Why is there no outrage over the recent decision made by our State’s Attorney regarding the numerous dismissal of charges, plea bargains in cases that result in little or no prison time, little or no bail set for major felony charges and the decision to file no charges in the recent death at the Northwest State Correctional Facility?

    From the October 29th St. Albans Messenger :

    “Under state law, criminal negligence requires that...

Request for dismissal of case against Joseph Kenvin is a travesty. ‘I just didn’t see him.’ is not a defense for killing a motorcyclist. Inappropriate left-hand turns by other vehicles is one of the leading causes of death for motorcyclists. If Mr. Kenvin turned left into the path of another four-wheeled vehicle, he would be found negligent; or if he turned into the path of an 18-wheeler, he’d certainly be injured or dead, since he would have been on the losing end of...

I see that conservative economist Art Wolfe spoke to the Franklin-Grand-Isle Workforce Investment Board this past week.  As always, Michelle Monroe’s in-depth reporting on the event and conversation with Mr. Wolfe succeeds in bringing additional perspective to the discussion.

    Apparently Mr. Wolfe thinks we spend too much money on education in Vermont.  He sees the fact that Vermont teachers are earning about the same salaries as teachers working anywhere...

I am writing in response to Mr. David McWilliams’ letter that appeared in the Monday edition of the St. Albans Messenger.

    Mr. McWilliams states that “through a process that was not democratic or truly open, the city has chosen to reduce the size of the department dramatically…” This statement erodes Mr. McWilliams’ credibility, insults the citizens of St. Albans City and reveals the narrow, self-serving set of interests he represents. ...

Nothing amazes me any more but your editorial of 8/26/09 leaves me shaking my head. St. Albans seems to have more people move to town, or to Vermont, and want the doors locked to keep anyone else out. At one time St. Albans had many of the ingredients for growth and prosperity. The railroad was booming, Union Carbide moved in as did Fonda Container. IBM moved to Essex Junction and many local people were employed there. Now the railroad is just a shadow, Fonda is gone, and you...

I just wondered if there was anyone else out there who regularly commutes to and from Burlington that travels on I-89 North or Southbound between Exits 19-21?  The section of road between these exits is like driving on a washboard and the cracks are becoming craters. They are paving all along the north and southbound lanes from Exit 18 to Exit 15 where it doesn’t really need it and leaving the roads up north, that are in desperate need of repair/paving, alone. It is ruining our cars...

I have written before and have voiced my opposition to Walmart’s plan to build here in St. Albans. I am strongly against their current plan. As are many. And we have the right to oppose it just as much as anyone else has the right to support it.

    But what I’m tired of is how those that support it never ever accurately voice what we’re (most of us) are opposed to. I am not opposed to Walmart coming to this community. Do I think that it is bad? Yes. Are...

To the two northbound commuters on I-89 just north of the railroad bridge in Georgia on Tues 8/4/09 about 5 pm, thank you, thank you, thank you for averting what could have been a serious multi-car accident.

    I have worked in St Albans, about a mile from home, for over 15 years, so I haven’t needed to do a lot of Interstate driving in that time. My bosses decided that my skills were needed at our Essex facility and Monday 8/3 was my first day in that new location....

Recent letters to the editor demonstrate that proponents of universal health welfare continue their mantra that it is better than our current status (I detest describing everything as a system) because some countries with it have higher human longevity and lower infant mortality rates than us. That is a flawed cause and effect conclusion. Why is our infant mortality rate higher? Most intelligent people agree that we have excellent medical facilities and medical personnel, possibly the world’s...

I have been allergic to be stings my whole life. I have not been stung for about 18 years until a month ago when I jumped into bed and was stung by a large yellow jacket. I have an “epi pen” used to counteract the effects by injection. I never got a reaction that night and the sting did not affect me. I figured that I had outgrown being allergic to bee stings. Wrong. Again, yesterday the 29th, I was stung again moving my lawn. I seemed to be fine again until about 15 minutes...