I just attended the annual meeting of the Preservation Trust of Vermont held in Brandon. The auditorium was filled with positive exciting people from all walks of life. They have preserved and renewed towns all over Vermont, with both wisdom and a sense of humor. Thanks go to all who are in love with this State and doing something about it. Norma Wales

Best place in the world to live, freedom and community, clean, beautiful, organic

Common sense, value of work and health, citizen power vs. corporate power

We can lead towards real solutions to global warming--decentralized energy, local agriculture, communities having control over their own resources. Challenges are from increasingly globalized corporate and financial system, excessive federal power verging on fascist control (see Naomi Wolf, The End of America).

Maintaining as much local control as possible. Incentives for small, decentralized energy and food production.

My thoughts reflect the way I've lived my life here for the past 30+ years, and are shared by many in my community--one reason it's the best place in the world to live.

open land, clean air and water and traditional values

care for one another; a sense of community; sensitivity for the environment

affordable housing; an educated workforce; jobs that will attract an educated workforce; affordable and universal healthcare; an opportunity to turn our values and appreciation of the our landscape into a sustainable place that fosters a creative economy

education, education, education...nothing else will be possible if our young do not possess the skills required of the 21st century. Without the skills we will not have the opportunities for young people and we will become a land for the old and the poor.

The thoughts shared above reflect the challenges and hopes that we have in Pittsford. I do not think Pittsford is unique in any way.

One issue that I feel needs to be addressed is the lack of tourism and funding that Vermont historic sites reciev. there are around 13 state historic sites and many more parks. these sites need to be preserved for future generations. Veromont has many amazing historic sites they just need our help.

Vermonters need to realize how important there history is and that it is worth saveing. Many differnt historic sites around the state of Vermont need help financialy. These sites are either lacking funding or no one knows about them. We need to act now to preserve these sites for future generations.

Vermont means a place where good citizenship, common sense, hard work, neighborliness, individualism and a free-spirit are common values; where voicing your choice may make a difference. It's a beautiful landscape of woods, fields, mountains, hollows, where resilient, resourceful people are figuring out mundane or creative ways to make a living.

I hope Vermonters share the common values of simplicity, self-reliance, responsibility, healthy families, and love of land and nature.

Challenges: The decline, or too high a price, of fossil fuels Alternative transportation Caring for an aging population Enough meaningful work for everyone An ever more diverse population Opportunities: All of the above! Plus, new state leadership with vision!

Renewable fuel sources. Transitional Towns (UK as guideline). Responsible growth and development. Utilizing VT resources (and values) in addressing issues. Greening houses, both existing and new. Educating for, and supporting, responsible farming practices. Creating and supporting local businesses/economies.

I am moving from Middlebury to N. Ferrisburgh in a month, and I don't know yet about the isses facing my new town. But I do know it is a fine agricultural resource, and I expect it is facing (as most VT towns are) the pressures of sprawl. I look forward to learning more.

The variety of town/city/rural sizes are definitely attractive to me as well as the differences in altitude and proximity to Canada.

I think Vermonters love the different venues in entertainment, education, and health care. However, the employment sector sucks.

We have a definite opportunity to remain a very progressive stte in many ways, including but not limited to wind and solar energy. Idisagree with developers who insist that wind turbine towers need to be 400 feet high. There is a tower on the Danville School property that is definitely NOT 400 feet high. I have also seen a portable tower on a sailboat. Needless to say it was NOT 400 feet high.

We need to work together including with government to attract business as well as network with existing employers on the broadcasting of jobs as they come available. One other thing - whenever a business developer promises jobs, we need to know that they will be hiring Vermonters and not importing employees from other areas.

Danville is a good place to raise children and those of us who are young at heart. Our existing challenges of not enough jobs, high petroleum and food costs as well as high housing costs will remain the same in the future. I have heard thta in 10 years only the very wealthy and the very poor will be able to afford Vermont.

Vermont is a place I call home, it is a peaceful, green, and non-industrial state.

Their love of nature. Most Vermonters cannot stand large cities and love living almost in the wilderness.

Our cities are starting to get larger and look like what citizens from other states would call 'real' cities. Citizens from other states are starting to buy land and build houses in Vermont because it seems untouched by urban life. The more 'outsiders' that come to Vermont, the more urban Vermont becomes.

Preserving the vast wildlife of Vermont. There may not be as wide a variety of species as in some areas, but we have a larger population:land ratio than most states for many of the animals that life in Vermont.

They love and care about their community.

The chalenge that Vermonters face is low-income housing.

We have many homeless families who need low-income housing.

A place where my parents brought me to escape New York City. Its a place I call home and will call home for the rest of my life.

Independence. Vermonters think of themselves as independent and this is reflected in our politics. We elect not by party but by person. This is especially true with the election of Bernie Sanders and the changing of parties by Jim Jeffords.

Here in the Northeast Kingdom alcohol and drug addiction are rampant. A state liquor inspector once told me that the NEK consumes almost as much alcohol as the entire rest of the state. This is very concerning. Also the lack of jobs and depressed wages and benefits.

Jobs and education should be priority one and not just any kind of job. Jobs that pay decent wages and benefits something I have not had since I moved to the NEK in 1998.

I am totally out of touch with our community since my community seems to think that it can keep electing the same tired politicians and that things will actually change. People dont vote and dont want to be involved. This needs to change.

Returning here after living in Arizona for ten years gave me a sense of how valuable real Vermont honesty, trust, and freedom are. Vermont means community and life. It also means the health of nature, which needs to be respected.

As I've seen it, this really depends on the Vermonters. The most common values have been the need for freedom, sustainable/affordable living, and the availability of healthly choices.

The tax rate continues to rise, as do gas prices. Promotion of careful spending and alternative transportation. Ensuring the return of affordable living and better health choices. I'm very proud of Burlington for not having a McDonald's anymore.

As always, housing and gas prices, that continue to rise. Also, balancing Lake Champlain, and all water areas. We need these areas for the balance of nature and for recreational uses.

I'm graduating college soon and will be living in the general community again. I think the only way to make changes happen is to create that change. If people understand what needs to happen and why, I believe they can change.