By Angelo Lynn Editor’s note: Angelo Lynn is the publisher of the Addison Independent in Middlebury, a sister publication to the Mountain Times.  Here’s the only good news about the bad news concerning Vermont’s health care system — it’s so bad reform can’t wait. We absolutely must make substantial changes and do it quickly. That’s…

By Don Keelan Editor’s note: Don Keelan of Arlington, a retired certified public accountant. Deep inside the 171-page tome of the recently adopted Act 181 (H.687) legislation was a section to extract more money from nonresidents who purchase Vermont homes after Aug. 1, 2024. Sections 73 and 74 detail the extraction of funds from those who conceivably…

By Zoie Saunders, interim secretary of education  When I arrived in Vermont, I shared my intent to spend my first 100 days learning as much as possible about the state, our schools, and Vermonters’ education priorities. What I have learned gives me great hope about the work underway in our state. There is a real…

Dear Editor, First I want to say I appreciate your free weekly newspaper. We caretake a home here in Pico for the last 6 years and it’s very informative as to upcoming events. I am truly upset about the voice of your political cartoons. I realize everyone has a right to their beliefs, but not…

Dear Editor, I’m writing in support of my State Senate colleagues, Alison Clarkson and Becca White, who are seeking Democratic nominations for re-election to represent the Windsor County District. We’ve worked together to make life better for Vermonters with economic development, a higher minimum wage, childcare, family leave, and school meals. We’ve worked for Diversity,…

Dear Editor, I want to sincerely thank the Killington Rescue Team and the fifth floor “Red Team” emergency crew from Rutland Regional for saving my life on July 25. EMT Kristina, Colin McCreight, MD, Andrew DeNicco, MD, Julie Foster, MD and Taylor Stugart (owner of the Clear). I’m sincerely for help and kindness. Everyone did…

Dear Editor, Mere words cannot explain the depth of gratitude Sheila and I have for the friends and community members. A community we have been lucky enough to be a part of for over 40 years. Since the diagnosis, many have offered to help. Some financially, some with visits and/or food and even, “i’ll watch your…

By Angelo Lynn The tectonic plates of this presidential election are shifting so quickly it’s hard to keep up. With President Biden announcing Sunday, July 21, he was stepping aside and throwing his support to Vice President Kamala Harris, there was a moment of anticipation that Democrats would see a scramble between top contenders for…

Dear Editor, A new peer reviewed paper, “Best Management Practices for Furbearer Trapping Derived from Poor and Misleading Science,” was recently published and debunks Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s  attempt to convince the public that “Best Management Practices” for trapping result in more humane trapping practices. They don’t. In 2022 there was a bill to ban leghold traps—a straight-forward bill that…

By Frank Knaack and Falko Schilling Editor’s note: This commentary is by Frank Knaack, executive director of the Housing and Homelessness Alliance of Vermont, and Falko Schilling, advocacy director of the ACLU of Vermont. Homelessness in Vermont is at its highest level on record, as more people struggle to afford sky high-rents and housing costs. According…

Dear Editor, I don’t know where the idea of open primaries came from or the history of how they began in Vermont. I was originally from Connecticut and when you registered to vote you had to declare your party affiliation. Only if you were registered in a political party, could you take part in that…

By Bill Schubart Like a good novel, our lives have a narrative arc, during which we are actively participating in and relevant to our world. We are born, rise slowly into sensual consciousness and gradually process what we see and feel. Our juvenile perceptions gradually become knowledge, and, if all goes well, that knowledge binds…

By Representative Pattie McCoy Editor’s note: McCoy, from Poultney, is the House Minority Leader. She has been a Republican house rep since 2015 serving Rutland-1. What’s the worst thing to do when you are stuck in a hole? Continuing to dig. And what is the worst thing to do in an affordability crisis? Make things…

Dear Editor, Editor’s note: This letter is in response to Don Tinney’s commentary in the July 3 edition. Tinney is the president of Vermont-National Education Association (NEA), the union of 13,000 Vermont educators.  Tinney’s “hit piece” on Governor Scott is nothing new for the Vermont-NEA, although I’m surprised by the shrillness of the tone. Perhaps he realizes how…

Dear Editor, Many cruel and unethical practices occur in Vermont’s fields and forests during hunting and trapping seasons, but you’ll never hear about them from Vermont Fish & Wildlife. Thankfully, watchdog groups like Protect Our Wildlife shed light on the most egregious, cruel and wanton acts of violence against wild animals in Vermont. One such act…