PUTNEY-Despite meager compensation, Rep. Mike Mrowicki has consistently supported people in Putney, Dummerston, and beyond, whether or not the Legislature is in session.
A true advocate, he helps constituents navigate complex systems and cut through red tape, embodying the spirit of a social worker rather than just a politician. He is the guy who shows up right after a severe flood to support you. If I had a dollar for every time someone told me Mike was there for them, I could substantially donate to one of the many social services I try to support.
Laura Chapman is a civic volunteer, social justice activist, and works with human-services nonprofits that help neighbors in need. PUTNEY-A few weeks ago, a collective unease rippled through our community as large flags for Trump and Harris appeared in the Dummerston School library window. This unexpected display at the...
Putney Selectboard chair Aileen Chute is doing a fantastic job for our community. She has earned my vote and enthusiastic support. With the many complex needs occurring in our town, state, country, and world right now, we need her steady, thoughtful leadership at the front of the room. She...
No filters, no makeup, no pink, no costumes - just an impromptu trip to see the Barbie movie. It almost felt like we were breaking some unspoken rule based on all the fanfare I've seen, but we both needed to know what the hubbub was and had a rare evening of no scheduled work or meetings. So my son James and I made a last-minute decision to ditch all the have-tos on our lists and trek to Brattleboro's historic Latchis...
Let's unpack this statement, which was just repeated to me for what felt like the gazillionth time today: “I don't give panhandlers money, because they're just going to buy drugs with it. I don't want to feed their addiction.” Maybe they are, maybe they're not. But let's say for argument's sake they are actively dependent on illicit substances, struggling, and panhandling to feed a substance abuse disorder. Do you think that not giving them money will starve the disorder, and...
Of all the days. At first, I thought they might be there to support Planned Parenthood, since the three of them were in front of the clinic, while the rest holding signs were on the other side of the road. “Is this in support of Planned Parenthood?” I asked. Pushing an anti-Planned Parenthood pamphlet my way, she responded, “It's in support of the truth.” The bile in my stomach rose, I fought back the tears of anger and resentment, pointed...
Hundreds of Windham County residents - children, veterans, seniors, young adults, the employed and the unemployed, are living in a state of homelessness. An extremely disproportionate number identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). People are unable to find a place to live and when apartments do open up, they are often far beyond the price range of the average earner. Vermont has been underdeveloping housing for over 40 years. With the increase in demand during COVID-19 and the...
Brenda Siegel makes no secret of the fact that she struggles financially. So three years ago, when we attended the Women's Convention in Detroit, it was no shock when she laid out her budget for that weekend clearly to me. It was minimal but enough to squeak by, especially since her room and some of the meals were sponsored. Walking to the convention together one windy day, we passed by a man sleeping on the sidewalk. He was covered in...