All Entries in the "Commentary" Category
To the editor: Andover Republican runs for VT House
I am running for the House seat in the district of Windham-Windsor-Bennington. This includes the towns of Andover, Weston, Londonderry and Winhall. Earlier this spring, I was active in organizing the GOP in Andover and, to everyone’s surprise, the turnout was great. People are looking for change in our legislature. Families that have lived here […]
To the editor: League of Women Voters honors its male membership
At the League of Women Voters, we are often asked, “can men be members of the league?” And our answer is, “of course, yes!” However, this was not always the case. When the league was founded 104 years ago, it was an organization for women, providing support for suffrage and encouraging their participation in the […]
To the editor: What’s happened to Londonderry?
I have owned a home in Londonderry since 2002, and have lived here full time since 2008. I met my husband here in 1998 — our first date was at The Mill Tavern — and we always knew this would be our forever home. Back then there were locals, second homeowners and new faces to […]
To the editor: Vote for Jan Payne for State House
I am writing this letter in support of the candidacy of Jan Payne of Andover for the office of state legislator representing the State House Windham-Windsor-Bennington District made up of Andover, Londonderry, Weston and Winhall. I have known Jan for nearly a decade and found her to be intelligent, articulate and most importantly honest. Seeing […]
To the editor: Chase to hold constituent meeting in Chester on Saturday
Dear residents of the towns of Chester, Grafton, Windham and Athens: I am delighted that the legislative session in Montpelier ended with successes, compromises and opportunities to try again in the mix of bills that we sent to the governor for signature. Copies of my end of session report will be available at the Whiting […]
To the editor: Pajala announces she will not seek re-election to Vermont House
I would like to thank the residents of the Windham-Windsor-Bennington House of Representatives District for supporting my service in Montpelier over the last seven years. It has truly been an honor and an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life. During those seven years, our community and the whole state of Vermont […]
Editorial: Transparency, lots of public input make for a good zoning plan
By Cynthia Prairie ©2024 Telegraph Publishing LLC Planning commissions in rural Vermont have tough jobs. They must balance the needs of residents with the state’s goals and regulations as well as current town plans, growth potential and visions for the future. And then they must endure the barbs of angry landowners — many of them […]
To the editor: Vote ‘yes’ on GM school budget
The Chester Telegraph article, What’s at stake in June 4 GM school budget vote? explains the complicated educational funding situation. It’s a lot to figure out, yet the bottom line is still the same: Our students, our families, our schools need your support. A very clear message has been sent to our elected officials in […]
To the editor: GM students ready to embark on trip to France, England
On Tuesday, May 28, as part of the Year End Studies Program at Green Mountain Union High School, 24 students in grades 9-12 are heading to France and England for eight days of immersive, experiential learning. Under the supervision of four faculty and staff members, students will spend three days in Paris, where, among other […]
Op-ed: Big salaries for such a small state
By John Walters ©2024 Vermont Political Observer For all of Gov. Phil Scott’s tough talk about the budget and how tight we’ve got to be with our money, you might not guess that he and his top officials are due to get some very healthy raises in the new fiscal year. The Pay Act, H.889, […]
Op-ed: The power of connectedness protects older Vermonters from loneliness
By Mark Boutwell Senior Solutions In late February, case manager Pam Halme visited one of her clients, Marjorie (not her real name), who was turning 99 soon. Marjorie has polio and is unable to move herself in any way but has been able to stay in her own home now for many years. Halme provides […]
To the editor: A new Postmaster in Chester
As the Postmaster of Chester I am excited to let our community know of some significant updates that will enhance service and ensure a seamless experience for our customers: Since the beginning of 2021, USPS has installed 348 new package processing machines nationwide and expanded our daily package processing capacity to an industry-leading 70 million […]
To the editor: Thanks to all who made Green Up Day successful in Chester
The recent Green Up Day in Chester was a resounding success, thanks to the dedicated efforts of over 250 volunteers who took to our roads to clean up litter and debris. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every person who cleaned the roads of our community picking up litter from cans, bottles, tires, […]
To the editor: Thayer announces run for lieutenant governor
Hello my fellow Vermonters, My name is Gregory Thayer and in fall of 2024, I am a candidate for the position of lieutenant governor of this great state of Vermont. Every Vermonter needs to know that, with the current leadership in Montpelier, the future of Vermont looks bleak, and traveling down a stormy road. My […]
To the editor: Vermont legislators fail us with current tax policy
An open letter to Rep. Heather Chase and Sens. Wendy Harrison and Nader Hashim: It is difficult to think that you, my representatives in the Vermont legislature, along with the rest of the Democrat/Progressive super-majority, are working in the interests of the people and the natural environment of this beautiful little state. The added tax […]
State budgets, Zoie Saunders vote on menu as Vermont legislative session nears end
By Sen. Alison Clarkson There are about two weeks left in Vermont’s 2024 legislative session. This is not a lot of time to negotiate policy differences between the House and the Senate. A great deal of policy work is still not settled. which concerns me. I am not a fan of the work that is […]
To the editor: Rep. Chase announces run for re-election
As I complete my first term in the Vermont State House, I am pleased to announce that I am running for re-election for state representative for the Windsor-Windham District, made up of the towns of Athens, Chester, Grafton and Windham. The legislative primary is Tuesday, Aug. 13 and the general election is Tuesday, Nov. 5. […]
Op-ed: Don’t make our children pay for inflation
By Madeline Bodin ©2024 Telegraph Publishing LLC On social media, the “’90s kids” rule nostalgia, with shoutouts to Britney Spears and the early video game Oregon Trail. You don’t hear from ’70s kids. We got the oil crisis, disco and inflation. I saw inflation first-hand, even as a small child. In elementary school, my half-pint […]
Op-ed: What will the Vermont Senate do about Zoie Saunders?
By John Walters ©2024 Vermont Political Observer Gov. Phil Scott’s administration is acting as if Zoie Saunders’ nomination as education secretary is a fait accompli. On Monday, the Agency of Education issued a press release that trumpeted Saunders’ first day on the job. Nowhere did it mention that her appointment must be approved by the […]
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. […]
