Their level of personal hatred has caused cruel and unusual harm to innocent American people.

We, the citizens of the United States of America, wish to initiate a Class Action Lawsuit against the Tea Party and Senate Republicans for the misappropriation of our tax dollars with the Government Shut Down, the 51 Repeal attempts against the ACA, and now this lawsuit against the president. This doesn't even begin to address the fact that they have been getting paid while doing nothing. We want a refund on their paychecks as well as removal of their ability to give themselves raises, days off and their ability to set their own schedules. Finally, we want the salaries cut to $100,000 annually.

In the first place, huge 18-wheelers hauling containers to the port terminals do not belong on a street that bisects residential neighborhoods, including my own, the ODU campus and two school zones, as the public made clear when this issue last surfaced in 2007. Furthermore, those trucks expose residents and homeowners to disturbing noise, vibration that undermines the foundations of homes and businesses, raise public safety issues, especially for students at Larchmont Elementary, ODU and Taylor Elementary and expose people to toxic diesel soot that can penetrate deep into the lungs, which has been linked to severe respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, chronic bronchitis, cancer, and premature death. Mayor Fraim and the Council have a primary duty to protect people’s right to the quiet, peaceful enjoyment of their homes and neighborhoods, while not being poisoned by noxious fumes and suffering life threatening gridlock. The needs of the neighborhoods and the community come before corporate profits and the convenience of the Port Authority.

Climate change is real and is already causing harm. We are already seeing more extreme weather, and scientists predict we will continue to see more intense heat waves, more superstorms, and lower air quality from unchecked climate change. And who is harmed most from this extreme weather? Those least able to cope: communities of color, the poor, children, and the elderly. Communities of color are more vulnerable to heat related deaths and are also more likely to live near coal plants, contributing to higher asthma rates. It is time to fight back, and the Obama administration is doing just that. The EPA has taken a historic step and, for the first time ever, is proposing to limit carbon pollution from power plants, which emit 40% of U.S. carbon pollution. Power plants will be required to reduce their pollution by 30% by 2030. You can bet Big Coal will fight tooth and nail to stand in the way of a clean energy future. Congress itself is the last refuge for ignoring reality, with a whopping 160 climate science deniers who took nearly $60 million in dirty energy contributions. With the forces of the status quo rallying, we need to have the EPA’s back and stand up for bold action to control dangerous carbon pollution from power plants. Join me in standing behind EPA to stop polluters from emitting unlimited carbon pollution.

The American people need relief from the excessive and intrusive barrage of political ads and phone calls that are starting earlier and earlier all the time. Politicians are increasingly focusing on the campaign, fundraising, and the machinery of political advancement rather than service to the American people.

Tired of obstructionism and wasting taxpayer money

Primary challenges to some of the IDC senators and a threat by the Working Families Party to endorse another candidate for governor have resulted in Gov. Cuomo being more vocal in his opposition to a Republican-controlled State Senate. Since Jeff Klein, the IDC leader, has promised to rejoin the Democrats, Gov. Cuomo should take action now, rather than wait until the new session convenes in January, when the election is over and promises can easily be ignored.

My nephew JaCoy Nixon was wrongfully convicted of a sexual assault of a Minor and given 41 years with no parole. He was railroaded by the District Atty Office of Montgomery County. The jury selection was not a jury of his peers , there was no physical evidence supporting the charges against him.

99Rise Activists marched over 480 miles to build a national movement to overturn the Supreme Court's disastrous decision "Citizens United". It took 37 days and supporters joined them in every city they marched through from LA to Sacramento. Now this amazing group of activists is staging a sit-in inside the Capitol Building to demand the California State Legislature pass all three of the Campaign Finance reform bills in front of them: SB52, SB1272, & AJR1. Please come down any time, day or night, and show your support of these selfless activists who are willing to do whatever it takes to reclaim our democracy from Big Money. Please check their website 99rise.org and facebook page 99rise for more information.

Leonel Salazar has lived in the United States for the larger part of his life, and has proudly embodied the American values of hard work and strong family life. Born in Zacatecas, Mexico, Leonel and his family first traveled across the Mexican-U.S. border when he was just one year old. As their stay in America became permanent, Leonel's parents embraced the legal pathways to be able to stay in this country, and were able to achieve legal status for everyone in the family except Leonel, who has been renewing work permits and awaiting a residency petition that was started by his citizen mother in 1995. Unfortunately, Leonel cannot wait any longer, receiving this week a letter ordering his voluntary removal in July 2014. Leonel resides in Rogers, Arkansas where he has contributed greatly to his community through his entrepreneurship, starting, in 2002, Leo’s Siding and Gutters, and through his strong volunteer spirit, giving countless hours and resources for over three years to local nonprofits organizations, such as Arkansas United Community Coalition and the Northwest Arkansas Workers Justice Center. In addition Leonel and his wife, Beatriz, have 4 U.S. citizen children, ages 18, 14, 7 and 3. Currently, the eldest is at basic training for the U.S. National Guard. Another proud Arkansan, their son now fears that he will graduate from training on August 8th only to NOT have his father with him to celebrate this life milestone. Leonel is the sole breadwinner for his family, has earned his living in a fair and just way, and has given back to his community. Please stand behind Arkansas values by keeping Leonel home, with his family and community.

I would like to know more than brief talking points about these two candidates.

We have just learned from Valerie Capels in the Town Office that they are planning to close Bridge Street for the entire month of August. Obviously this is devastating timing for the businesses in Waitsfield Village. Everyone knows when the slow months are here in the Valley. Let's do everything we can to urge them to make the construction happen then. Please consider coming to the Select Board Meeting on Monday night at Town Hall at 6:30 to voice your collective and urgent request to NOT have the project happen during the most profitable month of the year for business.