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

When the truth doesn’t matter, the wackadoodles win

Perhaps I am a bit nostalgic about the “good ’ole days” when people said what they meant and meant what they said. There was no other ambition but to say and do the right thing. … more

By Arlene Violet | 9/3/24

Letter: ’Social Host’ DUI law — an idea worth exploring

I was taught in my teens that driving is a privilege, not a right. Another week, another driver convicted of DUI that has had numerous prior DUI convictions, many resulting in accidents … more

8/29/24

Letter: Feeling warmly welcomed in Little Compton

I began writing a letter to the editor in response to a number of recent events in our community relating to offshore wind. After some reflection I decided that I did not want to possibly contribute … more

8/29/24

With the convention over, here comes the sprint to the finish

STORY OF THE WEEK: With the end of the Democratic National Convention, the stage is now set for a 74-day sprint to the high-stakes November election. Rhode Island’s delegation, like other … more

By Ian Donnis | 8/27/24

Letter: Nanaquaket Road — What a mess

The state of disrepair on Nanaquaket Road has now become a liability to the state and town, and a hazard for recreational cyclists. You can still see the blood stains on the pavement. It’s … more

8/27/24

Letter: Lifeguards prevented a tragedy at Tappen’s Beach

I wanted to write to you to with praise for the Warren’s Point Beach Club lifeguarding team and their director, Mr. Fennessey. This past Sunday my husband Tim and I walked to … more

8/21/24

Reminders of how the money flows through politics

STORY OF THE WEEK: “Money, it’s a gas,” goes the song by Pink Floyd. “Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash.” The tune encompasses the central quality of money … more

By Ian Donnis | 8/20/24

Letter: Four years on, and Little Compton still isn’t doing enough for seniors

Here we are almost four years in presenting our thoughts on having a Senior Center, with nothing to show for it, but a worn out bus. Absolutely despicable. Especially after our friend, Andrea … more

8/20/24

Letter: Can’t afford to focus only on offshore wind’s downsides

To the editor: I’m writing to express my strong support for the expansion of offshore wind as a generational leap forward in our pursuit of environmentally sound energy policy. Given … more

8/13/24

Wilbur School students carry the banner and play for the crowd during the town’s 300th anniversary celebration in 1975.

Let the music play — a Little Compton celebration in song

Hans Christian Andersen said, “Where words fail, music speaks.” The 300th Anniversary of Little Compton Committee (in 1975) must have supported this belief because music was a … more

By The Town Crier | 8/12/24

Letter: Commons road, curb work makes a big difference

I would like to extend my gratitude to the State of Rhode Island for the recent infrastructure improvements in our town, particularly the road resurfacing. The addition of new curbing and the walkway … more

8/8/24

Letter: An historic vote for Rhode Island

The danger of a nuclear disaster — either intentional or by accident — is the gravest immediate threat to our very existence. more

8/8/24

Letter: Political paranoia and Constitutional constipation

I would be remiss if I remained silent with regard to the current question of whether or not to call a constitutional convention. more

8/8/24

Letter: Union Public Library sale was one for the books!

On behalf of the Union Public Library Association, I would like to thank the Tiverton community for their support of our annual book, bake, and Yard Sale held on July 20. It was a great success! … more

8/7/24

Letter: What a day — Petals and Meadows was wonderful

The Sogkonate Garden Club wishes to thank the communities of Tiverton, Little Compton and Westport for their enthusiastic support of our recent garden tour, “Petals and … more

8/6/24

It’s not too early to keep an eye on the 2026 race for Gov.

STORY OF THE WEEK: It’s peak summer in Rhode Island, so politics is probably far from the minds of most Ocean Staters. But the filing of second-quarter campaign finance reports underscores how … more

By Ian Donnis | 8/6/24

Can we get something right?

No wonder people are skeptical of government. The ineptitude of the Rhode Island executive branch led by Gov. Dan McKee is staggering. Here are just a few examples: The I-195 bridge The … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 8/6/24

Letter: R.I. now third state to call for removal of nuclear weapons

To the editor: On June 6, the Rhode Island House of Representatives adopted with broad support a resolution urging the federal government to pursue a wide range of measures to reduce the danger … more

7/29/24

The Dolly Momma: On summer people in a small, sandy ocean town

William James is said to have said, “Summer afternoon: The two most beautiful words in the English Language.” Still, we take it for granted. The To do List of musty musts finds it way … more

By The Dolly Mama | 7/25/24

Letter: Wind power foes should ponder where energy comes from

To the editor: As I drive around some of the high-rent areas of the island, I see huge single-family homes, with perfectly kept lawns and hedges. It would be reasonable to assume that their … more

7/23/24

Letter: Blades' failure should be a wake-up call

It was bound to happen, as predicted by common sense and science. On Saturday, July 13, 2024, a fiberglass turbine blade of Vineyard Wind ripped off, fell into the ocean, and promptly drifted to … more

7/22/24

With no clear future for the broken bridge, questions abound

STORY OF THE WEEK: The timeline for creating a new westbound Washington Bridge remains uncertain, as Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee and state Transportation Director Peter Alviti indicated during a … more

7/16/24

Letter: Mystic Aquarium skipped a key step in whale study

The Mystic Aquarium marine rescue team arrived at Little Compton's Briggs Beach on July 10th when the young female minke was still alive . After her death, the team carved out a few inches here and … more

7/16/24

Letter: Trees, and late husband's gift, are now a memory

Thirty-five years ago, my late husband, Phil Harper, planted a number of arborvitae trees on our property in Little Compton. These trees have grown to become a haven for numerous wildlife, providing … more

7/15/24

Letter: Being offered worst possible choices needs to end

To the editor: If we continue to be the leading nation of the world, then certainly our politicians are the most powerful people in civil discourse. Then how is it one party kowtows … more

7/12/24