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Home
Opinion
Letters
Thu, Nov 14
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
Put community first
To the Editor: We have learned through the
Block Island Times
that some Town Council members and staff were “stunned” by the resignation of Town Manager Ed Roberge. I think the community should also be saddened by the loss of such an exemplary public servant, one...
Diving in
Thu, Nov 14
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
I t seems as though the members of the town’s Recreation Board have got it exactly right when it comes to the idea of building and operating a community pool on Block Island: it needs to be planned out in stages, it has to be privately-funded and maintained, and if the project needs any assistance...
Letters
Thu, Nov 7
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
An island resource
To the Editor: In a letter in last week’s
Block Island Times
, we were again reminded of the extraordinary group of First Responders, official and not official, the town is blessed to have in our midst. Their rescue of an unfortunate surfer turned into a matter of...
Go Lady ‘Canes
Thu, Nov 7
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
Wow! The Lady Hurricanes Volleyball team has certainly made an impact in the two seasons since its inception. What was, just a couple of years ago, a brief and rather mundane discussion at the School Committee level about adding some funding to the school budget to cover the cost of equipment,...
Letters
Thu, Oct 31
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
‘With gratitude and joy’
To the Editor: As I compose my thoughts this morning, Harbor Church celebrates the beginning of our 255th year on Block Island. Oct. 23, 1765 is the anniversary of our founding as a congregation, a date that is the basis for our annual Roll Call Sunday and Roll Call...
Count the deer
Thu, Oct 31
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
Peter Krause, M.D. mentioned something during his review of the 25 years he and others have been studying Lyme disease on Block Island. He spoke of the increased numbers of cases his team has seen of the Powassan virus, a disease spread by ticks that can be deadly. “It’s really bad,” said Krause...
Letters
Thu, Oct 24
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
The Block Island Walk
To the Editor: Nationwide, fall is known as “Walk Season” for the Alzheimer’s Association, as local chapters gear up for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s events that are the largest fundraisers of the year. The Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter just wrapped up...
Building a life on Block Island
Thu, Oct 24
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
It has been, to say the least, a mixed-up October. Some of the most beautiful weather we’ve had all year has been tinged with some bad news, including the sudden resignation of Town Manager Ed Roberge, who will be leaving in a couple of months. But here is the good news: five deserving families and...
Letters
Thu, Oct 17
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
A special citation
To the Editor: In September. the Block Island community was given a proclamation from Gov. Gina Raimondo. The words are so complimentary that I'd like to present them to you here. There is every reason for our community to be very proud of the many wonderful things we do...
Avoiding unintended consequences
Thu, Oct 17
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
Residents on Block Island pay attention to their land. Not only land they own, but public space as well. This is why the topic of proposed changes to the definition of developable land as written in the town’s development regulations has drawn so much attention and scrutiny. The Planning Board was...
Letters
Thu, Oct 10
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
A celebration well
enjoyed
To Block Island Friends and Family, We would like to send a great big thank you to everyone who contributed to the celebration of life for our dad, Lew Gaffett, held at the Old Island Pub. It was certainly a celebration Lew would have so enjoyed. It was...
BIHS by-laws do the job
Thu, Oct 10
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
Recently,
The Block Island Times
was asked to review the by-laws of the Block Island Health Services Board of Directors, and we did. It is an imperfect document — why on earth any board would want up to 20 members is beyond us — but it is detailed and thorough enough for the job. There...
Letters
Thu, Oct 3
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
Thank yous
To the Editor: The Hands That Rock Board would like to thank the Block Island businesses that sponsored our event including Ballards Inn,
The Block Island Times
, The Monieson family, Interstate Navigation, New Harbor Boat Basin, Yellow Kittens, The National Hotel and the...
Celebrating democracy
Thu, Oct 3
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
Block Island Utility District board members Barbara MacMullan and Everett Shorey seemed pleased by the one-third voter response to the Utility District’s election. A total of 471 voters out of 1,500 account holders who were mailed ballots cast their votes. When the Utility District was initially...
Letters
Thu, Sep 19
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
Advice on the ballot
To the Editor: Several people asked me for advice on the Block Island Power Co. ballot question regarding the use of generators to peak shave and lower our costs overall. My position on this was stated at the Board meeting and I would like to restate it here. I support...
A great start
Thu, Sep 19
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
There was some speculation that affordable rental units were more of a necessity by the town’s working class families and individuals than affordable homes. However, that notion was seemingly dispelled when about 30 people showed up at an information session to learn about the financial guidelines...
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...
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Island Buzz
“Memories made at the Beach last a lifetime” https://liladelman.com/listing/1079-corn-neck-rd-block-island-2/
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11/20
Make this popular Corn Neck location your own. Ocean Views, Sunsets and Privacy make this five bedroom, three and a half...
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Visit us and enjoy the brilliance of Block Island. www.LilaDelman.com
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11/20
Visit the Island and take a look at some of our properties. The Block Island Real Estate market is very active and there is...
New Price! Own on the Private Old Mill Road https://liladelman.com/listing/592-old-mill-rd-block-island/
Posted By
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Silent Sounds & Conservancy. Located down one of the Island’s private roads Old Mill Road, this property is an equal...
Christmas at Highland Farm
Posted By
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It’s the holiday season and we have everything you need to get into the festive spirit here at Highland Farm. We have live...
Antique Maps and Vintage Photographs
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11/20
The Block Island Historical Society has a great selection of antique maps; vintage photographs; unique posters & prints...
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