By Madeleine May Kunin Editors note: Madeleine May Kunin was the 77th governor of Vermont, serving from 1985 until 1991. She is the author of “Coming of Age, My Journey to the Eighties.” In the old days, back in the 1970s, issues like child care, equal pay and paid family and medical leave, were labeled “Women’s…

Dear Editor, With Earth Day coming on April 22, we have reduced our carbon footprint by curtailing travel and our thermostat. We recycle. But we can do so much more by cutting our consumption of animal meat and milk products. Yes, that. A recent article in The Guardian argues that animal agriculture is a major…

By Lindsey Berk and Suzy Hodgson Editor’s Note: This commentary is co-authored by Lindsey Berk, executive director of the Addison County Relocalization Network (ACORN Network), and Suzy Hodgson, a board member of the Acorn Renewable Energy Co-operative (AEC) and founder of the Charlotte Energy Committee. This is the fifth commentary in a 10-part series by…

Dear Editor, We have just reached 412 parts per million, the highest level of CO2 in the atmosphere in 3 million years. According to the World Economic Forum, our threshold for dangerous global warming may be as soon as 2027-2042. The Pew Research American Trend Surveys show that 65% of us think the government is doing…

Dear Editor, Brandon Congregational Church announces the forthcoming retirement of The Reverend William L. Bartholomew, pastor and beloved friend. Serving the church and the community for over six years, Reverend Bartholomew made his plans known to the congregation in February of this year, writing “Our worship of God in word and music has lifted our…

Dear Editor, Our world has changed Like never before and it’s so sad Every day because our lives have changed So much in life today and so many families suffering Like never before and this killer virus is here to stay And we where all caught and unaware and it’s sadness In the air and…

By Jack Hoffman Those were among the key reasons the Vermont Tax Structure Commission recommended recently that the state abolish the homestead property tax and move to an income-based school tax for all resident homeowners. We support the commission’s recommendation. We also urge everyone, but especially policymakers, to read the final report. It addresses many persistent…

Dear Editor, Republicans across the country are acting insulted by accusations that they are deliberately trying to reduce the number of people who vote, for political reasons. No, no, they claim, their nationwide push to make it harder to vote is merely a noble attempt to combat voting fraud. When confronted with evidence that their efforts…

Dear Editor, My name is Jesse Webber, I am the New England assistant team leader for The Fallen Outdoors. The Fallen Outdoors is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the sole focus of getting veterans and service members into the great outdoors. We do this through coordinating and facilitating hunting, fishing, canoeing, hiking, and camping trips…

Dear Editor, I’ve been watching the work of the Legislature closely this year as a business owner concerned with the economic toll the pandemic has taken on our state. The majority of the Legislature’s work this year has revolved around the pandemic and offering economic relief to Vermonters. There is real and justified concern in…

By Maura Collins Editor’s note: Maura Collins is the executive director of the Vermont Housing Finance Agency and Chair of the Board of Pathways Vermont. This commentary is from a 10-part series in which the authors respond to the pressing topics developed by the non-partisan Vermont Council on Rural Development. Part 4: Vermont must reduce…

By Joe Fusco Editor's note: Joe Fusco, vice president of Casella Waste Systems, Inc. in Rutland, served on Governor Scott’s Vermont Climate Action Commission and currently chairs the Vermont Climate Economy Action Team. This commentary is from a 10-part series in which the authors respond to the pressing topics identified in a draft “Proposition for…

By Jen Kimmich Editor’s Note: Kimmich is the co-founder and CEO of The Alchemist Brewery, a past board member of VCRD. In 2020 The Alchemist collaborated with the VT Partnership for Fairness and Diversity to create an action plan to dismantle racism in their community and beyond. This commentary is from a 10-part series examining…

  By Holly Groschner Editor’s note: Groschner, a former partner at DR&M, is a telecommunications lawyer with 30 years of experience and the chair of the board at Equal Access to Broadband. She recently retired as the president & CEO of Vermont PBS. This commentary is the first in a 10-part series examining some of…

Dear Editor, As faith leaders from diverse theological backgrounds and denominations, we represent a variety of beliefs and viewpoints on complicated, moral issues. We write as one religious community, and we write to stand with Vermont’s women. We come together in support of women’s reproductive liberty and a woman’s right to choose. At the heart…