by Emily Varvir, CTRS HARDWICK – With the completion of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT) on the horizon, new opportunities for outdoor recreation in our area abound. Connecting 18 towns across 93 miles, the LVRT is open year-round and can be used for all types of non-motorized physical activity[Read More…]
Editorial
For the Record
The sketch that accompanied the Jeudevine Memorial Library story last week was of the old design that went down in a failed bond vote in 2017. The better sketch (above) shows the exterior rendering of the current design that matches the footprint that was printed with the story.
Interest and Misinformation
by Rep. Chip Troiano, District Caledonia-2 STANNARD – There seems to be a good deal of interest, and misinformation about the Affordable Heat Standard. This week when I went to my mailbox at the State House I found a letter from 13 constituents asking me to vote no on S.5[Read More…]
Off the Rails!
To the editor: Last week’s events have shaken me to the core. There seems to be a concerted effort to attack our democratic institutions from MAGA Republicans who are willing to use their political power to crush any opposition and ignore democratic rules in the advancement of their own agenda.[Read More…]
Mud Season in Vermont
by Elizabeth McCarthy Here country roads become soft traps of earth and water, deep rutted rolling paths, gateways we must pass. Is it penance for pride? Driving through purgatory, where time slogs along with us in mud, this wet dark thing called Spring. For arrogance? As if we, ourselves made[Read More…]
Support Your Local Florist
Often at the end of obituaries, it says “in remembrance” donate to a certain nonprofit. Often, that nonprofit is the Nature Conservancy. One location is in Montpelier. The Nature Conservancys is a 501CE organization and pay zilch in taxes and are required to let the public know what they are[Read More…]
The Rich Get Richer
To the editor: The Vermont Land Trust gave Don Joslin of Waitsfield, zero dollars (information from the Vermont Property Transfer tax returns) for the development rights to his scenic (views of all three ski areas) 150-acre dirt farm, with no running water, three-hole outhouse and knob and tube wiring. Yet[Read More…]
March Light
by Elizabeth McCarthy The heart of winter has softened, revealing a golden lamp searching for spring. Its angled light, beams across the horizon warming February’s white crusty cover. Casting long shadows behind the drooping evergreen that weeps crystal droplets upon hearing the yellow-rumped warbler flutter and trill, calling his love[Read More…]
Corrections to Craftsbury Select Board Article
To the editor: Last week’s Gazette contained information about Craftsbury Selectboard’s 2/28/2023 meeting, featuring Craftsbury Community Care Center’s application for additional VCDP funding for its HVAC improvements. The content was, we understand, taken from minutes posted on the town website. Unfortunately those minutes were a draft and contained some errors.[Read More…]
An Open Letter to the Vermont General Assembly Chairs on Education, Institutions and Appropriations
by Joe Benning, former State Senator from the Caledonia DistrictDear All:Frankly, as a former legislator, I’ve been reluctant to become involved in your work. However, I feel an urgent need to contact you to add my name to the growing list of those extremely upset over the decision to close[Read More…]
A Thumb Drive?
by Ross Connelly HARDWICK – Books. Shelves and shelves of books. Rooms and rooms of shelves and shelves of books. Historically, such a place, often found on a college or university campus, is known as a library. Plans are under way to rid the various campuses of the Vermont State[Read More…]
The 2023-2024 Biennium Begins
by Avram Patt, State Representative, Lamoille-Washington WORCESTER – The 2023-2024 session of the Vermont General Assembly officially began on January 4, with several days filled with necessary official procedural, legal and Constitutionally required actions, as well as introductory and organizing sessions designed to instruct new members and remind returning members[Read More…]
