Dear Editor, Since late January, there have been 22 avalanche deaths in America across 16 incidents in nine states, including a death in New Hampshire. It’s been one of the most deadly periods in recorded history. It is absolutely heartbreaking to see people get killed doing something they love. It makes these deaths very hard…

By Jenn Swain Burton Snowboards was born in a barn in southern Vermont over 40 years ago, and we proudly remain a Vermont-based business. The climate crisis is a direct threat to the sport we love, the mountain lifestyle that we and our community lead, and our long-term business success. In today’s world we are…

By William J. Mathis It is particularly noteworthy (and problematic) that Vermont, with a low gross state product, allocates a high proportion of its wealth to education.  Yet, regardless of how and who is doing the measuring, we can take pride in consistently scoring in the top 10 in educational quality. Realizing the need for…

By Julia Purdy If anyone doubts the existence of domestic terrorism, stoked by murderous, insane hatred and abetted by weekend wargames and pseudomilitary fantasies, it was on full display at the nation’s Capitol Jan. 6. The irony is that these insurrectionists claimed to be defending democracy while they in fact were bent on demolishing it,…

By Bill Bender, president of Solaflect Energy It is time for the Scott administration and Vermont electric utility regulators — the Public Service Department (PSD), the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR)) to watch the Super Bowl, or more specifically, the ads. The world is changing, but Vermont’s regulators and…

Dear Editor, I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to the William Thomas family of Rutland Town. Bill Thomas was a long time servant of the town who wore many hats over the years. His hard work on the Select Board and his dedication on the School Board will be remembered. When Thomas Dairy closed…

Dear Editor, For the past few years oligarchs on the right and anarchists on the left have turned father against mother, brother against sister, child against parent, neighbor against neighbor, and Christian against Christ. Seems that now 57% of Republicans consider Democrats “enemies” rather than “political opposition,” and 41% of Democrats consider Republicans “enemies” rather…

Dear Editor, Rutland County Court Diversion and Restorative Justice Center (dba Rutland County Restorative Justice Center) is celebrating 40 years of service! Since 1981, we have been continuously evolving to better serve our community by fostering partnerships, expanding programs, and actively pursuing best practices in restorative justice. Our mission is to engage community members in…

Dear Editor, OneCare, Vermont’s “Accountable Care Organization” (ACO), operates the “All Payer” (AP) system that Vermont adopted a few years ago.  It is frequently in the news these days, but even people who are heavily involved in health care issues don’t fully understand what it is, how it works, and why it supposedly benefits the…

By Curtis Hier Some of us are old enough to remember when Mr. Rogers welcomed Officer Clemmons into his neighborhood and onto his television show. They famously shared a foot bath. And a towel. It was a momentous television event because Francois Clemmons was black and also, as Fred Rogers knew at the time, was gay.…

Dear Editor, In late December, long after the election, columnist Don Keelan proposed the currently vacant Southern Vermont College as the site of the Trump presidential library.  My first reaction was laughter, which is probably why Keelan felt the need to assure readers it was a serious suggestion.  “Vermont,” he wrote, “starting with the governor,…

Dear Editor, On Feb. 6  I got my Covid-19 vaccine. Individual feelings about vaccination vary, and side effects may differ, but the event itself was low-key and smooth, with lots of supportive staff. I walked into the CVPS-Leahy entrance of the new outpatient building at Rutland Regional feeling ready to meet the unknown. Inside the…

By Shawn Shouldice Small business challenges have persisted for years due to wage mandates, health insurance premium increases, paid family leave requirements, climate change policies that raise energy costs, and higher taxes or trouble hiring due to the state’s aging demographics. But when Governor Scott declared a state of emergency on March 13, 2020, a…

Dear Editor, It is with tremendous gratitude that I write this letter to the residents of the town of Killington. It has been my great pleasure and honor to serve as your School Board member for the last 15 years. I joined the Board before my son entered the Killington Elementary preschool and he will…

Dear Editor, As you may know, I am running for Rutland City Assessor on Town Meeting Day, March  2. I am not into political endorsements. I will run on my proven experience in Real Estate mortgage financing, my experience doing title searches and RE closing settlements and my experience as a banker. My work in…