cgrotke

Study Shows Drop In Searches For Certain Terms Post NSA Revelations

by cgrotke | Sci-Tech

A since the NSA spying revelations. In it, the researchers say that U.S.-based search traffic fell 2.2% for terms perceived as likely to get one in trouble with the government. Internationally, there was a similar drop in terms that might be embarrassing to family or employers.

It doesn’t sound like much, but with the high volume of searches, the number is indeed quite large. (No wonder that tech companies are starting to push back against spying, at least in PR efforts. They see their numbers dropping more clearly than anyone, and that equates to lost profits.)

The 2014 RTM Message

by cgrotke | Op/Ed

Representative Town Meeting members repeatedly tried to “send a message” to the Brattleboro Selectboard at their most recent meeting. Throughout, representatives also stated that they didn’t think the Selectboard was getting that message.

As an outside observer, the message was simple: Taxes are too high. If you are going to cut something, cut additional Police Fire bonds and not the Library or Recreation and Parks departments. The bonds can wait.

Weekend Concert Series: Sun Ra – A Joyful Noise

by cgrotke | Entertainment

This week a mix of poetry, cosmic vibrations, and space philosophy. A discussion of magic and myth to help cleanse and transcend. Sun Ra can help guide us to a deeper reality with a trip with his Arkestra.

Not part of history, but part of mystery.

This is a documentary about jazz musician Sun Ra, who comes from Saturn.

State Rail Plan Meeting – Increase Passenger Train Service In Connecticut River Valley?

by cgrotke | State News

From the Vermont Rail Action Network – a call to discuss additional train service in the region. Is it important? They are having a meeting and would like to know what you think.

….

“Tuesday’s meeting in Brattleboro is an important chance to demonstrate public support for additional trains in the Connecticut River Valley.

The meeting will be 6:30 pm, March 25 in the community room at Brattleboro Savings & Loan (221 Main Street, across the street from the library).

Spring Limericks

by cgrotke | Creative

They say it is Spring, this I know.
Yet when I awoke there was snow.
I can’t take much more,
But need things at the store,
So off to shovel I go.

Selectboard Meeting Notes: Brattleboro Begins Work To Recognize Martin Luther King Day

by cgrotke | Town News

It’s not official yet, but the Brattleboro Selectboard promised that the town will take steps to recognize Martin Luther King Day as a town holiday, despite concerns of complexity voiced by the Interim Town Manager and the results of an informal poll of town staff. 

Sidewalk plowing on Cedar Street was debated, but with the snow season coming to an end the board decided to contemplate the issue for a while longer before making any decisions.

Duo gets a loan, CRT gets a memo of understanding, and the Fire Department is staffed well. All this and more follows below.

Skatepark Site Selection Committee Minutes Draft – March 13, 2014

by cgrotke | Town Plan

Meeting called to order: at 5:20 PM

Members present: Joe Bushey, Marty Fitzgerald, Betsy Gentile, Elizabeth McLouglin, Jacob Roberts, Andrea Watkins. Others present: Jeff Clark, Francine Vallario, Howard Weiss-­‐Tisman, Linda Whelihan, Patty Fitzgerald

Agenda:

  • Public Participation

    Jeff Clark, the chair of BASIC informed the SSSC members that there might be vacancies coming up on their committee. He thought some members from SSSC might be interested in seeing the skate park project through to completion (possibly a new design, fund raising and building) and would be welcome to serve on BASIC as members or consultants. Chair, Betsy Gentile, replied that it would be a very good idea and a logical step for members to consider when their work on the site selection committee was completed.

    • Items to Cost More if 1% Local Option Tax Passes

    by cgrotke | Business

    From the for the 1% local option tax. 

    Clothing

    • Belt buckles sold separately
    • Costume masks sold separately
    • Patches and emblems sold separately
    • Sewing equipment and supplies including knitting needles, patterns, pins, scissors, sewing machines, sewing needles, tape measures and thimbles.
    • Sewing materials such as buttons, fabric, lace, thread, yarn, and zippers
    • Briefcases

    Retirement Planning for Civilization Collapse

    by cgrotke | Op/Ed

    I’m turning 50 this year, which means I have 15-20 years to retirement age — if all goes well.

    Let’s look at the news and see if things are going well. Lost airplane, Crimea, oh wait, what’s this?  That might impact my retirement. You have my attention.

    The article says collapses are a normal part of the cycle of civilization. Rome, for example. OK, we knew that. Nothing new there.

    Weekend Concert Series – The Beatles, Rooftop Concert

    by cgrotke | Entertainment

    A handful of concerts are “legendary” shows, and the Beatles playing their last live performance on the roof of Apple in London is certainly near the top of the list.

    I’ve always liked this footage from Let It Be. The rooftop is an interesting and unusual space to play, and the shots of people in the streets realizing what’s going on are classic. The band seems to be having a lot of fun. A little bit of rule-breaking reminds Londoners they are alive, at least for a short while, until the police shut things down. Imagine if they had let it go for even a few more minutes.

    Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – March 18, 2014

    by cgrotke | Town News

    Will Brattleboro recognize Martin Luther King Day as a holiday by 2015? The Brattleboro Selectboard will debate the issue at their next regular Tuesday meeting at the Municipal Center. You are welcome and encouraged to attend.

    There will also be discussions of farm tax stabilization, a loan for the new Duo restauarnt, a public hearing on Utility rate changes (speak now or forever pay your increases), sidewalk plowing for some of Cedar Street, and more. You can also bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

    Watch on BCTV, and read about it hear the day after.

    Representative Town Meeting in Brattleboro – Part 2: The Reaction and Repeal

    by cgrotke | History

    This is Part II of the story of Representative Town Meeting in Brattleboro. You can read Part I: Origins and Adoption here. Representative Town Meeting passed, but not everyone approved of the outcome. One of its critics was Edgar Lawton. Although we don’t hear much about Edgar Lawton today, his name is ever-present in the minutes and agendas of Selectboard and Town Meeting reports throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

    Representative Town Meeting in Brattleboro – Part 1: Its Origins and Adoption

    by cgrotke | History

    Why does Brattleboro have Representative Town Meeting? Why not a regular, open Town Meeting like the rest of Vermont? These questions led me on a search through old newspapers and town records to look at Brattleboro’s town meetings in the 1950’s to see if there was some obvious answer. It turns out, there was no single reason that led to the “representative form of government” in Brattleboro. There were many factors, personalities, and coincidences unique to Brattleboro that contributed to its adoption.

    Arguments made in favor of representative town meeting were sometimes specific to Brattleboro, such as outgrowing the public meeting hall. Other times they were more lofty, arguing that representative government would be more fair and better able to deal with complex issues, while giving voters a greater say in how the town operates.

    Weekend Concert Series – Joe Jackson (and Prince)

    by cgrotke | Entertainment

    It’s 1982 and Joe Jackson was just releasing ‘Night and Day,’ with the soon-to-be-hits ‘Steppin’ Out’ and ‘Breaking Us In Two.’ He also had a minor hit with ‘Real Men.’

    This is “the new Joe Jackson band” according to the host. The old band, responsible for ‘Look Sharp!,’ ‘I’m The Man,’ and ‘Beat Crazy’ had broken up, and Jackson had taken a break by putting out his ‘Jumpin’ Jive’ album before returning to pop hits.

    Selectboard Meeting Notes: Preliminary Police Fire Plans Approved

    by cgrotke | Town News

    Despite having major objections to aspects of the plans, the Brattleboro Selectboard unanimously approved designs for the Police and Fire facilities at their Tuesday meeting on Election Day.

    The long meeting began with a string of liquor license approvals. Utility rate increases had a first reading, Brattleboro is applying for funds to install two electric vehicle charging stations at the Transportation Center, and the search for a new Town Manager begins again. Read on for all the details, and then some.

    Skatepark Site Selection Committee – Draft Minutes Jan 20, 2014

    by cgrotke | Town Plan

    Skatepark Site Selection Committee Minutes Draft

    Thursday February 20, 2014 Meeting called to order: at 5:16 PM by Betsy Gentile
    Members present: Joe Bushey, Marty Fitzgerald, Betsy Gentile, Elizabeth McLoughlin, Jacob Roberts, Andre Watkins. Others present: Carol Lolatte, Rod Francis, Jeff Clark, Les Montgomery, Howard Weiss-­Tisman, Francine Vallario, Patty Fitzgerald.

    Agenda:

    1. Public Participation
    None

    Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – March 4, 2014

    by cgrotke | Town News

    Tuesday will be a busy day. You’ll need to take time to go vote for mostly unopposed candidates, and take time to go observe the new Police and Fire Plans and attend the Brattleboro Selectboard meeting to express your Police and Fire Facility comments in an official, public capacity before they approve them as presented.

    The board will give out the first liquor license to a new Brooks House business, a restaurant with owners from Colorado, and approve annual licenses for a list of other local establishments. Utility rates will be get a first reading, new electric vehicle charging stations for the Transportation Center will be discussed, the Town Manger search 2.0 will kick off, the Selectboard will discuss goals for the coming year, and more.

    You can attend in person and bring up anything not otherwise on the agenda, or watch on BCTV. We’ll have the full report Wednesday.

    Weekend Concert Series: Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin

    by cgrotke | Entertainment

    Judy Garland had a CBS Sunday night TV show in the early 1960’s – The Judy Garland Show.

    It comes at a somewhat depressing point in her life. After years of being fed uppers and downers by movie studios, getting divorced, and getting into some serious debt and contractual problems, she was in a difficult spot. TV success, those around her reasoned, might be the only thing to pull her life back into order.

    She was 40 years old when this was filmed. It got four Emmy nominations.