sept. 13 primary, the five-way Democratic race for governor took a curious turn. Nellie Gorbea’s campaign aired an ad … more

By Ian Donnis | 8/29/22

Letter: Arlene Violet is wrong on Critical Race Theory

I often read Arlene Violet’s columns in the East Bay newspapers. I usually find them interesting and informative. She is an accomplished woman – a former nun, former Rhode Island attorney … more

6/17/21

The stories of the election: Magaziner, McKee and the Dems

STORY OF THE WEEK: Allan Fung was visibly deflated when he walked into Twin Oaks last week to hug supporters and concede defeat in a campaign that many people expected him to win. Two elements made … more

By Ian Donnis | 11/15/22

Letter: Too many of the elderly suffered lonely deaths

Thank you to all the heroic CNAs, nurses and support staff at all long-term care facilities for working through this wretched COVID pandemic. Many of us would have been lost without … more

6/17/21

Commentary: Hiking personal income taxes is ill-timed and short-sighted

Several bills have been introduced in the Rhode Island General Assembly to add a new top state personal income tax bracket, thereby threatening to impose a higher tax burden on business, and … more

4/14/21

The letter-writer, David Souza, shared this photo of litter found near a local shoreline launch site.

Letter: Littering, desecration at local beaches is getting worse

To the editor: Recently my wife and I went to Blue Trail Launch Site, which is at the end of Corys Lane in Portsmouth. My wife was scared of this surrounding area, scared to be in an area she … more

8/8/23

Letter: Wearing a mask shows you care

To the editor: A Twin River billboard on I-195 captures the irony of the age. “Let’s all come together. Stay home. Stay safe.” How do we come together when we are practicing … more

5/7/20

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: 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

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

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

Big issues simmer — How will they impact voters a few months from now?

STORY OF THE WEEK: With summer fast approaching – and Rhode Island’s election season coming into sharper focus – how will the whipsaw of American life in 2022 affect the results? … more

By Ian Donnis | 5/17/22

Letter: Rhode Island desperately needs a bottle bill

In September, the Sogkonate Garden Club of Little Compton collected over 87 pounds of trash from our beaches in one day and over the past year, Friends of the Saugatucket in Wakefield collected over … more

12/6/23

Letter: Worried for the republic? Lighten up and get to work

To the editor: Not so long ago, being teased (bullying was always wrong) was just part of growing up. And being needled was just part of being a public figure. Teasing and needling once … more

7/27/22

Is anyone in R.I. looking at the big picture with hospitals?

STORY OF THE WEEK: Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha has championed the cause of government transparency, often saying that the state’s public records law should be a floor and not a … more

By Ian Donnis | 11/7/23

To the editor: Where’s the accountability at DOT?

So, according to the current RIDOT deputy chief engineer, the Washington Bridge failures “might” have pre-existed, but no one had noticed this until recently. It was actually an … more

2/7/24

Letter: Why is this state so far behind in vaccinations?

It is the same sensation as hearing a friend has won the lottery. It is the same sensation as being the unmarried bridesmaid sister at your sister’s wedding. I have recently been helping … more

1/29/21

Is the R.I. economy headed for a rude awakening?

STORY OF THE WEEK: If you want to feel a chill down your back, watch PBS Frontline’s report on the recent era of “easy money” – super-low interest rates … more

By Ian Donnis | 3/21/23

Letter: R.I. Congressional delegation working to protect animals

To the editor: The Humane Society Legislative Fund, a lobbying affiliate of the Humane Society of the United States, publishes its annual Humane Scorecard of Congress … more

3/4/24

Letter: Closing gyms was excessive government overreach

Last week, Gov. Gina Raimondo petitioned the Rhode Island Superior Court and obtained a temporary restraining order closing two Maxx Fitness Clubs in Lincoln and Warren, and in the case of the Warren … more

12/9/20

Letter: Wishing the new East Providence city-side HR director good luck

To the editor: Good luck to the newly appointed Human Resources Director Dr. Robert Perry for the City of East Providence. His resume and past experience certainly is impressive and a good … more

3/1/23

Letter: E-Bikes on the path would be immensely dangerous

To the editor: A very precise and sensible letter was written last week by Jerry Blitefield of Warren about the imminent danger to the East Bay Bike Path . He talks about the current law with no … more

5/25/23