All Entries in the "Commentary" Category
To the editor: Education reform must start where costs are growing
As Vermont debates education reform under Act 73, communities face tough questions about school size, consolidation and sustainability. These are conversations that demand honesty, transparency and a clear understanding of what drives costs. In the Two Rivers Supervisory Union, recent budget data across multiple fiscal years tells a consistent story: School-level budgets have remained relatively […]
To the editor: When the Pledge of Allegiance alienates Americans
At meetings of the Cavendish Select Board in January and February, we commented on its decision to say the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of its meetings. As a U.S. citizen, Vietnam era veteran and taxpayer, I have no problem with most of the Pledge, although reciting it can be a very cheap form […]
To the editor: Charlton focused on what is good for Vermont
I’ve read four letters to the editor in The Chester Telegraph about Rep. Tom Charlton’s constituents conversation Friday, Feb. 6, which I attended. I will add that I am not a constituent but like to learn what is going on in Montpelier. Rep. Charlton spoke for close to two hours. The first 30 minutes focused […]
To the editor: Jonynas brings years of valuable service to Chester Select Board
We are writing to express our strong support for Arne Jonynas as he seeks re-election to the Chester Select Board. During his time in office, Arne has demonstrated integrity, steady leadership, sound judgment and a deep commitment to the residents of Chester. Serving on a select board requires careful attention to budgets, infrastructure, public safety […]
Op-ed: The education governance debate is about more than maps
By Jack Hoffman Vermont’s current education debate seems stuck on what to do first: Overhaul the governance structure and then reform the funding system, or do something about spending and then re-draw school district maps? Governance should be the priority, but it’s not about the maps. The first question is whether Montpelier is going to […]
To the editor: Benelli would serve Chester students, families on GM school board
Patricia Benelli, my former law partner, would be a thoughtful member of the Green Mountain Union School District board of directors. She is experienced in education as a former teacher and involved in many activities throughout the Chester community, including Justice of the Peace, Trustee of the Whiting Library and member of the Chester Board […]
Op-ed: How I became a conservative
By Madeline Bodin ©2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC I was standing in the cold and the rain on the lawn of the Vermont State House. I was clutching a sign that said, “Protect the US Constitution” in red, white and blue letters. I had colored in some of the letters to look like a flag. As […]
To the editor: Are requests for donations at Town Meeting too much?
Town Meeting is Monday evening, March 2 at Chester Town Hall, 556 Elm St. It begins at 6 p.m. We have lived in Chester in the same house for 57 years. Living in Chester has been wonderful. We had good jobs, a few in Chester and our children received an excellent education. The services in the […]
To the editor: De-escalation begins with those who hold the power
How we frame responsibility and fault in a crisis is critical to democracy. It shapes who we hold accountable and what changes we demand. When we talk about de-escalation, the first responsibility lies with those who are using state force with lethal consequences — not with civilians exercising multiple constitutional freedoms, including the First Amendment […]
To the editor: Vermont Senate, government take actions to protect its residents
Saturday, Feb. 7 marked a full year of Woodstock area residents, non-residents and visitors, meeting daily, noon to 1 p.m., at Tribou Park in Woodstock to peacefully protest the assaults on our country’s democracy by our current federal administration. Undaunted by foul weather, this tenacious group, with their creative signs and determined spirits, stand up […]
To the editor: Rep. Charlton should stand with constituents
Rep. Tom Charlton on Friday evening held a meeting with his constituents at Chester Town Hall. His first order of business was to explain his vote against a resolution critical of ICE actions in U.S. cities. Despite his soft-spoken demeanor, Rep. Charlton’s words quickly became unsettling. He repeatedly attempted to conjure a false equivalence between […]
To the editor: Are Charlton’s loyalties with Constitution or Trump administration?
I attended state Rep. Tom Charlton’s pubic forum on Friday, Feb. 6. I was dismayed when he attempted to equate protesters armed with phone cameras and whistles to the physical assaults, property damage, kidnapping and murder by ICE agents. The thousands of protesters across the country have shown remarkable restraint in the face of horrendous […]
To the editor: Charlton’s vote sorely disappointing
I’ve never had the opportunity to chat with state Rep. Tom Charlton, but my impressions from afar have been pretty positive. That said, I’m very disappointed in my state representative right now. Just as I was thinking that more people are seeing the true colors of the Trump administration and about how to bridge our […]
To the editor: An open letter to Sheriff Palmer
To Sheriff Ryan Palmer: We write to you in our capacity as the elected representatives and senators of Windsor County during a moment of significant challenge for both the Windsor County Sheriff’s Department and the broader community it serves. Let it be clear from the outset that we respect the principle of due process and […]
To the editor: Charlton misses an opportunity to condemn government violence against citizens
On Jan. 29, Rep. Tom Charlton voted no to the Vermont’s state legislature’s expression of approval for Gov. Scott’s statement regarding ICE’s actions in Minnesota. His explanation was that the governor “missed an opportunity to call for de-escalation on all sides.” (The full text of the resolution can be read here.) This explanation is in […]
To the editor: Scott speaks against ICE, but has nominated ‘ICE enabler’ for Supreme Court
While Gov. Phil Scott recently stated that Trump’s immigration crackdown may be “a deliberate federal intimidation and incitement of American citizens, ” he has nominated an ICE-enabler to a lifetime appointment to Vermont’s highest court, the Vermont Supreme Court. As we mourn the murders of Renee Good, Alex Pretti, and the thousands of victims of […]
To the editor: Politicians should pay the price for Good, Pretti’s deaths at the ballot box
On Jan. 13, amid widespread killings of demonstrators in Iran, President Trump posted on Truth Social “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price.” However, Trump justified the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis, falsely claiming she “willfully and viciously” […]
Op-ed: School choice fuels dreams for Vermonters
By Ross Powers Vermont’s ongoing and necessary discussion of education reform has had an unfortunate side effect: elevating the voices of people who are manipulating facts to fit their narrative. They want you to believe that Vermont’s independent schools are harming public education — particularly those that educate some of our most gifted student athletes. […]
To the editor: Area residents protest U.S. action against Venezuela
On Saturday afternoon, Jan. 17, more than 50 residents of Chester, Ludlow, Bellows Falls, Rockingham, Grafton and other neighbors braved the snowstorm to participate in the worldwide Global Day of Action: No War for Oil. We protested the Trump regime’s illegal military attack against Venezuela and threats of violence against Columbia, Cuba, Mexico, Iran and […]
To the editor: Vermont religious leaders call for justice for Renee Good
“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” — Micah 6:8 RANDOLPH The Vermont Conference of the United Church of Christ raises our prophetic voice to speak out against the escalation […]