Editorial

Elitism Shouldn’t Dictate School Closures

To the editor:I write to express my concern over the prevailing elitism guiding the voices of those advocating to keep small schools open at any cost, despite the evident suffering of students in Hardwick. While I understand the sentiment of preserving cherished community institutions, it’s imperative to prioritize the well-being[Read More…]

What’s in a Name?

To the editor: By the time the town of Hardwick had reached its 100th birthday in 1881, it had four villages: Hardwick Street, East Hardwick, South Hardwick, and Mackville. It had post offices in East Hardwick and South Hardwick. The USPS had designated the post office in South Hardwick as[Read More…]

Town Meeting Takes a Village

It takes a village, or rather the 11 towns that The Hardwick Gazette covers to hold a town meeting and report about it to those same communities. Town meetings begin long before the first Tuesday in March when select boards begin to develop budgets. They write reports on the meetings[Read More…]

Questions to Lakeview School Advocates

To the editor: As a concerned member of our community, I am writing to pose several important questions to the supporters of Lakeview School and its continued operation. These questions cut to the heart of the matter and demand answers that go beyond rhetoric and personal biases.Firstly, what is the[Read More…]

Goddard College Faces Challenges

PLAINFIELD — I have deep concerns about the future of Goddard College, an institution that holds a unique place in liberal higher education history and ethos. As a longstanding beacon of democracy, self-governance, and academic rigor, Goddard faces unprecedented challenges that threaten its very essence. Founded in 1938 as a[Read More…]

Entering the Make-or-Break Session

Entering the Make-or-Break Session WORCESTER – The Legislature is back in session after the Town Meeting. Around the state and in some towns in our district, there have been changes in how voters make their decisions. Some towns do not have a live town meeting anymore and make their decisions[Read More…]

Sims Updates Statehouse Activity

CRAFTSBURY – Revenues are back to their pre-pandemic levels and federal financial support is no longer there to boost the budget. As legislators, we won’t be able to do everything we want this year. We’re being realistic and focusing our efforts on the issues that matter most.  My legislative priorities include[Read More…]

Closing Lakeview

by Karl Stein Patrick Larson’s February 20 post regarding “Closing Lakeview” stated that “For those wondering, the cost to educate a student at both Woodbury and Hardwick Elementary is in the neighborhood of $15,000/pupil. At Lakeview the cost is $31,317/pupil. Any argument that doesn’t acknowledge equity disparity and affordability is[Read More…]

What Might a Lakeview School Closure Mean?

To the editor: I’m writing to express grave concerns about Lakeview School’s operation in our district, especially given recent developments undisclosed before critical decisions. The decision to maintain Lakeview despite severe staff shortages compromises education quality, evident in one teacher covering multiple grades. Moreover, the disproportionate per-pupil expenditure raises fiscal[Read More…]

Climate Change Requires Prioritizing Renewable Energy

Climate Change Requires Prioritizing Renewable Energy To the editor: Older people have benefited from the fossil-fuel-driven world of past decades. That world needs to change as quickly as possible and be driven by renewable energy. Third Act Vermont, an organization for older persons concerned about climate change, has endorsed  H.289,[Read More…]