Sanders Unveils Employee Ownership Legislation

by Not Signed In | Politics

BURLINGTON, Vt., June 2 – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) was joined this morning by representatives of Vermont-based, worker-owned businesses and an employee-ownership expert at a news conference to announce legislation to help workers who want to form their own businesses or worker-owned cooperatives.

Sanders said employee ownership increases employment, productivity, sales and wages. The federal government, however, has not done enough for employee ownership to realize its full potential.

This Was Published in 1956!

by tomaidh | Creative

The world is finite, resources are scarce,
Things are bad and will be worse.
Coal is burned and gas exploded,
Forests cut and soils eroded.
Wells are dry and air’s polluted,
Dust is blowing, trees uprooted,

Brattleboro Police Chief Wrinn Retirement

by Not Signed In | Police & Fire

After nearly 28 years of dedicated service to the community of Brattleboro, Police Chief Gene Wrinn has announced his intention to retire from the department effective June 27th. Chief Wrinn was hired by the department in 1986 and quickly rose through the ranks. He was appointed to the position of Sergeant in 1989, promoted to the rank of Captain in 2002, and ultimately he accepted an appointment to the position of Chief of Police in 2008.

Chief Wrinn has had a distinguished career with the Brattleboro Police Department, receiving recognition for his work rebuilding positive relations with the community. Chief Wrinn instituted a program to enhance public safety in the downtown by requiring patrol officers to perform foot patrols as a regular part of their workday.

Sanders Welcomes Carbon Limits – Much More Needed to Curb Global Warming

by Not Signed In | Politics

BURLINGTON, Vt., June 2 – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) welcomed an Obama administration initiative unveiled today to reduce carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants, but the senator said real progress on global warming has been blocked by Republicans in Congress who have thwarted every measure to confront a planetary crisis that they deny is happening.

Fairview Street Closing from Maple to Winter

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

Road closure on Fairview Street from the intersection of Maple Street to the intersection of Winter Street will occur on Wednesday, June 4, 2014, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for tree work. No through traffic will be allowed. This closure will be weather permitting and if postponed, the alternate date is Friday, June 20th.

Motorists should plan to use alternate routes during this time period.

Chairman Sanders Lays Out Legislative Action Plan for Veterans

by Not Signed In | Politics

BURLINGTON, Vt., June 1 – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today outlined a comprehensive legislative package to address “reprehensible” behavior by VA officials and to correct underlying problems in access to medical care.

“There must be a culture of honesty and accountability within the VA and people who have lied or manipulated data must be punished. But we also have to get to the root causes of the problems that have been exposed. The simple truth is that with 2 million more veterans coming into the system in recent years there are many facilities within the VA that do not have the doctors, nurses and other personnel that they need to provide quality care in a timely way.”

Building a Better Brattleboro Brainstorm – Idea Board

by Not Signed In | Town Plan

APRIL / MAY 2014

Premise: As a way of gathering ideas and input from a variety of Downtown stakeholders, BaBB has hosted a variety of information gathering and visioning sessions this Spring 2014.

In mid-April, we invited the general public to attend a gathering at McNeil’s Pub we called “Beautify Brattleboro”, a discussion that was centered on enhancing our community through a variety of physical improvements; in mid-May, we invited downtown business owners to attend a Merchant meeting at The Works; and at the end of May we invited folks interested in local Economic Development to attend a roundtable discussion at the Marlboro Graduate Center.

BCTV Channel 8 & 10 Schedules for the Week of 6/2/14

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Ch. 8 Schedule for the week of 6/2/14

Monday June 2                  

12:00 am      Road to Recovery: Treatment in Criminal Justice System

1:00 am       Green Mountain Veterans for Peace Ep.132

2:00 am       FSTV Overnight

4:00 am       Cuban Bridge: Diana Fuentes Live in Havana

5:00 am       Dana Walrath Presents: Alicheimer’s – at the Full Circle Festival

6:25 am       Brooks Memorial Library Lectures: Puffins Downeast – 4/15/14

150 Years Ago (1864 6/2)

by BusyMom | History

Washington, June 2, 1864.

Dearest Abiah,

Here I am yet. Report every morning at 9 o’clock. Have just been up. Shall probably have to remain here for a week longer, perhaps two weeks. They are today examining men that came in on the 19th of May, but the number grows less every day. I see many persons here that I know. See Henry Newcomb almost every morning. His office is just across the street from where I report. He has been up to the Columbia, Carver and Campbell Hospitals with me. Saw Jacob. His health is first rate. There were many Vermonters in the Carver Hospital, but when I was there did not know it. When I returned, called at Mr. Baxter’s boarding place, and who should I find but Mr. Loring.

Giant Book Sale at Brooks Memorial Library

by msquare | Books

The Friends of the Brooks Memorial Library Giant June book sale will be held on Friday, June 6 from 10AM to 6PM and Saturday, June 7 from 8AM to 2PM.  The sale coincides with the Strolling of the Heifers weekend festivities.

The Giant June book sale is the Friends’ biggest sale of the year.  There will be approximately 5,000 items for sale including hardback, paperback and coffee-table books. A fine collection of Celtic and medieval history books will be on sale.

Area 61, In Brattleboro, Plus, Of Course, Another UFO in Vermont

by Rolf | Rumors

Seriously, I took this photo in Brattleboro, of Area 61, as it is clearly labelled in the photo. There is no other identificiation, and there is barbed wire to keep people out. 

Also, there just happened to be a UFO flying by when I took the photo. What else can we sumrise than that this is a government facility storing you know what, or holding the remains of “you know who”s ?

Urgent! More Candidates Needed To Stop Nuclear Proliferation! Still Time To Get on Nov. 4, 2014 Ballot!

by CrisEricson2016 | Activism

I have been giving a shout-out on facebook asking anyone and everyone to run for governor of Vermont and to run for  U.S. Congress, House of Representatives against incumbents Peter Shumlin and Peter Welch because they both asked the U.S. Air Force to bring the F-35 jets to Vermont and they did not tell you that the F-35 jets are designed to be able to carry nuclear bombs. I will be on the ballot myself for governor and for U.S. Representative to Congress.

Weekend Concert Series: Buck Owens

by cgrotke | Entertainment

This week is all about old-fashioned country music, featuring Buck Owens and the Buckaroos.

Like many, I got to know Buck Owens from the TV show Hee Haw. But he also had his own long-running show, the Buck Owens show.

Below we feature a 1990 concert, and episode two of the Buck Owens Show from 1966.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – June 3, 2014

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard plans a regular Tuesday meeting free of FY15 budget discussions for the first time in quite a while, filled instead with the more ordinary business of parade and liquor permits, new bridges, grants, and dog warrants. The outcome of Monday’s special Representative Town Meeting could come up for discussion, and a conversation of what to do with the Police and Fire Facilities project might veer in the direction of the budget, but otherwise the agenda is refreshingly nonbudgemental at first glance.

You can bring up items not otherwise on the agenda during Public Participation if you attend in person. You can also watch on BCTV, and read the full report here the day after.

Jon Potter New Executive Director at Latchis

by Not Signed In | Business

Greetings,

We are very happy to let you know that Jon Potter of Brattleboro will take over duties as Executive Director of the Latchis as of July 1.

Lisa Bloch, President of Latchis Arts and Rick Hashagen, President of Latchis Corp. issued a joint statement, saying “We’re delighted to welcome Jon Potter to lead both the non-profit arts component at the Latchis, and the day-to-day business dealings of the Latchis Hotel and Theatre. His relationship to the arts and artists in the area is a big plus to both halves of our equation.”

Many of you may know Jon as the creative force behind the arts coverage in the Brattleboro Reformer, having served the past 11 years as editor of Ovation, the paper’s weekly arts and entertainment section.

CRVBL Weekend Roundup – Walpole Teams Sweep Weekend Games

by CRVBL | Recreation & Sports

WALPOLE TEAMS SWEEP CRVBL WEEKEND GAMES

It was a great weekend for the town of Walpole in the Connecticut River Valley Baseball League, as the town’s two CRVBL teams were winners in the most recent league action.

The Walpole Wild Blue remained undefeated and tied with the Putney Fossils for the league lead, as the Wild Blue cruised to a 25-1 victory over Keene in a game played at Dummerston Field. Pitcher Ryan Kohler struck out 9 in four innings to get the win, while going three for four with four runs batted in at the plate. Other offensive stars included Jamie Spence, who went four for four with six RBI, Gary Dennis, who went three for five with four runs scored, and Chris Ballou, who crossed the plate six times.

Who Are “They” ?

by carrottop | Op/Ed

In yesterdays Reformer there was an article about the Police/Fire project and its future.  It talked about the Police & Fire Facilities Oversight Committee.  The article goes on to state that it is unacceptable to the PFFOC to simply repair what needs to be repaired.  They apparantly want a project that will last for the next 50 years rather than a band-aid approach that has been discussed.

Thanks, But No Thanks

by spinoza | Philosophy

Recently the Jewish Community of Amsterdam took up the question of repealing Spinoza’s excommunication. The banishment, effected in 1656, has never been formally challenged despite many promptings over the years from within the congregation of those whose ancestors ordered Spinoza’s expulsion.

The present congregation convened its own review board, as well as comissioned an advisory board of scholars and philosophers to consider the question. Several precedents related to revoking such a harsh sentence. (Indeed Spinoza was the only one of Amsterdam’s exiled Portuguese Jews to be so disgraced.) It was established the person in question need be alive, and show some measure of recognition, as well as contrition for their transgressions.