News travels fast and often doesn’t hold the public interest for very long. That’s one reason to go through the ritual of recalling what happened in 2011. Remember Dr. Hsiao?

The other reason to do so is because the stories you read in these pages — and our blog, Blurt — don’t end when the reporter files them. They continue to evolve, sometimes taking turns that are more interesting than whatever made us pursue them in the first place. ... Read more

But ’tis done — all words are idle.

From “Fare Thee Well” by Lord Byron

Yeah, yeah, whatever. This is my last column.

You’d think that after writing 184 Fair Games, hundreds of blog and Facebook posts, and thousands of tweets, coming up with a final 1600 words would be easy, right?

Not really.

Where to start? Where to end?

Deep breath.

I guess I could start at the beginning.... Read more

With 2011 coming to a close, several major policy questions remain unanswered: Will Vermont Yankee close? Can Vermont launch a single-payer health care system? Will Gov. Peter Shumlin ever visit Dominica again?

Scratch that last question; the gov’s on the Caribbean isle of Anguilla as Fair Game goes to print. ... Read more

The Democratic machine that has dominated state politics for the better part of a decade is poised to reclaim the remaining brass ring of Vermont politics: mayor of Burlington. ... Read more

All eyes will be on Burlington this Sunday, December 11, as the city’s two major political parties — Democrats and Progressives — hold their mayoral caucuses.

The question is, will they nominate the same guy? The Democrats should have a candidate before 5 p.m., just as the Progs meet for a potluck dinner ahead of their 6 p.m. caucus. ... Read more

The two Democrats running for mayor of Burlington may differ in style and political pedigree, but they share at least one common experience. Both sat on boards overseeing city projects that have become financial debacles: Burlington Telecom and the Burlington International Airport parking garage. ... Read more

Butter side up or butter side down? That the question Democratic caucus-goers may be asking one another on December 11 as they choose between two mayoral wannabes: Tim Ashe and Miro Weinberger.

Dr. Seuss fans may recall The Butter Battle Book, a story about the Yooks who eat their bread with the buttered side up and the Zooks who eat their bread with the buttered side down. ... Read more

Ya gotta feel a little sorry for Vermont Democrats.

Why?

They dominate the state legislature, holding 94 out of 150 seats in the House and 23 out of 30 seats in the Senate. They control four of the six statewide offices (governor, attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer). They occupy two of Vermont’s three seats in Congress — and the third guy caucuses with the Dems.

You’d think that with the Dems’ iron grip on the state’s politics and purse strings, Vermonters would show them a little respect.

But nooooooo. ... Read more

Burlington Telecom — the embattled city-owned utility that launched a thousand mayoral candidacies — may be closer to finding a private partner. ... Read more

For sale: a small, liberal-minded municipality on the shores of a large — but not “great” — lake in North America. Many publicly owned amenities ready for privatization: a nine-mile bike path with ample lake frontage; a floating boathouse; the shell of a former coal-burning power plant ripe for redevelopment; a waterfront park with recent pedestrian upgrades; an “international” airport; a skating rink; beaches; an auditorium; sewer, water and electric utilities. Inquire about package deals. Cash or check only. ... Read more