Genocidal Bombing Gaza Cities Into Rubble Indicts Israel’s U.S. Patron’s Corporate World Hegemony

by jay janson | Op/Ed

Global corporate capitalism led by the hegemonic state, the United States, is a fundamentally immoral and irrational system. In capitalism, both states and corporations are designed to maximize short-term power and profits for the super-wealthy corporate elite. [1]

For two and a half months, Israeli military forces, with the full backing of the US government, have dropped more than 40,000 tons of explosives—the equivalent of more than two nuclear bombs—on Gaza destroying residential buildings, hospitals, schools and refugee camps and deliberately targeting hundreds of medical workers, journalists, teachers and other civilians for assassination. [2]

Construction Update Brattleboro-Hinsdale Bridge Dec 21, 2023

by Not Signed In | Hinsdale

The construction of the temporary shoring tower between Piers 1 and 2 has been completed. The contractor will begin to advance structural steel over Pier 2 and to the shoring towers over the coming weeks. Additional measures to excavate were found to be required in the cofferdam prior to the placement of the concrete tremie seal and those measures were completed this week. The placement of concrete was rescheduled for today. The de-watering and subsequent operations of cutting piles and placing rebar cages have been rescheduled with the de-watering slated to begin middle/end of next week.

Ames Hill Road Closure

by Not Signed In | Town News

On Friday, December 22, a contractor will be working in the roadway on Ames Hill at the Robb Farm. The road will be open with restricted traffic and occasional short delays. Please plan accordingly and avoid the area if possible. All emergency services will have free access to Ames Hill with no delays. 

Brattleboro’s Collection Correction

by Not Signed In | Town News

For Immediate Release:
The Town of Brattleboro would like to correct our previous press release, which stated that there will be trash pick up on Christmas Day. There WILL NOT be trash pickup on Christmas Day. All trash pickups will be delayed by one day that week.

WSESD – Personnel Committee Meeting Minutes Dec 19, 2023

by Not Signed In | Education

CALL TO ORDER: 4:50 PM – Anne Beekman, Chair

On a motion by Kim Price the committee moved to accept a single application for 1% funds from Dummerston in the amount of $1,983.59.

On a motion by Kim Price the committee moved to accept a single application for 1% funds from Oak Grove School in the amount of $1,355.30.

WSESD Board Meeting Minutes – Dec 12, 2023

by Not Signed In | Education

Summary:

● A student representative spoke about a lack of respect between teachers and students at BUHS.

● District administrators and staff gave a presentation about Social Emotional Learning in WSESD schools.

● Representative Emilie Kornheiser (Windham-7) discussed the Commisioner of Taxes’ FY2025 Education Tax Rate Letter and how school districts and legislators can work together to mitigate the tax impact of education spending.

● Superintendent Speno provided an update on the food services issues at BUHS and other district schools.

● Mr. Speno announced changes to the structure of the Curriculum Department that will take place after Curriculum Coordinator Paul Smith retires at the end of the school year.

● The board voted to re-adopt an updated version of Policy D1 – Personnel Recruitment, Selection, Appointment, and Background Checks.

● Three more policies are under consideration for re-adoption: F32 – Student Distribution of Literature, D7 Volunteers and Work Study Students, and F36 Student Freedom of Expression in School Sponsored Media

● Board Chair Kelly Young asked board members to consider the idea of establishing a part-time position to serve as an administrative assistant to the Board.

Lonnie Holley with Mourning [A] BLKstar at Next Stage

by hahrenholz | Music

Next Stage Arts presents improvisational artist and musician Lonnie Holley in performance with multi-generational, gender, genre non-conforming amalgam of Black culture Mourning [A] BLKstar at Next Stage on Friday, January 19 at 7:30 pm 

Since 1979, Lonnie Holley has devoted his life to the practice of improvisational creativity. His art and music, born out of struggle, hardship, but perhaps more importantly, out of furious curiosity and biological necessity, has manifested itself in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, performance, music, and filmmaking. Holley’s sculptures are constructed from found materials in the oldest tradition of African American sculpture. Objects, already imbued with cultural and artistic metaphor, are combined into narrative sculptures that commemorate places, people, and events. His work is now in collections of major museums throughout the world (The Museums of Fine Arts, San Francisco; The Metropolitan Museum of Art; The Philadelphia Museum of Art; The Smithsonian American Art Museum; The National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, and many others), on permanent display in the United Nations, and been displayed in the White House Rose Garden.

Brattleboro Storm Update – Dec 18 Evening

by Not Signed In | Town News

According to recent estimates, Brattleboro received more than 4 inches of rain during the storm. West Brattleboro was the most heavily impacted area. Earlier in the day, 12 residents from Mountain Home Park, located along Village, Valley, and Edgewood Drive, were evacuated but have since been allowed to return home.

The Department of Public Works has reported that 19 roads have sustained damage.

Currently, Hescock Road, George F. Miller Drive, and Dettman Drive are closed, while six others have reduced lanes. Crews are expected to work on all affected roads on Tuesday.

Brattleboro Monday Morning Storm Update

by Not Signed In | Town News

Since the rain storm began late in the day on Dec. 17, Brattleboro has received 2 inches of rain. Towns west of Brattleboro have received up to 3 inches of rain. With the amount of rain and snow melt from higher elevations, Brattleboro is experiencing flooding prominently in the West Brattleboro area.

The Department of Public Works, Fire Department, and Brattleboro Police are working diligently to keep roads passable and safe for travel. Town staff have notified and are assisting residents in the Mountain Home Trailer Park, along Valley Road and Edgewood Road, with evacuation.

The bridges on Dettman Drive, George F. Miller Drive, and Meadow Brook Road are currently closed because of water going over them. Other roads have minor water flows, and our team will continue to monitor the situation. Please use caution when you encounter water passing over roadways and use alternate routes.

Brattleboro Holiday Closings

by Not Signed In | Town News

In observance of the Christmas holiday:

Brattleboro Town offices will close at 12:00pm (noon) on Friday, December 22, 2023.

In observance of the Christmas holiday all Town Offices will be closed on Monday, December 25, 2023.

BCTV Schedules – Week of December 18, 2023

by BCTVProg | Media

Monday, December 18, 2023

6:00 am Windham Solid Waste Management District Presents – Food Scrap Diversion: Basics for Businesses

6:15 am Vernon Selectboard – Vernon SB Mtg 12/5/23

8:00 am The David Pakman Show – The David Pakman Show – Weekly Broadcast

9:00 am Windham Elementary School Board – Windham Elementary School Bd Special Mtg 12/8/23

Brattleboro Weather Advisory: Potential River Flooding, High Winds and Power Outages Expected

by Not Signed In | Town News

Town staff is monitoring a weather event that is expected to begin later in the day on Dec. 17. Weather forecasts indicate an expected rainfall of 1-3 inches starting this evening and extending possibly through tomorrow and into Tuesday.

This precipitation may result in river flooding due to a combination of rain and snowmelt in higher elevations. Currently, there is no concern for flash flooding. There is also potential for high winds and wind gusts. Residents should be prepared for potential power outages.

Are You Prepared?

by RDavis | Health

According to a report recently released by the Windham Aging group 14,015 people or 31% of the Windham County area is over the age of 60 and that number is projected to increase while the numbers for lower age groups is projected to decrease. The numbers are similar for the state as well as the rest of the country. The bottom line is that the average age of our population is growing and there will be a lot of older people in the years to come.

Our society currently doesn’t have the capacity to deal with the elderly population that we have. There are not enough home care providers and nursing homes and it is almost impossible for someone to stay at home as they age and become infirm unless they have an unlimited amount of financial resources.

We have never had a national discussion about how our government should support the aging population. Most other developed countries around the world provide more support for the elderly but the United States has left matters to be solved by chance. If you have enough money you may be able to age gracefully, but most of us do not have those kind of resources. It is rare for people to make concrete plans for life after 60.

Construction Update Brattleboro-Hinsdale Bridge – December 14, 2023

by Not Signed In | Hinsdale

The Pier 1 cofferdam has been installed. The construction of the temporary shoring tower between Piers 1 and 2 will continue over the course of next week. The de-watering and water treatment system is up and running, however, the volume of water has exceeded the capacity of the system. Additional measures to excavate and then place a concrete tremie seal in the cofferdam are being completed – hopefully by tomorrow – which should allow the successful de-watering of the cofferdam to begin next week. If de-watering can be accomplished by next week, crews will begin to work on cutting the piles to elevation and placing rebar cages in anticipation of concrete.

Brattleboro Selectboard Agenda and Notes – December 19, 2023

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard will take up reviewing the revised FY25 budgets at the final regular meeting of the year. They will be examining the general fund, the capital fund, and the ARPA budgets – the only agenda item they plan to discuss in detail.

The consent agenda, however, has some interesting items. Notice the small grant to add EV charging stations to town properties, the grand list errors, and 47 lost land record binders, among other things.

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

Brattleboro Committee Meeting Warnings

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Traffic Safety Committee will meet on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 8:00am in the Selectboard Meeting Room (230 Main Street, room 212) and over Zoom.

The Brattleboro Charter Review Commission will meet on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room (230 Main Street, room 212) and over Zoom.