VERMONT – In a 2023 case involving a contested speech restriction during government meetings, the highest court in Massachusetts reminded us about our protected right to assemble in town halls throughout the region. Quoting John Adams, the court wrote in Barron v. Kolenda that the right to assembly is “a[Read More…]
Another Opinion
With a broken heart
To the Ben & Jerry’s Community: It’s with a broken heart that I’ve decided I can no longer, in good conscience, and after 47 years, remain an employee of Ben & Jerry’s. I am resigning from the company Ben and I started back in 1978. This is one of the[Read More…]
Defending democracy starts at home: protecting local news, press freedom
Local journalism is more than headlines; it’s your right to know, your voice in action and your protection against secrecy. When your town, city or county has a local news outlet, the benefit ripples through the entire community. You have a defender who cares about where you live and work,[Read More…]
Tactical retreat for a local paper
EAST MONTPELIER – Following rapidly on the heels of The Brandon Reporter’s suspension of activity comes word from The Hinesburg Record of a move designed to save it from extinction. The Record has announced it will discontinue its monthly print edition and pursue a digital-only strategy as a weekly. The nonprofit’s board[Read More…]
School redistricting is colossal trainwreck
MORRISTOWN – As we all go into the next school year, I want to express my outrage at H.454. This piece of legislation will not reduce costs in the long term, and it will irreparably damage the quality of education for generations to come, provided that alternative solutions aren’t implemented[Read More…]
Rewards of honest history
GREENSBORO – After writing about American history for over forty years, I find it surprising that anyone would seriously claim that slavery in this country was not violent, humiliating or oppressive. But there are people who make such claims. Eager to erase aspects of our shared past, they pretend that[Read More…]
A call to action for Caspian Lake
GREENSBORO – Call to action: Let’s remember that Caspian Lake is a glacial lake, formed by melting glaciers during the last Ice Age. As a glacial lake, it has unique properties and ecological importance. Sustainable management is crucial to avoid depleting the water resource. iere.org/what-are-glacial-lakes/ Today, Caspian’s declining water levels are more[Read More…]
Act 73 – OSSU next steps?
Have you been wondering what will come of our local schools and Orleans Southwest Supervisory Union (OSSU) administration under the new education law? Me too! I encourage you to read my op-ed last month in The Gazette and other papers statewide, which lays out the basics of what may happen[Read More…]
Hanzas vows to protect Vermont voter data
MONTPELIER – As the chief elections officer of the State of Vermont, I am proud of the work my office does to keep Vermont elections free, fair, accessible and accurate. Vermonters may have heard of recent outreach from the federal government to states asking for voter information, including state voter[Read More…]
How to Flex Your Flood Preparedness Muscle
MONTPELIER – It has been heartbreaking to see flash flooding occur in Vermont for the past three summers, and increasingly around the country as well. I, for one, do not want to let this kind of news begin to feel normal. This is not the Vermont I grew up in. It is already hotter[Read More…]
Interfaith Action Reacts to Homelessness Executive Order
PLAINFIELD – Vermont Interfaith Action (VIA) issued a statement on Friday expressing their concerns about the recent presidential executive order, “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets.” The statement reads: “Vermont Interfaith Action, a grassroots coalition of faith communities and spiritual practitioners who share common beliefs and values about the[Read More…]
Local News Matters Even More Now
EAST MONTPELIER – Local news has always mattered. It’s the only way we can keep in touch with our town and city governments, school boards, high school sports, arts and community events, not to mention road construction, floods, fires, crashes, and crime. But it matters even more now, at this[Read More…]
