Dear Editor, The end-of-year/New Year holidays seem to whiplash us from one extreme to the other: eat, drink and be merry v. the customary New Year’s resolutions: reduce social media, reduce weight, and embrace a plant-based diet! One third of consumers already report reducing their consumption of animal foods. Hundreds of school, college, hospital, and…

Dear Editor, On New Year’s Day, I was able to watch the “Mr. Chris and Friends” series on Vermont Public Television and boy, did his show lift my spirits. I already have tickets for his performance in Rutland on Saturday, Jan. 19 at noon. I hope my grandchildren can go but if they cannot, I…

Dear Editor, Vermont’s forest-based economy generates roughly $3.8 billion annually. This figure varies from year to year. A little less than half of that revenue is associated with the timber and maple industry. More than half is generated by forest-based recreation. Vermont currently incentivizes the timber side of the equation while doing very little for…

Dear Editor, As I write this, a block of Senators and Congresspeople are preparing to deny that the Constitution of the United States is on fire. It is a fire set by the President and fanned by their own actions; actions they commit solely out of fear that they might lose their jobs and have…

Editor’s Note: Ed James wrote the following 20 years ago for the Addison County Independent, a sister paper to the Mountain Times. It seems as appropriate today as then. Dear Editor, The first day of winter — Dec.  22 — and already winter had been here since the first of November with grey, rainy days…

Dear Editor, I realize there has been a flurry of communications regarding the state of the Woodstock Union Middle and High School. Having just attended the last tour, I feel compelled to add my voice to the conversation, as a parent, tax payer, and former school board member. It is my understanding that there will…

Dear Editor, Thank you for the prompt response by Killington Volunteer Fire/ Rescue and Regional Ambulance when Howie fell and lost consciousness. Their response time was amazing, their care and concern comforting. On a day when the snow just didn’t seem to stop it became clear to me that the most important places to keep…

Dear Editor, After 10 years out of the limelight, one of Killington’s greatest just might be preparing for the most epic return to the main stage this country has ever seen. You’ve heard whispers in the pubs, you’ve read rumors on social media, and maybe you’ve even caught what you thought was a glimpse of…

Dear Editor, On behalf of the Homeless Prevention Center, we would like to thank the many community members who made our dinner, dance, silent auction and 20th Anniversary Celebration on Nov. 2 at the Franklin Conference Center in Rutland, such a great success. With the help of 15 sponsors, 70 individuals and businesses that donated…

Dear Editor, On March 9, 1954, Republican Vermont Sen. Ralph Flanders stood on the floor of the U.S. Senate to condemn fellow Republican Sen. Joseph McCarthy on his claims that there were communists in the state department. The Flanders speech was an immediate sensation, as Flanders’ courage to speak up against a member of his…

Dear Editor, I was recently asked to become the ambassador for the upcoming Gift-of-Life Marathon, and saying yes to this was one of the easiest decisions I have ever made. Just a little over a year ago I was injured in an explosion while on vacation, causing many life-changing injuries including the loss of both…

Dear Editor, A couple of times recently, I’ve driven through Brandon, which is now emerging from its own four-year ordeal of downtown disruption — leading to a whole new pattern of streets and sidewalks. While I’m sure that this period has been a trial for businesses, residents and those of us who occasionally pass through,…

Dear Editor, We may be about to witness something none of us have ever seen before, which is a large piece of public land with full public access and heavy public use being sold to a very private wealthy person who has stated he does not want the public on this land again after he…

Dear Editor, I am truly disappointed in the actions of the Cavendish Select Board not to pursue the tax appeal with the state and allowing the Property Valuation Review dated Oct. 24 (Watson V. Town of Cavendish) to stand. However, I understand why, given Cavendish is such a small town with a limited budget. My…

Dear Editor, In an editorial, published Oct. 24, titled “Let small schools prove themselves” Angelo Lynn writes: “Surely, when the idea of consolidated governance was conceived in Act 46, no one imagined district boards would rule like kings.” That is incorrect. From the very outset of Act 46 the constant refrain of many of us…