Rep. Wood: Legislative session sought transformational change
The 2022 legislative session has wrapped up after passing a $8.3 billion budget.
Two years of Waterbury Roundabout
Two years ago, the Waterbury Roundabout website launched to cover local news in our community.
OPINION: On public school, pandemic politics, and the poison of personal responsibility
Republican Gov. Phil Scott decided to veto the pension bill that includes school workers and other public employees on the first day of Teacher Appreciation Week, the day after May Day.
Words matter in our efforts to keep children safe
The news has taken notice that some are misusing a word that is important to protecting children from the risk of experiencing child sexual abuse. At Prevent Child Abuse Vermont, we want to help parents know how to protect children, so it is important that miscommunication be avoided.
Waterbury’s legislative districts remain intact
Gov. Phil Scott on April 6 signed H.722 which updates Vermont’s districts of the House of Representatives and the senatorial districts of the Senate.
Regarding the use of restraints and seclusion in HUUSD schools
The Waterbury Area Anti-Racism Coalition calls for the Harwood Union Unified School District School Board to immediately cease in all HUUSD schools the use of restraints that restrict breathing (i.e., prone and supine restraints).
COMMENTARY: Beardsley remembers Peter Dean
Editor’s note: The following are lightly edited remarks by longtime WDEV staffer and broadcaster Tom Beardsley made April 25 when he guest-hosted the Vermont Viewpoint program.
Early childhood educators deserve appreciation
As a home-based childcare provider for 13 years and a Vermont Early Childhood Network leader for the past 12 years, I am extremely fortunate to have a wonderful group of childcare providers participating in the Waterbury Area Network.
LETTER: School board should review Restraint and Seclusion Policy
I encourage the Harwood Unified Union School District School Board to vote on May 11 to add a review of the Restraint and Seclusion Policy to a future agenda.
COMMENTARY: The value of human life
Either human life is intrinsically valuable, or it is not. Assisted suicide denies its intrinsic value. Much more sane, humane, and compassionate is to recognize the value of human life, full stop.
LETTER: Vermont Short-Term Rental Alliance forms local chapter
As a longtime second home owner in Waterbury, I would like to invite others in this community who own or manage a short-term rental property to a social networking event to start a Waterbury chapter of the Vermont Short-Term Rental Alliance.
OPINION: Fact v. Fiction and the Clean Heat Standard
With the Clean Heat Standard, Vermont finally has an effective tool to help reduce dependence on fossil heating fuels. That’s important both for reducing climate pollution and reducing heating costs.
LETTER: Fundraiser supports displaced Ukrainian children
Everyone's Child, a nonprofit that I'm on the board of directors for, is raising funds to support the Ukrainian children who have been orphaned or displaced by the devastating war in their homeland.
LETTER: Waterbury Backcountry Rescue marks two decades
On April 18 we wished a happy 20th anniversary to the Waterbury Backcountry Rescue Team.
LETTER: Stop student seclusion and restraint immediately
Editor’s note: The following letter was sent to the Harwood Unified Union School Board and shared with Waterbury Roundabout.
LETTER: Student shares context to recent Harwood dialogues on safety
I have recently been made aware of multiple public responses to information I shared at the March 23 HUUSD School Board meeting.
OPINION: This bill can cut carbon emissions and save energy costs
Two years ago, Vermont adopted the Global Warming Solutions Act and committed to reducing carbon emissions 80% by 2050.
COMMENTARY: If not now, when for a Vermont Clean Heat Standard?
In 2020, the Legislature passed the Global Warming Solutions Act, which among other things created the Vermont Climate Council made up of administration officials and legislative appointees charged with developing a Climate Action Plan by December 1, 2021 in time for lawmakers to consider proposed programs and legislation in the 2022 session.
Bills would update end of life law, add Alzheimer’s support
Most of the time between now and the end of the legislative session in mid-May is spent working on bills passed to the House from the Senate.
LETTER: Special delivery to Central Vermont Medical Center
On Friday, April 8, Girl Scout Troop 30228 of Waterbury donated five cases of assorted Girl Scout cookies to the nurses at Central Vermont Medical Center.