All Entries in the "Commentary" Category
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. […]
To the editor: ‘Egalitarian utopia’ an expensive fantasy
In 1990, I was a financially struggling college student attending Lyndon State College in northern Vermont. I was an active member of the College Democrats, and an avid supporter of Bernie Sanders who was then running for the U.S. House of Representatives. Like his other supporters, I too found appeal in Bernie’s grand promise of […]
To the editor: Working to solve the housing crisis
During the two years I’ve served in the legislature, Vermont’s housing crisis has been constantly top of mind. I’ve heard heart-wrenching stories of Vermonters with disabilities facing homelessness, seen tears in the eyes of constituents on the brink of losing their long-term rental home and unsure of where they would find a new place, and […]
To the editor: TRSU schools thank Okemo Mtn., Vail for Winter Sports Program
All of us at the schools of the Two Rivers Supervisory Union – Cavendish Town Elementary, Chester-Andover Elementary, Green Mountain Union High, Ludlow Elementary and Mount Holly – want to thank all the amazing people who helped make the Okemo Winter Snow Sports program a huge success. The students, volunteers and staff from our schools […]
To the editor: Montpelier wrestles with flood impacts, school budgeting
The Vermont legislature has now said “thank you and farewell” to our second set of pages, which means we are more than halfway through our 2024 session. If you know a young person who will be in the 8th grade next year and is interested in how Vermont works – please suggest they consider serving […]
To the editor: Roper thanks Chester voters
I am writing to thank Chester’s voters for electing me to represent them on our Select Board. I am always open to hearing from anyone who has a local issue or a need that the board may be of help with. It’s important for all to know that our Select Board is a place where […]
To the editor: After flooding, Green Mountain Gardeners lead in landscape restoration
Remembering July 2023, the area of the state where some of the worst Vermont flood devastation occurred, the Green Mountain Gardeners members lead in community landscape restoration. “The Green Mountain Gardeners is a group of community members who foster horticulture, beautification, and conservation of all natural resources in their mountain communities,” saya club President Linda […]
