Offering spiritual approaches to addiction and recovery, LAMA TOMAS (aka Tom O’Flaherty) is an ordained Celtic Buddhist Monk living a life of service. He talks about his own path to sobriety and his place in the Crazy Wisdom lineage.
CAZ CLARK fills a place in our town we didn’t even know we needed. Working at our Food Co-op, Caz interacts with folks in need and finds ways to help connect them to many local organizations. Caz has a view of Brattleboro that’s gritty, real, timely and hopeful.
A divided Brattleboro Selectboard voted in favor of expanding an ordinance of acceptable behavior that criminalizes aspects of life for those who may be unhoused. The decision came despite pleas to have professionals review the changes.
The board then added hundreds of thousands of dollars to this year’s budget to fund additional downtown policing. They estimate $200 a year increases for most taxpayers to cover this expense. It was cheered on by a pro-policing faction that wanted big sticks and ass kicking, and criticized by those who were watching all their work for alternative community safety options go down the drain.
Finally, the board praised Turning Point for exceptional work with addiction and recovery, on a budget less than the annual cost of the new police expansion.
The Brattleboro Selectboard will learn at their next meeting that their downtown safety decisions come with a substantial price tag – the starting cost is close to $800,000 per year for additional downtown policing.
The board will get an update on programs and news from Turning Point, and would like to again spend from the Community Safety Fund – this time to help pay for an “acceptable community conduct” campaign. You can bring up other items not on the agenda during public participation.
