Free Care If…

by RDavis | Health

When I first heard about a Vermont bill that became law on July 1, 2024 I thought the state had entered into a new era of health care affordability. The news report outlined some of the circumstances under which people could receive free hospital care. When I read the bill it turned out there is mostly nothing new, but it’s worth talking about it because some people need to know about hospital policies regarding free care.

Because all of Vermont’s hospitals are non-profit they have some degree of requirement to provide free care to needy individuals. That used to apply to hospitals that took money under the Hill-Burton Act but I think those days have passed and free care is still part of a hospital’s budget.

IDF Killed 64 Children While Freeing 4 Hostages  An Exchange Instead Would Have Brought Happiness 

by jay janson | Op/Ed

Ever since October 7, 2023, NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, CNN, PBS, along with BBC, DW, NHK other Western entertainment/news conglomerates and wire services like AP, UPI, Reuters and Israeli media have sought to keep their viewers, readers and listeners attention on the hostages and away from any explanation, reason or justification of Palestinians seeking to exchange the hostages for some of the thousands of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. 

Brattleboro Selectboard Meeting – July 9, 2024 – Agenda and Notes

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard has some spelling-challenged items to take care of at their next meeting. They plan to approve the 2025 “Fical” Year property tax rate and hear about a new proposed “pollical” sign policy.

The board will also discuss changes to the parking ordinance,  things they’d like to have the State of Vermont help with (transportation funding, the Grand List, community development, municipal revenue, and public safety and public health,) and their own goals for the year – community safety, child safety zones, and enhanced state revenue sharing. 

You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Charter Review Commission will meet on Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room (230 Main Street, Suite 212) and over Zoom.

The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 4:15 in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room (230 Main Street, Suite 211).

There Is No Candidate for U.S. Senator on the Progressive Party Ballot – How About Writing Me In?

by CrisEricson2016 | Politics

Hi! I see on the Progressive Party primary election ballot, for which some people may already be receiving mail-in ballots, there is no candidate listed for United States Senator.

So, I made a video on youtube to explain why I think I am the best person for you to write-in. I appreciate it, just jot down my name on a slip of paper and remember to write me in, O.K.?

Brattleboro and VT COVID-19 Regional Dashboard Summary – July 2024

by cgrotke | Health

Here’s the July 2024 dashboard summary. We continue semi-regular COVID-19 dashboard numbers from the Vermont Department of Health, and MA and NH counties that surround Brattleboro, as long as they continue providing them. Scroll down the new comments for the latest.

VT, NH and MA do weekly updates, near the end of the week, so we update on Fridays usually. All three have changed their dashboards since the start, so it is now tough to easily compare how things have changed. Variant updates are every two weeks.

Glen David Andrews Returns to the Bandwagon Stage for a High-Energy Performance

by hahrenholz | Music

Acclaimed New Orleans vocalist and trombonist Glen David Andrews is set to ignite Cooper Field with his dynamic band on Saturday, August 3rd, 6:00 pm. Known for his commanding voice and powerful trombone skills, Andrews promises an unforgettable evening of roots music that blends smoothness with grit, delivering an emotional and resonant musical experience.

A native son of New Orleans, Andrews hails from a distinguished musical lineage and learned the brass band traditions firsthand from iconic figures like Tuba Fats. Co-presented with the Vermont Jazz Center and sponsored in part by Bordertown Farm, this performance marks a celebration of cultural heritage and musical excellence.

Brattleboro Utility Work on Greenhill Parkway

by Not Signed In | Town News

Beginning on Monday, July 8, the Utilities Division will be replacing the sewer main on Greenhill Parkway and Strawberry Lane.  Crews will be working between the hours of 6:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.  Residents will be able to access their driveways but on street parking will be limited during this project.  The work is expected to take approximately six weeks to complete.  

Don’t Celebrate July 4th Birth of a U.S.A. Founded by Owners of African Slaves – Wait! Be Patient!

by jay janson | Op/Ed

Every year, Americans are supposed to celebrate July 4th as the founding of a U.S.A. both free and enslaved. The fourth of July is a federal holiday. 

On July 4, 1776, the population of the United States, then the Thirteen Colonies, was estimated to be about 2.5 million people. This population included both free individuals and enslaved people.

Out of this population, approximately 500,000 individuals were enslaved African Americans. The remaining population, roughly 2 million people, consisted of free individuals, which included various groups such as European settlers, Indigenous peoples, and a smaller number of free African Americans.

WSESD Board Meeting Minutes – June 25, 2024

by Not Signed In | Education

Summary
● Ruby McAdoo was approved as a member of the Putney Leadership Council.
● Frank Rucker spoke about the tax rate implication following the release of the Yield.
● The Board discussed ideas for preparing themselves for budget development and utilizing tools available by exploring documents from the IBRC, VSBA and the Vernon Board.
● July 9th will be the only Board Meeting scheduled for the month, recognizing there could be other meetings called (i.e. Executive Sessions)
● Looking ahead to next year related to the Panorama Survey, a committee was formed to work alongside Brin Tucker to review and consider questions included in the survey for 24- 25.
● The Board voted to rescind policy LSP2.
● The Board voted to rescind policy LSP12.

Construction Update Brattleboro-Hinsdale Bridge – July 3, 2024

by Not Signed In | Hinsdale

Superstructure work continues to advance toward Vermont as the contractor continues formwork for overhangs. Shear stud placement and grouting have been completed and rebar installation will continue in earnest beginning on Monday, July 8th after the holiday. Dewatering and treatment tanks that have been awaiting removal have been tentatively scheduled to be cleaned and taken away sometime next week.

The Sweetback Sisters at Next Stage

by hahrenholz | Music

PUTNEY – Next Stage Arts and Twilight Music present country swing sextet The Sweetback Sisters at Next Stage on Friday, August 2 at 7:30 pm. 

Centered around the charismatic, airtight harmonies of Emily Miller and Zara Bode, The Sweetback Sisters mix compelling originals and unexpected interpretations of country classics. Hints of jazz and ragtime flesh out the Sisters’ unique brand of classic country, as Miller, Bode, and their remarkably versatile band conjure up a singular blend of heart, humor, and virtuosic musicianship. Their rollicking music is as infectious as it is heartbreaking. Like the country artists they admire, the Sisters sing about traditional subjects of heartbreak, revenge, remorse, and staying strong in the face of relationships gone wrong, albeit with a contemporary sensibility. 

Vote Christopher I for King

by cgrotke | Rumors

After careful consultation with my cats and a mention to my family, I hereby throw my crown in the ring to become your next King.

I will be a youthful 60 years old when I ascend the thrown, so no worries there. My joints ache a bit and I need reading glasses but I can form complete sentences on my own that have some basis in truth.

One of the first things I plan to do, loyal subjects, is to make the White House a bit more fitting for a king. It needs a moat, for example, and perhaps an audio-animatronic dragon that spits fire and allows Taylor Swift to perform inside of it.

Brattleboro Independence Day Closings

by Not Signed In | Town News

In observance of the July 4th holiday, all Town offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4, 2024, with the exception of emergency services.

Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Thursday, July 4, 2024. All other violations will be enforced.

Brattleboro Selectboard July Meetings Shift

by Not Signed In | Town News

The July 2, and July 16 Regular Selectboard Meetings have been cancelled due to the July 4th holiday.

The Brattleboro Selectboard will meet on July 9 and on July 23 for the month of July. They will return to their regular schedule (first and third Tuesdays) next month

June Precipitation

by local | Nature

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.

Between Rounds

by AnneODyne | Politics

In the first televised presidential debate between JFK and Nixon- I’m not old enough to remember- the tide swung in favor of the more telegenic Kennedy, when Nixon’s candidacy went down awash in beads of face sweat and furtive glances.

In certain matters Americans are forgiving. Will Smith is back. Even Nixon was able to rise again. But in other matters we are an obstinate people. And irrational to boot. I don’t understand it, but have often observed the phenomena. Why are the optics of Jan 6th malleable? Why are Nazi’s back? The world can be mad and maddening, that fact goes back to antiquity.

Returning to the present moment. Biden’s debate performance is fixed in the collective mind, nothing can or will erase his frozen expression and underwater responses to softball opportunities. Leaving for now the conundrum of Biden’s opponent being a recidivist and deranged narcissist, the question becomes: are Americans willing to vote for a dead man over a return to Trumpian autocracy.

Windham County Heat Fund Update

by RDavis | Activism

The Windham County Heat Fund is strong and thriving as we move into the 20th year of the non-profit’s life at the beginning of the next heating season. That might seem like good news, but when Daryl Pilsbury and I started the organization we thought it would only be needed for a few years. We had no clue how much people were suffering at the lower end of the economic scale and we were under the delusion that the cost of heating fuel was the most important factor putting pressure on needy people and families.

We have been given a glimpse into the complexity of people’s lives and the pictures are not pretty. The heat fund has been a godsend to many people who might have suffered through a winter living in one room with the thermostat at 50 degrees. Then there are the families who really can’t make ends meet at the end of the month but somehow find a way to pay rent and buy food but they have to put heating fuel at the bottom of the list.

Then there are those people who thought they were doing well until they got a diagnosis of cancer. They often lose their jobs and their health insurance. When the got their diagnosis they thought their lives couldn’t get any worse.. Then they found out they couldn’t pay for treatment and they couldn’t pay their rent. Imagine what it’s like for a person who has an aggressive cancer eating away at them, or a severe chronic illness to have to live on the streets. It happens; and more often than you might think.