Chris Viens: Announcement to step down as select board chair
his is text of the remarks Waterbury Select Board member Chris Viens made at the Nov. 2 board meeting where he resigned his leadership role as chair. It will be included in the meeting minutes.
LETTER: Urging leaders to listen, learn, evolve
I am appalled and disappointed that Selectboard Chair Chris Viens suggested segregating our police force. But I’m not just disappointed because the language and the idea itself is offensive. I am disappointed because a little over four months ago, he made different but still damaging racist statements in a selectboard meeting.
LETTER: Early childhood community loses advocate and champion, Mariah McGill
It is with great sadness that I share the loss of a wonderful community member, mother, partner, and child advocate this past Monday, Oct. 26.
Kehlmann: Striving for positive change
“When I read the Seven Days story about Waterbury Select Board Chair Chris Viens’ suggestion of a segregated police force in Vermont, I knew it was time to do something that felt big and scary. I reached out to Viens in a personal email, putting aside my belief that Viens should step back from his position as chair, and offered my point of view as a community member who hopes to educate others as compassionately as possible.”
Shepeluk: Working with elected leaders – a case for constructive dialogue
Many have questioned me about the comments Chris Viens made during a candidates’ forum last week.
LETTER: Candidate says all are ‘capable of potentially amazing things’
To the community:
I'd like to point out that my response to a question in a recent candidate forum was surely misinterpreted by fellow candidates so it could understandably go similarly misunderstood by viewers, listeners, and voters.
Lending schools a hand during COVID by signing up to sub
“I'm not sure if you have heard, but our local schools are desperate right now for substitutes.”
WDEV AM/FM announces opportunity for listeners to support the station
WDEV AM/FM announces an opportunity for listeners to directly support the station’s programming efforts.
Nease salutes school principals at start of National Principals Month
As we celebrate National Principals Month, it is with great pride that I shout out the biggest thank you ever to the best principals a superintendent and community could ever hope for: Denise Goodnow, Sarah Schoolcraft, Tom Drake, Josh Estes, Megan McDonough, Laurie Greenberg, Duane Pierson, Mandy Couturier, Kaiya Korb, Celia Hooker, and Sam Krotinger.
Vermont needs leaders to be a voice for wildlife
Vermont – our “brave little state” – has been a leader on so many fronts, unafraid to challenge certain “traditions.
Waterbury one of 23 communities seeking CARES ACT funding for downtowns
“The following letter was sent on September 2, 2020 to the Vermont Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs, as well as to the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development.”
Good Morning
Karen Cavender lives in Waterbury Center. She shares her Good Morning poems with family and friends and Waterbury Roundabout.
Condos: Primary set a record; town clerks, election workers deserve thanks
While we only have preliminary, unofficial results, it would appear Vermont voters turned out to vote in record numbers, with well over 155,000 Vermonters exercising their right to vote on or before yesterday’s primary election.
Good Morning
Karen Cavender lives in Waterbury Center. She shares her Good Morning poems with family and friends and Waterbury Roundabout.
Your vote is your voice, however you exercise it this year
I love voting. Going to the polling place to engage in the democratic process alongside family, friends, and neighbors is something I always look forward to. In fact, that is one of the reasons why I got involved in public service and ran to become your Secretary of State.
LETTER: Reader suggests COVID-19 protocol pledge
“In listening to both the local and national conversation on starting schools back up, it seems there is a lack of trust in one another to take necessary precautions to keep each other safe.“
LETTER: Sen. Perchlik in support of Sen. Ashe for lt. governor
“Knowing the challenges facing our state, I’m confident Tim Ashe is who we need working with us as our next lieutenant governor.”
Gray: No time to waste to roll out universal broadband internet
When I stood with students, parents, and educators recently to discuss the challenges of emergency remote education during this global pandemic, I found myself wondering, how have we left so many children behind?
Waterbury Anti-Racism Coalition forms, proposes mural project
The following letter was presented to the Waterbury Select Board on June 15, 2020.
I strive to be anti-racist, but
I am a racist. In certain moments and about some things. I don't intend to be but that is irrelevant.