Editorial: Budgets require extra study

As Addison County residents review the upcoming school and town budgets ahead of March’s Town Meeting Day votes, we encourage everyone to spend a few extra hours studying the proposals.

Misinformation and its close cousin, disinformation, were recently ranked the top short-term risk (defined as the next two years) facing the world in the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks 2024 report.

From a contrarian’ perspective, Trump’s 51% blowout of Gov. Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy and others still suggests there were almost 48 percent of Republicans who preferred someone other than Trump.

We don’t want to say it’s part of the new normal, whatever that might mean, but it’s no coincidence that these freakish storms are related to higher-than-normal global temperatures with a climate changing faster than anticipated.

As we enter the New Year, the weather is on our minds partly because it has been so unusually warm and snowless; but more to the point it’s how that changing weather impacts our lives.

As this calendar year draws to a close, the sense of renewal and rejuvenation, of starting with a fresh slate has a strong cultural pull.

In a two-part series looking at how Vermont schools continue to educate youths accused of violent crimes there are two quick takeaways: First, these are rare instances that seldom involve local schools, and second, there are ample precautions taken within … (read more)

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders this week voiced strong opposition to President Biden’s proposal to allocate another $10.1 billion of emergency funding to Israel in its war against Hamas.

Today, as death and tragedies mount in the Israeli invasion of Gaza in response to the murderous attack by Hamas on Israel, and as Ukraine continues to repel Russia’s invasion of its sovereignty with high death tolls on each side, we take this moment to s … (read more)

Yes, Israel has the right to defend itself against the barbarous attack on Oct. 7 led by Hamas. So too, however, does the United States have a right to withhold or restrict support to an over-reaction by Israel against the Palestinian people.

Quaint sayings have their place, and the headline of this piece captures what it takes to put on and pull off an event as seemingly straightforward as a half-marathon through town.

The houseless problem is more complicated than just providing shelter.

Out of the chaos of the past three weeks, is Rep. Mike Johnson, the newly elected U.S. House Speaker, a ray of hope that the Republican-led House of Representatives can finally govern? 

Last Tuesday at Middlebury’s selectboard meeting, about two dozen downtown merchants, property owners and interested citizens urged town officials to get a handle on crimes occurring in the downtown.

Lauded as a long-time academic scholar at Middlebury College, author, philosopher, columnist, devoted husband, mentor to Middlebury selectboard members and good friend, the passing of Victor Nuovo, 91, last week prompted a half-an-hour tribute by former a … (read more)