Dear Editor, I breathed a sigh of relief when Governor Scott allowed the new statewide use of force legislation to become law, rather than vetoing it. Why?  Over the past 10 years, 17 people have been killed by Vermont police.  And upon review by the Attorney General’s office, all have been deemed “justified.” Under the…

Dear Editor, We are writing to support Scott Milne for Lieutenant Governor. Not only does Milne show that he has the knowledge of what our state needs, but he has proven what it takes to be a determined and focused Lieutenant Governor. We have known Milne for several years and he listens, he really listens…

By Alison Notte As chair of the Rutland City Public Schools Board of Commissioners, my safety and family’s well-being has been threatened due to my role in facilitating discussion around changing the racist Raider mascot. It is hard to ignore the pattern (in Vermont and nationally) of threats against elected officials and/or people speaking up for…

Dear Editor, Donald Trump and the Republican Senate majority have long conspired to tilt the balance of power toward the pockets of billionaires. Now they’re stacking the Supreme Court with another hard-right, corporate-friendly ringer who will inflict even more damage on ordinary Americans. Throughout her confirmation hearings, Amy Coney Barrett claimed she was not “on…

Dear Editor, Senator Cheryl Hooker of Rutland County has our vote and support. As our State Senator, Cheryl Hooker has championed the needs of all citizens of Rutland County. Should you contact Senator Hooker with a need or issue, she promptly responds with accurate information and assistance. As educators in Rutland County for two decades,…

Dear Editor, While serving as a member of the Otter Valley Unified Union School Board, I attended a workshop about how to strengthen and sustain public engagement. I chuckled when I heard the phrase “crickets and pitchforks,” referring to the two typical reactions elected officials receive from the public: silence and outrage. I was excited…

Dear Editor, Think your vote for the Legislature doesn’t matter? You might want to consider the new “red tag” rule that prevents hundreds of Vermonters from filling up their heating oil tanks AND shames them in front of anyone with an internet connection. Read on if you value your dignity and privacy. H571/Act 76, the…

There are strict limits on what “poll watchers” can do As Election Day nears, President Trump has increasingly threatened to instigate voter intimidation. First, he has insinuated that he will deploy law enforcement officers to root out election-related crimes at the polls or call up the National Guard. (Spoiler alert: voter fraud is vanishingly rare).…

Dear Editor, Fellow residents of Bennington and the surrounding area. Calls and emails have been coming into the Vermont Veterans’ Home requesting information on the 2020 Wreaths Across America activities at the Home. As we all know, Covid-19 has temporarily changed the way we work, teach, and gather together; at least for now. On Dec.…

Dear Editor, Unsure how to vote in November?   Here’s a short guide to deciding if Donald Trump is your guy. If your strongest concern as a worker is what Trump says he will do for you, he’s your guy. If your concern is with what he has actually done for workers, Trump should not…

Dear Editor, As we enter another general election season, I encourage my fellow Vermonters to take a hard look at the local and statewide issues that affect our daily lives. In 2015, the education bill called Act 46 was passed with grand promises of efficiency, opportunity, and importantly, a decrease in our property taxes. But just…

Dear Editor, In 2008 I relocated to Brandon from the Boston area for a new job opportunity and change of scenery. I’ve developed roots here by purchasing a home and making friends. One of the first people I met was Stephanie Jerome. We’ve logged many miles together walking and running, talking about work, children, and…

Dear Editor, To be fair, one can’t really write a letter about the upcoming election without referencing the current Covid crisis.  That said, this global pandemic has done more than jeopardize our personal health and well-being.  Covid has also done an efficient job of shining the spotlight on some long-standing economic problems in our region. …

Dear Editor, After serving in the longest legislative session in memory, State Senator Cheryl Hooker is running again to continue working for Rutland County and all Vermonters. I, for one, am glad we have an incumbent who is rock solid and understands Vermont’s strengths and weaknesses. She is poised to reach across the aisle and…

By Angelo Lynn Gov. Phil Scott has long run on a campaign pledge to “make Vermont affordable.” Scott Milne, a Republican running for lieutenant governor, is campaigning as Gov. Scott’s sidekick to get “Vermont back to work.” But has Gov. Scott been able to keep his pledge, and is Milne’s campaign mantra anything more than…