Opinion

For opinion pieces on any topic.

Historic Vermont General Strike Authorization – Film of Full Debate and Vote As It Took Place On Nov. 21st, 2020

by David Van Deusen | Politics

As political storm clouds gathered in the aftermath of the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election, on November 21, just 18 days after Trump LOST, the 10,000 member Vermont AFL-CIO anticipated that a fascist coup could be on the horizon. To better prepare for the defense of our democracy, the Vermont State Labor Council brought to its rank & file a General Strike Authorization Resolution empowering the democratically elected eleven member Executive Board to call for such an action across the Green Mountains if events demanded.

This film (approximately one hour in duration) is now being made available to the public for the FIRST time. The film documents the full discussion, debate, and vote as it unfolded at our Convention (held remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Leading up to the Convention we had 72 Delegates & Alternates register for the event from 28 Locals involving 15 Internationals. With additional rank & file members attending (along with invited guests) the Convention had upwards of 100 Vermont Union leaders and political allies from all corners of the State in attendance. With the passage of this resolution (overwhelmingly supported by seated Delegates), the Vermont AFL-CIO became the ONLY State Labor Council in the Nation to take such a stand in defense of democracy.

Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Should Try A Warrant Committee

by cgrotke | Op/Ed

Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting members should try an experiment. The body should form a Warrant Committee for a trial period of one year and see how it goes.

What’s a Warrant Committee? 

When Bob Gannett brought Representative Town Meeting to Brattleboro, his experience with it began in Milton, MA. And in Milton, Town Meeting Representatives have a much bigger role in setting the agenda and budget to be voted on. Representatives elect a 15 person Warrant Committee to decide what articles will be warned.

Brattleboro Official Election Results March 2, 2021

by cgrotke | Politics

Here are the official results:

….

Annual Town Meeting

MARCH 2, 2021

Pursuant to the Annual Town Meeting Warning recorded in Town Records Book 21, page 332 the polls were declared open at 7:00 A.M. in the three polling places. The polling places are stated in the Warning. At 6:55 P.M. the Town Clerk warned that the polls would close in 5 minutes. At 7:00 P.M. the polls were declared closed. After declaring the polls closed tally sheets from the Accu-Vote ballot tabulator used to record results of the Meeting were printed. The “unofficial” returns were then announced at the polling places. Ballot summaries were compiled by the Town Clerk and evening election workers.

Brattleboro Unofficial Election Results

by cgrotke | Politics

Here are the unofficial results of the Brattleboro 2021 March election. Short version: Goodnow, Gelter, Quipp to Selectboard, Retail Cannabis yes, Charter Change yes, Schools Dissolve No, allow other towns’ schools to decide to dissolve No.

Stein Drops Out of Selectboard Race, Endorses Gelter

by James Gelter | Politics

Jackson Stein has dropped out of the race for a one-year seat on the Brattleboro Selectboard.

“I would strongly urge anyone that was planning on voting for me to instead vote for Jess Gelter,” Stein said in a video posted to Instagram.

Stein explained their choice to drop out as “damage control,” stating, “it is a given that Daniel Quipp, as the incumbent, is going to win back his seat,” but that when it comes to the second seat, Brattleboro needs “anyone but Chadwick.”

Cannabis “Reeferendum”

by SK-B | Op/Ed

Article II – “Shall the Town [of Brattleboro] permit the operation of licensed cannabis retailers subject to such municipal ordinance and regulation as the Selectboard may lawfully adopt and implement?”

* * *
It will now be legal to purchase spinach in state-approved shops, so long as it is not too fresh. Our political leaders hope that legalizing this popular vegetable with government-regulated distribution through specially-favored retailers, will squeeze out illegal growers and criminal spinach-pushers.

Seriously folks: 
I am having a hard time deciding how to vote. If I vote “no,” my vote will increase the anti-pot tally and be seen as opposition to legal marijuana. If I vote, “yes,” I will be voting for state-sponsored restraint of trade, meant to harm those of our friends who for decades took risks practicing illegal horticulture and free-enterprise, keeping us supplied.

Brattleboro March 2nd Election Information

by Not Signed In | Politics

Below is information that might be helpful to know for March 2nd local elections. The Windham Southeast School District vote will be held in addition to the Annual Town Meeting Day elections.

Polling places for all three districts in Brattleboro is the American Legion, 32 Linden St., from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm.

Due to COVID-19, masks will be required (and provided if needed) to enter the American Legion for voting, and hand sanitizer or gloves will also be provided. If you are unable to wear a mask and did not vote absentee, there will be a space outdoors for you to vote. Due to social distancing and reduced capacity indoors, please be prepared for potential wait times.

Brattleboro Selectboard Candidate Interview – Rikki Risatti

by cgrotke | Politics
rikki risatti

Rikki Risatti is running for both a 3 year or a 1 year seat on the Brattleboro Selectboard.

Tell us about yourself…. 

I feel thankful to be elected as a 2020-2023 district representative and on the art committee, we need more People to apply online or through the municipal manager’s office. I recently have been welcomed to join partnership with People in the Post 5 Legion Auxiliary and the Adult/Adolescent Sibling match program. Neighbors passionately involved with making community impact efforts have been positive influences for me. I also feel so grateful of all the past and upcoming opportunities to meet with People dedicated to their causes; like the Masons, Co-Op, and Time Trade Bank members.

Americans Murdering People & Dear Children In the Middle East and Africa Hasn’t Mattered – Not Yet!

by jay janson | Op/Ed

The issue of deadly racism in the USA has been brought to the attention of all Americans by the persistent efforts of impassioned activists, especially by carrying placards with photographs of African-American victims of deadly police actions. Article suggests how the greater toll of darker skinned people murdered by Americans overseas could become a burning issue of concern for American activists fighting racism at home.

Brattleboro Selectboard Candidate Interview – Daniel Quipp

by cgrotke | Politics
daniel quipp

Daniel Quipp is an incumbent and running for a one year seat on the Brattleboro Selectboard.

Tell us about yourself….

I’m a 42 year old person with a funny accent who has lived in Brattleboro since 2015. My wife is from Newfane and I’ve been coming here since 2004. I work at SEVCA where I run our community solar program, help people get connected to resources, do work with our data and reporting system and assist people in getting health insurance (p.s. If you don’t currently have insurance email me at dquipp@sevca.org or call 802 254 2795). I’ve been on the Selectboard for the last two years and am hopeful you’ll allow me to serve the town for another year.

The Death of Democracy

by RDavis | Politics

As the second Trump impeachment trial comes to an end it is clear that the Republican party has put the final nail in the coffin of democracy. The Democrats share a lot of the blame, but it is the Republicans who have made it clear that the pursuit of truth is no longer a guiding principle of the American form of government and that justice is an ideal that is not attainable.

Politics has always been a dirty business and most people have been willing to accept a high level of bullshit, lying and corruption over the decades and centuries. But we are now at a point where it has become clear that this country has not dealt with what is wrong with the way government works for far too long. The political process is beyond repair.

When a president is allowed to break the law at will and openly trash the constitution then it is impossible for our form of government to have any credibility in the eyes of fair-minded people in this country and around the world.

What I Don’t Understand About the Impeachment Indictment

by SK-B | Politics

The single impeachment allegation is inciting insurrection. Trump’s case is that, several times, he asked his followers to be peaceful.

This allows his supporters to argue that responsibility for the insurrection is solely that of the rioters, not Trump. This ends up in a quarrel about the true intent and impact of Trump’s conduct.

What I do not understand, is why there was not a second allegation of criminal breach of duty for watching the invasion of the Capitol Building on TV for a couple of hours, while failing to activate the National Guard, or take any measure to protect the Capitol and protect Congress.

Brattleboro Selectboard Candidates Forum February 23, 2021 at 6 PM

by cgrotke | Politics

Brattleboro voters are encouraged to watch the Brattleboro Selectboard Candidates Forum on Tuesday, February 23 from 6-8 PM to learn about this year’s slate of candidates. The event is being presented by iBrattleboro.com and BCTV and will be live streamed to Comcast channel 1085 and BCTV’s Facebook page. 

It’s a virtual forum this year, held via Zoom.

Brattleboro Absentee Ballots Available

by Not Signed In | Politics

Absentee ballots for the Brattleboro Annual Town Meeting and Windham Southeast School District vote to be held March 2, are now available. Due to the pandemic, the doors to the Municipal Center are locked to the public and there will be NO IN-PERSON EARLY VOTING this year.  Absentee ballots for these two elections must be requested. Anyone wishing to vote absentee may apply for an absentee ballot until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 1, although we recommend doing so as soon as possible for mail time purposes.

Absentee ballots may be mailed to the voter by the Clerk’s office, picked up by the voter, or if a voter is in need can be delivered outside of the voter’s residence by two Justices of the Peace.  All voted ballots must be received by the Clerk before the polls close on election day in order to be counted.  For more information or to request an absentee ballot call 251-8157.

Brattleboro Selectboard Candidate Interview: Jessica Gelter

by cgrotke | Politics
Jessica Gelter

Jessica Gelter is running for a one-year seat on the Brattleboro Selectboard.

Tell us about yourself….

I’m an artist, a nonprofit executive, small business coach, and an engaged citizen. For many years, theater has been my way into conversations about politics, conflict, and the human condition. In 2016, I got involved Brattleboro’s Planning Commission because I wanted to learn how our local government systems work and play a role in crafting our town’s future. 

Brattleboro Selectboard Candidate Interview: Evan Chadwick

by cgrotke | Politics
Evan Chadwick

Evan Chadwick is running for a one-year seat on the Brattleboro Selectboard.

Tell us about yourself….  

I have lived in Brattleboro since 2006.  I graduated from Keene State with a bachelors degree in social science.  I then enrolled in a 4 year legal clerkship at the the law office of Thomas Costello.  I took the bar in 2012 and began my own law firm now named Chadwick and Spensley PLLC.  We have three offices located in Brattleboro, Pittsford and Randolph.  A large part of our practice is prosecuting police brutality cases against cities such as Burlington and Saint Albans.  For seven years I was the head boys basketball coach at Bellows Falls Union High School.  Last year I served as the freshmen coach at Brattleboro High School.