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…

Dear Editor, Have you or someone you know experienced hearing loss? Did an audiologist recommend that you get hearing aids? Were you shocked to discover that hearing aids cost from $2,000 to $6,000? Were you surprised to find out that your health insurance plan, if you had one, didn’t cover hearing aids? Did you struggle to…

By Paul Costello Vermont’s pandemic recovery is a catalytic opportunity for creative renewal. How do we work together to revitalize Vermont? Where do our values, principles, culture and economy fit together as we search for common paths to a more resilient, prosperous and welcoming state? Throughout this long year, the Vermont Council on Rural Development…

By Sec. Jim Condos Covid-19 has strained so many of our institutions over the last year. As our Vermont government agencies work to support our state through this crisis, we must always work to maintain the public’s right to know. Fortunately, in Vermont we have made great strides. Confidence in our public institutions is needed…

By John Casella Editor’s note: John W. Casella is chairman and CEO of Rutland-based Casella Waste Systems. Since 1977, when Casella built the first recycling facility in Vermont, I have worked alongside policymakers and community leaders to help make recycling economically and environmentally sustainable for Vermonters. Although the company has grown, our roots remain in Vermont…

Dear Editor, Wow! Yesterday was a beautiful Monday, 65 degrees and nothing but sunny skies. Being downtown it was terrific to see so many people out and about. Couples of all ages walking along holding hands, parents pushing strollers, restaurants with their tables full outside, people walking their dogs and a couple of musicians with…

Dear Editor, There is nothing that marks out America as a dead democracy more than our treatment of citizens in need of loans to meet basic human needs. The financial industry has had its knees on the necks of the orphans of our luxury society since the 1970s, when the industry purposefully and gleefully unraveled…

Dear Editor, “The evidence is clear,” stated Mary Newman, head of school at The Sharon Academy (TSA). “Starting the school day later makes a big difference to high school students.” For years, educators have known that starting the school day later helps teenage students’ sleep patterns, mental health, and academic achievement, explained Newman. “There is…