Discover More from This Author: Polly

A gamble?

May 8, 2024
Despite my reputation at the State House as a promoter of our annual March Madness pool and making a couple of announcements about the adjournment pool, I am not a gambler. If you ever saw me in a casino during my former career attending a conference, at best, you may have found me at the…

Legislators debating bill to stem repeat shoplifters and clear up court backlogs

May 8, 2024
By Norah White, Community News Service Editor’s note: The Community News Service is a program in which University of Vermont students work with professional editors to provide content for local news outlets at no cost. Lawmakers are weighing a bill to punish repeat shoplifters who otherwise would only face a string of misdemeanors — a move…

Grants offered to supportmusic in Vermont schools

May 8, 2024
Governor Phil Scott and Ernie Boch Jr. today announced, Monday, April 15, the launch of a new grant program aimed at supporting music programs in Vermont schools. The program will be run in coordination with Mr. Boch’s foundation, Music Drives Us (MDU), a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that strives to inspire New England’s musicians of tomorrow by supporting…

H.289: Good intentions on renewables but one big flaw

May 8, 2024
By David Bittersdorf Editor’s note: Dave Blittersdorf is the president of All Earth Renewables in Bristol. The Vermont General Assembly — in attempt to move the state to 100% renewable energy — is making changes to how the state’s utilities buy energy. Within the next couple of weeks, the Senate Natural Resources Committee will consider…

Act 127 made progress;but Excess Spending Threshold could undermine it

May 8, 2024
Dear Editor, As the Chair of the Burlington School District (BSDVT) School Board, I am fortunate to witness firsthand the profound impact of educational policies on our diverse community. Among these policies, Act 127 stands out as a beacon of progress in our continuous effort to achieve equity and finally address the inequity across Vermont’s…

Bird Flu threatens nation’s dairy supply

May 8, 2024
Dear Editor, The deadly flu virus is not just “for the birds” anymore! The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has just decreed that dairy cows must be tested for the deadly bird flu, which has already killed millions of chickens in the U.S. The unprecedented transmission of the H5N1 virus to cows has…

Support the Slate Valley Unified School District

May 8, 2024
Dear Editor, With another vote coming up for the Slate Valley Unified School District I am writing to appeal to “Yes” voters and those on the fence to please turn out and vote. Our district will need over 1,000 “Yes” votes, or around 200 per town to effectively pass our school budget, on this third try. We…

Bernie Sanders announces run forre-election to U.S. Senate

May 8, 2024
Dear Editor, Editor’s note: Senator Bernie Sanders, 82, (I-Vermont) announced May 6 that he will seek a fourth term to the U.S. Senate. His time in the Senate, along with his previous 16 years in the House of Representatives, makes him the longest-serving independent Member of Congress in American history. What follows is an excerpt from…

Gregory Thayer announces candidacyfor lieutenant governor

May 8, 2024
Dear Editor, My name is Gregory Thayer and in Fall of 2024, I am a candidate for the position of Lieutenant Governor of this great state of Vermont.   Every Vermonter needs to know that with the current leadership in Montpelier, the future of Vermont looks bleak, and traveling down a stormy road. My goal is…

Lieutenant Governor David Zuckermanannounces bid for re-election

May 8, 2024
Dear Editor, With 24 years of public service experience, I’m not done fighting for Vermonters, which is why I’m seeking re-election in 2024. I will use this campaign as an opportunity to discuss key issues with folks impacted by the state’s most difficult challenges. This is a critical moment for our state. Vermont is becoming…

Boundary between chaos and order

May 1, 2024
April’s storms were turbulent. Explosions. People losing their heads. Temper tantrums. Life really has been feeling like its straddling the boundary between chaos and order. Chaos can make you feel like you have purpose. Expending rage, for rages sake. Unless you’re still wearing diapers, petulant behavior is rarely a good look. For brief period, the…

Remembering Eleanor

May 1, 2024
Spring and summer are seasonal reminders to me of those who have contributed to my perennial gardens. As their gifts to me come into bloom I remember the person who gave the plants to me and their kindness in doing so. This year in particular I will be remembering our neighbor, Eleanor DiSabito, who sadly…

Lot life

May 1, 2024
Three vibrant young 20-somethings were just gathering up, skis on their shoulders as they walked from their vehicle to the trailhead. Their day packs were small, ready for whatever fast and light adventure they had chosen for the day. But they had definitely been here before, definitely had a plan and definitely ended the day…

Shouldering the pain

May 1, 2024
When I was playing basketball in high school, there was a strict rule that no team member was allowed on the ski slopes during the season. Apparently, too many athletes had fallen prey to freak injuries while skiing and cost the school state championships.  I had been involved with basketball since grade school, so I…

Learning the language of birding

May 1, 2024
The shift begins around the time we turn the clocks ahead, a gradual transition from winter’s steady chorus of chickadees, squawking jays, and crows cawing over the compost pile to — well, more.  On an afternoon walk along back roads, I’ll hear an avian uprising and look up to find a large flock of red-winged…