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

Great stories celebrating great people

To the editor: I may sound like a broken record, however once again Manny Correira has nailed another of his excellent articles celebrating Bristol’s heritage and fine folks. The photo on … more

5/5/25

Antidote to despair

To the editor: Day 100 of the current administration is upon us. With that formidable reality, I rise each day struggling to choose hope over despair. You may be feeling similarly—daunted … more

5/5/25

Mark your calendars for Stamp Out Hunger

To the editor: It's that time of year when kind individuals, such as yourselves, can help the less fortunate in your area. How? By leaving non-perishable food by your mailbox or on your porch, to be … more

5/5/25

Balancing interests for the leader of the Senate, who's the leader of the union

STORY OF THE WEEK: After Val Lawson won election Tuesday as the new president of the Rhode Island Senate , she faced a battery of reporters’ questions about her dual role as head of that … more

By Ian Donnis | 5/5/25

Letter: If you don’t like it here, leave

To the editor: I’ll make this short and sweet to save space. I’m not alone here and I am sick and tired of folks moving to our country and complaining about all that happens to make … more

5/1/25

Letter: Recent Town Hall was fear-mongering by Democrat puppets

To the editor: I recently attended the Town Hall with our federal delegation, including Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, and Congressman Gabe Amo. Hosted by the Newport County League of … more

5/1/25

Letter: Careful what you wish for – Active Democrats could become ex-Democrats

To the editor: In the spirit of bipartisanship, I took the advice of Mr. Erich Haslehurst of the Bristol Democratic Town Committee, as per his previous letter, to get involved; so, I attended the … more

5/1/25

Letter: Bike path debate a model of respectful engagement and discourse

To the editor: Thank you for Mike Rego’s comprehensive article on the bill that I sponsored seeking reconsideration of the “rules of the road” on Rhode Island bike paths. And thank … more

5/1/25

Farewell to the longest-serving lawmaker in Rhode Island

1. STORY OF THE WEEK: The unexpected death of Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio at age 76 on Monday marks the end of an era in more ways than one. Ruggerio, widely revered by his … more

By Ian Donnis | 4/29/25

Letter: We don’t need a reenactment, we’re under attack now

To the editor: This year the great irony is that while we watch a pretend reenactment of a 400 year old attack on our town by the British monarchy our very same town is under direct attack by … more

4/28/25

Letter: Secondhand smoke in casinos is a killer

To the editor: Secondhand smoke (SHS), is killing people. Workers at casinos that still allow indoor smoking are at elevated risk. I have worked at what is now called Ballys in Lincoln, since … more

4/28/25

Letter: Reviving Rhode Island's legacy of principled action

To the editor: Rhode Island was founded by a man who refused to accept the authority of centralized power. Roger Williams broke from the Puritan consensus and built a political vision rooted in … more

4/28/25

Do deportation efforts show 'a complete disrespect for the Constitution'?

STORY OF THE WEEK: If the sine qua non of President Donald Trump is about pushing boundaries, the apex of that tendency is coming front and center. The showdown over Kilmar Abrego Garcia in … more

By Ian Donnis | 4/21/25

Letter: More news as the British get closer to Bristol

In case you haven’t heard, the British will be coming to Bristol May 16 to 18 (Don’t worry, patriotic Bristolians are going to send them packing!). In addition to historical … more

4/16/25

Letter: Let’s see if citizens have the fortitude for town leadership

In response to Mike Proto’s letter to the editor, “ Citizens are motivated to make change, ” Bristol Phoenix, April 10, I offer the following for consideration. Although I can … more

4/16/25

Letter: What can you do? Get involved

As we bear witness to the rapid dismantling of our governmental institutions, many of us are feeling a sense of hopelessness and helplessness. While there may be little we can do here in Bristol to … more

4/16/25

Letter: On the paper's letters policy, and national politics

This paper’s decision, based on some opaque policy, to print letters to the editor on local issues only is their rightful business. This decision may rest on the belief that national … more

4/15/25

Letter: Remember the ladies

To the editor: I am writing regarding the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act which just passed the US House and is headed for the US Senate. I urge you to contact all senators to demand … more

4/15/25

Reaction to global trade war is mostly breaking along partisan lines

1. STORY OF THE WEEK: Decades after supporters lauded the North American Free Trade Agreement as a way to add American jobs, there’s plenty of criticism of NAFTA from both the left and the … more

4/14/25

Letter: Federal actions will impact us locally in many ways

I am writing again to express my concern about the damage that DOGE is doing to Social Security. They are now changing policies on what actions can be handled online, which will force thousands of … more

4/11/25

Letter: Citizens are organized and motivated to make change

In the course of their responsibilities, the town council regularly receives requests from individuals and groups to enact or rescind town ordinances, and as highlighted in a recent Phoenix editorial … more

4/10/25

Lette: Citizens for Peace continues to speak out for peace and justice

Twenty-two years ago, on March 2, 2003, East Bay Citizens for Peace was born out of a sense of great urgency to stop the U.S. government from invading Iraq, and to defend our civil liberties … more

4/9/25

Letter: Many agencies make access to public records difficult

I have been a licensed private investigator in the state of Rhode Island since moving here in 1996. In my professional career, I have constantly been induced into battle with the majority … more

4/9/25

Letter: Our manufacturing has moved, so who does a Trade War actually help?

Here in our town of Bristol, the idea of restoring foreign manufacturing back to mainland USA is obviously delusional and not based on any current reality. In the past, our industrial base … more

4/9/25

For Democrats, it's not too early to start thinking about midterm elections

1. STORY OF THE WEEK: The mid-term elections of 2026 are almost 20 months away -- and that’s an eternity in politics. But after months of soul-searching after the Democrats’ devastating … more

By Ian Donnis | 4/7/25