The Windham Southeast School District Independent Budget Review Committee will meet Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 6:00PM at The Academy School and remotely via Zoom.
CRIS ERICSON’s TAX REVOLT
alternate title: VERMONT TAX REVOLUTIONARY SNOW JOB CONGRESS IS PULLING ON US
I finally found the specific statute that I believe is the cause of the rich getting richer, and Bernie Sanders claiming he doesn’t take corporate donations!
How many times has U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, and other politicians,said that they do not take political campaign contributions from corporations?
All very nice.
And written up in the “Boston Globe” 12/5/25.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/05/lifestyle/festival-miniatures-brattleboro/
Hello Food Lovers,
I wanted to give you a heads-up that I’ll be presenting a Sichuan menu for Christmas Day. The offerings will include Kung Pao Chicken, Mapo Tofu (vegan), and Red Braised Beef. You can start placing your orders on December 16 at 7 PM. Please email me at ledaskitchen@gmail.com if you’re interested in viewing the complete menu. Now, onto the menu for the upcoming week!
CHICKEN VINDALOO (GF/DF)
Free-range chicken cooked in an abundance of garlic, vinegar, and balance of chili (it’s not actually that spicy!*)
$26 for 24oz container (2-3 servings)
Dec. 8 Teriyaki Chicken
Veggie lo Mein
Brussels Sprouts
Brownie
It’s the December 2025 dashboard summary. We continue semi-regular COVID-19 dashboard numbers from the Vermont Department of Health, and MA counties that surround Brattleboro, as long as they continue providing them. Scroll down the new comments for the latest.
The Brattleboro Finance Committee will meet on Monday, December 8, 2025 in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room at 6:00pm.
One way to support an Afghan refugee is to subscribe twice a month (second and fourth Monday) to her great Afghan and Indian cooking which is delivered to your home, if you are a Brattleboro resident. Other folks can pick up their meal (a meat and vegetable entree plus bread or rice) at the end of their workday from a downtown location.
Leyluma’s Gourmet Dinners cost $30 for one serving or $50 for two and is made from the freshest ingredients. The menu switched back and forth between Afghan and Indian entrees. She can also make a holiday meal or catered a company lunch. Orders must be placed by end of day Friday by emailing nanci.leitch@gmail.com or texting 802-258-8348.
Snow and ice will be removed from the uncovered parking lots in Brattleboro’s downtown area starting around 12 a.m. on Dec. 5, 2025.
Vehicles parked in the downtown lots must be removed or they may be towed at the owner’s expense.
Thursday, January 15 Last day (5:00 P. M.) to file petition requesting that an article be placed on the Warning for Annual Town Meeting and Unified School District (47 days preceding election). Approx. 469 (5%) signatures of registered Brattleboro voters required. 17 VSA 2642
Thursday, January 22 First day to post Warning for Annual Town Meeting and Unified School District (not more than 40 days preceding election) 17 VSA 2641 (a)
Petitions for Brattleboro Town Officers, Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) Board Members, and Town Meeting Members are now available at the Town Clerk’s Office. Petitions are available in the Town Clerk’s Office Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Please note the following exception: From Friday, Dec. 5 through Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, petitions will only be available between the hours of 9 a.m. through 12 p.m.
Town elections will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at the American Legion, located at 32 Linden St., Brattleboro, VT 05301.
Ruby McAdoo noted that the next step in the budget development process will be at the full WSESD Board meeting 12/16/25. Working with the Board Chair, the budget review will be earlier on the agenda to encourage public involvement. The Communications Committee will be spreading the word about this meeting.
A. Leadership Council Updates
B. Board Sub-Committees and SU Updates
C. Staff Appreciation: Proposed date
D. Update on legislative issues related to education (Tim & Jocelyn) Legislative Update and Webinar.
This country has faced a critical nursing shortage for years. The situation was made worse as a result of the COVID pandemic when health care workers were burned out and left professions that already needed to increase their numbers. Now, the Trump administration has created a new threat to the nursing profession by changing its definition of a professional degree to exclude nursing.
This a gut punch to the 5.86 million nurses in this country. Of that number, 920,000 are LPNs and 5 million are RNs. These are significant numbers, and I hope that all nurses are reminded of the disrespect that this Republican administration is showing to nurses when it comes time to vote.
Despite the weather conditions, the Brattleboro Selectboard went forth with their first meeting of December. Being a very long meeting, I decided to jump in somewhere around the time of the discussion of health care changes and voting on RTM, which appeared on the agenda for roughly 8:15, which was actually more like 9pm.
The board covered the DPW, Rec & Parks, Library and DID budget requests. Interestingly, they decided to hold public hearing to gather important feedback from the public about declaring an emergency and making it more difficult for social service and charitable use organizations to exist. This will be at a special meeting of the selectboard to be held December 22nd, overseen by Mr. Potter.
November was an overall dry month but seemed wet at times. There was measurable precipitation on 13 of the first 17 days but only in small amounts. Less days of moisture the second half of November. The monthly total is 2.36 inches compared to the normal of 3.53″. More than an inch below the average. Year to date with just one month to go my total is 43.42″, just a few hundreds above the NOAA normal of 43.24″.
Frank Rucker reviewed the proposed budget summary (linked above). The percent change is currently at a 2% change. When developing a budget, meeting student needs as well as inflation rates are heavily considered in order to put forth a fiscally responsible budget.
Nancy Wiese shared information about the budget development for WRCC. She spoke to the challenge specific to WRCC; if a position is reduced, then a program is eliminated. Using carefully designed solutions, this year she is able to present a zero increase budget. This will not be sustainable in the future, but is the case this year. Currently the culinary program is being rebuilt and will be offered again next year.
Dec. 1 Mac & Cheese
Stewed Tomatoes
Green Beans
Pineapple
Our local Dance Ecology is alive and well – and thriving! MICHAEL BODEL’s innovative dance projects open our minds and hearts to explore ideas, concepts and beauty in new ways through movement, sound, objects…even fragrance!
To order, just follow these three simple steps!
1. Place your order at http://ledaskitchen.com by Tuesday at 7PM on weeks when I’m cooking.
2. Look for your confirmation email with the pickup address.
3. Collect your meals on Thursday between 4 PM to 7 PM or by special arrangement.
