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Editorials

Editorial: Look into appealing the Interstate agreement

Sun, May 19

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Editorials

One of the most prominent refrains among islanders after the R.I. Public Utilities Commission (PUC) announced that it had approved the draft agreement with Interstate Navigation — which, among other things, increased freight rates by 34 percent — was that the PUC did not take into account the...
Two important town meetings next week

Fri, May 3

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Editorials

The annual Town Financial Meeting will be held this Monday, May 6, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. The proposed municipal budget is $12,141,327. Voters will also be asked to act on, among other matters, a $1 million bond for the Sewer Department equipment upgrades and $1 million for the Block Island...
Editorial: BIHS Board needs to make member list accessible

Sun, Apr 28

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Editorials

The scenario reminds us of the plot of some paranoid Cold War thriller: a member of a board asks other members of the same board if he can see a list of the people he represents. The answer, right now, is no. Candidates who are running for open seats on that same board ask if they can see the list...
Hey, DEM: Thanks for nothing

Tue, Apr 23

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Editorials

Decades ago a very unwise decision was made to bring deer to Block Island. Perhaps no one could have anticipated then what we now know. With no natural predator the deer population would swell way beyond what just under 10 populated square miles could support. Furthermore, the introduction of Lyme...
Block Island Poetry Project is this weekend

Fri, Apr 12

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Editorials

April is National Poetry Month, and Block Island celebrates this form of art with its own unique event, The Block Island Poetry Project, which began yesterday (Thursday) and continues through the weekend. There is no doubt that many see poetry as an outdated, even quaint, form of writing: we...
Editorial: Town council correct in approving deer plan

Sat, Apr 6

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Editorials

At long last the Town Council has voted to take meaningful action to deal with the deer problem. For decades the growing herd was tolerated and many island voices said that the only people bothered by the deer were the cottagers who liked to garden. But the deer also pose a serious health problem...
Editorial: Public hearing on Interstate proposal is Thursday at 12:15 p.m.

Wed, Apr 3

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Editorials

If you have any concerns about the Interstate Navigation agreement for rate changes now pending before the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), then we encourage you to attend the Thursday meeting at Town Hall. Members of the PUC will be at Town Hall at 12:15 p.m. for a public hearing. The commuter...
Editorial: A week without internet service is not acceptable

Sun, Mar 31

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Editorials

A number of Verizon customers on the island — the number most consistently heard was 200 — had no internet service beginning last week for up to six days. The police station was affected, as was the medical center. None of this is acceptable. We know of one resident who was about to leave the...
Editorial: Community-wide discussion on the future of B.I. School needed

Sun, Mar 24

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Editorials

As we report in this edition , projections show that enrollment at the Block Island School will drop below 100 within ten years because of falling birth-rate trends. A decade ago the school population was just under 150 and now it hovers slightly above 110. According to a report by the New England...
Editorial: One last chance for public comment on Interstate proposal

Sun, Mar 17

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Editorials

There is one last chance for public input on the draft agreement reached between Interstate Navigation and a Division of the PUC that was announced earlier this month and it’s a valuable — if belated — opportunity for the public to offer its input. “The settlement basically brings us to where we...
Editorial: Island Free Library is a place of quiet learning

Sun, Feb 24

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Editorials

Island Free Library is a place of quiet learning A public library is a place of quiet contemplation. But as libraries transform themselves from a place almost exclusively devoted to books and other publications, we can expect — and in fact encourage — the inclusion of more modern forms of...
Editorial: Rate hearing an opportunity to tackle lingering issues

Sun, Feb 3

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Editorials

The island is hugely dependant upon Interstate Navigation as the necessary lifeline to the mainland. The Block Island community continues to be grateful for the good neighbor policy the company has consistently practiced through the years. That’s why we’re a bit taken aback by the manner in which...
Editorial: Petition undermines council’s majority vote

Sun, Jan 13

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Editorials

We have had dysfunctional Town Councils in the past and it made the process of governing quite difficult. Candid, informed discussions inclusive of differing viewpoints serve the public well. Once the vote is taken, however, the members should respect the outcome. With that in mind, we are uneasy...
Editorial: Time to look at gun laws and mental health services

Sun, Dec 23

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Editorials

Enough is enough. For years, our national and state leaders have hedged and dragged their feet on gun control issues, not wanting to alienate a powerful political lobby. A former Democratic president let a ban on assault weapons expire. President Obama is making noises but has taken no action,...
Editorial: Med. Center finances even worse than reported

Sat, Dec 15

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Editorials

I regret to say that I have learned information conveyed in the Block Island Times last week was substantially incorrect. Last week, I wrote an editorial focused on the financial situation at the Block Island Medical Center. I included some numbers that I have since learned greatly...

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