To the editor:A quick look at the Internet provides ample evidence a lot of people in Vermont and around the country don’t have a place to live or enough food to eat. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reports about 653,000 Americans experienced homelessness in January 2023. That’s[Read More…]
Letters to the Editor
Moving Towards Empathy in Addiction Discourse
To the editor:In a departure from my usual topics, I’d like to take a moment to express my appreciation for Paul Fixx’s recent message in the Gazette. His candid reflection on his evolving understanding of addiction language struck a chord with me. And I think it’s worth applauding.As an attorney,[Read More…]
Be an Eclipse Ambassador
I have an informal poll going with some of my friends. Will we see a trickle of visitors in town this coming weekend and Monday of the solar eclipse, or will it be a wave? As the Vermont adage goes, “hard tellin’ not knowin’…” Whatever happens, I hope we’ll be[Read More…]
Overlooked Aspect of the Lakeview Annual Meeting
To the editor:I am writing to shed some light on a crucial aspect overlooked in David Kelley’s recent editorial regarding the outcome of the annual meeting. While Kelley accurately points out that Simon Cohen wasn’t elected, he fails to shed light on the underlying reason why. In fact, he erroneously[Read More…]
The Myth of One School, Three Campuses
To the editor: As discussions about school mergers persist, it has become increasingly evident that the notion of “one school, three campuses” is nothing more than a myth. It is a soundbite being used to distract from the reality that is dividing the district community – or should I say[Read More…]
Elitism Shouldn’t Dictate School Closures
To the editor:I write to express my concern over the prevailing elitism guiding the voices of those advocating to keep small schools open at any cost, despite the evident suffering of students in Hardwick. While I understand the sentiment of preserving cherished community institutions, it’s imperative to prioritize the well-being[Read More…]
What’s in a Name?
To the editor: By the time the town of Hardwick had reached its 100th birthday in 1881, it had four villages: Hardwick Street, East Hardwick, South Hardwick, and Mackville. It had post offices in East Hardwick and South Hardwick. The USPS had designated the post office in South Hardwick as[Read More…]
Questions to Lakeview School Advocates
To the editor: As a concerned member of our community, I am writing to pose several important questions to the supporters of Lakeview School and its continued operation. These questions cut to the heart of the matter and demand answers that go beyond rhetoric and personal biases.Firstly, what is the[Read More…]
What Might a Lakeview School Closure Mean?
To the editor: I’m writing to express grave concerns about Lakeview School’s operation in our district, especially given recent developments undisclosed before critical decisions. The decision to maintain Lakeview despite severe staff shortages compromises education quality, evident in one teacher covering multiple grades. Moreover, the disproportionate per-pupil expenditure raises fiscal[Read More…]
Climate Change Requires Prioritizing Renewable Energy
Climate Change Requires Prioritizing Renewable Energy To the editor: Older people have benefited from the fossil-fuel-driven world of past decades. That world needs to change as quickly as possible and be driven by renewable energy. Third Act Vermont, an organization for older persons concerned about climate change, has endorsed H.289,[Read More…]
A Few Things Became Clear
To the editor: I recently attended the community forum about the upcoming vote to close Lakeview Elementary and, over the course of the two hour meeting, a few things became clear to me about this important vote. Teachers at Hardwick Elementary spoke passionately on Monday night about their long struggles[Read More…]
