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

Editorial: Don’t sink a good thing

In an uncharacteristic moment of sound business sense years ago, Rhode Island lawmakers opted to eliminate the sales tax on boats sold here. The state’s industrial base was evaporating … more

5/8/25

Editorial: Bristol has no choice but to reject Fourth petitions

When the Bristol Town Council considers two citizen-driven petitions regarding the town’s storied Fourth of July celebration, it has only once choice to make. It must reject both petitions. … 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: Who is in charge here?

As the citizens group Save Bristol’s 4th continues to fight against what they see as an unjust change of venue for the July 4th concert series, they are using the tool of the citizen’s … more

3/6/25

Editorial: Too big for its britches

It was the Facebook post heard around the world. Despite the Fourth of July Committee’s best effort at deploying the “sandwich” method of bad news delivery between slices of … more

1/31/25

Editorial: Hazard in the south end of town

Patrick T. Conley’s Dec. 26 letter regarding the merging of routes 114 and 136 at the southern end of town was spot on. He noted that he and his wife Gail have long lobbied for some form of … more

1/16/25

Some resolutions for Bristol

At the time of the year when folks pause for self-reflection and renewal, a few resolutions for Bristol to consider in 2025 … • Resolve to dive deeply into strategic plans for better … more

1/3/25

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: DEM leaves coal in Bristol’s stocking

The decision by the Department of Environmental Management’s office of Water Resources to permit the alteration of freshwater wetlands off Gooding Avenue, filling in some 1.15 acres, is … more

12/19/24

Editorial: Access for all at the Bristol docks

A local nonprofit’s request to install a lift for wheelchair-bound boat passengers at the town’s public marina is reasonable on its merits. Like offering transient slips, a pumpout … more

12/5/24

Editorial: Explore Bristol! Then go home

As it makes life better for its residents, Bristol should be wary of making life difficult for its visitors. In recent weeks, the local government has passed two new ordinances aimed at outsiders. … more

11/27/24

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: Cemetery gates are (unfortunately) necessary

St. Mary’s Church is doing the right thing by installing gates at its cemetery on Chestnut Street . In the past, this might not have been necessary. Most folks would never have considered … more

10/25/24

Editorial: The courage to silence phones in school

The Bristol Warren Regional School District is showing the courage to do what few other districts have been willing to – restricting student cell phone use during the school day. At its … more

10/24/24

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: 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: APRA fight has government protecting government

Committees in both the Rhode Island House of Representatives and Rhode Island Senate have listened to testimony on a bill that would update and improve the state’s public records law. … more

4/4/24

Editorial: Washington Bridge 'accountability' starts at the top

Recently ConsumerAffairs, a consumer-focused news outlet, rated Rhode Island’s roads as the worst in the country in their 2024 report. The “All That” state slipped from … more

3/20/24

Editorial: Let the light shine

Government works best in the light. When its actions are open, seen and transparent, they can be measured. They can be scrutinized. They can be questioned. They can be challenged. more

3/14/24

Editorial: Don't forget the joy of the snow day

School administrators should remember that it’s okay for kids to have good, old-fashioned fun. more

2/15/24

Editorial: 'Public Comment' rules should be open, flexible and customer-friendly

In the years leading up to the pandemic, most Americans were hyper-focused on national-level politics, with Trump, the Democrats or the Republicans seemingly responsible for everything good or bad in … more

1/26/24

Editorial: A tale of two developments

It is worthwhile to examine the fates of two developments that went before the Warren Planning Board last week, and what the implications of these decisions mean moving forward under the auspice of new housing laws in the state. more

1/10/24

Editorial: Time to call it quits on ferry experiment

While this service could potentially be a fun concept to bolster tourism between Providence and the East Bay during the summer, it is far too costly to continue utilizing as an ineffective traffic mitigation tool. more

12/28/23