Dear Editor, Discussion has ensued on two provisions following the Plymouth Select Board’s decision in May 2023 to amend elements of the Short-Term Rental (STR) Ordnance currently in place.  These changes were intended to make the regulations more reasonable and to encourage better compliance.   Please vote yes to support the amended Short-Term Rental…

  By Elizabeth Sawin Editor’s note: Elizabeth Sawin, of Hartland, is the founder and director of the Multisolving Institute, a think tank helping implement solutions that protect the climate while improving equity, health, biodiversity, economic vitality and well-being. In the aftermath of the July floods, my home state of Vermont faces a daunting path to recovery. Flooding…

  By Thomas Greene Editor’s note: This commentary is by Thomas Christopher Greene, a novelist, founder of Vermont College of Fine Arts, and currently the owner of Hugo’s Bar and Grill in Montpelier.  Governor Scott: I write this as a fan of yours. I’m a progressive Democrat, yet I have voted for you. I admired…

  Dear Editor, The pandemic stimulus provided by the federal government and The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) have injected close to $6.7 trillion into the U.S. economy over a three-year period. This is on top of the annual budget spending by the federal government. Wow! Adjusting for inflation, this exceeds what this country spent in…

  Dear Editor, Another Florida headline passed by the screens of millions last week, making waves with captions like “a big step backwards” and “new teaching standards say that African Americans benefited from slavery.”  These standards have changed the narrative of slavery into an incorrect message that undermines the brutality of the time. They not…

The bloated Pentagon budget passed again By U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders Editor’s note: On Wednesday, July 26, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders delivered remarks on the floor of the Senate explaining why he was voting ‘no’ on the $886 billion defense budget. The Senate voted 86-11 in support of the bill the next day. Sanders’ remarks,…

  By Dr. Dan Barkhuff Editor’s note: Dr.  Dan Barkfull is an emergency department physician at UVM Medical Center. After years of Covid, I’d gotten used to the respiratory complaints. At the height of it, it felt like every patient I saw in the UVM emergency department was there for shortness of breath and fatigue.…

  Dear Editor, As we once again start prioritizing repairs to major infrastructure damaged by severe flooding, pumping water out of our basements and begin searching our state, town and personal budgets for the needed funds, there is a question we need to ask ourselves. Are we ready to finally treat the climate crisis as…

  Dear Editor, Editor’s note: This letter was originally sent to Vermont’s two U.S. senators: Peter Welch and Bernie Sanders. I am moved to write to you since I am a Quaker. I have a request for both of you. I hope that you can get some help in the Senate to introduce the idea…

  By Angelo Lynn Like the rain in Vermont these past two weeks, signs of climate change are everywhere. From record heat waves to record rainfall, melting icecaps to Canadian forest fires so extensive the residual smoke from 1,000s of miles away has become a health concern up and down the East Coast. Almost no…

  Dear Editor, It is with a heavy heart that I have to announce the passing of my best friend, Buddy on July 10, 2023. If you ever skied out of the Rock Star parking lot at Killington, you probably saw Buddy on his bus and cruising the lot looking for treats (thanks "Everyday Lori").…

  Dear Editor, I had lunch with Jim Haff last week at the senior lunch (yes I am old enough to go, LOL). At the lunch Jim Haff said he was not a bully and did not appreciate that he is called one. Instead, he admitted “sometimes I can be an ass.”  Jim Haff and…

  Dear Editor, With all the flood devastation during the past week and a half, the true spirit of Killington came through with area businesses and organizations stepping up to help get the town and roads back in business. The list of thank yous include: Casella construction Mosher excavating Fiore excavating Harvey plumbing and excavation…

  Dear Editor, It really does take a lot more than just one person to make things happening. I just happen to be in a position where I listen to the community and when I can be of help, I have many resources (mostly people) that are also willing to jump in to get some…

  Dear Editor, Despite the storm, Pete Giancola Gift-of-Life Mini Marathon on Tuesday, July 12 turned out to be quite amazing! Thanks to the Red Cross staff, volunteers, and the many, many people who turned out despite the challenges, we had a remarkable day. After an incredible push in the final 48 hours before the…