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Who Really Speaks For You?

by RDavis | Politics

The answer to the question of whether or not you get fair representation from the people you elect may seem elusive. Every individual has their own political agenda, so when it comes to representation the best we can hope for is that the person we elect closely holds our values.

Vermonters are extremely lucky on this account on the national level. At least Vermonters who tend to be more liberal and vote Democratic or Progressive.

Our federal delegation reflects the ideals of a majority of us and they have the courage of their convictions to work to uphold those principles.

People in many other states may feel the same way, but we all know that once people get a taste of the power they can wield in Washington they often become co-opted by a corrupt system. Especially those who stay in office for a long time. They become beholden to those with money and they eventually want to hold onto power at all costs. Once they cross that line they no longer represent the people who elected them.

Is It Treason For A Judge To Take Away President Trump’s Right To Own A Gun, Making Him An Easier Target For Assassins?

by CrisEricson2016 | Op/Ed

Recently, the legal argument of a person being charged with one thing, and then another penalty is tacked on because they own a personal home protection gun, which was entirely unrelated to what they were charged with, has come to my attention.

I wanted to do a show on Twitch.com but I was kicked out after I posted that I wanted to discuss various state medical cannabis, marijuana and marijuana laws, because if you are charged with wrongful possession of cannabis marijuana under various state laws, and you happen to own a gun, the charges are increased.

Brattleboro Property Taxes and Utility Bills Due Feb. 17, 2025

by Not Signed In | Town News

The third installment of the 2024 Brattleboro Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes will be due by 5 p.m. on February 17, 2025. Payments made after February 17, 2025 will have an additional 1% interest added to the unpaid balance.

The Town of Brattleboro utility bills are also due by 5 p.m. on February 17, 2025. Payments made after February 17, 2025 will have an additional 1% interest, as well as an 8% penalty added to the unpaid balance.

American Prospect Discloses Members of DNC

by cgrotke | Politics

Interesting story at The American Prospect – they are disclosing all of the names of the members of the Democratic National Committee:

Opening the DNC’s Black Box
Why we’re publishing a previously undisclosed list of all 448 members of the Democratic National Committee

The story says that members of the DNC generally don’t have contact information for other members, intentionally, so that they can’t organize:

Brattleboro Committee Agendas

by Not Signed In | Town News

The Brattleboro Traffic Safety Committee will meet on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 8:00am in the Selectboard Meeting Room (230 Main Street, Rm. 212) and over Zoom.

The Brattleboro Charter Revision Commission will meet on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Board Meeting Room (230 Main Street, Rm. 212) and over Zoom.

Governor Scott’s 2025 Inaugural Address to Vermont

by cgrotke | State News

“There’s no doubt many communities, businesses, and families are struggling. But it’s not hard to see that Northwest Vermont is doing BETTER than all the others. It’s not to say this region doesn’t have challenges, but, for the most part, it’s where you see a lower percentage of kids in poverty, lower energy costs, higher median incomes, higher home values, and more new housing being built. And while we’re desperate for workers across the state, the size of the workforce in Chittenden and Franklin counties is the highest it’s been in recent history.”

Construction Update Brattleboro-Hinsdale Bridge January 10, 2025

by Not Signed In | Hinsdale

Daily shoulder closures on the new bridge deck for westbound New Hampshire/Vermont Route 119 will continue next week.

Local traffic accessing Mountain Road and Norm’s Marina in New Hampshire may experience short delays. Both locations will be open to traffic at all times, however, travelers should be aware of lane shifts around work zones.

É.T.É and Yann Falquet with Emily Troll and Eric Boodman at Next Stage

by hahrenholz | Music

Next Stage Arts and Twilight Music present an evening of Québécois music from Canada and the US by two trios – É.T.É and Yann Falquet with Emily Troll and Eric Boodman – on Saturday, February 8 at 7:30 pm at Next Stage.

É.T.É transforms the nostalgia of a kitchen party into an unforgettable concert experience that celebrates the joie de vivre of Québécois culture. With soaring vocal harmonies, a deep groove, step-dancing, and rich instrumentation, the trio creates their own trad universe with original compositions and unique arrangements of Québécois and Acadian repertoire. Since winning the OPUS prize for “Discovery of the Year 2017-2018,” Élisabeth Moquin (fiddle, step-dancing, vocals), Thierry Clouette (bouzouki, podorythmie, vocals), and Élisabeth Giroux (cello, vocals), have shared their original, lively take on Québec traditional music with audiences worldwide.

Words of President Jimmy Carter Worth Repeating!

by CrisEricson2016 | Philosophy

In response to Hartmann’s noting that the Supreme Court now allows “unlimited money in politics,”
Carter said this:

“It violates the essence of what made America a great country in its political system. Now it’s just an oligarchy, with unlimited political bribery being the essence of getting the nominations for president or to elect the president. And the same thing applies to governors and U.S. senators and congress members.

Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem at Next Stage

by hahrenholz | Music

Next Stage Arts and Twilight Music present New England’s acclaimed folk/roots quartet Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem at Next Stage on Saturday, February 1 at 7:30 pm.

Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem feature 4-part vocal harmonies, indelible songs, fiddle, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, and a homemade percussion kit of cardboard boxes, tin cans, caulk tubes, packing-tape tambourines, bottle-cap rattles, Mongolian jaw harps, and a vinyl suitcase. Over the past 20 years, the quartet has toured its uplifting, healing performances to concert halls, festivals, and residency engagements across North America, and has released seven CDs on Signature Sounds. From the Newport Folk Festival to California World Music Festival and beyond, this band’s steadfast brew of wit, camaraderie, and musicality leaves audiences everywhere humming and hopeful, spirits renewed.

Isaac

by IsaacEF | Politics, Town News

On Wednesday, Isaac Evans-Frantz submitted to the Brattleboro Town Clerk 120 petition signatures to appear on the ballot for Brattleboro Selectboard. That is 4 times the amount needed by law to get on the ballot. By the end of the day the town clerk had confirmed that Isaac will in fact appear on the ballot for a one-year position. The election is March 4 at the American Legion.

“Brattleboro faces major nationwide challenges – an opioid crisis, a housing shortage, a growing gap between the wealthiest and poorest people, and a climate emergency,” Isaac said. “Brattleboro needs a new leader who will help make our town safe, affordable, and welcoming for all.”

Selectboard Meeting Notes Redux- Board Approves 12% Property Tax Increase; Won’t Tax Cats

by cgrotke | Town News

The Brattleboro Selectboard approved their revised FY26 budget with a 12% property tax increase without further changes, ignoring a great deal of feedback from the Finance Committee and members of the public that there were other items to consider and concerns that root problems were being put off for future years.

The board agreed that no cuts to staff will be considered. Staff positions in Brattleboro are seemingly guaranteed forever.

The board also asked that the community be more respectful when taking about municipal affairs, and laughed at Liz’s serious suggestion to tax cats.

Brattleboro Site Visit 1.25.2025 and Public Hearing 1.29.2025

by bbannon@brattleboro.org | Town Plan

2025-2                  Windham Windsor Housing Trust for the Ursula Dalem Life Estate; Residential Neighborhood 5400 District; request for Traditional Neighborhood Planned Unit Development Preliminary Approval and Site Plan and Conditional Use Approval for a Traditional Neighborhood PUD with 70 housing units. The development will be built in 3 phases: Rental phase 1, Homeownership phase 1, and Rental phase 2.