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

Letter: An assault rifle ban will make you less safe

To the editor: This is the most dangerous time of year for Rhode Islanders. It is when the legislature is back in session and the politicians gather to play their games. Every year, our … more

1/28/25

Trump comes out swinging, pushes immigration to the forefront

STORY OF THE WEEK: President Trump ’s use of an executive order to try to eliminate birthright citizenship — a right enshrined in the Constitution not long after the Civil War — … more

By Ian Donnis | 1/27/25

Letter: It's not easy being a Republican in R.I.

To the Editor, This week marked an important day for the nation; On Monday, January 20th, President-elect Donald J. Trump was sworn in as 47th President of the United States. After winning 31 … more

1/27/25

Letter: Thank you, Bristol Rotary!

To the Editor: A few weeks ago, the Bristol Phoenix featured an article by Michelle Mercure in which she aptly summarized the plight of the food pantries in the area and the people they serve. … more

1/27/25

Is Rhode Island's glass half-full, or half-empty?

STORY OF THE WEEK: Gov. Dan McKee had a high-profile platform last Tuesday, using his State of the State speech to assert that Rhode Island is “flipping the script” from some of the less … more

By Ian Donnis | 1/21/25

Letter: Felag addressed my issue, and quickly!

A few weeks ago, I reached out to my State Senator, Walter Felag Jr., about a minor traffic concern. Senator Felag promptly returned my call that same day. After listening to my concerns, he assured … more

1/16/25

Felag addressed my issue, and quickly!

To the editor: A few weeks ago, I reached out to my state senator, Walter Felag, Jr., about a minor traffic concern. Senator Felag promptly returned my call that same day. After listening to my … more

1/16/25

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

Letter: Hotel wetlands permit granted without merit

To the editor: As described by Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), the proposed hotel development will alter and disturb 4,717 square feet of swamp and 45,200 square … more

1/13/25

Letter: Is RI Energy taking advantage of its customers?

To the Editor: If you receive a monthly billing statement from RI Energy you will want to continue reading. I believe you will find this letter an interesting read. You may even want to follow … more

1/13/25

Letter: Gratitude for a magical season

Dear Editor: On behalf of myself and the board of directors at the James D. Rielly Foundation, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made this holiday season at the Bristol … more

1/6/25

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

A New Year’s resolution for state leaders

Here is a basic New Year’s resolution for state political leaders: “Spend taxpayer money as if it were you own.” Instead, far too many politicians make giddy spending decisions … more

By Arlene Violet | 12/31/24

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

Letter: Silver Creek abutter fears flooding will get worse

To The Editor: Last week's Phoenix featured a front page article reporting the Rhode Island DEM approval for a proposed hotel being built on wetlands on Gooding Ave. along with an editorial … more

12/26/24

Letter: DEM’s approval of Gooding hotel violates state planning

To the editor: The long-standing flooding problem in the Silver Creek Watershed will be worsened if the DEM's approval of the proposed hotel site on Gooding Avenue is allowed to stand. It flies … more

12/26/24

Letter: An accident waiting to happen

Dear Editor, Back in 2003 after ten years of lobbying with the help of Halsey Herreshoff and Bristol’s state legislators, my wife Gail and I secured passage of state law 31-25-27.2 banning … more

12/26/24

Letter: Story brought back great football memories

To the editor: The story in last week’s Warren Times-Gazette about Julie Abruzzi brought back some wonderful memories of her Dad. Growing up in Montreal, Canada, our favorite football team, … more

12/21/24

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

The bridge fallout still hovers over R.I. and the governor

1. STORY OF THE WEEK: Dec. 11 marks the one-year anniversary of the abrupt emergency closing of the westbound Washington Bridge, a crisis whose full effect will … more

By Ian Donnis | 12/12/24

A Great Horned Owl surveys its territory from a native cherry tree perch in the East Bay. Great Horned Owls are widespread across the U.S. but bird count surveys have shown a significant decreasing trend in the eastern region. Photo courtesy of Butch Lombardi.

The symbiotic relationships between owls and woodpeckers

Head outside on a clear winter night in the East Bay and you might just be greeted by the deep, soft hoots of Great Horned Owls advertising their territories and calling to their mates. Listen more … more

By Cindy and Ed Moura | 12/12/24

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

Dr. Patrick T. Conley, chairman of the U.S. Constitution Council, delivers an address to dignitaries at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall on Dec. 15, 1991, to mark the Bicentennial of the Bill of Rights. U.S. Chief Justice Warren Burger delivered a similar address on that day in Richmond, Virginia.

In praise and recognition of America’s Bill of Rights

December 15 is the anniversary of our Bill of Rights. On that date in 1791, Virginia’s ratification of Articles I through X of our Constitution incorporated them permanently into our … more

By Patrick T. Conley | 12/4/24

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

Letter: A tribute to Guiteras School

Reading the article in the Bristol Phoenix about the closing of Guiteras School immediately brought back the early memories where my 45 years of teaching secondary-school mathematics began in 1963 at … more

11/27/24