Andy Davis
The roots of Haiti’s economic difficulties
Donald Trump's racist remarks about African nations and Haiti display a profound level of historical ignorance. In preparation for an upcoming trip to Haiti, I have been reading Haitian history - especially the roots of its economic difficulties.
More people in this country should know that Haiti was the second nation in this hemisphere to throw off its colonial rulers. The United States gained independence from Britain in 1783, and in 1803 the slaves of Haiti overthrew their French masters. Our two countries have an intertwined history.
Supervisory union has been pulled apart by Act 46 process
The Act 46 Study Committee keeps repeating the same unsupported claims about the proposed school mega-merger. Their financials on this merger are unclear and incomplete. The “leadership councils” they tout will have no legal decision-making authority and no real responsibility. Their claim that such councils will function has never...
Isn’t it time to admit that the Act 46 game has changed?
I believe it is time to thank the members of the WSESU Act 46 Study Committee for the work they have done on the merger models outlined at the onset of Act 46. I also believe it is time to recognize that the Act 46 challenge in WSESU has...
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Divesting to change where my money works
Some have suggested that taking one's money out of a local bank whose investment strategies run counter to your values is unfair to the employees of that particular bank. I could not disagree more. I recently closed our small-business account at Toronto Dominion (TD) Bank in Brattleboro because of the heavy investments this bank makes in petroleum pipelines. Moving the money was truly a hassle. I had to change a number of electronic connections that that we use in the...
WSESU towns: discuss Act 46 without pressure of vote
I feel indebted to the voters of Dummerston who voted in December against the departure of Vernon from the current WSESU public school structure. Because of that vote there will be an opportunity for serious discussion of Act 46 at Town Meetings in five area towns and at Representative Town Meeting in Brattleboro. Had voters in Dummerston approved the separation of Vernon, we would likely be facing the Act 46 merger as a ballot question on March 7. We now...
‘Kumbaya’: a song of strength in social, political movements
Why the war on “Kumbaya”? In the last week I have read columnists in The Commons (Patience Merriman), the Reformer (Peter Funt), and The New York Times (Frank Bruni) using this song of the civil rights movement as a symbol for doing nothing - or responding weakly. I believe these writers betray a lack of knowledge this song and the role of music in social and political movements in general. I would hope the people of southern Vermont, with their...
Transparency essential in WSESU superintendent search
Act 46 is not the only challenge facing our school district (Windham Southeast Supervisory Union). Our superintendent is retiring at the end of this school year. The process for hiring his replacement is currently limited to an “internal” search - looking strictly within our current WSESU pool of employees for a candidate. There might be as few as one applicant. This strikes me as an inherently flawed and rushed process. People volunteering to serve on review committees are being asked...
A good cause at an inappropriate location
“Re-site the Skatepark/Preserve the Crowell Lot” signs continue to be on display around Brattleboro because the skatepark is a long way from being built. Raising $400,000 is a major hurdle. Significant issues that have fueled opposition to a skatepark at the Crowell Lot location have not been answered by public officials. The message found on the signs is not a negative one. Those calling for re-siting the skatepark do not oppose recreational activities for children or adults. The issue is...