All Entries in the "Commentary" Category
To the editor: Vermont’s citizen legislature, a place where most citizens cannot afford to serve
To the relief of many, the Vermont Legislature has adjourned. Once again, school reform consumed the session and ran into overtime. Redistricting, tax bills patched with one-time money, the reach of Act 250 – these are the same fights carried over from last year. For all the effort, the result remains unclear. Will this year’s […]
To the editor: We must make Vermont survivable for our youth, families
I am a proud mom of four — and all of my children have left Vermont to pursue careers and opportunities that aren’t available here at home. My kids are doing exactly what they should be doing — exploring the world and finding what works for them. But my kids are hardly alone — this […]
Op-ed: When leaders listen to their constituents
By Nicholas Boke ©2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC Where are the leaders who listen? The Educational Forum held in the Springfield High auditorium held on Monday, May 11, focused on Vermont’s current effort to reform statewide education. It involved state legislators, local educators and Vermont Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders. The forum was “designed to provide […]
To the editor: Brickner says he’ll fight for housing affordability, a reformed Act 181
I am running for Vermont Senate in the Windsor District. When my wife and I put down roots in Windsor County, we were looking for something that has become hard to find: a place to raise a family and belong to a real community. We found it here. For seven years I’ve served my neighbors, […]
Op-ed: Keep our schools to keep our town
By Carl Henshaw ©2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC At a recent Chester Planning Commission meeting, Kellen Appleton and Allison Hopkins from the Mount Ascutney Regional Commission shared a statistic that stopped me cold. Chester’s average age is rising one year for every two that pass. At that pace, within 30 years, our average resident will be […]
From the editor: Speaker Krowinski has an epiphany
By Cynthia Prairie ©2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC If you were having trouble putting your finger on that one thing that bugs you about the Whiz Kids on the Winooski (aka the Vermont legislature) you only have to read the recent apologia of House Speaker Jill Krowinski concerning the ill-considered Act 181. But first, let’s recap […]
To the editor: GM schools face a disturbing trend of non-acceptance
The GMUSD superintendent suggests that the school board consider a “flag policy” and further suggests that the policy includes limiting classroom materials that do not relate directly to school curricula. At the most recent school board meeting a Chester resident suggested that classrooms should be inspected to see if they include LGBTQ+ or Black Lives […]
Part 3: Disability Rights: Building a Vermont for everyone
By Anne Henshaw ©2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC If housing, healthcare, and transportation determine whether disabled Vermonters can live in community, public education determines whether they were ever fully a part of their community to begin with. For many disabled children, school is their first public community. It is the first place where systems affirm their […]
To the editor: At GMUSD board meeting, students inspire in defense of their educators
I am writing this letter as an individual, as a parent, and as a member of this community — not in my capacity as a member of the Green Mountain Unified School District board. The views expressed here are my own. On Monday evening, the board of the Green Mountain Unified School District held a […]
Part 2: Disability Rights: Housing, healthcare and mobility challenge Vermonters
By Anne Henshaw ©2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC Thanks to the efforts of the Vermont Coalition of Disability Rights, the Vermont Legislature voted on a House resolution declaring Feb. 11, 2026, Disability Advocacy Day. Families, self-advocates, service providers and legislators gathered at the Vermont Statehouse under a shared call to action: disability policy is every policy. […]
To the editor: Rural Caucus members urge repeal of Tier 3, Road Rule in Act 181
Due to the widespread concern about the potential impacts of Act 181 (the reform of Act 250) I will be holding a discussion/Q&A at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 19 at the New American Grill, 5700 Vermont Rte 100, in Londonderry. Please join us. What is Act 181? And what are people concerned about? Act […]
To the editor: Act 181 road rule disincentivizes sound planning
As someone who has taught Environmental Economics over the course of 27 years at three colleges, and as a past administrator of a regional planning commission, I must strenuously oppose Act 181 in its current form. While I embrace the need for environmental stewardship and proper planning, I also have serious concerns about the “road […]
Part 1: Disability Rights: From institution toward independence
By Anne Henshaw ©2026 Telegraph Publishing LLC For much of American history, people with disabilities were seen as “others;” as problems to be managed. Disabled people were denied access to public schools, barred from employment, denied voting rights, subjected to eugenics laws, sterilized without consent and segregated banished from public life. They were not only […]
To the editor: Chase promises grit, clear-eyed vision as she seeks Windsor Senate seat
In case you haven’t already heard, I am officially running for the Vermont Senate to represent Windsor County. I launched my campaign on the Chester Green in mid-March, surrounded by supporters and loved ones. I’ve spent my life serving others: as a nurse, a successful business owner, a member of the Chester Select Board and […]
To the editor: The reluctant activists
Watching the evening news with my mom in the 1960s, we saw the daily body count from Vietnam — mostly young, working-class men, drafted and placed in harm’s way to fight a war without clear objectives; too young to legally buy a beer, but old enough to die in the jungle half a world away. […]
To the editor: Thanks to Weston firefighters for dousing a real dumpster fire
We wish to express our sincere gratitude to the Weston Volunteer Fire Department who jumped to action the night of March 18 to put out a fire in a dumpster at the Wilder Memorial Library construction site in Weston. Thanks to their swift and professional action, we are happy to share that all is […]
From the editor: Handcuffing a free press
“I appreciate the effort that goes into the journalism. The part that I object to is the attitude that comes across, there’s some political bias that shows up and is also painting Chester, not necessarily in the right light. … “But my question is, as paper of record, we’re paying you a bunch of money […]
To the editor: Senior Solutions’ Foxy Fund helps seniors to keep caring for their pets at home
As the Nutrition and Wellness Coordinator at Senior Solutions, which provides services throughout Windsor and Windham counties, I regularly see how deeply pets are woven into the daily lives of the older adults we serve. For many, a pet offers companionship, routine, comfort, and a sense of purpose — supports that often grow more important […]
Op-ed: Patriots for freedom of the press
By Tim Roper The rule of law has kept our country safe from despots for almost 240 years. Our Constitution, ratified by the states in 1788, was missing a Bill of Rights — an absence that kept several founders from signing. James Madison introduced one the following year, and 10 amendments were ratified in December […]
To the editor: The Telegraph is doing just fine
I heard that there was talk at a recent Chester Select Board meeting about problems the board was having with The Chester Telegraph, which is one of two news outlets of record for the town. Then I heard the same criticism at the beginning of Thursday’s school board meeting. A few people seem to think […]