These priorities should be echoed and agreed upon by different elements of our business, government, non-profit and philanthropic communities

Montpelier should have a welcoming way of introducing newcomers to the communities' assets and events and so on.

St Johnsbury is a thoughtful and diverse community with a good handle on moving forward intelligently.

For the most part, what is good for Vermont is also good for Bennington.

Vermont, as a state, is my community. Too many don't see the forest (state) for the trees (localities).Ideally there would be a trickle up effect, but why not use gravity and try more of a trickle down approach?

Marlboro even has a four-year college, but the kids scram at graduation. It's a beautiful, special place that I will always call home, but it's not where I can work and live.

I live in two communities in Vermont, one very small, one Burlington. These issues are equally important in each. I suspect the larger towns will have an easier time managing challenge but are also more endangered in losing their Vermont character. Personally, as I get older I'd prefer to live in the small town and enjoy my neighbors and neighborhood.

This is getting harder to do in Burlington.

All of them apply in spades. Richmond is full of imported trust fund liberals and there are no good jobs and no affordable housing for 18 to 35 year olds. Why would they stay here?