All Entries in the "Commentary" Category
Rep. Pajala on school merger, abortion bills
By Rep. Kelly Pajala This week’s legislative update is a tough one, as was the week itself. The first challenge was the vote on H.39, which was about delaying the forced mergers of school districts because of Act 46. I voted in favor of the amendment put forth by Rep. Scheuermann of Stowe because, in […]
To the editor: Start building for annual St. Luke’s LEGO contest
The eighth annual St. Luke’s LEGO Contest will take place on Saturday March 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the NewsBank Conference Center, 352 Main St. in Chester. The event is open to LEGOmaniacs Pre-K through Grade 8 and their families. Participants should construct their original creations (no kits allowed), with a maximum […]
To the editor: Re-elect Joan Dayton for Delinquent Tax Collector
I am pleased to say that I will be running for Delinquent Tax Collector for the Town of Londonderry for 2019. In a brief background, I have lived and worked in Londonderry for over 20 years, I was born and educated in Vermont. I have a degree in Business Administration and have taken courses at […]
To the editor: Blair announces write-in candidacy for Chester Select Board
Hi, I am Scott Blair. I’d like to announce that I am a write-in candidate for the one-year term for the Chester Select Board and would like your vote. Five years ago, my family and I happily moved to Chester. Chester appealed to us as the perfect town to raise a young family and start […]
To the editor: Route 103 repaving a disaster
During the summer and fall of 2018, I watched in amazement and wonder at the haphazard manner in which Pike Industries approached the repaving of Route 103. I do not know who planned that exercise in futility as the paving process leap-frogged over the entire route. It ended in late fall, after our first snow, […]
To the editor: Dakin announces write-in campaign for Chester Select Board
I am a write-in candidate for the one year term currently held by Lee Gustafson for the Chester Select Board at the election to be held on Town Meeting Day, March 5, 2019. Lee Gustafson is running for a three year term. Serving my town as a member of the Chester Select Board will give […]
Bill Schubart: It’s time to ban plastic bags
By Bill Schubart All of the plastic manufactured since Bakelite debuted during the Depression still litters the earth. The world is choking on an invention that’s barely a century old. Today, shoppers worldwide use 500 billion single-use plastic bags a year or a million bags a minute. A million sea birds and 100,000 marine mammals […]
POSTPONED: To the editor: Weston to meet on dam removal, Cold Spring Brook Park
POSTPONED DUE TO IMPENDING SNOWS on TUESDAY, FEB. 12 The Cold Spring Brook Memorial Park Task Force of Weston consisting of members from the Weston Conservation Commission, Weston Community Association and landscape professional, is inviting the public to attend an important public information meeting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at the Weston Playhouse to discuss […]
To the editor: Grafton officials should have attended Planning hearing
To the residents of Grafton, I was absolutely appalled at the meeting Jan. 15, 2019 that key Select Board members — chair Joe Pollio and member Al Sands — as well as Town Administrator Bill Kearns were not attending this very important public hearing presented by the Planning Commission. Those attending gave important comments to […]
Op-ed: Bipartisanship in Montpelier
By Sen. Dick McCormack Democrats, Independents and Republicans. In this bitter time in Washington, Montpelier is a light of hope simply because we get along with one another. Democrats and Progressives are a united team. Our Republican friends are true to their ideals, but they are not obstructionists. We negotiate agreements that all sides can […]
To the editor: Food scrap collection new at CAES
The Chester-Andover Elementary School Food Service staff is happy to be back in our kitchen here on Main Street after the school’s long closure and our stay at Green Mountain High. It seemed like the first day of school all over again. Kitchen staff is all back to our normal schedule, although our serving times […]
Sen. Clarkson: New session in Montpelier opens
By Sen. Alison Clarkson It is always exciting to begin a new biennium in the Vermont Statehouse. And, the 2019 launch of the first year of that two-year legislative period was no exception. While our leadership remained unchanged – returning Gov. Phil Scott; Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman; Senate President Pro Tem Tim Ashe and House […]
To the editor: BRGNS ready to help furloughed federal workers
By the time you are reading this, we hope that the government shutdown has ended. But if not, the folks at Black River Good Neighbor Services in Ludlow want to remind any government employee who is having trouble meeting financial obligations that we stand ready to help with food or heating assistance. We are, first […]
To the editor: Springfield Hospital needs new leadership
Like most people in our community, I am concerned with the current situation surrounding Springfield Hospital’s finances and administration. I am extremely concerned by a clear lack of leadership by the hospital’s Board of Directors, especially the lack of leadership shown by George Lamb, chair of the SMCS board. Whether the lack of leadership is […]
To the editor: Andover Snow Riders thanks all fund-raiser participants
On Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, the Andover Mountaineer Snow Riders held its 6th Annual Pasta Dinner and Blind Auction. The event was well attended by club members, fellow snowmobile enthusiasts and neighbors from our surrounding communities. The evening is a two-fold event: the delicious dinner served at the beginning of the evening, then the fun, […]
To the editor: BRGNS thanks all for holiday food, gift collection, distribution efforts
Each year, the staff and volunteers at Black River Good Neighbor Services collect food and toys during December and distribute them to deserving families throughout the area. This distribution dates back to well before the creation of BRGNS, but our staff and volunteers are proud to continue the tradition and to serve our clients in […]
To the editor: Derry Rescue Squad honors members at banquet
On Oct. 28, the Londonderry Volunteer Rescue Squad held its annual banquet at the Landgrove Inn. LVRS is all volunteer and doesn’t charge for its ambulance and rescue services. The banquet is a yearly chance to get together in a social setting, have good fun and good food, and recognize accomplishments of individual members and […]
Op-ed: An open letter to Vermont legislators
Dear Legislators, First, thank you all for your willingness to serve your constituents and all Vermonters. You are appreciated by most of us. But please remember, you serve both the special wants and needs of your constituents … and, of all Vermonters, whose needs sometimes differ. Foster the balance. The bill-drafting process is broken. You […]
Op-ed: Let stand historic language of Vermont Constitution
By Sen. Dick McCormack When the Vermont legislature convenes in January, there will be an effort to amend the Vermont Constitution to alter the 1777 language prohibiting slavery, the first prohibition of slavery in North America. I think doing this is a bad idea. As I understand it, supporters of amending object to the anti-slavery […]
To the editor: Organic dairy farmers sought for quick survey
Mastitis is one of the costliest health issues for dairy cows, and a team of UVM researchers is working to address it by exploring the risks and benefits of common bedding strategies used by Vermont organic farmers. According to co-project director Deb Neher, Ph.D., “Reducing mastitis is an opportunity for increased profitability for organic dairy […]
