Rocket seeks second term

My first term on the Hartford Selectboard has been marked both by challenges and growth. To start, I acknowledge and apologize for having been part of much controversy. I have grown much in the way of communicating graciously. I have a distance yet to go. But while I can fairly be criticized for my hard-headed style, I can also stand by the strength of my moral compass.

When I was first elected, our town was a mess. Citizens were frustrated, infrastructure was neglected, and the Selectboard was underperforming. Despite being new to the board, I alone had the conviction and courage to spark difficult but necessary conversations about the need for leadership transition at Town Hall.

Today, we have a terrific town staff, competent department heads, and a new Town Manager who’s been positively received with enthusiasm. We’ve renewed our focus on infrastructure — including Gates Street — and improved the Selectboard’s process. Not perfect, but clear progress.

If I’m elected to serve a second term, here are my priorities. Firstly, we should reduce the tax burden on households. Secondly, we should streamline Selectboard meetings to be easier for citizens to attend. Thirdly, we should restructure the capital plan to save taxpayers thousands of dollars. Longer-term projects should prioritize supporting housing growth, continued repair of aging infrastructure, and fostering public art.

It’s been an honor to serve Hartford. I look forward to the opportunity to build upon my experience and our town’s positive momentum. Thank you.

Rocket

Hartford

Vermont cuts back
on education

I was disappointed to read your article regarding Vermont school budgets (“School budget stuck in limbo,” Feb. 24), parroting the misleading statements by legislators and Gov. Scott.

School budgets have risen, but the fault lies with the state, not the local school districts.

Until 2007, the state supported school replacement, maintenance and repair, but, ceased that support citing the recession, leaving local districts with the bill. In 2014 the Education Fund was 32% of the state budget. That share of growing state revenues has shrunk: 32% of the FY2025 budget would be $1.4 billion more than the $2 billion allotted for education investment.

In 10 years the Legislature burdened school districts with mandates such as universal lunches, after school programs and mental health services without providing funding.

Health care insurance for all Vermont school districts is negotiated by the state: the cost has risen more than 16% this year.

Relying on property taxes to fund education has proven to be unsustainable. Drastic change is long overdue.

Local property taxpayers are suffering from the progressive reduction in net support for education. In Hartland, for example, the owner of a modest $250,000 home will pay $1,100 more this year in property taxes — that’s just shy of $100 a month. Many are talking about leaving Vermont as “unaffordable.”

Blaming this situation on the school districts is shameful. Education is the most important investment we can make, and the legislators and our governor have victimized our children and our local school boards by failing to provide adequate support.

The message for legislators and the governor is, “Fund our schools! Find the money!”

Curt Peterson

Hartland

Dartmouth leaders
are inconsistent

Dartmouth harms its community by failing to support Palestinian students and those protesting the genocide in Gaza. On Feb. 19, eight students began a hunger strike in protest of the administration’s inaction and continued criminal prosecution of two student protestors. (Six have since ended their strike.) Taking such physical action in defiance of self-preservation is a choice made by those who have exhausted other options. Yet the Dartmouth administration hypocritically continues to ignore students’ demands while claiming to value “brave spaces” that foster an intellectually rich community. Let’s be clear: Dartmouth endangers its own students by driving them to this drastic choice, charging student activists with criminal trespassing, and failing to acknowledge Palestinian students’ humanity.

Responding to the strike, the administration stated that “the safety and well-being of all Dartmouth students is our top priority.” Yet they continue demonstrating their concern for only certain students, as described in the strikers’ statement. Actions speak louder than insincere official statements.

I am concerned for the safety and well-being of the striking students. But as a Jewish anti-Zionist Upper Valley resident and educator, I am deeply disturbed by the administration’s decisions that have driven these brave, committed students to this point.

If the Beilock administration is serious about creating “brave spaces” and their concern for students, it must respond to strikers’ demands: drop the charges, recognize and protect Palestinian students, divest from apartheid, and review the Dartmouth New Deal. By failing to do so, it damages the Dartmouth community - and puts their own students in danger.

Lucy Danger

White River Junction