It's the place you move to the second time around, when you're ready to get it right.

Living without compromise, without apology, without having to make excuses. Sure, this comes at a price, but it's worth it.

Keeping Vermonters focused on what they've got, instead of what they think they're missing. I think this applies in particular to younger native Vermonters who don't yet realize how fortunate they are.

To encourage economic growth that enhances the state's work climate without compromising our core values. To celebrate the aspects of Vermont life that we cherish, so we won't lose them.

My community is a good example of one that is somewhat out of touch with the core values that brought me to Vermont in the first place. South Burlington could learn a few things from Burlington and Montpelier.

rural working landscapes, agriculture and forestry, small communities, honest politics, engaged citizens, woodsmoke, colored leaves, farmhouse kitchens

love of the landscape and a sense of keeping some distance from the rest of mainstream America. I think people value the fact that life in Vermont is something that you can largely shape for yourself rather than having it composed of a thousand little conformities to the overwhelming world.

We need to establish such a degree of independence that we can shape our own future in a sustainable way. This doesn't mean not having any relations with the nation or the world, only that we are not trapped by conditions beyond our control.

Protecting the landscape. Building a locally self-reliant state economy based on sustainable agriculture and sustainable energy production.

I am interested and active in working with my community on land-use issues, and I hope to become more active with local groups dealing with local food and energy issues.

It means community, there aren't many other states out there were no matter where you go, you know someone.

I am one hundred percent serious while I am saying this , real maple syrup, also sort of maintaining vermont's identity, not changing too much, we are a bit ingrained in our ways.

Have more places in the southern half of the state for "young adults" I'm not talking teenagers here but like 20 year olds, I know my much older cousin hates to visit us in "the south" because he says there is nothing to do, but he is from Burlington

Don't change too much, just enough to help Vermont succeed.

see above, I also don't want my high school to change but this seems inevitable as there are more and more new students every year.

majestic,colorful,clean,unspoiled,natural. openminded,unassuming,logical,frugal,traditional.

tradition love of the land faith love of country

economic opportunity/prosperity healthcare reform energy alternatives social reform

Providing opportunities for young Vermonters so they do not move out of the state. Promote/support more and varied community based programs for the young and old.

I look at my state and it's communities as one. The state has done well, but there is always room for improvement.

Living every day with history, the farms down the road, always aware of landscape, friends on my hill, always looking at sky and seeing weather change, working on my old house, a tomato from my vegetable garden, wild turkeys crossing dirt road, blue mountains always in distance, quiet

independence, self-reliance, privacy, sense of place, commitment to living here, strong work ethic, awareness of ourselves as "Vermonters"

Challenges: growth under control so that we don't become a cold mini-New Jersey; turn off tv's and get involved; need governor for green energy policy and to wire state. Opportunities: small scale, work ethic,creativity, community, values

--high-speed internet everywhere --zoning to protect open land --education to foster creativity, entrepenuership and technology so younfg people can find work here --affordable healthcare --green energy business leader nationally --protect out Vermont "brand" by protecting agriculture and open land

We need better zoning--seems like many houses sprouting up in fields and orchards. More activities for young people (arts, business, sports, mentoring) so they aren't falling into drug use.. We need to GET WIRED to internet- a failure of leadership by Douglas that some Vermonters can't join global business community because they don't have access to highspeed internet.

I am very proud of Vermont's Natural Community. It is a big part of what makes "Vermont", Vermont to me. I would love to see the continued protection of our wetland, forest, stream, and lake ecosystems. This would allow for our many amazing native tree, bird, amphibian, plant, fish, reptile, mammal, etc, species to survive into the future.

Vermont to me, means family and rural scenic beauty. A slower pace to life and until recently a relatively safe crime free living.

I see a shift of values from my youth. Franklin county seems to be loosing its moral compass.

We need to reform our social support system. Our elderly and disabled are falling thru the cracks. It appears that we are breeding more generations dependent on the state. Increased efforts on health care, including dental and eye care.Opportunity lies with our youth. Public schools are failing the potential.More $ are spent are problem children.

Continue health care efforts, including dental and eye care. Preserve our natural resources, become more environmentally conscious. Improve our education system. More financial aid to deserving students. Reform the justice system to be fair and equitable, regardless where your case is heard. Bring a balance of equal justice for all similar crimes.

My family and I try by our deeds and actions to be the change we wish to see in others. We have raised our son by 1950's values,it was like swimming upstream at times, when our son mingled with others of different values. We are not alone, and a child maybe the change we need. We cling to this hope.

Green mountains, fresh air, opportunity, community, helping others to help themselves.

Hard work, enviromentally friendly, concern for thier fellow man and passion that all are done right.

The state needs to find a fair, way to tax and pay for education, reaching into one towns pocket so other towns get a free ride is unfair. permitting process less of a chore! helping hand up and not a hand out. Affordable housing should be a hand up to home ownership not a hand out or hand down to a life long of renting.

repeal act 60 and 68! use a borad based tax like maryland. affordable housing that allows people to buy a home not rent. small bsuiness incubator sites that allow small businesses to own not rent. clean wind energy and tax incentives for homeowners and businesses to install solar and wind power.

My community has good zoning laws that help to provide a clean, stable environment for business, but the state permitting process makes starting any kind os business an extra challenge here and in all communities in VT My name is Andy Tarantino and I own www.asafeplace.com

home.

independence, ruggedness, simple courtesy that goes beyond political persuasion

rights for same sex couples, employment, ethnic diversity (lack of it), education, rural internet connectivity

independence, ruggedness, simple courtesy that goes beyond political persuasion

Well, because I'm living abroad right now, my community is very far away. But the issues still very much apply. Bigotry and selfishness are a universal challenge.

It means "Green Mountains" to the French, and that's good enough for me.

- Individualism. - A love of tromping in the woods, though for vastly different reasons (rednecks for huntin', tree huggers for treehuggin'). - Bafflement with neighboring states.

- The depopulated Northeast.... how do we make a small-town, non-hip model attractive to our kids and the kids of the rest of the country (the ones who aren't selling drugs, at least)?

- small-scale Ag. - large-scale alternative power generation. - alternative education approaches. - replacing strip development with cornfields.

VT means Home.I've lived in 5 states, 4 countries, and traveled the world. VT's the only place in the world that so closely aligns with my own values as mother, professional, recreationalist, homeowner & citizen.It takes a village to raise a healthy/responsible/happy/ productive steward-citizen.I believethat VT has many resources avail. to help in raising my son to be this person.

VT reflects the values that I believe are foundation for healthy/robust state:apprec. for community, support for communial resources(libraries,community ctrs,health care,plow trucks!),cultural vibrancy (via rich,diverse arts/entertainment),fam. support,democracy(accessible government),acknowledged interdependency with natural lands.I think Vermonters share these values.

Chall:1)Afford. hous,2)Supp VT biz,3)Fuel costs,4)Qual of/access to excel. schools,5)Adqt transpo opts for VTers,6)Afford prop. taxes,7)Conserv/preservation nat. lands/hist props.Opps:VTers are aware of aforementioned challenges.I believe there is a will/desire among VTers to address these issues.Unlike many other states, VT still has the opp to conserve our lands.

The above-mentioned "challenges" make up my list of priorities (although not in order). Above all, however, the number one priority on all levels- community, state and national- should be ensuring our children's health, safety and education. Everyone, parents and non-parents, have a stake in the security of our children.

In supporting the school, library, small businesses, health center, woodlands and other natural areas.

A rural farming state focusing on sustainability and home-grown renewable energy, with small clean modern businesses, vibrant towns and villages and contained sprawl. More grassroots and volunteer participation in community efforts and activities

Rural landscape, love of mountains, small government and schools, independence, guaranteed health care and affordable living

The challenge of working with a timid governor with no forward-thinking future plan, unable to envision a more sustainable state and lacking compassion for the less fortunate. Opportunities abound at the grassroots level to work for health care for all, production of Vermont-grown food and leadership in establishing Vermont's energy future

Each town needs to take the initiative for its own energy program: conservation and renewable system(s) and providing local foods for schools and community. It's time to downscale huge houses and large vehicles or face much higher taxes on them

We're working on it already - it will take more participation and teamwork

Enjoying the more simple aspects of life; mountains, the sky, the weather & all its changes, the wild animals, my neighbors & friends. Vermont closely aligns with my own set of personal values as mother/wife, a citizen and volunteer of my community and an outdoor enthusiast.

Independence and sense of place and time. Enjoying the natural beauty that vermont offers. Embracing the many cultures and people.

Keeping Vermont the way it is ...in many ways. We don't want to be a suberb of New Jersey. Green energy. Conservation of land. Affordable property tax. School education. Health care for all. Keeping younger people in the state. Affordable housing for all.

See my above list.

My community needs to adopt a more open minded attitude and let go of the "old way". More zoning needs to be had in order to meet the needs of conservation of land.

We share, hard work, small town ethics, and constitutional government.

Vermonters as a whole face increasing threats on our rights under the federal government. We pay too much in federal taxes, and don't see enough benefits (bailouts, housing crisis, etc... most of which isn't our problem.

keeping taxes and government to a minimum, encourage growth within the state. Fight against federal spending, and advocate for a more strict interpretation of the constitution.

Recent economic downturn has laid many people off in industry, mostly from problems outside of our state. Higher taxes are discouraging growth.

Vermont is a beautiful state being strangled by high taxes and a stifling regulatory environment leading to the departure of our best and brightest to states where there are real opportunities.

We need to cut the size of state government by eliminating expensive programs that we simply cannot afford. The goal should be to reduce the overall tax burden for businesses and individuals.

We need to build a strong tax base by promoting private growth and development through the elimination of overly burdensome state regulatory barriers.

Vermont is a getaway from overcrowded, stress-filled Southern New England. It is a pastoral retreat where nature and natural beauty is a priority. It is a state that doesn't judge you -- everyone just wants to live the life they choose.

Love of the land and tolerance for all.

One hundred percent internet and cell phone access. This state puts people at a disadvantage or at risk by not providing the technology America runs on. Vermont could be a leader in alternative energy and living green. Why we haven't taken those bulls by the horn I don't understand.

Setting priorities around what we want our state to be, and then communicating this to all residents. For example, some of us want VT to be a tourist mecca, but the way we treat visitors is not in keeping with such a goal.

I have no idea.

home; where i have raised my children; where i'm connected. within it's borders it feels peaceful - a very noticeable feeling upon returning

most Vermonters notice that feeling of relief and peace when they return from being away all Vermonters want to live a decent life, want the same for their neighbors, want their lives to be meaningful, fun. we value work.

same as national AND maintaining a quality of life that is created of the whole environment and people but not easily defined

community, education, environment, jobs, farming, decency, civic & neighborly commitment

A special place where our family chose to live in 1982. It offers natural beauty, peace & quiet & a vibrant arts & literary community. Although income levels are slightly below the national average, the trade off in quality of life is worth while.

A sense of community where neighbors help those in need. A higher level of participation in community organizations & activities than elsewhere in the nation. Love of the land.

The challenges involve getting through the recession & rebuilding the economy. The opportunities are to move our state ahead on such issues as universal health care & gay marriage.

1. Restore the economy. 2. Establish a universal health care system. 3. Legalize gay marriage.

Education funding continues to be a major issue in Chester. I believe the people of Chester are treated fairly with the current system, although the two vote law for school budgets increased more than the rate of inflation should be repealed. Education leaders should do a better job of communicating to voters the need to support the schools.

We came to live year round to escape the negatives of suburban life- noise drugs traffic and crowed schools . It was cultural shock for my older son but prepared him well for the outside world. We made the right choice and i am 6th generation to live here. My children now have the beat of two worlds good jobs in city and here for vacations!

this is a question that is different for each section of the state. In small towns we respond to unexpected needs of people and help them .

We came to live year round to escape the negatives of suburban life- noise drugs traffic and crowed schools . It was cultural shock for my older son but prepared him well for the outside world. We made the right choice and i am 6th generation to live here. My children now have the beat of two worlds good jobs in city and here for vacations!

this is a question that is different for each section of the state. In small towns we respond to unexpected needs of people and help them .

the lack of cell service and fast internet is a HUGE drag on the economics of our state . It is appalling this has not been addressed sooner so that we are not behind the curve as we are at present. I have dsl in both my hones but not cell.

we need a more forceful forward thinking governor. Some one who have NIT spent his or her life in state government, never working in the private sector is a negative for our state.

Vermont for me is synonymous with strong community, beautiful rural landscapes, a deep tradition of working the land, with socially and politically progressive population centers throughout the state

Strong community, and sustainable use of our land

Vermont does not have enough jobs to offer the people who want to live here. I and many others worry that we will be forced to look for work outside of Vermont.

Keeping young bright minds in the state by encouraging the growth of businesses and organizations that work on global issues.

Like the captive insurence bizness we should go after corperate registrations based on transparency and honesty and scruples those values our state is known for. When asked where.."a Delaware Corperation" is mumbled where " A Vermont Coperation" is sung loudly

Special place, untouch, tranquil, colorful place to live and to raise a family and that's exactly what I did.

Although this state is pretty homogenous, Vermonters are tolerant. Live and let live kind of attitude. Vermonters have a strong community.

First in mind is that there is not much jobs here for our young talented college graduate children. We need to create jobs for our children so that they don't have to go to China to find jobs.

Vermont should be more accepting toward different cultures. Make Vermont as a livable State for all. Vermont is not a cheap place to live if you don't have a good paying job.

Continue to share that values by being more open to the different corners of the world.

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Vermont means to me the ability to have "otherness" living and prospuring all in one community. It means to take pride in doing what is right for all instead of selfishly being concerned with your self. It means to have unwavering pride and boastfully speaking to those who don't know about us.

Our common values vary but progress towards equality is always been in the forefront of Vermont. Our agreement to support the future of Vermont and be sustainable also brings us common values.

The biggest challenge facing Vermont is its ideals vs. wants. Ideally we want to be rural and progressive, but we want better paying jobs and affordable housing. We wish for the private sector to grow but do not want to give up our social service programs.

The number one priority is how do we make our state attractive to clean, green, and Vermont friendly business that brings us funds to support our progressive and socially responsible ideas.

Rutland is a dieing town, business leaves left and right, leaving deep holes in our budget and edifice. The city needs a jump start of business arts and population if it plans to survive in the next century.