Brattleboro Ford Test Drive Raises $3,240 to Help BMH Open “The New Doorway to Exceptional Care”

by BMH | Health

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

by David Dunn | Opinion

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

by Not Signed In | Town News

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

by Kurt Daims | Creative

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)

by BusyMom | History

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

by cgrotke | 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.

Statement on the Settlement Agreement Reached Between Entergy and the State of Vermont

by Not Signed In | Business

from:
Jenna Pugliese, Chair of Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies (SeVEDS)
Stephan Morse, Chair of SeVEDS Post Vermont Yankee Task Force
Dan Normandeau, Chair of Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation

We are encouraged by today’s announcement and believe this is a positive step forward in the effort to not-only revitalize the regional economy, but to l help with the loss of over 650 highly paid jobs and the impacts those job losses have on the lives of the VY employee families. While we remain concerned about the overall impact the closure of Vermont Yankee will have on the regional economy, today’s announcement is a very positive step which accelerates the path forward.

New Study Confirms That Pedestrian and Bicycle Deaths In Distracted Driving Accidents Are Increasing

by acharkes | Other

Funded by a grant from the Public Health Law Research program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, this study examined data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System database from 2005 to 2010 on every crash on US public roads that resulted in at least one death. Pedestrian fatalities caused by distracted driving crashes have steadily increased between 2005 and 2010 – from 347 in 2005 to 500 in 2010. Bicyclist fatalities caused by distracted driving crashes increased from 56 in 2005 to 77 in 2008, decreasing to 73 fatalities in 2010.

Want to learn more? .

Coverys Grant Supports BMH “Doorway to Exceptional Care” Campaign

by BMH | Health

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital officials announced the receipt of a $30,000 grant from for patient safety improvements to its Emergency Department.

Coverys is one of the nation’s leading providers of medical professional liability insurance and is represented locally by Cathy Coonan, CIC, at . The Boston-based company established the Coverys Community Healthcare Foundation, Inc. tosupport charitable endeavors that provide healthcare services, thus improving patient safety and care. 

BCTV Channel 8 & 10 Schedules for the Week of 12/23/13

by BCTVProg | Media

BCTV Ch.8 Schedule for the week of 12-23-13

                    Monday December 23

12:00 am      The Inner Life of Animals – Virginia Morell

1:30 am       Spotlight on Issues: The Impact of National Policy on VT Farmers

2:00 am       FSTV Overnight

4:00 am       Dartmouth Wind Symphony Children at Play

5:05 am       Heat Pump Workshop- Nov 18, 2013 in Brattleboro

6:40 am       On The Drive – Timber in the CT River Valley

You Break It You Buy It

by spinoza | Op/Ed

Since the Selectboard supervened in the matter of the skatepark location, reversing their previous commitment, annulling the vote of town meeting, backing-up their resolve by forming a skatepark search committee, all in the name of a solution, I’ll take this as the price of progress. But a few lingering questions continue to puzzle me.

That there are no skaters on the committee, although peculiar, this is not my primary concern. There is a stalwart member of BASIC, and a longtime Rec. Advocate aboard, this brings some consolation in that regard. But I do find it bizarre; would a golf course be sited without a golfer, or outdoor musical venue without the ear of a musician?

Kudos to Kruz

by tomaidh | Op/Ed

I don’t think I ever agreed with anything U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, (R-Texas) has said. But this time he hit the nail on the head:

“Friday, December 20, 2013 3:55 pm WASHINGTON, D.C. —,”Today I voted against the National Defense Authorization Act. I am deeply concerned that Congress still has not prohibited President Obama’s ability to indefinitely detain U.S. citizens arrested on American soil without trial or due process.

150 Years Ago (1863 12/18-21)

by BusyMom | History

U.S. Barracks, Brattleboro, Dec. 18th,
1863.

Dearest Abiah,

I improve the leisure I now have in writing to you a few lines. The recruits are coming in fast. Yesterday 161 arrived. 260 have just marched from the ground for the cars. The paymaster worked all night getting the rolls signed. Just imagine 260 slow penmen signing their name 12 times each, that is equal to one man signing 3120 times. Any ordinary penman could write the names in one fourth the time. I was in the Captain’s office writing at the time they commenced, so escaped and got to bed at 9.

Charles Brooks slept with me last night. He, William Barrett, Sam Townsend and Elbridge Varnum are in barracks close to ours. I have only seen the names of Calkins Burroughs, Parker and Elias. I put them down. Perhaps, Zopher thought they would go into the 10th Regt. But a sharp shooter got hold of them and they are booked for the 3 S. S. I am now waiting for the bank rolls to commence filling them for the next detachment. They mean to get them off Monday. Charles Brooks and the boys that came with him were just one day too late to get their names on for this detachment. Wesley Allen is here yet. The detachment for the gulf will not get off for some time. Wesley has been quite sick, but is now better. He is going home on a furlough. He has got one for eight days, if I can get it signed for him. Am waiting for the captain to come back. Six is all they give. If I succeed for him I think I shall stand a good chance when I want one. If he comes he will probably get home tomorrow night. I do not have as good a chance to see people that I know as I did when I was in Mead’s office, but it is much more pleasant where I am now.

5:45 Live: 12/20/13

by BrattleboroTV | Media

Get in the spirit of the season with a full-to-the-brim edition of 5:45 Live stuffed with holiday cheer, along with the latest headlines and reports–like this week’s big Brattleboro Town School Board decision, DRB approval for a new marijuana dispensary in town, and much much more.