Opinion

For opinion pieces on any topic.

Progressive Party in Vermont Has No Candidate for U.S. Congress 2026 So Please Write-in Cris Ericson

by Cris Ericson | Op/Ed

The Progressive party in Vermont has no candidate for U.S. Congress in the August 11, 2026 primary election.  Please write-in Cris Ericson for Representative to Congress on the Progressive Party ballot in the primary.  The Republicans have two candidates, Gerald Malloy of Weathersfield and Marc Coester of Westminster.  The Democrats have one candidate, current incumbent U.S. Congressperson Becca Balint.   There are only 3 ballots to choose from when you vote in the Primary election August 11, 2026 in Vermont, Democrat, Republican or Progressive.  Independent candidates have more time to collect and file petition signatures for the Nov. 3, 2026 general election.

Taking The Political Temperature Of Vermont!

by Cris Ericson | Politics

Last December, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and U.S. Senator Peter Welch and U.S. Congressperson Becca Balint announced that they nominated a total of 23 young Vermonters to the U.S. Military Academies.

The U.S. Military Academies are four year college degree programs with free tuition, room and board for graduating high school students who qualify.

Now, here’s the question: How many wish they had not applied?

Can VT Match Up People Needing More Home Heating Fuel 2026-2027 With Foster Kids in Need of Homes?

by Cris Ericson | Opinion

https://dcf.vermont.gov/foster-care-inquiry – check: I would like to get an information packet -fill out: Is there anything else you’d like us to know?

Well, I guess I flunked this online test of the Vermont Dept. of Children and Families because they never sent me the “information packet”.   Being honest doesn’t help.  I probably started out with something like: “do they come with home heating fuel?”  I went on to explain that I have two empty bedrooms upstairs but I am arthritic and if a child falls down, I can’t pick them up.  If a child runs into the street, I can’t chase after them. 

Brattleboro Survives Open Town Meeting

by cgrotke | Politics

Brattleboro survived Open Town Meeting. 

It looked a lot like a Representative Town meeting, but there were small differences.  Attendees were called “Voters” rather than “Representatives.”  There was no separate seating for the un-elected. People who just moved to town could participate.

The similarities were numerous. A bit of confusion about Roberts Rules? Check. Exciting explorations down rabbit holes of amendments to amendments. Check. Lasting nearly 10 hours? Check.

Brattleboro Town Meeting Dependent Care Reimbursement Forms

by Not Signed In | Politics

Dependent Care reimbursement forms for the Brattleboro Town Meeting will be available at the meeting on April 11 at Brattleboro Union High School gymnasium, near the Clerk’s table. Funds are limited and not guaranteed for everyone who makes a request. This is managed in partnership with United Way.

Brattleboro Selectboard Votes For Miniature Property Tax

by cgrotke | Rumors

Noticing that the greatest amount of development in Brattleboro in the last year were miniature properties, the Brattleboro Selectboard has decide to shift the tax burden from the voters of town to the inhabitants of the miniature properties. Voting along party lines, the measure was approved at their most recent meeting.

“We hereby resolve that property taxes will henceforth be paid only on miniature properties within the Town limits,” read the Clerk before the unanimous vote.

Reminder – Brattleboro District 9 Forum

by fidel | Politics

Residents of District 9 will continue their discussion of Town matters in advance of Town Meeting (which is Saturday 11 April) in another of our periodic get-togethers. The District 9 forum will occur at 6:30 pm on Tuesday 31 March in the Community Room of the Brooks Memorial Library (3rd floor). For more information, contact Robert Oeser (robt.oeser@gmail.com) or David Levenbach (fideladelphia@gmail.com; 413.559.1533).

You Want No Kings? Change the Tax Laws!

by Cris Ericson | Op/Ed

NO KINGS? Then STOP MAKING KINGS! It’s our tax laws that need to be changed!

You pay taxes to the IRS and then the US Congress votes to give your hard earned tax dollars to their choice of corporations as “subsidies”. Your money is going to the choice of corporations selected by the US Congress, not to all of them, just to some of them. About 400 corporations receive the most of your tax dollars, millions or billions each. Not all corporations receive SUBSIDIES. The corporations selected by a vote of the U.S. Congress to receive subsidies are making a fortune by using your hard earned tax dollars to create products they sell internationally, but they keep all the profits for themselves and don’t give you a share. STOP MAKING KINGS!

District 3/9 Forum

by fidel | Politics

Residents of District 9 will continue their discussion of Town matters in advance of Town Meeting (which is Saturday 11 April) in another of our periodic get-togethers. The District 9 forum will occur at 6:30 pm on Tuesday 31 March in the Community Room of the Brooks Memorial Library (3rd floor). At the suggestion of one of the participants at the last forum, we invite suggestions as to matters that should be scheduled for the agenda. Send your preferred topics to convenors Robert Oeser (robt.oeser@gmail.com) or David Levenbach (fideladelphia@gmail.com; 413.559.1533).

Important Dates and Details for Brattleboro’s Open Town Meeting

by Not Signed In | Politics

During Town Meeting Day, held on March 3, 2026, Brattleboro voters discontinued Representative Town Meeting. Representative Town Meeting, which had been originally scheduled for March 21, has been canceled, and Open Town Meeting will replace it on April 11.

At Open Town Meeting, all registered voters who are present can discuss, debate, amend, and vote on the town budget and on other binding and non-binding items. Below are some helpful dates and documents to review prior to the meeting.

Brattleboro Selectboard Elect New Officers for 2026

by cgrotke | Politics
new selectboard 2026

Newly-elected Brattleboro Selectboard members were sworn in by Town Clerk Hilary Francis. Amanda Ellis-Thurber, Isaac Evans-Frantz, and Nell Mayo join Oscar Heller and Peter Case on the board.

The new Chair of the Brattleboro Selectboard is Oscar Heller. “Thanks for trusting me with this position.”

The Vice-Chair is Amanda Ellis Thurber.

Majority of United States Senate Quietly Voted to Continue War With Iran

by Cris Ericson | Politics

March 4, 2026 Motion to Discharge S. J. Res. 104, a joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within the Islamic Republic of Iran.  ROLL CALL VOTE:  Yea 47,  Nay 53

This means the majority of Members of the United States Senate voted to CONTINUE the WAR WITH IRAN because they voted against (against = Nay 53)  removal of U.S. Troops from Iran.

Brattleboro Unofficial Election Results March 2026

by Not Signed In | Politics

Please see attached for Brattleboro’s Unofficial Town Meeting Day election results. These are the results from the ballot tallies, not including write-in votes, The projected winners are in bold.

WSESD results will be released from their central office once they have the results in from all voting towns.

Note that these are numbers that were crunched after a VERY long day. I will reiterate that they are UNOFFICIAL.

Thanks to the amazing poll workers and the American Legion who made today possible! We had a lot of voters coming through the doors – 28% for Town Meeting Day (similar to last year). The day was smooth and safe!

Support for Amanda Ellis Thurber

by Not Signed In | Op/Ed

I support Amanda Ellis Thurber for the 3 year seat on the Brattleboro Selectboard. She’s been a farmer for years, was a founding member of the Brattleboro Area Farmers Market and she has been working with numerous regional organizations on issues revolving around sustainability of the farming economy and community.  Amanda is pleasant and respectful to every community member. More important she has an open mind, is willing to ask questions and work to solve problems. 

When former Town Manager Peter Elwell wrote a letter to the editor he expressed concerns about fiscal mismanagement. For Peter who was always measured and reasoned during his tenure in that position to raise the alarm to that level  should cause one to look carefully. He steadfastly guided Brattleboro and managed the town’s finances well. Upon his departure Peter left the Town of Brattleboro in decent financial standing.

Vermont Air National Guard & F-35 Jets On Their Way to War!

by Cris Ericson | Op/Ed

Pentagon announcement: Vermont Air National Guard and F-35 strike fighter jets are on their way to WAR. Please note that F-35 strike fighter jets are dual capable to carry nuclear bombs.

In other news, the Lunar Eclipse will occur early tomorrow morning, and then we will have the full moon in Virgo opposite Sun in Pisces. Virgo can be a cold calculated sign, great for precision missiles.

Pass the vomit bag.

iBrattleboro Selectboard Candidate Interviews

by cgrotke | Politics

Interview questions were sent to all candidates for Brattleboro Selectboard; for the first time, not everyone bothered to return answers (there is still time).  

Here are the links to candidate interviews in one handy spot of those who chose to participate so far: