Dear Editor, We are the Vermont Student Anti-Racism Network, a statewide group of students working to promote anti-racism in our schools and communities. We believe that by starting by fostering anti-racism with the youngest members of society — students — we can build a better society as a whole.  We are writing about S.103, an…

  Dear Editor Race-based attacks and harmful stereotypes are putting Vermont’s Abenaki communities in jeopardy and it needs to stop. This week is Abenaki Recognition and Heritage Week, yet international special-interest groups are threatening state-recognized Abenaki tribes with cultural erasure in an effort to position themselves for recognition and rights within the United States.  Using…

Dear Editor, Kudos to the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) leadership teams for pulling together a very good and high energy business and trade show event this past week at the Rutland Community Center, the first public show since 2019. There was a good mix of business and non-profit organizations at…

By Angelo Lynn Editor’s note: Angelo Lynn is the editor and publisher of the Addison County Independent, a sister publication of the Mountain Times.  In the battle over raising the nation’s debt ceiling, the public’s understanding of the issue beyond the partisan soundbites is essential if the country is to find a resolution and not…

By Angelo Lynn Editor’s note: Angelo Lynn is the editor and publisher of the Addison County Independent, a sister publication of the Mountain Times. With the late spring snowpack mostly gone and the grass and flowers springing to life along Vermont’s roadsides, drivers also notice winter’s detritus — bottles, cans, cardboard, paper, tires, plastics of…

  By Mike Roy Editor’s note: Mike Roy is a member of the town of Middlebury Energy Committee, serves on the board of the Climate Action Economy Center of Addison County, and this year is serving as one of 16 Climate Catalysts with the Vermont Council on Rural Development.  What is the carbon footprint of…

  Dear Editor, The new Career and Technical Education report from outside consultants strengthens the argument that Vermont’s education system is a mess.  After over 40 years teaching and helping to plan education reforms around the world, I believe that Vermont’s continuing commitment to fixing what’s broken in different silos of the system and within those silos…

Dear Editor,  Rutland South Rotary Club is doing its part to protect the environment by starting with a roundup of the poisonous weed killer Roundup. They are asking those who have containers of Roundup sitting in their garages, basements, or sheds, empty or with some quantity left, to please bring them to the Vermont Farmers…

Dear Editor, April is volunteer appreciation month, and Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains wants every person who volunteers for us to know that we appreciate them. We have more than 4,000 volunteers across New Hampshire and Vermont who give generously of their time and talent to ensure that Girl Scouts are encouraged…

Dear Editor,  The Vermont Sierra Club supports the passage of S.5, the Affordable Heat Act (AHA). We appreciate the hard work of representatives and senators to move this important policy forward. We believe that the governor must act now to send this proposal to the Public Utilities Commission and don’t delay any further in transitioning…

By Angelo Lynn Editor’s note: Angelo Lynn is the editor and publisher of the Addison County Independent, a sister publication to the Mountain Times.  When the House Committee on General and Housing was handed the omnibus housing bill last week, S.100, committee members were eager to contribute to one of the key legislative issues of…

Dear Editor,  In response to several letters and articles posted over the last 6+ weeks regarding the transition of Killington Fire and Rescue, First Response, and Killington Search and Rescue, we feel it is necessary to clarify the status of all groups.  Currently, Killington Fire and Rescue and First Response are operating within the guidelines…

Dear Editor, Recreational marijuana is legal in Vermont. 4/20 Day promotes a growing industry nationwide. Cannabis companies leverage the day as another opportunity to promote the industry and its products, similar to alcohol companies during the Super Bowl or St. Patrick’s Day.   These events have long moved past being counterculture protests. It’s a growing…

Dear Editor,  As members of the Vermont Antiquarian Booksellers Association, we have dedicated a portion of our lives to the care of used and rare books.  Our shops exist to aggregate good books and to find suitable homes for each. Unsurprisingly, we were horrified to learn of the state university administration’s decision to eliminate physical…

By Emerson Lynn Editor’s Note: Emerson Lynn is editor emeritus at the St. Albans Messenger. If the state of Vermont accepted the Environmental Protection Agency’s standard for airborne polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs], Burlington would not be on the hook for a $190 million rebuild of its high school and the administrations of most of Vermont’s other…