The deadline was 5 p.m. on Jan. 11 for candidates to file their petition to appear on the ballots of the Vermont presidential primaries. Secretary of State Jim Condos announced that 14 candidates qualified for the ballots: 10 candidates for the Republican ballot and 4 candidates for the Democratic ballot. The Republicans qualifying for placement…

By Bob Twillman More than 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain, at an annual cost of $635 billion. That’s more than we spend treating cancer, diabetes, and heart disease combined. Worse, our efforts to treat this pain have led to a significant increase in the use of prescription pain relievers, with tragic and often…

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…

By Bruce Lisman After traveling the state for the last six years, I’ve heard many versions of the same challenges faced by Vermonters all across our state. Increased property taxes are making it harder to afford homes. Jobs that pay a livable wage are scarce. Shrinking populations are threatening our local schools and communities. And…

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…

Dear Editor, Thank you for your support of Catwalk for a Cause on Nov. 22, 2015! The Catwalk for a Cause Fashion Show raised over $17,000 for the United Way of Rutland County! We couldn’t have done it without such great community support. All who shared talent, time and energy with our larger community mean…

Dear Editor, On Dec. 29, 2015 there was a fatal car crash in Killington on Route 4 near the junction of Route 100 that involved the death of three people. It involved a tractor trailer headed east and an SUV headed west. The crashed occurred around 3 p.m. Local Killington fire fighters and police were on the…

Dear Editor, I guess it is hard to prevent accidents before they happen, such as that horrific one that occurred in our town last week. What could we have done? Anything? Well, my friends, disaster has been staring us right in the face. While returning from Rutland this past Friday, as I reached the top…

Dear Editor, Will the town of Killington consider a residency requirement for the new town manager? In the old days, selectmen ran towns but 100 years ago the state of Vermont created the select board-manager form of government. After the town of Killington (then Sherburne) adopted the newfangled management style the first two officials were…

Dear Editor, Most of us have heard of the Paris Climate Action Accord. But as we talk with others, we find that hardly anyone knows that our National Forest is being targeted for destruction in the name of so called green energy. Iberdrola, a Spanish global energy giant that has recently merged with a Connecticut…