{"id":541114,"date":"2023-06-01T11:11:05","date_gmt":"2023-06-01T15:11:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/?page_id=541114"},"modified":"2025-02-19T16:52:28","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T21:52:28","slug":"opinion","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/opinion\/","title":{"rendered":"Opinion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Opinion<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"\/tag\/commentaries\/\">Commentaries<\/a> and <a href=\"\/tag\/letters-to-the-editor\/\">letters to the editor<\/a> are written by community members on a variety of subjects that affect Vermonters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Submissions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>VTDigger welcomes submissions to its Opinion section in the form of commentaries and letters to the editor. You can <a href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/submit-an-opinion\/\">find the guidelines and instructions here.<\/a> Have feedback for us? <a href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/opinion-section-feedback\/\">Let us know here.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-border has-white-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\t<div\n\t\tclass=\"wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles  wpnbha ts-4  has-text-align-left\"\n\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t<div data-posts data-current-post-id=\"541114\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<article data-post-id=\"616165\"\n\t\tclass=\"tag-vtdigger category-inside-vtdigger type-post post-has-image\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/2025\/02\/19\/vtdiggers-revamped-opinion-section-is-seeking-new-voices\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">VTDigger\u2019s revamped opinion section is seeking new voices<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Over the past year, we\u2019ve ramped up fact-checking, refocused on Vermont and prioritized quality over quantity. Now help us recruit new writers to share their views on the key issues facing the state.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-wrapper -->\n\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/2025\/02\/19\/vtdiggers-revamped-opinion-section-is-seeking-new-voices\/\">Learn more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/2025\/02\/19\/vtdiggers-revamped-opinion-section-is-seeking-new-voices\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" data-attachment-id=\"616158\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/opinion-section-feedback\/opinion-featured-image-022025\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Opinion-Featured-Image-022025.png\" data-orig-size=\"1200,900\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Opinion Featured Image 022025\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Opinion-Featured-Image-022025.png\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Opinion-Featured-Image-022025.png\" src=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Opinion-Featured-Image-022025.png\" alt=\"Illustration of a speech bubble and a feather pen on a light blue background.\" class=\"wp-image-616158\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\t<div\n\t\tclass=\"wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles is-style-default wpnbha is-grid columns-2 colgap-3 ts-4 is-style-default has-text-align-left\"\n\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t<div data-posts data-current-post-id=\"541114\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<article data-post-id=\"630896\"\n\t\tclass=\"tag-commentaries tag-opinion tag-pat-suozzi category-opinion type-post post-has-image\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/2025\/09\/09\/pat-suozzi-vermont-lakes-and-streams-like-fewer-lawns-too\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Pat Suozzi: Vermont lakes and streams like fewer lawns, too!\u00a0<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Help protect Vermont\u2019s lakes and ponds. Stop mowing and plant a garden.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<time class=\"entry-date published updated\" datetime=\"2025-09-09T07:04:00-04:00\">September 9, 2025, 7:04 am<\/time>\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-meta -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-wrapper -->\n\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\n\t<article data-post-id=\"630888\"\n\t\tclass=\"tag-commentaries tag-opinion category-opinion type-post post-has-image\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/2025\/09\/08\/joshua-reap-trade-education-solves-more-than-just-a-labor-shortage\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Joshua Reap: Trade education solves more than just a labor shortage<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The construction industry is \u2014 and will remain \u2014 one of the most knowledge-driven, human-powered sectors of the workforce.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2025-09-08T17:37:43-04:00\">September 8, 2025, 5:37 pm<\/time><time class=\"updated\" datetime=\"2025-09-08T17:37:48-04:00\">September 8, 2025, 5:37 pm<\/time>\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-meta -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-wrapper -->\n\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\n\t<article data-post-id=\"630750\"\n\t\tclass=\"tag-lake-memphremagog tag-letters-to-the-editor tag-pfas-per-polyfluoroalkyl-substances tag-vermont-agency-of-natural-resources tag-vermont-geological-survey category-opinion type-post post-has-image\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/2025\/09\/07\/peggy-stevens-protecting-lake-memphremagog-from-pfas-must-be-a-priority\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Peggy Stevens: Protecting Lake Memphremagog from PFAS must be a priority<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Those whose drinking water comes from the lake are at risk of exposure to PFAS and other harmful chemicals from a variety of sources. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<time class=\"entry-date published updated\" datetime=\"2025-09-07T06:36:00-04:00\">September 7, 2025, 6:36 am<\/time>\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-meta -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-wrapper -->\n\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\n\t<article data-post-id=\"630744\"\n\t\tclass=\"tag-act-72 tag-commentaries tag-literacy tag-pre-k category-opinion type-post post-has-image\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/2025\/09\/05\/dorrine-dorfman-and-charlene-webster-following-up-on-vermonts-act-72\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Dorrine Dorfman and Charlene Webster: Following up on Vermont\u2019s Act 72<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Act 72 applies to all grades K-12 and requires an appropriately trained education professional to provide remediation. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2025-09-05T16:18:55-04:00\">September 5, 2025, 4:18 pm<\/time><time class=\"updated\" datetime=\"2025-09-05T16:19:00-04:00\">September 5, 2025, 4:19 pm<\/time>\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-meta -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-wrapper -->\n\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-newspack-blocks-wp-block-newspack-ads-blocks-ad-unit alignnone\" style=\"text-align:inherit\">\t\t<div class='newspack_global_ad block_68c21a3c2e4b3'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- \/6614979\/newspack-category-page-inline-1-6467d3kjp3rit --><div id='div-gpt-ad-68c21a3c2e4b3-0'><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div\n\t\tclass=\"wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles is-style-default wpnbha is-grid columns-2 colgap-3 ts-4 is-style-default has-text-align-left has-more-button\"\n\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t<div data-posts data-current-post-id=\"541114\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<article data-post-id=\"630623\"\n\t\tclass=\"tag-commentaries tag-opinion tag-vermont-forests category-opinion type-post post-has-image\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/2025\/09\/04\/jennifer-mamola-fix-our-forests-act-misrepresents-wildfire-solutions\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Jennifer Mamola: \u2018Fix Our Forests Act\u2019 misrepresents wildfire solutions<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Protecting Vermonters means strengthening communities and homes while letting forests function naturally, supporting both ecosystem and climate resilience.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<time class=\"entry-date published updated\" datetime=\"2025-09-04T07:04:00-04:00\">September 4, 2025, 7:04 am<\/time>\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-meta -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-wrapper -->\n\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\n\t<article data-post-id=\"630551\"\n\t\tclass=\"tag-commentaries tag-malletts-bay tag-marcie-gallagher tag-opinion category-opinion type-post post-has-image\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/2025\/09\/03\/marcie-gallagher-michael-pickerings-death-on-malletts-bay-avenue-was-avoidable\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Marcie Gallagher: Michael Pickering\u2019s death on Malletts Bay Avenue was avoidable<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Malletts Bay Avenue connects Winooski and Colchester. Over the past five years, more than 75 crashes have been reported along this corridor, resulting in more than 15 injuries, and now a death.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<time class=\"entry-date published updated\" datetime=\"2025-09-03T07:05:00-04:00\">September 3, 2025, 7:05 am<\/time>\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-meta -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-wrapper -->\n\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\n\t<article data-post-id=\"630466\"\n\t\tclass=\"tag-barbara-felitti tag-commentaries tag-hunting tag-opinion category-opinion type-post post-has-image\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/2025\/09\/01\/barbara-felitti-the-issue-of-hunting-over-bait-piles-in-vermont\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Barbara Felitti: The issue of hunting over bait piles in Vermont<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>I think the average general public would see it as reasonable behavior to have this unnecessary practice stopped.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<time class=\"entry-date published updated\" datetime=\"2025-09-01T07:03:00-04:00\">September 1, 2025, 7:03 am<\/time>\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-meta -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-wrapper -->\n\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\n\t<article data-post-id=\"630435\"\n\t\tclass=\"tag-letters-to-the-editor tag-opinion category-opinion type-post post-has-image\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/2025\/08\/31\/the-windham-southeast-education-association-support-our-bus-drivers-and-monitors\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">The Windham Southeast Education Association: Support our bus drivers and monitors<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>We ask that F.M. Kuzmeskus swiftly resolve a contract that will support the essential work of safely transporting our students to and from school.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<time class=\"entry-date published updated\" datetime=\"2025-08-31T07:01:00-04:00\">August 31, 2025, 7:01 am<\/time>\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-meta -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-wrapper -->\n\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\n\t<article data-post-id=\"630364\"\n\t\tclass=\"tag-commentaries tag-opinion category-opinion type-post post-has-image\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/2025\/08\/29\/rep-larry-satcowitz-an-open-letter-urging-gov-phil-scott-to-stand-up-to-the-trump-administration\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Rep. Larry Satcowitz: An open letter urging Gov. Phil Scott to stand up to the Trump administration<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Not only has Scott failed to condemn the outrageous excesses of the federal administration, but he has also readily acquiesced.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<time class=\"entry-date published updated\" datetime=\"2025-08-29T07:01:00-04:00\">August 29, 2025, 7:01 am<\/time>\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-meta -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-wrapper -->\n\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\n\t<article data-post-id=\"630299\"\n\t\tclass=\"tag-commentaries tag-connecticut-river category-opinion type-post post-has-image\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/2025\/08\/28\/sharon-francis-and-james-u-mcclammer-speak-up-now-for-the-connecticut-river\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Sharon Francis and James U. McClammer: Speak up now for the Connecticut River<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>All of us who care about the river and who want our children and grandchildren to share the benefits of living near it need to make our voices count.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2025-08-28T11:55:33-04:00\">August 28, 2025, 11:55 am<\/time><time class=\"updated\" datetime=\"2025-09-10T14:05:32-04:00\">September 10, 2025, 2:05 pm<\/time>\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-meta -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-wrapper -->\n\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\n\t<article data-post-id=\"630278\"\n\t\tclass=\"tag-commentaries tag-jennifer-lovett tag-opinion category-opinion type-post post-has-image\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/2025\/08\/28\/jennifer-lovett-humane-beaver-management-could-save-vermont-towns-thousands-of-dollars\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Jennifer Lovett: Humane beaver management could save Vermont towns thousands of dollars<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Harnessing the beaver\u2019s ability to mitigate impacts from climate change makes sense. It is better than removing them again and again from the landscape in a way that damages ecosystems and needlessly drains municipal funds. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<time class=\"entry-date published updated\" datetime=\"2025-08-28T07:04:00-04:00\">August 28, 2025, 7:04 am<\/time>\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-meta -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-wrapper -->\n\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\n\t<article data-post-id=\"630184\"\n\t\tclass=\"tag-commentaries tag-opinion tag-s-1462 category-opinion type-post post-has-image\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/2025\/08\/27\/james-campbell-how-the-fix-our-forests-act-protects-vermonts-future\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">James Campbell: How the \u2018Fix Our Forests Act\u2019 protects Vermont&#8217;s future<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The wildfire danger facing Vermont and much of the U.S. today is far different \u2014 and growing far greater \u2014 than it was for most of our nation\u2019s history. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2025-08-27T07:01:00-04:00\">August 27, 2025, 7:01 am<\/time><time class=\"updated\" datetime=\"2025-08-27T13:37:19-04:00\">August 27, 2025, 1:37 pm<\/time>\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-meta -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-wrapper -->\n\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"wp-block-button__link\"  data-next=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/wp-json\/newspack-blocks\/v1\/articles?className=is-style-default&#038;showImage=0&#038;moreButton=1&#038;moreButtonText=Load%20more%20opinion&#038;showAuthor=0&#038;showAvatar=0&#038;postLayout=grid&#038;columns=2&#038;postsToShow=8&#038;categories%5B0%5D=162358&#038;imageScale=2&#038;mobileStack=1&#038;showExcerpt=1&#038;showFullContent=0&#038;excerptLength=55&#038;showReadMore=0&#038;infiniteScroll=0&#038;readMoreLabel=Keep%20reading&#038;showDate=1&#038;showCaption=0&#038;showCredit=0&#038;disableImageLazyLoad=0&#038;fetchPriority&#038;imageShape=landscape&#038;minHeight=0&#038;showCategory=0&#038;colGap=3&#038;mediaPosition=top&#038;&#038;categoryJoinType=or&#038;includeSubcategories=1&#038;&#038;&#038;&#038;&#038;&#038;typeScale=4&#038;sectionHeader&#038;specificMode=0&#038;textColor&#038;customTextColor&#038;singleMode=0&#038;showSubtitle=0&#038;postType%5B0%5D=post&#038;textAlign=left&#038;includedPostStatuses%5B0%5D=publish&#038;deduplicate=1&#038;page=2\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"label\">\n\t\t\t\t\tLoad more opinion\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"loading\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<p class=\"error\">\n\t\t\t\tSomething went wrong. Please refresh the page and\/or try again.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Opinion Commentaries and letters to the editor are written by community members on a variety of subjects that affect Vermonters. Submissions VTDigger welcomes submissions to its Opinion section in the form of commentaries and letters to the editor. You can find the guidelines and instructions here. Have feedback for us? 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