June rainfall of 4.23″ compared to a NOAA average of 4.52″. Just a little below normal. The first 20 days of the month were quite dry then several days of heavier rainfall brought us to near normal. For the calendar year still well above at 28.55″ compared to the NOAA average of 22.13″. Any rainfall we were to receive today would be recorded/reported tomorrow at 7am, the start of a new month. All numbers are from my location in the SE corner of Brattleboro.
The Brattleboro Selectboard has decided to have a tiny meeting on Vermont’s Town Meeting Day. While everyone else will be looking over vote totals and analyzing candidate and issue wins and losses, the board will discuss upcoming legislation at the state level this season, public safety, and committees. They will likely squeeze in reactions to local election news as well.
You can bring up other items, if this Chair allows, during Public Participation.
“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.
One of our finest poets, WYN COOPER has had some remarkable serendipity over the years (Joni, Madonna, Sheryl), and written some wondrous poems and lyrics that he creates by sound – harmonies of depth, irony and pure pleasure.
Surviving in the Rough Handbook:
For those living unhoused in Vermont who either have been or are due to evicted from the motel/hotel program or have otherwise have already been abandoned to the streets, woods or elsewhere with nowhere else to call home.
A living, work-in-progress, document anonymously co-written by various peers (those with lived experience, knowledge and insights, because we have been there and have done that).
In solidarity. Don’t give up!!!
For those who were not already aware of it, Brattleboro resident and author Matt Whalan will be among two speakers at an event on homelessness held at Kellogg Hubbard Library in Montpelier this evening at 6:30 PM and aired live by ORCA Media (via YouTube):
In case it is of interest, fyi:
Missive: What the 2022 MHCRC Report Got ‘Dead Wrong’:
In case it is of interest, fyi:
Missive: In Pursuit of the Arts and Sorely Needed Artistic Studio Space and Supplies (via Google Drive):
Although I have since discontinued engaging in activism and advocacy (save for continuing to focus on access to public restrooms and related matters for a few more months or so), in case you missed it and it is of interest, I just stumbled upon this commentary of mine that is in the legislative record concerning attitudes regarding people living houseless (i.e., unhoused aka homeless), fyi:
In case it is of interest, fyi:
Commentary (of mine): No Public Relief?:
In case it is of interest, fyi:
Advocacy Retirement:
In case you have not already come across it yet, a book on the subject of homelessness to consider obtaining and reading is:
“Homeless Anything Helps” by Vermont author Matthew Vernon Whalan; An Oral History (2021; Hard Times Review Press; paperback):
In case it is of interest, fyi:
Archived video: Montpelier Homelessness Task Force Listening Session (12/22/2022):
In case you missed it and it is of interest, fyi:
An Opportunity to Learn from Community Members who are Homeless (Brattleboro, VT; via Vermont Journal):
In case it is of interest, fyi:
Essay: Never Take Anything For Granted: Elevating Mindfulness (on what happened while exiting an ailing elevator):
Root Causes of Homelessness Presentation hosted at the Kellogg Hubbard Library in Montpelier last month, archived video, fyi:
Kellogg Hubbard Library – Root Causes of Homelessness (via YouTube):
https://youtu.be/mAb-RbB7Pzc
In case you missed it and it is of interest (Wednesday, August 31, 2022), fyi:
Scott administration announces abrupt halt in rental assistance for more than 8,000 Vermont households
(via Vermont Public):
Supporting Brenda Siegel
Last Autumn (2021), when most Vermont residents were able to enjoy having a roof over their heads to stay warm and dry underneath, a comfortable bed to sleep in, nourishing daily meals to eat and proper hydration with which to attempt to stay healthy, Brenda Siegel and others were holding vigil on the steps of the State House in Montpelier on behalf of those most in need who live without such means.
For my part, I joined them there for a single evening and it wasn’t easy or fun by any means. They did so for 27 long days and nights until the governor and his reluctant administration finally relented to their demands.
WHAT IS YOUR CRITERIA FOR DEBATE EXCLUSION?
Wed, Aug 31 at 8:49 AM
To: The Necrason Group
RE: report by Vtdigger.org (which reports on campaign activity of major party candidates to the exclusion of most others while claiming to be a non-profit rather than a political action committee promoting major parties)
Below is information that might be helpful to know for Aug. 9 State Primary elections.
The polling place for all three districts in Brattleboro is the American Legion, 32 Linden St., from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Masks are no longer required to enter the American Legion for voting, but they are certainly welcome and will be provided, along with hand sanitizer.
Parking is available at the American Legion and the Municipal Center parking lots. There are handicapped parking spaces close to the American Legion entrance.
