Quotes in Press

RUTLAND HERALD 09/15/20 By Jim Sabataso CASTLETON — A new speaker series aims to share professional career advice for navigating the coronavirus pandemic. The Rutland Rising Job Talk series is being organized by Brandon resident Michael Shank in partnership with Castleton University. The free series, which launches at noon Friday, […]

RUTLAND HERALD 09/11/20 By Gordon Dritschilo  It is a crowded field in the race for Rutland County’s three State Senate seats. Here is a breakdown of the candidates appearing on this year’s ballot: RepublicansRutland County’s senior senator is leading the Republican ticket as he seeks a fourth term. Brian Collamore, […]

BRANDON REPORTER 08/19/20 By Lee J Kahrs BRANDON — A well-known Brandon activist, educator and volunteer has announced his run for Rutland County Senator as an Independent. Michael Shank made the announcement Aug. 16 on Facebook. “Hi friends – Taking a leap here. Feeling like now more than ever before […]

RUTLAND HERALD 08/03/20 By Keith Whitcomb Jr. BRANDON — The Select Board voted unanimously last week to adopt a new animal control ordinance that outlines the powers of the animal control officer. Part of the motion to pass the ordinance was to include recommendations that Select Board Chairman Seth Hopkins […]

BRANDON REPORTER 07/29/20 By Lee J. Kahrs BRANDON — The Town of Brandon now has the strongest animal control ordinance it has ever had, and supporters are hoping it’s enough to prevent troubling animal welfare cases in the future. The Brandon Select Board on Monday unanimously approved the updated ordinance, […]

SENTIENT MEDIA 07/17/20 By Clair Hamlett Money makes the world go round, as the saying goes, but follow its flow and you’ll often end up at the door of a company responsible for causing and accelerating planetary-scale destruction. In March this year, a report by NGOs revealed that 35 banks […]

RUTLAND HERALD 06/02/20 By Keith Whitcomb Jr. BRANDON — A local man who organized an environmental film contest for local students is now hosting a writing competition, also with cash prizes. Michael Shank, communications director for the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance, adjunct faculty member at New York University Center for […]

RUTLAND HERALD 06/30/20 By Keith Whitcomb, Jr.  BRANDON — Several months after more than 100 animals were removed from a property on Kimball Road, the town is working on updating and improving its animal control ordinances. Last week, the Select Board started talking about the new draft ordinance that would […]

RUTLAND HERALD 06/25/20 By Patrick McArdle  Green Mountain Power kicked off a program Wednesday that will allow customers to donate solar credits to small businesses recovering from the loss of income caused by the pandemic. It joins an enhanced rebate program as ways to decrease fossil fuel use in responsible […]

COUNTERPUNCH 06/15/20 By Daniel Kovalik As Vijay Prashad explains in his book, Red Star Over The Third World, domestic fascism in the West has reflected the West’s pre-existing colonial practices abroad. Citing Martinique communist Aimé Césaire, Prashad explains: “What had come to define fascism inside Europe through the experience of […]