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Get out and vote!
Editor of the Reformer:
I strongly encourage the voters of the Windham-3 District including the towns of Athens, Brookline, Grafton, Rockingham, Windham and a portion of North Westminster to exercise your right to vote in the Primary Election on Aug. 28. I humbly ask for your consideration and vote and suggest that you consider using your "Early Voting" option by contacting your Town Clerk.
I offer my experience, leadership, caring dedication, and hard work if I am re-elected. We face many challenges this coming biennium including: building a balanced, responsible budget; dealing with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene; making progress in ensuring that all Vermonters have access to affordable health care and pharmaceutical drugs; promoting job creation and economic development; and continuing our work on property taxes -- looking for ways to improve the system while maintaining our commitment to high quality education for all of Vermont’s children, income sensitivity, and equity. There are many other very important issues that will be worked on during the next two years and I would like the opportunity to continue to represent the people of the Windham-3 District in Montpelier.
The closer we come to a 100-percent voter turnout, the closer we come to a true democracy. Let your voice be heard. I thank you for your consideration and appreciate your vote.
Rep. Carolyn
Windham, Aug. 15
A call for rent control
Editor of the Reformer:
I read almost every day the rents available in Brattleboro and surrounding towns. Most of the rents in Brattleboro are climbing at an alarming rate. I see one landlord’s rents are raised every time a tenant moves out. Ridiculous. Now the rents are well above $1,000 a month, and from where I sit, there are a lot of places in this area that aren’t worth that kind of money.
Take into consideration the wages in this area -- not even close. The problem is, the landlords don’t care who, or what they let into their buildings (gang bangers, drug dealers, etc.) and that ruins it for respectful tenants that already live there, so why pay outrageous rents to someone who doesn’t care?
I was forced to move out of a building for that very reason. There needs to be a rent freeze, and it needs to be done now. We work hard for our money, and in many cases in Brattleboro, the landlords don’t give two hoots about the tenants; all they want is the money, and it shows in the appearance of their buildings.
The town needs to act on this problem. I am willing and always have been willing to pay for a rent that is worth it. We all need to live somewhere; I don’t believe we need to live anywhere.
Roger L. Andrews,
Brattleboro, Aug. 13
Reflecting on a campaign
Editor of the Reformer:
Sally Ride founded Sally Ride Science to "motivate children to pursue careers in science and technology." Ride told USA Today in 1983 that "It’s time women in this country realize that women in this country can do any job they want to."
In Emily Peyton’s My Mission Statement (July 20), she tells us why she is once again running in the gubernatorial election. Even though she says a friend describes her "laser-like focus," she nevertheless ricochets randomly over a variety of campaign topics, namely Shumlin’s "insane, hawkish and criminal policies," Vermont Yankee’s closure and evacuation routes, B-35s in Burlington, non-violent inmates, corporate debt enslavement, a five-year "Vermont Pledge" to get us off oil, police protection for the sane vs. insane, and, oh yes, directing "our Vermont forces" to stop federal prohibition of industrial hemp.
The one thing, however, she never mentions is is the children.
Moreover, when Ms. Peyton solicits "100 good women" to raise $50,000 for her hemp profit-making campaign, she does not mention men.
When Ms. Peyton ran for governor in 2010 she claimed she only wanted to bring you awareness, but not to solicit your vote. OK. Now, thanks to Governor Shumlin’s hawkish support of the B-35s, Ms. Peyton says she wants to win your vote, to win the election, and if possible, preferably by a miracle.
Miracle or not, Ms. Peyton sums up her qualifications for governor as "I have useful leadership skills including but not limited to my lack of fear and my capacity to keep cool under pressure, my complete concern for honesty and integrity, and my personal satisfaction in other’s healthy happiness. I am free of greed."
She goes on to say that she will achieve her political ambitions "with the light of my personal happiness here to shed light on the road map to policy that will restore happiness, health, abundance and honor to the people of our state. It will be further rewarding to see ... everyone working for the goal of (her campaign) Vermont Pledge that is so good, so honorable and in the end, mandatory."
Mandatory? Yep, that’s what the candidate said.
Was there something that the late Sally Ride knew about leadership, motivation, integrity and duty that escapes Ms. Peyton? Sally Ride said, "It takes a couple of years just to get the background and knowledge that you need before you can go into detailed training for your mission."
Aside from yearning for a profit-making hemp business and basking in the light of her own personal happiness, not to mention her politicized platitudes, just how much background, knowledge and detailed training does Ms. Peyton really have in her "mission" to be Vermont’s next governor?
Vidda Crochetta,
Brattleboro, Aug. 8
A community service
Editor of the Reformer:
Recently, a pet goat wandered into our yard. We spent an entire weekend trying to find his home to no avail. The following Monday, I called the Reformer to put a "found" ad in the paper.
It was so easy to do and much to my surprise, it was free.
A few days later, "Billy’s" owner called us, thrilled that he could reunite him with his kids. Thank you so much for this public service you do. It made several people’s day.
Sue Register,
Guilford, Aug. 1
On I-91 bridge design
Editor of the Reformer:
The Vermont Agency of Transportation is planning to take down the pair of beautiful steel Interstate 91 bridges over the West River in Brattleboro and replace them with an ugly concrete bridge.
State officials say there is very little time for public discussion about this plan because the federal government has set a strict deadline for funding the project.
People should look at the drawings of the Agency’s proposed bridge (the drawings are available by calling Governor Shumlin’s office) then let Shumlin know how they feel. People should ask Senators Leahy and Sanders and Congressman Welch to extend the deadline for public comment about the Brattleboro bridge by at least a few weeks.
Eesha Williams,
Dummerston, Aug. 16
An open invitation
Editor of the Reformer:
We know it’s last-minute, but we have decided it’s time for a celebration. Doris Lake and Peter Diamondstone will be celebrating their 55th Wedding Anniversary and they want to have a party.
Friends and relatives are throwing Doris and Peter a 55th wedding anniversary party and Doris and Peter asked us to invite all of you, who have and continue to support them through their recovery, to join us. Whether you are/have been working in the rubble, bringing food by, helping us to get the word out about what is needed, plan to help plumb, frame or roof, sent a check or a prayer, please come celebrate love and community with family, friends and neighbors.
The party will be held Saturday, Aug. 18, at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden, 157 Main St., in Brattleboro. Set-up will be from 4-6 p.m. (feel free to join us), party from 6-10 p.m. with clean-up from 10 p.m.-midnight (come for 5 minutes or come for the full 8 hours).
The only gift Doris and Peter want is your presence.
We will serve some food and offer something bubbly for a toast. Please feel free to bring a potluck dish, but it’s not necessary.
All are welcome to join in the celebration. We are hoping to have music for dancing so be sure to bring your dancing shoes.
If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me or Paula at emandm@svcable.net. My cell is 802-275-6885.
Ian Diamondstone,
Brattleboro, Aug. 15
