All Entries in the "Letters to the Editor" Category
To the editor: Clarkson updates legislative work at the halfway mark
Both chambers in the Vermont Legislature are working their way through the large number of bills which ‘made’ the ‘cross-over’ deadline. Cross-over is a deadline we set each year which roughly marks the halfway point of our Legislative Session. It forces us to finish the work in our House and Senate committees on the bills […]
To the editor: Anti-trans rhetoric is dangerous and irresponsible
The U.S. has serious issues of economic struggle, hunger and climate-driven disasters. Yet if you look at conservative media, you think that the country is facing an existential threat from an army of transgender and non-binary individuals. Republican officials are pushing bills to deny trans rights and even criminalize someone for identifying as transgender. So […]
To the editor: Come to Chester Housing Commission Open House; enter to win a sleigh ride!
Having had my first cup of coffee, I headed out to the barn to do Thursday morning’s chores. The first three days of last week had been busy: Town Meeting on Monday night, a Select Board meeting Wednesday night and, at the polls on Tuesday, I did hand out information about the Chester Housing Commission’s […]
To the editor: When Canadians hid American diplomats from Iran
Jan. 27th marked the 45th anniversary of the escape from Iran of six American diplomats during the Iran Hostage Crisis. The six Americans had eluded capture by the Iranian students who had overrun the U.S. embassy in Tehran. Fifty Americans were taken hostage. Canadian diplomats hid the six Americans for 79 days inside their embassy […]
To the editor: Vermont showed the world it stands with Ukraine
The last weekend videos about our brave little state standing with Ukraine were seen around the world. A heartfelt thanks from me and my compatriots to all Vermonters who have expressed their support for my native country after the shocking decision of the United States to side with Russia on the U.N. Security Council resolution […]
To the editor: GM Board incumbent Perlah seeks write-in votes
To the Residents of Chester, I am announcing my run as a write-in candidate for a three-year term as a representative from Chester to the Board of Directors of the Green Mountain Unified School District. I have been a member of the Green Mountain Unified School District Board of Directors for the past six years. […]
To the editor: Ignoring the poor, enriching the rich
I am ashamed of our president. On the one hand, he is trying to eliminate the United States Agency for International Development and reduce the help America gives to the world’s poor. On the other hand, he has proposed America lead in developing Gaza into a “Riviera of the Middle East,” for the enjoyment of […]
To the editor: Public invited to address legislators’ Rural Caucus
This is not a typical legislative session because: the massive effort to improve the education system is dominating everything (no decisions have been made yet) and, the federal government’s changing funding policies are sowing uncertainty and making decision-making very difficult as we go into the budget process. That said, there is plenty of good work […]
To the editor: We don’t need a King Donald
Elon Musk and his 20-something year-old code writers are having a field day dismantling their favorite bogeyman, the Deep State, otherwise known as the Civil Service. Several million federal workers were bullied into accepting a questionable “deferred resignation” or face being summarily fired. Musketeers now have access to the Treasury Department’s payment system, which disperses […]
To the editor: Share Heat fundraiser for Family Center an encouraging community event
It was encouraging to participate in the Share Heat fundraiser at Vermont Vines last Saturday, where dozens of people came together to raise money for the Chester-Andover Family Center. As the press release in The Chester Telegraph explained, the money will be available to local residents who have trouble paying their heating bills. It was […]
To the editor: A teacher’s view: Vermont legislature needs to ban cellphones from schools
I am a science teacher at Green Mountain UHS in Chester. I urge you to support the Phone- and Social Media-Free Schools bill in the legislature (H.54 and S.21). When I first heard of such a bill, I thought it was over the top. But, I read the testimony from last session, reflected on my […]
To the editor: Cavendish Streetscapes’ flower boxes vandalized
What is wrong with this picture to the right? There is only one flower box instead of three along the Depot Street bridge in Proctorsville. The missing boxes were smashed and tossed into the frozen river and looking over the railing, you can see the evidence of this crime. With generous support from the community, […]
To the editor: Rep. Morrow: Trump tariffs to impact local home-building, food costs
This week, Gov. Phil Scott presented his budget proposal for the next fiscal year and we heard more details on his education system overhaul plan. In addition, there was much discussion around the impacts of President Trump’s policies on Vermonters – both the tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China and his freezing (and possibly eliminating) […]
To the editor: Chester zoning law still allows extraction too close for comfort
We were glad to see the article in The Chester Telegraph reporting on Chester’s rezoning issues. (Chester board OKs rural zoning changes, Jan. 7, 2025) While much of the talk was centered on setbacks, extraction with a 100-foot setback remains in the newly named Rural-3, which is approximately 60% of Chester. From speaking with friends […]
To the editor: Chester Democratic Committee played no part in recent dust up
The Chester Telegraph’s editorial about local Democrats “kicking up dust over a MAGA event” was surprising to members of the Chester Democratic Committee. (Dems kick up some dust over a MAGA event, Jan. 10, 2025) The editorial mentions “a local Democratic social media site.” The Chester Democratic Committee, however, has no social media site of […]
To the editor: Ludlow-Mount Holly community urged to attend special school board meeting
Dear Ludlow-Mount Holly Community, We are reaching out to invite you to a special meeting of the Ludlow-Mount Holly school board at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15 in the Mount Holly Elementary School. The meeting will be held in person and will also be accessible by the following Zoom link: https://trsu.zoom.us/j/86535498062 Due to the […]
To the editor: Rep. Morrow pushes to end state Social Security tax, student cellphones in schools
The first week of the legislative session included swearing in us newbies, the governor’s inaugural address and the assignment of committees. Most of our time as state representatives is spent in our committees taking testimony and discussing policy. I have been assigned the Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee, which considers matters relating to energy, utilities, […]
To the editor: Vermont education funding needs repair
As a parent of two children attending Compass School, an independent school in Westminster, I am writing to share my story with the hope of raising awareness, advocating for systemic change, and securing funding for children from low-income families. I firmly believe that every child should have access to funding that follows them to the […]
To the editor: Rep.-elect Morrow on projected property tax hike
The Vermont Tax Commissioner has released his annual estimate of what our average statewide property tax will be next year, based on expected revenues, expected property values, the budgets school boards are proposing to local voters, and other currently existing costs in the education fund. The letter projects a 5.9% property tax increase. While it […]
To the editor: Chester development would create many problems for full-time residents
My concerns are the zoning law changes to smaller lots in Chester. The new revision of zoning laws for acre reduction to lots for development off Putnam Hill Road in Chester on an 8+ acre lot for new homes has been approved by Chester planning and zoning. Despite objection by surrounding homeowners. My understanding on […]
