RSSAll Entries in the "Commentary" Category

To the editor: On Lowell Lake overnight camping

To the editor: On Lowell Lake overnight camping

Renovating the cottages at Lowell Lake and returning them to overnight service is a good idea. The event barn is a good idea too. Wouldn’t it be lovely to attend a music event at Lowell Lake or let people get married there? Lowell Lake is a manmade lake that has hosted visitors in its cottages […]

To the editor: CAFC thanks Stone Hearth, businesses for successful Hot Cook-Off

To the editor: CAFC thanks Stone Hearth, businesses for successful Hot Cook-Off

The Chester-Andover Family Center Board of Directors would like to thank and acknowledge the many businesses and volunteers who contributed their time and donations to make the Hot Dog Cook-Off Fundraiser a success. Stone Hearth’s innkeepers, Sheldon and Francy,  deserve accolades for their work in organizing and hosting this important fundraising opportunity for the Chester-Andover […]

To the editor: Lowell Lake imperiled by state plan

To the editor: Lowell Lake imperiled by state plan

There has been considerable, often rancorous debate about what impacts the state’s plan to develop Lowell Lake State Park would have on the iconic lake and its surroundings. The debate has been about opinion as often as it has been about facts. Following the state’s recent open house and the public presentation of its two […]

To the editor: FPR wants to pave paradise

To the editor: FPR wants to pave paradise

Lowell Lake update: “They paved paradise, and put up a parking lot.” Joni Mitchell sang that in 1967. But 52 years later, some people who should know better still haven’t gotten the message. Our Department of Forest Parks and Recreation presented its Master Plan for Lowell Lake to the public on July 26 in a […]

To the editor: Volunteers monitor Williams River

To the editor: Volunteers monitor Williams River

It’s early Wednesday morning. At eight places in Bartonsville and Chester, the Williams River is getting its bi-weekly water quality check-up. Much like going to the doctor, the Williams River has temperatures taken, samples collected, and general observations made. All of this information is recorded, then sent with the samples to the lab. The results […]

To the editor: Keep Lowell Lake camping-free

To the editor: Keep Lowell Lake camping-free

The following letter was written and sent to Vermont state legislators. I reside in Londonderry. When my husband I made the decision to retire here, Lowell Lake was one of the reasons for selecting Londonderry for our home. For me, moving here meant giving up access to the ocean and the protected Trustee Reservation properties […]

To the editor: Public feedback sought on proposed health insurance rate hikes

To the editor: Public feedback sought on proposed health insurance rate hikes

I recently spent some time asking people on the street two questions: Is health insurance too expensive? And if so, why? I am sure many readers have strong opinions about the answers to these questions. I heard answers like: greed because they can because there is no incentive to cut costs and because we have […]

To the editor: Derry Conservation Commission responds to state Lowell Lake plans

To the editor: Derry Conservation Commission responds to state Lowell Lake plans

The Londonderry Conservation Commission has issued the following statement in response to plans proposed by the Vermont Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation: STATEMENT ON LOWELL LAKE We of the Londonderry Conservation Commission, in keeping with the powers and duties required of us under 24 V.S.A. § 4505, have: Studied the Lowell Lake State Park Long Range […]

To the editor: Tips from Social Security Admin

To the editor: Tips from Social Security Admin

Social Security is here for you, not just when you need us financially, but when you need accurate information about our programs, retirement and more. There are many online sources for Social Security information, but you need to make sure you’re getting the right information. By using www.socialsecurity.gov, you know that what you’re reading and […]

To the editor: Open house on Lowell Lake Master Planning set for July 25

To the editor: Open house on Lowell Lake Master Planning set for July 25

The Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation will host an open house on the Lowell Lake State Park Master Planning Project from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, at the Londonderry Town Hall, 137 Middletown Road in South Londonderry. Concept design alternatives will be presented at stations with detailed information available for viewing […]

Editorial: Next step in openness: Process, clarity in school budgeting

Editorial: Next step in openness: Process, clarity in school budgeting

By Cynthia Prairie ©2019 Telegraph Publishing LLC With the satisfactory resolution of the Open Meeting Law violation and other issues, the Green Mountain Unified District Board of Directors seems to be getting a firm grip on its responsibilities, stepping away from the rubber-stamp function that seems expected by the Two Rivers Supervisory Union. But the […]

To the editor: Spater Scholarship announces closing

To the editor: Spater Scholarship announces closing

Dear Community Friends, Family and Sponsors, We have reflected on all we have collectively accomplished over the past 19 years. It’s amazing to think that we have awarded well over $140,000 to deserving Green Mountain Union High School students during this time. We have had high standards for our awards, and we sought the bright […]

Editorial: The public wins out at GMUSD board

Editorial: The public wins out at GMUSD board

By Cynthia Prairie ©2019 Telegraph Publishing LLC Democracy is a rough ‘n’ tumble and startling beautiful occurrence. And it is rare to witness it being wrenched back from darkness. But last Thursday night, the board of the Green Mountain Unified School District did just that and handed a resounding victory to you, the public, when […]

To the editor: Home occupation and home business

To the editor: Home occupation and home business

As the recording secretary for the Chester Planning Commission, my job requires me to pay careful attention to what is said at the meetings, so that I can summarize the discussion in writing. The meetings are taped, and I can replay something as much as I need to. Frequently, as I work with the recording […]

To the editor: Lowell Lake supporters against overnight stays

To the editor: Lowell Lake supporters against overnight stays

To: Sens. Alice Nitka, Dick McCormack and Alison Clarkson and Reps. Kelly Pajala and Tom Bock, On May 30, 2019 the Town of Londonderry Conservation Commission in cooperation with Lowell Lake Concerned Citizens held a public information meeting to discuss Vermont Forest, Parks and Recreation’s proposal to develop Lowell Lake State Park. Nearly 100 people […]

Op-ed: Before we build new prisons, let's fix system that fills them

Op-ed: Before we build new prisons, let’s fix system that fills them

By Bill Schubart H. 543, a funding bill to study options for building new prisons in Vermont, has both drawn ire and nonsense from those who are supposed to act on it — the House Committee on Corrections and Institutions. The ire was against the ACLU, which has long made criminal justice and mass incarceration […]

To the editor: Chester Tax Grievance Day

To the editor: Chester Tax Grievance Day

To Real Estate Taxpayers in Chester: On May 15, 2019 the Listers of the Town of Chester issued its “NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS” posted at the Town Hall letting the public know that grievance hearings will be held Friday, May 31, 2019 from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. at the Chester […]

To the editor: Community meeting on state plan for Lowell Lake to be held May 30

To the editor: Community meeting on state plan for Lowell Lake to be held May 30

In response public concern over a proposed plan by Vermont Forests, Parks & Recreation to develop Lowell Lake State Park, the Londonderry Conservation Commission, in cooperation with Lowell Lake Concerned Citizens, will be holding a community meeting to discuss details of the plan. The meeting will take place at at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday May […]

Sen. Nitka: Montpelier wrestles with clean transportation appropriations

Sen. Nitka: Montpelier wrestles with clean transportation appropriations

By Sen. Alice Nitka The budget for the VT Agency of Transportation was presented in the Senate this past week and includes everything from evidentiary blood samples to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to paving to electric charging stations to a study of “vehicle feebates.” I was startled to find out they are rebates for persons […]

To the editor: BRAM thanks businesses, corporations for 2019 contributions

To the editor: BRAM thanks businesses, corporations for 2019 contributions

The Black River Academy Museum Board of Directors and Trustees would like to thank the following corporate and business members for their 2019 contributions. With their assistance, we are working to continue the operation of this museum as a successful and viable contribution to Ludlow. This imposing three-story historical building is located at 14 High […]