George Carvill

Kornheiser: a proven track record

BRATTLEBORO-If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That has been a handy phrase for a long time, often used by conservatives to attack progressive ideas.

But the reverse is true today in the Brattleboro District 7 House race where Amanda Ellis-Thurber is trying to unseat Rep. Emilie Kornheiser.

A liberal Democrat, Kornheiser has been on the cutting edge of tax reform, most recently with H.829, a bill to tax those earning over $500,000 a year in order to raise an estimated $10 million for affordable housing.

Ellis-Thurber may or may not be opposed to making the rich pay their fair share. It's hard to say, because her campaign information is woefully short on specifics about anything, much less tax policy. Her campaign page only says she supports "tax policies that promote economic vitality without hurting our middle class."...

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Housing is a human right — but charter change does nothing to support that right

This year's Brattleboro Town Meeting ballot has a proposal to stuff some disjointed housing rental regulations into the Town Charter. We should vote it down and work for meaningful changes that will actually help people. I say that as one who was part of the group that launched this...

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Kornheiser: skills and positive approach will bear fruit

I'm proud that Emilie Kornheiser is my voice in Montpelier. As a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, she helped pass the largest state-level child tax credit and earned-income tax credit in the country. Further, as a retired person, I appreciate the improvements in the Vermont exemption...

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Can adults in the room salvage Rescue relationship?

The current kerfuffle between the town and Rescue Inc. reminds me of the early days in Rescue's history. The Brattleboro Fire Department then had a - shall we say - “competitive” approach to its dealings with Rescue. But both organizations grew out of it and, to my knowledge, no patient suffered as a result. I am sure the same will be true today no matter what happens. But while the EMS professionals in both organizations know how to take care...

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Rental loan program could benefit tenants, landlords

I understand the need for housing units in Brattleboro with rents that are affordable. That means that the out-of-pocket cost to move in needs to be in line with the renter's ability to pay. First month plus last month plus security deposit pushes that move-in cost beyond the means of many hard-working residents. On the other hand, if we are to have residential rentals available in Brattleboro, landlords have to be able to maintain their properties while still making a...

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Forum will discuss options for divesting from fossil fuel

So you want to do something about climate change, but you are stuck at home? No problem! 350Brattleboro is hosting an online divestment panel discussion Thursday, April 23 at 7 p.m. because now is the perfect time to sit down at your computer and figure out how people can help stop the flow of your money supporting fossil fuel. “Divestment in Place - Cash and Capital” will host banking and investment experts to help people find a checking account or...

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Shoales: forward thinking

I write to support David Schoales in his bid for re-election to his three-year seat on the Brattleboro Selectboard. He has been on the right side of many important issues facing us, from the vote to hire a sustainability coordinator to working to get high-speed fiber internet service throughout the town. David is forward-thinking, and that's what we need on the board.

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The best city government money can buy

At last! Finally, Brattleboro has a chance to clean up town government and install a mayor. What has taken so long? A mayor will be able to really lead this city. A strong executive works. Just look at all the good things that a strong leader has accomplished in Washington. Just as Trump can ignore the silly people in Congress, so a mayor can get rid of the Representative Town Meeting debating society that gets in the way of progress.

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