Dear Editor, Too often in 21st Century political elections we are faced with the situation of voting for the lesser of two evils from the two establishment parties. In the 2020 Vermont general election we have seven candidates for the office of Vermont governor and thankfully a chance to break away from the aforementioned voting…

Dear Editor, On behalf of the Castleton Community Center members and board of directors I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the many individuals and businesses that helped make our 16th annual Castleton Community Center Golf Outing a success.  Proceeds from the golf outing support our elderly and disabled transportation program. A special…

Dear Editor, I recently began volunteering for the Vermont Democratic Party in hopes of aiding the blue wave in the upcoming election cycle but also due to my strong interest in the campaign of Molly Gray for Lieutenant Governor. Molly is the change Vermont needs. She is passionate, driven, intelligent and truly cares about her…

Dear Editor, In the 1990s, my wife and I bought a home in Vermont. We lived there and raised a family. Our kids went to school there. We ran a small business, and made lasting friendships in a close community. But as time went on, Vermont became a less affordable place to live. Our property…

Dear Editor, We all know that there are some elected officials whom you only see when they are running for another term of office - if you see them at all. They have their solid supporters, and that’s whose favor they continue to curry. Not so for state Senator Cheryl Hooker. I’ve known Cheryl for…

Dear  Editor, My letter is addressed to my Vermont friends who are ATV, snowmobile, and motorcycle enthusiasts and who do not vote. Many of you say it doesn’t matter. “My vote doesn’t count,” you insist. Sadly, I have heard these sentiments from gun owners and hunters, too. The Vermont Legislature has passed the Global Warming…

Dear Editor, The residents of Brandon, Pittsford and Sudbury are so very lucky to have Stephanie Jerome as our representative in Montpelier. Her hard-working ethic, integrity and genuine desire to help people makes her the perfect legislator. It is well-known that Jerome has the education, intelligence and experience to do the job. But what she…

By Dr. Michael Shank Many things in life are easier when done together. Whether it’s education, economic development, everyday chores or even emergency response, when you have more hands and more help, the work is more efficiently executed and more effectively implemented. It takes a village to lighten the load and leverage our power. And…

By Jim Condos, Vermont Secretary of State Many of us love going to the polls on Election Day. Joining in-person with our friends, family, and neighbors to participate in the civic process is something I look forward to every election year. As Vermont’s chief election official, it is my responsibility to ensure we can all safely…

Dear Editor, While we debate the composition of our nation’s Supreme Court, there can be no debate about the supreme suffering taking place in our nation’s factory farms. Recent undercover investigations show male baby chicks suffocated in plastic garbage bags or ground alive because they can’t lay eggs. Laying hens are packed into small wire…

Dear Editor, As a farmer, teacher, and proud member of the Rutland County community, I am voting for Senator Cheryl Hooker in the November election. Hooker is a positive and proactive Senator, who cares about people, businesses, the environment, and the health and sustainability of our community. She has worked to improve childcare, food security,…

Dear Editor, Two years ago I urged people to vote for Stephanie Jerome because of her stance on education. Today, I urge people once again to vote for Stephanie Jerome not because of what she might do for us but because of what she has already done. I’m constantly impressed by Representative Jerome. I’ve reached…

Dr. Michael Shank As a university professor, I’m constantly thinking about how to best equip my graduate students with life skills. I’m always taken aback when they struggle with how to communicate effectively, handle conflict constructively, think critically, or engage civically. Not only is a degree less valuable now, it’s also less applicable. Especially as…

Dear Editor, Soon Vermonters will receive ballots for the upcoming elections. Voters in Brandon, Sudbury and Pittsford have the chance to re-elect Stephanie Jerome for State Representative. As we can all imagine, stepping into her role as a newly-elected Representative in these particular times was a challenge that Stephanie Jerome met with full-on energy and…

Dear Editor, Serving my community has become a way of life for me. Besides for my loving family, my life’s passion has revolved around public service. Giving back, leading, and being a voice of reason have been driving forces behind my public service. Since 2004, I have had a role in volunteerism and community service.…