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

The busted bridge continues to invite both follies and frustration

STORY OF THE WEEK: Last week, Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee and RIDOT Director Peter Alviti offered a glimmer of hope for frustrated drivers. A plan developed with the Federal Highway Administration … more

By Ian Donnis | 2/26/24

Letter: Thanks to all who made Port Marker possible

The Council’s unanimous approval was the ultimate blessing for us to bring the proposed memorial into being. This is a milestone for Bristol, one which all of us can appreciate and learn from. more

2/22/24

Letter: I agree, let’s give the ferry service another try

With the worst of the winter almost behind us, couldn’t we search for options using ferry service to Providence in the upcoming fair weather months and try to pivot away a little from the same old option of car travel? more

2/22/24

Letter: Mt. Hope gymnastics team deserves more applause

To the Mt. Hope High School community, athletic department, administration and the regional school district, you missed out on what represents the best of what high school athletics is all about. more

2/21/24

The increasingly important role of student journalists

When student journalists at Amherst Regional High School in Massachusetts heard last spring that middle schoolers in their town were experiencing transphobic and homophobic bullying, they immediately … more

By Josh Moore and.Justin Silverman | 2/20/24

The follies of a falling bridge, and the high cost of a soccer stadium

STORY OF THE WEEK: Back in the day, the approach of the end of February would signal the time for the Providence Newspaper Guild Follies – the bygone annual satiric sendup of the year in Rhode … more

By Ian Donnis | 2/20/24

Letter: Thanks for the thoughtful dialogue on Port Marker

While Bristol's role in the notorious slave trade is well documented, this memorial and sculpture will not be erected to cause shame, anger, and hurt, but instead will be educational, inspirational, and a source of healing. more

2/15/24

Letter: Washington Street Bridge was an avoidable crisis

The failure of the Washington Street Bridge is a crisis for Rhode Island and all who drive I-195. Our elected representatives must take all necessary steps to protect the public’s interests. more

2/15/24

Letter: Let’s improve, not abandon, the Bristol ferry

Employing a water option around the bridge traffic was an excellent idea. However, it was administered recklessly. more

2/15/24

Letter: Confused by anti-wind farm stance

Our progress toward energy independence from the vicissitudes of the global energy markets will not be without its frustrations and delays but making spurious connections with discredited state agencies is not helpful to the process. more

2/15/24

Editorial: Don't forget the joy of the snow day

School administrators should remember that it’s okay for kids to have good, old-fashioned fun. more

2/15/24

Letter: Numbers tell the tale of our foundering economy

In the January 25, 2024 Shorelines Opinion Section, Mr. Clay Commons offers examples to show how well our economy is functioning and requests countering information. He explicitly states … more

2/14/24

To the editor: Where’s the accountability at DOT?

So, according to the current RIDOT deputy chief engineer, the Washington Bridge failures “might” have pre-existed, but no one had noticed this until recently. It was actually an … more

2/7/24

The Washington Bridge story just won’t go away – not anytime soon

STORY OF THE WEEK: After a recent news dump, when the McKee administration shared details of a federal request for records related to the Washington Bridge, Gov. Dan McKee tried to regain control of … more

By Ian Donnis | 2/6/24

Letter: Stop the defacing of American heroes

Is walking with a dog in a cemetery a new standard, or is Bristol just a special exception? more

2/1/24

Letter: McKee should join other governors to oppose illegal immigation

I am publicly calling upon former Lt. Gov. Dan McKee to join 25 other governors and sign a letter of support for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who is defending his state against illegal immigration. more

2/1/24

A view of the Washington Bridge that once carried motorists over the Seekonk River along I-195 West. It has been shut down for seven weeks, its future uncertain.

Accountability is sorely lacking in the I-195 fiasco

The condition of the west bound lanes on I-195 and the subsequent snarl of traffic has unleashed a furious fusillade of accusations and excuses by those in charge. Tens of thousands of daily … more

By Arlene Violet | 1/30/24

Lawmakers promising a closer look at I-195 bridge saga

STORY OF THE WEEK: The Washington Bridge saga took a noteworthy turn when state officials last week declined to rule out the possible demolition of the westbound portion of the bridge. If such a … more

By Ian Donnis | 1/29/24

Editorial: 'Public Comment' rules should be open, flexible and customer-friendly

In the years leading up to the pandemic, most Americans were hyper-focused on national-level politics, with Trump, the Democrats or the Republicans seemingly responsible for everything good or bad in … more

1/26/24

Letter: Washington Bridge fiasco has me wondering...what next?

Budget money has constantly been allocated to everything else, from digital security labs to soccer stadiums. Meanwhile critical infrastructure, like the 195 bridge, was shoddily inspected and shoddily repaired. Here is the result. more

1/25/24

Letter: Show your disapproval for hunting at the ballot box

While I cannot fathom how any civilized human being can derive pleasure from shooting an arrow into a defenseless animal and chasing it down until it bleeds to death, I'm more upset that our town council members would vote unanimously to allow this cruel and inhumane activity on town-owned land. more

1/25/24

Letter: Please leave the sidewalks on Monroe Avenue alone

A sidewalk is not just to walk on, it’s a safe place to be when you’re trying to do some outside work or hear a car coming. more

1/25/24

Letter: Please explain how the economy is so ‘bad’

How bad is reality right now? Unemployment down, under 4 percent for two years. Employment up, with hundreds of thousands of jobs added every month. Wages up, if only … more

1/22/24

Letter: Waterfowl hunting is no cause for celebration

I would urge everyone to find other ways to appreciate these wonderful members of our environment than as an opportunity to destroy them. more

1/18/24

Letter: E-Bike bill is a wolf in sheep’s clothing

If the legislature would pass a bill as implied in the letter, with a simple classification of EMBs, along with age restrictions and helmet mandates, this would be pro-active. more

1/18/24