HARDWICK – The freshly cut hay rows serpentine across the hillside, one after the other as the panorama fades away to distant forests under a cloudless sky. The scene is common in Vermont in mid-summer’s heat but the photo was striking in its simplicity as it captured the artistry of[Read More…]
Another Opinion
The Barons of Burlington Are Trying to Buy the State Senate
John Rodgers is a curious sort of politician: He presents himself as a simple farmer, a rural populist who gives voice to the voiceless, meaning people who live outside the Burlington area. But John Rodgers, former Democratic state lawmaker turned Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, has seen his campaign picked[Read More…]
LVRT Riders Surveyed
HARDWICK – Between June 1, and October 5, the Hardwick Historical Society (HHS) opened the Depot to the public every Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In that time, 261 people stopped to look around, most from the Lamoille Valley Rail[Read More…]
Make Way for Alternatives to Affordable Housing
GREENSBORO – I have not read the legal document in opposition to developing the town hall into an apartment complex so I can not speak to the tone, but it is clear there has been a determined effort to ignore the wishes of a significant number of home owners in Greensboro, so[Read More…]
The Morse Code: The Man Behind the Face
EDEN – As a basketball referee for the past 20 years, I have been to the Hazen Union gym many times. There was a face, first in the bleachers and then on the wall, that I always noticed. Little did I know that this man wasn’t only a fan but[Read More…]
Finally, a Serious Plan for Health Care Reform
Vermont’s hospitals are long overdue for comprehensive change. Let’s get started. Finally, we have a meaningful proposal for health care reform in Vermont. A consultant for the Green Mountain Care Board has provided a plan for health care reform that will better serve Vermonters and reduce costs. Now, the question is, will the[Read More…]
Maple Minefield
GREENSBORO – For as long as there have been humans, there have been weapons. Through our storied history, we have struggled with our violent nature and our disturbing aptitude for inventing new ways to inflict harm on others. Spears, swords, bows, and guns. Bombs, missiles, mines, and drones. Despite humanity’s[Read More…]
Setting the Record Straight
GLOVER – After the first televised lieutenant governor’s debate with my opponent last week, it is clear that his answer to everything is more taxes and fees. As I travel around the state, I am hearing from Vermonters, no matter their party affiliation, that they are tired of being crushed[Read More…]
Walgreens Should be Held Accountable
HARDWICK – For many, medications are a necessary component for managing chronic illness. As someone who cares for people as an EMS provider and a nurse, I see that chronic conditions often hang in the delicate balance of having access to one’s prescriptions, among other factors. As time goes on,[Read More…]
Rethinking Corporate Dependence
WALDEN – Is it wise to depend on multinational corporations for our basic needs? I’ve been thinking about this question in light of the closure of Walgreens in Hardwick, which leaves the town without a pharmacy and residents with at least a 16-mile drive for their prescriptions. Many have been[Read More…]
Imagine the Possibilities
GREENSBORO – Two issues are tightly bound: the need for housing and a space to be in community. Greensboro is often referred to as a place with wealth. And it is. But even beyond financial wealth, let’s remember there is also a wealth of spirit and heart in the people[Read More…]
Mary White’s Daring Idea
EAST HARDWICK – These are musings about the cost of renovating a building like Town Hall (TH). TH has been allowed to move into disrepair and refitting it involves a chunk of money. It seems obvious that the town has not had the kind of money it takes to keep[Read More…]
