Author Archives

Paul Bean

Berry: Trickle-down totalitarianism

VP Kamala Harris said in a recent interview that “freedom of speech is a privilege.” To this I would counter that, no – it is a right, and an inalienable one at that.  Just imagine how astonished these same powerful people will be if they succeed in collapsing the First Amendment, and then are silenced by opposing forces in the future.

Wheels for Warmth: stacking tires and impact year after year

Wheels for warmth is a fundraiser where you can donate your used tires off to be resold at the annual tire sale. Tire drop-off locations are listed below. 100% of the proceeds go to emergency fuel assistance in Vermont. Tires can be donated Thursday, October 24 and Friday, October 25. If tires cannot be re-sold there is a recycling fee for $5 per tire and $10 per truck tire. 

Koch: Vermont has a spending problem

Although we can improve the way we pay for education, we have more of a spending problem than a funding problem, and until we figure out how to reduce our education spending, our tax bills will continue to go up, regardless of whether those bills are for property, income, sales, or some other tax!

Roper: Property tax commission brainstormers suggest more taxes, bake sales

And this one really gets the old jaw to drop: “Bake sales.” Yeah, sure! At an average cost of $2 each, we would only have to sell around 100 million chocolate chip cookies to cover the current over-spending gap – assuming parents foot the cost of ingredients. Sound thinking here from the brains of those charged with preparing our young people for future of success.