Politics

Politics section

iBrattleboro Selectboard Candidate Interview – Randall “Randy” Blodgett

by cgrotke | Politics
randall blodgett

Randall “Randy” Blodgett is running for a one year seat on the Brattleboro Selectboard.

Introduce yourself. Who are you and what would you say are your qualifications for the job?

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Marketing from Albright College. My career has consistently focused on finance, entrepreneurship, and business development.

I began my professional career with New York Life Insurance Company, where I earned licenses in life, health, and securities. I later founded and operated a successful photography studio for 22 years, while also consulting within the studio industry on finance and marketing strategy.

iBrattleboro Selectboard Candidate Interview – Deena Chadwick

by cgrotke | Politics
deena chadwick

Deena Chadwick is running for a one-year seat on the Brattleboro Selectboard.

What would you say are your qualifications for the job?

My name is Deena Chadwick, and I’m a third-generation Vermonter and longtime Brattleboro resident. I’ve lived in a number of neighborhoods in Brattleboro, as well as in Vernon and briefly in Guilford. I graduated from BUHS in 1993 and raised my two children here; they both attended Green Street School and BUHS and are now in their early 20s.

For the past 31 years, I’ve worked as a hairstylist in Brattleboro—17 years at Whitman’s Hair Salon, over 14 years running my own business, and the last 8 years as a co-owner of a cooperative hair salon. I also previously co-owned a downtown cycling studio. Over the last decade, I’ve been involved in rehabbing older homes and turning them into business spaces and affordable housing.

Brattleboro Selectboard Candidates

by cgrotke | Politics

The latest slate of candidates for Brattleboro Selectboard has been finalized.

For the 3 year seat, Amanda Ellis-Thurber, Ken Fay, and current Chair Elizabeth “Liz” McLoughlin are hoping they will get your vote for the single available seat.

Why Is President Trump Threatening To Use The Insurrection Act?

by CrisEricson2016 | Politics

There are a hundred news reports this morning, January 15, 2026, about President Trump Threatening to use the Insurrection Act. The allegations come from an alleged Truth Social post.

I don’t use Truth Social, my cellphone number was permanently banned. (Applause!) But this is going around, apparently President Trump is threatening to use the Insurrection Act.

The protests against ICE Immigration raids have escalated into destructive behaviour by protesters as evidenced last night in “LIVE” coverage by independent journalists I follow on Youtube.

Town of Brattleboro Petition for a Charter Amendment Second Public Hearing

by Not Signed In | Politics

The Town of Brattleboro has received two petitions signed by 5% of the legal voters of the Town of Brattleboro to amend the Town Charter as follows:

Petition #1:
Article 1: Shall Brattleboro discontinue the representative form of annual meeting?

Article 2: In the event that the vote on Article 1 is in the affirmative, shall Brattleboro vote by Australian ballot at any annual or special Town meeting on the following:

Brattleboro 2026 Annual Town Meeting Election Calendar

by Not Signed In | Politics

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) 

Brattleboro Petitions and Consent of Candidate form for March Elections Now Available

by Not Signed In | Politics

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.

2:25 PM Bank Says My Senior Citizen Food Stamps Have Not Been Deposited

by CrisEricson2016 | Politics

I’m a below poverty level living senior citizen, age 73, and the bank says my food stamps SNAP program benefits have not been depoisited today as of 2:25 PM and the bank manager is aware that other people are calling and have not received the SNAP program food stamp benefits that they expected to be deposited into their accounts. Apparently there are senior citizens and disabled persons, like me,who do not use EBT cards. Benefits are deposited directly. I shop online and have groceries delivered. Potatoes are tasting better and better every day now, even without butter.

A Deadly Game

by RDavis | Politics

October 1, 2025 may go down in history as the date that the United States form of government officially collapsed. As I write this, we are almost six weeks into the government shutdown. People are already beginning to suffer and things will only get worse if this does not end soon.

The Republicans (Trump) are saying that there is nothing to negotiate. House Speaker Mike Johnson has shut down the House and he shows no sign of being eager to do anything to help the American people. The Democrats are holding fast until the Republicans are willing to talk about health insurance and Medicaid cuts.

I Bought Snowballparty.org But Haven’t Found 4 People in 10 Towns Yet To Start A Minor Political Party!

by CrisEricson2016 | Politics

I bought the domain! http://snowballparty.org but I haven’t found 4 people in each of 10 Vermont towns to start a new minor political party yet. I started writing a platform. If you agree with it, please contact me Cris Ericson crisericson9@gmail.com

I’m still trying to get a straight answer from the Vermont Secretary of State Elections Division about how to legally start a new minor political party in VT.

On The Way To a Meeting

by RobertOeser | Politics

On the way to a meeting …

To the Editor: On the way to a meeting, I encountered a 90-year-old retired businessman.

We talked about shoes and he talked about the past and what he hoped to do today.

I winced when the conversation turned to current politics and when he praised President Trump’s agendas. We disagreed. However, we continued to talk. We seemed to agree on two issues: that monopolies in the telecommunications sector is a negative; and, that government oversight of the health insurance industry is a benefit to the people. We need more of these types of conversations and interactions.

17 V.S.A. Political Party Organization Law Does Not Make Sense to a Registered Voter in Ludlow, VT

by CrisEricson2016 | Politics

A Vermont registered voter in Ludlow, Vermont asked me why I am asking people to start a new minor political party with me while I am not stating a platform, and I said 17 V.S.A. says you organize the party in September of an odd numbered year and make the platform in an even numbered year. That made no sense to him at all so he would not join.

“17 V.S.A. § 2319. Party conventions for platforms:
On or before the fourth Tuesday in September in each even-numbered year, upon the call of the chair of the State committee of the party, a party platform convention of each organized political party shall be held to make and adopt the platform of the party.”

It’s Political Party Organization Time in Vermont! Start Making Potato Salad!

by CrisEricson2016 | Politics

It’s political party organization time in Vermont, because Title 17 Vermont Statutes requires parties to organize in September of odd numbered years. For example, 17 V.S.A. Section 2302 (a) The chair of the State committee of a party shall set a date for members of the party to meet in caucus in their respective towns. The date shall be between September 10 and September 30, inclusive, in each odd-numbered year. (b) At least 14 days before the date set for the caucuses…

Former Lt Gov Zuckerman Discussing State Politics

by spoon | Politics

A Community Conversation with Former Lt. Governor David Zuckerman
Sunday, July 20th – 3:00pm at 118 Elliot Street
Brattleboro, VT

Join David Zuckerman and community leaders for a powerful community gathering to reflect on the past year’s political landscape and explore ways to move forward together.

Topics will include:

Update on the “Free Mahmoud Khalil” Story, Vermonters Protested His Arrest in March 2025

by CrisEricson2016 | Politics

There were a number of stories in Vermont about Vermonters rallying and/or protesting the arrest and detention of Mahmoud Khalil for being a Pro-Palestinian Activist.

Here is an update on the whole entire huge, enormous situation, which has grown and expanded exponentially because President Trump’s Administration will tolerate foreign students only if they keep their mouths shut.