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

Should Rhode Island raise taxes on its wealthiest residents?

STORY OF THE WEEK: Legislative leaders in Rhode Island have for years reflexively opposed efforts to raise broad-based taxes. The trend has been more in the other direction, with a four-point cut in … more

By Ian Donnis | 5/12/25

Letter: In support of mandatory stop signs at bike paths

In my 30 years of traffic management in some form, I don't make this recommendation lightly. more

5/9/25

Letter: Some antidotes 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 by … more

5/7/25

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

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: Know your zoning board, as Seasons vote approaches

On Wednesday, May 7, the Tiverton Zoning Board will vote on whether to allow a Seasons gas station, store and drive-up restaurant to be built at the corner of Main and Souza roads. Prior letters … more

4/29/25

Letter: Seasons — an accident waiting to happen

There have been numerous statements made about the already problematic site of the proposed Seasons gas station in terms of traffic and safety, and the common sense conclusion that having a Seasons … more

4/29/25

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: Make your voices known, and vote ‘No’ on Commons plan

The Little Compton village center is a unique and valuable asset to our town. To relinquish control of any part of it would not be in the best interest of the residents and taxpayers. … more

4/16/25

Letter: Seasons — good for Shell Oil, bad for Tiverton

You can put lipstick on a pig but it’s still a pig. And you can dress up Shell Oil’s big gas station with a “Seasons corner grocery” but … 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

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: History, land and homes: Little Compton needs all three

Two proposals will be considered at the May Financial Town Meeting: Convert the Odd Fellows Hall and the old fire station to meeting spaces and four or five senior citizen apartments, by granting to … more

4/8/25

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

Letter: No need to rush into Commons plan

Whoa! What's the hurry to alter our historic buildings and take away meeting places for our community? I suggest voting against the options proposed by the council, options one and two, and give … more

4/3/25

Letter: A call to action this Saturday

This Saturday, April 5, there will be a nationwide peaceful protest and rally against the Trump regime and Elon Musk. The 50501 Movement, HandsOff, and The Women’s March are collaborating … more

4/2/25

Questions about the homeless pallets are spot-on

Amazon has a small house for sale, 20’ by 40’, which is larger than the pallets now housing the homeless, with three bedrooms (or choice, like a living room or den if one bedroom is … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 4/2/25

Letter: Get involved in Saturday’s peaceful protest and rally

To the editor: This Saturday, April 5, there will be a nationwide peaceful protest and rally against the Trump regime and Elon Musk. The 50501 Movement, HandsOff, and The Women’s March are … more

4/2/25

Still waiting for the state's professional cannabis regs

1. STORY OF THE WEEK: Almost three years have passed since Gov. Dan McKee signed adult-use cannabis legalization into law , and the state has yet to open the application process for handing out … more

By Ian Donnis | 3/31/25

Letter: Who else stands to benefit from Commons senior housing?

Our seniors are hoping that the director of the Little Compton Community Center, working on trying to solve the problems of our towns buildings, does not have self-interest in place. Our seniors want … more

3/26/25

Letter: Preserve Little Compton — save the Commons!

The Commons is a unique and treasured setting, and it must be protected, preserved and cherished by all who call Little Compton home. It is the heart of our town, a place that belongs to every single … more

3/26/25