Driving Safety Tip of the Week – Privilege, Not a Right.
Driving – it’s a privilege, not a right.
Be alert when driving. One moment of inattention can take someone’s life. Don’t take the road for granted!
GMP Surcharge.
I know that climate change is a myth, but somebody better tell Green Mountain Power. They have just announced that customers will be assessed a 1 ½% surcharge due to increased frequency of major storms.
Brattleboro 2014 Elections and the Annual Representative Town Meeting Information
Petitions for Brattleboro Town and Town School District Officers and Town Meeting Members are now available at the Town Clerk’s office. Town elections will be Tuesday, March 4, and the Annual Representative Town Meeting, Saturday, March 22.
Petitions for Town Officers must contain at least 30 valid signatures of registered Brattleboro voters and be filed in the clerk’s office no later that 5:00 P.M. on Monday, January 27 in order to have their name placed on the ballot.
21 Day Slimdown at GMCFit A New Year A New You! Jan. 6
21 Day Slimdown: A NEW YEAR: A NEW YOU! January 6th!
Accountability Partners and a Private Facebook Group will help you KEEP your New Years Resolutions!
Green Mountain Community Fitness helps Brattleboro stay healthy. Join us! We’re more than a gym.
Circumnavigating Brattleboro
There’s a great driving loop that circles Brattleboro and takes you through some “Real Vermont” country.
Here’s a map.
1. Start at Main & Canal, by the Food Co-op. Go through Malfunction Jct. and head south down 142 , along the river towards Vernon.
2. After about a mile +/- go right on Broad Brook Rd (Twisty road) to Rt. 5 in Algiers (Guilford).
Back To School: Questions on Public Education In Brattleboro
When I said last year that I was going to try to figure out what was going on in public education, I had no idea what a gigantic project that would turn out to be. Not only is it complex, it’s also political, making it that much harder to unravel the claims of groups both for and against. In short, despite hours of research, I still have questions. But our own Brattleboro Town School Board says it wants to do outreach on education, and I think we should take the opportunity to reach out to them so we’ll get our questions answered and our concerns allayed (or not). To get the ball rolling, I have a list of questions I’d like to see addressed by local education officials. Even if no public discussion ensues, at least we’ll know what’s going on.
Showing Someone Around Brattleboro?
I’ve lived here for 15 years. I know there are so many amazing things about the Brattleboro area, but fear that like most folks, I’ve become blind to some of them due to familiarity.
I have a friend from out of town coming for a week. Suggestions on local must-do’s? Hidden gems? Things I may have forgotten we have?
I’ve got local restaurants covered. We’ll definitely take in a movie at the Latchis. Visiting the Brattleboro Museum is on the agenda. If the weather cooperates, we’ll hike the Retreat trails and maybe Fort Dummer.
Thanks for your suggestions!
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 Selectboard Special Meeting – FY15 Budget
The Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a special meeting on Friday, January 3, 2014 at 7:30am in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center.
Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100
Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Finance Committee Meeting Scheduled
The Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Finance Committee will meet on Friday, January 3, 2014 at 4:00pm in the Hanna Cosman meeting room at the Municipal Center.
Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100
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.
Defeating Oligarchy
“To Defeat Oligarchy, I Would Run for President” (Bernie Sanders)
Latest interview with senator from Vermont shows that his reluctance to run would be outweighed by the scale of unaddressed crises and ignored issues
