Dear Editor, There is an unforgettable photo of F16’s from the Vermont Air National Guard over New York City in the hours after the attacks of September 11th. A source of great pride for our Green Mountain Boys forever ensconced in a time of national tragedy. On that day our Nation was under attack and the threat was unknown. But the brave men and women of the 158th Fighter Wing did not hesitate for a milli-second to put in place all that they had trained and prepared for. And in those days after the Twin Towers fell, when the skies were void of airline traffic, the only sound we did hear were the F16’s coming and going from their patrols over the east coast. It was a sound that made us f…

To the Editor: In the last election, Susan Hatch Davis, after five terms of service in the legislature, lost her seat by a handful of votes. The campaign to oust her was, in my opinion, shamefully distorting of her role and impact there. Now, two years later, it is time to set the record straight. Susan is a quiet person, neither a fiery speaker nor a glad-handing politician. What she is, is an incredibly hard worker and a passionate advocate for the well-being of working families in this state. But this does not convey the full picture of her effectiveness. According to insiders, Susan is one of a handful of legislators—perhaps a few dozen out of 150—who is fully engaged in the legislati…

By G. E. Shuman I am not much of a ‘collector’ of things. I do have a small front room in our home that displays several items from my family’s past. My grandfather’s Victrola is there, along with a few other antiques, books, and photos from many years ago. Other than that, I think of myself as a minimalist and look at the accumulation of ‘things’ as just so much clutter. I would rather see a mantle or a shelf displaying a few precious possessions to one that is filled with unrelated ‘stuff’, most of which provide only vague memories of how it was even obtained. I have written here in the past about the proliferation of those wonderful storage units that have sprouted across our town a…

Anita Hill: Speaking Truth to Power: ** I loathe Political Correctness. I admire people who speak their mind with eloquence, intelligence, and offensiveness. If I don’t offend at least one person with this article, I have become too boring and cowardly to deserve a column. The PC police should get the heck out of our schools and college campuses. But they are welcome to stay in my place of employment. In my office, we are not supposed to talk about politics, religion, race, sex, gender, and sexuality. There is no touching apart from fist bumps and any manager caught having a relationship with an underling is immediately fired. I think all these rules are great. Instead of Mad…

Dear Editor, I am supporting Susan Hatch Davis for State Representative for Orange District 1 (Chelsea, Williamstown, Washington, Corinth, and Vershire) because I believe working people deserve a powerful voice in Montpelier. Susan has consistantly proven to me that she supports working families, teachers, people with disabilities, the elderly, local school board members, loggers, farmers, and the poor. She supports the kind of legislation that doesn’t always make headlines because she respresents people most disenfranchised by the systems and policies that perpetuate poverty and oppression. I’m supporting Susan Hatch Davis because I believe that my well-being is tied up with the well-bei…

Dear Editor, I am writing to express my support for Susan Hatch Davis for state representative in Orange District 1 (Corinth, Vershire, Orange, Washington, Chelsea and Williamstown). Susan is a neighbor and friend that I have known personally and professionally for many years. I believe that her extensive record of public service speaks to her integrity of character, and makes clear why she is the best candidate to represent our diverse district. Susan has always listened to her constituents, and has represented their positions in Montpelier. She has encouraged discussion and understanding at every turn and made clear her commitment to economic justice. This has been apparent in the wo…

To The Editor, I am writing in support of the proposed parking garage and hotel in downtown Montpelier. This thoughtfully crafted proposal offers a solution to our city’s most pressing needs. The new garage will bring much-needed relief to the current parking nightmare, without compromising Montpelier’s reputation as a walkable city. The net increase of 160 parking spaces will ensure that more residents and visitors can access our downtown and frequent our local businesses. And as a centralized parking structure, individuals and families can avoid driving in circles to find open street parking, alleviating much of the traffic caused on Main and State street today. With a new hote…

Fahrenheit 11/9: **1/2 When 22nd Century historians teach a lesson about the 2016 election, they’ll only need one primary source document. In the autumn leading up to the vote, Michael Moore wrote an essay entitled “5 Reasons Trump Will Win.” Moore recognized that Donald Trump was the “Roger & Me” of presidential candidates. His message was music to the ears of forgotten Rust Belt workers who were fed up with globalization and the New World Order. Trump criticized arrogant coastal elites for passing NAFTA, leading to the deindustrialization of the once vibrant American Midwest. He offered classical Progressive solutions: more worker-friendly trade deals and protectionist tariffs…

Dear Editor, Governor Phil Scott is seeking a second term as our govern. He has been criticized by the gun constituency for recently signing new gun restrictions into law. We the public need laws that try to stop the wild proliferation of random school massacres in our country. - The Fair Haven incident this past spring, a very dose call, is a case in point. lt put Gov. Scott between a rock and a hard place. He knew this legislation would disappoint some gun owners but knew that he had a higher call to answer to all the citizens of the state of Vermont. He has an obligation, duty and responsibility to all Vermonters in protecting their safety and well-being. He could not, therefore, be fa…

By Betsy Bishop Despite the reported rancor around the budget in the 2018 legislative session, the Vermont Chamber had a very successful year, proving that the Republican Administration and the Democratic leaders of the Legislature can work together for the betterment of Vermont’s economy. It’s important that our elected leaders continue to find progress in this area because according to the recent VPR/PBS poll, the economy is the top issue for Vermonters. That means they want better job opportunities with competitive wages and flexible benefits as well as a place they can afford to live, increasing their purchasing power. Our elected leaders joined forces this past session resulting in s…