Sanders Proposes ‘Democracy Day’ Legislation Calls for Election Day Holiday

by Not Signed In | Politics

BURLINGTON, Vt., Nov. 7 – After Tuesday’s extremely low voter turnout, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced today that he will introduce to make Election Day a national holiday.

“In America, we should be celebrating our democracy and doing everything possible to make it easier for people to participate in the political process. Election Day should be a national holiday so that everyone has the time and opportunity to vote. While this would not be a cure-all, it would indicate a national commitment to create a more vibrant democracy,” said Sanders, who was not on the ballot on Tuesday.

Tonight: To the Village Square

by EveryonesBks | Books

Award-winning French photojournalist Lionel Delevingne discusses “To the Village Square: From Montague to Fukushima 1975-2014,” his new book of photography at 6pm on Friday, November 7th at Everyone’s Books.

Having witnessed the student riots in France in 1968, Delevingne began photographing non-violent protests around the world. After settling in Montague, Massachusetts, the epicenter of New England activism, Delevingne began photographing the protests of the local power plants, including Vermont Yankee and Seabrook. Earlier this year he traveled to Fukushima, Japan.

West Brattleboro Association: Non-profit Status Plus Village Revitalization – Thursday, Nov 13

by WBA | Town News

The next monthly meeting of the West Brattleboro Association (WBA) will be held at the New England House
on Thursday, November 13th at 6:00 PM. The meeting will start with a review of the treasury and other ongoing items such as progress on the planned welcome signs for the village and whether to continue to pursue Vermont non-profit status. The group will also discuss how much to spend for the holiday party at the New England House on Thursday, December 11 at 6:00 (held in lieu of the regular December business meeting), and will discuss holiday lights and where they might go in the village.

Project Feed the Thousands 20th Annual Fundraising Kick-Off November 7, 2014

by Not Signed In | Activism

Brattleboro, Vermont – On the morning of Friday November 7th, Project Feed the Thousands Campaign will kick off its 20th annual food drive. The launch will take place at Brattleboro’s Price Chopper Supermarket on Canal Street, in the morning with a live broadcast hosted by longtime media supporter, WTSA 96.7 FM followed up by and afternoon launch at Brattleboro Food Cooperative in downtown Brattleboro, hosted by another generous media supporter, WYRY 104.9 FM.

“The community goal this year is to raise $100,000 in cash, as well as to collect enough provisions for 200,000 meals.” Reports Jeff Morse, Project Co-Chair and President of River Valley Credit Union. Various businesses and individuals, in conjunction with Project Feed the Thousands, will be accepting non-perishable food, personal care items and cash donations. All campaign contributions will then be distributed to many area food shelves to help thousands of people who struggle with hunger throughout southeastern Vermont and southwestern New Hampshire.

Brattleboro Veterans’ Day Schedule

by Not Signed In | Town News

In observance of Veterans’ Day, all Brattleboro town offices will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, 2014, with the exception of emergency services.

Parking is free at all metered spaces and in the pay-and-display lots on Tuesday, November 11. All other violations, including extended parking, will be enforced.

Lessons From An “Old Time Movie”

by tomaidh | Media

Having a little time on my hands recently, I’ve been watching some Netflix. Somehow, I came across the title “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is a 1939 American political comedy-drama film, starring James Stewart and Jean Arthur, about one man’s effect on American politics.

When it was first released, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington was attacked by the Washington press, and politicians in the U.S. Congress, as anti-American and pro-Communist for its portrayal of corruption in the American government.

VT 2014 Election Analysis From The Fringe

by Not Signed In | Op/Ed

Progressives Make Gains Respectable Showing For Liberty Union Socialists;
Radical-Capitalist Libertarians Fall Flat, By David Van Deusen

Thus far, one of the more interesting aspects of the 2014 Vermont election was the relative strength of the Progressive Party & and the respectable showings of the Vermont Liberty Union Party. The Democratic Party, in a year that saw record low turnout (43.7%), had a net loss of eleven in the VT House, and two in the VT Senate (and a surprisingly close contest for Governor). Even so, and even with voting patterns seemingly favoring the right, the Democrats retained a commanding lead in both the VT House and VT Senate. And while the Republicans made some gains (small in the big political scheme of things) the further left also did better than traditional election logic would seem to allow for.

Vermont Land Trust Removes Tenney House for Reuse and Farm’s Renewal (Fayston, Vermont)

by Not Signed In | State News

In an effort to revitalize the Tenney property, on Marble Hill Road in Fayston, as a working farm and forest in the Mad River Valley, the Vermont Land Trust has contracted with Deconstruction Works to remove one of two farmhouses located on the property.

Deconstruction Works is a team of deconstructionists, specialized in the salvage and repurposing of the built environment. The experienced team will carefully dismantle, salvage and repurpose components of the red farmhouse located at the top of Marble Hill Road. This undertaking is driven by the significant disrepair of the building and the financial burden that would be transferred to the next farm owner if it were left on the site.

Public Invited to ‘Trail Talk’ To Be Held For I-91 Brattleboro Bridge Project

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

The PCL+FIGG Team will conduct the next on-site “trail talk” for the Public on Saturday, November 8, 2014. There has been a lot of progress at the I-91 Brattleboro Bridge project site, which will be shared with attendees. The talks will originate at the West River Trail near the marina. The trail talk will be led by Caleb Linn, Project Manager for PCL (lead contractor) and Garrett Hoffman, Design Manager for FIGG (bridge designer).

Interested participants should meet the PCL+FIGG Team at the West River Trail trailhead on Saturday, November 8, 2014, at 8 a.m. and the talk will begin at 8:15 a.m. Participants will walk the trail to the I- 91 bridge site, so please wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

First Wednesday at Brooks Library: The Morally Injured

by Brooks Memorial Library | Books

In light of his experiences fighting in Iraq, veteran Tyler Boudreau will discuss PTSD and “moral injury” in a talk at Brooks Memorial Library on November 5 at 7:00 pm.

His talk, “The Morally Injured,” is part of the Vermont Humanities Council’s First Wednesdays lecture series and is free and open to the public. The library sponsor for this event is the Brattleboro Retreat. Sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council. Funded in part by the Friends of Brooks Memorial Library; the Vermont Department of Libraries; and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The event is free and open to the public. 

Boudreau served twelve years in the Marine Corps infantry, deployed to Iraq in 2004, and is the author of Packing Inferno: The Unmaking of a Marine. Boudreau told Martha Bebinger of WBUR in an interview,”We were always getting shelled, constant rocket and mortar attacks,” Boudreau says. “An IED, the roadside bomb, blew up right next to my vehicle and I was involved in some firefight that was pretty, you know, pretty intense.”

Selectboard Meeting Notes: The Gartenstein School of Budget Realities

by cgrotke | Town News

The Election Day edition of the Selectboard meeting was held in the studios of BCTV, one floor up from the polling stations that had taken over their regular meeting space. The board pressed on in their atypical surroundings, covering budgets, staffing, and development.

The budget discussion began with an optimistic sounding 1 cent increase, but then covered future FY16 financial issues, such as the cost shifting of garbage pickup. the need for new police and fire vehicles in addition to new facilities, and the possibility of cutting back on library or recreational services. By the end, budget reality had set in, and the selectboard was again looking to citizens for advice on hard decisions.

Five buildings in town may get an overhaul, you can have beer or wine with your pizza, and whispers of outsourcing aspects of the DPW rounded out the evening.

Thanksgiving Open Studio Tour Helps to Fight Hunger

by Not Signed In | Arts

PUTNEY, VT—This year the 36th Annual Putney Craft Tour slated for Thanksgiving Weekend is not only a Top Ten Winter event as named by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, but also is helping to fight hunger in the community. The tour is partnering with the Putney Foodshelf by using art to support food for those who are in need.

Brooks Memorial Library Seeks Book Sale Donations

by msquare | Books

The Friends of Brooks Memorial Library are seeking donations of “like new” and good condition hardback and paperback books for their Holiday Book Sale to be held on Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6.

If you have books that are in good condition and that you are willing to donate to the Library please contact Therese Marcy at 254-5290 x 106. 

Proceeds from the Holiday Book Sale will go to support the purchase of books, materials and equipment for the Library and the Children’s Room.

Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation Hires Executive Director

by Not Signed In | Business

Dan Normandeau, President of Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation announced today that the Board has selected Adam Grinold of Wilmington as the next Executive Director. The position has been vacant since May. Stephan Morse has served as Interim Director and conducted the search.

In making this announcement Normandeau said, “We had some great candidates to choose from and I am excited about our decision. I look forward to working with Adam in the upcoming year as we strive to improve the regional economy through working with our existing businesses, helping to create new business ventures and attracting people and businesses who want to relocate to our region.”

RIP Tom Magliozzi

by tomaidh | Obituaries

Tom, better known as Click, of Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers from the long running NPR automotive show “Car Talk” left us yesterday.

You will be missed.

(Tom is the guy on the left)

Gross Bliss by the Dolly Wagglers at Sandglass Theater This Weekend

by SandglassTheater | Entertainment

PUTNEY- On November 7th and 8th at 7:30pm, Sandglass welcomes the Dolly Wagglers from Northern Vermont, with their brand new Work in Progress, Gross Bliss. This new piece of puppet theater is a hilarious look at the terror of modern life and the wisdom of swamp plants.

Two aspiring and clumsy artists are in search of examples of true happiness. The quest brings them far and wide to visit “happy” events. One of which is the blooming of a swamp flower. They realize that pure bliss is somewhat gross. The more “happy” things they see and experience the more exasperated they become, eventually declaring happiness to be, among other things, a rainbow that you can’t even see when you are actually in it.