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Selectboard Candidate Interview – Oscar Heller

by cgrotke | Politics
Oscar Heller and dog

Oscar Heller is running for a three year seat on the Brattleboro Selectboard.

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Tell us a bit about yourself. Who are you and why are you running for a three year seat?

Hi there! My name is Oscar Heller. I live on Elliot Street in an apartment I used to rent and now own. I’ve started two small businesses, 10F Design and Winterland Marketing, and we work out of the Hooker Dunham building downtown.

I’ve been involved with Brattleboro’s town politics for eight years. I think local government is now more important than ever, and I’ve always felt a pull to be involved and contribute what I can. I started on the Energy Committee, am currently a Town Meeting representative for District 9, and have served on the Finance Committee for the last six years, including this year as chair.

The Games of Boris Spassky – Part I

by CCM Holland Mills | Recreation & Sports

This game, from the 1960 USSR Championship played in Leningrad, Spassky’s birthplace, was famous in its own right at the time and served as inspiration for the chess game featured in the James Bond film From Russia With Love.

While Spassky’s 15th move was later found to be technically inaccurate, Bronstein had used two hours of time at that juncture, leaving a mere half-hour for his next 26 moves.   Under time pressure even the elite stumble in the face of complexity, and  so Black’s consequent misstep allowed Spassky to finish the game with unerring precision.

A Vocabulary of Fascism

by Lise | Op/Ed, Politics

Sometimes we have a lot of useful words but have trouble putting them together.  In the current case, however, they speak loud and clear.  Let’s review the vocabulary and its implications:

Extremely anti-social views and behavior, coupled with a lack of conscience, are evidence that a person is suffering from sociopathy. It’s hard to tell if someone actually lacks a conscience, but anti-social behavior is easy to spot. People who habitually flout the laws and mores of their society, and who are, in fact, against those laws and mores, are behaving anti-socially. This may even be accompanied by misanthropy, which is the hatred of other people.

But just because you hate other people doesn’t mean you can’t love yourself. Narcissism is just that — excessive vanity and admiration of self. And of course, egotism follows, for surely such a fabulous person as oneself will be completely selfish and self-absorbed. It’s the mindset of the spoiled rich kid — I want it, give it to me now!

Vote Isaac Evans-Frantz, Selectboard 1 Year Seat

by MD | Politics

There are a number of qualities I look for in an elected official, whether local or on the larger stage.

I think it’s important that those who represent me research to learn the history and contributing factors for each issue they’ll deal with. They must talk to the people involved and affected and listen well to each. They need to relay comprehensive information to others clearly, in a concise, respectful way.

Brattleboro Selectboard Mar 3 Special Meeting, Plus Agenda and Notes March 6, 2025

by cgrotke | Town News

At a special meeting on Monday, the Brattleboro Selectboard will meet with NH counterparts to discuss the island and now un-used bridges over the Connecticut River.

Their other meeting, moved to Thursday to avoid Town Meeting Day conflicts, will feature issues such as Living Memorial Park’s need for an additional $80,000, the vacant building ordinance, a decision to approve the plans for the eventual bridge repair on Western Ave, a new mural for Harmony Lot, and a discussion of Health Care and Rehabilitation. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Warnings

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 5 and Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 6:15pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room.

The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 4:15 in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room.

Brattleboro Town Clerk Office Closure

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Town Clerk’s office will be closed Tuesday, March 4th (for the election) and Wednesday, March 5th. We will resume normal business hours of 8:30am to 12:00pm and 1pm to 5pm beginning on Thursday, March 6th.

Oscar Heller for Selectboard

by fidel | Politics

Oscar Heller will be a thoughtful member of the Brattleboro Selectboard, progressive in his values but mindful of the financial facts of life. I have served with Oscar for several years on the Representative Town Meeting Finance Committee (both of us have chaired in different years) and I know his abilities well. Heller is diligent and well-informed. He respects different opinions, listens well, and has an admirable ability to contribute to the development of reasoned decisions while maintaining group cohesion.

It is clear from this year’s Finance Committee work that Heller strongly believes in the necessity of multi-year financial planning and rigorous consideration of budgetary alternatives. He knows that nothing good can come from undisciplined spending.

WSESD Independent Budget Review Committee Minutes – Feb 2, 2025

by Not Signed In | Education

On a Motion by Elie and seconded by Maggie the committee unanimously approved the draft for publication pending any comments from Frank Rucker, WSESD business manager.

Kristina referred the committee to the motion from the past meeting authorizing Maggie and Kristina to incorporate edits before releasing the report if Frank has minor changes. The committee agreed to let the motion stand, and Kristina agreed to hold an emergency meeting if any issues arise in the next few days which would require substantive rewrites.

Brattleboro’s Asst. Town Manager Moreland Stepping Down on March 24 To Become DV Fiber Director

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro is announcing the resignation of Brattleboro’s Assistant Town Manager, Patrick Moreland, who served in the role since August 2011. Moreland will be stepping down from the position on March 24, 2025, to pursue an opportunity leading DV Fiber as its new executive director.

During his career with the Town, Moreland worked with four town managers and served as interim town manager twice. He’s played a part in numerous initiatives, including routine projects like budget development and special projects such as the transition to municipal EMS services and the launch of the pay-as-you-throw system.

“I oversaw the expansion of curbside organics collection, which is really unique,” Moreland said, adding that the success of the program led to Windham Solid Waste Management District expanding its capacity to receive more organic materials.

Windham Southeast School District Board Windham & Southeast School Union Board Special Board Meeting Minutes

by Not Signed In | Education

IV. Overview of Governor Scott’s “Education Transformation Proposal: a proposed reform of Vermont’s current system of education and funding.”

Dan McArthur Rural School Alliance gave an overview of the Governor’s proposal for educational reforms and gave remarks on behalf of the rural school alliance.

Emilie Kornheiser also gave remarks regarding educational reform proposal and various funding mechanisms

Clark Street Closure on Feb. 26

by Not Signed In | Town News

On Wednesday, February 26, Green Mountain Power will be replacing a utility pole at the intersection of Clark Street and Estabrook Street. Clark Street will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It is advisable for residents to make the necessary arrangements and utilize the southern entrance of Clark Street for ingress and egress. Emergency services are aware of this closure and will implement a plan to continue to provide any services needed beyond this closure.

Brattleboro Planning Commission Meeting: March 3, 2025 Meeting Agenda

by planning | Town Plan

6:15 – 7:00 Town Plan 2026
• Review and approve community outreach plan for Community Conservations. Discuss topics that the Planning Commission would like to explore in these conversations.(cont.)
• Interactive activity using maps and photos to identify characteristics of development and uses that are desired in the discussed areas.

March 19, 2025 Brattleboro Development Review Board Agenda

by bbannon@brattleboro.org | Town Plan

AGENDA

Call to Order
Review and Approve Minutes of previous meeting.
Review of Cases/Public Hearings to be reviewed under the Brattleboro Land Use Regulations as warned on October 12, 2015.
 2025-2                  Windham Windsor Housing Trust for the Ursula Dalem Life Estate; Residential Neighborhood 5400 District; request for Traditional Neighborhood Planned Unit Development Approval for a Traditional Neighborhood PUD with 70 housing units.

Brattleboro March 4, 2025 Local Election Helpful Information

by Not Signed In | Politics

Below is some helpful information for the March 4th Town Meeting and WSESD School Board Director Elections.

Absentee Ballots
Absentee ballots for these elections were mailed by request. Please make sure to follow the instructions provided
with your ballot, including:
• Signing the certificate envelope and ensuring your ballot/s are inside the certificate envelope.
• Using a black pen to mark your ballot.

Brattleboro Overnight Snow Removal Scheduled

by Not Signed In | Town News

Snow and ice will be cleared from select streets in Brattleboro on Monday, February 24, 2025, starting at 10 p.m. The affected streets include: Western Avenue, from Exit 2 to Edward Heights

Greenleaf Street
Canal Street
Clark Avenue
South Main Street

Evans-Frantz: Experience and Vision

by GeorgeCC | Politics

I’ve known Isaac Evans-Frantz for several years and I am glad he is running for Select Board.

Isaac’s Brattleboro roots run deep. He was born in Brattleboro, grew up in a low-income family and graduated from BUHS before going on to college.

His at times challenging upbringing gives him the experience to understand those in town who can’t afford huge increases in local property taxes. So I admire the way he has shown a light on the way the current Select Board has stonewalled the RTM Finance Committee and its recommendations. I know he will bring a more responsible fiscal outlook to the board.