politics

My Votes for Amanda Janoo for Gov & Molly Gray for Lt Gov

by IsaacEF | Op/Ed

As we work to keep open the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Birthing Center, and our families and neighbors safe, and as we face a governor who has sold out to the White House – Remember how he handed over Vermonters’ sensitive data to the feds? – we need leaders who will stand up for us.

I invite you to join me in voting in the Democratic primary here in Vermont for Amanda Janoo for governor, and Molly Gray for lieutenant governor, on or before Tuesday, August 11. As a member of the Brattleboro Selectboard, I see how our government needs leaders who are willing to speak up for the public. I’m supporting Amanda and Molly because of their bravery and leadership at a pivotal time.

My Vote To Lower Brattleboro’s Property Taxes

by IsaacEF | Op/Ed

At Thursday’s Brattleboro Selectboard meeting, I joined Amanda Thurber in voting against the proposed 27 million dollar budget because Brattleboro municipal taxes have far outpaced wage growth. At selectboard meetings, in the street, and Thursday at the Senior Center, I kept hearing, “Enough.”

We need to stick up for everyday folks who are working for a living, trying to save for the future, and wanting to give their children a better future.

We Need to Responsibly Lower Brattleboro’s Municipal Taxes

by IsaacEF | Op/Ed

The Brattleboro Selectboard, where I’ve served as clerk since last spring, has repeatedly committed to prioritize fiscal responsibility. Now the rubber meets the road — We have an opportunity to align our actions with our words.

The selectboard has tough decisions to make. At our meeting Tuesday night we prioritized honest budgeting for a more realistic picture of expected revenue and expenses. We restored funding for critical infrastructure for our bridges, retaining walls and bicycles. And we unanimously passed my motion to restore the finance director position. If we can stick with these decisions, we will set the town up for better financial health and stability.

From Metaphor to Manifestation, Our World Renews Itself Co-creatively

by PeytonE | Economics

Dear FOF (Friend or Family), Co-Creator of our future,

As I write, the world of politics is falling apart. We (will) see our country at 250 years, torn apart at the seams and then restitched. As if all the seams of a tailored suit, tailored around the Constitution began to undeniably fail over a hundred years ago. In 1913 the zipper stuck on the fly of the pants, and to keep going a belt was fashioned that hid behind the jacket and the coat, that belt was the Federal Reserve.

SNAP Benefits, Astrology, and Politics

by Cris Ericson | Op/Ed

I am guessing the government shutdown will continue all day on Wednesday Nov. 5, 2025. The problem is that news sources say some people will not get food stamps SNAP program benefits until Nov. 7th, and they will only get half their usual amount.

Hmmm, that means some children will be whining and some babies will be crying and some adults will have reached their personal frustration limit. This is not a good time for a big ol’ full moon, but we have no control over our solar system.

Genocide in Gaza: Vermont’s Members of Congress Can Help Change Course

by IsaacEF | Op/Ed

On September 16 the United Nations said that the State of Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. During the past two years, this violence has directly struck the Green Mountain State. Dylan Collins, a journalist, was shot by the Israeli military on October 13, 2023, with no ensuing accountability. The following month a gunman shot three Palestinian students in Burlington. And on April 14, 2025, masked U.S. federal agents kidnapped another Vermonter, Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian lawful U.S. resident. 

Many Vermonters are left asking: How can we stop our tax dollars from fueling abuse and devastation around the world, which is making us less safe and robbing our own communities of housing, food, and healthcare? 

17 V.S.A. Political Party Organization Law Does Not Make Sense to a Registered Voter in Ludlow, VT

by Cris Ericson | Politics

A Vermont registered voter in Ludlow, Vermont asked me why I am asking people to start a new minor political party with me while I am not stating a platform, and I said 17 V.S.A. says you organize the party in September of an odd numbered year and make the platform in an even numbered year. That made no sense to him at all so he would not join.

“17 V.S.A. § 2319. Party conventions for platforms:
On or before the fourth Tuesday in September in each even-numbered year, upon the call of the chair of the State committee of the party, a party platform convention of each organized political party shall be held to make and adopt the platform of the party.”

Bus Drivers Update: Lockout Ended

by IsaacEF | Activism

Recently I posted about joining me at the picket this week with the school bus drivers and monitors. Based on news on Monday, it sounds we can hold off on the picket for the moment. The Brattleboro Reformer has reported that the lockout of the bus drivers and monitors has been dropped, and that they are allowed back to work! This is good news for children and families who will see their regular drivers who know the bus routes. And it’s good for the drivers who can return to work while contract negotiations resume!

Join Us At The Picket: Support Our School Bus Drivers!

by IsaacEF | Activism

Happy Labor Day! As billionaires try to take over our country, this is a critical moment to stand with working people. Will you join us this week to stand with our school bus drivers and monitors? I’ll be there Tuesday, September 2, outside Brattleboro Union High School at 7:30am.

Kuzmeskus, which is owned by an out-of-state private-equity firm, has locked out school bus drivers and monitors for the Windham Southeast district. It has been chaos for students and families, with scab drivers who don’t know our community or our streets. Teamsters Local 597 and community supporters are picketing to get Kuzmeskus to go back to the table, stop the lockout, and get our bus drivers back to work. I’ll be there bright and early Tuesday morning. Will you join us?

District 8 Meeting – A Community Conversation and Preparation”Informal Meeting” for Special Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting!

by GS | Town News

All are welcome to join District 8 Chair Gary Stroud for an important community discussion about the Town Budget and how it will impact Property Taxes and Town Resources.

This meeting is a chance for Brattleboro residents—especially those in District 8, represented by Rep. Mollie Burke—to learn about and share their views on the newly revised Town Budget coming before the Representative Town Meeting at the end of Tuesday May 27th 2025.

Brattleboro Needs Responsible Budgeting—Not a More-than-12% Tax Hike and Deferred Maintenance

by IsaacEF | Politics

The Selectboard’s proposed budget raises property taxes by more than 12% and defers expenses—setting residents up for even higher taxes down the road. And over the past several months the Selectboard has chosen to deplete Town funds to hire new positions and cover new expenses. Brattleboro’s Representative Town Meeting (RTM) Finance Committee recently issued a clear warning: The Selectboard must take a more responsible approach to budgeting. I agree. We need longer term financial planning and political courage for responsible budgeting, and the Selectboard and Representative Town Meeting can help us get there.

The Selectboard placed an opinion poll on the March 4th ballot regarding the 2% of the Town budget allocated for human services. But there’s another 98% we need to consider. That’s where the biggest opportunities are for savings.The Selectboard should have taken the Finance Committee’s recommendations seriously. The committee exists to advise Representative Town Meeting members—the ultimate deciders on the budget. To increase the chances of the budget passing, the Selectboard should carefully consider the Finance Committee’s guidance.The Finance Committee expressed concern about the lack of a long-term financial plan and called on the Selectboard to direct the town manager to present a list of potential staff cuts for the coming budget and to identify cuts and deferrals that will likely reappear a year from now when we are considering the following year’s budget. The outgoing Selectboard chose not to implement any of these recommendations.

Thank You, Brattleboro Voters!

by IsaacEF | Politics

I am proud of Brattleboro voters who showed up on Election Day in unusually high numbers. At a moment when our country faces unprecedented challenges, the people of Brattleboro made clear they want a town we all can afford, a town where our young people can play safely, where we all have a warm place to sleep at night, and where we treat one another well. I congratulate my fellow candidates for putting themselves out there in this moment of political turmoil, and to Franz Reichsman and Richard Davis for their current service on the selectboard.

Letter Regarding Human Service Organizations Funding

by feebee | Politics

As former members of the Brattleboro Human Services Committee, we are writing to encourage all members of the Brattleboro community to read the detailed, informative report to the town, from the current members of the Committee, which appeared in the February 12 issue of The Commons.

Article Vl, on this year’s Annual Town Meeting Ballot, asks Brattleboro voters to choose one of five town funding options for local Human Service organizations.

We think that voting to eliminate or drastically reduce the town’s share of funding of these organizations would be a short-sighted, major mistake, and would be detrimental to Brattleboro’s well-being.  During the time that we served on the committee, each one of us came to more deeply understand and appreciate what a critical role the nonprofit organizations, whose funding requests we carefully reviewed, play in the healthy functioning of our community. 

Isaac’s Vision: Safety, Affordability, Saving Lives

by IsaacEF | Politics

I was born and raised in Brattleboro, and I love this community. The gap between rich and poor, the opioid crisis, and the housing shortage are hurting us. We all want a community where we can earn a living wage, put food on the table, and let our kids play outside without fear of drugs or violence. We need a selectboard member who listens and helps us achieve a stronger Brattleboro. When you elect me, I’ll work to:

Spend Wisely: Create a budget that taxpayers can afford. 
Keep Us Safe: Give our community tools to stand up to drug traffickers. 
Save Lives: Support local solutions to shelter our neighbors.

Words of President Jimmy Carter Worth Repeating!

by Cris Ericson | Philosophy

In response to Hartmann’s noting that the Supreme Court now allows “unlimited money in politics,”
Carter said this:

“It violates the essence of what made America a great country in its political system. Now it’s just an oligarchy, with unlimited political bribery being the essence of getting the nominations for president or to elect the president. And the same thing applies to governors and U.S. senators and congress members.

Isaac

by IsaacEF | Politics, Town News

On Wednesday, Isaac Evans-Frantz submitted to the Brattleboro Town Clerk 120 petition signatures to appear on the ballot for Brattleboro Selectboard. That is 4 times the amount needed by law to get on the ballot. By the end of the day the town clerk had confirmed that Isaac will in fact appear on the ballot for a one-year position. The election is March 4 at the American Legion.

“Brattleboro faces major nationwide challenges – an opioid crisis, a housing shortage, a growing gap between the wealthiest and poorest people, and a climate emergency,” Isaac said. “Brattleboro needs a new leader who will help make our town safe, affordable, and welcoming for all.”

Evie Kiehle on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Books

“Where Are the Women?” is a new book just published by EVIE KIEHLE, a BUHS senior. She looks at the lack of women in American Politics and has written a guide to the ways we can change this. Evie also talks about growing up in Brattleboro, and the people and activities that influence her.