Letter to the editor: Ripton school a rich and challenging experience

I read in the Ripton Elementary School newsletter that students have been spending part of each day this winter learning and playing, sled dogging and skiing in the great outdoors.  No doubt they have delighted in our almost nightly snowfall and learning about the nocturnal visitors to their playground. The Ripton School is located next to a forest where the deer bed down for the night. Tiny tracks reveal animals much smaller who too must stay on the move to stay warm.  Food must be found and students learn … (read more)

I support Chris Kramer for the Cornwall seat on the ACSD school board. Having known Chris over the last six years as a fellow parent at Otter Creek Child Center, I have learned how deeply Chris is committed to the education of his children and a strong co … (read more)

On my Town Meeting Day ballot, I will be voting for Peter Conlon for the Addison Central School District Board. I have known Peter for many years, and value his experience and insight as a colleague in the Vermont House for the past five years. Peter’s ye … (read more)

I believe Esther Thomas is the right choice for Middlebury selectboard. The town of Middlebury is currently undergoing multiple challenges, some of which predate, but have been exacerbated by the ongoing pandemic. These include challenges with affordabili … (read more)

NEW HAVEN — When New Haven voters go to the polls on Town Meeting Day, March 2, they will be asked to elect two selectboard members. The incumbents are both running again: Steve Dupoise for a two-year term and Jim Walsh for a three-year term. Dupoise is r … (read more)

BRISTOL — In recent years the town of Bristol has not always been able to find enough candidates to run for the Mount Abraham Unified School District board. Not so this year. Five Bristol residents have thrown their hats in the ring for the two school boa … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — Voters in 17 Addison County towns on March 2 will weigh in on a 2021-2022 spending plan of $3,829,301 for the Patricia Hannaford Career Center (PHCC). The proposal represents a 0.92% decrease ($35,450) from the current year’s budget. Career C … (read more)

Two notes from the side of the mountain in Ripton: •  The cross-country skiing is better than I ever remember up here. The regular installments of snow, and the cold temperatures, have let Barney Hodges, Mike Hussey and their team at Rikert, and Andy McIn … (read more)

During the segment of the Feb. 9 selectboard meeting on allowing cannabis retail sales in Middlebury, the possibility of harmful impacts on children was discussed; but one aspect of that issue did not come up. That is the impact on the health of very youn … (read more)

While I was never fully content with how the ACSD school board was conducting their Facilities Master Planning process, among other prior objectives (under Peter Conlon’s leadership), I have been extremely concerned with the sudden and narrow minded way a … (read more)

The Addison Central School District Central Office recently created a document on the financial impact of Ripton’s withdrawal for the rest of the towns in ACSD. It was shared by school board members on Front Porch Forum and it confirmed that “a potential … (read more)

A couple of years ago, I posted a question on social media to the effect of, “How do you build community?” It was something I was pondering as I watched what seemed like the destruction of our democracy. I was slowly coming to the realization that democra … (read more)

On March 2, Middlebury residents will vote on whether or not to allow regulated cannabis stores to open in town. As downtown merchants and property owners, we write to urge all Middlebury residents to vote “Yes” on Question 3. Middlebury’s downtown has lo … (read more)

Please vote for Andy Hooper for Middlebury selectboard. Andy is a caring, competent, and committed member of our community. He cares about us, as evidenced by his service on the Ilsley Library Board of Trustees, Addison County Regional Planning Commission … (read more)

As we approach this year’s Town and School Meetings, things will be very different, especially for those used to attending in-person meetings for voting, or informational discussion. This year, all meetings will be virtual. Conversations that happen quite … (read more)