Bill-O'-Notes® » Pals

Hey, I tried

Bill O'Neill — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 18:46:30 +0000

I serve on the Union District 3 school board here in Vermont. It serves the Middlebury Union High School and Middlebury Union Middle School which encompasses the town of Middlebury plus other area towns within the Addison Central Supervisory Union (ACSU) here in the southern Champlain Valley in Vermont. I am the Shoreham representative to the 12 member board. The other night I made some remarks about the need to reduce the proposed budget we would be sending to the voters on Town Meeting Day in March. Here is some audio of my remarks a the meeting. Six minutes – okay, I’m long-winded. Audio courtesy of Middlebury Community Television. This article by John Flowers of the Addison Independent has a good run-down of the events and frames the issue well: UD-3 board declines to revisit budget The motion failed 7-5. The $16M budget will go to the voters across the district on Town Meeting Day the first Tuesday in March.

Sounds from the Champlain Bridge demolition

Bill O'Neill — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 05:43:03 +0000

Download audio file (Champlain-Bridge-Reaction_1.mp3)

More Songs from the Christmas Bus!

Bill O'Neill — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 02:08:12 +0000

Here are some more audio gems from the Vergennes, Vermont area Christmas Bus tour this past week. For your listening pleasure.

Christmas Caroling

Bill O'Neill — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:32:17 +0000

It was a wonderful experience riding on the “Christmas Bus” throughout Vergennes, Vermont this week. Here are some audio gems.

Man In the Bridge

Bill O'Neill — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 03:57:43 +0000

Open Letter to Rep. Peter Welch, D-VT

Bill O'Neill — Tue, 15 May 2007 03:18:36 +0000

Dear Peter, The newest incarnation of Shays-Meehan, HR 2093, is a BAD BILL and I urge you to vote against it, loudly. It will likely be attached to the pending House lobby reform package. Peter, when the ACLU and the Christian Right actually agree on something, I’d pay attention to it! If anything, public interest orgs. should have an easier go of it when it comes to accessing Washington, not a tougher one. Foreign interests who would reach out to D.C. would have an easier time of it than U.S. grassroots orgs. under this scheme. There’s nothing good in this.

Crosswalks that actually work

Bill O'Neill — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 17:44:41 +0000

I love Middlebury, Vermont. In fact, it’s probably one of the nicest villages in America. But don’t tell anyone. Crosswalks. If you are a pedestrian in Middlebury, Vermont, and you approach a crosswalk, be careful. You had better be ready to actually cross the street. Why? Because in Middlebury, Vermont, if a pedestrian approaches the crosswalk drivers…stop. Really. I am not making this up. Drivers stop. But there is a problem. Problem? What’s wrong with a crosswalk that…works? Well, it’s tourists. I guess I have been a Vermont resident long enough (7 years) to recognize when a walker is unaware of the crosswalk etiquette associated with hamlets where drivers actually heed the ordinance of right of way for pedestrians. Here’s how it’s supposed to work. You’re walking along the sidewalk and are approaching an intersection that you intend to cross. As you approach the intersection, identify the flow of traffic. If there is a new flow of traffic, slow down! Let the cars flow through the intersection! After all, they had just experienced a halt to enable the flow of pedestrians and now it is their turn. Then, timing is everything. Confidently queue to the curb. Cars stop. People smile. Continue reading →

Vermont wins! Number one!

Bill O'Neill — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 15:30:47 +0000

That’s correct. According to the U.S. CENSUS STATISTICS just out, Vermont ranked first in the nation among states ranked by total taxes and per capita amount for 2005. Just goes to show you that views aren’t free.

Bristol, Say Cheez It!

Bill O'Neill — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 20:55:00 +0000

Allen Funt wouldn’t approve The Town of Bristol, Vermont has just installed over a dozen security cameras throughout the village. There is a lot of discussion going on with regard to the plusses and minuses of going in such a direction in law enforcement in such a small, rural town. I embrace new technologies as quickly as the next guy. But, technology likes to grow towards some sort of critical mass or ubiquity. Just because a certain technology exists (digital video surveillance) do we have to take it to the penetration point that Bristol has opted to do? I’m not suggesting that the technology may not improve the climate of the community in one way. It does, however, leave one wondering if there will be unintended consequences that outweigh the benefits.

Jessica’s Law NOW

Bill O'Neill — Mon, 16 Jan 2006 15:15:00 +0000

When the discussion [in local Vermont media] on the convicted child molester devolves into primers on “groomers” versus “grabbers” it’s time to bring Jessica’s Law to Vermont. The disingenuousness is clear by those who have had issues with Judge Cashman as being soft on crime long before his so called “twenty five year” epiphany and long before the innocent child was repeatedly attacked in unspeakable ways. And why are we so concerned about the perpetrator and his rehabilitation? A twenty five year sentence would do well to keep him off the streets and playgrounds and, at the very least, give a modicum of peace of mind to the child who was, and is, his victim.

Autumn in Vermont

Bill O'Neill — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 20:21:00 +0000

Greetings From Vermont It’s been a very late foliage season here in the Champlain Valley. This past week seemed to be the best time to start snapping some photos. Glad I did, since this weekend has been rainy and many trees are going straight from orange to letting go.

Leicester Facing East

Bill O'Neill — Sat, 22 Oct 2005 03:11:00 +0000

I took this one today, 10/21/05. Driving home on Shoreham-Whiting Road. Looked off to the right and saw this, pulled over and …click. Don’t know why I like it. There are many better from a technical standpoint, but it just felt good. BillO’