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Home » Opinion

Editorials

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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
Opportunities to serve

Thu, Feb 28

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

The New Shoreham Charter Review Commission is appointed every 10 years to review New Shoreham’s Home Rule Charter and recommend changes to the Town Council. Changes to the Town Charter are decided by ballot questions in a general election or referendum. If you wish to serve on the Charter Commisson...
Help from time to time

Thu, Feb 21

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

During World War II, Block Island residents proudly defied an order to evacuate the island, opting instead for some good old-fashioned New England independence. It was a fine moment, to be sure, striking that balance between pride and duty. Block Island has been guided by that kind of spirit since...
Nominations sought for Bayberry Wreath Award

Thu, Feb 21

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

This year marks the 36th anniversary of one of Block Island’s signature recognitions: the annual Bayberry Wreath Award recognizing outstanding contributions to the health of the island’s ecology. If there is someone you would like to honor, The Block Island Times is now...
A modest proposal

Thu, Feb 7

Category:

Opinion, Editorials

The New Shoreham Town Council, tasked with coming up with some ideas about how another round-trip schedule could be added to the ferry schedule in the winter, has come up with an elegant suggestion. The members didn’t make it complicated, didn’t try to be too clever, or make a political point;...

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