Tuesday, January 31, 2017

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Watch Us Live! | WABC-AM | Cumulus






January Ends

January Ends

January Ends
So little snow, 
The days a little brighter now.

Winter's Pain half done for sure,
A few more months we must endure.

Politics heat the airwaves up,
January Ends,
Fill my cup.



Friday, January 27, 2017

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Icy mix

Winter has been a roller coaster 

The past few days drizzling rain, sleet.
Leaves a crystalline glaze all over.
The power flickered and was off briefly 

Now the next click, click, where are my photos from today?

The photos on some other drive, or device or cloud.
No I can't decipher this cyber tangle when I'm tired.

How about a few images from the carousel?
Have a great week and weekend!

 From other years...
 



Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Gaz Update, Vermont

Gaz Update
Monkton, Vermont
Addison County Vermont
_____________________________________________________

From our group of Pipeline opponents.
I cannot keep up with all the court filings.
That's how the system works.
_______________________________________________________


links posted fyi only
A total of 17 new natural gas pipelines were announced in the second half of 2016 compared to those announced in the previous report published in


A group of about two dozen North Dakota landowners is suing the developer of the disputed Dakota Access oil pipeline for alleged deceit and fraud in acquiring land easements. Already, landowners in Iowa await a state judge's ruling in another easement case regarding the $3.8 billion,...
http://courthousenews.com/two-arrested-at-energy-transfer-pipeline-protest-in-texas/


Sunday, January 22, 2017

Saturday, January 21, 2017

A New Day an Old Song

Tomorrow the work begins Again

The Politicians have offered their pitches and promises,
Tomorrow the work begins.

But, instead there will be a party,
a celebration or consolation.

At the end, pumped up supporters will fall exhausted,
down to the ground.


Win or lose,
The Politicians, sleepless euphorics, still buzz with the vibration
of all their monetary adoration,
a compensation, a self affirming confirmation.

They kissed the babies and bad breathed housewives,
They courted supporters, promised away their lives,
Cut the tax, Raised awareness,
Fights for apple pie, Mom and fairness.

At the end of that long election day,
The politician breaks down, on his knees to pray,
Prays his promises will not be broken,
That his constituents mind be aptly spoken.

So do not forget your promise, politician though you are,
Tomorrow begins the work,
Again,
the end
so far,
so far.

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Flashbacks to #Property Tax Reform



I fail to be successful at Vermont Property Tax Reform 
Was reminded today as I flipped through old mails
Like this one:

Sent in 2011
Thanks

Aki Soga
Editorial page editor
Burlington Free Press
802-660-1873
asoga@burlingtonfreepress.com<mailto:asoga@burlingtonfreepress.com>

________________________________
From: Alvarita1@aol.com [Alvarita1@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, November 28, 2011 4:07 PM
To: letters@burlingtonfreepress.com
Subject: My letter to my representatives.

My letter to my representatives:

Please support H.328.
The property taxes have become so burdensome for us. Please help reform what happens when you simply cannot pay. We suffered great penalties, shame and nearly lost our 4th generation farm after being 9 months late. The towns can be less lenient than banks and mortgage companies or not, at their discretion.
I have written everyone I can to explain what we went through. Please force some sensibility into local punishment of people who cannot pay. The motivation of locals not to change rests on tax collectors reaping large sums for short hours.
Beyond H.328: The VT property tax structure also punishes people like us who hold land more than 2 acres (56 ac) and pay taxes on that land (appraised at highest use even though it is open land) without income sensitivity. The town likewise has no income sensitivity.
Therefore we pay $1 for every $10 we earn to VT property taxes. That is with getting income sensitivity on our homestead portion.
To me that is not income sensitive.

Sincerely,
Mary E. Gerdt
Monkton, Vermont

....more later


A winter's day


Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Another Year

Another Year 
Lake Champlain frozen over
So far an open year
Photos from the archives 


.

 '

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Bird


                                              

The Bird






Monday, January 16, 2017

Travelogue for the Universe: I Had a Dream

Replay of an old post I did for Martin Luther King Day
A great man, a great dream, a shattered man, his dream remains.

Meg


Travelogue for the Universe: I Had a Dream: I listened to Martin Luther King's speech again on Imus.com since I knew he would have it on. Just as MLK talked about the mountaintops,...

Sunday, January 15, 2017

Another Year

  

Another Year 

Another Year, 
Snow Deeper then.
This Year so far,
An open yard,
Browns  and grays,
Smattering of white,
Just another year.

Friday, January 13, 2017

Thursday, January 12, 2017

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Travelogue for the Universe: Persistent Gas Pipeline Protesters Are Pushing the...

Last rerun posting
#13



Travelogue for the Universe: Persistent Gas Pipeline Protesters Are Pushing the...: I pondered what to post, a pile of gas pipeline opposition emails in my in box. start with the most recent, I told myself... Persistent...

Breaking #Fracking. Update on Trans Vermont Pipeline Fighters

Great People do Great Things

That persist long after they are gone 
And the Stop ✋ the Trans Addison, County Vermont USA
Is such a group of Great People.

Say a silent prayer for them,
Or think Kind thoughts 💭 
If that's your Way,
To send your Love ❤️ 
To Frack Fighting Doves,
Here fighting for Earth 🌏 
Day after day.

From our loyal group:
Hi all - it’s been a long and winding road... but we present here (attached) the filing for Geprags Park Supreme Court appeal, which was filed today.  It is a brilliant piece of work by some talented lawyers. Huge thanks to all who have helped to make this happen.  Now We shall see what VGS files and ultimately what the court rules
It is fun to imagine scenarios wherein we in fact WIN this case!?  What if?
 



Greetings.  The Appellants’ Brief and Printed Case (selections from the record) will be delivered to the Court tomorrow.  Attached please find a copy of the Brief and a copy of the cover letter to the Court, and below you will find a link to download the Printed Case. 
 
 
Now we wait for VGS to file its brief, which is due February 20.  We then have the opportunity to file a response by March 6. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns at this point.  
 

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Travelogue for the Universe: Open letter #fracking

#12


Travelogue for the Universe: Open letter #fracking: thx melanie, for suggesting is put these words on paper...meg Tuesday, June 24, 2014 To Whom it May Concern: My name is Mary E. Gerd...

Monday, January 9, 2017

Travelogue for the Universe: The Future of Medicine 6 years ago...

#11



Travelogue for the Universe: The Future of Medicine: I am proud to write about My Brother David Gerdt whom I have always admired. Lately he has been working on a very cool device that I have t...

Sunday, January 8, 2017

Gas News Roundup part 2 #fracking trans Vermont pipeline


Beginning with a link to article about
A Special Friend

Annette has been instrumental in protecting the environment of our Vermont home.

From our neighbor w/link to the digger article

It appears that the pipeline topped vtdiggers list of 2016 environmental stories. Maybe Hinesburg Residents' saving Geprags Park from VGS will top the 2017 list!


From our Youth: not all the links work...
Fracking is illegal in Vermont, but that hasn’t stopped Vermont Gas Systems from trying to build a major fracked gas pipeline that would run through our state. The pipeline is a terrible idea for Vermont and for the climate—and it doesn’t make any sense. That’s why I’m organizing a statewide network of student activists from across Vermont to stop it.
The Vermont Student Power Network officially launched this fall, but it started this summer at Power Shift Northeast in Philadelphia. 
At Power Shift, participants broke into caucuses by state so we could connect about local work. In the Vermont breakout, dozens of incredible activists came together and talked about campaigns we were working on—including our fight against the fracked gas pipeline. At one point, someone said: “You know, there used to be a statewide student network in Vermont.” Everyone in the room agreed: we should bring it back.
I couldn’t wait to to start building power with these incredible organizers as soon as I got back to Vermont. But I was even more excited to know that young people from other states were making similar plans and connections at that exact moment. As a member of the regional organizing team for Power Shift Northeast, I felt so proud to be part of making all those connections possible.
At the beginning of the fall semester, we held our first retreat—and the new Vermont Student Power Network was official. And our first major campaign will be to build statewide resistance against the Vermont fracked gas pipeline.
Someone says “I’m really interested in what you’re doing!” to me at least once a week. We’ve already established a first chapter on my campus, at Green Mountain College, and another at Middlebury. Next, we’re planning a major recruitment drive for the beginning of 2017 to build an even bigger base across the state.

Me (third from the right) with the staff and volunteer organizing team at Power Shift Northeast this summer
Power Shift opened a door for building power at a level that would never have happened otherwise. I know that the kind of relationships we built in Philadelphia are some of the most critical building blocks of this movement.
I know that over the next four years, grassroots resistance will be needed more than ever. Between the Student Power Network, classes, and my job at my college’s Sustainability Office, I have plenty on my plate—but I just ran for and was elected to Board of the Power Shift Network. I joined the Board because believe in this work so much—creating more opportunities for students and young leaders like me to organize, build power, and win.
In solidarity,
Yaz Najeebi
PS: If you want to find out more about the Vermont Student Power Network and our work to fight the Vermont fracked gas pipeline, you should check out our Facebook page here!









Special Edition Gas Round up and call for Action #fracking

Special Edition

As much as I would like to be more current with posting progress by the
Fracking Pipeline opponents, friends of Mother Earth 🌏 and Me.

Start w most recent,
A call to action.

Make a trip out of it Come and ski, too. Skiing is phenomenal this year.
Best wishes!

------------------------
do folks know about this 'day of denial' climate action? please join me at bernie's office on monday @ noon!

Day Against DenialJanuary 09, 2017 • 12:00 PMSen. Bernie Sanders office1 Church St.Burlington, VT 05401
Friends,
Thank you for signing up to attend a #DayAgainstDenial event at your Senators’ offices on Monday. Many Senators still haven’t stated how they’ll vote publicly, and as we've already seen, nothing is for certain.
In order for these actions to have the most impact, we need them to be big. These Senators need to know that their constituents are watching and will remember how they vote.
We need as many people as possible to show up on Monday. Can you share this call to action with your friends and family on Facebook?
This election was a reminder that our democracy only works when people are engaged. That's why thousands of people across the country will be rallying Monday inside and outside Senate offices. For those people in your life who are looking to get active, please share this opportunity with them.
The climate is changing and anyone who denies it should not be in the Cabinet. These men could do enormous damage -- and our Senators should take a stand and reject each of them.
Help make these actions huge by inviting your friends, family and networks to join you in the streets.
A few other important reminders:
  • Double check the details for your event by finding it on the map here.
  • Signs and art are very welcome! If you want ideas, here’s a visuals and art making toolkit.
  • Bring your friends! Lots of people are looking for ways to get active right now.
  • Take photos and videos at the action and share them on social media with #DayAgainstDenial so people all across the country can see how powerful we are together.
See you out there,
Emily

P.S. - Not sure where your Senator stands on the Climate Denying Cabinet? We’ll be tracking the votes here.
=====================

UPDATED: Tierney to be next Public Service Department commissioner
The department regulates power, telecommunications and gas utilities. Tierney obtained her juris doctorate from the Vermont Law School in 1993 and ...


Top local stories 2016
Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in the primary election on March 1. ... A protester is arrested at an Oct. 20 protest against Vermont Gas Systems in Hinesburg.
>>>><<<<<<<


~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I hope you will sign on and pass along to any others who may be interested.
Many thanks,
Sandy Levine

Vermont Gas is expecting customers to foot the bill for the spiraling cost of their pipeline project.

CLF Logo




When someone bungles the work they’ve been doing on your house, you don’t expect to foot the bill for their mistakes. The same should go for expensive gas pipelines – but this is not the case so far for Vermont Gas.

Its new pipeline extension was approved for $86 million – but since then, the cost has nearly doubled.

What’s worse, now it wants gas customers like you and me to foot the bill for this extra cost, without having any say in the matter.

We’re not about to stand by and let that happen – but we need to tell regulators that we don’t want to foot the bill for Vermont Gas’s mistakes.

Add your name: Tell the Vermont Public Service Board to revoke Vermont Gas’s permit. 

If enough of us speak up, the Public Service Board cannot ignore the will of the people. Help us speak up for Vermont.

In solidarity,
Team CLF 



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                                                          TO CLF

CLF protects New England's environment for the benefit of all people. We use the law, science, and the market to create solutions that preserve our natural resources, build healthy communities, and sustain a vibrant economy. 





Travelogue for the Universe: I Hope You're Taking Notes


#10


Travelogue for the Universe: I Hope You're Taking Notes: [i wrote this 4 years ago about the time i started blogging. I sent to a friend and lost it. today she sent me the file and i wanted it in m...

Saturday, January 7, 2017

Travelogue for the Universe: Wheelchair Repellant


#9

Travelogue for the Universe: Wheelchair Repellant: Wheelchair Repellant is a story I wrote that someone named Caren from NYC posted on her creation: Our MS Stories.com This link does not se...

Thursday, January 5, 2017

Travelogue for the Universe: Not about your health


#8


Travelogue for the Universe: Not about your health: If you think that health care bills and trials are going to make you feel better, you might want to try a pill or potion instead. When did i...

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Travelogue for the Universe: For my doctor

#7

Travelogue for the Universe: For my doctor: For Hillel Panitch, my primary MS doctor and the relentless researcher of MS, who had stellar bedside manner and who I really had to be ...

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Travelogue for the Universe: A letter to Congress

Continuing my repeats of Healthcare related posts

For the record...
I tried.
#6



Travelogue for the Universe: A letter to Congress: I wrote this letter tonight to congressional delegates from Vermont. I anticipate flak from some direction but I have ripened to an age whe...

Sunday, January 1, 2017

Travelogue for the Universe: Case Management in Robert Frost Country

Happy New Year!

#4


Travelogue for the Universe: Case Management in Robert Frost Country: This is a story I wrote 5 years ago. It was published in a magazine called, The Case Manager. A friend, editor and hero, Catherine Mullahy h...