EMS Deception

by SK-B | Op/Ed

Although I have made a comment or two on ibrattleboro.com decrying the autocratic manner of selectboard members (we make the decisions, we don’t have to explain), I have been reluctant to speak out about the EMS controversy as I have not made a truly serious effort to become informed. After watching the September 12 EMS forum, I still do not feel capable of analysing which choice is better; but on a gut-feeling basis, I do not trust the Dog-And-Pony-Show put on by Town leadership. A “consensus” of 11 Town employees concerned with their jobs reciting matching opinions, is hardly a genuine consensus.

Still, I wondered what if they are right and EMS run by the fire department actually would be better?

EMS Forum: Brattleboro Municipal Staff Are In Favor of Municipal EMS

by cgrotke | Op/Ed

I took notes for last night’s public… uh, lecture? …spanking?…justifications? ….gaslighting?  It certainly didn’t seem much like a forum on EMS options.

For example, Town Manager John Potter introduced the evening by saying that one goal for the evening was to NOT go into detail of any of the EMS options.  A goal.

This was followed by over an hour of Town staff, many who live on towns served by Rescue, explaining why each and every one of them think the BFD is great!  A member of the public called BS on this pretty quickly, but was ignored.

Below are my notes (cut and pasted from the comments of another thread.):

Real Educations

by AnneODyne | Culture

Awhile ago in a thread about disinformation, and disintegration of truth, Chris made a comment about the loss of ‘Real Educations’; and that got me thinking… one side effect of getting older is being forced to sort out how things have changed and are changing. 

Maybe it’s fallout from social media, immersive screen technology, dwelling in virtual realms, shortened attention spans- all those have exacted a cost to the species in the loss of tactile, mechanical, sensual, kinesthetic knowledge. Many vital skills and ways are fading.

Here’s the start of a list …a few of what I think are essential learnings, vanishing due to our fast paced, google eyed way of life. Skills that may have once seemed timeless, or at least somehow central to the persistence and pleasure of human existence. I hope others will add to the collection 

Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series – Soggy Po Boys

by hahrenholz | Music

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series and Twilight Music present an evening of brass-fueled, swinging music of New Orleans by the Soggy Po Boys, on Sunday, October 8 at 3:00 pm at West River Park in Brattleboro, VT. The jazz septet brings The Big Easy to street corners, clubs, festivals, and concert halls, celebrating the sounds and stories of New Orleans.

The Soggy Po’ Boys have spread the good news of New Orleans music across the northeast and beyond since 2012. Stu Dias (vocals, guitar), Eric Klaxton (clarinet, soprano sax), Josh Gagnon (trombone), Nick Mainella (tenor sax), Mike Effenberger (piano), Brian Waterhouse (drums), and Scott Kiefner (bass) explore the vast musical traditions of New Orleans, looking beyond NOLA jazz to include traditional Caribbean tunes, Meters funk, soul, and brass band/street beat music. Next Stage Production Director and Twilight Music’s Barry Stockwell notes “the Soggy Po Boys lit up a full house at Next Stage on a cold, December, Saturday night with the uplifting sounds and spirit of New Orleans – we’re thrilled to bring the party outdoors as part of the Bandwagon Summer Series.”

BCTV Schedules – Week of September 11, 2023

by BCTVProg | Media

Monday, September 11, 2023

6:00 am Couch Potatoe Productions – Twilight on the Tavern Lawn presents The Woodpeckers 8/6/23

7:50 am Juno Orchestra – Heaven’s Border – Organum Light

8:00 am Democracy Now! – Democracy Now! Daily Broadcast

9:00 am Energy Week with George Harvey – Energy Week #538 – 8/31/2023

Brattleboro Selectboard’s EMS Surprise

by cgrotke | Op/Ed

Thursday’s delayed Brattleboro Selectboard meeting almost seemed like a last-minute confessional. In the movie version it would have gone like this:

Board: “Forgive us, voting public, for we have committed the sin of omission.  When we said it was about the one letter from Rescue, it wasn’t the full story…”  (Cue ominous music)

…..

I’m not sure if it was the late hour, or a lack of air conditioning on a hot evening, or an impending sense of guilt, but moments before the the meeting was to wrap up, (with the next steps being a public information session then a board vote on EMS services,) board members revealed that they had other, important information that they have been keeping from the public.

Brattleboro Storm Damage

by BrattFireDept | Police & Fire

Early this evening a thunder storm came through Brattleboro, with heavy rains, lighting and wind. The storm affected the Western Ave corridor and Maple Street corridor. The damage consists of trees and power lines down, and minor road damage. The Green Mountain Power South Substation is currrently down. This affects power to residents on Canal Street, Fairview Street, Maple Street to Western Ave and West Brattleboro, this is affecting 2600 residents. Green Mountain Power has crews working on the issue along with replacing a broken utility pole on Maple Street.

WSESD Social Justice Committee Minutes

by Not Signed In | Education

III. Updates

Mikaela Simms announced that October 6 will be a Working Towards Justice celebration at BUHS. They are seeking organizations to present workshops 8:45-1:20. Juniper Creative Arts, an organization that collaborates with youth to create murals, will be a part of the celebration, and Ms. Simms has applied for grant funding to finance JCA doing a several week project to create an exterior mural at BUHS that will include all students.

Construction Update Brattleboro-Hinsdale Bridge Sept 8

by Not Signed In | Hinsdale

The VT 142 paving operation is complete, with 5″ of pavement being placed. Final pavement will be held until the entire project is closer to completion next year. Placement of guard rail, bridge rail and fencing along the northern part of the project was completed this week. Temporary barrier has been placed along the southern portion of the project. Temporary pavement markings have been placed. Fine grading the shoulders, ditch lines and other critical areas, and backing up the pavement edges with crushed stone to eliminate drop-off are also being completed this week.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Former Chair Decides Now Is Time To Reveal Longstanding Fire-Rescue Relationship Issues

by cgrotke | Town News
sb sept 7

Well, well, well. The Brattleboro Selectboard has decided at the last moment that it would be good for them to explain to the public all the secret EMS BFD Rescue relationship information they have known about, information the public has asked them about for over a year and half and the board has remained steadily tight-lipped about. Until now.

Former Chair Liz McLoughlin cracked and said she wouldn’t let Rescue, Inc. control the narrative anymore, and that she wanted a meeting to reveal everything the board knows that the public has been kept in the dark about by her and her fellow board members. Chair Ian Goodnow warned the board that the town attorney told them they should not discuss these secrets with the public, but they voted to hold a special meeting anyway. The plan is to let the public know all the reasons that Rescue and BFD don’t get along.

This throws the public forum and decision-making meeting dates into question.

Vermont Route 142 in Brattleboro Open

by Not Signed In | Hinsdale

Vermont Route 142 will open to traffic not later than 6 pm today, Thursday, September 7th, 2023. Ongoing approach work for the new bridge over the CT River for Vermont/New Hampshire Route 119 will require alternating traffic patterns along VT 142 in the future and delays in this area will be encountered off and on until the projected completion of the bridge in 2024.

Medicare Drug Negotiation Is A Sham

by RDavis | Activism

If you want a good example of meaningless political activity and wishful thinking look to the current announcement that there will be negotiations for price cuts for 10 drugs in the Medicare drug program. People need to be reminded that Medicare D, the drug program created many years ago, was a gift to the pharmaceutical industry and did little to help seniors struggling to pay for medication. It has increased the profits of drug companies and that is no accident.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 mandated that the federal government negotiate with the pharmaceutical industry and now the Biden administration is trying to get PR mileage because they are going to “try” to negotiate to lower prices for 10 drugs commonly prescribed for seniors. I say try because big pharma is already lining up all of their legal teams to fight the negotiation process. It will be hard for the drug company CEO’s to buy another vacation home if profits are not maximized.

Next Stage Arts Presents Double Bill featuring Priya Darshini and the Argentinian Chamamé of the Alejandro Brittes Quartet

by hahrenholz | Music

Next Stage Arts presents a double bill featuring the Hindustani and Carnatic-influenced New Age music of Priya Darshini, and the Argentinian Chamamé of the Alejandro Brittes Quartet, on Friday, October 6 at 7:30 pm at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill, in Putney, Vermont.

Born in Chennai, raised in Mumbai, India, and based in New York, Priya Darshini’s distinct style takes inspiration from her diverse cultural and life experiences. Rooted in Hindustani and Carnatic Indian Classical music, her improvisational mastery, and vast knowledge of music from around the world, Priya’s music is elegant, tranquil, virtuosic, intricately layered, and pushes compositional boundaries while effortlessly weaving her distinct multicultural experience into a unique and timeless musical tapestry. As John Schafer of WNYC remarks “[Priya Darshini’s] music incorporates a world of influences and lives on the periphery, much like herself.”

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting Agenda

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 6:15pm in the  Selectboard Meeting Room at the Brattleboro Municipal Center (230 Main Street). Prior to the special meeting, at 5:15pm, the Board will convene and is expected to immediately enter into executive session to discussion contracts. Invited into the executive session are the Town Manager and the Assistant Town Manager. No action will be taken in executive session. The public may also participate in the meeting over Zoom. The attached agenda contains information on how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.”  ASL interpreters will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.

WSESD Social Justice Committee Meeting Agenda

by Not Signed In | Education

AGENDA

Mission : Foster learning environments in which all members of the school community are safe, feel valued, and are appreciated, as well as promote policies and procedures that value equity and diversity in our schools.

I. Call to Order / Introductions / Recognition of Visitors
II. Clerk & minutes
III. Updates
IV. Resumes and Diversity questions