RSSAll Entries in the "Letters to the Editor" Category

To the editor: Land use, municipal ethics bills draw interest in Montpelier

To the editor: Land use, municipal ethics bills draw interest in Montpelier

The Statehouse is an extraordinarily busy place at the moment. The legislature is in the last month of its two-year 2023-24 biennium, which means that if bills don’t pass in the next four weeks, they are ‘dead’ until January 2025, when they can be re-introduced. So, for many issues and bills, this is crunch time. […]

To the editor: 'Egalitarian utopia' an expensive fantasy

To the editor: ‘Egalitarian utopia’ an expensive fantasy

In 1990, I was a financially struggling college student attending Lyndon State College in northern Vermont. I was an active member of the College Democrats, and an avid supporter of Bernie Sanders who was then running for the U.S. House of Representatives. Like his other supporters, I too found appeal in Bernie’s grand promise of […]

To the editor: Working to solve the housing crisis

To the editor: Working to solve the housing crisis

During the two years I’ve served in the legislature, Vermont’s housing crisis has been constantly top of mind. I’ve heard heart-wrenching stories of Vermonters with disabilities facing homelessness, seen tears in the eyes of  constituents on the brink of losing their long-term rental home and unsure of where they would find a new place, and […]

To the editor: TRSU schools thank Okemo Mtn., Vail for Winter Sports Program

To the editor: TRSU schools thank Okemo Mtn., Vail for Winter Sports Program

All of us at the schools of the Two Rivers Supervisory Union – Cavendish Town Elementary, Chester-Andover Elementary, Green Mountain Union High, Ludlow Elementary and Mount Holly – want to thank all the amazing people who helped make the Okemo Winter Snow Sports program a huge success. The students, volunteers and staff from our schools […]

To the editor: Montpelier wrestles with flood impacts, school budgeting

To the editor: Montpelier wrestles with flood impacts, school budgeting

The Vermont legislature has now said “thank you and farewell” to our second set of pages, which means we are more than halfway through our 2024 session. If you know a young person who will be in the 8th grade next year and is interested in how Vermont works – please suggest they consider serving […]

To the editor: Roper thanks Chester voters

To the editor: Roper thanks Chester voters

I am writing to thank Chester’s voters for electing me to represent them on our Select Board. I am always open to hearing from anyone who has a local issue or a need that the board may be of help with. It’s important for all to know that our Select Board is a place where […]

To the editor: After flooding, Green Mountain Gardeners lead in landscape restoration

To the editor: After flooding, Green Mountain Gardeners lead in landscape restoration

Remembering July 2023, the area of the state where some of the worst Vermont flood devastation occurred, the Green Mountain Gardeners  members lead in community landscape restoration. “The Green Mountain Gardeners is a group of community members who foster horticulture, beautification, and conservation of all natural resources in their mountain communities,” saya club President Linda […]

To the editor: Self-checkout no convenience at convenience store

To the editor: Self-checkout no convenience at convenience store

I was driving home from Charlotte to South Londonderry the other day after working long hours. I was tired and thought it would be a good idea to stop at a convenience store for a coffee with a little hot chocolate in it to perk me for the drive. A Maplefields (location to remain nameless […]

To the editor: Chester seeks volunteers to help water new trees

To the editor: Chester seeks volunteers to help water new trees

Chester has been awarded one of the 2024 Urban & Community Forestry Grants to increase and maintain a healthy tree population. See Chester Telegraph Feb. 20, 2024 article: Chester gets $47,000 grant to remove, replace ash trees. The goal for the approximately $50,000 in awarded funds is to plant ornamental trees in targeted locations in […]

To the editor: Senior Solutions thanks Chester voters for approving funding

To the editor: Senior Solutions thanks Chester voters for approving funding

Senior Solutions, the area agency on aging in southeastern Vermont, offers our  heartfelt gratitude to the residents of Chester who voted to approve funding for us during Town Meeting. The decision to allocate resources to support our seniors demonstrates the compassionate and forward-thinking nature of your community. We look forward to working to ensure the older residents of […]

To the editor: Change in medical cannabis law a step backward

To the editor: Change in medical cannabis law a step backward

The Vermont House Government Operations Committee is considering amending Vermont law to allow high-potency cannabis to be sold at retail stores to patients with “medical” cards for marijuana.  This would depart from the present law, which limits sale of high-potency cannabis concentrates to medical dispensaries only.  This change would be a major step backward for […]

To the editor: School branding bill amendment is 'state censorship'

To the editor: School branding bill amendment is ‘state censorship’

You know the saying “You’ll spend us into the gutter?” How about a Vermont version: “You’ll spend us into the ditch.’’ Vermont’s veto-proof state Democrats are doing just that: spending the people of Vermont into the ditch. For example, there’s the mind-boggling education property tax? A half joke in Montpelier has it that only one […]

To the editor: Banish 'Groundhog Day;' Vote for Nikki Haley

To the editor: Banish ‘Groundhog Day;’ Vote for Nikki Haley

Since the hit movie starring Bill Murray came out in the 1990s, the term Groundhog Day — meaning a monotonous, unpleasant and repetitive situation — has become part of the English lexicon. As I watch the 2024 election unfold, it seems like Groundhog Day all over again.  We are trapped in a time loop that […]

To the editor: Lisa Rufa on her race for Chester Select Board

To the editor: Lisa Rufa on her race for Chester Select Board

I was unable to attend the Candidates Night, however I would like to answer the questions so voters can read my position on the issues that affect Chester. Question 1: Why do you want to serve on the Chester Select Board? I would like to serve on the Select Board because like so many in […]

To the editor: Thanks to the Wantastiquet Rotary for contributions to Bob Perry Lane House

To the editor: Thanks to the Wantastiquet Rotary for contributions to Bob Perry Lane House

Martha Dale and Patty Eisenhaur, co-chairs of the Mountain Towns Housing Project Steering Committee, thank the Wantastiquet Rotary Club for its contribution to the Bob Perry Lane House. Their help in providing all of the appliances for the home in addition to other financial support has been instrumental in finishing the project. Kara Corlew and […]

To the editor: Why I will vote for Nikki Haley in the Vermont presidential primary

To the editor: Why I will vote for Nikki Haley in the Vermont presidential primary

I usually vote Democratic and will probably vote for President Biden in November, but I will be voting for Nikki Haley in Vermont’s presidential primary election on March 5. Here’s why: Vermont is one of only 15 states that have an  open primary in which all registered voters, regardless of their party affiliation, can vote […]

To the editor: Tim Roper asks for your vote for seat on the Chester Select Board

To the editor: Tim Roper asks for your vote for seat on the Chester Select Board

I’m Tim Roper and I’m running for a one-year seat on the Chester Select Board. I hope you’ll vote for me on Tuesday, March 5. I’ve been involved in the community for the 30 years I’ve been in Chester, from coaching and refereeing youth sports to serving on the Planning Commission for the past seven […]

To the editor: Economic development efforts heard in Montpelier

To the editor: Economic development efforts heard in Montpelier

I want to bring you up to date on some of the activities that I have been involved in during this current legislative session at the State House in Montpelier. In the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee, on which I sit, we took testimony on the Film and Creative Media Workforce Development Initiative from […]

To the editor: Hudkins sees self as 'independent centrist' who gives sleigh rides

To the editor: Hudkins sees self as ‘independent centrist’ who gives sleigh rides

Peter Hudkins here. I was having my coffee this morning before going to do my barn chores, waiting for the wood stove to get going before I left, when I read the article in The Telegraph. Although my name was not in the article it was in the flyer for the Republican “Meet the Candidates” […]

An unidentified young person vaping. Photo by Itay Kabalo on Unsplash

To the editor: Vermont needs to help kids addicted to vaping

My son is addicted to vaping. He started when friends introduced him to a flavored vape product in high school when he was 17 and is now struggling to quit at 24. He’s part of Vermont’s youth tobacco addiction crisis that demands action — on two fronts. We can immediately remove the enticement for these […]