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To the Editor:
An earlier LTE regarding the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (FWD) failure to represent Vermonters pointed to a culture that is not reflective of the state at large. The same LTE offered evidence of a hiring practice that ensures Vermont values also won’t be reflected in the makeup of staff.
To add to the issues with FWD management comes their decision to embark upon a greenwashing campaign on Vermont Public (radio). While there are countless sound reasons that businesses and individuals should support Vermont Public (VP), what is jarring is the use of public funds by a state agency in order to recognize FWD as a fiscal sponsor. The clear goal is to suggest to listeners, consciously or subconsciously, that FWD values align with VP’s when, in fact, that alignment does not exist. If VP listeners more or less reflect the state as a whole, then most people strive to coexist with nature, not dominate it, as is the prevailing value held at FWD. And while other state agencies lay off staff, FWD uses precious resources not to address wildlife issues but, rather, to fund a campaign to apply concealer to the FWD’s bruised image (largely as a result of controversial management decisions). Management at FWD has lost its way, and worse, it seems that there’s no one in either ANR Secretary Moore’s or the governor’s office to mind the store.
The idea that FWD management, Secretary Moore, and the governor have turned a blind eye to the issues at FWD, and most grievously, the lack of representation of Vermonters on staff or management levels, is a core breakdown of state government.
Vermonters are paying an ever-increasing amount to fund the FWD as license sales fall (an ongoing trend since the mid-1970s). Values have changed, interests and expectations have changed, and there is an urgent need for a FWD focused largely on the 1,000-plus Vermont species that are facing imminent threats to their survival. Of course, fishing and hunting activities deserve their fair share of state resources; but do they deserve an extraordinary portion of state resources and an entire agency culture too? FWD wants to make sure the public is fully involved in helping fund the department with a new fee to use public lands, yet the last thing it wants is to have the public interests represented within the department’s staff or the FW Board. More hypocrisy from the administration.
A most basic requirement of government is to require that various agencies address the needs and expectations of the people. Sadly, the executive branch has failed to ensure that FWD is transforming to meet the new moment we are in. It is also a clear demonstration of a failure of imagination.
-Lisa Jablow, Brattleboro
We Need A Republican Senate:
Like all Vermont’s registered Democrats, I received a request from May Hanlon, Executive Director of Vermont Democrats to donate money to retake the Democratic Senate seats lost in 2024.
I am a lifelong Dem. And, I am angry with my Party’s disruptive, expensive and mandatory legislation that caused an earthquake in 2024. Republicans took six more Senate seats.
I am also offended that the General Assembly Democratic leadership has been in a partnership with the enviro NGOs and the wealthy foundations that fund them. We know how money travels in that circle. House and Senate Democrats benefit from the campaign support they receive. It makes me question how we are being governed.
A Democratic SuperMajority and a Democrat in the governor’s chair scares me because they will control the entire enactment of any ‘save the planet’’ ideas or other foundation supported visions with funding going to lobbyists who ask legislative favors of Party leaders. A Republican SuperMajority scares me as well.
I am 82 and rely on heating oil. Democrats relentlessly campaign to follow the U.N. 30 by 30 and 50 by 50, and the GWSA with help from foundation funding. They won’t give up. It pays their mortgage.
Massachusetts and New York Governors’ shelved similar U.N. – oriented ‘save the planet’ campaigns. That is a bad scenario for me; Dem/Prog control of the debate on how I heat my home.
What this lifelong Democrat wants is a Senate Republican Majority.
One third of us are 65 and older. We’re living on Social Security and looking at benefit reductions in 2032. Vermont’s increasing cost of living must be throttled back in this decade. Lowering my cost of electricity, protecting my woodstove are some of the ‘promises’ I want to hear from both Parties. But I do not believe the Vermont Democratic Party would ever vote to terminate the Global Warming Solutions Act.
The foundation connection and new arrivals with progressive visions will protect the GWSA. So, I need three or more Senate Republicans to provide a check and balance on how we are governed.
A Republican chair of the Natural Resources & Energy Committee can force a House and Senate debate on how to lower my cost of electricity, etc. A Bi-Partisan General Assembly is the only process that can bring our Ship of State upright.
We older folks also need our children to stay nearby lest our standard of living older will be severely compromised.
That will take two separate Majorities to debate, compromise, share ideas and make deals to better all of us. Start with the electric power meter.
All of us will benefit from this new governance of bi-partisanship.
I’ve lived here a decade and I see the train-a-coming. Most of us do. The State budget must be balanced. It will take Republicans to fight for that. School rehab estimates are $8 billion.
Our best defense is a Republican Senate to force cooperation with House Democrats.
We are becoming a disjointed people and losing our focus on each other. Rural folks have been called ‘cave dwellers’. Now, they are being heard and want more attention paid to their education system, private property protection and economic investments.
Regardless of your Party affiliation, I urge you to see the value of a Republican Senate.
It’s really about giving our children a reason to stay.
So, May Hanlon, no thanks.
-John McCormick, Bristol
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Categories: Letters to the Editor
Peoples perspective about nature may have changed, but nature is the same. Do people even know there are predators and prey? Where is the outrage about the emerald ash borer? Are we familiar with chestnut blight and Dutch elm disease and what happened with those invasive species?
People who have no understanding about nature, who walk close to bios on in our national parks, who complain about normal farming practices want to dictate Vermont policy, the laws of nature are not a democracy. You can’t vote to make transgender animals, to stop others from eating each other alive as much as you might like to do.
There are many pesky groups who think they control nature and our state wildlife, they are simply out of touch.
Touché John McCormick from Bristol. Our founders never intended for either party to become a super majority, look what’s happened, the GWSA has nearly bankrupted Vt., UN agendas were never Vermont values any of us wanted, yes we need a balanced Montpelier.
Thank you, Mr. McCormick for your letter. I agree we need more Republicans, but not only in the Senate, but also the House. Representatives are supposed to work for the People, as well, not just Senators. I witness the minority Republicans in House Health Care and House Human Services being dismissed, disrespected, and passively bullied by the super-majority in those committees. Democrats rule in House Judiciary, as well. Representatives Rob North and Michael Tagliavia provided the intellect and tenacity in House Committee on Environment to get the road rule and tier 3 repealed from Act 181. Representative Zachary Harvey also boldly held House Judiciary in check with Reps Tom Oliver and Tom Burditt. Who we elect for State Repsresentative matters as much as who we elect for State Senate. Both chambers need balance.
A 50/50 split or even a near split would give way to better discussions and better legislation coming out of Montpelier. Even one hand washes the other politics is better than the democrats”our way or the highway” decisions, especially when it comes to spending (and in some cases giving away our) money.
Back in the days when Republicans controlled Montpelier Vermont was far better off, it was live and let live. For the past years the Interstates were constructed and Flatlanders moved in, and Montpelier became ruled by Liberals. In contrast observe how the state has become today. Total upheaval, people don’t own their lands, kids education tanked to the lowest in the nation and very expensive. And they think VT is the greatest. Look who is constantly voted in to Congress to represent VT, but in reality they just represent themselves. All of them were out-of stater (Flatlanders). There are good Flatlanders and lousy ones, mostly in Montpelier. I’m 86 and experienced a lot of change in VT. Like Mr McCormick being 82, we both know something having been around the barn a few times. I’m a Constitutional Conservative, not Rep or Dem, just a realist and respectful of how life once was and remain hopeful for the next generation.
……….” I’m a Constitutional Conservative, not Rep or Dem, just a realist and respectful of how life once was and remain hopeful for the next generation.”…….Couldn’t agree more Mr.Chase…
Mr. McCormick, I want to thank you for your heartfelt comments. You ring true with many long-time Vermonters, but please be careful, you are beginning to sound like a Republican. With these kinds of thoughts you may find yourself on the outside looking in. One benefit of being a seasoned citizen is one develops a perspective over time. As I read your words I heard an old-time Vermont Democrat speaking. Yes, folks like my long since passed Dad, a lifelong Vermont Democrat, often spoke those same words. That is the true voice of rural Vermonters, not those “damned flatlanders” as my Dad used to call them. Another of my Dad’s ponderings was, “why do people complain about the mess called city life, move to Vermont because it is so cute, quaint, and peaceful, only settle down and begin to change our state into the same mess they came from?” I hope I live long enough to see the real, old-time Democrats rise up and push the Progressives back into the darkness from whence they came.