By Seton McIlroy, vice-chair of Woodstock Village Board of Trustees Weatherwise, the toughest time in Vermont is not the freezing days of winter, as some out-of-staters think. It’s the Janus-faced month of April. We get a few days, maybe a week, when the snow melts, flowers poke out, and heavy coats stay in the closet.…

Dear Editor, I’m terrified to go to school. That’s really nothing new — I’m from a generation raised on school shooter drills, told that a strap on a door would protect us and that if all else failed, our books could be shields. Expect the worst-case scenario; any learning environment could be a war zone…

By Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) As you read this, the number of Covid cases in Vermont are reaching levels far greater than at any point in the crisis. Today, I am writing to you with some news that should be of help as we fight this terrible pandemic. The scientific community has been very clear…

By Elaine Haney Tim Newcomb’s cartoon on Jan. 19 compares the three candidates running for the U.S. House of Representatives. It appears to imply that experience is the most important factor for voters to consider. But whatever the primary message of this cartoon is supposed to be, the implicit, negative messages it sends about these…

By Angelo Lynn It’s not surprising that any governor of Vermont faced with creating a budget with more than $1 billion in one-time ARPA money (with $500 million still left to spend), plus another $2.2 billion coming from the congressional infrastructure package, would choose to spread it around to as many constituencies as possible for…

Dear Editor, The Vermont Medical Society states that “no abortion providers in Vermont perform elective abortions in the third trimester.” However, their claim seems terribly disingenuous considering that prop 5 sets no time limits, but allows for unrestricted, unregulated abortion for any reason right up to the moment of birth. If they feel so strongly…

Dear Editor, We’d like to take this opportunity to thank those that very kindly and generously contributed money to help with the recent animal and neglect situations which VVSA Humane Society had been addressing these last couple of months. Donations were used to provide veterinary care, medical treatment, food and neutering some of the neglected…

Dear Editor, H 584 was just introduced in the Legislature. As Vermont high school students who worked closely on creating and developing this bill, we hope it will move swiftly through the Legislature and be passed into law. As schools across the country debate over teaching about race in the classroom, there couldn’t be a…

Dear Editor, The American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter (AAPVT) supports the direction that the Agency of Education is moving in adapting contact tracing and surveillance testing practices. The proposed model will only be successful with easy access to and adequate availability of rapid tests for all students, educators and school staff.  Keeping children safe is…

Dear Editor, I have attended and spoken at two recent Killington Select Board meetings, the public TIF hearing of Jan. 4 and the next meeting of Jan. 10. After attending both, I must begin to question whether the people of Killington are being provided a complete and accurate representation of discussions, questions and answers. At…

By Ben Smith Editor's note: Ben Smith is an emergency physician and medical director of the emergency department at Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin. American health care is in crisis. On NPR (“On Point,” Nov. 29) an ICU nurse recently said that anyone would leave the field if they were paid the same wage…

By Andrew Campanella If you’re reading this, chances are you’re a parent, or have friends or neighbors who are. Baby Boomer, Gen X, or Millennial— the K-12 school scene has changed so much since we were kids. Understanding these changes can help moms and dads guide their children to greater learning, success, and happiness. So,…

Dear Editor, Now that the Rutland City School Board has reinstated the Raider name, it is time to move on for our community. A few people, not living in our great city of Rutland started this process, coupled with some members of the board, and even a now former humanities teacher at the high school.…

Vaccination mandates and 'test to attend' programs needed now By Jim Haff Editor’s note: Jim Haff is the Killington representative in the Windsor Central School District and Killington Select Board member. This commentary was written as an open letter to Vermont’s elected leaders on Jan. 10. You are not protecting our children. Over the holidays…

By Anne Donahue Editor's note: Anne B. Donahue is a House representative for the Washington-1 district (Northfield, Berlin). The importance of conscience protection for health care workers, most often in the context of permitting hospital staff to request to be excused from participation in abortions, has broad public support and is endorsed by the Vermont…