ALS Awareness Month: PBS documentary shows challenges faced by those living with ALS.

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May is ALS Awareness Month. A good way to gain insight into the challenges faced by those living with ALS is by watching “Matter of Mind: My ALS”. It’s a documentary airing on PBS that provides a glimpse into the daily struggles of families living with this neurodegenerative disease. From the PBS website: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neuromuscular disease with an average survival time of 2-5 years from diagnosis. In this intimate exploration, three people with ALS, or Continue reading ALS Awareness Month: PBS documentary shows challenges faced by those living with ALS.→

Norwich Legislators in the General Assembly: VTDigger’s Summary of Their Ethics Disclosure Forms

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As part of its Full Disclosure series, VTDigger summarized the ethics disclosure forms of all legislators currently in office in the Vermont General Assembly. Below is the information regarding those serving Norwich. The full database, as well as an analysis of trends is in Full Disclosure: What lawmakers’ ethics forms reveal about their lives outside the Legislature by Erin Petenko published on VTDigger on April 20, 2023. House Legislator Employer (House Only) Boards or Service Roles Corporate Ownership James “Jim” Continue reading Norwich Legislators in the General Assembly: VTDigger’s Summary of Their Ethics Disclosure Forms→

Selectboard puts off discussion of adding fifth police officer until Fall

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The Norwich Selectboard has “decided” to delay consideration of adding a fifth police officer to the Norwich Police Department until budget season in the Fall. This decision was made at the Selectboard’s meeting on April 12th, where the topic was essentially tabled as part of the agenda setting process. My observations on the topic are at the end of this post, including a task force charge provided by ChatGPT. Background At Town Meeting 2023, voters approved Article 11, which advised Continue reading Selectboard puts off discussion of adding fifth police officer until Fall→

From ARPA to Zoning Director: Important matters facing the Selectboard

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As the Norwich Selectboard begins its new term following Town Meeting, here are some matters under consideration by the Board. Overall, addressing these issues will require careful consideration by our officials. \ If I missed something or erred, feel free to comment below or to contact me. * * * Thanks for reading. Contact the Norwich Observer at norwichobserver [at] gmail.com.

Selectboard candidate questionnaire. Q5: Elected Listers/Town Clerk.

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The Norwich Observer asked the candidates for Selectboard the same five questions. Below is the fifth and final question and the candidates’ responses. A list of all five questions, without responses, is here. Articles 12 and 15 of the Town Meeting Warning are pertinent to this question. They say: Article 12. Shall the voters authorize the elimination of the office of Lister and replace it with a professionally qualified assessor hired by the Town? Article 15. Shall the voters authorize Continue reading Selectboard candidate questionnaire. Q5: Elected Listers/Town Clerk.→

Selectboard candidate questionnaire. Q4: Police.

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The Norwich Observer asked the candidates for Selectboard the same five questions. Below is the fourth question and the candidates’ responses. A list of all five questions, without responses, is here. Article 11 is pertinent to this question. It reads: Article 11. ADVISORY VOTE: Shall the voters advise the Town to consider the appointment of a full-time police officer in addition to the three budgeted full-time police officers for a total of five including the chief? QUESTION: Police Police. Article Continue reading Selectboard candidate questionnaire. Q4: Police.→

Selectboard candidate questionnaire. Q3: Toxic community problem.

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The Norwich Observer asked the candidates for Selectboard the same five questions. Below is the third question and the candidates’ responses. A list of all five questions, without responses, is here. QUESTION: Toxic community problem Toxic community problem. When the Selectboard publicly announced the separation agreement with former town manager Roderick Francis, the Board issued a statement that said in part, according to the October 24, 2022 minutes: “Rod has acted honorably and professionally during his tenure despite a personal Continue reading Selectboard candidate questionnaire. Q3: Toxic community problem.→

Selectboard candidate questionnaire. Q2: Priorities.

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The Norwich Observer asked the candidates for Selectboard the same five questions. Below is the second question and the candidates’ responses. A list of all five questions, without responses, is here. QUESTION: Priorities Priorities. Other than hiring a Town Manager, what are the top three issues that you think the Selectboard should address in the next 12 months? RESPONSES Candidates running for the three-year Selectboard seat Rob Gere: Declined to respond. Marcia Calloway: Projects and issues come and go, a Continue reading Selectboard candidate questionnaire. Q2: Priorities.→

Selectboard candidate questionnaire. Q1: Background and qualifications.

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The Norwich Observer asked the candidates for Selectboard the same five questions. Below is the first question and the candidates’ responses. A list of all five questions, without responses, is here. QUESTION: Background and qualifications Background and qualifications. For those who do not know you, please provide some info about yourself. Also, what prior experience and skills do you have that make you a good candidate for the Selectboard position? RESPONSES Candidates running for the three-year Selectboard seat Marcia Calloway: Continue reading Selectboard candidate questionnaire. Q1: Background and qualifications.→