Discover More from This Category: Opinions
Trump leaves climate action to us
April 12, 2017
By Duane Peterson The American government has officially reversed course on protecting us from climate change. National security is the central priority we expect from the federal government, so this is truly alarming, for our nation and our planet. But despair is not an option. There are actions we can take as individuals to fight…
How to handle the Russia mess
April 12, 2017
By Lee H. Hamilton The recent announcement by FBI Director James Comey that his agency is investigating links between members of President Trump’s campaign and Russia has upended Washington. Yet there needs to be an even stronger and broader investigation to get to the bottom of what happened. There are really two questions at hand.…
Vermont Farmers Food Center as a peacemaker
April 5, 2017
Dear Editor, Last weekend, the UN came to the Saturday Winters Farmers Market in Rutland. Actually, the Vermont Farmers Food Center (VFFC) hosted the “Grace Initiative” also called “Initiative for Governance, Reconciliation and Coexistence,” a nonprofit founded by Yvonne Lodico of Manchester. Governance, reconciliation and coexistence are interdependent and sustain each component for inclusive and…
Vote “No” on Model 1
April 5, 2017
Dear Editor, I am a full-time resident of Rochester and would like to continue living here. A decade ago, nobody in town believed we would lose our high school, but the issue was raised due to the decline in the number of students and now it’s inevitable. This upcoming merger would, realistically, put us at…
Congrats to House Democrats
April 5, 2017
Dear Editor, Congratulations to the Democrats in the Vermont House of Representatives for coming up with a budget that got the support of all but one member who voted on it! The House Democratic Caucus made hard choices to protect Vermont families. This was not an easy budget process. It was made more difficult by the looming federal budget disaster. It was also made more…
Thanks for affordable senior pass
April 5, 2017
Dear Editor, As most of you know, or at least some of you, I have been lobbying Killington for a Senior Residents Pass at a price which us retirees could afford. This past week Killington came out with their new prices for the coming season. Not only did they make the Senior pass affordable, but…
Win-win opportunity in Killington Valley initiative
April 5, 2017
Dear Editor, “______ Rolls Down Hill” you’ll hear the old Vermonters yammer. It has been my experience, however, that the main thing rolling downhill from Killington/Pico’s direction toward Rutland… is opportunity. I am a Rutland (city), Vermont native. Born and bred as they say. I grew up on Lyman Ave, just off of Jackson in…
Time to examine equity in public schools
April 5, 2017
By Rob Roper Equity and access to educational resources has been a hot topic surrounding the rules (or changes thereto) governing independent schools that accept tax dollars through Vermont’s tuitioning system. Some argue that if a school takes state money it should accept any and all comers. But what about public schools? There is a…
2018 budget turns the page on Vermont’s spending crisis
April 5, 2017
By Don Turner Last week, Montpelier turned the page after an eight-year spell of overspending and financial irresponsibility. Since 2009, the House Republican Caucus has advocated for an annual budget that does not raise taxes or fees, balances overall spending with revenue growth, and promotes economic vitality in Vermont. We are proud to support a…
Amazing
March 29, 2017
By Jim Haff I stopped by the Mountain Times on March 22 and asked them to go up to the hill and take a picture. It was an amazing sight! Any of you folks that are doubting Powdr and Killington Resort’s commitment to our ski resort, look at this picture! On March 22, 2017, the…
Rochester deserves better
March 29, 2017
Dear Editor, In regards to the proposed consolidation Model 1: Given the fact that since the formation of the Rochester Bethel Royalton study committee began to meet on June 13, 2016, they held approximately 13 official committee meetings. Of those meetings, seven were in Royalton, five were in Bethel and one was in Rochester, held…
Vote “no” for Model 1, Rochester school consolidation
March 29, 2017
Dear Editor, It’s going to be sad to not have a high school in Rochester. To review, closing of the Rochester High School seems inevitable. The proposed Model 1, soon coming up for a vote on Tuesday, April 11, in the communities of Rochester, South Royalton and Bethel, would leave the area with one middle…
Residents thank volunteer firefighters
March 29, 2017
Dear Editor, To the volunteer firemen and women of Proctorsville, Cavendish, Ludlow, Springfield, Chester, Reading, Weston, Mount Holly, Ascutney, Walpole, and Weathersfield who rallied to our house in the early hours of Feb. 15 to fight our house fire we are eternally grateful. Through your efforts you were able to control an inferno and save…
Thanks for supporting Habitat for Humanity
March 29, 2017
Dear Editor, I am writing to thank Killington voters for supporting Article 6 of our town budget. Article 6 allocates $500 to Habitat for Humanity of Rutland County. Rutland Habitat is a non-profit organization with no paid staff. Every dollar donated goes directly to the cost of building affordable housing in Rutland County. Habitat is…
Education reform needed
March 29, 2017
By Will Patten On Feb. 1 I attended a meeting of Vermont business leaders to discuss the importance of early childhood education. Governor Phil Scott came to address the group and received a spontaneous and enthusiastic standing ovation—not because he had cut business taxes or gutted regulations but because a few days earlier he had…