Open Issues Forum Draws 25,
‘Lower Taxes’ Not Mentioned
By Sara Nelson

An open forum with state representatives drew 25 people to the meeting room at Maple Cake Farm in Randolph Center last Thursday.

The forum was organized by the town Democratic Committee, but citizens of all political stripes were invited to voice concerns and brainstorm solutions with each other and with State Reps. Jim Hutchinson and Patsy French.

After a potluck dinner, committee chair and moderator Steve Springer asked the group to list the issues facing children, young adults, and older adults in the region.

Group members discussed a broad range of topics, including health care, education, the cost of living, energy, the aging of Vermont’s population, prison funding, and the war in Iraq.

In the final part of the discussion, Springer asked the crowd, "What can we do about these things?"

Many in the gathering called for shifts in thinking, suggesting more emphasis be placed on neighborhoods and community. Many participants prescribed strengthening the local economy, prompting one speaker to clarify, "not just the economy, but local thinking."

One person suggested that to curb energy use the town should encourage walking and build bike paths. Some people called on the state to invest in renewable energy.

Other calls for action centered on the Iraq war. One participant suggested that Vermont step up its care for veterans. Phyllis Forbes, a former selectwoman, spoke out for a "truth and reconciliation process to talk about our complicity in this war."

"We need to search within ourselves and ask, how did we let this happen, and how do we get out?"

Forbes’ comment drew applause from the crowd.

In the final moments of the meeting, French and Hutchinson thanked the crowd for their input. Hutchinson said that although not every group was represented at the meeting, the discussion had reassured him that he is in touch with the concerns of his constituents.
"What I’m hearing is that people are concerned about education, health care, those types of things. What I’m not hearing is that the most important thing is to cut taxes, which is what some people would have us believe."

Hutchinson said the forum was "the second most useful thing I can do, after going door to door, which unfortunately I don’t have time to do every day."

Springer said the committee has already scheduled a second forum, to be held Sunday, Jan. 6, time and place to be determined.