A dozen or so people spoke against the proposal to implement Pay As You Throw trash pickup in Brattleboro, some on philosophical grounds, some objecting to the cost shift. The board voted it in anyway, 4-1, with only Rich Garant voting against. Board chair DeGray said earlier in the discussion that Town Meeting reps could vote to do away with Pay As You Throw at Town Meeting, but that their recommendations were purely advisory and that the Board could choose to disregard them.

In a further demonstration of the board’s independence from public opinion, the board sought to shift from “intervenor status” in Entergy Vermont Yankee relicensing process to what some citizens called “bystander” status, with a motion to direct the town attorney to merely follow the process and report back to the board with monthly status reports. Rich Garant said that the town had an opportunity to submit a statement of position to the Public Service Board in pre-trial testimony but that it had to be done by February 6.

The rest of the board, by DeGray’s admission, had no plan to submit anything by that date. Much discussion ensued with many citizens all but imploring the board to take a stand on behalf of the citizens they represent. Town Manager Barb Sondag ran an end run allowing the board to effectively stall. As it turned out, the board voted unanimously for their motion, with the tacit understanding that this would come up again before too long, albeit later in the relicensing process.

And finally, Dick DeGray announced his own intention to run for re-election to the Selectboard (he’ll go for the three year seat again), and then proceeded to poll the other two one year members. John Allen said that yes, he will be running. He said that Martha O’Connor “woudn’t let me out of the building” until he picked up a petition. Corum said that after considerable thought, he had decided that he too would seek re-election. DeGray encouraged citizens to run for office, especially Town Meeting Rep which he said was an important position in the town and much needed.

I have some table lamps that need to be repaired and restored.

Can anyone recommend someone who can do this work? Local is best, but I am willing to consider the Keene area or even Northampton if there is no one closer who can do it.

Thanks.

A great band to dance to!

Love Bomb Humane Society Fundraiser

When: January 10, 2009
Time: 8 PM – 12 AM
Love Bomb, Belly Dancing, Cash Bar and Appetizers
Location: Eagles Club
55 Chickering Drive
Brattleboro, VT 05301
802-254-2076

This piece is written by Sameh A. Habeeb and can be found at http://www.gazatoday.blogspot.com/

...

"Day 11 of Israeli War On Gaza
Palestinians flee their houses but Israeli rockets kill them in schools
By: Sameh A. Habeeb

Dear Editors, Journalists and Friends,

The ground military operation started 72 hours ago. Below is a new report for the 11th day of Gaza War and the outcomes of Israeli invasion. For more reporting, breaking news, interviews and accounts in Gaza, you could reach me on my contact info below. Please try both numbers below because there is a big problem in communication resulted in Israeli power cuts.

Support EDoVY, the Resolution for the State Legislature to study EMINENT DOMAIN over VERMONT YANKEE

It states

. . . the people of Brattleboro hereby urge the state legislature to initiate a feasibility study on taking the plant by eminent domain in order to benefit the health and welfare of the people of Vermont . . .

The government took $700B of public funds for private use, saying it was for the public good. Well then the State can do THIS because WE say it is for our good.

Happy New Year everyone!

We are playing our first gig of 2009 on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 9:30 p.m., at the Three Peaks Inn in Bondville, VT. Formerly known as the Foggy Goggle, Three Peaks is open again with the new
owners Frankie and Linda of Frankie's Pizza in Brattleboro. The place is huge! It's at the base of Stratton Mountain, 1 River Road, Bondville, Vt., 802-297-1414

On Friday, January 9th, The On Ensemble will perform at the New England Youth Theatere in Brattleboro at 8:00 p.m. With the powerful rhythms of Japanese taiko music at its foundation, the On Ensemble (pronounced "ohn") combines the musical and dance talents of it's members into unique and provocative performances.

On Ensemble takes the ancient instruments of taiko into new realms. Infusing the rhythms of ensemble Japanese drumming with elements of hip-hop, rock and electronica, On Ensemble’s unique sound has been praised as “completely original and brilliantly conceived.” Modern Drummer magazine calls On Ensemble “an exciting taiko ensemble looking at new ways to apply traditional Japanese drums.”

I would like to watch the inauguration in community, meaning come into Bratt and watch it on some big ole public wide-screen tv with others. Are there any venues in town that plan to have gatherings for the inauguration?

Anyone know of a hand surgeon? I had hoped Dr. Carmody was still practicing but I can't find him.

Dartmouth, Keene, Bratt?

Thanks in advance.

The program "How Are the Children?" is now the "Healthy Media Choices Hour/" from 1 to 2 pm on Tuesdays on Brattleboro Community Radio, WVEW-lp 107.7 FM and streaming at www.wvew.org

Tune in today for Canadian Jacques Brodeur, founder of EduPax and former board member of Action Coalition of Media Educaiton. His current focus is the i violence, and Facebook groups, that are characterized as imitating the South Park television show.

Local Real Estate Downturn:
Less Than The National Trend

Conventional wisdom among local Realtors -- myself included -- is that, as a sought-after destination, our area is somewhat insulated from the national real estate meltdown. When I checked year-end figures for Windham County I found that, while we have followed national trends, the effect was much less extreme.

I have a set of brass candle lights that were a set of four (with outlets) once sold by Brookstone but no longer made. I swatted a fly on the window and accidentally broke the bulb on one of these lights, so now I only have three. I bought new bulbs, which work in the other three lights but still not in the fly swatted one. I suspect there is something broken in the wire sensor device in the stick (the lights activate automatically when it gets dark). The brass stand is still good, stick isn't damaged, just maybe a sensor inside of it.

Does anyone know of someone who can fix this kind of thing? I've tried to replace the light online and checked ebay but no luck. I can't find any other light like these, they are classic looking.

"There will be a meeting of the Brattleboro Arts Committee on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 4pm in the Hanna Cosman Meeting Room, Ste 211 of the Municipal Building, 230 Main Street Brattleboro.

Town Manager's Office"

"There will be a meeting of the Charter Revision Commission on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 6:30 pm in theHanna Cosman Meeting Room at the Municipal Center, 230 Main Street Brattleboro. This meeting will be a continuing discussion of forms of government.

Town Manager's Office"