Submitted State Representative Job Tate has chosen to take a voluntary paycut of 7.5 percent and donate it  locally. By Polly Lynn On Tuesday, Jan. 5, the beginning of the new legislative session, Job Tate, state representative for Chittenden, Mendon, Killington and Bridgewater, made a statement by giving away a portion of his paycheck to…

Submitted Paul Richard  Bousquet WOODSTOCK — Paul Richard Bousquet, 85, of River Street in Woodstock, passed peacefully at home surrounded by family the night of Dec. 31. He was comfortable and alert to near the end, which allowed him the opportunity to say goodbye to many close friends. In his own words “he had a good ride.”…

By Mark Johnson, VTDigger.org The top two political leaders at the Vermont Statehouse share a concern about balancing the state budget while still protecting Vermonters and neither are high on the idea of legalizing marijuana but won’t stand in the way of its being passed. Medicaid and Marijuana, that might well sum up the key…

By Bruce Parker, Vermont Watchdog As state lawmakers return for the start of the 2016 legislative session, a fight is already raging over the spending caps in Vermont’s new education reform law — and property taxpayers have a big stake in the outcome. In 2013, Vermont’s per-pupil education spending was $16,377 — the sixth highest…

Gov. Peter Shumlin announced Monday, Jan. 4, that he has tapped executive director of the Department of State’s Attorneys and sheriffs, David Cahill, to serve as State’s Attorney in Windsor County. Cahill will replace current Windsor County State’s Attorney Michael Kainen, who Governor Shumlin has appointed to be a trial court judge. Prior to his…

Two South Burlington high school students got a boost Dec. 31 in their efforts to help Syrian refugees from Gov. Peter Shumlin and a number of Vermont ski areas and local businesses. The South Burlington students, Lena Ginawi and Kiran Waqar, were featured on Vermont Public Radio for their efforts to collect fleece blankets and…

Vermont Freedom to Marry is saying goodbye after two decades of work to achieve marriage equality. Sheryl Rapée-Adams, VFMTF board chair, made the announcement Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. As the fight for LGBT-equality in the U.S. and around the world continues, Vermont’s leadership role in the marriage-equality movement provides a hopeful example of what can…

By Bruce Lisman After traveling the state for the last six years, I’ve heard many versions of the same challenges faced by Vermonters all across our state. Increased property taxes are making it harder to afford homes. Jobs that pay a livable wage are scarce. Shrinking populations are threatening our local schools and communities. And…

Dear Editor, We would like to bring to your attention some concerns we have with a petition drive by Energy Independent Vermont and VPIRG (Vermont Public Interest Research Group), that took place in the summer of 2015. The group that was canvassing towns were asking folks to support a statement on post cards that would…

Dear Editor, There have been a number of letters citing the need for a Vermont carbon tax. Some proposing as much as $0.50 a gallon since energy prices are currently low. Although I don’t disagree that global carbon emissions need to be reduced, I vehemently disagree that Vermont needs to tax itself out of existence.…

Dear Editor, The staff and clients of Black River Good Neighbors would like to thank all of those who donated goods, money or time to help this year’s holiday food distribution. The process begins early in the year, but gears up in earnest with the annual Stuff-a-Bus in Ludlow, followed by the Okemo Cares and…

Dear Editor, Thank you for your support of Catwalk for a Cause on Nov. 22, 2015! The Catwalk for a Cause Fashion Show raised over $17,000 for the United Way of Rutland County! We couldn’t have done it without such great community support. All who shared talent, time and energy with our larger community mean…

Dear Editor, On Dec. 29, 2015 there was a fatal car crash in Killington on Route 4 near the junction of Route 100 that involved the death of three people. It involved a tractor trailer headed east and an SUV headed west. The crashed occurred around 3 p.m. Local Killington fire fighters and police were on the…

Dear Editor, I guess it is hard to prevent accidents before they happen, such as that horrific one that occurred in our town last week. What could we have done? Anything? Well, my friends, disaster has been staring us right in the face. While returning from Rutland this past Friday, as I reached the top…

Dear Editor, Will the town of Killington consider a residency requirement for the new town manager? In the old days, selectmen ran towns but 100 years ago the state of Vermont created the select board-manager form of government. After the town of Killington (then Sherburne) adopted the newfangled management style the first two officials were…