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Opinion
Editorials
Editorial
Thu, Nov 19
Category:
Editorials
To the Editor: On Tuesday, Nov. 24, Sun Farm Oysters will be having its annual Thanksgiving oyster benefit for Block Island-based non-profits from 2 to 4 p.m. at Old Island Pub. A dozen oysters can be purchased for a donation of $5. We have just about finished sorting oysters for the year and we...
Online information session on next offshore wind project
Thu, Nov 12
Category:
Editorials
The public is invited to an online discussion about the next large-scale offshore wind farm project, Revolution Wind, that will bring energy to more than 350,000 homes in Rhode Island and Connecticut. The information sessions will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m. and again on Thursday,...
Local Election results
Thu, Nov 5
Category:
Editorials
Local Election results Joseph R. Biden (Dem) .......... 719 Donald J. Trump (Rep) .......... 188 John F. Reed (Dem)................ 702 Allen R. Waters (Rep) ............ 171 James R. Langevin (Dem) ..... 700 Robert B. Lancia (Rep) .......... 172 Virginia S. Sosnowski (Dem) .. 704 David A. Tacey (...
Write-in candidates need to be registered
Fri, Oct 23
Category:
Editorials
The following message was provided by Town Clerk Molly Fitzpatrick:
Individuals who are running for write-in campaigns need to register. They need to register with the Rhode Island Board of Elections, and if they don’t register with the state Board of Elections, their votes won’t get...
Editorial
Thu, Oct 8
Category:
Editorials
Options in voting for upcoming Election Day
The following message was shared by Town Clerk Molly Fitzpatrick on Tuesday, Oct. 6 for the upcoming Election Day:
Polls will be open at the Block Island School on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting will be in the...
Editorial
Thu, Oct 1
Category:
Editorials
Quarters Against Corona The Quarters Against Corona boxes can be found all over the island. Make a donation today to the Block Island Medical Center and its amazing staff. Their work doesn’t stop when the summertime ends.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Thu, Sep 24
Category:
Editorials
The following was submitted by reader Peter Greenman:
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26. This will be the second such walk on Block Island. Last year’s walk, our first, was a major success raising $56,944. We were proud of the fact that this was more than...
Island Census work continues
Thu, Sep 17
Category:
Editorials
The following message was shared by US Census Bureau Field Supervisor Linda Wright:
Our work is continuing on the island to complete the U.S. Census. You will see Enumerators canvassing to complete the following work: first time interviews, re-Interviews, non-response follow ups, quality...
Library staff honored
Lars Trodson,
at
ltrodson@blockislandtimes.com
Thu, Sep 10
Category:
Editorials
For the past three years, the Block Island Residents Association has named a person or persons who have contributed to the quality of life on the island. This year, resident Linda Spak nominated the staff of the Island Free Library. “During a very difficult year, these dedicated people came to the...
Mrs. Hart welcomes her first student back to school
Lars Trodson,
at
ltrodson@blockislandtimes.com
Thu, Sep 3
Category:
Editorials
It had been six months since a student had entered the Block Island School, but that all changed on Thursday, Sept. 3, when kindergarten teacher Mrs. Hart welcomed Tess Helterline and her parents, Leslie and Wyatt, for Tess’s morning orientation. Tess picked out her locker, her seat, and chose...
Editorial
Fri, Aug 28
Category:
Editorials
The real genealogy
Due to a boneheaded reporting error in the story about Shirlyne Gobern in last week’s paper, the question of Gobern’s genealogy needs to be cleared up. Here’s the scoop from Shirlyne:
The World War I monument on the corner of Dodge Street and Old Town Road bears the...
Editorial
Thu, Aug 20
Category:
Editorials
Nominations sought for BIHS Board In keeping with past practice, Block Island Health Services (BIHS) will hold an election in November for two members of the Board of Directors to be voted on by the voters and taxpayers of New Shoreham. The terms are for four years. In the midst of a pandemic and...
Editorial
Thu, Aug 13
Category:
Editorials
A message from Rescue Captain Tracy Fredericks and Fire Department Chief Kirk Littlefield:
We would like to commend the efforts of our volunteer Fire and Rescue personnel, the men and women of Disaster Management Assistance Team, the Block Island Medical Center staff, and the vacationing...
Editorial
Thu, Aug 6
Category:
Editorials
A message from New Shoreham Town Clerk Molly Fitzpatrick Rhode Island’s Primary is Tuesday, Sept. 8. Any registered voter who wants to avoid going to the polls, please apply for a mail ballot as soon as possible. Voters will not be receiving an application in the mail, but can download an...
Editorial
Fri, Jul 31
Category:
Editorials
Block Island Medical Center holds Virtual Fundraiser The Block Island Medical Center is hosting a virtual fundraiser and silent auction this weekend, with silent auction winners announced on Sunday, Aug. 2. The website, https://BIMC2020.givesmart.com , is up and running and anyone can register to...
Editorial
Fri, Jul 17
Category:
Editorials
Quarters Against Corona You may be seeing these bright blue coin collecting boxes in almost every business in town. It’s the Quarters Against Corona fundraiser that’s being spearheaded by Karen Duale and benefiting the Volunteer Rescue Squad and the Medical Center. So far, donations have topped $1,...
Editorial
Thu, Jul 2
Category:
Editorials
Two weeks to file your taxes
The following was issued by the Rhode Island Department of Revenue:
The Rhode Island Division of Taxation is reminding taxpayers and tax professionals that the deadline is two weeks away for filings and payments involving Rhode Island resident and non-resident...
Editorial
Thu, Jun 25
Category:
Editorials
The Town Council and the New Shoreham Police Department will be working together to help educate the public on the requirement to wear masks while in public on the island. The ordinance was passed on Wednesday, June 24 and went into effect immediately. Violators face a $50 fine.
Editorial
Thu, Jun 18
Category:
Editorials
No more roadside trash pickup Highways Supt. Mike Shea has announced that the Highways Department is no longer picking up trash and furniture that is left on the side of the road. He said this year the amount of furniture, including mattresses and other items, has been particularly bad. Shea said...
Editorial
Thu, Jun 4
Category:
Editorials
New Shoreham Town Council FY 2021 Budget Review Schedule The Town Council will hold budget work sessions and meetings to discuss and act on the Town’s fiscal year 2021 budget on the following dates. The New Shoreham Town Council will meet via telecommunication pursuant to State of Rhode Island...
Editorial
Thu, May 21
Category:
Editorials
Seasonal parking notice The Department of Environmental Management has delayed the official opening of state Lot G in Galilee until June 1. The DEM Coastal office is closed and placards are being processed through the mail. Fill out the form with as much information and provide phone or email in...
Editorial
Thu, May 14
Category:
Editorials
How to vote by mail for the June 2 primary Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea is reminding Rhode Islanders that they have until Tuesday, May 19, to submit mail ballot applications for the June 2 Presidential Primary. For the safety of voters and poll workers, Rhode Island’s Presidential Primary...
Editorial
Thu, May 7
Category:
Editorials
We know there is a lot going on in these confusing and challenging times, but we shouldn’t lose sight of some of the smaller, yet important things in life. Please try to keep our island landscape as clean as possible, and remember that balloons are not allowed. Thank you and stay safe.
Editorial
Fri, May 1
Category:
Editorials
Happy Retirement, Donna
After 21 years at the Block Island Post Office, Donna Smith is retiring.
Thank you for all you’ve done, and have a great next chapter.
Christmas lights!
Fri, Apr 17
Category:
Editorials
The following was sent in by reader Kara Stinnett:
We have been doing some fun things as a community like the scavenger hunt, the parades and church live, so let’s have a night or two on the town with family and friends — COVID style. I thought we could do Christmas and anyone that wants...
Editorial
Fri, Apr 10
Category:
Editorials
From the Book of John, Chapter One, Verse 29: “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” The Block Island Times wishes everyone a safe, peaceful, happy and joyous Easter and Passover. Thanks to Payne Farm for giving us this...
Editorial
Thu, Apr 2
Category:
Editorials
Be kind, be patient To the Block Island Community: The New Shoreham Police Department, along with the assistance and professional guidance of retired Police Chief Bill McCombe, has taken the following steps to ensure the community’s safety with respect to COVID-19. Our officers have stopped people...
Editorial
Fri, Mar 27
Category:
Editorials
The following message was issued by the Sewer District:
Be advised, for the safety and well being of our staff, that any mechanical obstruction in our sewer pumps on Block Island, which are most often caused by disposable wipes, require our staff, or a local contractor (if a private system...
Editorial
Fri, Mar 20
Category:
Editorials
Discipline Block Island can be a carefree place, the most carefree place. But we are in a time of unprecedented seriousness — the first at least in the last 75 years — and it is good to see Block Island take the threat of COVID-19 the way in which we should. We have to heed the impeccable advice...
Editorial
Thu, Mar 12
Category:
Editorials
A bright spot “It's a mixed up, muddled up, shook up world,” said the Kinks, and it certainly is. But one thing certainly worked just right this past week: The Boys Varsity Basketball Team. With ferocious determination and laser-like focus, the Hurricanes sped into the playoffs and then took the...
Editorial
Thu, Mar 5
Category:
Editorials
Stories of Block Island women Block Island is remarkable in so many ways, not the least of which is the fact that the town has so many women in so many influential positions. Our School Principal, Library Director (and the staff), Town Finance Director, IT Specialist, Town Planner, Postmistress,...
Editorial
Fri, Feb 28
Category:
Editorials
Addressing the deer issue Another hunting season has come to a close, and another year has gone by with little or no headway made to reduce the deer herd on Block Island. The $150 deer tail fee made available to Block Island hunters does not seem to have been appealing enough for hunters to take...
Nominations sought for Bayberry Wreath Award
Thu, Feb 20
Category:
Editorials
This year marks the 37th anniversary of one of Block Island’s signature recognitions: the annual Bayberry Wreath Award that honors outstanding contributions to the health of the island’s environment.
If there is someone you would like to honor,
The
Block Island Times
is now...
Editorial
Fri, Feb 14
Category:
Editorials
A deadline that must be met After a few years of back and forth, and the appearance of a new owner of the Block Island Wind Farm, there appears to be a viable, if expensive, plan in place to rebury the two transmission cables at Town Beach. One of the cables is owned by Ørsted, the other by...
Editorial
Fri, Feb 7
Category:
Editorials
A survey worthy of discussion Last we asked a question: What does Block Island want to be? A recent survey undertaken by The Land Trust provides some answers to that question. The survey is a valuable document and is worthy of some attention and discussion For instance, 70 percent of the survey’s...
Editorial
Fri, Jan 31
Category:
Editorials
A budget for the future A budget discussion with Town Finance Director Amy Land this past week evolved into something other than a conversation about numbers and into the philosophical, to wit: What kind of town does Block Island want to be? A part of the answer to that question is buried in the...
Editorial
Fri, Jan 24
Category:
Editorials
McConville is the right choice She’s authoritative, knowledgeable, reliable, and tough. And — she’s the right choice for the interim Harbormaster position that will open up with current Harbormaster Steve Land’s departure in mid-February. She’s been a valued member of the volunteer Rescue Squad for...
Editorial
Thu, Dec 26
Category:
Editorials
Some important projects on the way 2020 is looking like it will be a year of opportunities and challenges for the Block Island community. Perhaps the biggest challenges will come in the form of budgets; not just the annual vote on the municipal budget, but several other financial issues, related to...
Editorial
Sat, Dec 21
Category:
Editorials
A gift Dad had lost his job... and when Christmas came that year, we had no money at all. On Christmas Eve, Dad took each one of us kids out into the desert night one by one. “Pick out your favorite star,” Dad said. “I like that one!” I said. Dad grinned. “That’s Venus,” he said. He explained to me...
Editorial
Thu, Dec 12
Category:
Editorials
An island dilemma It sometimes seems we spend so much time figuring out how to take care of, and provide the most pleasant experiences for, our seasonal visitors that the needs of year-round, work-a-day island residents sometimes get overshadowed. It’s not really the case, of course, but it can...
Editorial
Island composting program a great idea
Sun, Dec 8
Category:
Editorials
Clair Stover, Executive Director of the Block Island Conservancy, said the island composting program initiated on Sunday, Dec. 1, got off to a brisk start. Stover said a number of folks dropped off their compostable material. The goal of the program is to utilize organic matter that would otherwise...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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Island Buzz
Still Looking for a Summer Rental?
Posted By
Sullivan Sotheby's International Realty
11/29
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
11/28
*** Annual Meeting September 20th 11am Program 11:30 am Please join us on zoom ** Thank you for your interest in the Block...
This weeks Nature Conservancy Schedule
Posted By
The Block Island Times
11/28
Check out this weeks Nature Conservancy Schedule at https:// www.natureblockisland.org
Reserve Your Spot at Solstice Senior Living at Groton
Posted By
Solstice Senior Living
11/27
There’s a lot to be thankful for at Solstice at Groton. Don’t take it from us – hear from our residents why they’re grateful...
Christmas at Highland Farm
Posted By
Highland Farm Inc.
11/27
Highland Farm supplies all the holiday magic you and your family will need this season! We have beautiful cut Balsam and...
Antique Maps and Vintage Photographs
Posted By
Block Island Historical Society
11/26
The Block Island Historical Society has a great selection of antique maps; vintage photographs; unique posters & prints...
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