Legislative report: Bill would end flavored e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes
The legislature is considering S.18 – an act related to banning certain flavored tobacco products and e-liquids.
Central Vt. Career Center budget is on the March 5 ballot
Town Meeting is just around the corner and I wanted to take a moment to remind you that the Central Vermont Career Center’s budget is on one of the ballots available at your Town Clerk’s office.
Op-Ed: Assessing the Harwood Union school budget
How will you assess the current proposed Harwood Union Unified School District (HUUSD) budget of $50.8 million? We are fortunate in Vermont in that citizens have the right to vote on the school budget. What will be your vote?
OPINION: Vermont ‘Baby Bonds’ would create economic opportunity
Recently, Vermont state Treasurer Mike Pieciak, Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale, D-Chittenden Southeast, and Rep. Daniel Noyes, D-Wolcott, introduced a ‘Baby Bonds’ initiative, a program that would invest $3,200 for every low-income Vermont child born on Medicaid.
Rep. Wood: ‘Our community deserves answers’ on shelter proposal
As most people know by now, over the last couple of weeks the town of Waterbury, including your state representatives, were made aware of a proposed shelter for people experiencing homelessness at the site of the former armory building. We did not have any advance warning of this proposal.
Commentary: Responding to H.72 and overdose prevention centers
Let me start by disclosing that I am a lifelong Vermonter and consider myself a fiscal conservative and a social moderate. (In years past I would have thought that description to be a somewhat typical Vermonter.)
LETTER: ‘If our systems fail one of us, they fail us all’
It seems the discussion about the “proposed” homeless shelter at the former armory building has taken on an us vs. them dichotomy that I believe ignores or, at the very least, oversimplifies the nuance and complexity of homelessness.
Manager update: Following up on state shelter proposal
Regarding the state’s plan to open a shelter at the former National Guard Armory: “We do plan to have a more formal discussion at the selectboard meeting on Monday, Feb. 19, at which time we hope to have more concrete details to share.”
LETTER: Mailing error sends letters to Waterbury
The Mad River Valley Ambulance Service recently sent out its annual subscription renewal/purchase form.
LETTER: Station should ‘consider the impact’ of radio ad’s message
Writer Randy George of Moretown sent the following letter to the new owners of Radio Vermont/WDEV Meyers Mermel and Scott Milne regarding an ad airing on the station for a gun show in Barre this weekend, Feb. 3-4. He shares it with the community here.
Kane Sweeney: Affordable housing now
Last year, I promised to work hard to expand affordable housing in the town of Waterbury. To date, the only affordable housing project that was approved in the last year was 51 South Main Street. That’s unacceptable to me and to many renters within our borders. It’s simply not enough.
James Moore: Let’s strive for a more resilient and sustainable future
As we begin 2024, there’s a profound acknowledgment of the resilience and strength displayed by Vermonters, particularly in the aftermath of the devastating floods of 2023.
Mad River Mentoring seeks adult mentor volunteers
Mad River Mentoring is looking for mentors!
UVM Health Network CEO: Optimism, opportunity and urgency for the future
As we begin a new year, and as I embark on my second year as CEO of the University of Vermont Health Network, I feel a sense of both optimism and urgency.
Rep. Wood: Times call for overdose prevention centers
The beginning of the 2024 legislative session has started with all committees picking up right where they left off last spring. Legislators and onlookers all commented that the first two weeks were the busiest first weeks of a session in many years.
LETTER: Vermont library groups issue Freedom to Read statement
In response to growing concerns of censorship and attacks on libraries around the country, the Vermont Library Association and Vermont School Library Association have joined together to issue the attached Vermont Library Freedom to Read statement.
How Baby Bonds will strengthen Vermont’s economy
Government exists to solve problems, and as state treasurers, our offices are committed to supporting economic well-being for all.
Harwood Bond #2: Will history repeat itself?
The HUUSD School Board will likely be asking voters to approve an expensive bond for renovations and new construction to the Harwood Union High School in South Duxbury. The current estimates for the list of possible work is just over $92 million. The package will be brought to voters in November 2024.
Jan. 6 Rally in the Valley
Members of Indivisible Mad River Valley hosted a Jan. 6 rally along Vermont Route 100 in Waitsfield near the Mad River Green.
Harwood School Board responds with contract negotiation details
Harwood School Board Chair Kristen Rodgers read the following comments at the board’s Jan. 10 meeting addressing contract negotiations for the union contract covering support staff employees that expired June 30, 2023.