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

Letter: Be factual, not emotional, about wind energy

To the editor: Our gang of wind turbine protestors claim that wind turbines are killing sea creatures (“A rally cry against offshore wind,” The Portsmouth Times, May 18). Let’s … more

5/19/23

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

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

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: Portsmouth does not have a PR problem

To the editor: A recent Portsmouth Times article reported that one Portsmouth town councilor thinks Portsmouth has a PR problem. The actual problem is that Portsmouth has difficulty telling … more

3/12/24

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: Council was bullied by RIDOT director on roundabout

The current Town Council members that voted to approve the roundabout were bullied by RIDOT Director Peter Alviti. The unknowns to our community are too many. Why … more

12/12/23

Letter: With turbines, consumer electricity prices will triple

To the editor: There have been many articles and comments regarding the off-shore wind turbine projects off Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Most have focused on the benefits of reducing … more

12/12/23

Letter: Offshore wind critics and their disinformation campaign

To the editor: The recent rally and other calls to ban the SouthCoast Wind offshore wind farm has produced a remarkable number of complete misconceptions, misinformation and disinformation. I … more

5/19/23

Letter: Defend your neighbors, fight aquaculture proposal

To the editor: Once again, I find myself writing in defense of my Tiverton neighbors, various other local and statewide stakeholders, and the underserved communities impacted by the pending … more

6/22/22

Editorial: Good riddance to outdated toll system

The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority’s move to fully automated toll collection this week is welcome and long overdue. Starting Feb. 14, the bridge authority will launch a … more

2/12/21

Editorial: In this case, 'easier to find' is less likely to be found

Legislation before the Rhode Island General Assembly would take a swipe at both newspapers and transparency in government — two things that are intrinsically linked. House Bill 6375 and Senate … more

6/10/21

Letter: Washington Bridge fiasco has me wondering...what next?

Budget money has constantly been allocated to everything else, from digital security labs to soccer stadiums. Meanwhile critical infrastructure, like the 195 bridge, was shoddily inspected and shoddily repaired. Here is the result. more

1/25/24

Poli-ticks: Gosh, I miss the America I grew up with

Normally, this is the column where I have the audacity to suggest New Year resolutions for resident politicians. Instead I have a more urgent resolution for all of us: I want us Americans to go back … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 1/7/22

Letter: Urge your government to allow critical gun safety votes

To the editor: There are currently two pieces of legislation critical to our public safety which are making their way through our Rhode Island legislature. They would: 1) Ban of future sales of … more

4/27/23

Letter: Town not meeting law’s requirements on audits

To the editor, The Portsmouth Audit for fiscal year 2021-2022 has not been delivered to the people as required by law. The audit has now been late in three of the last five years and the Town … more

1/17/23

Letter: Numbers tell the tale of our foundering economy

In the January 25, 2024 Shorelines Opinion Section, Mr. Clay Commons offers examples to show how well our economy is functioning and requests countering information. He explicitly states … more

2/14/24

The author (second from left) and others caught this 11-foot thresher shark southeast of Newport, within sight of land, back in September. Anglers are seeing obvious changes in the local fishery, with cold-water fish like lobster and winter flounder migrating north, and warm-water bait fish like squid and mackerel moving in, attracting more sharks and tuna than ever before.

Op-Ed: We need climate-ready fisheries now

In Rhode Island, fisheries play a huge role in our economy and our way of life, but lately, we are seeing some concerning trends in our local fisheries. Anglers are experiencing climate impacts on … more

By Greg Vespe | 11/21/22

Letter: Some progress on suicide prevention barriers – but not enough

In 2023, the next phase of suicide prevention barrier legislation is pending before the Senate (S586) and the House (H6002). A lot has happened since this odyssey began to install barriers on the … more

4/27/23

Rhode Island must address PFAS

By Reps. Terri Cortvriend and June Speakman They are in the coating of your nonstick frying pan. The wrapper of your favorite burger. The stain-resistant upholstery of your couch, and even the … more

6/10/22

Witness a shifting of the tectonic plates in R.I. politics

STORY OF THE WEEK: Every now and then, the tectonic plates of Rhode Island politics shift, as campaign season fades and a fresh batch of leaders takes on new roles. We’re seeing that to some … more

By Ian Donnis | 11/22/22

The race for CD1 is beginning to get more combative

STORY OF THE WEEK: With a little more than three weeks until the Sept. 5 primary in Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District, the race has entered a more combative phase. A case in point was a … more

By Ian Donnis | 8/15/23

Sen. Reed on world conflicts, national politics and the growth of Gina

STORY OF THE WEEK: In 1997, when Jack Reed first joined the U.S. Senate, the Cold War had ended and 9/11 had not yet happened. A quarter-century later, the world is a very different place, with a … more

By Ian Donnis | 10/17/23