Skip to main content area

B.I. Wind Farm
- B.I. Times archive
- National archive
News
Visitor Information
Dining Guide
Island Transportation
Getting Married?

BIT SubMain Menu

Home
Classifieds
e-Edition
Subscribe
Login

You are here

Opinion

Letters

Thu, Sep 12

Category:

Opinion, Letters

A most sincere thanks To the Block Island Community: Please excuse the fact that I did not write personal thank you notes. My handwriting is kind of compromised and I can’t even read it. I would like to thank the community of Block Island for their gifts and support during my illness. These...
This is a no-no

Thu, Sep 12

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

This does not make New Shoreham Highways Supervisor Mike Shea happy. Furniture left on the side of the road, often under the guise that it is free, and sometimes left because the owners don’t want to bother taking it to the dump, is a no-no. This couch was still on the side of Corn Neck Road on the...
Letters

Thu, Sep 5

Category:

Opinion, Letters

A very happy ‘thank you’ The following was sent to Harbormaster Steve Land and copied to The Block Island Times: Dear Harbormaster, We would like to take this opportunity to personally thank you, the medical staff at the trauma center and all involved in saving me and my wife’s life...
Curbing vehicle traffic

Thu, Sep 5

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

Block Island had a busy summer. Shops and restaurants were full, boats were packed to the brim, airplanes created a steady buzz at the airport. We’re certain that the majority of people left the island with happy, lasting memories. The downside is that between Memorial Day and Labor Day — that’s 97...
Letters

Thu, Aug 29

Category:

Opinion, Letters

Unravelling the fabric The following prose poem was submitted by Nancy Greenaway: Our Hometown Bruce Springsteen’s hometown is my hometown. Bruce and I grew up about three blocks from each other, a short distance from his song’s “textile mill.” The Karagheusian rug mill was opened...
Full speed ahead

Thu, Aug 29

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

At the first annual meeting of the Block Island Utility Board of Commissioners on Saturday, Aug. 24, enough ratepayers — who own the utility — showed up at Town Hall to create an overflow crowd. What they heard was exceedingly good news. Interest rates on loans are not normally the most thrilling...
Letters

Thu, Aug 22

Category:

Opinion, Letters

A great trip To the Editor: On behalf of the Bristol Yacht Club, I am writing in thanks and recognition of the wonderful job the Harbormaster and his crew did in during our recent two-day visit to the island as part of our weeklong summer cruise. The Harbormaster’s office was extremely...
It’s your power company now

Thu, Aug 22

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

It could be, even after all the public meetings and votes that took place, Block Island Power Company customers are having a hard time adjusting to the fact that they now have a direct say in how the company is run. But the fact is that ratepayer participation has been lacking since the new company...
Letters

Thu, Aug 15

Category:

Opinion, Letters

Safety on the water To the Editor: I want to thank the Harbormaster and his team for their swift action during the June 30th squall. Being a mooring holder here for the past 35 years we have never witnessed such a well-oiled team. This storm blew in here very quickly but it was evident from...
Navigating the Great Salt Pond

Thu, Aug 15

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

We often measure our busy days by how packed the ferries are when they pull into Old Harbor. The boats come in with relative ease and simplicity, always on schedule, with few, if any surprises. Private boat traffic on the Great Salt Pond (and in both harbors) is another matter entirely. An average...
Letters

Thu, Aug 8

Category:

Opinion, Letters

A good time was had To the Editor: We are very pleased to announce that the 9th Annual Block Island Medical Center Fun Run co-sponsored this year with the National Alliance on Mental Illness- BI was successful despite the challenge of running in soft sand at high tide. The participants, who...
The key to a healthy future

Thu, Aug 8

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

The members of Block Island Health Services Board, after many years of conversation, have now embarked on an ambitious $7.5 million capital campaign designed to address the limitations of the Block Island Medical Center, especially in its trauma care unit. One room that cannot accommodate more than...
Letters

Thu, Aug 1

Category:

Opinion, Letters

Helping to reduce food waste To the Editor: A couple of weeks ago there was an article in The Block Island Times regarding all the good and unopened food being tossed in the trash as renters leave the property. The amount of waste was overwhelming to me. This week I made up a sign...
Take your $50

Thu, Aug 1

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

In the aftermath of the four-day cell phone outage that impacted Verizon customers on Block Island this past week, the carrier set up an 800 number that allowed people to sign up for a $50 rebate. It seems to us that Verizon could have simply assigned that $50 rebate to every single customer that...
Letters

Fri, Jul 26

Category:

Letters

Cyber theft To the Editor: Unfortunately, we learned the hard way that cyber theft is a reality! The Harbor Church has some endowments deposited in an investment firm affiliated with our denomination. We thought they were safe from being raided, but we learned otherwise. Here is our story:...
Letters

Thu, Jul 18

Category:

Opinion, Letters

A grateful father To the Editor: I want to publicly thank all involved with the treatment and medivac of my daughter, Sandra, on July 4, 2019. The whole procedure was efficient and professional. (By the way, Sandy is fine.) Mike Tripp Barrington, R.I. and Payne’s Dock Getting it right...
Unchecked vitriol

Thu, Jul 18

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

What happened this week was kind of crazy. Some guy from Long Island posts a picture of his hand holding a chunk of old, dried paint, and the social media universe went nuts. But let’s start at the beginning. Someone deliberately chipped off a piece of Painted Rock. That much we do know, and that...
Thank you!

Thu, Jul 11

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

When a small town suddenly balloons to more than 20,000 people almost overnight, and to have things go as smoothly as they did over the Fourth of July celebrations, is a testament to the network of volunteers and professionals alike who work tirelessly to keep this island train on track. The island...
Letters

Thu, Jul 11

Category:

Opinion, Letters

Thank you for your support The following was sent to Mike Muessel and Susan Schuyler of Oldport Marine Services and copied to The Block island Times: To the Editor: Dear Mike and Susan, The Committee for the Great Salt Pond and the Double Ender Committee would like to thank you for...
Three little words

Thu, Jul 4

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

We have three words of advice to all of those visiting and living in our little community for the next few months: Stop. Look. Listen. In the context of the summer, these three little words have two distinct purposes. As for the first, Block Island is going to be a treat for all the sens-es. Enjoy...
Letters

Wed, Jul 3

Category:

Opinion, Letters

Our gratitude To the Editor: Re: Harbors Patrol Response to Sunday’s storm I find it hard to find words to describe the efforts of the Harbormaster team’s response to last Sunday’s afternoon squall line in Great Salt Pond. Between multiple boats breaking free, a man overboard, and a heart...
Letters

Thu, Jun 27

Category:

Opinion, Letters

To the Editor: After two Town Council meetings and a Block Island Health Services Board meeting, where a majority and plethora of the masses attending couldn’t quite fathom the circumstances of the Liz Dyer firing, I have the sad conclusion. For those of us that supported Liz Dyer, the fight is...
A declaration of freedom

Thu, Jun 27

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

From an article written by Samuel W. Mendum titled “Block Island” and published in New England Magazine in August 1897: “Probably no body of Americans exhibited more admirable courage than the inhabitants of Block Island at the outbreak of the Revolution. When they unhesitatingly...
Letters

Thu, Jun 20

Category:

Opinion, Letters

A great start To the Editor: I wanted to take a moment to thank the residents of Block Island and The Block Island Film Festival. We showed our film, “Nothing To Do,” at this year’s inaugural festival and couldn’t have been more pleased. The local audience was engaged and appreciative. My...
Follow the rules

Thu, Jun 20

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

The members of the Block Island Health Services Board should heed the advice of some of its constituents: follow the guidelines outlined in Robert’s Rules of Order and create some separation of duties between Dr. Mark Clark and the board. Some compartmentalizing is necessary. At the outset of the...
Letters

Thu, Jun 6

Category:

Opinion, Letters

To the Editor: The island community is so lucky to have such a treasure among us in Kim Gaffett, and over the course of this winter and spring the library and the children of the island were incredibly fortunate to learn from her each week during our Healthy Kids Inside and Out program. The Island...
Letter of Appreciation

For Nurse Practitioner Liz Dyer

Thu, Jun 6

Category:

Opinion, Letters

We will probably never know why Nurse Practitioner Liz Dyer was so abruptly terminated as a staff member of the Block Island Medical Center, but we do know that she will be missed by many as a caring, compassionate and capable member of the Medical Center team. Our sincere and profound...
Democracy at work

Thu, Jun 6

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

The crowd that gathered for the Town Council’s meeting on Monday night to speak about the Medical Center’s termination of Nurse Practitioner Liz Dyer was encouraging to see. It means that our democracy is at work, with people being given the chance to voice their concerns. First Warden Ken Lacoste...
Letters

Thu, May 30

Category:

Opinion, Letters

The Block Island Medical Center To the Editor: I am writing in to sing the praises of RNP Liz Dyer. In the years that she has worked on island as a medical provider, she has become a friend and an invaluable member of our community. Her patience, kindness, compassion and level of care is...
An inadequate response

Thu, May 30

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

After hearing the news that Nurse Practitioner Liz Dyer had been terminated without cause in the early morning hours of Tuesday, May 28, Block Island Medical Director Mark Clark said he would issue a statement. The statement, which can be read in full in the story that begins on page one, was sent...
Letters

Thu, May 23

Category:

Opinion, Letters

‘Shameful and wrong’ To the Editor: On Thursday, May 16, I was horrified and saddened to witness the treatment toward long-time school employee, Marsha Gutierrez by School Committee Chair, Bill Padien, and lawyer Denise Myers, as they tried to strip benefits from Mrs. Gutierrez’s retirement package...
Summer message from Chief Carlone

Thu, May 23

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

It's Memorial Day Weekend, the beginning of the most wonderful time of the year. This means that the ferries are almost at their full schedules, schools are ending their year, visitors are arriving, and we are ready to go. A few things to note: - Parking regulations are now in effect. To avoid a...
Letters

Thu, May 16

Category:

Opinion, Letters

Protecting the dunes To the Editor: The Block Island Residents Association would like to offer an addendum to Rosemary Connelli’s informative column “Protecting the dunes.” Since the devastation of Sandy, BIRA has invested over $15,000 in snow fencing to restore the dunes and beach grass to...
Sign the petition

Thu, May 16

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

Block Island keeps wrestling with its affordable housing situation, and now it can use some help from the Rhode Island General Assembly. House Bill 5451 is designed to increase the income ceiling for families and individuals so that more people may become eligible for affordable housing on Block...
Celebrating family on Mother’s Day

Thu, May 9

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

This edition of The Block Island Times , while it was taking shape during the week, slowly emerged as a tribute to family, and children, young and old alike. It seemed fitting for Mother’s Day. The students of Mrs. Hart’s kindergarten class, as they do every year, penned their funny and...
If we don’t want more bans, we need to change

Thu, Apr 25

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

There is a crisis brewing in the recycling trade. In 2016, China imported 7 million tons of plastic products. The problem was that much of it was contaminated with other products, so it could not be recycled. As a result, in 2018, China stopped almost all of its plastic scrap imports, leaving it to...
Letters

Thu, Apr 25

Category:

Opinion, Letters

Blood Drive coming up To the Editor: Our next blood drive will be on Thursday, May 2 from 11:30 to 3:30 at the Block Island School gymnasium. We have given for so long we often forget who we help: - Women and newborns during complications with childbirth - People with heart disease and blood...
Letters

Thu, Apr 18

Category:

Opinion, Letters

Info, please To the Editor: Hello, I am a fourth grade student in North Carolina. In fourth grade, we do state reports and I have chosen Rhode Island. I am very excited to learn more about your state as I work on my research. Most of the information I get will be from books and websites...
Taking care of beauty

Thu, Apr 18

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

It has been a long, dull winter. The snow that sometimes appears to create that lovely white-blanketed New England landscape never appeared (some would say thankfully), and there was a good deal of gray sky and rain. Consecutive warm days that mark the firm arrival of spring struggled to arrive...
Letters

Thu, Apr 11

Category:

Opinion, Letters

Medical Center records The following was submitted to the Block Island Town Council and copied to The Block Island Times: To the Editor: The Medical Center is growing. The number and complexity of patients, the scope and quality of care continue to increase yearly. Block Island...
The effort to make housing affordable

Thu, Apr 11

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

Although this week’s edition of the paper goes to the printer before we know the outcome of the vote, the effort to change the income requirements on Block Island so that more people may be eligible for affordable housing has been an excellent and well-timed one. State Rep. Blake Filippi, the House...
Letters

Thu, Apr 4

Category:

Opinion, Letters

‘A good man’ To the Editor: Life on this Island Block is quite unique in many ways. Certainly not conventional, and even unusual if you live here other than just the summer season. Death, on the other hand, is essentially the same everywhere. Howie Rice died rather suddenly just a few weeks...
Time to move forward

Thu, Apr 4

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

The air has been cleared, people have had their say, and now it is time to put some effort into how to best utilize the Visitor’s Center in Old Harbor so that it can, without conflict, serve the needs of the entire island. Block Island, like every other vacation destination, has to fight for every...
Letters

Thu, Mar 28

Category:

News, Opinion

A letter from the Chief To the Editor: Earlier this month on a Friday night, a few teenaged kids, good friends, left a gathering in South Kingstown and ended up in a serious car crash that resulted in a 17 year-old boy named Aiden Mulligan receiving a critical, life-threatening brain injury...
The future is here

Thu, Mar 28

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

Block Island has been exerting some of its old-fashioned independence during these opening months of 2019. The first municipally-owned high-speed internet service in the state amped up earlier this month, and just this week the Block Island Utility District acquired the assets of the once privately...
Town budget needs your input

Thu, Mar 21

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

“What goes up must come down” is a statement that may apply to the laws of physics but not to municipal budgets. Every year, town department heads submit their proposed budgets to the town. These requests reflect what each director feels is necessary to run their department. These requests are...
Letters

Thu, Mar 14

Category:

Opinion, Letters

“His loss is not mine alone.” To the Editor: So, it has been two difficult months since my loss of Donny, since our loss of Don. The night before last, I forewent my early morning walks throughout the house. I finally slept through the night. In the morning, I applied a touch of...
Dogged determination

Thu, Mar 14

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

The saying “back to square one” almost always indicates that a lot of time has been wasted, with no tangible results. However, in the case of the Block Island State Airport, the statement applies in a positive way. After several months of dialogue, spearheaded by a very determined island resident,...
Letters

Thu, Mar 7

Category:

Opinion, Letters

Thank you, Mr. Kaufmann To the Editor: I read with interest last week’s article “At 92, still making music,” about Carl Kaufmann’s guitar building. I, and my students, have many fond memories from when Carl mentored a guitar building class at the school. It was one of those projects where I...
Horns of a dilemma

Thu, Mar 7

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

First Warden Ken Lacoste’s ambivalence about raising dockage fees in Old Harbor is an example, writ small, of a larger dilemma Block Island faces. What kind of services and experience should the island provide to its residents and guests, and how will these services be paid for? When Councilor...

Pages

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
…
next ›
last »

Island Buzz

Escape to Narragansett!

Posted By

The Break: A Narragansett Hotel

9/18

Spa services, heated pool, heated bathroom floors, onsite restaurant, luxurious linens, ocean views. . .all at a great price...
BI Resident Rate at The Break Hotel - 10% OFF

Posted By

The Break: A Narragansett Hotel

9/18

Coming to or from the island, staying for pleasure or business, visiting the local lighthouses or learning to surf, you’ll...
Still Looking for a Summer Rental?

Posted By

Sullivan Sotheby's International Realty

9/18

Sullivan Sotheby’s International Realty has some great options, if your still searching for that perfect Summer Rental. We...
Mums, Pumpkins, and More!

Posted By

Highland Farm Inc.

9/18

Fall is here and Highland Farm has everything you need to get into the fall spirit! Our homegrown mums are popping and...
History Happening Here

Posted By

Block Island Historical Society

9/18

All are welcome at the Museum of the Block Island Historical Society. Founded in 1942, we have shared our collections with...
New Listing! Exclusive Peckham Farm https://liladelman.com/listing/1320-peckham-farm-rd-block-island/

Posted By

Lila Delman Real Estate

9/17

This property undoubtedly speaks for itself. Tucked away in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods of Block Island, known...

Receive our weekly email-letters!

Email Address

Email Type

Weekly Features-letter
Weekly News-letter
Breaking News

Tweets by BITimes

Real Estate

3,650,000
Spectacular Waterfront on Black Rock Road http://www.liladelman.com/1357-snake-hole-rd-block-island-rhode-island-02807/13810023
Lila Delman Real Estate

You may believe that you are on the shores of Ireland, but this home sits in the very private,...
1,745,000
Cormorant Cove with Dock
Ballard Hall Real Estate

Once in a lifetime opportunity to own a property with a private deep water dock on Block Island...
990,000
Historic Character
Ballard Hall Real Estate

This historic home, built in 1850, overlooks a small pristine farm with horses, and a variety of...
495,000
Return to the Simple Life-$495,000
Sullivan Sotheby's International Realty

Looking for carefree summers? This uncomplicated cottage located on Center Road will speak to you...
715,000
168 Old Town Toad
Ballard Hall Real Estate

Enjoy this vacation cottage-style home on a year-round basis due to the insulated & heated...
5,500
Lila Delman is now taking reservations for your Block Island Vacation. www.LilaDelman.com We make it easy with an online lease and payment by credit card. Email us at BIRentals@LilaDelman.com

Lila Delman Real Estate is now taking reservations for your Block Island vacation. Take a look at...
1,550,000
Mohegan Cottage
Sullivan Sotheby's International Realty

Boundless summer days and winter serenity will be yours to enjoy at Mohegan Cottage. Inside or out...
2,100,000
Shir Shalom
Sullivan Sotheby's International Realty

Enjoy the timeless appeal of Block Island in this classic, shingle style bungalow situated on 6...

More Listings>>

Island Religion

Making Your Mark Sermon

Posted By

Harbor Church

9/16

“Making Your Mark” September 15 th , 2019 at Harbor Church Ephesians 4:1-16 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you...
PART 4 The Seventh Day Sabbath

Posted By

Block Island Christian Fellowship

9/12

PART 4 The Seventh Day Sabbath CHAPTER 5 On What Day, Did Christ Suffer and Die on the Cross? This was a question that I...
PART 3 The Seventh Day Sabbath

Posted By

Block Island Christian Fellowship

9/5

PART 3 The Seventh Day Sabbath CHAPTER 4 The Incarnation of Christ From the birth of Christ to the day of Pentecost This...

About Us
Advertise
Contact Us
Site Policy

© 2019 BlockIslandTimes.com