Opinion

For opinion pieces on any topic.

The Name of the Thieves Who Stole Our Future

by Vidda | Op/Ed

While Senator Sanders may portray our Social Security programs as solvent, it really depends on your reading of what actually happened. The Social Security coffers as it stands today may very well be in the black – as best as in the black can be for a program that’s post Baby Boomer era.

With most of us Baby Boomers closer to our sunset than our sunrise the “contributions” we pay into Social Security is not the same as before. We are increasingly dependent on what the younger generations put into this Roosevelt-inspired retirement piggybank. Unfortunately, the population scale of our young folks shrink into the shadow of a huge and very needy Baby Boomer population.

Can Selectboard Members Be Voting Members of Committees? Brattleboro Charter Appears to Say No

by cgrotke | Politics

At Tuesday’s meeting, the Brattleboro Selectboard appointed John Allen to the PFFP (Police Fire Facility Project) Oversight Committee.

To keep the number of votes on the committee an odd number and to prevent tie votes, the Selectboard authorized Mr. Allen to be the 9th voting member of that committee.  Did they make a mistake?

Interesting OP-ED

by tomaidh | Op/Ed

Martin Langeveld had a very interesting on Thursday March 28, 2013.

He started by taking BABB and the Reformer to task:

The board of Building a Better Brattleboro is proceeding with a request-for-proposals process for the River Garden without holding meetings for public input. “It’s time for Brattleboro to cut its losses and move on,” writes the Reformer editorial board with respect to the River Garden, urging the town to “figure out a way to add the River Garden back to its grand list and move on.”

Sanders Bill Would Break Up Big Banks

by Not Signed In | Politics

BURLINGTON, Vt., March 27 – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said today he will introduce legislation to break up banks that have grown so big that the Justice Department has not pursued prosecutions for fear an indictment would harm the financial system.

The 10 largest banks in the United States are bigger now than before a taxpayer bailout following the 2008 financial crisis. At the time Congress, over Sanders’ objection, approved a $700 billion bank rescue because of concerns by some that the financial institutions were too big to fail. Another $16 trillion from the Federal Reserve propped up financial institutions.

Sending a Message

by cgrotke | Op/Ed

There was much talk at the recent Representative Town Meeting about “sending a message” to the School board and Selectboard.

One clear message was that people are reaching a breaking point with tax increases. We heard repeated stories of fixed incomes, dropping salaries, and rising costs making it increasingly hard to get by in our hometown. 

Another clear message is that budgets were approved as presented. Attempts to cut budgets failed, and Representatives approved all expenditures.

Which message was sent, and which was heard?

Sanders to Postmaster General: Postal Service Must Keep Saturday Mail

by Not Signed In | Politics

BURLINGTON, Vt., March 26 – Citing a legal opinion by the Government Accountability Office, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today called on Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe to withdraw his plan to stop Saturday mail delivery.

Sanders said the opinion by the non-partisan GAO unambiguously declared that the Postal Service has no legal authority to end Saturday mail without the approval of Congress. In fact, Congress just last week passed a bill that restated the requirement for the Postal Service to maintain Saturday mail delivery.

Senate Sends Clear Message: Don’t Cut Social Security, Veterans’ Benefits

by Not Signed In | Politics

BURLINGTON, Vt., March 25 – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said today that a Senate vote showed overwhelming opposition to President Barack Obama’s proposal to cut benefits for Social Security recipients and disabled veterans.

The Senate early Saturday passed a budget resolution that included Sanders’ amendment against switching to a so-called chained consumer price index which would cut cost-of-living adjustments by changing how inflation is measured.

“This is a strong signal that when push comes to shove the Senate is going to oppose any effort to balance the budget on the backs of seniors, disabled veterans and their survivors,” Sanders said after the vote.

If You Do Not Try…..

by MRaymond | Op/Ed

If you do not try then you fail.

I see the internet as a tool for colective problem solving. As a community the internet gives opportunity for the many great ideas to be seeded into the minds of all who wish to subscribe to finding solutions to many of the daily challenges we all face.

A term “Crowd Sourcing” seems appropriate to describe how I see this tool can become effective in finding solutions, such as the current financial crises our area is facing.

Why is Brattleboro Subsidizing Millionaires investors at the Brooks House?

by joegreen | Opinion

Why
is Brattleboro giving tax breaks to a group of millionaires who bought the
Brooks House and want to put in luxury apartments?  What if the project fails?  If the
project goes belly up, what is the financial guarantee to the town? Will the
town contiue to pay rent to Brooks house for the Harmony lot? Will the town
recoup the thousands of dollars it has already put into the Brooks house?

I encourage  taxpayers
to write to the Selectboard and oppose the subsidie for millionaires.

joe green

What Is A Homeowner Suppose To Do?

by RLElkins | Opinion

2012 will be remembered as an extraordinarily difficult year for Brattleboro residents. Since January the Vermont Legislature has voted out of committee to increase the state education tax rate by five cents; to increase the gas tax by two cents with another eight cent increase in the future; and to tax any drink containing sugar at one cent per ounce that will add thirty-three cents to the price of a liter.

At the local level property owners will be hit with a projected utility budget deficit of $600,000; the annual increase in the water and sewer rates for the new treatment plant; the increase in property taxes for the new fire and police station; the increase in the town operating budget; the increase in the town school budget; and the increase in the BUHS budget. Adding to the taxpayer’s misery is a town grand list that has flat-lined.

What is a homeowner suppose to do?

Representative Welch Introduces Two Bills to Boost Vermont Maple Industry

by Not Signed In | Politics

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Mar. 19, 2013) – With maple season in full swing, Rep. Peter Welch is pushing two bills to promote Vermont’s maple industry and make sugaring operations more energy efficient.

“Maple syrup and those who produce it are part of the fabric of Vermont,” Welch said. “Their trade goes back generations and is an important part of our economy as well as a key defining characteristic of our state brand. These investments in the maple industry will ensure it remains a strong part of Vermont’s economy and identity for generations to come.”

District 1 Caucuses Coming

by orionbk 1984 | Politics

TO ALL DISTRICT I REPS AND VOTERS:

Thanks to 5 new folks – Steve Cormier, Peter Diamondstone, Paula Melton, Lynn Russell, and Eric Strickland — who showed up last night to volunteer their services as Town Meeting Members for I year, and to 10 sitting reps who showed up to appoint them, District 1 now is only 4 slots away instead of 9 from its allotted representation. To remedy that shortfall [and contrary to last night’s announcement], District 1 will
again caucus at Academy School at 6:15 pm, Wednesday, March 20 – and if need be, at 8 a.m., March 23, in the BUHS gym, NE corner [enter gym, turn right], before TM begins at 8.30.

Spread the word, recruit your friends and show up to send our district into the meeting with its full representation.

Master Plan Planning Master

by RLElkins | Rumors

“My name is Dorman D. Dorsinc. I have been appointed by the Vermont Legislature as the new Master Plan Planning Master for the State of Vermont. My planning qualifications include a PhD in Early Childhood Recidivism. My thesis was entitled: Born in Diapers – Die in Diapers – What Happens In Between? I am here in Brattleboro today at the request of the Vermont League of Uninformed Voters to mandate a new master plan planning master mandate mandating the residents of Brattleboro to support, fund, and implement by June 30, 2013.”

The Economy of Love

by JohnWilmerding | Economics

This short TED talk (choose “Read More” below, then click the ‘RUN” button in the middle to start the video) might be of interest to community members who wish to save the River Garden for our use as a community. Would you like to be part of a new non-profit organization whose purpose is to run the River Garden as a community venue? Please be in touch with me if you would: John Wilmerding, 219 High Street, Apartment #201, Brattleboro, VT 05301-6073 — 802-254-2826 — wilmerding@myfairpoint.net

Again, choose “Read More” below, then click the ‘RUN” button in the middle to start the video … thanks!

Lending a Helping Hannaford – Suggestions for the Checkout Lane

by cgrotke | Op/Ed

Hannaford has made corporate decisions that play out in strange ways at the checkout aisle.

Having shopped for nearly half a century (and with a grandfather in the grocery business), when I’m ready to check out I put my groceries on the belt in easy bagging order. Heavy things, cans, bottles, and boxes go first, then the smaller, lighter things such as parsley or garlic.  A cashier could simply scan and pop it into the bag. We worked as a team to keep things moving along.

Not too long ago, I realized cashiers were scanning and piling all groceries to the other side without bagging anything. Only after all items had been scanned would any bagging occur. It was taking almost twice as long.

Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Member Recruitment

by Not Signed In | Politics

Brattleboro Town Meeting Members of Districts 1, 2 and 3 will meet on Wednesday, March 20 to accept nominations to fill town meeting member vacancies. Appointments are for one year. District 1has four vacancies, District 2 has two vacancies and District 3 has three vacancies. Anyone interested in being considered for these positions should be present at Academy School on Wednesday, March 20, at 6:15PM to meet with their district prior to the Town School District’s 6:30 p.m. pre-town meeting information session at the same location. If you are not able to attend but wish to be considered for a position, call the town clerk’s office at 251-8129, prior to the meeting.