Discover More from This Category: Opinions
Killington Elementary School paves over imagination in favor of a parking lot
June 9, 2021
Dear Editor, Kids’ Kingdom is a destination playground. Countless families, including my own, have become acquainted over the years at Kids’ Kingdom. Words that are often heard exclaim joy, admiration, and envy of such an amazingly fun, well built, and creative structure. Upon meeting new friends, my own children proudly proclaim, “This is OUR school.” It is outrageous…
To mask or not to mask — you make the call
June 2, 2021
By Richard Davis Editor’s note: Richard Davis, a retired nurse who lives in Guilford, was a columnist for the Brattleboro Reformer for 25 years and now posts a weekly blog on iBrattleboro. Many of us have been wearing masks for over a year and have looked forward to the day when our faces could be on full…
Small gaffe leads to harsh consequences
June 2, 2021
Dear Editor, I want to address an article from the May 12 edition “Killington Softball League’s return is conditional.” I want to clarify a few things because I feel I’ve been misrepresented. I’ve been the commissioner of the Killington Softball League for the past 15 years. I’ve had a great relationship with the town and…
Accessibility should be accessible
June 2, 2021
Dear Editor, I recently learned that the Bennington Housing Authority no longer provides housing for people with a disability if they are under the age of 62 in their existing subsidized apartments. While "seniors" who no longer can age in place because of the architecture of our current homes will face slightly less competition for a…
How much longer before we end the massacre of the innocents?
June 2, 2021
By Elayne Clift As I watched the flag-draped coffin of the late Billy Evans, the second Capitol Police officer to lie in state, descend from the Capitol steps, I wept — and wondered how much longer we would find ourselves living in a country that has become so violent. As I saw the photograph of the deceased Dwayne…
Why we celebrate Memorial Day?
May 26, 2021
Monday, May 31, is Memorial Day. It’s a day of remembrance for those who died in military service America, not to be confused with a day to remember all living veterans who served in the military, that’s Veterans Day or a day to honor all men and women currently in the military, that’s Armed Forces…
Of children and the vaccine
May 26, 2021
By Angelo Lynn When it comes to parents being unsure of whether they should give their children the vaccine to prevent contracting Covid-19, we get it. Parents are naturally protective; we are mama or papa bears protecting our cubs. It’s an instinct that lasts long into adulthood. But we also understand the scientific process, and…
Religious schools and public money
May 26, 2021
Dear Editor, I wish to agree with Rebecca Holcombe’s views about religious schools taking public money on the basis of “nondiscrimination” for a religious school, while those schools not only discriminate, as the Grace School in the article does in a heinous manner, denying gay people’s humanity as they do, but have traditionally been allowed to do…
Auditor’s report on dairy confirms industry flaws
May 26, 2021
Dear Editor, The Vermont State Auditor’s report, which tells us that the cost to taxpayers for supporting the Vermont dairy industry during the period 2010-2019 has been very high but stops short of saying largely ineffective, has already stimulated the predictable responses from the industry’s apologists: that “agriculture isn’t an optional industry, but rather a…
What I tell my patients in a warming world
May 26, 2021
Dear Editor, Many people don’t realize that global weather patterns can actually have a bearing on their health. I consider it part of my responsibility as a medical professional to explain these challenges to my patients, especially as the weather starts to get unseasonably warm. During physicals, I remind patients of all ages to check…
A plan to make climate solutions a reality
May 26, 2021
Dear Editor, You’ve probably heard a lot about the personal actions we can all take to help mitigate the effects of the climate crisis. Bike to work more. Stop eating meat. Turn off your lights. Sound familiar? I may be jaded, but in my experience, individual actions alone, however gratifying, will be insufficient to get…
Supporting public transparency
May 26, 2021
By Lisa Loomis The Vermont Press Association wishes to thank Gov. Phil Scott for his veto of S.107 and siding with greater transparency for all Vermonters while also allowing for more time on this important issue. His veto letter is very clear and thoughtful as to why the bill as passed needs more consideration. The governor makes…
We still value ‘the common good’
May 19, 2021
By Lee H. Hamilton The phrase “the common good” and its importance in our history has always impressed me. I’ve been wondering about the history of the idea: where it comes from, what it means and the impact it has. The concept goes back a long way. Aristotle wrote about forming governments to achieve security,…
Post-Covid is time to reinvest in the working lands Vermonters value
May 19, 2021
By Will Stevens Editor’s Note: Will Stevens is a first-generation farmer and co-owner of Golden Russet Farm in Shoreham. He served in the Vermont Legislature from 2007-2014 and was ranking member of the House agriculture and forest products committee for four years. He’s been president of Vermont Organic Farmers and served on several town and non-profit…
The policing we deserve
May 19, 2021
Dear Editor, Two Mondays ago, on my way to work I stopped at the end of Spellman Terrace to take my turn onto South Main Street when a terrifying scene unfolded in front of me. A young man, in obvious distress, slumped against a white van parked on South Main Street. Even though he was…