Telehealth and telemedicine have been on my radar for years. The concept seemed perfect for patients allowing them the highest quality care from the convenience of their home.

For nearly two months, teams across the UVM Health Network have been planning for our clinical and operational response to what is now designated as a pandemic by the World Health Organization and declared a State of Emergency in Vermont and New York. It is essential that all of us now move …

If you spend any amount of time on social media these days you’re likely familiar with the popular Fred Rogers meme that gets circulated during times of crisis in which he remembers his mother telling him to “look for the helpers.”

Spring, the season of new growth, is upon us. I really hope this is the year my beloved houseplant decides to thrive.

We need public health care, paid FMLA, paid unemployment benefits for all — not more rhetoric.

I have the privilege of serving with the group of eight known as the Vermont Legislature’s Joint Rules Committee. That committee oversees the workings of our Legislature. Its work is especially critical as we Vermonters react to the virus known as COVID-19. After deciding to make the unprece…

In this time of sickness and insanity, we, the people of this great nation, have forgotten what it was that made us great. It wasn’t bloviating politicians and wealthy corporations, as they did not exist, and our wealth was in the strength and determination of its citizens.

It is obviously apparent to this observer that, except for those times when they become much more visible within public view than is socially acceptable, as well as widely desired by those who appear to mainly have only their own financial or other self interests in mind, people living unhou…

This weekend, the first case of COVID-19 was discovered in Vermont. This was expected, and the only question was where it might pop up. I anticipate this number to jump substantially in the near future. Two weeks from now, there will likely be hundreds of identified cases in our communities.…

How did sponsors of H.688 conclude this Act makes Vermont’s air cleaner?

It is a sad day for the children of the Slate Valley Unified School District. Our budget did not pass.

I was not a supporter of Joe Biden when I went to bed on the night of Super Tuesday. I had been supporting Elizabeth Warren for president because I believe strongly in the progressive agenda articulated by most of the Democratic candidates and want our country to elect a woman and a slightly…

Every 10 years since 1790, the U.S. government has had a constitutional (Article 1, Section 2) responsibility to count heads; we call it the Census. It’s an easy, safe and important way for us to understand where our population growth and decline is occurring across the country. 2020 is one …

First, Haviland Smith’s assertion that “Bernie Sanders is not a (real) Democrat” is bogus. Senator Sanders has signed a pledge to serve as a Democrat should he be the party nominee and be elected president. I was not inclined to vote for Clinton in 2016, but did so primarily because Bernie a…

As reported in the Rutland Herald Weekender, the House voted out H.926, the Act 250 revisions bill, last week. I voted against this bill.

For 40 years, I worked in the Vermont school system as an elementary and special-education teacher. Currently, I substitute teach at Northwest School. I have been a Rutland resident living on Maple Street for 18 years. Having interacted with many children, adults and families in this local g…

Right now, the COVID-19 (“Corona”) virus has everyone spooked, from Wall Street to Main Street. So far, Vermont has seen no confirmed cases of the disease, but that’s guaranteed to change very soon.

Apparently, my dishwasher didn’t like the working conditions and decided to quit. I feel like I was a pretty good boss. Sure, occasionally I would comment on the quality of the cleaning; but this usually resulted in a mild reprimand and change of soap. To be fair, my dishwasher worked for me…

Since becoming chief of the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital 25 years ago, I, along with the pediatricians and staff at our hospital, have dedicated our professional lives to keeping children healthy. Doing so means not just providing the highest quality, state-of-the-art, evidence-…

This is in response to a letter offered by Julia Purdy in the Rutland Herald Feb. 26 edition titled “Bernie is not the answer.” She begins her letter by speaking to the recent Russian threat to our elections but then moves on to other reasons she feels Bernie would not be an effective candid…

I am writing in part to respond to John Burke’s commentary (Rutland Herald Feb. 26) and to answer questions concerning bond costs. Some of the items Mr. Burke discusses in his commentary were answered at the bond informational hearing (available on PEG-TV) on Feb. 24. Mr. Burke also discusse…

As a proud Rutland City native who, along with my entire family, benefited greatly from the wise tutelage of talented and caring educators and support staff during our school years in Rutland, I have been delighted to return to my hometown to serve as superintendent from last September until…

There is no doubt our schools could use some repairs and improvements, but the size of this bond is so dramatic that a careful examination is required.

The Board of Trustees of the Evergreen Cemetery Association would like the public to know that our cemetery welcomes green burials and has since the cemetery was established on Nov. 23, 1860, by an Act of the Vermont Legislature.

The Rutland City’s Town Meeting ballot includes a Streets and Sidewalks Bond under Article 1. Approval of the bond request would authorize the city to borrow up to $5 million to reconstruct, repair, rehabilitate and reclaim city streets and highways at an estimated cost of $4 million, and ci…

This letter is an endorsement for Michael Talbott for Rutland City Board of Aldermen. Michael and I are colleagues at Castleton University, where we both teach.

To the Bernie faithful — cool your jets and come down to Earth! If you back Bernie for president to save the nation, it’s time to think again before it’s too late. If there was ever a reason to nominate anyone other than Bernie, it is this: Russia is backing both Bernie and Trump, and it doe…

While all elections are important, this election for Rutland City is critical. Rutland faces significant chalenges related to its economy, infrastructure and safety. This is why I support Matt Whitcomb for Rutland City alderman. Matt has demonstrated incredible depth and engagement during hi…

I read, with great amazement and surprise, the commentary submitted recently by Mr. James B. Hall of Center Rutland. My amazement stems from the fact that Mr. Hall, a man whom I have never had the pleasure of meeting, but I deduce to be a fine gentleman of good character, but I disagree with…

I am writing in support of John Atwood’s candidacy for Rutland City Board of Alderman.

As I read Nick Santoro’s plea for city voters to consider a "no" vote on Bond Article 1, I couldn’t help but be a little stunned to see “Casella’s” lumped in with several other well-known brand names under the umbrella of “large corporate behemoths” in the fourth paragraph. In that same para…

Paul Stone’s letter to the Rutland Herald, Feb. 19, misses some key points and is inaccurate in his assessment of Ray Pentkowski’s tenure as superintendent.

An open letter to Proctor Town voters:

In response to the letter written by Ray Pentkowski regarding the proposed bond issue facing the Slate Valley Union, I believe Ray is on target with his caution about this bond. We know that Ray is now, and always has been, on the side of students. He wants the best for our kids, as we all d…

Springfield Medical Care Systems (SMCS) and Springfield Hospital have an excellent working relationship that has served our communities well in the past; and the collaboration is expected to continue well into the future.

Having been absent from these pages for some years now for many reasons, but mainly due to my heavy involvement as president of Kiwanis of Rutland and my club’s efforts to serve the children of this community, it took a severe concern for my community of Rutland Town to bring this endorsemen…

Recently, there have been letters supporting the opposition party’s discretions which most of us on the other side consider to be out of place and downright disrespectful. I do not argue that anyone should be denied the right, as that is basic in freedom of speech concepts, but discretion, o…

As Senate Majority Leader, I have worked hard with my colleagues in the House and Senate to pass a modest minimum-wage increase for Vermonters. It was disappointing and frustrating that the governor vetoed it. While we in the Senate voted overwhelmingly last week to override the governor’s v…

On Thursday, Feb. 6, James Hall had a letter in the Rutland Herald discussing Nancy Pelosi’s childish, provocative comments about Trump’s Tuesday-night campaign speech. Hall further indicates the Democratic Party, under her, is withering away. Hall further states her “disrespectful arrogance…

This letter was sent to all legislative chairmen of education committees and legislative leaders, along with the directors of Vermont's education professional organizations.

On Thursday, Feb. 6, James Hall had a letter in the Rutland Herald discussing Nancy Pelosi’s childish, provocative comments about Trump’s Tuesday-night campaign speech. Hall further indicates the Democratic Party, under her, is withering away. Hall further states her “disrespectful arrogance…

As Senate Majority Leader, I have worked hard with my colleagues in the House and Senate to pass a modest minimum-wage increase for Vermonters. It was disappointing and frustrating that the governor vetoed it. While we in the Senate voted overwhelmingly last week to override the governor’s v…

It is at once distressing and puzzling to learn that a vast and stunning section of recreational forest in Chittenden may be transferred by the town of Proctor to a private buyer who recently purchased an adjoining parcel of 577 acres and promptly posted it.

Please consider voting “no” on Bond Article 1. Mayor Allaire’s cogent argument to vote “yes” for Bond Article 1 is extremely enticing and finally sounds like relief, for sure. Would construction begin this spring? Please read on and hear a tiny bit of background and let your mind weigh which…

Town Meeting Day is March 3. Here in the towns of Mendon and Chittenden, citizens will vote on the Barstow Unified Union School District (preK-12) budget.

Matt Whitcomb says what he means, and he does what he says. As I watch Democrats and Republicans continue to reach new heights of dysfunction at all levels of politics, this sort of candor and dependability seems like a rare commodity in a public servant these days. They are qualities that a…

This week, I heard these words, “I brought you the softest towel I could find.” It is only in the context of these words that they have power. I have spent the past four days at my mother’s bedside, at Bromley Manor in Manchester, while she received Hospice care. I asked the young woman who …

How in the world did we get here? When did it happen? When and where did we go so wrong? Was it my generation, the next, the next or today’s? Or are we all to blame? We have moved forward as a country in so many positives ways, the list is long. Yet here we sit today in the midst of fear, ha…

I’m not writing about our Vermont Republican Party. They seem to be doing a good job in Montpelier.

“I had my doubts when you invited us, but that was incredible,” a friend from Burlington said minutes after watching Rutland’s “Newly”wed Game, which benefited the Rutland Community Cupboard, BROC’s Community Food Shelf and the Salvation Army.