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

United State Coast Gaurd electrician's mate Carla Lee Samson.

Veterans' stories: Adventure, duty and saving lives in the Coast Guard

Editor’s note: The following is part of a series of stories on local veterans written by Westport Middle High School students who spent the first half of 2025 interviewing more than 20 local … more

By Peyton Phillips | 6/11/25

Letter: In support of an assault weapons ban

To the editor: I never know day to day if another community will be devastated by gun violence once again. Even more worrisome is if I turn the news on and hear one of those communities is right … more

6/11/25

Letter: ‘No Kings’ in the USA — Join us June 14

To the editor: I had intended to write a much different letter this week with information on No Kings Day. I will get to that, but first I feel the need to express my horror and heartbreak at … more

6/11/25

Letter: Thanks to commission on disability for playground donation

The Westport Recreation Department would like to thank the Westport Commission on Disability for their generous donation of a communication board that was purchased to be hung and used at the new … more

6/10/25

Letter: Skip the parade and attend a No Kings Day rally

To the editor: On June 14th the nation will be subjected to the spectacle of a military parade the likes of which we generally do not have in our country, and to make matters worse, the chief … more

6/9/25

After House passage, assault weapons bill hangs over Smith Hill

1. STORY OF THE WEEK: When does the calculus of doing nothing outweigh the value of doing something at the Statehouse? That question will hang over Smith Hill until the resolution of the proposed … more

By Ian Donnis | 6/9/25

Letter: Support bill to keep Rhode Island litter free

To the editor: I am writing to encourage East Bay readers to contact their representatives to voice support for House bill H 6207 pending in the Rhode Island legislature that would create a … more

5/29/25

Letter: The collapse of our democracy is no laughing matter

To the editor: In a recent letter to the editor, Zachary Cooper apparently thought he was being clever and funny when he made snarky remarks about elderly Rhode Islanders’ concerns for … more

5/29/25

Letter: Read all about it...in your local paper

To the editor: Hereabouts in our little towns we are fortunate to have local newspapers featuring unbiased local story reporting, and importantly, editing by responsible journalists. In an … more

5/28/25

Letter: We all benefit from knowing the truth

To the editor: Hereabouts in our little towns we are fortunate to have local newspapers featuring unbiased local story reporting, and importantly, editing by responsible journalists. In an age … more

5/28/25

Letter: Some more ways for worried locals to take action

Thank you for keeping us informed about so many opportunities in our local community. more

5/22/25

United States Army veteran George Stelljes followed family tradition in joining up 50 years ago.

Westport veterans' stories — first part in a series

Editor's note: This is the first of more than 20 veterans' stories included in a book soon to be released by Westport Middle School students and teachers. Students and teachers spent months … more

5/21/25

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: Disrespectful eyesore on Hixbridge

We drove across the Hixbridge bridge today and just before heading east over the bridge, on the left, were a series of mangled trees. Ripped to shreds (same horrible machine that … 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

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: 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

Letter: Why Shana Teas has our vote next Tuesday

We write to support Shana Teas to be re-elected to the Westport Select Board on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Shana has proven herself to be an incredible asset to the Town of Westport. She is smart, … more

4/2/25

Westport Community Schools superintendent Tom Aubin advocates for schools at a past Town Meeting.

Letter: Thomas Aubin will be hard to replace

Westport is losing a giant. Superintendent Tom Aubin will leave big shoes to fill in our schools. He has been an unrelenting champion for our kids, determined that each student should get the best … more

4/2/25

Letter: Protecting public lands toward state climate goals

Article 97 of the Amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution, establishes the public’s right to a clean environment and protects public lands designated for conservation, natural resources, … more

3/26/25

Keeping close watch on the on-again, off-again tariffs

STORY OF THE WEEK: Tariffs “will always tend to crush the spirit of enterprise and cripple the productive energies of a country.” If that sounds like a gripe from Canadian Prime Minister … more

By Ian Donnis | 3/10/25

Letter: Most all of us are descendants of immigrants

To the editor: It’s a wonderful month — “Irish Heritage Month,” and like many of you I am a descendent of Irish immigrants. My grandparents left Ireland in … more

3/9/25

Letter: Trump’s wrongs are too many to be listed

To the editor: Mr. Trump is right about a few things. First, the long-standing dispute between Israel and the Palestinians can be resolved by asserting that Palestinians don’t matter. … more

3/7/25

Letter: USAID’s destruction will impact all of us

Most Americans a month ago had zero awareness of the US Aid Program — what it did; who it benefitted; what it cost. But since Trump and Musk tried to cut off funding for these programs, we have … more

3/5/25