A place with a rich and proud history, plenty of forest and water for recreation, and open-minded, generally progressive people. It is also a place under attack by developers out to make a quick buck.

Most Vermonters care about the environment and maintenance of our dairy and sugaring heritage. There are fewer blindly patriotic people here than elsewhere in the country, but enough to make war a divisive issue, and memorials to the fallen the most common form of public art (rather depressing given all the inventive and creative Vermonters of the past 2.5 centuries).

Global warming and declining fossil fuels will pound Vermonters during the next few decades- we need to adapt. Especially important will be increased public transportation, greater use of rail, greater centralization of villages (less suburban sprawl), increased local agriculture and small businesses. The benefits will be closer, more friendly communities and less stressful lives.

Vastly expanding public transportation and bike paths; discouraging further suburbanization; creating urban parks and gathering areas to relieve the need to drive into the countryside; finding alternative energy sources; reserving land for market agriculture or family garden plots.

Essex Town may be the worst example of a Vermont town on the wrong track. While the Town plan is progressive, it is ignored by Town governance, which is obsessed with promoting development and economic growth at any cost. Farm and forest land is being turned into suburbs and almost no one has a sense of Town history. Residents work and recreate elsewhere.

I think we have a conflict in a couple of key values. One is our independence, the other our desire to "do the right thing." For example, we're all for renewable energy, but we want the independence to do what we wish with "our" land, regardless of what's in the interests of the common good.

Knowing my neighbors, room to stretch, green politics, living in paradise, hiking up mountains, using my brain

Respect for individual rights, freedom of religion, care for the environment and respect for nature

pollution, economic collapse, loss of downtowns, education education education

Education, education, education. More than anything else, giving opportunities to our young is the best way to ensure a bright future.

School budgets and property tax arguments are really short sighted. I am embarrassed when my community can't pass a school budget. I am embarrassed that we treat teachers like second-class professionals. Also: I would like to see alternative energy options, including wind power, all over Vermont. We should be leading the way for this country.

Creative; tolerant; community-oriented; small; forests; familiar; settled; beautiful; hills; cold; neighborly; meetings; slowly changing; snow; water; historic.

belief that our natural and built environment is closely linked; belief that we can still work together to keep our part of the world sane.

challenges: how to integrate change into the existing framework of Vermont; how to stay Vermont while being part of a national and global economy; how to deal with changing demographics and new immigrants from around the world; how to keep our politics civil.

1. provide for growth and development that doesn't change Vermont's essential character. 2. provide for Vermonters' needs in health care and housing. 3. deal with global warming by reducing our dependence on oil -- especially important to change our transportation policies away our over dependence on cars; and our land use policies to enable this.

For Burlington, need to allow for more housing and population, while maintaining the basic character of the city and its natural areas and open space. Also need to foster active citizen partnership and "civic engagement."

Vermont means tolerance and respect for all living things. Vermont means independence and leadership. Vermont means a high quality of life for all.

Priorities --A high quality of life for all by protecting the environment and open space; by making sure there is affordable housing in city and village centers; fast and reliable public transportation such as high speed train throughout our region; universal healthcare; energy efficiency and renewable clean evergy options.

We need high speed, reliable public transit, we need much more affordable housing in the city center and close to the center of the city that is in diverse socioeconomic neighborhoods. We need to make sure that parks and open space throughout our county and the rest of Vermont are perserved.

Vermont is a special state - small, rural, with some of the best natural beauty in the country. People look out for one another and the majority care about their community. It is a place where you can really become involved at any level, whether it be politics or a local organization.

Respect for the natural environment and each other. Concern about the well-being of each other. Vermonters overall are generous with their time and money.

Biggest challenge is how to apportion taxes so that we can provide basic education and services for all Vermonters. There's a big income gap and the majority of Vermonters are paying as much as they can afford, yet there are unmet needs. Wealthier Vermonters need to contribute more so we can all benefit from living in this beautiful state.

We're facing an energy crisis in this country and VT is particularly hard hit because of the higher heating costs and greater distances traveled for work. We need to increase subsidies for home insulation and energy efficiency for those who can't afford it in order to reduce annual costs and demand. We need more renewable energy. We need better public transportation so people can use less gas.

Middlebury already has advantages but there are still many here needing help. We're all in this together - we should think on a state level rather than community by community. The wealthier communities need to share with the less fortunate communities in the state.

Progressive thinking people. Rural living. Smallness.

An energy challenged future. An opportunity to relocalize.

Working toward a more energy efficient, sustainable life style.

Our challenges will be more successfully addressed in our local communities.

Vermont means home to me. I have only lived away from here for 7 years of my life and never intend to leave again. When I was very young growing up on a dairy farm in Weybridge, Vermont meant community, family & cooperation to me. There was safety & security in knowing your neighbors and sharing a common caring for the community & state we lived long side each other in.

I am not sure that Vermonters these days share many common values anymore. However, I think if Vermont is going to weather the current challenges it faces, Vermonters must come to share the common values that are defined in our state constitution and accept a lot more personal responsibility and tolerance& respect for the inherent rights of others.

Much of Vermont's challenges stem from our state's dependence upon federal funds & acceptance of federal mandates, even when neither is in the best interest of Vermont and it's people. We must maximize the many opportunities we can create to become a more self sufficient state, provide more jobs and opportunities for Vermonters.

To provide the means for Vermont to become self sufficient in as many areas as possible. Vermonters can do it, if we all come together...not just a few elite Vermonters, as has been, but all Vermonters, as it should be.

I see many communities suffer from lack of citizen involvement. Many small, rural communities such as Lowell are plague by generations of the same families holding the power within the town. Many wish to get "new blood" in, but because there are several generations related to these individuals, it is nearly impossible to do so.

Vermont means clean air, friendly neighbors, safety, environmental awareness. Vermont is a place that visitors escape to, and residents are happy to come home to. It means care - for each other, for the land, for our civil liberties, human rights and social justice. That is the ideal, though we have some work to do.

Most folks value family, and work hard to provide for those families; taking care of the environment, of conserving and recycling. Most Vermonters support their community by supporting neighbors, rather than sitting on boards and councils. I hope this project finds a way to reach those neigborhood heroes, because they are the heart and soul of this state.

Challenges: Affordable housing for working families. Family violence Employment Transportation Health Care/Insurance Transitioning youth to adulthood successfully Economic disparity/inequality; social classes Opportunities: We need to bring all people to the table; this project is a great start, but it will be important to note whose voices are missing as well as whose are heard.

People need to feel safe, warm, cared for. They need to feel self-worth. If we empower families, recognize individuals' value, and work together to find genuine ways for each to contribute to solutions, our systems will be stronger, and our communities will thrive.

I have wonderful neighbors in Hardwick, but I know that there is pain there, as well. Finding ways to bring people together in a non-threatening and purposeful way will help. I wonder if this can be done almost by neighborhood. As far as priorities: for the short term, we have got to find a way to pool resources to make sure people are fed and warm this winter.

A chance to live a good life, among other independent-minded people who are willing to cooperate when the going gets tough. Vermont represents the opportunity for responsible stewardship of natural resources, creative problem solving, and progress toward a future that benefits current residents and preserves a world worth handing to our children.

Concern for an appreciation of Vermont's natural resources; frugality and independent-mindedness; the ability to pull together; willingness to bicker with your neighbors and then sit down together afterwards to a bowl of hot chili (town meeting; social capital).

Energy prices will continue to rise as demand outstrips supply, pressuring the economy, impacting jobs, resulting in continued price rises in food and other necessities. Opportunity lies within the crisis itself: relocalize, revitalize our communities, and develop resilience by doing so.

Invest in locally generated and distributed energy and energy efficiency/conservation. Decentralize jobs; revitalize communities. Fully fund public transportation. Increase sustainable agriculture. Implement universal health care.

Essex: fully preserve and utilize agricultural land for agricultural purposes. Develop transit-oriented design, taking advantage of link to CCTA, rail, carpool options (there is no park and ride in Essex to date), and biking for commuters. Develop local job market. MUCH more could and should be done to encourage sustainability.

Independent, industrious, frugal, agricultural, environmentally aware, proactive and cautious.

Community, self reliance and determination.

Energy, diversity, job growth and opportunities. Safe, local, reliable food water source.

Increase opportunities for small business. Energy efficiencies and independence. Health care for all Vermonters - focus on wellness - preventative care incentives.

The old north end of Burlington - we need job opportunities, job training and education to obtain jobs that pay a livable wage. We need education about life style choices that affect our health. Energy efficiency to reduce living expenses.

Though it's rapidly changing, it's rural dairy country like where I grew up (which is gone), small towns, neighboring farms, knowing our neighbors and most townspeople, good local racetracks. Town meetings are essential.

Challenges: keeping rapid changes in check:development, esp. on our mountains; low service wages (tourism); lack of public transit,increasing heat. Opportunities: current use; income sensitivity for taxes; tech.ed. for good trades jobs,always needed & well paid.

Individual responsibility for climate-change needs; massive public education re invasives which are devastating our natural habitats; buy USA/VT for jobs; shop locally, keep profits in our towns, not in huge corporations.

I've always lived in mountains, farmlands, mostly changed now. People stay here because they love mtns/views, then build houses high in mtns., clear trees for views, and we have to look at them. Strict,far from ridgeline/building limits essential.

Vermont is a special place. It means freedom, tolerance, consideration for neighbors, care for children and stewardship of the land and natural resources.

respect for diverse opinions and ways of life, contributing to society, open dialogue.

take forfront in progressive evironmental programs, clean energy and organic farming. increase clean industries such as health-care, education, human services.

healthy lifestyles/healthy environment

Montpelier is in process of evaluating how best to preserve the special qualities of the city while expanding economic and housing opportunities.

A beautiful place to live mostly unspoiled by suburban sprawl, big box stores and malls. A citizenry more committed to community and a sense that we're in this together, while respecting individuality, than the rest of the U.S.

A citizenry committed to community and a sense that we're in this together, while respecting individuality. Work ethic.

The rise of a U.S. culture that "you're on your own," that there's no such thing as community, just individuals and their families. Rising inequality. The impact of neo-liberal economics and neo-liberal gloabalization undermining local self-sufficiency and a sustainable Vermont economy.

Rebuilding social infrastructure: making local democracy more powerful, e.g. town meetings making quality health care a human right livable wages and viable local businesses affordable public higher education and job training

making local democracy more powerful, e.g. town meetings local energy self-sufficiency

Vermont means a place where my values are the same as those people around me ... ecological stewardship, community spirit, respect for basic rights and freedoms. And a slower way of life with the conveniences of urban areas nearby.

Ecological stewardship -- to some that means abstaining from development; to others, development done responsibly. Community Spirit -- valuing your neighbors and your community. Respect for basic rights and freedoms -- everyone feels passionately about this subject, but yet there are wide interpretations about what this means.

Maintaining a rural feel while keeping up with the rest of the nation technologically. Sourcing renewable energy that everyone can agree on. Affordable post-secondary education.

Energy and education. We need to find a clean, affordable way to power our homes, business, and transportation. Additionally, education funding is too complicated for PreK-12 students, and too expensive for college students.

Milton is notoriously tight on its school budgets, we're going for our third vote this month. Sometimes it's more a battle of egos than real dollars. But when push comes to shove, we pull together as a town. We support our local farmers, and have a small (but growing) farmer's market. And the town does support free rec paths, parks and natural areas.

1. not too-far-gone already in terms of sprawl -- we can still be smart about it 2. excellent access to, and infrastructure for, outdoor recreation 3. very good attitude towards community 4. excellent attitude towards preservation of small towns 4. excellent natural beauty

1. realize importance of natural beauty 2. realize importance of small towns (and community spirit that goes with them) 3. generally development is NOT the only answer

1. provide better health care. 2. provide better incentives for Vermont youth to STAY in Vermont 3. provide more incentives for renewable energy. 4. provide more public transit. Put a commuter train along the midway of I-89. State gov't should incentivize it -- for builders and for commuters.

1. Reduce carbon emissions. Incentivize energy conservation and renewable energy. Wind power and solar energy. 2. affordable universal health care. 3. more public transit. 4. clustered-pattern development for new subdivisions.

1. better public transport inter-city. 2. bike and pedestrian ways along major roads. E.g. Paine turnpike. (similar to Plattsburgh main road). battery-powered bicycle rickshaws for up/down hill; hire students to drive them. could be XC ski in winter also.

I enjoy my annonimity and the privacy that Vermont provides me. I love being able to step out of my home and into the forest and hear nothing but the babbling brook at the bottom of the hill, the critters, and the rustling of the trees.

I think there is a dicotomy between woodchucks and flatlanders and as such there are really no common values per se. I think Vermonts do tend to fool themselves and think that they have a corner on common sense and world matters, but I find that they are very provincial in their outlook and not well informed on matters that do not pertain to their country and the world in general.

You have to get control over the property tax situation because those that you are hurting the most seem to be those native born Vermonters you cherish most.

You need to get over the fact that Vermont's character is not going to be able to remain the same. You have to have reasonable adjustments to your expectations that in order for this state ot survive you are going to have to attract & retain businesses, retain skilled labour, lower taxes, and build your infrastructure to support a vibrant economy.

They really do not. Randolph is going to implode with the level of taxes for schools, new projects for the town, decaying infrastructure, and the apparent disinterest of the local citizens to take a stand to bring about change. Just look at the voting turn out on any issues. Folks just don't seem to care.

Livable wages and a cost of living that is affordable for those other than people who have moved here with money. The average person cannot afford to maintain a life here. Until we can support ourselves and our families, we really don't care about solar panels at bus stops. We need to be able to make enough money to survive and not have to give it all away to taxes!

Being a fifth generation Vermonter, Vermont means quality to me, a sense of neighborliness, genuiness and independence. These hills cradle the lives of people who strive to be in contact with nature as well as others and their work. I believe it is this relationship with nature that sets Vermont apart from other states.

Vermonters share values of honesty and independence. Vermonters used to do business on a handshake knowing that honesty was one of the highest values one could possess and was apparent throughout the state. We are a hard working, genuine, independent people.

School taxes/property taxes is a challenge. I believe that the educational system needs a clean sweep with an eye toward lowering costs. I think this is an opportunity to look at how we can "reinvent" education delivery to our children and come up with cutting edge ways rather than the traditional regional school design.

Coupled together are education reform and tax relief. More public transportation to the rural areas. Trains are an affordable means of transportation. Trains once connected our towns. Alternative energy could be the focus for our jobs growth.

There are challenges which my community faces, namely the tax situation. How that is going to play out is anybody's guess. Overall, though, I think that Montpelier has a vision for the future and is working toward that vision.

It's a SANE place to live. It's still rural with a self-sufficient ethic that has allowed us to live reasonably sustainable lives.

We value self-sufficiency, hard work, caring about our neighbors, towns and state.

Keeping food on the table is hard. The economy needs more help.

Keep taxes and regulations to a minimum. Cut state spending and state jobs. Make Act 250 more friendly and streamlined. Fix our roads and bridges.

Don't know.

Vermont is my home and a place that allows me to raise my family in a safe and healthy environment

Independence and self reliance.

affordable housing, jobs and education

alternative energy and job growth

they all apply

There should be a park and ride in White River Junction. You have interstate 89 and 91 both entering into the community. I think many Vermonters would use it and help our green state.

+ An independent, rural state with a great sense of community and helping your neighbors.

There's not enough Vermonter's left to state what common values are shared. Values such as trust have been replaced with locked doors and security systems. Helping one another has been replaced with state and community institutions.

The biggest challenge of all is creating an environment where our children can remain in Vermont and have decent jobs with wages.

Attract some of the larger business that can pay well keep our children in Vermont, and take some of the pressure of the education tax off homeowners.

The story is told of the traveler who stopped at the first service station in Vermont on a rainy night to replace a defective windshield wiper. The attendant told him he did not have that type of wiper blade; the station ahead would. The driver asked for a fill up anyway. The attendant said, no, that wouldn't be right to have his neighbor just replace the wiper.

Vermonters remember when community meant neighbors helping neighbors.

As transplants increase and native Vermonters decrease, the challenge is to maintain the character of the state. There is the story of easterners who moved to dessert lands of the southwest to escape the allergens associated with foliage. The fist thing they did was irrigate the land an introduce the types of foliage they were accustomed to.

Economic development ought not to come at the expense of community.

Building community is hard work.

Rural, agricultral, small town, safety/low crime, should be leaders in the "green" movement

appreciation for the land, ability to do for themselves and innovation

Challenges -- sprawl, too much traffic/pollution; high prices for staples -- food, heating fuel, etc... and with the grain being needed for fuel, I can't understand why VT is leading the country in production Opportunties - come together to solve problems

clean environment through alternative heating and fuel resources -- WIND power a must!, safe communities and job opportunities for all (a livable wage) and state of art educational system for ALL -- including children and youth with special needs

Not sure I understand the question ... what are we in jericho doing about the above? we are writing grants for sidewalks so more walking can occur (healthier and less fuel dependent), school boards work on above issues for school community .. more can be done

Vermont is home. Vermont always means more to me inside when I return home then when I left. Vermont is worth the effort.

Other then our heightened awareness of common sense, I think the common values shared amongst Vermonters are similar as those shared by Mankind. Value judgements about people from one state vs. another are in a way a prejudicial statement about out-of-staters. That being said...I'd like to think we here in Vermont are a little ahead of the curve on a lot of different issues.

Energy, the economy and global warming. Reducing our carbon footprint because it will save money. We need to cease shipment of our retirement and our kid's inheritances to Middle-Eastern countries for their oil.

Facing the writing on the wall with a realistic view of knowing our problems are going to happen. Searching for and coming to decisions about some value changes as far as not in my back yard goes. Planning for responding now to these coming changes is paramount.

We moved to our community for it's diversity and education. Many of my thoughts and concerns about these issues are shared in our community being actively discussed. Business here seem to exude the inventor spirit and timely in their embrace of appropriate technology.

Vermont means green mountains, cool summers, long winters, small communities, friendly poeple, good food, great place to raise kids, environmental awareness, small farms. It also means expensive heating bills, high taxes, cars that rust too quick, low wages, and disgruntled natives. But I love this place, and I can't imagine calling any other place home.

Depends on if you talk to native Vermonters, because I don't think Vermonters share a lot of values with the huge portion of the population that are transplants. That said, I think we all share a love of this land, these rolling mountains and valleys of Vermont, and we all want to see it stay relatively the same.

Challenges: High cost of living. Why does Cabot cheese, a local Vermont company, cost more at Shaw's than the New York Shaw's brand of cheese? Same with local meats versus Perdue. I can't even afford to support local business on my salary, and yet we have this huge local business moving going on. How can a person on a typical Vermont salary, which is low, afford to support this movement?

Level the wage gaps, more education, less sprawl.

Montpelier is peculiar in that we have the highest taxes, but most people I know who work decent jobs are struggling with the weight of bills and the high cost of living and childcare. Sure, the schools are great, our community is safe, our downtown is thriving, but I know it is hard to keep it up.

Home. I've lived here all my adult life - forty years - and came here to stay with my brother before that.A place saner than a lot of the this country. It's a relatively quieter and safer place than many. We haven't locked our doors in the forty years since I've been here. It means woods, not malls. Though there are exceptions, most people here are pretty accepting of each other.

Most people living here like the beauty of the state and the relative quiet, lack of traffic jams, etc. But there are wealthy second-homers who are oblivious to the struggles of those of us who work for a living, whether they are "natives" or "non-natives".

Manufacturing jobs going to China/high cost of fuel.Opportunity in building trades to create renewable energy/retrofit homes.State could provide energy related jobs, insulate homes.Should be wood pellet manufacturers in thisstate.Sharemorewineighbors-rides,tools,gardening, visits. Ways that saving on fuel can bring us back to basic values.

Jobs from green energy.Hydropower in small streams.Transportation solutions through trains, buses, carpooling, registered hitchhiking, trolleys.Raise taxes for people with second homes.Use less electricity-figure out how our parents did it&get rid of those gadgets.This will create jobs that can't be shipped to China and are more satisfying in the long run.

2 communities:our neighborhood,our town. Important to prioritize to see how we can use less energy and create jobs around energy usage. Decision makers could hold this as a priority.We need to creatively deal with these changes by working together. Seeing how we can consume less and enjoy the simpler things of life.

Freedom and natural beauty

Independence from government

Increased taxes and higher energy costs

Lower taxes and better fuel effciency

I am involved in local activities

a unique place where there is a spirit of open-ended possibility and a tradition of resourcefulness

tolerance, respect, ingenuity

falling victim to corporatization and the mythology of "the market"........

preservation of unique character and landscape

There is an influx of young people I KNOW "from away" settling here specifically to pursue and help promote Vermont's VERMONT-NESS. These people are interested in preserving traditions and the landscape, while moving forward with progressive ideas about local sustainability.