By Ken Fredette Editor’s note: Ken Fredette resides in Wallingford. After watching public input and the ensuing conversation among board members at the Mill River School Board meeting Nov. 17, I find myself compelled to reach out to all of […]
Category: Commentary
Commentary, Opinion
Willie Sutton and the brave new world of Medicare privatization
By Dr. Marvin Malek Editor’s note: Dr. Malek is an internal medicine specialist at Springfield Hospital. He is also on the executive committee of Vermont Physicians for a National Health Program. In 1938, the notorious bank robber Willie Sutton was […]
Commentary, Opinion
‘Buddy can you spare a dime?’
By Julia Purdy Under a fuzzy gray sky that promises snow They stand like lone sentinels At the traffic lights Dark figures, straight-backed, lean, Once strong, capable bodies Muffled up in layers of old clothes, hoodies under jackets worn thin. […]
Commentary, Opinion
Economic growth for a few vs. well-being for all
By Bill Schubart Robert Kennedy said in a 1968 speech at the University of Kansas: “Yet the gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education or the joy of their play. […]
Commentary, Opinion
The “new norm” is not a return to the past
What citizens, workers have learned in the pandemic and what it means By Kevin Ellis Editor’s note: Kevin Ellis, a partner in Ellis Mills, a communications consulting firm in Montpelier. We are not returning to normal. Almost two years since […]
Commentary, Opinion
Connecting people, community and land in the face of evolving challenges
By Darby Bradley Editor’s note: Darby Bradley has worked for the Vermont Land Trust in many roles since its founding, including a stint as president. For the Vermont Land Trust (VLT), land conservation has always been about more than simply […]
Commentary, Opinion
Bonding and bowling together in the Digital Age
By Narain Batra Editor’s note: Narain Batra of Hartford is a professor of communications and diplomacy at Norwich University. He is the author of “The First Freedoms and America’s Culture of Innovation” and the forthcoming “India in A New Key.” […]
Commentary, Opinion, State News
Multimember House districts dilute minority votes
By Shane Spence Editor’s note: Shayne Spence was a candidate for the Vermont House in 2020, and is a justice of the peace in Johnson. The tripartisan legislative apportionment board voted this month to recommend a new map for legislative […]
Commentary, Opinion
Equity is the path to economic success in Vt
By Betsy Bishop Editor’s note: Betsy Bishop, of East Montpelier, is the president of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. Every day there is a news story about policies Vermont is addressing to further diversity, equity and inclusion. Many organizations, including […]
Commentary, Opinion
We need to change how we fund public schools
By the board of directors of the Coalition for Vt Student Equity: Kendra Sowers, Alison Notte, David Schoales and Rory Thibault Our poorest and most diverse Vermont school districts have been critically underfunded for decades. This is due to inherent […]