By Laura Krantz, VTDigger.org As Gov. Peter Shumlin scheduled a 3 p.m. news conference on his slim lead over Republican Scott Milne on Wednesday, Nov. 5, Milne left his hotel vigil without speaking to the media. Just after 2 p.m. Wednesday, Milne’s daughter, Elise, came down to the lobby of the Sheraton Burlington Hotel and…

By Anne Galloway, VTDigger.org ​The voters of Vermont sent a message to Gov. Peter Shumlin on Tuesday night, and the governor says he heard it “loud and clear.” Shumlin called a news conference in Burlington on Wednesday afternoon, shortly after the Associated Press announced unofficial results in which he beat out Scott Milne, his Republican…

By Hilary Niles, VTDigger.org Almost all school districts in the Chittenden East Supervisory Union will merge next summer, voters decided Tuesday, Nov. 4. In Bolton, Jericho, Richmond and Underhill, poll results showed overwhelming support for a voluntary unification. All schools in the district except Brewster Pierce Elementary School in Huntington will be controlled by one…

By Steve Costello When I was a little boy, one of my favorite stories was the folk tale about stone soup. I remember being inspired by the thought that stones could be the key ingredients in what turns out to be a delicious meal for an entire community. They can’t, of course, but the magic…

Dear Editor, In response to Diane Rosenblum’s letter to the editor last week titled “Oppose the option tax” I just don’t understand why one would write such a letter without facts. Green Mountain National Golf Course does not have $5 million debt. As of Dec. 31, 2013, the debt was $3,850,000. There has been no…

Dear Editor, Local option taxes were authorized by the state legislature to “reduce the dislocations in those municipalities that may be caused by reforms to the method of financing public education under the Equal Educational Opportunity Act of 1997.” In other words the option taxes were authorized to mitigate the egregious tax increase caused by…

Dear Editor, I fully support the recent Mountain Times letters endorsing retaining the 1 percent option tax. True the original purpose was for economic development, however, times have changed and Town needs have changed. Just like Green Mountain National Golf Course, which when purchased, was thought to be able to provide sufficient economic income growth…

Dear Editor, I believe that the Killington Resort plan to repeal the 1 percent options tax is a perfect way to galvanize this community. When one takes a moment to look at the effect this could have on our community as a whole, the benefits are overwhelmingly positive. From the residents, to the businesses, to the…

Dear Editor, I’m 72 years “young” and strongly support modification of the Killington Option Tax as suggested by The Resort. The suggested modification of the option tax is NOT the elimination of the option tax, only the elimination of that portion applicable to sales and use tax. Because I shop in Killington, a portion of…

Dear Editor, Rutland County is a wonderful place to live and raise children. However, some families do not have the resources and support they need, and children end up in the state’s custody for a variety of reasons. Some have been abused, neglected, and/or abandoned by their parents or other caretakers; others are the subjects…

Dear Editor, The Rutland Area Prevention Coalition thanks all of our partners around Rutland County who helped in the celebration of National Red Ribbon Week (Oct. 23-31)—a time set aside to stress the importance of healthy lifestyle choices, especially among youth. Anti-drunk-or-drugged driving messages are appropriately part of this event, and we thank the 10…

friday, nov. 14 Need an excuse to go shopping? Dine and shop until 9 p.m. in Downtown Rutland on Friday  night, when participating retail stores will stay open late and feature specials. Grab some friends for dinner then get a start on your holiday shopping, before the crowds begin! For more info visit www.rutlanddowntown.com or…

sunday, nov. 16 • 4 p.m. Two Vermont-based Irish bands, one Vermont-based Irish pub, together for an evening of raising funds for an epic cause - Doctors Without Borders. Head to the Inn at Long Trail and enjoy the music of Extra Stout and Gypsy Reel for an afternoon concert benefiting the cause. A donation…

Sunday, Nov. 16 • 4 p.m. By Polly Lynn Sunday, Nov. 16 — RUTLAND — The second annual Catwalk for a Cause event has grown in leaps and bounds since the event first took to the Paramount Theatre stage last year, said event organizer Kelly Logan of Five Elements Salon and Day Spa. “Ticket sales are…

Friday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. — RANDOLPH — Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph brings an innovative performance to the Chandler stage on Friday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m., joining two of Canada’s leading musical forces: the highly acclaimed Gryphon Trio and opera/cabaret soprano Patricia O’Callaghan. Celebrating its 21st anniversary in 2014, Gryphon Trio has…