Dear Editor, The Vermont Senate is discussing a bill, S.39, that would make state legislators eligible for the state employees' benefit plan at no cost to the legislators. It would also provide legislators with childcare reimbursement and pay for out-of-session work that is not currently compensated.   The bill’s goal is to make serving in the legislature…

Dear Editor,  The Castleton Community Seniors extend a sincere thank you to the voters of Castleton, Fair Haven and Hubbardton for their continued support of our senior and disabled transportation program, senior meal site, health and fitness activities and numerous other educational and recreational programs and services for the community.   This past year, our…

Dear Editor,  We are Vermont educators who teach high school personal finance, and we are united in support of legislation that would guarantee a full-semester, standalone personal finance course as a graduation requirement for all Vermont students. Why is it so important to the future of our young students? Research by Next Gen Personal Finance…

Dear Editor,  As principal of Killington Elementary School serving children from ages 3 and 4 in prekindergarten through grade 6, I am writing in support of a “yes” vote for Article 5 on the town of Kilington’s ballot on March 7.  Support for the TIF is critical to moving forward with safety upgrades and community…

Why Article 5 is the best deal for the town and its residents By Polly Mikula The need for clean reliable water in Killington (and everywhere) is well understood and agreed upon by nearly everyone. The need for a village at the base of Snowshed and Ramshead is not. Whether it’s preserving a long-standing routine…

Leading up to Town Meeting, Killington Select Board believes residents understand the crucial need for water and road upgrades By Polly Mikula After the year-plus it took to get the town of Killington qualified as a TIF district to finance necessary road and water infrastructure, and multiple information sessions over the past month to bring…

By John Everett Killington Resort celebrated nine guests with perfect attendance on Day 100, Friday, Feb. 25. Pictured are Brandon Westburg, Leif Anthony Terjesen, Robert Berman, Bob Barrington, Patti Westburg, Young Namkung and Laury Gilliam. Missing from the photo are Emmet Rose and Rick Schirm. Resort President Mike Solimano and Director Amy Laramie joined the…

By Katy Savage The Windsor Central Supervisory Union (WCSU) board voted unanimously Monday, Feb. 27 to conduct an audit at each school as student behavioral problems run rampant. Around 40 people attended the special board meeting, which lasted about 3 1/2 hours. The meeting was called as a follow up to a Feb. 6 meeting…

By Karen D. Lorentz One of the nation’s most successful ski resorts since the 1990s, Okemo, like many mountains, had humble beginnings. The vision of its founders, the approaches to problem solving, and the hard work of its leaders, however, made a tremendous difference for the community-started ski area.  Okemo’s progress was tortoise-like steady for…

Nine candidates are vying for six two-year seats on the Rutland Board of Aldermen on Town Meeting Day, March 7. Four of the candidates  — Joe Barbagallo, Thomas DePoy, William Gillam and Carrie Savage are incumbents. The — Sherry Prouty, John Cioffi, Jr., John McCann, Alex Adams and Kiana McClure, are newcomers. Meanwhile, former state…

Voters asked to approve budget, purchase/renovation of new town hall and TIF bond for municipal water and road reconstruction  By Polly Mikula Killington voters will be asked for approval on three budgetary items on Town Meeting Day, March 7. Article 5 ($47 million TIF bond) has gotten the most attention over the past few weeks…

By Brooke Geery Editor's note: This article was first published on Killington Resort's "Insider Blog," Feb. 22. Minor corrections have been made for accuracy and clarity.  The vision of a village at the base of Killington Resort predates most of the current locals. But as the resort has grown and changed over the years —…

By Liz DiMarco Weinmann Editor’s note: Liz DiMarco Weinmann, MBA, is principal and owner of Liz DiMarco Weinmann Consulting, L3C, based in Rutland, serving charitable and educational institutions: lizdimarcoweinmann.com.  Pop quiz:  The story behind the Vermont State University administration’s decision to eliminate all but a few select print materials from its libraries, in favor of…

Project SELFIE offers tools to better navigate digital communications In response to a new emerging issue, Prevent Child Abuse Vermont has developed a new sexting prevention program for middle and high schoolers.  Vermont youth are sexting at a rate that may surprise many adults. According to the Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey, in 2019, 27%…

By Rep. Jim Harrison This past week Governor Scott held a special press conference to talk about the need to maintain the $150 million his administration put in its budget proposal for purposes of the state share of federal infrastructure grants. Under the so-called bi-partisan infrastructure legislation approved by Congress last year, Vermont stands to…