Bridge StaffBuilding a Sustainable Future for WCUUSD
To the Editor:
On Tuesday, Aug. 11, voters in the Washington Central Unified Union School District will decide whether to amend Article 4 of the district’s Articles of Agreement. More than 500 district voters signed a petition requesting the amendment be put before voters.
The petition exceeded the required number of signatures and was certified by both the district clerk and the town clerks. Under Vermont law, once a petition is found to conform, the resulting vote must be warned within 60 days. School board members ultimately voted 7–4 to place the question on the primary ballot.
Communities evolve, circumstances change, and our governing documents provide a lawful process for citizens to reconsider how future decisions are made. This vote gives district residents the opportunity to decide that question for themselves.
As the parent of two elementary-age children, what I want most is a stable, well-resourced school district. I want teachers and staff members to have support to provide every student with an excellent education. We are one district. We share a budget, educators, leadership, and responsibility for over 1,500 students. While school board members are elected from individual towns, they are entrusted with serving the entire district.
On Aug. 11, every eligible voter in Berlin, Calais, East Montpelier, Middlesex, and Worcester will have the opportunity to help determine how future school closure and consolidation decisions are made. Whether you support or oppose the proposed amendment, please vote. If you plan to vote by mail, remember to request your ballot from your town clerk in advance.
This vote is about trusting the democratic process, ensuring every voice is heard, and building a sustainable future for WCUUSD that puts all our kids’ education first.
Anna Matheson, Calais
Support for Jared Duval
To the Editor:
I enthusiastically support Jared Duval for State Representative for Montpelier. I have known Jared for over a decade as we have worked together to build a strong social safety net for all, support our public schools, and advance progressive budget and tax policies.
I know Jared to be a person of deep integrity, compassion, and open-mindedness. He is a leading statewide voice on energy and economic issues and has long been committed to careful policy research and analysis. He shows up for Vermont and Vermonters in so many ways, from chairing the board of the Public Assets Institute to serving as a volunteer and founding board member of the Montpelier Emergency Cold Weather Shelter. His dedication to public service is grounded in his own family’s experience while growing up navigating housing insecurity caused by medical debt after his father’s heart attacks.
Jared always works carefully and with humility, often quietly. He’s not a self-promoter. He believes that politics should be about respectfully engaging with others and crafting policies that meaningfully support people’s lives so we all can thrive.
I encourage you to learn more about Jared’s campaign by exploring his campaign website. There you will find information about Jared, his position on the issues, a list of endorsements, and writing that shows Jared’s dedication to protecting public education, progressive tax policy, and more affordable, efficient, and clean energy.
I strongly urge all Montpelier residents to learn more about Jared, and I hope that, like me, you’ll enthusiastically support both Jared and Rep. Kate McCann to be our state representatives as we approach the Aug. 11 primary. And don’t forget you can register to vote any time right up to and including the day of the election.
Carlen Finn, Montpelier
To the Editor:
We have three strong candidates in this year’s Democratic primary to represent Montpelier in the Vermont House of Representatives. I’m proud to support Jared Duval in this race, along with incumbent Kate McCann.
I first got to know Jared when we served together on the Montpelier Energy Advisory Committee, where his expertise in energy issues and enthusiasm for renewables and energy efficiency was a real benefit to the city. But many of you may know Jared as Liam’s dad, or the spouse of Reverend Joan at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier, as a volunteer at the cold weather shelter, or as chair of the board at the Public Assets Institute.
Whatever the role, Jared is thoughtful, insightful, and dedicated. I was thrilled he decided to run for the House because I believe we need representatives in the Statehouse who not only listen to their constituents and respond to the issues of the day, but who also have a strong grasp of how current policies affect us as Vermonters and have the skills to create policy. I want someone who represents me as a Montpelier resident, but who is also thinking about ALL Vermonters as they negotiate and craft legislation. I am confident that Jared can do that. His experience in economic and energy policy would be a huge asset to the Legislature.
Early voting has already started and the primary is on Aug. 11. I hope you will join me in supporting Jared Duval. You can learn more about his campaign and positions at jaredduvalvt.com.
Kate Stephenson, Montpelier
Remembering Hiroshima in Montpelier
To the Editor:
This year’s Peace Walk will mark 81 years since the first atomic bomb was dropped on civilians in Hiroshima, Japan. The walk happens Aug. 6 at 6:30 p.m., starting at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library (135 Main Street, Montpelier). Seiso Paul Cooper will play the shakuhachi flute, a traditional Japanese instrument, at 6:10 p.m.
We’ll be introduced to walking meditation taught by Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay), who led walks in Vietnam throughout the war, even in areas of active combat.
Such walks draw on a long lineage of mindful activism. They were led by Maha Ghosananda in Cambodia, following horrific warfare in that country; Thay led walks in the subways of New York City; more recently, 19 Buddhist monks in monastic robes and sandals walked in freezing weather from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington D.C., to awaken seeds of peace in those they met.
We’ll walk mindfully from the library to Christ Church on State Street then gather in the courtyard to hear readings
of personal accounts from Hibakusha (survivors of the bombings). The church bells will ring 81 times, once for each year since the bomb was dropped. In case of rain or extreme heat, we’ll gather inside the church to walk, share stories, and sing.
Continuing to the Statehouse, we’ll form a circle and offer stories of hope and resilience from around the world. Stories will alternate with metta, (traditional Buddhist blessings). Participants will be invited to share their own stories of hope. Songs of peace will follow, led by Jason Baker. Please join us in singing! To close, Seiso Paul Cooper will play the shakuhachi flute as we leave in silence.
As we bear witness to genocide, endure the threat of nuclear war, and confront radical climate change, we practice walking meditation to manifest peace. Please join us and thousands around the world on Aug. 6 to honor victims of war, and renew our vision of a world at peace.
Mary Mullaney and Neville Berle, Buddhist Peace Action Vermont
Letters to the editor represent the opinions of the authors and do not reflect the opinions of The Bridge. Submit your letter by email to editor@montpelierbridge.com. Preference is given to submissions by those who live in central Vermont, should not exceed 300 words in length, and may be edited for brevity and accuracy.
