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Thomas West

@thomaswest.co

Husband & Father | Army Veteran | Southwest Tech School Board Director | Planning Commissioner & Justice of the Peace in Manchester, Vermont

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15.11.2024
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Latest posts by Thomas West @thomaswest.co

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We’re always told “we can’t afford to pay workers more.”

But somehow there’s always room for another CEO bonus.

It’s not about money. It’s about priorities.

07.07.2025 07:47 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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The budget bill makes one thing painfully clear. They turned cruelty into policy, stripping care from families while handing out favors to the wealthy.

04.07.2025 09:21 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Vermont just took a big step for veterans.

S.51 exempts military retirement income up to $125K, covers survivor benefits, adds a $250 credit for low-income vets, and expands key tax credits.

It’s a start. But all veterans deserve dignity in retirement—no carve-outs, no income tests.

01.07.2025 03:12 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

As a veteran, I have seen what happens when leaders send others to fight wars they will never have to feel.

The US should not be dragged into another war. Escalating the Israel-Iran conflict would be devastating.

The Trump government is running the same playbook. #Israel #Iran

22.06.2025 08:40 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

What if local government was designed to help people thrive?

🏠 More housing.
👧🏼 More childcare.
📚 More access to opportunity.

We don’t need permission. We need vision. Let’s lead with #abundance.

07.04.2025 00:15 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Parenting through a DEI lens means loving our kids for exactly who they are and teaching them to love themselves just as fiercely.

We are a transracial, adoptive, LGBTQ family. We talk about identity, race, and justice because our kids deserve truth and love in equal measure.

03.04.2025 02:37 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Declining enrollment? Not at Vermont’s tech centers, where waitlists are a mile long The story of Vermont’s schools these days is largely defined by a declining number of school-aged kids. But the state’s 17 career and technical education centers are beating the odds — and seeing an i...

It’s now harder to get into a Vermont tech center’s automotive program than UVM.

If we want our kids to build real futures, we need to invest in the people who build our workforce.

Raise the base to $70K. Pay trades educators what they’re worth.

www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2...

01.04.2025 16:59 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Call your representatives and demand real change. Tell them symbolic protests are not enough. We need action. We need leaders who will fight for our kids, not just hold up paddles in performative outrage.

If shutting down the government is what it takes to protect our kids, then shut it down. #DOE

12.03.2025 05:02 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Some people talk. Others act.

We choose action. We choose commitment. We choose to be activists. And today, we choose to show up.

04.03.2025 11:31 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Opinion — Thomas West: Gov. Phil Scott is wrong on universal school meals At a time when working families are stretched thinner than ever, this program provides stability.

I know the stigma firsthand. I remember having to enter a PIN on the days I was hungry enough to ask for food in high school. That is one of the few numbers I still have memorized, 050565.

vtdigger.org/2025/03/03/t...

03.03.2025 12:17 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Trump Makes MAGA Hat-Wearing ‘Killer’ Chairman of Joint Chiefs Air Force Lieutenant General Dan “Razin” Caine knew what he was doing when he told Trump: “I love you, sir. I think you’re great, sir. I’ll kill for you, sir.”

He’s chosen loyalty and duty to himself over the American People and the Constitution.

“He said, ‘I’ll kill for you sir,” Trump said. “Then he puts on a ‘Make America Great Again’ hat.”

23.02.2025 14:12 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Just back from CADCA’s 35th Annual Leadership Forum in D.C. and connected with prevention leaders nationwide. Highlight? Meeting Vermont’s Congressional Delegation—Rep. Becca Balint, Sen. Peter Welch, and Sen. Bernie Sanders—to advocate for stronger prevention efforts in Southern Vermont!

09.02.2025 06:03 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

@jonathanwestvt.bsky.social

20.01.2025 02:52 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

@sanders.senate.gov

20.01.2025 02:52 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
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Basketball w Bernie! Alas, I took the photo so I’m not IN the photo.

20.01.2025 02:52 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

If only expensive cars were built, not everyone could afford to drive—many would be left without a vehicle. The same goes for housing: building only single-family homes leaves those who can’t afford them without stable housing, affecting the whole community. #housing #housingforall #vermont

03.01.2025 04:42 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

“Whatever your family is, it is exactly right and not better or worse than any other family.” @thomaswest.co

15.12.2024 06:20 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Manchester Planning Commission 12.02.24
Manchester Planning Commission 12.02.24 YouTube video by GNAT TV

Serving on the Planning Commission has reminded me of the value of diversity. We may not always agree on the path forward, but I believe we share the same vision for our town's future. I hope this moment fosters connections that help us build a stronger community. www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWeQ...

04.12.2024 02:05 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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#Thankful

28.11.2024 19:41 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Public Listening Sessions - Manchester Planning Commission | LinkedIn I’m excited to share that the Manchester Planning Commission is hosting a public listening session to gather community input for our updated Town Plan. This session will be an opportunity to voice you...

I’m excited to share that the Manchester Planning Commission is hosting a public listening session to gather community input for our updated Town Plan. Info here: www.linkedin.com/events/publi...

24.11.2024 05:05 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

ⓘ This user supports LGBTQIA+ rights! #Queer

23.11.2024 06:29 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Opinion — Thomas West: Confronting our fears I urge each of you to stand up and take action. Let's connect with our neighbors, engage in difficult conversations and work together to defend and uphold our shared values.

The election season has concluded, and far too many of us are grappling with a complex mix of emotions—relief, disappointment, hope, fear, anger, and uncertainty. As I reflect on the results, I can't help but personally feel a deep sense of fear and disappointment. #VT

vtdigger.org/2024/11/13/t...

16.11.2024 00:04 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0