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Opinion
Staying Connected
Thu, Nov 2
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
Town residents either woke up to, or saw while still awake, something unusual from the Block Island Power Company in the early morning hours of the storm that rolled over the island this past weekend: notices from BIPCo updating residents about what the company was doing to address outages and...
Letters
Thu, Oct 26
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
Baffling To the Editor: I'm blown away by the Town Council's inability to come to grips with the fact that plastic bags are bad for the environment, particularly on islands — no matter the size — and need to be regulated. After all these months, they want to dither over small details, like how do...
Medical Center, School, should move ahead on internet needs
Thu, Oct 26
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
The demands and needs of the digital age have finally caught up with Block Island. The Block Island School and the Medical Center have reached a tipping point, and while the demands of the School have been widely known for some time, the Medical Center got some news recently that put one of their...
Featured letter
Thu, Oct 19
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
To the Editor: Last week, Councilor Chris Willi was critical of the previous Town Council on Facebook noting that that Council did not vote for a housing stipend for a Town Manager. When I saw that, my initial thoughts were that if we are to work together to solve our issues, social media isn’t...
Letters
Thu, Oct 19
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
Issues, issues To the Editor: Sometimes government action can overdo things, and sometimes it’s late to the table. Out in the big wide world such excesses or deficiencies may have dire consequences; here on Block Island, not so much. But still. Three examples come to mind. In the too-much category...
Ban the bag
Thu, Oct 19
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
Plastic is choking our oceans and killing marine life. Banning single-use plastic bags should not really be too much of a debate. We urge the Town Council, at its next meeting, to take what will be a largely symbolic measure and pass the ordinance banning the plastic bags that was crafted by the...
Letters
Thu, Oct 12
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
Can you help? To the Editor: In my 37 years on the island and eleven years on the Town Council I think that I have written to
The Block Island Times
only four or five times and two of those may have been letters of praise or thanks.This time it is different. I am moved to reach out for...
Whale deaths
Thu, Oct 12
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
Since 2003 and in 2006, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration declared unusual mortality events (UME) for humpback whales. The 2003 event was called in the Gulf of Maine (for large whales, but primarily humpbacks), and in 2006, the area that NOAA concentrated on was the North Atlantic...
Letters
Thu, Oct 5
Category:
News
,
Opinion
,
Letters
Choices for Utility Commissioners To the Editor: The reddish ballot for electing the Utility Commissioners to the Block Island Utility District arrived today. The color was well-chosen and a reminder to stop, look, and vote. Of the candidates, there are three — Everett Shorey, Barbara MacMullan,...
Take the test
Thu, Oct 5
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
The Medical Center is offering free Lyme disease and babesiosis testing on Monday, Oct. 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. It would be a good idea for as many island residents who are able to take advantage of this opportunity. Those who experience Lyme disease first-hand can attest to its sometimes...
Letters
Thu, Sep 28
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
Fiber optic options To the Editor: I am an infrequent visitor to your beautiful island. I was told today that a task force has been active in exploring the potential for fiber optic. I obtained online a copy of a report issued earlier this year. I wish to inform the task force that my area of...
A new voice in town
Thu, Sep 28
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
The unanimous vote, simply recorded as 4-0, with one member of the Town Council absent, doesn’t quite capture the evident enthusiasm the Council has for its choice of Edward Roberge as the new Town Manager. Few outside the process have met Mr. Roberge, but his brief conversation with
The Block...
Letters
Thu, Sep 21
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
To the Editor: Are the readers of
The Block Island Times
curious about tourist visitation and spending on Block Island this past season? If so, we invite one and all to the Annual Meeting of the Block Island Tourism Council on Tuesday, September 26th. Complimentary appetizers and cash bar...
Featured letter from Broadband Committee
Thu, Sep 21
Category:
News
,
Opinion
,
Letters
,
Featured Letters
Ed. Note: The following was sent to
The Block Island Times
by New Shoreham Broadband Committee Chair Bill McKernan:
September 18, 2017 To the Editor: The New Shoreham Broadband Committee wants to thank
The Block Island Times
for your continued coverage of our work...
A question of committment
Thu, Sep 21
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
You know you are on Block Island when, no matter what the topic of conversation, it ends up being about housing (or, especially after the week we’ve had, transportation). That’s probably self-evident from the number of stories and editorials we’ve written on the subject over the past few weeks. The...
Letters
Thu, Sep 7
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
To the Editor: On behalf of the Block Island Lions Club, I would like to thank all who participated in the success of our Annual Clam Bake at the Narragansett Inn on Saturday, Sept. 2. This is our biggest event and we count on its success so we can make appreciable donations to our community. The...
Housing needs require coordinated look
Thu, Sep 7
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
With the discussion of available affordable housing bubbling up in what seems like several different quarters around the Island, it may be time for the Housing Board, as the group that has spearheaded actual progress in this area, to consider holding a series of public forums specifically dedicated...
Letters
Thu, Aug 31
Category:
News
,
Opinion
,
Letters
Vile accusations To the Editor: As you know, the Town Council voted to delay the entire election for the Utility Board. I did vote in favor of that action, but not due to a lack of faith in the abilities of the Town Clerk's Office to accomplish what needs to be done, and on time. Neither did I so...
Once again
Thu, Aug 31
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
It was just a week ago that we called on people to participate in the mail ballot to elect five members of what will be the newly created Utility Board of Commissioners. In fact, by Monday morning — Aug. 28 — Town Clerk Molly Fitzpatrick had received almost 400 ballots, which, if we can speculate,...
Letters
Thu, Aug 24
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
Thank you, Rescue Squad To the Editor: One night in early June of this year, my father passed away on Block Island. My daughter and her friends were visiting my parents at their summer home on the Island when his artificial heart pump malfunctioned and he lost consciousness. My daughter called 911...
Cast your vote
Thu, Aug 24
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
It would be hard to make the argument that the transition the Block Island Power Company is making from a privately-owned entity to a ratepayer-run utility district has been smooth. The vote to purchase two-thirds of the stock for $1.8 million was contentious, and very, very close, and the journey...
Letters
Thu, Aug 17
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
Please pick up your trash To the Editor: There are many demands made of the government of Block Island, as reported in every issue of
The Block Island Times
. However, there are some problems that restraint and civil responsibility would do a lot to solve. In that department is the trash...
Making a difference
Thu, Aug 17
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
Right around this time, every year, you can see the toll that the summer takes on the volunteers who staff the Block Island Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad. The calls just keep on coming, day after day, without discrimination in terms of time of day, and without discretion in terms of the severity...
Letters
Thu, Aug 10
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
It’s a dog’s life To the Editor: Full disclosure: I am a dog. My name is Dodger and I live on Payne Road. I originally came from Tiverton, R.I., but I hit the jackpot when my now-owners came by one day when there only two of us left in that big cardboard box and the lady, Sue, said “I want this one...
BIPCo candidates night is Monday, Aug. 14
Thu, Aug 10
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
The Block Island Times
and the Block Island Residents Association are sponsoring a candidates night on Monday, Aug. 14 at 6 p.m. at the Block Island School. All eight candidates — Mary Jane Balser, Sean McGarry, Everett Shorey, Barbara MacMullan, Peter McNerney, Christine Grele, Jack...
Featured letter
Fri, Aug 4
Category:
Opinion
,
Featured Letters
Becoming a tradition To the Editor: Saturday morning (July 29) was not a pretty sight, but we decided to go forward with the swim, considering the better weather conditions at Andy’s Way. It was very early, 7 a.m., and volunteers trickled into the swim area, each performing a specific task to...
Along Corn Neck Road
Fri, Aug 4
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
Not everybody liked the walkovers that were constructed over the dunes on Corn Neck Road, but their presence, along with a series of other efforts, has gone a long way toward restoring and repairing these necessary buffers. It’s a relief to see the beach grass growing where piles of bicycles used...
Letters
Fri, Aug 4
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
A matter of safety To the Editor: What is it going to take for us to recognize we have a safety problem on the island, particularly during the summer season? Trying to merely walk on the side of the road, no less take a family bike ride to the beach, is terrifying. Driving safely seems an...
Letters
Fri, Jul 28
Category:
News
,
Opinion
To the Editor: We have been pleased to attend the last few meetings of the Broadband Committee. It is moving this crucial project forward by looking at all relevant issues, including cost. I hope the town accepts the criticality of bringing quality, high-speed internet to our homes, school,...
Smart food
Fri, Jul 28
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
Jamie Johnston, an island resident who runs a trash pickup business, called the paper and said something was gnawing at him, and that was the amount of edible food being left behind at the homes where he collects trash and recyclables (He sent us this photo of leftover food items.). This is food...
Stay in your lane
Thu, Jul 20
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
There are, in fact, rules to the road. This applies to people who drive cars, and to people who ride mopeds and bikes. This is a message for people who ride bikes, generated by the fact that people are openly concerned and frustrated by what is plainly seen as irresponsible behavior by those people...
Letters
Thu, Jul 20
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
Quick reaction To the Editor: The Committee For The Great Salt Pond would like to thank the Town of New Shoreham, The Sewer, Water, and Police Departments as well as Andy Transue & Co. for all their help to keep the The Great Salt Pond great. An unfortunate incident occurred late Saturday where...
A central role in island life
Fri, Jul 14
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
One of the key words from those who advocated purchasing two-thirds stock of the former Block Island Power Co. was “control.” The idea behind that word was to have local oversight of our power company because it was going to be sold to
someone
, so why not take ownership of it ourselves?...
Letters
Fri, Jul 14
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
To the Editor: A dramatic sunset in the West over the Pond, followed by a magical full moon rising in the east over the ocean, and perfect weather, made for an ethereal movie set-like experience for a capacity crowd gathered at the Sullivan House to support and celebrate the Block Island Health...
Block Island is a work of art
Fri, Jul 7
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
Block Island is always referred to as a tourist destination, which is defined almost exclusively as a place to eat, drink, lounge on the beach, ride a bike or moped, or visit historic landmarks. What is too often excluded in this mix is art — Block Island is, and always has been — a haven for...
Letters
Fri, Jul 7
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
Thank you, Block Island To the Editor: Tickets for the Block Island Medical Center Annual Gala to be held Sunday, July 9, at the Sullivan House are sold out. Thank you to the Block Island community for your enthusiastic and generous support for the Center and this event. Our next fundraiser is the...
Letters
Fri, Jun 30
Category:
News
,
Opinion
Making the parade possible To the Editor: The Double Ender Committee would like to say thank you to the many members of the community that reached out and donated to the annual Fourth of July Parade. We’d like to say a special thank you to Dead Eye Dick’s and the New London Ferry for their generous...
Signs, signs, everywhere there’s signs
Fri, Jun 30
Category:
Opinion
,
Editorials
All of a sudden we seem to be sign-happy on Block Island. There are new signs along Corn Neck Road urging people not to park on the beach side near the dunes. There are “stay off the dunes” signs that have been placed on the dunes. And now there are some big map signs that, while perhaps being...
Letters
Fri, Jun 23
Category:
News
,
Opinion
,
Letters
Scholarships awarded To the Editor: The Block Island Arts and Crafts Guild is pleased to announce the 2017 scholarships awarded annually to graduating Block Island School seniors. Congratulations to this year's winners, Barbara Trujillo and Violet Brown, attending URI and Eastern Connecticut State...
Featured letter
Fri, Jun 16
Category:
News
,
Opinion
,
Letters
,
Featured Letters
To the Editor: I represent a group of Block Islanders who have raised concern over some of the details of a proposed affordable housing development on the West Side of the island. I would like to take the opportunity to clarify and restate the intention of our opposition to the proposed Cherry Hill...
Letters
Fri, Jun 16
Category:
News
,
Opinion
,
Letters
Thank you To the Editor: Last Sunday, dozens of islanders got a taste of what’s on the menu at 11 of Block Island’s finest restaurants at the second annual Bite of Block Island event. In the process, attendees provided funds to feed hungry islanders next winter. For the second year in a row, the...
Featured letter: Turbines in the fog
Fri, Jun 9
Category:
Opinion
,
Letters
,
Featured Letters
To the Editor: We flew from Danbury, Conn., to Block Island (on June 2) in an American Cheetah to get a better view of your wind turbines, but as we swung east to the island from Westerly Airport it was apparent the island was surrounded by sea fog and we could not see any wind turbines or ocean...
Letters
Fri, Jun 9
Category:
Opinion
To the editor: As Chair of the new Broadband Committee, I applaud your editorial in last week’s paper, “The need for speed.” You outlined both the need and the challenge perfectly. Along with the other members of the Committee, Gail Ballard, Lucinda Morrison, Kristine Monje, and Kathy Szabo, we...
Featured letter: Reasons to Purchase BIPCo
By
Everett Shorey
Fri, Jul 15
Category:
Featured Letters
The Town has reached an agreement to buy a controlling interest in Block Island Power Co. from two of its three current owners for $1.8 million, plus an indemnification for future environmental liabilities. This is a major step for Block Island, one that requires careful consideration by all the...
Words to Remember
By
Martha Ball
Fri, Jun 3
Category:
Opinion
,
Island Notes
It is Memorial Day on Block Island, a gray Monday, rainy then foggy then hopeful and back to some form of dampness in the air. It is only by the surfaces of the puddles that I can be certain if there is real precipitation falling from the sky or only the heavy mist that feels like rain on the skin...
Letters to the editor
Fri, Apr 8
Category:
Letters
To the Editor: For the record, I agree it would be a disservice to the community not to include events at the Island Free Library in The Block Island Times. That said, why is the onus on the community (March 12 letters taking Library Director Kristin Baumann to task for giving voice to concerns...
Patriots kickoff season amidst firestorm
By
Cassius Shuman
Fri, Sep 11
Category:
Opinion
The summer sun is setting as the football season is upon us, but the smear campaign employed by the NFL and ESPN rages on. After Tom Brady beat the NFL in U.S. District Court fair and square, leading to his four-game suspension being vacated by Judge Richard Berman, it seems that the league and its...
Baseball season is upon us
By
Cassius Shuman
Fri, Feb 27
Category:
Opinion
A shiny white ball flies through the air before landing on a patch of finely trimmed grass. The familiar leather smell of a brand new baseball glove. The sound of a baseball making contact – craaack! - with a wooden bat. These are the indelible sights, smells and sounds of America’s favorite...
Personal Essay: Basking in Super Bowl glory
By
Cassius Shuman
Fri, Feb 13
Category:
Opinion
Super Bowl victory means sweet vindication. That's what I've surmised since the New England Patriots beat the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX. I've been basking in the afterglow of that miraculous, ginormous victory in the desert on Sunday, Feb. 1. I haven't felt this good about a victory since...
Patriots win fourth Super Bowl title
By
Cassius Shuman
Fri, Feb 6
Category:
Opinion
I guess miracles can happen. You just have to believe, and never give up, no matter how much doubt you may have, and adversity you’re up against. I believe that was the moral message delivered with the Patriots Super Bowl XLIX victory. In what may go down as one of the greatest games in Super Bowl...
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Island Buzz
Escape to Narragansett!
Posted By
The Break: A Narragansett Hotel
11/13
Spa services, heated pool, heated bathroom floors, onsite restaurant, luxurious linens, ocean views. . .all at a great price...
New Price! Own on the Private Old Mill Road https://liladelman.com/listing/592-old-mill-rd-block-island/
Posted By
Lila Delman Real Estate
11/13
Silent Sounds & Conservancy. Located down one of the Island’s private roads Old Mill Road, this property is an equal...
Author Event
Posted By
Island Free Library
11/13
Please join us Friday, November 15th, at 7pm for an evening with author K Chess Refreshments will be served FAMOUS MEN WHO...
BI Resident Rate at The Break Hotel - 10% OFF
Posted By
The Break: A Narragansett Hotel
11/13
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
11/13
Sullivan Sotheby’s International Realty has some great options, if your still searching for that perfect Summer Rental. We...
History Happening Here
Posted By
Block Island Historical Society
11/12
All are welcome at the Museum of the Block Island Historical Society. Founded in 1942, we have shared our collections with...
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Island Religion
PART 6 TONGUES
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Block Island Christian Fellowship
11/7
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