Op-Ed: Three scenarios for November’s election
I've been asked by several readers whether I still believe that what I wrote over a year ago remains a possibility. Yes, I do, even more so given the never-ending tweets, off-the-cuff statements, and carefully orchestrated distractions from President Trump and the MAGA party leadership.
Op-Ed: Before Voting on Prop 3, Vermonters should know what it really does
This November, Vermonters will vote on Proposal 3 – or “Prop 3” – a constitutional amendment advertised as protecting the right to collectively bargain. What Prop 3 would actually do is far more consequential. It would permanently prohibit Vermont from adopting a right-to-work law for private-sector employees and bar future laws that “interfere with, negate, or diminish” collective bargaining rights.
POEM: Thank you, Dave Morse
After 25 years running Dave’s Community Fitness, founder Dave Morse retired this summer and handed over the reins to gym regular Thomas Jacobs and spouse Bridget. Longtime gym member John Malter penned this tribute to Morse.
LETTER: Try getting to know Amanda Janoo for governor
I don’t know a lot about Amanda Janoo, the Democratic Party’s candidate for governor. But I do know that there’s a better future waiting for Vermont, and it is not being delivered by Phil Scott and his administration.
LETTER: Vermont Conservation Voters launches ‘Don't Data Center Vermont’ campaign
Vermont Conservation Voters has launched a new campaign dubbed “Don't Data Center Vermont,” urging Vermonters to get informed about how to protect Vermont communities from the costs and environmental harm of large-scale data centers.
Letter: Celebrate press freedom and free speech on Constitution Day
Third Act Vermont is planning an exciting community event in observance of United States Constitution Day. The celebration will be Sunday, Sept. 20, 1:30-3 p.m., at the Film House at Main Street Landing on the Burlington waterfront.
Times Argus: 15 years after Irene
Aug. 28 marks 15 years since Tropical Storm Irene bore down on Vermont, soaking some parts of the state with as much as 11 inches of rain in 12 hours.
LETTER: Waterbury’s school came from consolidation – in 1898
As the Harwood Unified Union School District considers a consolidation plan that could close Brookside Primary School, I have been thinking about Waterbury's long history with school consolidation because we have been through versions of this before.
Rep. Stevens remembers Tropical Storm Irene: ‘Stay resilient’
August 28 has come and gone, and I missed taking a moment to remember and acknowledge the power of Tropical Storm Irene and what it did to our community and to our state.
New York paper mill closure is bad news for Vermont forests and Vermonters
Recent news coverage about the end of pulping operations at Finch Paper has understandably focused on how it is bad for logging contractors and the forest products industry. As organizations and associations focused on the future of Vermont forests, we agree — those impacts are significant. But the story is more than that: This is bad news for everyone who cares about sustaining Vermont’s forests.
Responding to Sweeney: A community is more complex than ‘us vs. them’
Most of us do not begin a public-policy argument by presenting our résumé of suffering. And we should not have to.
Gov. Scott to education leaders: We must finish the job
Dear education leader: For the past few years, we’ve had a lot of conversations about education — property taxes, funding formulas, district boundaries, and governance. Those things matter. But they aren’t what this conversation is really about.
Sen. Sanders seeks Vermonters’ views on AI, robotics technology
I would very much appreciate hearing your thoughts regarding AI and how we best go forward in responding to this unprecedented development. This is a vitally important discussion that needs to happen, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sweeney: ‘United we bargain, divided we beg’
If service and hospitality workers, factory workers and teachers in this town want any real change, there is only one way that they’re going to get it — and that’s organizing. Organizing labor unions, organizing tenant unions, and organizing community meetings.
Op-Ed: Paralyzed by bureaucracy
As more and more parts of our governmental systems and priorities founder on the rocky shoals of crisis, I am convinced that our governmental and business bureaucracies are simply paralyzed.
Vermont Head Start Association condemns Trump administration’s proposed changes
The Vermont Head Start Association condemns Friday’s proposal from the Trump administration to overhaul the Head Start Program Performance Standards, warning that it would weaken one of America’s most successful investments in young children and families and make it harder for local programs to provide the high-quality services children deserve.
LETTER: School Board prepares Q/A documents on budget and consolidation
As the Harwood Unified Union School District School Board prepares for the 2026-27 school year, two major topics on its agenda are the next school budget and the possibility of school consolidation. There are now FAQ documents on the school budget and on consolidation on the HUUSD Budget webpage.
Green Mountain Performing Arts: Seeking community support for a sustainable future
Green Mountain Performing Arts is facing an immediate funding shortfall as we prepare for the 2026-27 season. We are seeking $60,000 in community support to close this gap, enter the new fiscal year on stable footing, and continue providing the classes, performances, scholarships, and community programming that families have come to rely on.
LETTER: Women launch ‘giving circle’ to boost Washington County nonprofits
A powerful new philanthropic initiative is coming to Central Vermont with the official launch of 100 Women Who Care Washington County. Founded by Susan Colgan, Mary Edith Leichliter, Jane Macan, and myself, Suzanne Johnson, this giving circle unites women across the county to make a massive, immediate impact on local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations through collective giving.
Op-Ed: It’s not ‘outsourcing.’ It’s democracy and the rule of law.
Complaints about unelected officials and allegations of unconstitutional delegations of legislative authority never, it seems to me, accompany praise for the decisions these folks make.