Discover More from This Category: Opinions

Real affordability

April 3, 2024
By Emily Long Editor’s note: Emily Long is the State House majority leader. As Democrats, there’s nothing we care more about than making sure Vermont is a place where everyone can afford to live. We’re working hard to pass legislation that makes a real difference for folks, and it’s no secret that we have some…

Enough is enough!

April 3, 2024
  By Rep. Pattie McCoy Editor’s note: Pattie McCoy, Rutland – 1, is the House Republican Leader.  Today, [March 28] the House Republican Caucus is sounding the alarm. The supermajority is off the rails, and out of control. And Vermonters have had enough. Vermonters are struggling. They are stretched thin, trying to make ends meet.…

Forests of Telephone Gap in GMNF serve public good

April 3, 2024
Dear Editor, My concern is the Telephone Gap project plans, primarily in Rutland County, of the Green Mountain National Forest and the public comment period that ends on April 8. Old growth forest stands are extremely rare in this publicly owned forest and it is not being managed to promote them in any significant way.…

Killington Deli family reflects on 39 years at the helm

April 3, 2024
Dear Editor, After 39 years of business, we are happy to announce our retirement and the sale of the Killington Deli and Marketplace. We would like to take the opportunity to thank our community for all your love, friendship, and support over the years. Moving here in 1985 from New Jersey, not only did we…

Logging old trees in GMNF is a serious public concern

April 3, 2024
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…

Only 1% up but defeated: examining the Slate Valley school district budget before revote April 11

April 3, 2024
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…

Stop logging in Telephone Gap

April 3, 2024
  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…

Community Care Network thanks voters for support

April 3, 2024
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…

Only 1% up but defeated: examining the Slate Valley school district budget before revote April 11

April 3, 2024
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…

Creating the college of the future

March 27, 2024
  By Alex Hernandez Editor’s note: Alex Hernandez is the president of Champlain College in Burlington. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that “roughly half of college graduates end up in jobs where their degrees aren’t needed,” raising uncomfortable questions about the value of a college education. The report is part of a drumbeat of…

Lilies are very toxic to cats 

March 27, 2024
  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…

Wealthy and high-income Vermonters join call for Legislature to increase their taxes

March 27, 2024
  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…

For the lack of a coherent plan

March 27, 2024
  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…

U.S. Republicans slammed for craven, hateful anti-trans bills

March 27, 2024
  By U.S. Rep. Becca Balint Editor’s note: On March 21, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) called out hateful anti-trans bills in the House Judiciary Committee. Her remarks below:  “So here we are, spending time, one again, using our valuable time to pick on a class of people in this country. I believe I’m the only…

Boys, men, and missed opportunity

March 20, 2024
By Dan Smith Editor’s note: Dan Smith is the president & CEO of the Vermont Community Foundation. What if young men in America and Vermont attended college or continued their training at the same rate as the state’s young women? What if boys and men did not commit suicide or die from overdose at rates…