Discover More from This Category: Opinions

Vote to keep the Australian ballot

March 1, 2017
Dear Editor, In 2011, Killington made a historic decision. Citizens agreed that all who are registered to vote in Killington should be allowed to cast a ballot to decide town issues. The ballot is technically called an “Australian ballot.” Most people just call this voting. Killington Town Meeting Article 7 would restrict voting on town…

Vote no on article 7

March 1, 2017
Dear editor, I noted in the recent Killington town report that Article 7 involved a move to return to the town meeting floor vote for public questions. I guess I’m a little confused about why we would want to take a step back to a system that disenfranchised so many of our neighbors. Over the…

Keep the 1 percent local option sales tax

March 1, 2017
Top three reasons to consider Dear Editor, I am​ writing in support of the 1 percent local option sales tax, a tax I did not initially support years ago when first proposed, but one that I now find necessary and worthwhile. I am generally in favor of reduced taxes sent to Washington or Montpelier due…

Learning our lessons on Title IX

March 1, 2017
Dear Editor, Title IX is an educational amendment to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Enacted by Congress and signed into law by Nixon in 1972, the amendment states that there can be no discrimination on the basis of sex in any school receiving federal aid. In 2016, Obama enacted the guidance clause to reflect…

Modeling a local and vibrant climate economy

March 1, 2017
Dear Editor, With a national political conversation that seems to become more divisive and fragmented with each passing day, engaging locally to create meaningful and inclusive democratic change is as important as it ever has been. At moments like this, Vermonters have historically responded by gathering in granges and town halls to find common ground…

Lisa Ryan introduces self as candidate for Alderman

March 1, 2017
Dear Editor, My name is Lisa Ryan and I am running for the Board of Aldermen in Rutland City. I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Temple University and master’s degree in mediation and applied conflict studies from Champlain College. I am 27 years old and I was raised in Rutland, having worked in…

Clarification on my stance on refugee resettlement

March 1, 2017
Dear Editor, I would like to make a clarification to Adam Federman’s article on the Rutland City Board of Aldermen candidates (Feb. 21-28). Mr. Federman incorrectly stated my “suggested” stance on humanitarian efforts in Rutland. My position on refugee resettlement has not changed since my conversation with Mr. Federman in mid-January. I approve of humanitarian efforts in…

Support the Regional Marketing Initiative

March 1, 2017
Dear Editor, As the owner of a local business, parent of two wonderful children and resident of Rutland, I am writing in support of our regional marketing initiative. The initiative has been created by a group of volunteers who have put forth tremendous time and energy in an effort to stabilize and grow our local…

Beverly Anderson says “thank you” to the Killington Community

March 1, 2017
Thank you for your good wishes and your gifts and your presence in the celebration of my retirement on Sunday, Feb. 26. I was (and still am) overwhelmed by the participation of friends and family and neighbors at worship on Sunday morning and at the wonderful gathering at the Summit Lodge on Sunday afternoon. Thank…

Vote for proven economic drivers

March 1, 2017
Dear Editor, I am writing today to voice my support for two issues facing voters this March. 1) Allocating monies from the economic development fund for the 2017 Killington World Cup, and 2) repealing the sales portion of the local option tax for the following fiscal year. Both concepts make sense for our town and…

Vermont has what businesses really need

February 22, 2017
By Jon Margolis, VTDigger “It is almost impossible to start a small business now,” said the president of the United States the other day, and he knew why. It was, he said, “because of regulation.” As has been noted elsewhere, Donald Trump and fact do not always inhabit the same realm. Depending on how “small…

Killington keeps getting better

February 22, 2017
Dear Editor, It’s a great time to be part of Killington. This winter marks my 18th season as a business owner (of Sushi Yoshi) in Killington and my 21st season as a Killington Mountain pass holder. From a personal, recreational and business perspective Killington is the best that it has ever been. The development of…

Vote “no” to repeal option tax until debts paid off

February 22, 2017
Dear Editor, The golf course owes the town of Killington $390,741.45 as of Jan. 31, 2017, even after paying the town $200,000 during the year for borrowing $361,737.53 in 2015. This number was a footnote on page 72 in the Town Report for 2015. When I asked why the golf course needed to borrow such…

If you lived here you would be home now

February 22, 2017
Dear Editor, Before I moved to Killington in 1970, I spent several weekends a year skiing here as well as at other ski areas. I will never forget what happened on one occasion when leaving Killington when I saw a banner over the Access Road that said, “If you lived here you would be home…

Allaire best choice for mayor

February 22, 2017
Dear Editor, On March 7 Rutland City voters choose our governing body for another two years. This year, especially, I ask everyone to think carefully for a moment before casting their vote. Rutland City needs a change of leadership! We need a leader who will actually listen to the people who elected him, not ignore…