Last Tuesday’s shooting, on April 16 in Hardwick shows both the value and peril of relying on social media in an emergency. A post to the Facebook group, “What’s happening around Hardwick, Vt.?” inquiring about the wail of police sirens first appeared at 4:48 p.m. Some responses to that post[Read More…]
Editorial
For the Record
HARDWICK – The article in the April 17 Gazette titled “New Bridge and Civic Standard’s Plans Approved by Development Review Board” identified the two properties as being in Hardwick’s compact residential zoning district. Documents have been reissued by the Development Review Board and now all references correctly identify the pedestrian[Read More…]
Budget Bill Goes to Senate
WOLCOTT – Senate Appropriations was wrapping up the budget when I left the statehouse around 5 p.m. last Friday, as indicated by the large group of people outside their committee room. The Senate will vote on the budget later this week and it will come back to the House the[Read More…]
The Hidden Costs of Climate Progress
WALDEN – Renewables don’t change anything fundamental. They are just the latest business-as-usual scheme to keep the destructive economic party going for a few more years. In a recent VTDigger commentary, Sen. Becca White and Rep. Gabrielle Stebbins touted the “progress on climate” accomplished by the state Legislature. They claim,[Read More…]
End of Session Work Includes Property Taxes and More
WORCESTER – With only a few more weeks remaining in this year’s session, activity is focused on resolving differences between the House and Senate versions of numerous bills, major and minor. And there will be legislation taken up in the House this week dealing with education property taxes. The House[Read More…]
An Opportunity for Positive Transformation
To the editor: As a concerned member of the community, I feel compelled to shed light on a matter of pressing importance: the future of our local microschools. It has been confirmed that the principal of Lakeview (and Woodbury) is leaving both schools without leadership. While proponents of saving these[Read More…]
Bureaucratic Bloat
To the editor: “If we don’t spend it, we won’t get it next year.” Our(?) Vermont legislature’s motto. The progressive and liberal democrats control the legislature. They’ve decided to reallocate the wealth of America from your pocket to theirs. I always thought they spent it faster than we can make[Read More…]
Posted Photos Could Lead to Tragedy
To the editor: Just be advised, your current edition posts photos of kayakers in recently iced Lake Caspian. They are not prepared for the cold water conditions, despite wearing PFDs. Dry suits or full wet suits are indicated. Their reader-submitted photos should have been rejected for public safety reasons. Please[Read More…]
An Open Letter to Jules Rabin
To the editor: Dear Jules Rabin, April 18, 2024 I am writing to you with infinite compassion for your virtue-signaling on the occasion of your 100th birthday when you chose to celebrate by serving up the most up-to-date blood-libel against your fellow Jews. What a shame you feel you have[Read More…]
Eight More Community Newspapers Soon Will Vanish
The internet and social media won’t fill the gap in civic awareness. Local government officials will go largely unchecked. “If once they become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress, and Assemblies, judges and governors shall all become wolves.” – President Thomas Jefferson on the dangers of[Read More…]
How Easy is it to Forget
To the editor:A quick look at the Internet provides ample evidence a lot of people in Vermont and around the country don’t have a place to live or enough food to eat. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reports about 653,000 Americans experienced homelessness in January 2023. That’s[Read More…]
