Dear Editor, In a recent letter to friends, family and neighbors I addressed a question many have asked: where do I stand on the legalization of marijuana? I’ve spoken to many of you about this topic. I’ve heard your thoughts and concerns and I am convinced now, more than ever, that should a bill that…

Dear Editor, On Jan. 26 the VCRD hosted “Killington 2020: Setting Priorities for the Future” a follow up to the 2008 VCRD Community Visit, in which we as a community came together to set our priorities to achieve economic development and make our town a better place for everyone. Our latest meeting served to reflect on…

Dear editor, The following is one man’s opinion, mine. The issues that were of most importance discussed last night were: 1) affordable housing, 2) the new firehouse, 3) the pool, 4) hiking and biking trails, and the rest were bringing up the rear. Let’s take the most talked about, affordable housing. Who needs it? Do…

By Lee H. Hamilton When the history of this year’s presidential campaign is written, one of its more remarkable features will be that candidates of both parties felt it necessary to talk about income inequality. Surely that makes this a watershed moment. The issue is hardly new. As historian and writer Jill Lepore pointed out…

Dear Editor, I just came back from the weekend in Killington. It could’ve been perfect skiing vacation; however it was ruined by the Killington traffic police. On Saturday we were leaving the parking lot, and I was driving in a long line of cars on the Killington Road going down toward Route 4. About a half…

Dear Editor, It’s that time of year again. It’s voting time. And I, Jim Haff, have put my name back on the ballot for another year. Just as last year, I’m just letting you know (a little earlier this year) that I am running. I will be using The Mountain Times newspaper in these next…

Dear Editor, Happy New Year from Pentangle Arts. I’ve completed my first year as the organization’s executive director and find every day as interesting and challenging (in a good way) since the day I started. Over the year I’ve met so many talented singers, dancers, and artists from the Upper Valley and beyond. I’ve had…

Dear Editor. The “silly season” for the mass media is supposed to be a short period of time, “usually late summer when the media focuses on trivial or frivolous matters for lack of major news stories,” according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. This presidential election cycle the silly season started early and has yet to subside.…

Dear Editor, Last Thursday Governor Shumlin delivered his final State of the State address to a chamber full of dignitaries, special guests and a group of legislators who are facing yet another difficult budget crisis. While there was much in the speech I could agree with, especially the Governor’s call to keep gaining ground on…

By Lee H. Hamilton Whoever wins next November’s presidential election, it’s a sure bet that at some point he or she will vow to set the federal government on the straight and narrow. It’s a bracing sentiment. But you’ll want to take it with a grain of salt. Our history is filled with remarkable government…

Dear Editor, The “Dietary Guidelines for Americans” released Jan. 7 by U.S. departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services mark the ninth time in a row that the meat industry has successfully suppressed scientific findings recommending reduced meat consumption. The reduction was recommended by the government-appointed Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee in a 571-page report…

Dear Editor, My friend John and I were pulled over in Woodstock, Vt., at 10:30 p.m. New Year’s Eve. John has a Rhode Island license place, therefore, I wasn’t surprised. I have a Massachusetts license plate and was pulled over in Pittsford, Vt., on the 4th of July, 2014. My parents and siblings have Connecticut…

Dear Editor, We would like to bring to your attention some concerns we have with a petition drive by Energy Independent Vermont and VPIRG (Vermont Public Interest Research Group), that took place in the summer of 2015. The group that was canvassing towns were asking folks to support a statement on post cards that would…

Dear Editor, There have been a number of letters citing the need for a Vermont carbon tax. Some proposing as much as $0.50 a gallon since energy prices are currently low. Although I don’t disagree that global carbon emissions need to be reduced, I vehemently disagree that Vermont needs to tax itself out of existence.…

Dear Editor, The staff and clients of Black River Good Neighbors would like to thank all of those who donated goods, money or time to help this year’s holiday food distribution. The process begins early in the year, but gears up in earnest with the annual Stuff-a-Bus in Ludlow, followed by the Okemo Cares and…