Dear Editor, In former Vermont secretary of education Rebecca Holcome’s commentary published in the Mountain Times, March 23, titled “Unintended consequences: Vermont Senate Bill 219 on course to hand a weapon to the religious right” is pure sophistry. If anything, school choice is the epitome of educational democracy. And, if anything, Vermont’s public-school monopoly is…

Dear Editor, Please excuse the proud parent quoting a letter of our son Gregory Crowther to state Senators in the Seattle area. He writes about a bill designed to expand and make permanent fluoridation in Washington State. His remarks are worth sharing in fluoridated Rutland, because they focus on fluoride and body function, often overlooked…

Dear Editor, In 1997, when I was eligible to join, I proudly became a member of VSECU (at that time Vermont State Employees Credit Union, now known as VSECU) because I wanted to put my hard-earned money in a Vermont-based financial institution whose mission and values I share. As a member/owner of this cooperative, I…

Dear Editor, In 2021 with the passage of Act 34, Vermont took a small step toward reducing the toxic class of chemicals known as PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) which are allowed to be sold, manufactured, and imported into our state. Act 34 bans select PFAS-containing products like stain-resistant rugs/carpets, food packaging and ski wax.…

Dear Editor, Deceptively labeled with such noble sounding phraseology as “The Reproductive Liberty Amendment,” Prop. 5/Article 22 has nothing to do with reproduction. Its central purpose is all about the liberty to continue to harm women and kill babies at any stage of pregnancy, even up to birth. We must never forget that despite every…

Dear Editor, Regarding Vermont’s decision to recommend going “maskless” statewide, as of March 14, I wish the state had followed the CDC guidelines. Those guidelines clearly state that in areas of high levels of Covid-19, everyone, regardless of vaccination status, should wear a mask indoors in public spaces. Unfortunately, my county (Rutland County) is considered…

Dear Editor, There are times when silence says more than words. But it is words and courage that are now required. The Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) has been outspoken in our support of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Because what we say and do matters, we support communities and institutions within…

Dear Editor, Editor’s note: Gregory Thayer is a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor. He lives in Rutland. Have you seen the price of gasoline at your local gas station pumps? I paid $3.69 per gallon two days ago. This is happening all across the Green Mountain state to working Vermonters already struggling with inflation at…

Dear Editor, There is an extraordinary exhibit at the Vermont Historical Museum, one that I encourage you to visit. It will be there from now until July 30. It tells the disturbing story of St. Joseph’s Orphanage in Burlington and the children who were abused there. When the documented torture and abuse of children was…

Dear Editor, As our current legislative session proceeds to debate bill after bill that impacts every citizen’s life, an unreported threat to democracy has clearly emerged that nobody seems willing to acknowledge: that only the privileged few are consistently heard in matters of state government. In this day and age of remote telecommunications, affluent urbanites…

Dear Editor, In her recent piece “The problems with net metering,” Annette Smith mischaracterizes the net-metering program that for decades has helped make installing solar power more affordable by allowing Vermonters to send any excess solar electricity they generate back to the grid in exchange for a credit on their electric bill. Who are the…

Dear Editor, The Mentor Connector is a non-profit community based organization that focuses on the youth of today. Created in 2004 by dedicated community members with a belief that every youth deserves to feel valued, supported, and welcome. Since then, the organization has blossomed with a wide range of support services ranging from prevention and…

By Addie Lentzner, Astrid Young and Lydia Beaulieu Editor’s note: Lentzner, Young and Beaulieu are members of the Vermont Student Anti-Racism Network. Schools shape everything in society; there is no doubt that education is the key to societal change. However, schools are so cemented in systems, traditions and bureaucracy, which makes that change an incredibly…

Dear Editor, Pomfret Voters: Please consider voting “No” on Article 2. [The article asks: Shall the voters change the 1-year terms of the two additional Selectboard members to staggered 2-year terms? (Note: If adopted, this article will take effect as of the 2023 annual meeting.)] The premise for Article 2 is to avoid the potential…

Dear Editor, The Vermont House has advanced Prop. 5, a proposed constitutional amendment to guarantee a so-called right to “personal reproductive autonomy,” which includes abortion. While portrayed by advocates as a simple proposal to preserve abortion rights in case Roe v. Wade is overturned, the reality is much different. Unlike Roe v. Wade, Prop. 5…