Police/Fire Survey

by spoon | Op/Ed

     The post bringing us the Police/Fire survey begins by stating that the town is asking the public to weigh in on how to proceed.  In actuality it is asking the public to choose between one of the projects they have chosen to put before us.  Sort of like voting in the former Soviet Union.  The state named the candidates from the Communist Party and the people got to decide which one they wanted.  The citizens could theoretically vote them all down but there wasn’t any point.  There would just be another slate of Communist Party members.

Weekend Creativity Series: Big Data

by cgrotke | Creative

Let’s think big.

I’m stretching the concept of creativity here a bit, but I do so under the following argument: one should be aware of the tools available to be able to fully contemplate creative opportunities.

In simple, artsy terms, knowing about paper and pencils are great, but the creative options expand when one knows about crayons, paints, and markers.

The Anne Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund: Helping to Keep a Local Woman’s Legacy Alive

by Not Signed In | Activism

The Anne Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund (AJMSF) is supporting deserving teens in disadvantaged communities and helping keep a local woman’s legacy alive.

Anne Randall Johnson was a humanitarian, world traveler, loving wife, sister and mentor. Above all, she was passionate about changing the world. She dedicated her life to it. Anne spent over two decades working in humanitarian assistance. In recent years she returned home to Brattleboro, VT to begin a farming venture with her husband.

Brattleboro Selectboard Special Meeting Agenda – January 12

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at 6:15pm in the Selectboard meeting room at the Municipal Center.

ASL interpreters will be available for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.

Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Warnings and Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Arts Committee will meet on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at 8:00am in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center. NOTE the change in time.

The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Finance Committee will meet on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at 4:00pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center.

The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at 7:00pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center.

Deerfield Valley Inn Holds “Your American Dream” Essay Contest To Award $600,000 Country Property

by deerinn | Deerfield Valley

Contest will award winning entrant financial freedom via ownership of The Deerfield Valley Inn, a $600,000 country inn property in the Mount Snow area of southern Vermont.

WEST DOVER, VT (November 2015) – The owners of the Deerfield Valley Inn (DVI) have announced an essay contest to award full ownership, free and clear, of the inn to the winning entrant. Entrants will submit an essay on the subject: “This is my dream: To own a Vermont country inn property”.  While the property has operated as a country inn for more than 60 years, the contest rules do not require the new owner to operate as an inn.

After more than 17 years of ownership, the owners have decided to use the growing popularity of the “Essay Contest” to find the next owner of the DVI. The winning contestant will be awarded the $600,000 property and the
keys to their financial future. Doreen Cooney, owner, observed: “While a great many people are interested in the B & B lifestyle, many have difficulty financing their dream.

What’s Up, West B? BizUp! That’s What’s Up!

by WBA | Business

On Wednesday, January 13, at 6:30pm, the Community Development Action Team of the West Brattleboro Association will host the first ever BizUp West B! This will take place in the center conference room at 55 Marlboro Road.  (The building with Central Appliance on one corner.)

Connect, Collaborate and Innovate! BizUp events intend to connect our talented local business owners and organizational leaders with one another, providing the possibility of sharing resources, supporting collaboration and sparking innovation.

Mobility Scooter Problem at Hannaford

by Andie | Op/Ed

I use a store mobility scooter when grocery shopping.  Today at Hannaford’s at the checkout, they asked me if I would like them to get me another cart to go out to my car.  I said, “Why would I need another cart?”  They said because you aren’t allowed to take the cart outside anymore.  A myriad of thoughts went through my head.  It’s hard enough for me to get all the way into the store now, since they moved the electric carts out of the entranceway, and they expect me to get all my groceries and me out to my car without the e-cart? What is going on? 

A letter from corporate apparently came down with the pronouncement.  I will be calling corporate 1/7/16 to find out more.  The line I was given by the frontline staff was that there have been accidents because the carts are too low.  I said, oh, are they going to stop allowing children and any Little People in the parking lot, too?  Never at a loss for a sarcastic retort, am I!!  I apologized, and said I would contact corporate with my concerns and stop taking out my anger on them.

A Presidential Candidate – Gary Johnson

by cgrotke | Politics

Gary Johnson has announced his intention of running for the office of President of the United States.

“I do believe that crony capitalism is alive and well. It’s Democrats and Republicans that contribute to that. I’d like to be that choice that is not going to succumb to that.”

Brattleboro Police-Fire Facilities Project Survey

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard is seeking public input on how the Town should proceed with the proposed improvements to the Town’s fire stations and police station. The current condition of these facilities is unsafe and prevents the Fire Department and Police Department from being as effective as they can be in serving our community.

Brattleboro residents are asked to provide their opinions on the project by filling out a survey questionnaire by January 18. The results of the survey will be published on the Town’s website and the Selectboard will consider the results of the survey during the Selectboard meeting on Tuesday, January 19.

Selectboard Meeting Notes – Whether to Tap Excess Funds Now or Later

by cgrotke | Town News

Two members of the Brattleboro Selectboard voiced opposition to moving the police station to Black Mountain Road at Tuesday night’s meeting. It was just one item in a packed agenda that included a range of issues, from trash collection to green undertakers.

The board is wrestling with whether to apply some excess funds toward tax savings now, save it for another year, or split it up. A Survey Monkey questionnaire regarding police and fire facility options is in development, soon to be filled out by you. Utilities must get out of the way for bridge work, committee members were appointed, and two locations in town were leased out.

Montreal to Ban Fireplaces and Vintage Woodstoves

by tomaidh | Home & Garden

They’re not so far away!

Starting in 2018, wood-burning appliances will be banned unless they meet rigorous new emission standards of
2.5 grams of fine particles or less per hour. The bylaw is among the strictest in North America, said Réal Ménard, the city’s executive committee responsible for the environment. Presently, transforming a stove or fireplace with inserts
so that it is in compliance with the coming regulations costs between $2,000 and $8,000.

Act 46 Study Committee Meeting Agenda

by Not Signed In | Education

ACT 46 STUDY COMMITTEE

Representing the Brattleboro Town School District, Dummerston Town School District, Guilford Town School District, Putney Town School District, and the Vernon Town School District
http://www.wssu.k12.vt.us

NOTICE OF MEETING

The Act 46 Study Committee will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at the Dummerston School.

More Downtown Brattleboro Snow Removal

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Town of Brattleboro would like to remind everyone that the snow emergency ban is in effect.

Snow and ice will be removed from the streets in the downtown area this evening.

Parked vehicles in the downtown district must be removed by 10:30pm or they will be towed at the owner’s expense.

If vehicles are going to remain in Town overnight they should park in the Brattleboro Transportation Center. If you use the Transportation Center, do not park in a Reserved Permit space without a permit. Pay and Display is in effect after 9:00 a.m.

Annual Meeting Notice for Brattleboro Union High School District #6

by Not Signed In | Education

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING BRATTLEBORO UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT #6

FEBRUARY 9, 2016

The legal voters of Brattleboro Union High School District #6 are hereby notified and warned to meet at the gymnasium of the Brattleboro Union High School, Brattleboro, Vermont on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at 7:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, to act on the following articles:

Article 1. To act on reports of Officers.

Article 2. To elect by ballot a Moderator.

Article 3. To elect by ballot a Clerk.

The Coming Saudi Crack-up?

by tomaidh | Op/Ed

The Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia has a lot of oil.

The Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia has a lot of Shiites.

Many of the oil workers in the Eastern Province (as well as Bahrain, Oman & UAE) are Shiites.

These Shiites are currently very angry.

Brattleboro Design Review Committee Forming

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard recently established the new Design Review Committee. Attached is a press release with information about the committee and how to apply to become a member.

Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100

….

Mass Incarceration and Vermont Forum

by Not Signed In | Activism

BRATTLEBORO – The Root Social Justice Center is partnering with Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform (VCJR) to host a free public forum, Mass Incarceration and Vermont. The event will be held at The Root Social Justice Center (28 Williams St., Brattleboro) from 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 17.

“Vermont is known throughout the country for its progressive and family values,” says Sha’an Mouliert, a member of Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform. However, her son, like hundreds of other Vermonters, was incarcerated out of state, far from home. While he was incarcerated in Kentucky, Sha’an remarked, “Christmases, birthdays, and other holidays — there is a big hole. My son is missing his children. I am missing him.”