All Entries in the "Commentary" Category
To the editor: Hudkins sees self as ‘independent centrist’ who gives sleigh rides
Peter Hudkins here. I was having my coffee this morning before going to do my barn chores, waiting for the wood stove to get going before I left, when I read the article in The Telegraph. Although my name was not in the article it was in the flyer for the Republican “Meet the Candidates” […]
Rep. Pajala: School choice flourishes in rural Vermont communities
By Rep. Kelly Pajala It has been a tough year for the rural community I represent in southern Vermont. Flooding struck not once, but twice. July ravaged our towns, damaged small businesses, and forced people from their homes (including my own). Now that the legislature is back in Montpelier, I hope my colleagues can work […]
Sen. Clarkson: Vermont’s housing crisis continues to be priority in Montpelier
By Sen. Alison Clarkson Addressing Vermont’s housing crisis is one of the legislature’s top agenda items this year – as it has been for the last four years. There are many factors creating the challenge we face. Vermont has been underbuilding new housing units since the 1980s. Add to that the Covid pandemic, the loss […]
To the editor: Vermont needs to help kids addicted to vaping
My son is addicted to vaping. He started when friends introduced him to a flavored vape product in high school when he was 17 and is now struggling to quit at 24. He’s part of Vermont’s youth tobacco addiction crisis that demands action — on two fronts. We can immediately remove the enticement for these […]
To the editor: Chase schedules time to meet with constituents
To the residents of Chester, Grafton, Athens and Windham: I will be having constituent meetings in our communities throughout the legislative session on the dates and times as set out below. I look forward to meeting you face to face, hearing your thoughts and discussing matters of importance. This schedule is through April. More dates and […]
To the editor: Derry Rescue Squad, Technical Rescue receive hefty donation from Thrifty Attic
Londonderry Volunteer Rescue Squad and Londonderry Technical Rescue each recently received a $3,000 donation from the Thrifty Attic in Londonderry. We thank them for their generosity and their commitment to our community. January marks the halfway point in our year. From July 1, 2023 through Jan. 1, 2024, LVRS responded to 335 calls. We are […]
To the editor: The bane of flavored tobacco products
I recently turned down a deal with the devil. Two lobbyists with Altria, a big tobacco company, reached out to me because of my work with Vermont’s recovery and harm reduction community. They tried to convince me that flavored tobacco products serve as a “coping mechanism” for people in recovery and compared these products with […]
To the editor: Flood recovery, resiliency among legislative priorities in 2nd half of biennium
The 2024 legislative session, which began on Jan. 3 in Montpelier, is the second half of a two-year biennium, so Vermont lawmakers spend far less time on the formalities, pomp and circumstance. And, with committees and leadership in place, we got right to work. Which is good as we have a huge amount on our […]
To the editor: Rep. Chase offers 2024 legislative preview
The Vermont legislature opened its 2024 legislative session on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. As the state representative of Athens, Chester, Grafton and Windham, I have a positive expectancy about meeting the goals and priorities of this session as we address issues of continuing importance to our communities and our state. Vermont was once again hit […]
To the editor: Ludlow Rotarians outline 2023 efforts, thank community for support
The Ludlow Area Rotary Club thanks the residents and businesses of the greater Ludlow area for their support in 2023. Our club is a part of Rotary International, one of the largest service organizations in the world. The mission of Rotary is to “provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and […]
To the editor: Springfield Garden Club’s Holiday Market a success
The Springfield Garden Club would like to thank the local community who showed up in force to attend its 2023 Christmas Holidays Pop-Up Market in early December at the former Young’s Propane location in the plaza. The garden club is grateful to the members and spouses who made the event possible. Members handmade and decorated […]
Editorial: Moving on from the Chieftain name
By Cynthia Prairie ©2023 Telegraph Publishing It’s time to move on from the chaos and drama that has plagued the board of the Green Mountain Unified School District since last March, when a reconstituted board took over and a volcano of anger and distrust over the future of the “Chieftain” name upended the normal flow […]
To the editor: It’s time for the Williams Dam to go
With Monday, Dec. 18’s flooding, it has become clear to me that the Williams Dam in Londonderry needs to go. The dam is located on the mill pond at the intersection of Route 100 and Route 11 near the Mill Tavern Restaurant. It is old, it is leaking and — from the aerial photographs of […]
To the editor: Green Mountain Gardeners brightens area communities, residents
The Green Mountain Gardeners celebrated the holidays with its tradition of tabletop-tree-making for the homebound and donations to support our community organizations. The uniquely decorated table-top trees, together with cookies from the Weston Women’s Club, were delivered by Tom Widger and the Wantastiquet Rotary elves to bring holiday cheer to our homebound. In addition to […]
Op-ed: One small gift leads to so much more
By Sharon Bondroff ©2023 Telegraph Publishing LLC GRAY, MAINE In the late 1970s, searching for a gift for my partner Stevens Bunker, I stopped by a small antiques shop in Ellicott City, Md. Turns out Joe the shopkeeper, was friends with Bunker. They both loved, bought and sold old maritime stuff. Joe was a retired […]
To the editor: Kate Lorenz Fund issues first gifts
As the year draws to a close, many thanks are extended to the generous friends of The Kate Lorenz Memorial Community Fund, founded in 2022 in honor and in memory of Kate Lorenz, who lived her 42 years with sparkling passion and generosity. As a teacher, musician, community member and planet advocate, her compassion and […]
To the editor: When Santa came to Springfield!
The Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce and Springfield On The Move are profoundly grateful to the multitude of individuals and organizations whose support culminated in the resounding success of the Downtown Holiday Program. Despite the light drizzle, the event drew over 125 families who flocked to downtown businesses, eagerly anticipating Santa’s tree-lighting. There were so […]
To the editor: Springfield Chamber thanks all who helped Brighten Downtown
Each year, the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce orchestrates the illumination of downtown Springfield, going beyond the lamp posts on Main Street. The lamp posts, Santa’s house, and the community holiday tree are all infused with a festive glow that fosters a sense of warmth and unity throughout the winter months. This cherished tradition not […]
To the editor: Getting ready for busy session in Montpelier
I hope this letter finds everyone preparing for a busy holiday season. During this time of year as a legislator, there are many meetings preparing for the upcoming legislative session, which will start on Jan. 3, 2024. To that end, I’ve attended the Springfield Regional Development Corp.’s annual meeting. I have met with the Career […]
To the editor: LVRS thanks Csanadi family for generous donation
On behalf of the people in our community, Londonderry Volunteer Rescue Squad would like to thank the Csanadi family for the $75,000 gift it received from the Estate of Robert Csanadi. Mr. Csanadi loved this area; he was a long-time resident of Weston, a successful businessman and well-respected member of the community. We plan to […]
