Disqus - Latest Comments for norsehorse

Re: State Saves More Than $1 Million On Motel Voucher Program For Homeless

norsehorse — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 16:04:45 -0000

Unless I am somehow mistaken or misinformed, this news report appears to not be completely accurate in that it is my understanding that the program kicks in when the outside temperature reaches a certain coldness as well as area homeless shelters are full to capacity and so on and then this warrants issuing motel vouchers for a person or family to stay at a participating motel if the person or family is not otherwise ineligible to make use of the program for one reason or another. In addition, as the news report briefly hints to, it is also my understanding that another reason why there has been less use of the program during this past Winter and a resulting savings occurred is due to the fact that the Winter was milder and not as cold, which meant the program did not kick in as much or as often as in other years when it was colder and the program rules had been made stricter in order to reduce use of the program.

Morgan W. Brown
Montpelier

Re: Vogel: Silence On Housing

norsehorse — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 14:51:49 -0000

Thank you for this commentary. My thoughts exactly and, although I had only just come across this particular commentary on the subject, I had also said something as well as posed a question along these type of lines when calling into the recently held annual Homelessness Marathon national 14-hour radio broadcast: http://news.homelessnessmar...

Morgan W. Brown
Montpelier
Vermont Watch: https://twitter.com/vtwatch

Re: City Council demands livable wages for human service workers

norsehorse — Tue, 19 May 2015 15:08:31 -0000

It would be of interest to learn what exactly are the salaries amounts for the ten to twenty top members of the Howard Center management team across the entire agency (particularly when compared to those who are providing direct services and so on), how much those management salaries have grown over the years and what if any bonuses or the like have also been received.

Beyond that, what if any as well as how much was the entire severance package or golden parachute allocated by the agency board and given to Todd Centybear when he retired as executive director of Howard Center.

In addition, it would help to also learn what the sources of income, as well as what those particular dollar amounts are, for Howard Center in terms of how much it draws from federal, state, local or other sources as well as specifically what program, services or supports those various sources of income are targeted to fund and so on.

Morgan W. Brown
Montpelier

Re: Live At Noon: Gov. Peter Shumlin

norsehorse — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 15:54:41 -0000

While at the Vermont State House briefly late yesterday afternoon, I bumped into the Governor's Administration Secretary, Justin Johnson, and, after asking him about it, he told me that Governor Peter Shumlin would not be jesting about suicide again. Had been waiting to hear word about this one way or another.

It would also be good to learn about whether the Governor will make it a high priority and then seriously commit to finding the funds necessary to properly fund ongoing suicide prevention efforts, mentioned within my previous comment post on the subject, as well.

Morgan
Morgan W. Brown
Montpelier

Re: Live At Noon: Gov. Peter Shumlin

norsehorse — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 11:54:35 -0000

Governor Shumlin,

Considering how you have previously jested in one manner or another on multiple occasions, including recently, about taking your own life, it is crucial that you know as well as help to spread the message that suicide and mental health should never be laughing matters to be made fun of.

Making an apology is not enough for having made such jests either. As the Governor of Vermont, it is rather imperative that it be fully understood why as well as how your jesting about suicide must cease forthwith or else further damage and harm could be done than might have already been the case.

In light of the previous jests of yours about suicide and the message this type of jesting sends to people, one would hope that your administration and the Vermont Legislature shall do what it takes to find the funding that will be required to properly fund prevention efforts as is sorely needed (VPR; 2/11/2015):
http://digital.vpr.net/post...

Suicide prevention center funding to expire this summer (vtdigger; 1/26/2015):
http://vtdigger.org/2015/01...

Re: 'They Will Use The Call Center:' Shumlin Takes Health Connect Offline

norsehorse — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 17:35:41 -0000

It would now appear that the state has put the Vermont Health Connect Website into an induced coma and, by all accounts, it is virtually on life support.

Re: The Truth About Fishers

norsehorse — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 23:38:31 -0000

Had come across a Fisher, coincidentally of course, while out walking my cat around the apartment building, which is located close to downtown Montpelier, this morning (Tuesday, June 3, 2014). Appreciated listening to this show, from last year, this evening. Thank you.

Re: Group of Vermonters 'claim' Vilas Bridge for their state

norsehorse — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 14:32:08 -0000

Ditto!

Re: Group of Vermonters 'claim' Vilas Bridge for their state

norsehorse — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 14:29:08 -0000

The news article does not appear to indicate who those involved in the bridge takeover expect to repair the bridge and then pay the bills to cover the repairs. Are they willing to use their own funds or do they expect Vermont taxpayers to foot the bill to have it fixed and put back into working order?

If however, the State of New Hampshire should decide to either declare war or, rather and more than likely could prove to be the case, file suit in federal court against those involved, it is hoped that these persons or the group involved will defend Vermont and themselves on their own and not expect others to have to do so on what would be their behalf.

It could well be that NH will end up having the last laugh concerning these matters, not the tiny group whose folly happened to play out on April Fools Day; including because if NH wins a settlement or court case against them, then whatever the plaintiffs are awarded after legal fees might help pay for fixing the bridge.

That is unless most if not all the powers to be in NH decide to simply ignore them much like will probably be the case here in Vermont as well.

Since there is absolutely nothing whatsoever newsworthy to report regarding what was a public nuisance er, public relations event of epic silliness, this leaves one to question why the Brattleboro Reformer opted to cover as well as devote space for an article about it, save for it being a rather slow news day.

By the way, speaking of which, a belated April Fools to everyone!

(smile)

Morgan W. Brown
Montpelier

Re: The War On Poverty In Vermont

norsehorse — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 19:38:43 -0000

What people living in poverty truly need most is real political power.

This means, as well as begins with, being allowed to speak for and represent themselves as well as have ample opportunities afforded in order to meaningfully participate in any policymaking and other decisions made about them at various levels, whether political or otherwise, and, either as individuals or as a group.

What people living in poverty do not need any more of is having others speak and making decisions for them, most especially not those who have their own or an organization’s agenda and interests at stake.

Regrettably, Governor Peter Shumlin’s newly established “Pathways Out of Poverty” initiative falls seriously short of what is in fact required and, additionally, has all the appearances of merely being a new version of the same old thing and not much else.

This is yet another well-meaning initiative and council that, as usual, has more to do with funding programs as well as aiding certain political agendas and interests than it has to do with helping people most in need.

Rather than being “pathways out of poverty” as is purported, this will likely only lead to additional dead ends and could be just another setup for failure, ironically, of which the person living in poverty will typically be found to blame.

Unless and until people living in poverty have a real and meaningful say about any and all policy as well as programs intended to help them out of poverty, nothing will ever truly change, no matter how much funding is found and dedicated to the effort.

Only real political power in the hands of people living in poverty will ever make a difference and create lasting change.

Anything else is a poor substitute. Nothing else should be acceptable. Those in power and authority should know better. As those of my peers within the disAbility community are fond of saying: Nothing about us, without us!

Morgan W. Brown
Montpelier

Re: For Artist Rod MacIver, Another Traffic Stop, Another Video Request | Off Message: Vermont News and Politics from Seven Days

norsehorse — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 00:26:35 -0000

Ditto!

Re: [Audio] Christie's and Scott's Remarks at Vermont Republican Party Gala | Off Message: Vermont News and Politics from Seven Days

norsehorse — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 22:53:32 -0000

Finally, a cure has been made available for my insomnia of late, a double dose even.

Someone better make certain to wake me up from my rhetorically-induced coma, sometime tomorrow.

Re: Faced with VPR Report, Shumlin Claims He Disclosed Health Exchange Problems in July | Off Message: Vermont News and Politics from Seven Days

norsehorse — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 12:57:42 -0000

It is a good thing that Governor Peter Shumlin and his administration has been "transparent" about Vermont Health Connect and related matters as they keep claiming. One can only wonder what would be the case if they were not.

Re: VPR Classical Is In Montpelier At 99.5 FM

norsehorse — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 17:19:32 -0000

Excellent! Not only do I enjoy the classical music provided by this particular VPR station, but so does my aging cat.

Re: What Makes A House A Home?

norsehorse — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 18:29:55 -0000

Being someone whose life experience includes having endured many arduous years living without permanent housing and, having lived homeless for so long and, truth be told, barely surviving it and therefore not taking for granted the opportunity provided to have access to safe, decent, affordable and permanent or stable housing: Based on my experience as well as perspective, one's abode as well as one's sense of what it is that makes a place their home comes far less from the type of structure or dwelling it might be as well as less from what belongings and decor might fill it or dress it up. Instead, to my way of thinking, it has much more to do with what one does within it and how one lives their life while making a dwelling their very own, which also includes sharing the same with others one might openly welcome into their lives and home, whether it be family, friends or neighbors and so on.

It is in this spirit of gratitude that I can honestly convey, ...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Morgan W. Brown
Montpelier

Re: Vermont Gun-Safety Advocates Focus on State's Suicide Rate | Off Message: Vermont News and Politics from Seven Days

norsehorse — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 10:37:02 -0000

Although it only shows a segment of the audience and then only a portion of the clothing of those visible within it, based on what one can view from the photo, it would appear that it might not have been exactly a 50/50 percentage of orange to green; not when one factors in whatever percentage of those who were wearing neither of the symbolic colors. Not having been present in person, one would have to guess at 40/40 or so orange to green and then 20 percent in more neutral or, rather, less symbolic colored clothing, possibly?

Re: GMO Wars: The Global Battlefield

norsehorse — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 06:50:45 -0000

The article title raises a perfectly good question. This leaves one to wonder how many of those twenty-six (26) countries had their highest court basically rule that corporations are equal citizens? The answer to this particular question might shed some light on the subject as well as help answer the one posed by the article and its title.

Re: Shumlin Defends Implementation of Health Insurance Exchange, Sees Signs of Progress | Off Message: Vermont News and Politics from Seven Days

norsehorse — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 09:44:10 -0000

Not to even mention about how much actual healthcare provision could have been leveraged using these very same dollars instead.

Re: Phil Scott And The Exchange

norsehorse — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 09:39:11 -0000

P.S.

Not to even mention about how much actual healthcare provision could have been leveraged using these very same dollars instead.

Morgan W. Brown
Montpelier

Re: Phil Scott And The Exchange

norsehorse — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 20:17:39 -0000

Although it is merely my two (2) cents worth on the subject, in terms of putting Vermont Health Connect funding into perspective, it comes to mind about how $175 Million in federal taxpayer funds for Vermont Health Connect divided by 100,000 Vermont households or individuals equals $1750. per household or individual.

While it is true that $175 Million certainly sounds like a humongous amount of money to be spending on Vermont Health Connect, it is quite possible that spending $1750.00 per household or individual might not; particularly when factoring in both the timeframe this is being attempted as well as the extent of what is being created and set up.

That said, and as Lt. Governor Phil Scott as well as others have previously mentioned along these lines; if these were state general fund dollars at play, one can bet this would have been done very differently and at a much lower cost, including not wasting lots of money on what appears in some instances to be questionable contracts as well as activities and so on.

Morgan W. Brown
Montpelier

Re: Shumlin Defends Implementation of Health Insurance Exchange, Sees Signs of Progress | Off Message: Vermont News and Politics from Seven Days

norsehorse — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 19:37:40 -0000

It is just my 2 cents worth, of course, however in terms of putting Vermont Health Connect funding into perspective, it comes to mind about how, ...

$175 Million in federal taxpayer funds for Vermont Health Connect divided by 100,000 VT households or individuals equals $1750. per household or individual.

Although $175 Million certainly sounds like a humongous amount of money to be spending on Vermont Health Connect, it is quite possible that spending $1750.00 per household or individual might not; particularly when factoring in both the timeframe this is being attempted as well as the extent of what is being created and set up.

That said, if these were state general fund dollars at play, one can bet this would have been done very differently and at a much lower cost, including not wasting lots of money on what appears in some instances to be questionable contracts as well as activities and so on.

Re: Young, Healthy People Needed to Make Exchange Work

norsehorse — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 18:23:15 -0000

With Vermont being the only state to have it be mandatory for people to sign up or otherwise face fines for not doing so, and with the success of the health care exchange being highly dependent upon having enough healthy young people signing up, it could provide another reason for them to leave the state and find better paying jobs as well as more affordable housing elsewhere these might be more readily available. If the program was not mandatory and was voluntary instead, this could lessen the reasons for someone to decide to leave the state and eventually they might decide to sign up for health insurance and become insured. This would not just help with balancing the state's insurance pool, but among other things would also be helpful in terms of both the tax base as well as the overall economy.

Re: Lisman's Campaign for Vermont Drops $60k on New Ad Campaign | Off Message: Vermont News and Politics from Seven Days

norsehorse — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 08:52:07 -0000

Ha!

Yeah, I can understand how that could be true, too much so (regarding the first sentence of your comment; and, possibly even the second as well).

:-)

Re: Lisman's Campaign for Vermont Drops $60k on New Ad Campaign | Off Message: Vermont News and Politics from Seven Days

norsehorse — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 07:06:25 -0000

As already mentioned within a comment post of mine posted to Terri Hallenbeck's related blog post on the subject posted to vt.Buzz, ...
(since edited for this comment post)

Unless he is drawing upon his own riches for these campaigns of his, it would appear that Bruce Lisman certainly loves to burn through other people’s money. Either way, he sure knows how to waste er, spend plenty of money and then not have much to show for it afterwards. Not too mention about how much he seems to enjoy being on TV as well as radio and also in the print media any chance he gets, having his name in the news as often as he can manage in order to gain the attention of the media and public. It definitely sounds like he is once again possibly exploring a run for something in terms of a political office or seat. Whatever that might be is of course anyone’s guess. If he is not planning on running for some political office or seat however; then, other than creating the potential risk of reminding us that he should not be taken seriously, what is his point? Whatever the case might in fact be, one is left to wonder whether “Vague” is his middle name? And, another thing, as both Governor Peter Shumlin and his administration as well as Bruce Lisman and his group, among plenty of others, keep on illustrating through their repeated rhetoric and hypocrisy concerning these and related matters; it is one thing to keep calling for greater transparency, it is yet another thing altogether to put it into practice.

Re: Morning Read: State Pays D.C. Firm for Vermont Media Intel | Off Message: Vermont News and Politics from Seven Days

norsehorse — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 01:12:21 -0000

Googling the search terms “GMMB vermont” (without quote marks), I came across this item from 2007 (via the now defunct Vermont Guardian):
http://www.vermontguardian....

For the sake of comparison, it would be rather interesting to also be able to read as well as examine the contract the state made with GMMB as well as related documents from back then as well.