Golden Lab Found 12/29

Golden Lab found on Cedar street Sunday afternoon. Name on tag is “Quest”.

Please call 203-233-8288 to retrieve your puppy!


Weekend Concert Series: Concert for George

One year after George Harrison died, a group of his musician friends gathered at Royal Albert Hall for a memorial concert.

This show begins with the Ravi Shankar orchestra and a few meditative pieces, followed by some Monty Python. The second half is a collage of Harrison tunes performed by his friends. Taxman by Tom Petty. If I Needed Someone by Eric Clapton. Photograph by Ringo. All Things Must Pass by Paul. It is that kind of show.


Long-Term Jobless Benefits Expire Saturday

BURLINGTON, Vt., – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said today that Congress must restore unemployment benefits that expire Saturday for 1.3 million Americans, including some 600 Vermonters, who have been out of work for longer than 26 weeks.

Unless Congress acts, jobless benefits will lapse during the first half of 2014 for an additional 1.9 million people, including another 2,300 Vermonters.

“It is not only immoral to cut off help for workers struggling to find jobs, it is also bad economics,” Sanders said. “At a time when long-term unemployment is near a record level, cutting benefits will hurt the rest of the economy and cause even more jobs to disappear.”


Brattleboro Last Night 2013 Celebration, Tuesday, December 31st, 2013

Once again Brattleboro’s Last Night Committee presents a fun filled, substance free day of celebration on Tuesday, December 31st for New Year’s Eve. The day kicks off with the wonderful Senior Potluck Luncheon at the Brattleboro Senior Center from 11:30-1PM. Sponsored by River Valley Credit Union, this year’s featured guests are “Sing, Sing, Swing” featuring Scott Sizer, Lynn Lovell and Rob Fletcher.

From 1 to 4PM folks can enjoy sleigh and hay rides at Fairwinds Farm on Upper Dummerston Road (no pets please). Adults are $8 and children up to 12 years are $4.


Brattleboro Ford Test Drive Raises $3,240 to Help BMH Open “The New Doorway to Exceptional Care”

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital officials announced the October 27 “” event organized by Brattleboro Ford raised $3,240.00 for “The Doorway to Exceptional Care” capital campaign.

Drive 4 UR Community is a Ford Motor Company program that enables local dealerships to support community groups and nonprofit organizations. The automobile manufacturer donated $20 for every test drive taken by an individual during the day-long event on the BMH campus. The proceeds will support the hospital’s efforts to raise $3.5 million from the community to renovate and expand its Emergency Department.


The Stage for Change and Thoughts Going Forward – Brattleboro Taxes

I think everyone, including the Select and School Boards, recognizes that Brattleboro has a major property tax problem coupled with an imminent economic crisis. I think the Town needs to take aggressive steps toward a functional solution.

As the former head of the BUHS Board and its Finance Committee for 10 years, I/we faced a budget crisis every year. We recognized that there was an advocate for every budget dollar – and then some. I remember the public debate, scrutiny and pain we faced when we cut programs or tried to implement cost savings through change. We can no longer afford this brutal, slow process.


Brattleboro New Year’s Day Closings

In observance of New Year’s Day, all Brattleboro Town offices will be closed on Wednesday, January 1, 2014, with the exception of emergency services.

Offices will be open for regular hours on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 and will reopen for regular hours on Thursday, January 2, 2014.

Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Wednesday, January 1. All other violations, including extended parking, will be enforced.

Brooks Memorial Library will close at 6:00pm on Tuesday, December 31, 2013, and will be closed all day Wednesday, January 1, 2013. It will reopen for regular hours on Thursday, January 2, 2014.


Youth Essay Contest – Youth Suffrage

I can’t say how few submissions we have, but a local teenager submitting an essay now has a VERY good chance of winning !

“BRATTLEBORO REFORMER” Day Managing Editor Bob Audette will judge

YOUTH ESSAY CONTEST. LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!

$500 FIRST PRIZE, two $100 second prizes. HOW: write essay on the subject: “YOUTH SUFFRAGE: SHOULD THE VOTING AGE BE LOWERED”


150 Years Ago (1863 12/25)

U.S. Barracks, Brattleboro, Dec. 25, 1863.

Dear wife –

It is Christmas and here I am well and hearty.  I have a little leisure and will improve it.  Zopher has just called.  He and Mary Ann, they have gone over to the hospital.  There were a lot of Vermont boys came in to the hospital last night, I understand some from Columbia College Hospital.  If there is any news from Jacob I will know before I close this.  Zopher came in with the Charleston boys, staid with me night before last, and is going to stop with me tonight, going home tomorrow.  Captain Brannon bought a lot of fine turkeys last night and the wherewith to stuff them, lots of pies and cheese, and he is going to let us have a Christmas.  The turkeys are now baking at the bakery.


Season’s Greetings from iBrattleboro

Just a note to say Lise and I wish you all the best this holiday season.

Thanks for keeping Brattleboro interesting, and keeping your neighbors informed and entertained with news, stories, commentary, history, events, links, photos, and more.

Santa visits the animated calendar today… watch him touch down on Oak Street.


Statement on the Settlement Agreement Reached Between Entergy and the State of Vermont

from:
Jenna Pugliese, Chair of Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies (SeVEDS)
Stephan Morse, Chair of SeVEDS Post Vermont Yankee Task Force
Dan Normandeau, Chair of Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation

We are encouraged by today’s announcement and believe this is a positive step forward in the effort to not-only revitalize the regional economy, but to l help with the loss of over 650 highly paid jobs and the impacts those job losses have on the lives of the VY employee families. While we remain concerned about the overall impact the closure of Vermont Yankee will have on the regional economy, today’s announcement is a very positive step which accelerates the path forward.


New Study Confirms That Pedestrian and Bicycle Deaths In Distracted Driving Accidents Are Increasing

Funded by a grant from the Public Health Law Research program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, this study examined data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System database from 2005 to 2010 on every crash on US public roads that resulted in at least one death. Pedestrian fatalities caused by distracted driving crashes have steadily increased between 2005 and 2010 – from 347 in 2005 to 500 in 2010. Bicyclist fatalities caused by distracted driving crashes increased from 56 in 2005 to 77 in 2008, decreasing to 73 fatalities in 2010.

Want to learn more? .


Coverys Grant Supports BMH “Doorway to Exceptional Care” Campaign

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital officials announced the receipt of a $30,000 grant from for patient safety improvements to its Emergency Department.

Coverys is one of the nation’s leading providers of medical professional liability insurance and is represented locally by Cathy Coonan, CIC, at . The Boston-based company established the Coverys Community Healthcare Foundation, Inc. tosupport charitable endeavors that provide healthcare services, thus improving patient safety and care.