All Entries in the "Commentary" Category
Op-ed: Bills address continuing impacts of Covid
By Sen. Alison Clarkson This year, instead of producing several smaller, focused bills, the Senate Economic Development Committee created one omnibus economic development bill with a wide range of proposals. It took longer than expected to finish and the House Commerce Committee is now considering it. The purpose of the bill is to “address the […]
To the editor: Vote for Balint for Congress
Vermont Democrats have a decision to make on Primary Day, Tuesday, Aug. 9: Who among the four current candidates should be the party’s choice to replace U.S. Rep. Peter Welch in the General Election in November? Let me tell you why I am supporting Becca Balint of Brattleboro. For one thing, I am impressed by […]
Op-ed: Legislature faces challenge of housing crisis
By Sen. Alison Clarkson After many long floor sessions debating and passing bills to the other body, the legislature has pretty much completed crossover, that point in the session where all bills that have any chance of making it into law have to be passed from the House to the Senate or vice versa. It […]
To the editor: GM Class of ’72 seeks feedback for 50th anniversary reunion
Alumni Day June 11, 2022 is fast approaching and several members of the Green Mountain Union High School Class of 1972 are trying to determine if there is any interest in holding a reunion for our 50th anniversary year. NO LARGE FLOATING BUILDING THIS YEAR!! WE ARE PAST THAT POINT. HOWEVER, WE MAY WALK OR RIDE […]
To the editor: Chester Planning chair thanks all who turned out for recent hearing
Despite March Madness, soft roads and sugaring, on the evening of Monday, March 21, a group of Chester citizens joined a hearing at Town Hall for a proposed amendment to Chester’s bylaws. The amendment creates a new district around our village Green. In these times when government can feel remote and detached from our everyday […]
To the editor: Thanks to the staff at Springfield Hospital
Recently a cherished family member fell ill and passed away at Springfield Hospital. In the difficult hours we fought to save my brother’s life, we could not have been more comforted by the staff in the Emergency Department and on the floor at Springfield. Included in the amazing team is Julie, Carla, Joella, Chris, April, […]
Sunshine Week 2022: Government transparency is the key to restoring public trust
By Secretary of State Jim Condos and Deputy Secretary of State Chris Winters Every year we join with government transparency advocates from around the country to celebrate Sunshine Week, March 13 – 19, serving as a reminder that a well-functioning government is built upon the public’s right to know. Good government is open government! Government […]
To the editor: Understanding zoning bylaws
On the last Saturday of February, I walked from Cobleigh Street to School Street distributing the text of the bylaw amendment for the proposed Village Green district to anyone who was interested. I was lucky enough to chat with several property and business owners. Many people expressed concerned about the bylaws and I finished my […]
Op-ed: Rep. Tom Bock on action in Montpelier
Editor’s note: The following column was taken from Rep. Bock’s recent presentation on Town Meeting Day. By Rep. Tom Bock Schools have been operating under advisory guidance from the Agency of Education with authority for school districts to set their own requirements. The most recent AOE guidance, that schools should require universal indoor masking for […]
To the editor: Planning Commission becoming business friendly
I’d like to comment here that our Planning Commission, particularly our Planning Commission subcommittee, has had a productive year for the betterment of the business community. So much so that they are hard to keep up with, even if one is doing his or her best to pay attention. For the better part of a […]
To the Editor: In praising Putin, Trump leaves supporters straddling a gap
As the brave Ukrainian people fight to protect their homes against Russian invaders, Donald Trump has praised Putin and refused to condemn his naked aggression. Russian state television is even quoting Trump and his lapdog, Tucker Carlson, in support of the war. A widening crevice is opening beneath the Republican party and Trump supporters. Simply […]
To the editor: Dakin on running for re-election to Chester Select Board
Greetings, Thanks to the hard work and continuing efforts of our residents who are active in their support of the municipal and school functions that often we take for granted, Chester is an attractive and good place to live. Our school system, including Green Mountain Union High School and Chester-Andover Elementary School, continues to meet […]
To the editor: Robin Trask on running for Andover Select Board
Hello Andover Voters: My name is Robin Trask. I would like to give my time and energy to one of the seats on the Andover Select Board. I have served on the Andover Select Board previously, and was mentored by Sam Chauncey and Harold “Red” Johnson, both wonderful men who served the town of Andover […]
To the editor: Susan Leader on candidacy for Andover Select Board member
Dear Andover voters, My name is Susan Leader. I would like the opportunity to give back to our community by serving on the Andover Select Board. I was born and passed my early childhood in Andover, attending the Peaseville one room schoolhouse in the 1950s. I also raised my own children here. For over 40 […]
Op-ed: Senate panel seeks community unity, multi-member districts in remapping
By Sen. Alison Clarkson Every 10 years the results of the national Census requires each state to review the impact of any population change on their electoral districts. The Vermont Constitution requires that our state’s population must be fairly distributed to afford “equality of representation.” Covid delayed the national Census returns and, as a result, […]
To the editor: Drug decriminalization bills are not good for Vermonters
The State of Vermont legislature has introduced numerous bills to decriminalize ALL drugs. The legislation being introduced is based upon the Oregon law that has decriminalized all drugs. In a recent NPR report, the decriminalization in Oregon has been labeled a complete failure, even by those who initially supported the bill. This law has not […]
To the editor: Board praises ‘amazing’ SMCS staff during these difficult Covid times
It is with an immense amount of pride that the Board of Directors of Springfield Medical Care Systems, Inc. would like to acknowledge the amazing efforts and commitment of all the staff of SMCS over the last two years during this pandemic. Their efforts have highlighted that excellent care is a team effort and that […]
Op-ed: Covid exacerbates, highlights inequality of working women
By Kellie Campbell, Ed.D. Vermont Commission on Women If you have been to a restaurant lately, you have probably seen signs on the door about being short-staffed and asking for your patience. Perhaps you are a parent who received a message from your childcare provider about having to close early or shorten hours due to […]
Op-ed: Fixing the state’s public pension system
By Sen. Alison Clarkson When the Pension Benefits, Design, and Funding Task Force was created last year, I was relieved. Our public pension system was in crisis. If we did nothing to fix the problems, Vermont taxpayers were looking at an unfunded pension liability of $4.5 billion, with that liability growing for the teachers and […]
To the editor: Legislature should pass single-member districts
Below is a letter sent to state Reps. Carolyn Patridge and Leslie Goldman, both Democrats representing Windham-3, on the morning of Friday, Jan. 14. Good morning, Carolyn and Leslie, Best wishes to you and yours for the new year. This afternoon, the Vermont House will vote on redistricting the electoral districts in the state. As […]
