Manchester Vermont Democrats

Open Enrollment is here! You have the chance to sign up for affordable health insurance from now until January 15th in Vermont. Sign up by Dec 15th for coverage to start January 1, 2024.

Get more info & apply at info.healthconnect.vermont.gov

Great op-ed from Rep. Mike Rice!

I’m deeply honored to serve in this role. And I’m deeply committed to doing everything I can to make sure this role becomes more accessible to all Vermonters who feel called to serve. Read the full piece in the Manchester Journal here: https://www.manchesterjournal.com/opinion/columnists/for-strongest-public-policy-public-service-must-be-accessible/article_6fa5a75e-8efc-11ee-8f3a-8392e2300cce.html

Congratulations to two local attorneys, including Manchester's own Susan McManus, who... has spent the last 13 years working as a public defender in Southern Vermont and is a past president of the Vermont Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Governor Scott nominates two local attorneys, Burke and McManus, for Vermont Superior Court judgeships Two well-known Bennington attorneys – seasoned prosecutor Alexander Burke and accomplished public defender Susan McManus – at the Bennington Courthouse are among a small group of lawyers nominated by Governor Phil Scott to become Vermont’s newest Superior Court judges.

Although many states are voting today, Vermont is not one of them.

Congrats to the Taconic & Green Regional School District for securing the future of student transportation for our kiddos! Introducing just one of the new ALL-ELECTRIC school buses! If you see the blue front bumper you know it’s producing zero emissions, no toxic diesel fumes when picking up our precious cargo.

The deployment includes charging stations at Manchester Elementary Middle School. The district was the recipient of a grant which covered the cost of the buses and the infrastructure!

If you see a BRSU school bus with a blue bumper -- It's electric!

The first of four BRSU electric buses arrived at MEMS in late October. After a few days of training, the bus made its first trip with students last week. The remaining vehicles will join the BRSU fleet over the next few months: two at MEMS and two at The Dorset School.

BRSU Director of Transportation Derek Chalmers, MEMS Principal Harrison Shulman, and BRSU Superintendent Randi Lowe stand proudly in front of their new bus ... with a blue bumper.

As our Manchester Reps Kathleen James VT State Representative and Seth Bongartz - Vermont State Representative gear up for the 2024 session, take a look at their latest newsletter hot off the press! So thankful for the hard work they do for our community!

Prepping for the 2024 Session Vermont has a unique education landscape in that 44 of its 114 school districts do not operate a public school for some grade levels. In our district, for example, Sunderland, Sandgate and Manchester do not operate a public high school. Instead, we pay tuition to the high school of the family’s c...

Rep. Becca Balint standing up to hate from a member of the House.

Rep. Balint Offers Resolution Censuring Marjorie Taylor Greene Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT) offered a resolution to censure Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA).

Our committee’s growing success highlighted in the Manchester Journal today! We are on the move and ready to keep building our future.

Manchester Dems elect new chair, local party leaders MANCHESTER — Manchester Democrats met in September and voted in a new Democratic Party chair, other party officers, a new and expanded Manchester Democratic Town Committee for 2023 - 2025,

We Did It!

A successful 2023-2025 ReOrg Caucus! Special thanks to Social House for being our gracious hosts! We were in person and virtual with one of our largest turnouts in recent memory!

Congratulations are in order for our newly elected officials.
Jonathan West - Chair
Joanne O'Connor - Vice-Chair / Secretary
Dustin Redlein - Treasurer
Brad Handlin - Events Director

National Voter Registration Day is September 19! Thank you Manchester Community Library for hosting!

National Voter Registration Day – Manchester Community Library National Voter Registration Day is the nation’s biggest nonpartisan civic holiday dedicated to getting every eligible American registered to vote for their next election. Every year, millions of Americans find themselves unable to vote because they miss a registration deadline, don’t update thei...

Manchester Democrats Announce Biennial Reorganization Caucus and Meeting

DATE: Thursday, September 21st, 2023

TIME: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

LOCATION: The Social House (1716 Depot Street in Manchester)

PURPOSE: Elect the next Manchester Democratic Town Committee (two-year term), Party Officers, and County Delegates

REQUIREMENTS: Must be a registered Manchester voter as of the date of the Caucus

OPPORTUNITY: A great way for Manchester Democrats to get involved NOW in the 2024 election cycle – and have fun!

GUEST SPEAKERS: State Reps Kathleen James and Seth Bongartz

FOR MORE INFO & RSVP (and online link for virtual attendees): Contact Manchester Democratic Town Committee Chair Jim Ramsey ([email protected]) or Joanne O’Connor Manchester Democratic Committee Secretary ([email protected])

Close to Home: the Vermont Capitol Underwater - Third Act The events of the last two weeks have really hit home with me–I wrote the first book about climate change almost 35 years ago, and it was in effect a warning about what’s happening now: the hottest day in human history, the hottest week, the hottest month, the highest sea surface temperatures, t...

Please support your Community Food Cupboard especially during the summer months.

Perfectly said, Bill McKibben.

Former President Trump Indicted - Third Act It’s precisely scenes like this that led us to make democracy one of the key focuses at Third Act. Many of our generation—growing up under presidents like Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower and Kennedy, and in the light cast by prophets like Dr. King—took for granted the thought that our country wa...

Our new logo!

Join us for our first annual Southern Vermont Summer Celebration! We'll kick off summer and celebrate our amazing Democrats in Bennington and Windham counties. will also be joining us!

We hope to see you there! Get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/so-vt

Breathing this air is dangerous. Stay indoors. Wera a mask if you must go outside. Inside, turn on fans and air conditioners to curculate the air. Find out the air quality in your area here: https://www.airnow.gov/

Through the Smoke - Third Act Photo Credit: Mike Lewelling, National Park Service Here in Vermont the sun is dull orange viewed through the shroud of smoke, and it smells like a campfire; I’ve heard from friends in New York and DC describing emergency rooms filling up with asthmatic kids who can’t breathe. It’s truly terri...

The Vermont Democratic Party is coming to Manchester for a summer celebration! Join us at The Wilburton for a fun event under the tent!

Join us for our first annual Southern Vermont Summer Celebration! We'll kick off summer and celebrate our amazing Democrats in Bennington and Windham counties. will also be joining us!

We hope to see you there! Get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/so-vt

Important information about much-needed housing in Manchester.

PLEASE SHARE:

MANCHESTER HOUSING FORUM
Wednesday, October 26
5:00 to 7:00 pm
Town Hall (Kilburn Room)

The Town of Manchester will host a free public forum on housing on Wednesday, October 26 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm in the Kilburn Room at Town Hall (70 Jeff Williams Way). The event is open to the public and will include a Q&A.

During the two-hour event, officials from state and local government will discuss the statewide housing crisis and work that’s underway to build more housing for low- and moderate-income Vermonters in our community.

Presenters include Josh Hanford, Commissioner (Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development); Seth Leonard, Managing Director of Community Development (Vermont Housing Finance Agency); and Janet Hurley, Zoning Administrator and Planning Director (Town of Manchester).

Topics will include Manchester’s housing market and infrastructure, state laws and local zoning, financial programs for low- and moderate-income Vermonters, and possible building sites and solutions. Following the presentations, a panel will take questions from the audience.

All presentations will be posted to the Town website following the forum, and GNAT will tape the event for public viewing.

Questions? Email Phil Peterson, Manchester Planning Commission Chair, at [email protected].

Join us this Tuesday, September 13th at 6:00 PM for the monthly online meeting of the Town of Manchester Democrats. Special guest speakers will be Kathleen James VT State Representative and Gulley For Sheriff -- James A. Gulley, Jr. Find out how you can help them in their contested races right here in Manchester and in Bennington County! Contact [email protected] to request the meeting link and to get involved and make a difference!
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Calling All Democrats!

Join the Manchester Democratic Town Committee on Tuesday, July 12th in Manchester!!!

Busy Day on July 12th for the Manchester Dems: AG Candidate Charity Clark visit, State Rep Seth Bongartz, Justice of the Peace Candidate Caucus, & VDP Platform Discussions all on the Schedule!

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: 2022 Vermont Democratic Party Platform updates – discussion led by Susan Borden, VDP Platform Subcommittee member
4:30 PM – 5:15 PM: “Meet & Greet” BBA Graduate & Attorney General Candidate Charity Clark
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: July Manchester Democratic Town Committee Meeting, including:
• Guest Speaker State Rep Seth Bongartz – highlights from recent legislative session
• Caucus to select Democratic slate for the Town of Manchester Justice of the Peace Candidates
• New Dems welcome -- find out how you can get involved and join the team!

All current and prospective JPs may contact Manchester DTC Chair Jim Ramsey ([email protected]) or Manchester DTC Nominating Co-Chair Martha Heilemann ([email protected]) by Monday, July 11th, 2022 at 1:00 PM to express their interests and/or answer any questions.

All Town of Manchester and Bennington County Democrats are welcome to attend any or all of the three sessions. Seating is limited, so please contact Jim Ramsey (Chair, Manchester Democrats, and Chair, Bennington County Democratic Committee) for location info and directions if you are able to attend.

Tonight -- May 26th -- at 6:00 PM!!!

Please join the Bennington County Democrats for their monthly online meeting with special guest speakers: Congressman Peter Welch, Candidate for the United States Senate, and Montpelier City Clerk Odum John Odum, Candidate for Vermont Secretary of State! Email Bennington County Democratic Committee Chair Jim Ramsey at [email protected] to receive the access link for the meeting, and to find out how you can get involved in the upcoming elections in Vermont!!!

Join us THIS Thursday Evening March 24th (from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM) to hear from US House of Representatives Candidate Molly Gray and Lieutenant Governor Candidate David Zuckerman on their plans for Vermont and our Country! Contact Bennington County Democratic Chair Jim Ramsey at [email protected] for the online link!

Hey, Manchester: It's time to vote! Polls will be open tomorrow at Town Hall from 8 am to 7 pm — or drop by today to submit an early ballot! Many critical issues are on the town ballot this year, including an advisory vote on a proposed field house at the Rec Park, whether to allow retail cannabis shops here in town, the future of the rail trail, elections for the select board and more. Don't miss your chance to be a part of local democracy — your vote is your voice!

Hope you can join me on March 31st in Montpelier and help support the Vermont Senate Democrats!

I just purchased my ticket to the Senate Pro Tem Celebration! Join us! Support the VT Senate today!

Join the Bennington County Democrats Thursday Evening, February 24th, 2022 when US House of Representatives candidate Kesha Ram Hinsdale and Vermont Lieutenant Governor Candidate Kitty Toll will be guest speakers at their monthly online meeting. Contact Bennington County Democratic Chair Jim Ramsey ([email protected]) to request the meeting link and learn more about how to get involved with the Democratic Party in Manchester and Bennington County!

Congrats to State Rep Kathleen James!

State Rep. Kathleen James of Manchester elected House Assistant Majority Leader MANCHESTER — The resignation of state Rep. Marybeth Redmond left a gap in the state House of Representatives’ Democratic leadership team, and state Rep. Kathleen James of Manchester has been

Reminder: If you'd like to serve as a Justice of the Peace, swing by our 30-minute caucus tonight from 6 to 6:30 at Brad Myerson's law office (5261 Main Street). And don't forget to vote in the primaries tomorrow!

Official Warning
Democratic Nomination for Election: Justices of the Peace

Every election, each political party nominates a slate of candidates for the position of Justice of the Peace in Manchester, Vermont.

On June 12, 2018, the Manchester Democrats held a caucus at the law offices of Bradley Myerson to nominate candidates. We will hold another caucus on August 13 to accept additional nominations and self-nominations. The meeting will be held from 6 to 6:30 pm at the law offices of Bradley Myerson (5261 Main Street in Manchester Center). All interested should attend.

Justices of the Peace constitute the Board of Civil Authority. The Board of Civil Authority assists in elections, town meeting, delivers and counts ballots, maintains the voter checklist and hears tax appeals, and may officiate at weddings.

For more information contact:

Kathleen James
Chair: Manchester Democrats
[email protected]

Jerry Skapof
[email protected]

Local Office Descriptions | Elections | Vermont Secretary of State

REMINDER: MEETING TOMORROW!
Tuesday, June 12 at 6 pm • Law office of Brad Myerson (5261 Main Street)

Summer meeting and Justice of the Peace nominations: Please join us for our regular monthly meeting! We'll be discussing how we can support Democratic candidates across the Northshire and Bennington County in the upcoming 2018 midterm election in November, setting our summer and fall meeting dates, and nominating candidates to run for Justice of the Peace.

As an elected Justice of the Peace, your duties can include serving as an election official, deciding on tax appeals, conducting marriages, administering oaths and acting as a notary public. To learn more about serving as a JP, here: https://www.sec.state.vt.us/elections/candidates/local-office-descriptions.aspx

sec.state.vt.us Local Office Descriptions Who’s Who in Local Government President Teddy Roosevelt said, almost a century ago that “Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” When he included these words in his speech at the state fair in Syracuse, New York in...

www.sec.state.vt.us

The Manchester Democrats will meet on Tuesday, June 12 at 6 pm at the law office of Brad Myerson (5261 Main Street). We'll be nominating candidates to run for Justice of the Peace, setting our summer and fall meeting dates, and discussing how we can support candidates across Bennington County in the November 2018 midterm elections.

JPs are elected officials who play an important role in running local elections, hearing tax disputes, conducting marriages and more. To learn more and download a guide, click here.https://www.sec.state.vt.us/media/258659/JP_Guide.pdf

Jerry Skapof, Ruth Hoffman, Alex Heintz, Richard M. Long, Theo Talcott: Please share and talk to potential JP candidates!

sec.state.vt.us

Vermont Democratic Party

www.vtdemocrats.org/curtis2018

Please join the Vermont Democratic Party and Special Guests U.S. Congressman Raúl Grijalva- Chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Senator Patrick Leahy, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Congressman Peter Welch for The David W. Curtis Leadership Awards Dinner.

Dinner begins at 6:30 with a Cocktail Hour and VIP Reception at 5:30. Event will take place at The Burlington Hilton, 60 Battery St. in Burlington, VT.

Reserve your Tickets online at www.vtdemocrats.org/curtis2018
or by phone at 802-229-1783
Please Contact Sheila Healy with Any Questions: ([email protected] or 802-229-1783)

We look forward to seeing you there!

Happy Earth Day! Riverwalk clean-up from 10 am to noon, Open House to join my campaign from noon to 2 (see details at Kathleen James for State Representative), and Earth Day celebration at the town green from 2 to 4 with music, poems and speakers. I'll be speaking -- brief but riveting! -- about the "green-collar economy" and how it can solve two urgent problems: climate action and good-paying, family-supporting jobs.

Please drop by tomorrow, Sunday April 22 (Earth Day!) anytime between noon and 2 pm to grab a cup of coffee and a bumper sticker and learn more about how you can volunteer for my campaign.

We'll need folks to plan events and host house parties, enter data, make phone calls, knock doors and more. Or ... What ideas do YOU have, and how would YOU like to be involved?

After the Open House, we're heading to the Earth Matters "Turn The World Around" celebration at Factory Point Park (2 to 4 pm). And don't forget the Riverwalk clean-up from 10 to noon. :)

Click below for more details and to RSVP:

Great meeting of the Manchester Democrats last night. We'll be sending an e-newsletter before long, but (1) we've canceled the May 8 meeting, as many of us will be out of town or busy that night, and (2) next meeting will be on June 12, to nominate candidates for Justice of the Peace and get organized for a summer of working for Dem candidates across the Northshire and Benn County. Mark your calendars and give some thought to running for JP in November. :)

Training

A blue wave is coming in 2018!

If you want to learn how to run for office and stand for Democratic values, or if you want to learn how to be really effective at helping a friend run, sign up today for the VDP spring training!

For more information or to register, click on the link below or email Jim Dandeneay: [email protected].

https://vtdemocrats.ngpvanhost.com/SpringTraining2018?midqs=-ASu18nDEEhDhDuhRAerjw%3D%3D&recipientId=4DEBq2jbojcuSmgN3NPsK2&email=kcjames%40comcast.net

vtdemocrats.ngpvanhost.com

Kathleen James for Vermont State Representative

Gearing up today for the campaign kickoff party and fundraiser! Tonight at 5 pm at the Northshire Bookstore. Please join us!

To follow my campaign, please "like" my new page: Kathleen James for State Representative, and to learn more about me, why I'm running, and the values and vision that motivate me, go to my Website: https://kathjamesforstaterep.com/

kathjamesforstaterep.com Bennington-4: Manchester | Arlington | Sunderland | Sandgate

Manchester Democrats April 10 Meeting

News from the Manchester Democrats: Kickoff party on Sunday, meeting on Tuesday. Join us!

https://mailchi.mp/1f9de210b760/town-of-manchester-democrats-970905

mailchi.mp

For those of us who would like to stand in solidarity and support the student walk-out at BBA: It's rescheduled for Monday, March 19 at 10 a.m. I've attached a map that shows in blue where community members and adults should line up. See you there!