By Julia Purdy Governor Shumlin has been quoted saying that legalizing recreational marijuana is entering “uncharted territory.” Other supporters have claimed that Vermont will legalize marijuana “the Vermont way.” The governor’s statement is completely disingenuous, since we do not lack for a crystal ball (now five, in fact). And the jingoistic notion expressed by optimists…

Technology will increasingly provide efficiencies—plan accordingly By Alan Shusterman The robots are coming—and they may put your friendly neighborhood retail staffer out of work. Home-improvement superstore Lowe’s recently began employing robot sales assistants in its stores. The robots can answer questions in multiple languages and take customers directly to what they’re looking for. Lowe’s isn’t…

Dear Editor, There has been a lot of wonderful activity going on in our town over the past few years, showing that despite setbacks (like Irene, and a major recession), we as a town have made a lot of progress since 2008 when we voted in the options tax in an effort to revitalize our…

Dear editor, ARC Rutland Area (ARC) recently held its annual membership meeting for people with developmental disabilities and their families. We celebrated the accomplishments of our members with Maggie Pak Awards and the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. At the meeting, we also explored how the ARC services make impacts in the members’ lives.…

Dear Editor, I started this letter to the editor sometime in June or July. It was intended to be a question to the town manager, his first and only response was a press release. Then, the chair of our Select Board Patty McGrath decided to take this question on. Her first response was excuses such…

By Lee H. Hamilton When Paul Ryan became house speaker a few weeks ago, he made it clear that he has no intention of spending too much time in Washington. His wife and children are in Wisconsin, he pointed out, and he plans to commute. “I just work here,” he told CNN, “I don’t live…

Dear Editor, The reason is simple — because we want Elmore to remain a viable and sustainable community that continues to offer unique educational opportunities to its children and families — in other words, to maintain the Vermont tradition of small towns caring for their own. What does the Elmore community look like? The village…

Dear Editor, The Friends of the Sherburne Memorial Library thank the businesses and the library patrons who purchased wreaths in the library’s fundraiser this fall. The money that was collected will provide additional programing and other extra purchases for the library. The community support is truly appreciated. Pat Kent and Judy Findeisen, Killington wreath coordinators

Dear Editor, While President Obama is pardoning two turkeys for Thanksgiving, every one of us can exercise that same presidential power by choosing a nonviolent Thanksgiving observance that spares a turkey’s life. And here are some good reasons: You can brag about pardoning a turkey, like Obama. You truly are what you eat. Who wants…

Dear Editor, Lately I have been very concerned with the amount of misinformation that travels throughout town about the issues the town offices and selectboard are dealing with or have dealt with. This creates roadblocks to truly solving our challenges in an efficient and economical manner. Much time seems to be spent correcting the inaccurate…

Dear Editor, As a lifelong resident of Rutland, I’ve long appreciated the way this community works together when the chips are down, or when a challenge confronts us as a community.  It’s one of the reasons I love this time of year, when the greater Rutland area demonstrates its amazing sense of camaraderie at the…

Dear Editor, I have tried in earnest to answer Jim Haff’s questions regarding several topics regarding the town of Killington’s financial reports such as the town report and the annual audit. I wrote those answers under the assumption Mr. Haff understood certain basic financial concepts. I guess one should never assume anything. Mr. Haff seems…

Dear Editor, One of the articles recently, regarding the status of the Rutland State Fair, mentioned the "Master Gardens." I think it is important for people to know that the Fair staff has nothing to do with maintenance, or even creation of the landscaping of the grounds, except to mow the lawn. There is a group…

Dear Editor, On Sunday, Oct. 25, approximately 70 members, friends and supporters of ARC-Rutland Area arrived at the Bomoseen Grange Hall for their annual Halloween Dance. That afternoon the hall was filled with music, munchies, costumes and plenty of dancing. Lori Anna and Bob Mason, did a super job as DJs and provided a delightful assortment of…

Dear Editor, I am writing to you today to share a vision for Vermont that is guided not by what is lacking but by what is working. I have so much optimism about our beautiful state. Vermont has incredible resources and resilient people. We see it in our working landscape, our revitalized downtowns, in our…