Michael Hoffman
The high road, the low road and — soon — the no road
You take the high road, and I'll take the low. May we all get to Bratt's village, safely, in the morning.
Seriously, now. I just had the experience - by myself, with our friends, and with visiting family from afar - of dealing with our roads. I'm not referring to the naturally treacherous frost-heaved dirt roads of March and April. These are rites of passage for locals.
A member reflects on Annual Representative Town Meeting in Brattleboro
I write as a three-year member of Representative Town Meeting and a four-year Brattleboro resident. Reading Kevin O'Connor's accurate summary of our 2022 Annual Representative Town Meeting prompted me to comment. To be an RTM member is an honor - a meaningful role in the small town where I...
A special conversation raises funds for local Chabad, relief for Ukraine
Warm appreciation to everyone who joined Rabbi Avram Raskin and me in making for a very special evening, as 94-year-old Holocaust survivor Elly Gotz shared his life story and life lessons with wisdom, grace, and humility. Two years ago, Elly came to visit us in Brattleboro and southern Vermont.
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No medals here — just beer
I write to share one person's perspective on the proposed brewery/distillery, and the likely final death knell of the Maple Valley Ski Area. At a time of supposedly increased community and personal awareness for agritourism, health, nature, creativity, innovation, and community, the “Vermont brand” bar is set extremely low. We're getting a focus on more booze, a place without any apparent positive contribution other than $250,000 to an otherwise-quiet town's coffers, and what appears to be very little vision or...
Town would be wise to get Heller on board to the Board
While Oscar Heller is relatively young and has lived here a relatively short period time (since 2014), he is an ideal candidate to guide the town. He has a long-term view, in that he has declared that if it's at all possible, he wants to live the rest of his life here. He has paid his dues, serving as town meeting rep, leading the Brattleboro Energy Committee and taking his turn running for Selectboard. Importantly, Oscar is intelligent and thoughtful.