The writer has served on the Brattleboro Selectboard since 2019.
BRATTLEBORO-Democratic voters in Windham-9 have the choice of two good candidates to replace Rep. Tristan Toleno in the State House. I was lucky enough to work closely with one of these candidates, Ian Goodnow, during our time together on the Brattleboro Selectboard.
Ian is serious, thoughtful, energetic, and hard-working. He cares deeply about all facets of our community.
The current system of an elected Selectboard comprised of five town residents, a professional town manager who runs daily municipal operations, and Representative Town Meeting provides for a great deal of public involvement and professionalism. Why change that? Our town manager is doing a wonderful job! What happens to...
At a recent Selectboard meeting, I tried to be very clear about why I chose not to vote in favor of the Declaration of Climate Emergency. Most likely some of you who voted for me in March as “the climate guy” might have found my vote surprising. Let me...
These are your standards for online comments. I wish that the open letter published today was held to the same standard: “Editor's note: Our terms of service require you to use your real names. We will remove anonymous or pseudonymous comments that come to our attention. We rely on our readers' personal integrity to stand behind what they say; please do not write anything to someone that you wouldn't say to his or her face without your needing to wear...
On Tuesday, March 6, Brattleboro's voters (along with nearly 40 towns throughout the state) will get to vote on a climate-action resolution brought forward by 350 Brattleboro, a local group of 350 Vermont, a climate justice organization. Local volunteers spent much of December and January having conversations with people in the town to gather the 450 petition signatures required to get the article on the ballot. The advisory resolution aims to do two things: tell our state legislators to make...
Brattleboro Selectboard member Tim Wessel's letter about a petition to end the municipal use of heating oil made some fair points about the current Selectboard's use of funds to replace the oil boiler in the Transportation Center and the development of a solar array on the Windham Solid Waste Management District landfill site. I absolutely appreciate those first steps towards a better, cleaner Brattleboro. As the person who started the petition, I want to share why I chose to participate...
On Oct 20, environmental activists and concerned citizens from across the state joined at Geprags Park in Hinesburg to protest the fracked-gas pipeline that is being constructed by Vermont Gas through Addison County. Across the country, battles are being waged against the development of fossil-fuel infrastructure. Some of these fights have drawn huge numbers of people; others are being enacted by small groups of brave citizens. Even though I wasn't able to join the folks in Hinesburg, I pledge my...
Vermonters are invited to take part in the Way to Go Challenge (waytogovt.org) between Sept. 26 and Oct. 7. The goal of the challenge is to reduce carbon pollution in the state by making responsible choices in our commuting and daily travel. Living and working in downtown Brattleboro, I'm lucky to be able to walk or cycle the mile to my job. A leisurely stroll takes about 20 minutes, and cycling gets me there in just under five. Were I...