Skip to main content area
B.I. Wind Farm
B.I. Times archive
National archive
News
Visitor Information
Dining Guide
Island Transportation
New England Airlines
Pt. Judith Ferry
New London Ferry
Montauk Ferry
Sections
B.I. Wind Farm
- B.I. Times archive
- National archive
News
- Loose ends
Visitor Information
Dining Guide
Island Transportation
- New England Airlines
- Pt. Judith Ferry
- New London Ferry
- Montauk Ferry
Resources
Home
Opinion
Columnists
Features
Community
Announcements
Tides
Yellow Pages
Calendar
Real Estate
Classifieds
e-Edition
Subscribe
Photo Galleries
Visitor Information
Dining Guide
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
BIT SubMain Menu
Home
Classifieds
e-Edition
Subscribe
Login
You are here
Home
Opinion
Education needed before more bans
Thu, Oct 18
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
The Block Island Tourism Council and the Town Council are quite right to slow down on taking any more action on ordinances designed to ban more plastics from being used or distributed on the island. We come to this with the absolute belief that plastics are a direct threat to marine wildlife and...
Letters
Thu, Oct 18
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
To the Editor:
I agree with letters appearing in the last few weeks that call for the removal of deer, ticks and tick-borne diseases. In particular, I share the disagreement of P.S. Wood with
The Block Island Times
editorial of Sept. 15, 2018. If there truly is a law stating that...
Important jobs
Thu, Oct 11
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
It is probably statistically accurate to say that the largest expense in any municipal budget goes to its school system. On Block Island, about $5 million is allocated to its one school, more than a third of the roughly $12 million it takes to run the town each year. Arguably, our schools also...
Letters
Thu, Oct 11
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
‘Not very professional’
To the Editor: Extra! Extra! It’s less than a month until our local election takes place, and
The Block Island Times
still has not provided bios or info about the candidates. Not very professional. For the record, I am in favor of eliminating the deer in the...
Letters
Thu, Oct 4
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
Banning Glyphosate
(The following letter was also submitted to the New Shoreham Town Council
:) To the Editor: In our continued effort to ban the use of the herbicide Roundup (Glyphosate) on Block Island, the Conservation Commission met for a special meeting on Tuesday, September 18...
Learning from adversity
Thu, Oct 4
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
Monday night’s meeting of the Town Council spotlighted the variety of challenges associated with constructing rental housing on Block Island. Town Manager Ed Roberge informed the council that the lone proposal for the Thomas Property project was over budget, and would go three months over schedule...
Letters
Thu, Sep 27
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
Safe if used properly
To the Editor: It is my hope that this letter will explain and defend some of the allegations regarding the safe use of glyphosate, the main ingredient in the herbicide known as Roundup that came up at the Conservation Commission meeting to consider banning the use of...
The quiet zone
Thu, Sep 27
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
At the Tourism Council’s Annual Meeting that was held at The Spring House on Wednesday, Sept. 26, an expert in the travel habits of American vacationers, who specializes in New England trends, brought up the subject of the internet on Block Island — or the lack thereof. It was one of the first...
Letters
Thu, Sep 20
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
Incorrect attribution
To the Editor: In last week’s cover story titled “Vehicle congestion a topic of discussion”
(Block Island Times
, Sept. 15), I was quoted as saying “There are more problems down there than just the taxi stands. There are new businesses down there, lots of new...
The conversation continues
Thu, Sep 20
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
There will be another opportunity to discuss how business has been performing on Block Island, both for this past summer and in previous years, at the annual meeting of the Tourism Council that will be held at The Spring House on Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 5 p.m. The public is invited and encouraged to...
Letters
Thu, Sep 13
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
Clambake a success
To the Editor: The Block Island Lions Club would like to thank each and every person, business, and organization that supported our annual Labor Day Clambake (pictured above). This is our 25th year of service on the island, and through your generosity and participation,...
Reducing the herd
Thu, Sep 13
Category:
Editorials
There has been a letter writing campaign by some Block Island homeowners and residents asking the Deer Task Force to look into additional ways to once again reduce the deer population in some significant manner. There should be, first, a deer count done sometime during the winter. Rather than...
Letters
Thu, Aug 30
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
Nom de plume
To the Editor: The Endangered Species letter (featured on page 15 in last week’s edition of
The Block Island Times
) was written by my sister, Eileen Littlefield Lee. She had a wicked wit. I believe it was done in the early 1970s when island folk observed changes to old-...
Set the terms
Thu, Aug 30
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
There is a letter from National Grid written to Town Manager Ed Roberge and Facilities Manager Sam Bird dated Aug. 21, 2018 that is on next week’s Town Council agenda. The letter addresses issues regarding the exposed portion of the sea2shore cable that has been a topic of discussion in recent...
Letters
Thu, Aug 23
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
In full use To the Editor: On behalf of the Block Island Harbors Committee, I would like to extend a gracious thank you to the Wronowski family for their initiative in helping facilitate the new public dinghy dock located between Payne’s Dock and Dead Eye Dick’s restaurant. The Wronowski family...
Weeds, for lack of a better word, can be good
Thu, Aug 23
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
The news out of California was shocking: a jury awards a groundskeeper almost $290 million based on its determination that the herbicide glyphosate, found in the popular weedkiller Roundup, was responsible for his cancer. That verdict will undoubtedly be appealed, but the message the jury sent is...
Letters
Thu, Aug 16
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
A beloved island, with a price
To the Editor: On July 19, my son passed away on Block Island, and while we are still awaiting an official cause of death, it seems clear that substance abuse played a role. I’m writing this letter to all the residents of New Shoreham, all those who live there...
Power Outage Information
By
Lars Trodson
Thu, Aug 16
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
The following was sent in by BIPCo’s President Jeffery Wright:
The power to the National Grid substation in Wakefiled was interrupted on Wednesday, Aug. 15, at 4:54 p.m., causing an island-wide outage. The Block Island Power Company restored power within approximately 50 minutes by using...
Letters
Thu, Aug 9
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
A great swim
To the Editor: A record 110 swimmers, ranging in age from 10 to 72, turned out for the fourth annual Great Salt Pond Swim, held on Saturday, July 28. The famous Block Island fog also decided to make an appearance, rolling in from the east, across Block Island Sound to the Great...
A season of giving
Thu, Aug 9
Category:
News
,
Opinion
,
Editorials
Block Island has experienced a remarkable season of events designed to raise funds not only for our local institutions, but for individuals, as well. The season began with an island-wide party for the Murphy family, and continued through with successful events and fundraisers for the Block Island...
Letters
Thu, Aug 2
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
Holy cow!
To the Editor: In the past, I was a big pain in the neck to our friendly Harbormaster. All I can say now is “Holy cow! What a dinghy dock!” We’ve all had to manage with a docking facility that was tremendously inadequate. Now we will have access to what I can easily say is the...
Thinking in bold strokes
Thu, Aug 2
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
Town Manager Ed Roberge has helped to facilitate an enormous — and enormously intriguing — idea to create a new kind of community zone to be located on parcels located near the Block Island School; a zone may eventually include a combination of homes to purchase and rental units. It can’t be...
Letters
Thu, Jul 26
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
A note of thanks
Dear friends: We thank you for the generous outpouring of love and support being displayed by the Block Island community and beyond. We feel that you are putting your arms around us in an unending hug that blankets us with your caring, concern, and deep affection. Your...
One small step
Thu, Jul 26
Category:
News
,
Opinion
,
Editorials
There is ecological bad news everywhere. Mudslides, sink holes, melting ice caps, heat waves, volcanoes, earthquakes, flooding, and drought. It sometimes feels so overwhelming that it’s reasonable to think that there is nothing one person can do to prevent these disasters from happening. The most...
Big doings at the Harbor Church
Thu, Jul 19
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
,
Featured Letters
The following was submitted by the Board of Trustees of the Harbor Church:
To the Editor: Many of you have noticed the changes going on at the Harbor Church. We are converting the third floor into four year-round, affordable apartments and already have numerous people eager to move in!...
Letters
Thu, Jul 19
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
Broadband progress
To the Editor: Slow internet? We know! The Block Island Broadband Committee has been working very hard to make island-wide high-speed internet a reality. For those of you who have not been following our progress, a quick recap is in order. At our May 2018 Financial Town...
Time to move on
Thu, Jul 19
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
It’s unclear as to why town leadership is maintaining its steadfast opposition to the Quonset-based fast ferry service. We understand why Interstate Navigation is against it — that makes sense. Interstate doesn’t want some gadfly business coming in here just during the summer, potentially taking...
Letters
Thu, Jul 12
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
In praise of Pastor Steve
To the Editor: Allow me to raise my pen and voice in recognition of the Rev. Steve Hollaway and what a gift he has been to the Community on Block Island! A solid man comfortable in his own skin and a solid Minister of Christ committed to the word of God, Rev. Steve...
Not pretty
Thu, Jul 12
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
This is not art. It’s not pretty. It’s vandalism. We almost hate to bring attention to it, because whoever did this — if they are not long gone — will probably have a good chuckle over our unfashionable chagrin, but even we thought tagging was a thing of the past. That old culvert underneath the...
Letters
Thu, Jul 5
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
A special community
To the Editor: On behalf of the family of Robbie Murphy and the Fundraising Committee of the Block Island Lions Club: Thank you, Block Island! You have once again demonstrated what a special community this is. The list of those who donated items and services for the...
A fine sight
Thu, Jul 5
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
It was a joyous, fun-filled Fourth of July here on Block Island. The fireworks went off without a hitch. The parade was raucous and fun-filled. The Block Island Volunteer Fire Department’s annual steak fry was a big success. Many, many words could be used to describe the sense of fun that pervaded...
Letters
Thu, Jun 28
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
A caring place
To the Editor, I was recently reminded of the special caring quality of life we enjoy on our island. An incapacitated friend needed to get to Point Judith to meet an ambulance. Rita Grimes, who works at the ferry dock, treated both of us like family. She immediately helped us...
Candidates file for offices
By
Lars Trodson
Thu, Jun 28
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
Here are the declared candidates for open seats on various town boards, including the Town Council. The declaration of candidacy period closed at Block Island Town Hall on Wednesday, June 27:
Town Council:
First Warden: Ken Lacoste (R) and Mark Emmanuelle (I).
Second Warden:
André...
Letters
Thu, Jun 14
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
BIMI’s Chowder Cookoff
To the Editor: I would like to thank all those who participated in our Memorial Day weekend chowder event. Eleven restaurants provided chowder for a crowd of about 400. Participating restaurants were Aldo’s, Ballard’s Inn, Beachead, Block Island Oyster Bar & Grill...
Just a reminder...
Thu, Jun 14
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
This is not the way to park a bike when taking a walk at Crescent Beach, or any of the beaches along Corn Neck Road. There are bike racks at every entrance to the beach, across the street, and at the Fred Benson Beach Pavilion. Please be delicate with the island’s fragile dunes.
Letters
Thu, Jun 7
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
With love
To our Friends and Family, It is hard to believe that it has only been a week since we received the phone call that is every parent’s nightmare. I want to thank Mike Ernst for dropping what he was doing to bring our family to the mainland in his fishing boat because it was too...
A plastic shield? Really?
Thu, Jun 7
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
Looks like we’re stuck with a mitigation plan for the exposed part of National Grid’s sea2shore cable that no one really cares for. This summer the island will be blessed with a field comprising a dozen buoys designating the area where the exposed cable lies about 200 feet offshore at Fred Benson...
Letters
Thu, May 31
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
Ask the residents first
To the Editor: I’m writing in response to the May 19th article “Harbors facility at Ball O’Brien gets a closer look.” As an owner at the Salt Pond Settlement and longtime past member of that board, I know that the residents there know all too well about the...
Look, no hands!
Thu, May 31
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
One of the reasons why governing bodies keep passing new laws is because human beings, by and large, have a difficult time with self-discipline. It’s no secret that drinking and driving is not only against the law, but stunningly dangerous, and yet there was a DUI arrest by the State Troopers on...
Letters
Thu, May 24
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
Continued support
To the Editor: I was greatly saddened, on many levels, at the recent problem the Fire/Rescue organization has had with its finances. It occasioned me to think of a tool I have used with my nonprofit organizations to help them understand and improve their accounting...
Editorial photo
Thu, May 24
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.” — President Harry S. Truman “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God such men...
Letters
Thu, May 17
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
An ill-advised policy
To the Editor: As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who served in Iran from 1968 to 1970, I see President Trump’s action to withdraw from the Iran nuclear agreement as a great tragedy. It effectively ends our hopes for averting a nuclear arms race in the Middle East...
Our complete support
Thu, May 17
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
On the morning of Thursday, May 17, the Block Island Rescue Squad ambulance went racing down Ocean Avenue, sirens blaring. That ambulance was driven by a volunteer, and whomever was being transported was also being attended to by a volunteer. These folks are among the many who are about to work...
Letters
Thu, May 10
Category:
Letters
A penny saved...
To the Editor: Thank you to: Pennies people! Grand total: $2,830.36.
The Block Island Times
for the great publicity. Every student (and family) who so generously, and happily, filled his or her individual collection boxes.
Stacy Henshaw’s second...
Take your junk to the dump
Thu, May 10
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
The weather has gotten warmer, seasonal residents are returning to the island to open up their homes. In light of that, Highways Department Supervisor Mike Shea has a plea not to leave unwanted household items on the side of the road by anyone thinking that the Highways Department will eventually...
Personal Essay: Your meeting, your island, your vote
By
Sven Risom
Fri, May 4
Category:
News
,
Featured Letters
Block Island is one of the last remaining towns in Rhode Island to hold a Financial Town Meeting, a time when all registered voters have a say regarding the town’s finances, so please come to the Block Island School at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 7, to exercise your vote. What is the Financial Town...
Featured Letter
Thu, May 3
Category:
Opinion
,
Featured Letters
To the Editor: It has been almost four years since I first brought attention to the Town Council concerning the old Old Town Road culvert. It was a few years before that that Merrill Slate took me to the site on the north side of the culvert saying, “go on down in there, crawl if you have to, and...
Letters
Thu, May 3
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
Yes to CAI network
To the Editor: Because I sit on the Block Island Broadband Committee, several friends have asked me why the residences and businesses along the CAI (ommunity anchor institutions) route will not be able to hook up to the broadband fiber as it is installed. Under the...
Time to make your voice heard
Thu, May 3
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
A year-and-a-half ago, one of the more important questions in recent Block Island history was put to voters: Whether or not to buy two-thirds of Block Island Power Company stock to create a local utility district. The build-up to the vote was intense, with passionate views on each side, and the...
Letters
Thu, Apr 26
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
Keep affordable housing affordable
To the Editor: I would like to share with island residents a recent letter that I sent to the Block Island Land Trust, along with a few notes to provide context to those unaware of the situation on Cooneymus Road regarding development. Here’s the letter:...
Pages
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
…
next ›
last »
Island Buzz
Antique Maps and Vintage Photographs
Posted By
Block Island Historical Society
10/20
The Block Island Historical Society has a great selection of antique maps; vintage photographs; unique posters & prints...
This weeks Nature Conservancy Schedule
Posted By
The Block Island Times
10/20
Check out this weeks Nature Conservancy Schedule at https://www.nature.org
We Sell Island Views
Posted By
Block Island Rentals Online
10/20
Get Your Island View Here! Find the BEST home for your Block Island Family Vacation - or - your Permanent Vacation Home...
Time for pumpkins and mums!
Posted By
Highland Farm Inc.
10/20
Fall is here, and that means it’s time for pumpkins and mums! At Highland Farm, we have everything you need to get in the...
990 West Side Rd, Block Island, RI
Posted By
Phillips Real Estate
10/20
This property is perfect for the hobbyist, craftsperson, artist, writer or gardener! A large grassy yard is bordered by...
1752 Off Corn Neck Rd, Block Island, RI
Posted By
Phillips Real Estate
10/19
Phenomenal setting boasting the three Block Island "must-haves" - supreme water views, walk to the beach and Great Salt Pond...
Receive our weekly email-letters!
Email Address
Email Type
Weekly Features-letter
Weekly News-letter
Breaking News
Tweets by BITimes
Real Estate
1,825,000
Bluff’s Jewel
Sullivan Sotheby's International Realty
This beautiful jewel of a home is a rare opportunity to experience coastal living at its best...
1,250,000
1069 Beacon Hill Road $1,250,000
Offshore Property
Private setting on Beacon Hill is heaven on earth, with boat-builder details and a beautiful...
1,125,000
New Price! One of a Kind Corn Neck Location: Riptide - a vintage Block Island Cape: http://www.liladelman.com/741-corn-neck-rd-block-island-rhode-island-02807/4112164
Lila Delman Real Estate
Panoramic views sweeping across conservancy land and the National Wildlife Refuge to the North...
4,200,000
On the Bluff - 1357 Snake Hole 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,...
595,000
Return to the Simple Life-$595,000
Sullivan Sotheby's International Realty
Looking for carefree summers? This uncomplicated cottage located on Center Road will speak to you...
499,000
Amy Dodge Lane Lot
Beach Real Estate
Best priced lot on the market with a view! Lovely 1.1 acre lot with pretty long range views of Old...
2,800,000
1680 Spring Street $2,800,000
Offshore Property
Located high on a hill overlooking the Southeast Light, this wonderful property has spectacular...
1,095,000
Mill Pond Lane
Sullivan Sotheby's International Realty
Wonderful vacation home tucked at the end of a four home subdivision offering privacy but is still...
Upcoming Events
AA Meeting Saturday
Sat, 10/20, 4:30pm
NA Meeting
Sun, 10/21, 4:30pm
AA Meeting
Mon, 10/22, 5:30pm
AA Meeting Saturday
Sat, 10/27, 4:30pm
NA Meeting
Sun, 10/28, 4:30pm
AA Meeting
Mon, 10/29, 5:30pm
AA Meeting Saturday
Sat, 11/3, 4:30pm
NA Meeting
Sun, 11/4, 4:30pm
AA Meeting
Mon, 11/5, 5:30pm
AA Meeting Saturday
Sat, 11/10, 4:30pm
Island Religion
Parte 8 Tú eres un cristiano. Ahora ¿qué?
Posted By
Block Island Christian Fellowship
10/18
Parte 8 Tú eres un cristiano. Ahora ¿qué? ¿Cómo puedo evitar las influencias que corrompen mi mente? En un capítulo anterior...
(PART 8) YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN. NOW WHAT?
Posted By
Block Island Christian Fellowship
10/18
(PART 8) YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN. NOW WHAT? CHAPTER 7 How Can I Avoid Influences That Corrupt My Mind? In an earlier chapter, we...
LOVE: The Value of Values Sermon
Posted By
Harbor Church
10/15
MESSAGE: The Value of Values: LOVE 10-14-18 The Mathematics of Love Do you have a favorite number? A Lucky number? (I am not...
