Discover More from This Category: Opinions

Snow globe of democracy

January 17, 2024
  Dear Editor,  Snow globes are popular and soothing. What’s not to like about a glass globe with a pleasant scene inside, with snow gently falling whenever you shake the globe? But what if those falling flakes are actually bits of greed, corruption, violence and ignorance?  That’s how America seems to me now: a carefully…

Cartoons: Polar Vortex

January 17, 2024
    Polar Vortex by Rivers, CagleCartoons

Farmer housing, jobs, and the economy

January 17, 2024
By Anson B. Tebbetts, secretary of the, Food and Markets (VAAFM) From Canaan to Cavendish, and Duxbury to Dummerston, Vermonters are asking for more housing units and better-quality dwellings. Workers and employees, we hear you, asking for more well-constructed homes, apartments, and condos so you can work, live, and play closer to where you earn.…

Public safety, overdoses, substance treatment and housing

January 10, 2024
  By Jeanne Zimmerman Offering treatment and then releasing people back to the streets, while blaming the individual for not “successfully participating” in ongoing treatment sets individuals up for immediate and repeated failures.  Public safety, overdoses, effective substance treatment and re-housing concern all of us. Kudos to John Bossange for writing in support of rehousing…

Building smarter, stronger: Vermont’s homebuilding dream team takes off

January 10, 2024
  Dear Editor, In the heart of Vermont, a market transformation is underway in the world of homebuilding construction, and it’s not your average headline.  This isn’t just about bricks and beams; it’s about creating homes that are healthier, more energy efficient, and built to last. Picture this: The year is 2023, and the Legislative…

Thank you for donating to Castleton’s Tree of Remembrance

January 10, 2024
  Dear Editor, The Castleton Woman’s Club would like to thank all of the individuals and families and organizations/businesses who made donations in memory or honor of family and friends for the 2023 Tree of Remembrance.   The Woman’s Club would like to thank the librarians from the Castleton Free Library for all their hard…

Let’s make college the easy choice

January 10, 2024
Submitted   By Carolyn Weir Editor’s note: This commentary is by Carolyn Weir of Weybridge. She is executive director of the McClure Foundation, an affiliate of the Vermont Community Foundation that works to close opportunity gaps in the state by strengthening college and career training pathways to Vermont’s most promising jobs. Young people deserve to…

It’s time for a Vermont State Mushroom 

January 3, 2024
Submitted   By Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun, D-Westminster Editor’s note: Michelle Bos-Lun is a secondary school teacher in her second term representing Westminster, Rockingham and Brookline in the Vermont House. I recently submitted a bill to create the Vermont State Mushroom after consulting with some important stakeholders: the elementary students of Windham Elementary School and the…

Try to imagine Gaza 

January 3, 2024
Dear Editor,  Try to imagine Rutland City without its New England steeples and Grace Church’s organ parts strewn all over Court and West Streets. Imagine a flattened parking garage down the street and Walmart a charred pile of plastic poisoning the air.  No running water because the water treatment plant no longer exists, little food,…

Achievement, growth, and recognition for the Vermont Declaration of Inclusion Initiative

January 3, 2024
Dear Editor, In 2023, the Vermont Declaration of Inclusion Initiative completed the third full year of its statewide effort, grew internally, and was recognized by several Vermont organizations. At year’s end, 131 cities and towns had adopted the Declaration of Inclusion. Nearly 73% of Vermont’s population resides in those towns. Members of the Initiative are…

Rotarians thank Ludlow community for support in 2023

January 3, 2024
Dear Editor, The Ludlow Area Rotary Club thanks the residents and businesses of the greater Ludlow area for their support in 2023. Our club is a part of Rotary International which is one of the largest service organizations in the world. The mission of Rotary is to “provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance…

Setting the record straight on independent schools

January 3, 2024
Submitted   By Reps. Seth Bongartz (D-Manchester), Scott Beck (R–St. Johnsbury,  Michelle Bos-Lun (D–Westminster), Bobby Felice-Rubio (D–Barnet), Robin Chestnut-Tangerman (D–Middletown Springs) and Mike Rice (D–Dorset) A recent commentary by Reps. Rebecca Holcombe of Norwich, Erin Brady of Williston and Monique Priestley of Bradford, while making a few fair points about the rising cost of education,…

It’s time for a Vermont State Mushroom 

January 3, 2024
Submitted   By Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun, D-Westminster Editor’s note: Michelle Bos-Lun is a secondary school teacher in her second term representing Westminster, Rockingham and Brookline in the Vermont House. I recently submitted a bill to create the Vermont State Mushroom after consulting with some important stakeholders: the elementary students of Windham Elementary School and the…

Try to imagine Gaza 

January 3, 2024
Dear Editor, Try to imagine Rutland City without its New England steeples and Grace Church’s organ parts strewn all over Court and West Streets. Imagine a flattened parking garage down the street and Walmart a charred pile of plastic poisoning the air.  No running water because the water treatment plant no longer exists, little food,…

Achievement, growth, and recognition for the Vermont Declaration of Inclusion Initiative

January 3, 2024
Dear Editor, In 2023, the Vermont Declaration of Inclusion Initiative completed the third full year of its statewide effort, grew internally, and was recognized by several Vermont organizations. At year’s end, 131 cities and towns had adopted the Declaration of Inclusion. Nearly 73% of Vermont’s population resides in those towns. Members of the Initiative are…