The Continuing Threat To Medicare

by RDavis | Health

A few months ago I talked about a threat to the traditional Medicare program beyond the threat that Medicare Advantage poses to the public nature of the program. That threat is called Direct Contracting Entities (DCEs).

The Trump administration initiated the DCE change to push Medicare in the direction of privatization. That kind of move is going to chip away at the equality and near-universal access that Medicare offers because private insurance companies will be more in control of how health care is delivered and paid for.

Brattleboro Presidents’ Day Closings

by Not Signed In | Town News

In observance of Presidents’ Day, all Brattleboro Town offices will be closed on Monday, February 21, 2022, with the exception of emergency services.

Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Sunday and Monday, February 20 and February 21. All other violations will be enforced.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – No Business Likes Snow Business

by cgrotke | Town News
selectboard february 15, 2022

The Brattleboro selectboard had strong words for downtown property owners over sidewalk snow removal. It was a good old-fashioned Selectboard -DBA battle for a while there, when the downtown organization tried to pass responsibility for clearing snow to the Town.  No, insisted the board. Building owners have always been required to clear it, and if the downtown organization feels it is a shabby job, perhaps they should pay to use a more professional service. Take that.

They also raced through some public hearings, updates and reports.

WSESD Board Statement On Reporting Information To Law Firm

by Not Signed In | Education

The Windham Southeast District School Board (WSESD Board) has formally engaged the services of Attorney Aimee Goddard of Buehler & Annis PLC to investigate reports of sexual abuse, harassment and/or abuse of power by current or former faculty, staff or administration. In addition, the investigation will examine whether current and/or former faculty, staff, or administration, including board members, had knowledge of any such misconduct and failed to take appropriate steps to protect students.

We know that reporting such painful events may require reporters to revisit uncomfortable feelings and difficult memories. Attorney Goddard has decades of experience working with survivors, victims, and their families and will make every effort to accommodate reporting needs in an environment that is safe and supportive.

WSESD School District Vote, Candidate Forum and Budget Info Session

by Not Signed In | Education

Due to COVID-19 safety there will be no in person Windham Southeast School District Annual Meeting this year. You can vote on the school budget and for school board members by requesting a school ballot from your Town Clerk and voting absentee or by voting in person at each of the polling locations in Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford, and Putney on Tuesday, March 1st, 2022. Voters concerned with COVID-19 and social distancing are encouraged to vote through absentee ballot.

Harris Hill 100th Anniversary Ski Jump February 19-20, 2022

by Not Signed In | Recreation & Sports

The Harris Hill Ski Jump, the only Olympic sized ski jump in New England, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this weekend, February 18-20 in Brattleboro, Vermont.

On Friday, February 18, an evening of FREE festivities will be held to kick off the weekend and celebrate the community as Harris Hill Ski Jump and The Brattleboro Outing Club celebrate their 100th anniversaries. The evening, which will run from 6-8 pm under the new lights, will include a ski jumping exhibition, local food and beverages and a fireworks display. The Harris Hill Ski Jump and Brattleboro Outing Club were founded by Fred Harris in 1922.

350 Vermont Climate SOS Rally in Montpelier

by Not Signed In | State News

On Friday, Feb 18, 350Vermont calls for a statewide rally on the State House lawn in Montpelier. Over the past year, our members worked hard  to ensure that the Climate Action Plan would be the catalyst that propelled us towards the change we need to see in our state.  Unfortunately, the Climate Action Plan didn’t go nearly far enough, or include enough input from frontline communities, and now it is up to the legislature to act. 

“This year, the Vermont legislature has the tremendous opportunity to make substantial progress on addressing the climate crisis,” says 350VT Organizer Jaiel Pulskamp. “We’re calling on them to enact real and just solutions that will improve regular people’s lives while slashing emissions – not more greenwashing and false solutions that put more money into the pockets of the utilities and their shareholders.”

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting – Agenda and Notes February 15, 2022

by cgrotke | Town News

At their next regular meeting the Brattleboro Selectboard will consider changing the rules about downtown snow removal, possibly ending the practice of removing snow for building owners and charging them after for the work.

The board will revisit the mask mandate, take care of some grants, appoint some people, and consider use of ARPA funds to replenish the parking fund. You can, as always, bring up pther items not on the agenda during public participation.

BCTV Schedules – Week of February 14, 2022

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Channel 1075 schedule for the week of 2/14/22

Monday, February 14, 2022

6:30 am Media Mentoring Project – The Future of Local Journalism – Why Your Local Paper Matters 2/2/22
8:00 am Democracy Now! – Democracy Now! Daily Broadcast
9:00 am At BMAC – Puppet-Making Demonstration – B. Lynch
10:00 am Brattleboro Literary Festival – Imbolo Mbue – How Beautiful We Were

Harris Hill Ski Jump with Pat Howell on “Here We Are”

by Wendy O'Connell | Media

People get ready-The HARRIS HILL SKI JUMP’s coming!! Pat Howell talks about the Jump’s 100th anniversary celebration, the new book & great moments from the past. Pat also shares stories from her life – working for the Tunisian Ambassador in D.C., and her early years growing up in a utopian community.

Super Bowl USA Murders Afghani Children Stealing Their Food Money After 20 Year Defeat by Taliban Gov.

by jay janson | Op/Ed

Before kick off at the Super Bowl, a moment of silence for the Afghani children that have been starved to death by the American government impounding their food money would have been appropriate. It would have shown that Americans care and wish their government would unfreeze the more than 9 $billion so Afghani children can be fed and go on living. Some US Congressmen and women spoken out.

Brattleboro Absentee Ballots Available for Town & School Elections

by Not Signed In | Politics

Absentee ballots for the Brattleboro Annual Town Meeting and Windham Southeast School District vote to be held March 1, are now available. Due to the pandemic, voters are encouraged to vote absentee.  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, February 28, 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 location 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 Committee Vacancies

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro is looking for citizens to serve on the following committees and boards:

ADA Committee
Agricultural Advisory committee – ex officio non-voting members
Arts Committee
Cemetery Committee
Citizen Police Communications Committee (CPCC)