Robert Oeser clearly wants to make a mountain out of the rubble, regarding his opposition to NorthStar's proposed rubblization at the Vermont Yankee site.
But Mr. Oeser fails to recognize that rubblization is a common procedure, developed for recycling concrete highways in place and used in nuclear decommissioning. The small pieces of broken concrete are used instead of trucked-in stone as a roadbed for new pavement.
In nuclear plant demolition, instead of hauled-in fill, the rubble is used to fill the vast foundation holes. This is a tremendous saving of time and money. Of course, only rubble that is not contaminated is used.
The real question is: Why was a technical decision about a procedure that would be used 10 to 50 years in the future even included in the 2013 agreement with the state on plant shutdown?...
In a somewhat heated discussion, the Selectboard and the Recycling Committee recently tried to figure out what to do about recycling after June 30. Newfane, like most towns in Windham County, currently has roll-off recycling bins available for anyone to use. Workers from the Windham Solid Waste Management District,
Pianist and composer Chris Bakriges and internationally renowned artists will fill Historic Memorial Hall in downtown Wilmington with the sound of jazz at 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 24. Joining pianist Chris Bakriges are Jay Hoggard on vibraphone, Billy Arnold on drums, and Avery Sharpe on bass. The group...
We at Windham County Safe Place hosted our first Youth Fishing Derby on June 3, and it was a huge success! The weather was beautiful, and we are overwhelmed with how much community support we had in planning this event! In the end, the support of our nonprofit really equals the support of many local kids and their families. The Safe Place Board and staff thank the event sponsors, without whom we couldn't make the fishing derby happen. We also...
When gauging the risk level for a domestic violence victim, certain details always raise red flags: the presence of a gun, threats of violence, strangulation, and any past physical harm. But while such danger requires the most careful safety planning, it doesn't necessarily create the deepest wound, nor does it leave the longest-lasting scars for survivors. Less visible, but no less potent, is the emotional abuse that also tends to spew from an abuser's mouth. This spoken harm, which can...
As most people are well aware by now, the Legislature and Governor Phil Scott are at an impasse over the state budget, and the sticking point seems to be Scott's strong desire to utilize the putative potential savings that the new health insurance coverages might generate. More specifically, the governor has based his calculations on what would happen of teachers picked up 20 percent of their premium costs. Well, the dumb farmers and truck drivers down here in Windham Northeast...
Clift to give reading at Everyone's Books BRATTLEBORO - Local author, educator, and doula Elayne Clift reads from the new anthology Take Care: Tales, Tips and Love from Women Caregivers on Friday, June 23, at 6 p.m., at Everyone's Books on Elliot Street. The first-of-its-kind anthology is a moving collection of prose and poetry by 21 women who understand the challenges and rewards of being a caretaker, whether for parents and other family members, spouses, children, or friends. As always,
Covfefe. I would be happy to never read or hear the pseudo-word again. Donald Trump's late-night tweet once again sent the media, pundits, comedians, and the general public scrambling to make sense of nonsense. Is Trump senile? Erratic? Is there a special meaning to be gleaned from his use of the nonexistent word? The truth is more likely that Trump knows exactly what he is doing and timed the release of the linguistic furor to coincide with the announcement that...
We support Selectboard members David Schoales and Brandie Starr, who first brought up the issue of active recruitment of people of color for town jobs here in Brattleboro at the May 2 Selectboard meeting. We also encourage a broader dialogue to recognize and understand systemic racism and racist push-back in our town. Our position is best stated by paraphrasing Mr. Schoales, who during the May 2 meeting did a very good job of explaining why concerted effort is necessary to...
Lately I've been envisioning a federal government I could support. This is what some of it would look like: President, Elizabeth Warren; secretary of state, Michelle Obama; attorney general, Sally Yates; secretary of education, Rachel Maddow; secretary of energy (name changed to secretary of the environment), Kamala Harris; secretary of the interior, LaDonna Brave Bull Allard; Supreme Court associate justice, Toni Morrison; press secretary, Amy Goodman. Newly created cabinet positions: Secretary of human rights, Angela Davis; secretary of literature, Margaret...
Groundworks Collaborative thanks all of the local businesses, sponsors, and volunteers that made this year's Camp for a Common Cause a success. Roughly 30 people spent the night of May 19 camping on the Brattleboro Town Common to raise funds and awareness for our work with our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Together, we raised just over $17,000 for Groundworks' shelter and housing support programs. This event is a great way for our community to come together around the issue and to...
While as a retired teacher, I strongly support contests such as the Rudyard Kipling Young Writers Awards, I must object to the uncritical treatment of the man for whom this award was named, Rudyard Kipling. I feel that to give our young students, who in Windham County are overwhelmingly white, the sort of uncritical praise of Kipling that was reflected in the article is a disservice to their education and to the great need to raise the consciousness of all...
Eesha Williams' letter states that the Dummerston Selectboard “wants to end the right of townspeople to modify the budget at town meeting.” That is not the case. The confusion is attributable to an article that Selectboard member Hugh Worden wrote for the spring issue of the Views of Dummerston newsletter, and an editorial change that was made to the title: “Board Considers Whether Budget Should be Approved18 [sic] by Australian Ballot.” Mr. Worden expressed his concern that 10 percent of...
Several local athletes in baseball, softball, and lacrosse were honored by the Marble Valley League last week. • Brattleboro pitcher Leif Bigelow and catcher Dan Petrie were among the baseball players named to the MVL First Team in the A Division. Colonel first baseman Conor Hiner received Honorable Mention. In the B division, pitcher-first baseman Brady Illingworth and shortstop Jacob Streeter of Bellows Falls both made the First Team. BF catcher Liam Hackett received Honorable Mention. All three were key...
What do you do when you need a people-eating plant and your local nursery is all out? You get creative and grow your own. That's what has been going on at Main Street Arts in Saxtons River as the cast and crew prepare for a production of Little Shop of Horrors, set to open Thursday, June 29, for a weekend run. The popular musical by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman features three stages of a carnivorous plant named...
Saving money in a safe way: that has been the commitment and focus for Vermont Yankee shutdown and decommissioning ever since the plant ceased operations in 2014. The decommissioning trust fund is large (almost $600 million now) but finite. It must be used prudently to finish a lengthy, complicated job with very high safety and security standards. So Entergy deserves credit for moving up its plan to save the trust fund $1.2 million per month by appropriately reducing the security...
There's an old saying and, like a lot of old sayings, there is a lot of truth to it: Actions speak louder than words. That axiom comes to mind when House and Senate Democrats reflect on the last session, which, unfortunately, hasn't ended yet because Governor Phil Scott vetoed the budget. As a result, the Legislature plans to convene again on June 21 and 22 and attempt to reach a compromise that will avert our state government's shutdown. During his...
College news • The following local students recently earned their bachelor degrees from the University of Vermont: Katherine Amidon of Vernon, biochemistry (cum laude); Brenda Atwater of Vernon, early childhood/preschool; Devin Brown of Londonderry, early childhood/special education; Jennifer Carpenter of Vernon, alternate track - VT RN; Ursula Casey of West Dover, biology; Greer Cowan of Putney, community & international development (cum laude); Alexander Doerr of Jamaica, business administration; Trenton Fletcher of Vernon, psychology; Tamara Geno of Guilford, alternate track -
Vermont Theatre Company presents A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare's beloved comedy about lovers lost in the woods fighting for the affections of their preferred partners while mischievous fairies interfere. The ensemble-based performance allows all the actors to shine. It features Heather Herring and Rachel Durante as Helena and Hermia, Jesse Cross-Nickerson and Alex Luckham as Demetrius and Lysander, Tony Grobe and Kirsten Becker as Oberon and Titania, James Gelter as Puck, Shannon Ward as Bottom, and a crew of talented...
Write Action announced its 15th annual Poetry and Prose Writing Contest for adults and teens, according to a news release. Entries will be judged anonymously. Each category will be judged by an esteemed writer from the tri-state area. Judge for both prose and poetry in the youth category is Nancy Olson, retired head of the Brattleboro Union High School English Department. Judge for adult poetry is J. Kates; for prose it is Joe Mazur. The first-place winners in both categories...
For libraries, summertime means summer reading. This year's theme is “Build A Better World,” and the Children's Room at Brooks Memorial Library will be busy providing new programs and continuing with previous popular summer programs, according to a news release. This year, Brooks will offer a summer challenge for kids, ages 4-12. This program offers kids the chance to earn points for reading, being read to, or listening to audiobooks. Kids can also earn points by attending library programs. All...
Patrons hoping to dump items at the Windham Solid Waste Management District's Old Ferry Road convenience center now have to pay a little more for the service, but they'll have more opportunities to do so. Some towns will also get their roll-off recycling bins back after the Materials Recovery Facility closes, but the District won't collect their contents after the end of June. After a somewhat lengthy debate at the District's Board of Supervisors June 8 regular meeting, the Board...
Good day to you! I, for one, am very thankful that the recent soupy, muggy, and super humid weather conditions have pushed away from the southern Green Mountains for a minute. Man, oh man, that was not pleasant! Although I'm certain there are some of you reading this who relish such sticky summery weather. Luckily for folks like you, the season has just begun. And with that, I wish you a very happy Summer Solstice! As for our sensible weather,
It was great to be part of the group - well over 100 of us - who showed up at Pliny Park in support of the state budget and in support of teachers while similar gatherings happened all over the state. Our voices are needed. Governor Phil Scott vetoed a budget that had passed nearly unanimously in the legislature (173–1, with all Republicans but one voting for it). Unfortunately, Governor Scott vetoed it because the Legislature refused to pass a...
Twilight Music continues its 15th annual Twilight On The Tavern Lawn series of folk-rock, world beat, rock, pop, Celtic, blues and bluegrass summer concerts on Sunday, June 25, with indie folk-rock trio The Dupont Brothers. Burlington–based, indie-folk-rock siblings Zack and Sam Dupont feature intertwining brotherly harmonies, twin acoustic guitars, and refreshingly original songwriting. Since 2013, they have released two CDs, Heavy As Lead and A Riddle For You, and an EP, Live At Beehive, and have toured the U.S., performing...
Mitchell-Giddings Fine Arts, 183 Main St., presents Garden of Delights, an exhibition of wire mesh sculptures by Eric Boyer. An opening reception will take place Thursday, June 22, at 5 pm, with an artist talk on Saturday, June 24, from 5 to 7 p.m., according to a news release. Boyer says he began exploring in wood, ceramics, and metalwork, and his work in wire mesh is the result of a continuous search for a personal, expressive medium, which he discovered...
Main Street Arts Artistic Director David Stern realizes that though his company presents great theater, it is hardly the only game in town. Literally dozens of theater companies in Southern Vermont and the adjacent New Hampshire counties across the river - some longstanding and others new to the region, some professional and others performed by dedicated community members - are diligently working to put on quality performances and finding audiences to support them. Yet with so much competition, how can...
State officials are expressing serious doubts about the proposed sale of Vermont Yankee, contending that the deal “raises numerous, thus-far-unanalyzed health, safety, and environmental concerns.” Those concerns surfaced in documents filed June 13 by the Vermont Public Service Department and attorney general's office. The state agencies want to intervene in the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission's review of the plant's license transfer, and they're also requesting that the NRC hold a hearing on the matter. State officials previously have expressed skepticism...
The state Public Service Board's new chairman won't be involved in one of its biggest pending cases - the proposed sale of Vermont Yankee. A memo filed June 14 informed those involved in the sale docket that Anthony Roisman “will not participate in this matter as chairman,” leaving the other two board members to decide the case. The one-paragraph document doesn't give a reason for Roisman's recusal, and he didn't comment further. But Roisman has a long history of anti-nuclear...
The town of Brattleboro is asking for help from anyone and everyone who is interested in promoting increased diversity on the town staff. In addition to proactively distributing all future job-opening notices more widely than in the past, the town will send those notices to any individual or group who wishes to receive them, according to a news release. The goal of creating what the town is calling the “Job Openings Distribution List” is to help the town achieve greater...
In this year of political polarity, I was proud and heartened when the Vermont Legislature passed its budget with tri-partisan support and only one dissenting vote. That is until Governor Phil Scott vetoed it. I believe the governor's veto cannot be classified as anything but a political ploy, since the budget, as presented, is balanced, invests in growing our economy, and supports working families. While campaigning, Scott insisted he was committed to working across the aisle in the best interests...
A contractor has begun the delicate task of moving Vermont Yankee's radioactive spent fuel into more secure, sealed casks. In announcing that the project kicked off June 12, plant owner Entergy called it an “important milestone.” That's in part due to the company's proposed sale of Vermont Yankee, which is contingent on completing the fuel move by the end of 2018. But that doesn't mean the job will be rushed, administrators say. In an interview, Vermont Yankee Government Affairs Manager...
On Monday, June 26, families are invited to visit the Living Memorial Park in Brattleboro for an afternoon of friends, food, and fun. A free pizza lunch will be available to all kids and teens 18 years or younger between noon and 1 p.m. There will also be fun activities for kids and information about where to access free summer meals around Windham County, according to a news release. Children and families can stay for free swimming at the Living...
Town highway departments were busy Tuesday repairing washouts after a line of severe thunderstorms sent rivers, brooks, and streams over their banks across Windham County on Monday afternoon. As much as 4 inches of rain fell over the region between midmorning and late afternoon on Monday, according to the National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y. As a result, widespread flash flooding was reported throughout the county. Flooding and a mudslide closed Route 30 near the Brattleboro-Dummerston town line for a...
In describing her life after winning the International Women of Courage Award, Fadia Thabet repeatedly used the word “irony.” The School for International Training student, who won the award in March from the U.S. State Department for humanitarian work helping women and children in the southern Yemen war zone get food, water, clothing, and medical supplies, cannot leave the U.S. Thabet has risked her life protecting children from recruitment by Al Qaeda and Houthi militias - thus preventing them from...
It's not every day that you hear of something that's still going strong after 100 years. But this summer, the Green Mountain Camp for Girls is celebrating its 100th year with reunions, shared memories, singing, feasting, dancing, sports, and yes, s'mores. It is also mounting a Centennial Campaign to raise $100,000 for capital improvements. The camp seems to inspire the girls who go there. “We're helping people recapture a very good time in their lives,” said current camp director, former...
Aug. 29, 2011. The day after Tropical Storm Irene's floodwaters swamped Melrose Terrace, an affordable housing complex in West Brattleboro. The Whetstone Brook's flood-angered waters affected all 80 residents and flooded 40 apartments. Five buildings were severely damaged. When the brook subsided, what had been a green haven for the low-income elderly and disabled adults living at Melrose was a muddy poster child for disaster. May 25, 2017. The 55-unit Red Clover Commons now stands as the poster child for...
My plans had already been made to spend the winter in Oaxaca, Mexico when Donald J. Trump - hereafter, “45” - won the election. I was embarrassed that 45 had become president. I wasn't sure if I should stick with my plan or if I could be more effective politically here in the United States. Like most people I knew, I was deeply concerned about what would happen next in this country. After giving it a lot of thought, I...
The Sundays On The Hill Concert Series is delighted to again have Counterpoint grace Weston's historic and acoustically perfect Church on the Hill (Community Church) on Sunday, July 2, at 4 p.m. The church is located on Lawrence Hill Road and is just a few steps up the hill from the Weston Village Green, off Route 100. Parking is available at the church and along the road and village green. Counterpoint will explore songs of peace in various different languages...
An Israeli housemate once told me, “I do not call myself Jewish because I am religious; I call myself Jewish to honor the generations before me who were killed because of that identity.” I was reminded of this perspective recently as I made the decision to purchase a bisexual pride flag to hang on my house during the month of June. Pride season is here once again, but instead of eagerly looking ahead to events, gatherings, or celebrations I might...
Because of funding shortages, replacement of the crumbling Arch Bridge got pushed back a few years. According to current plans, construction should begin in the summer of 2021. Carolyn Carlson, senior project manager with the Agency of Transportation, presented the plans, and the new timeline, at the June 5 Selectboard meeting. Bridge #12 - the Arch Bridge - was constructed in 1908 and is currently rated “poor” by the AOT. The 76.5-foot span has a cracked foundation, and the lane,
Two consecutive painting exhibits at Gallery 34 during June and July will focus on images of children caught in the fighting in Syria. The first, “We Are All Refugees,” up now and on display until Friday, June 30, features paintings by Lori Schreiner. The Brattleboro artist's work calls us to compassion, to take in and respond to the photos we have likely grown inured to or have kept ourselves from looking at, generated by a war in Syria that is...