Dear Editor, I had lunch with Jim Haff last week at the senior lunch (yes I am old enough to go, LOL). At the lunch Jim Haff said he was not a bully and did not appreciate that he is called one. Instead, he admitted “sometimes I can be an ass.”  Jim Haff and…

  Dear Editor, With all the flood devastation during the past week and a half, the true spirit of Killington came through with area businesses and organizations stepping up to help get the town and roads back in business. The list of thank yous include: Casella construction Mosher excavating Fiore excavating Harvey plumbing and excavation…

  Dear Editor, It really does take a lot more than just one person to make things happening. I just happen to be in a position where I listen to the community and when I can be of help, I have many resources (mostly people) that are also willing to jump in to get some…

  Dear Editor, Despite the storm, Pete Giancola Gift-of-Life Mini Marathon on Tuesday, July 12 turned out to be quite amazing! Thanks to the Red Cross staff, volunteers, and the many, many people who turned out despite the challenges, we had a remarkable day. After an incredible push in the final 48 hours before the…

   By John McClaughry Editor’s note: John McClaughry is the vice president of the Ethan Allen Institute, a conservate-leaning think tank focused on free-market solutions. The Legislature’s enactment of the Community Resilience and Biodiversity Protection Act is another troubling example of how massive changes in Vermont are being engineered these days, whether the democratically elected…

  Dear Editor, Prior to Gov. Phil Scott vetoing the bill concerning legislative salary increases and related matters (S.39: An act relating to compensation and benefits for members of the Vermont General Assembly); and, with the Legislature not having overridden the governor’s veto, is a bill that is more than likely to be revisited, yet…

  By Charity Clark, Vermont attorney general Like many Vermonters, I have a deep connection to Vermont’s forests, clean water and green landscape. I grew up hiking and skiing in our beautiful Green Mountains, swimming in our rivers and ponds, and watching sunsets over Lake Champlain.  I believe that when bad actors poison our natural…

  Dear Editor, In March of this year, the KSAR volunteer group, which served this town for over 10 years, wrote a letter to the town manager, explaining that the chief that the town hired for fire, ems and search and rescue, created a toxic work environment through bullying and misogyny. They requested that they…

  Dear Editor, Do you remember fireflies from your childhood? Tiny flashing lights in the fields and woods, in the green grass? They were magical, and other-worldly. I thought they would always be here, part of summer. But they are endangered, because of us. The night skies are no longer dark, and the flashing lights…

Dear Editor, The planet has a protective plan for itself: Climate change, toxic waste, AI, guns and the ultimate “second civil war,” which will collectively eliminate people. Without people, don’t worry, the planet will heal itself and survive.  Alexander Lyall, Middlebury

  Dear Editor, Raccoon hounders can run their hounds in the middle of the night during “training” season, which started June 1st. The torment of animals by released uncontrolled hounds lasts throughout much of the year. Summer is also a time when people, dogs, and other animals are using the woods. Hounds are loud and…

  Dear Editor, Last March my wife and I spent two weeks way down south. One week was on the Florida coast just north of Miami, the second on coastal Georgia.  While it was wonderful to enjoy warm weather, the beaches and lots of sunshine, we could not fail to notice the profound cultural differences.…

  Dear Editor, The unhousing—eviction—of people in the motel voucher program is continuing as planned by the governor and legislature. Approximately 760 households are being evicted this month.  Some of the 1,100 households scheduled to be booted out on July 1 have apparently been given a temporary reprieve. I cannot believe the insensitivity and ignorance…

  Dear Editor, The Pete Giancola Gift-of-LIfe Mini Marathon Blood Drive is fast approaching — but appointments are not filling fast at all.  At this point last year, we had twice as many appointments as we have right now for the July 11 drive, which will be held at the Rutland Elks Club and the…

  Dear Editor,  In my letter to the Brattleborow Reformer on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, with the   headline, “Homelessness is a sign of a society that’s failing,” I wrote, “We spend a lot of time preaching about the importance of good deeds and gratitude, and not enough time making any tangible change. It’s really…