Due to the virus, we are being told to "hunker down," minimize contact with each other, and stay home as much as possible. I agree. But we are also being told it's OK to go to the grocery store (without hoarding), get medical help if needed, go to the gas station and so on. However, I have s…

Donald Trump and his administration has decided to brand the COVID-19 virus the Chinese or Wuhan virus. When asked about his characterization of the COVID-19 virus Donald Trump repeatedly states that you name things from where they came. This is true.

On behalf of the thousands of patients we serve each year, thank you for showing your resounding support of home health and hospice care throughout Bennington and Rutland counties. Your vote of confidence in the VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region enables us to focus on continuing to m…

Environmentalism in Vermont and elsewhere has become the modern religion of choice with a fervor that exceeds other religious enthusiasms.

On March 24, Charlie Murphy wondered why people support Phil Scott, the governor who opposes their desire for increased minimum wage and family leave.

By now, we all know the World Health Organization and the CDC have declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. We know the correct actions to take: Wash your hands, avoid gathering in large groups, isolate yourself if you have symptoms, contact your health care provider via phone if you su…

I write to disagree with your editorial headlined “Time to concede” in which you stated that Bernie Sanders should quit, and we should endorse Joe Biden.

As the Trump administration and Congress continue to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, there's an important federal program whose needs must not be forgotten: The Peace Corps.

I’m trying to make sense of the recent VPR-Vermont PBS 2020 poll done in conjunction with Castleton University. I’m not having much luck.

States such as Vermont have encouraged the Electoral College to rubber stamp the results of its popular vote.

There is one simple rule for a pandemic: Don't panic. There is one simple tool to fight panic: Smile.

It’s concerning that some, out of worry about the future, are buying more items—toilet paper, frozen food, meat and vegetables—than they need or can use in a reasonable period of time. As a result, local grocery stores can’t keep up with the demand, and customers in true need find the shelves bare.

Like many, I am concerned about the shocking stockpiling within our community and country regarding the new coronavirus pandemic.

It needs to be said I think: Money is nothing but paper and ink, or digital numbers on a screen. Its value lies in our collective imaginations. We feel it's valuable so we accept it.

Hoarding is not going to protect the hoarder or anyone the hoarder loves from getting COVID-19. Hoarders can use their wealth to prevent others from having access to essentials but hoarders cannot use their wealth to protect themselves from illness or death.

To our patients and their families:

On June 14, 1979, I was appointed as a special deputy sheriff for Rutland County by then-Sheriff Lee D. Jones. I had completed a 45-hour training course and was assigned to traffic, transports and security details in Rutland County.

Black River Good Neighbor Services has served the people of Ludlow, Cavendish, Mount Holly and Plymouth for over 40 years with food and financial assistance in times of need. With the global health crisis facing us now, we realize our services are more relevant than ever. Our volunteers and …

In response to Ms. Nordmeyer's letter, yes, let's all celebrate the wisdom and insight of the DNC. Much like the Kavanaugh hearings, they are forcing us to choose Joe Biden. Did they learn nothing four years ago? Uncle Joe is certainly qualified, but he is a centrist and represents everythin…

It was my privilege to be able to oversee the Town Meeting Day election for Rutland Town, this past March 3. It was quite an experience and learning curve. I am proud to say this day saw a tremendous amount of voters and we had very few issues.

I'm writing in response to Dennis Jensen's March 14 article, "Who here doesn’t love deer?" In the article, he mentions the "out of state transplants" who don't understand Vermont's culture and tradition of hunting. Yes, that is largely true.

I absolutely disagree with the Rutland Herald editorial arguing for lowering the voting age to 16.

Castleton Community Seniors Inc. extends a sincere thank you to the residents of Castleton, Fair Haven and Hubbardton who approved the Community Center appropriations for 2020-21. Your support validates a “spirit of community” that must exist in order to provide important programs and servic…

Community Care Network-Rutland Mental Health Services extends its gratitude to the voters and select boards in all 28 towns in Rutland County who generously approved support of the agency through Town Giving, either with a direct appropriation or as part of the town budget.

I lost all faith in civility, honesty, truth, respect and adherence to law, after the Kavanagh hearing.

I was riding in a gondola in Colorado with three gents from Australia. I asked them what Australians thought of Trump. They just laughed. Very sad. Very embarrassing.

To the community members of Rutland Town:

I just finished reading about Proposal 9 that is advancing in the Legislature. If it goes into effect, it places all natural resources as the "common property of all the people." Isn't the land I own considered a natural resource? What does that mean?

The letter printed recently from Mr. Phil Allen deserves a response. Mr. Allen describes the Board as being dysfunctional, among other comments.

I would like to thank the Castleton voters for reelecting me to serve another term on our Select Board. As one of the three incumbents reelected, I sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence you have in our current Board of Selectmen.

I would like to express my gratitude to the many people who contributed to me being elected to the school board recently.

In the Herald of Feb. 19, Paul Stone criticizes me for somehow allowing the deterioration of area schools. To use his words, he was — and is — wrong.

The coronavirus, which is 20 times more lethal than the common flu, is a serious contagion. Thanks to the CDC personnel, health care personnel and all others responding to this public health emergency.

In his 1944 State of the Union address, Democratic president Franklin Delano Roosevelt proposed a Second Bill of Rights. WWII was raging, and it clearly took precedence. FDR died before the end of the war, and FDR’s vision sank into the muck of the Cold War, the arms race and all the trials …

As a candidate for the Vermont House, I would like to thank everyone who signed my ballot petition at the polls on voting day in the towns of Clarendon, Wallingford, West Rutland and Proctor. People were unfailingly polite, helpful and willing to express their opinions about statewide issues…

Words matter. Words used well matter even more. The Herald's Feb. 29-March 1 Weekender contains several great examples of just plain good writing: Jim Sabataso's article on the middle school's Black History Month celebration was terrific, both in its content of demonstrating what good teachi…

There was a celebratory feeling in the air in Montpelier on Tuesday, Feb. 25, after the Legislature overrode the governor’s veto of S.23, the bill to increase Vermont’s minimum wage. The governor rejected the bill despite the support of nearly three-quarters of Vermonters for the increase.

Vermont's Republican Gov. Phil Scott and his obsession with roadside saliva testing is beginning to grate on legislators and senators, not to mention the rest of us. The fact is, we all know the truth about these tests. They are bogus and do not prove a driver is impaired. It is just another…

The headline of the Feb. 28 edition of the Rutland Herald prompts my remarks.

Thanks for the laugh in the Friday, Feb. 28, issue under "Correction." We all could use more laughs these days. Ya gotta love it! The article explains the gender of two chickens as hens that were misidentified in a photo shown in the Thursday issue as two roosters. Really? Still does not ans…

Michael Talbott will make a great Alderman for Rutland City. Michael is a young, energetic, creative and highly respected professor in the Media and Communication department at Castleton University. He was elected chair of his department, in fact, very soon after joining Castleton’s faculty …

Hello, my name is Alison Notte and I am running for reelection for a third term on the Rutland City School Board.

The Rutland City property tax rates 2019-2020 are: residential 3.234% and non-residential 3.3796% per the City Annual Report. Budget passage would increase city rates to more than 3.4%, almost three times the national average of 1.159%, and almost twice Vermont's average of 1.88%.

Whether it is the fight for town clerk or the firing of a town administrator, the Rutland Town Select Board, sometimes just childish, often seems cruel and massively dysfunctional.

When I learned Michael Talbott had purchased a home in the heart of Rutland City, I immediately knew he would make a positive difference in our community.

I am writing in response to J.P. Faignant’s letter attacking Kirsten Hathaway just before Town Meeting Day. I have had several interactions with Kirsten in her capacity as town clerk, and I have always found her to be exceptionally competent and courteous. I was sorry to learn she was leavin…

Hey, Chittenden voters!

A friend received an absentee ballot asking for approval of $58,792,157 for Rutland City schools on this year's ballot. This is $4,012,963 more than the $54,779,157 approved last year (Rutland City report page 60), a 7.3% increase over this year. The ballot says this new budget represents sp…

Hello, My name is Chris Kiefer-Cioffi and I am running for the elected position of Rutland Town clerk-treasurer.

Kirsten Hathaway's recent letter prompts this response.