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Vermont Town Meeting Day – Empowering Direct Democracy

by Not Signed In | Op/Ed

By David Van Deusen, District Vice President of the VT AFL-CIO

March 5th, 2019, Cabot VT -Today, the first Tuesday of March, is Town Meeting Day in Vermont. While a community may have many Town Meetings during the year, this is the one day when every community has a Town Meeting all at once.  And here, all the citizens collectively act as the legislative branch of the local government.  One citizen, one vote.  Unlike in the rest of the United States, towns in Vermont have the right to conduct all their government business from the floor of the Town Meeting.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Steve Barrett Night

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard march 5

The Brattleboro Selectboard met on Town Meeting Day 2019 and spent most of the time discussing issues of water and sewer.

This included a rather substantial presentation by an apartment owner requesting a reduction in an abnormally high water bill, some discussion of the Hinsdale Bridge, some notes on odors and energy, and a hint that water and sewer ates may hold steady for a year.

Newfane Town Meeting – Property Tax Late Charges Reduced

by cgrotke | West River Valley

I attended my first “real” Town Meeting today. It was the Newfane, VT Town Meeting, held at Williamsville Hall. Previously, I’ve been both a representative and a constituent in Brattleboro’s Representative Town Meeting system. This is the first time I could attend, or not, without needing to be elected  first.

Williamsville Hall is right down the road, so I took advantage of the sunny day and walked. Along the way a neighbor caught up with me and we arrived together, went inside and found seats.

Birds and Brew featuring Dara Carleton, Wildlife Photographer

by Not Signed In | Arts

Stop by McNeill’s Brewery at 90 Elliot Street in Brattleboro, March 6th from 5-7 pm for Birds & Brews, a Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society meeting. Come out for a beer (or soda) and some friendly chatter with area birders and naturalists. Free and open to the public and all levels of birders (including new ones). Show up anytime between 5 and 7.

Update on Act 46 Process: Judge Issues Denial

by Not Signed In | Education

Good evening.  Still sending out information from me personally, not as chair…  As of late today, Judge Mello issued a ruling; see link:

https://vtdigger.org/2019/03/04/judge-denies-request-delay-mergers-act-46-case/?is_wppwa=true&wpappninja_cache=friendly

As before, please feel free to contact me with any questions, and if I can find answers, I will.

BCTV Schedules – Week of 3/4/19

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Channel 8 schedule for the week of 3/4/19

Monday, March 4, 2019

5:00 am EMF Safety for Vermont – 4G/5G Health Concerns
5:30 am Talking Nerdy – Ep. 13 – Singles Awareness Day!
7:23 am Mad River Glen Today – Bob Spofford
8:00 am Democracy Now! – Democracy Now! Daily Broadcast
9:00 am BCTV Open Studio – Senior Solutions 2/11/19

UNH Professor Discusses Hip-hop as Tool for Social Change at Landmark College, March 5

by landmarkcollege | Education

The Spring 2019 Landmark College Academic Speaker Series continues with a talk by Marcos Del Hierro, entitled “The Use of Hip-hop Rhetoric to Combat the Criminalization of Black, Brown, and Red Youth” on Tuesday, March 5, at 7 p.m. in the Brooks M. O’Brien Auditorium, located in the East Academic Building.

During the talk, Del Hierro will provide insights into how hip-hoppers produce sustainable models for recycling knowledge and technology to produce art, criticism, and pleasure, allowing these artists to respond to social discourses that represent young people of color as inferior and deviant.

Update on Brattleboro Town School Board Budget, Act 46, Concerns About Delays

by Not Signed In | Education

Greetings, Brattleboro! My name is Jill Stahl Tyler, and while I am the chair of the Brattleboro Town School Board, I send this information out personally.  It’s a broad update on the status of our budget/Act 46/delays in moving forward.

Our Brattleboro Town School Board has always tried to “prepare for every eventuality” while going through almost four years of Act 46 discussion.  In the hopes that you will feel more informed about the process, I have gathered this information.  Feel free to share widely!

Why the Town School Board Election on March 5 is NOT a Referendum on Act 46

by ADavis | Education

I am taking the time to clarify one thing about the choice voters face for the three-year seat on the Brattleboro Town School Board on Tuesday, March 5.

This vote is NOT a referendum on Act 46. The group that I have worked with – in Brattleboro,
across our county and the state – has consistently fought for provisions in the Act 46 law itself
known as “Section 9: Alternative Governance.” This section was put in the law because of
concerns in the legislature that there would be some form of off-ramp for communities that would
not be well served by the so-called “preferred merger” with a mega-board.

Debunking Objections to Youth Enfranchisement in Brattleboro and Beyond

by Mark J. Tully | Op/Ed

Hi. My name is Mark Tully, a resident of Brattleboro. I’ve been helping out the youth leadership of the Brattleboro Youth Vote campaign – which comes to a head in this Tuesday’s town elections with a ballot measure (Article II) that partially enfranchises youth aged 16 and 17. I’ve worked with youth leadership around the country in various political and artistic projects for over 25 years, and continue to do since moving here four years ago.

While monitoring opinions in the local press, and talking to residents during petitioning and community events, there are some common objections that arise.

Calling All Bakers!

by Not Signed In | Books

Calling All Bakers!

The Friends of Brooks Memorial Library are looking for tantalizing treats to tempt taste buds at the 2nd Annual Just Desserts Fundraising Friendraiser. Email the Friends, or stop by the library for more information 🙂

Selectboard Candidate Interview – Oscar Heller

by cgrotke | Politics
Oscar Heller

Another in our series of 2019 selectboard candidate interviews, this time with Oscar Heller who is running for a one-year seat.

Give us a brief biography – who are you? What do you do?

Hi! I’m Oscar.

I was born in New York, but when I was 14 my parents picked a summer camp at random off the internet. That camp was Camp Waubanong in Brattleboro. I spent most of the next dozen summers in Vermont. In 2014 I moved here for good. I live on Elliot Street, just before the park, with my girlfriend Jessie and our two cats.

Selectboard Candidate Interview – Tim Wessel

by cgrotke | Politics, Uncategorized
Wessel Family

We continue our series of interviews with candidates for Selectboard, this time with Tim Wessel, the only incumbent and a three-year seat candidate.

Give us a brief biography – who are you? What do you do?

Hi, I’m Tim! I’m a father to a 29 year old AND a 13 month old, which is crazy and strange and pretty darned wonderful too. I work for myself running Vermont Films, a video production company here in Brattleboro, and I spend my work life shooting and editing films for many different clients, both local and national. Many people saw my appearance on House Hunters on HGTV a few years back, and I also work in production for that show about once a month, usually traveling to do so. My wife and I just celebrated our second wedding anniversary, and the first birthday of our son.

Windham County Senator Becca Balint and Lt. Governor David Zuckerman Endorse The Brattleboro Youth Vote

by Mark J. Tully | Town News

On Tuesday, March 5th’s Brattleboro town ballot (on the back side) is a ballot measure – “Article II” – that will grant 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote on town issues and candidates, be elected to and serve on local school boards (up to 2 on each), and be elected as Town Representatives. The measure has received the endorsement of Brattleboro resident and Senator Becca Balint, and Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman.

Lt. Governor Zuckerman endorsed the measure last Summer, before it had even gotten on the ballot. Writing an endorsement for the campaign’s website, he said “Engaging youth in local decisions is a great way to instill a commitment to their community, bring in new ideas and energy, and to recognize the value they add to the region.”

Mar. 9: Early Music Benefit Concert by Night’s Black Bird

by JoyW-P | Music

West Brattleboro, Vt. — At 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, tri-state fans of Early Music are invited to All Souls Church in West Brattleboro for “Love’s Harvest,” a benefit concert of airs, arias, madrigals, and tonos by the Night’s Black Bird trio from Allentown, Pennsylvania. Admission at the door is $15 per person and includes a gala reception; proceeds will help support ASC community-based programs and the Meeting House.

Par for the Cause Mini Golf Classic

by matkinson | Entertainment

The 5th Annual Par for the Cause – an indoor mini-golf classic to benefit the Winston Prouty Center for Child and Family Development – will be held the weekend of March 9th and 10th at the Winston Prouty Campus, 209 Austine Drive in Brattleboro.

The Saturday evening event from 6:00-9:00pm on March 9 will feature delicious food by Guilford Country Store, a cash bar by Hazel and a silent auction of fun experiences. Tickets are $25 per person.

Wetland Birds & Wildlife Photo Show Opens March 2

by JoyW-P | Arts

West Brattleboro — Images of birds and other wildlife taken by David Y. Parker, Jr. of Brookline, Vt., are showing in the foyer and other gallery spaces at All Souls Church through the end of April. The public is invited to an artist’s reception on Saturday, March 2, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., offering both sweet and savory treats. This gathering offers a convenient opportunity for visitors to ask the photographer about his artistic approach and camera techniques.

VFW $6 Lunch Specials Open to the Public 3-4 to 3-8

by Not Signed In | Food

The Brattleboro VFW located at 40 Black Mountain Road is open to the public for lunch. Lunch is served Mon-Fri from 11:30 – 1:30. Specials listed below are only $6 a plate. Hand made burger, fries, sweet potato fries, wings, onion rings, soups and sandwiches are also available. Take outs available by calling 257-0438

Birds and Brew featuring Dara Carleton, Wildlife Photographer

by Dara Carleton | Nature

If you’re in the area, stop by McNeill’s Brewery March 6th from 5-7 pm for Birds & Brews, a Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society meeting. Come out for a beer (or soda) and some friendly chatter with area birders and naturalists. Free and open to the public and all levels of birders (including new ones). Show up anytime between 5 and 7.