Dear Editor, I understand the Forest Service is planning to log stands of almost 12,000 acres of mostly old and mature forest in the Telephone Gap area of the Green Mountain National Forest just east of Pittsford. That is bigger than the whole city of Burlington. (Google it for yourself: Telephone Gap Project.)  We all…

By Pati Beaumont Editor’s note: The following commentary was written by Pati Beaumont, chairperson of the Slate Valley Unified Union School Board, as an open letter to the Slate Valley Unified Union School District community and published here by request. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the 2,472 individuals who exercised their…

  Dear Editor, I am shocked that 11,800 acres are slated to be logged in the Green Mountain National Forest’s Telephone Gap Area. While the Forest Service’s Plan is attention grabbing, it misses the fact that the best protection for biodiversity and earth’s climate is to let forests mature. Animals of the forest need wild…

Dear Editor,  On behalf of Community Care Network and its two agencies, Rutland Mental Health Services and Rutland Community Programs, I extend my sincere thanks to the voters throughout Rutland County for their support in approving funding for our programs during the recent March Town Meetings.  For Rutland Mental Health Services, town giving supports a…

  Dear Editor, With Easter and Mother’s Day approaching veterinarians are urging cat owners to be aware that lilies, commonly added to spring bouquets, are highly poisonous to cats. These include the Lilium and Hemerocallis species, which are commonly referred to as tiger lilies, daylilies, and Asiatic lilies. All parts of the lily plant are…

  Dear Legislators, Editor’s note: This is a public letter to the Vermont Legislature signed by 31 wealthy and high-income Vermonters urging it to support the Fair Share for Vermont proposal that would create a 3% income tax surcharge on incomes over $500,000. As Vermont taxpayers and community members, we recognize the urgent moment we…

  Dear Editor, Recently, a Chittenden County Superior Court judge handed down a decision siding with the state against the plaintiffs in a case brought by Vermont Legal Aid on behalf of those who are living unhoused (a.k.a. homeless) and had been evicted from motels during the middle of March. Although I disagree with the decision…

  Dear Editor, Last week’s elections recorded a historic turnout.   I would like to thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules and heading to the polls to cast your votes. With your active participation, the results confirmed that 40% of the community share my views.  I would also like to congratulate…

  Dear Editor, Wildlife rehabbers in Vermont use their own money, need education and to pass an exam to become licensed. But they are severely restricted by the Fish & Wildlife Dept. and board on what animals they can see and scrupulouslymonitored for any violation. Nearly all wild animals in Vermont are off-limits to assist,…

  Dear Editor, With its reputation as a blue state since 1965, and despite four generations of liberal progressives, has Vermont resurrected its alternate self as a hotbed of Republican values? In the primaries on Town Meeting Day, March 4, held in Vermont towns by decree of their original 18th Century charters, a Republican candidate…

  Dear Editor, Nick Santoro in his Jan. 3 “Try to Imagine Gaza” letter to the MT editor is asking us, Americans, to imagine the horror that “is happening at this very moment somewhere in Palestine/Israel.” It is hard to imagine, and most of us probably can’t. Unfortunately, people of Ukraine can, as they have…

  Dear Editor, It may be time for the changing views of Vermonters towards wildlife to be addressed, but bill S.258 will not accomplish it. Currently and historically the 14 members of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board have been appointed by the governor with input from the Legislature. One seat represents each county. Under…

  Dear Editor, Editor’s note: This letter was written for the entire Mountain Views Supervisory Union School communities of Representing Barnard, Bridgewater, Killington, Plymouth, Pomfret, Reading and Woodstock. Thank you for the amazing record turn-out at this week’s elections. We are grateful for the strong vote of support for the annual school budget. To see…

  Dear Editor, Yesterday, March 9, 2024, a small flock of robins arrived here in the Rutland valley, four pairs to be exact. The ground was soggy but bare and they set about scanning the earth for food.  This morning, the robins are scampering anxiously about, nonplussed by the thick coating of slushy snow. A…

  Dear Editor, Downtown Rutland has been in the news recently concerning the metered parking situation and now the two departures at the Rutland Downtown Partnership. As a long time retail manager, most recently spending 25 years as the Retail Director at Okemo, I tend to look at things as an astute retailer would look.…