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

This was the scene along Lamson Road last week, where a town project to build a new sidewalk resulted in the loss of more than a half-dozen mature shade trees.

Editorial: In Barrington, town-sponsored carnage

Trees on Lamson Road. Trees on Maple Avenue. Trees near the middle school property. A huge tree on Lorraine Street. All over Barrington, private companies and public contractors have been … more

6/11/25

Editorial: A problem of parking in Barrington

Sunday’s Barrington Arts Festival had so much going for it — large crowds, diverse food trucks, artists and artisans, live music, good people and great atmosphere. It had one major flaw … more

6/6/25

Editorial: A hasty ban on dogs

A new proposal to ban dogs, leashed or otherwise, from all Barrington parks or outdoor athletic facilities is a surprising departure from the normal course of local government. From all we can … more

5/22/25

Editorial: No space for dogs

Speaking of dogs, the Barrington Town Council’s refusal to support the creation of a temporary dog park is surprising and deflating. The permanent dog park is being torn up while the town … more

5/22/25

Editorial: How much does a national championship cost?

The Barrington High School Science Olympiad team is going to nationals. That is great news and worth plastering all over the Barrington Booster Board at the intersection of County Road and Federal. … more

5/2/25

Editorial: There’s no need for speed (cameras)

The federal government has spent the past two and a half months chasing flies with sledgehammers. The drive to install speed cameras in Barrington school zones feels like a sledgehammer. Claims … more

4/3/25

Editorial: Be it resolved, a barrier to public access

A resolution being pushed before city and town councils throughout Rhode Island is asking for their support in making access to public records more challenging. Most of the thousands of bills … more

3/25/25

Editorial: Banner beauty in Barrington

The banners that recently lined Barrington’s downtown corridor need a re-set, not a retirement. The banners were removed after a small group of citizens complained they were visual clutter, … more

3/12/25

Editorial: The Chianese conundrum

A large part of Chianese Park is a literal wasteland. Much of the park is capped landfill — a vast expanse of mostly open space, surrounded by private residences. The Town of Barrington … more

3/6/25

Editorial: Silencing the public

Bids to hire consultants? No comments. Ordinance introductions? No comments. Watson Avenue development purchase and sale agreement? No comments. For multiple items on the recent … more

1/23/25

Editorial: A few resolutions for the New Year

At the time of the year when folks pause for self-reflection and renewal, a few resolutions for Barrington to consider in 2025 … • Resolve to continue our work constructing new … more

1/20/25

Editorial: A dangerous situation

Last week the Barrington Times reported on a property dispute on County Road — the owners of a new bakery lost an important access point to their parking lot when the abutting property owner … more

1/20/25

Editorial: Slow down or pay the price

Shortly after they were first paved, the roads across Barrington were outfitted with signs clearly marking speed limits. And shortly after those signs were installed, motorists began speeding past … more

1/20/25

Editorial: A few resolutions for the New Year for Barrington

At the time of the year when folks pause for self-reflection and renewal, a few resolutions for Barrington to consider in 2025 … • Resolve to continue our work constructing new … more

1/10/25

Editorial: Ethical gaps and lapses in R.I. government

Kudos to Common Cause Rhode Island for filing a complaint and seeking a tighter code of ethics in Rhode Island in the wake of a scandal involving Gov. Dan McKee and the awarding of a $5.2 million … more

12/27/24

Editorial: Too many boards or too few volunteers?

What is happening with town boards and commissions? Are there fewer people volunteering these days or has the town created too many commissions? On Tuesday morning, the Town Clerk’s office … more

12/4/24

Editorial: State needs to iron out recount wrinkle

The recent Barrington Town Council race exposed a flaw in the state’s election system. Election law states that only a candidate who is trailing in a race can request a recount. Most times that … more

12/4/24

Editorial: A high school sports system built for inequity

When we first learned that the Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) had adopted a new system for rating the strength of Rhode Island high school sports teams, we were dubious. Now that it took … more

11/13/24

Editorial: Hope for the future — post-election

Regardless of who wins next Tuesday, the sun will rise next Wednesday. The Earth will keep spinning. Schools will welcome their students. Businesses will open their doors. Life will be much the same … more

10/30/24

Editorial: Locally, we say yes

Early voters have already seen, and Nov. 5 voters will soon see, five Local Questions on their 2024 ballot. We support all five. They are officially Questions 6 to 10 on the ballot, following a … more

10/29/24

Editorial: Bravo, to the League

The League of Women Voters of Rhode Island is providing a fantastic public service throughout the month leading up to Election Day. League volunteers, led by a group more robust and active than we … more

10/3/24

Editorial: Great news for the East Bay Bike Path

It’s easy to live with disruption. Most folks do it every day. They drive to work with brakes that squeak slightly. They stop thinking about the ache in their back. They eventually learn to … more

8/23/24

Editorial: Creative solutions to Barrington's beach parking jam

There are no easy solutions to the parking and access problems at Barrington Town Beach. Had town leaders developed a long-range vision a generation ago, they might have acquired a nearby lot or two … more

7/25/24

Editorial: A safer bike path for all

Among the flurry of bills being passed out of the Rhode Island General Assembly is a new law with big impact for the communities along the East Bay Bike Path. The “e-bikes bill” creates a … more

6/14/24

Editorial: An overdue opportunity to support recreation in Barrington

Barrington Financial Town Meeting voters will face another important decision when they are asked to authorize up to $5 million in long-term borrowing, the bulk of it to create an artificial turf … more

5/15/24