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

Trump teeters in the twilight zone

C BS has been interviewing potential voters in the so-called swing states about for whom they are going to vote for President. Virtually all Trump supporters said they were voting for him … more

By Arlene Violet | 10/2/24

Trying to solve the primary care problem in this region

STORY OF THE WEEK: Although getting an appointment with a doctor is a fundamental need, doing that has become increasingly difficult due to the shortage of primary care physicians in Rhode Island. … more

By Ian Donnis | 10/1/24

Letter: This high school construction plan remains reckless

Last week’s Phoenix featured a front-page article highlighting concerns raised by the Bristol Planning Board regarding the chronic flooding in neighborhoods surrounding Mt. Hope High School and … more

9/26/24

Keeping Hasbro here will be a top priority for the state

STORY OF THE WEEK: Rhode Island officials plan to assemble a proposal in the weeks ahead meant to keep Hasbro in the state. Details remain unclear for now, but Gov. Dan McKee and House Speaker Joe … more

By Ian Donnis | 9/24/24

Though voters say they’re not satisfied, incumbents prevailed on Primary Day

STORY OF THE WEEK: For all the yak about cranky Rhode Islanders and dissatisfaction with the direction of the state, Tuesday’s primary amounted to a big vote of confidence for incumbents. This … more

By Ian Donnis | 9/17/24

Letter: More doctors won't solve primary care problem

The thought that creating a new medical school that will, in any kind of timely fashion, stamp out legions of home grown primary care doctors that will stay in state is the highest order of magical thinking. more

9/11/24

Letter: There’s still hope for preservation of Bettencourt Farm

Coinciding with that effort, a grant application is being prepared to submit to RIDEM for funds to purchase the development rights of the property. This would potentially enable a farmer to purchase and farm the tillable land. more

9/11/24

Will the real Washington Bridge story ever get told?

STORY OF THE WEEK: The marquee race in Rhode Island’s primary election on Tuesday was state Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung’s challenge to Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins. The GOP race took an … more

By Ian Donnis | 9/10/24

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

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

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

Letter: Kickemuit Dam corruption?

The previous article highlighted the public concerns of unsightly mud-pits, but the greater issue is the mud that they do not see. 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: 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

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

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: Help pave a better way for local students

Superior Comfort Inc. has teamed up with the Bristol Warren School District to launch a special school supply donation drive aimed at ensuring all students have the necessary tools to excel in their studies. more

8/1/24

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

Letter: In response to a thoughtful political letter

There are points in Mr. Grapevine's letter I can agree with. That said, there are points which we see quite differently. more

7/25/24

Letter: Confused and concerned about costs of new school

I have raised these matters at previous school building committee meetings but have not been satisfied with the explanations provided to me that all was right. more

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: Putting sarcasm aside

This is in response to Clay Commons’s sarcastic “catastrophe” letter published last week. more

7/18/24