Monday’s Indigenous People’s Day brought some rain to Vermont after weeks of blue skies, dry trails, and glorious fall colors. Is fall the best season in Vermont? Or is it winter? Or summer? I am still undecided.
Though my kids are out of school for the time being, back-to-school season still feels like the time of year to get serious about your work, whatever that may be. Here in campaign land, I’ve been sitting in on meetings of the Mad River Valley Planning District, and the Waitsfield Select Board, and hearing updates on the Waitsfield Community Wastewater Project and the VT 100 Active Transportation Corridor. MRV Planning District ED Joshua Schwartz re-shared a presentation he created after Tropical Storm Irene that reflected on the storm’s damage, and actions the town took to mitigate future damage. It was encouraging to see that a number of the town’s post-Irene development decisions (relocating the Town Offices, making a pocket park where a flood-prone building once stood) have proven to be smart decisions for our community’s storm resiliency. This also opened up discussion on future vulnerabilities—like private driveways and roads—and our ability to adeptly oversee these. I am inspired to see the wisdom and dedication that guides these town organizations and the forward momentum on these projects.
Campaign door-knocking began in earnest last month, and has gotten more fun as I gain volunteers along the way (thank you Amy Kimmel and April Smith, and Harwood students Cashel Higgins and Claire Pomer!). We’ve walked, biked, and driven through neighborhoods, chatting with constituents about issues concerning to them. I’ve truly enjoyed these conversations, and appreciate the time people have spent with me. Several constituents shared ideas on affordable housing. One Waitsfield resident recalled the Farmer’s Administration Loan of the 1970s, funded by the Dept. of Agriculture, that helped rural Vermonters buy and build affordable homes. A Fayston resident toured us around his modular, clean-energy home that was built by modular home builder Vermod several years ago using a US Dept. of Agriculture Rural Development Loan that required neither down payment nor closing costs. A third resident in Moretown talked of the success of his conversion to clean heat—his house was weatherproofed post-Irene, and then converted to solar and heat-pumps, saving him hundreds of dollars each month. I support clean heat projects aimed at new buildings, andthose requiring HVAC replacements. Speaking of heat, one constituent who works for Darn Tough sent us on our way with cozy wool socks for winter!
I spent time on North Fayston Road and talked with folks who lost cars, driveways, and in one instance a house in the recent July flooding. These neighbors remain positive and resilient despite the adversity they suffered. But we all recognize the need for additional action on climate change resiliency and prevention.
In Warren, we visited with Kinny Perot, our former celebrated State Representative, and met Brooks Bradbury, the new manager of The Pitcher Inn. And in Duxbury, I visited with Heather Izor, who ran the daycare center my daughter attended when we first moved to Vermont 20+ years ago.
We’ve had two more friendraiser/fundraiser events, one at the home of friends in Warren, and another at the 1824 House Inn & Barn. (Thank you Carole Parker, Dan Reicher, Win Smith, Dori Ingalls, Bonnie Barnes, Dana and John Donaldson!) These have been fun gatherings where I’ve met new neighbors and enjoyed healthy discussions on how best to approach our big challenges.
All this, as well as taking time to get out and enjoy the outdoors, with regular dog walks on the Mad River Path’s Spaulding Greenway, a hike to the top of the double at Mad River Glen, and another on the Long Trail that finished in Sugarbush’s base area. I even got a chance to mountain bike the new bridge and trail at the newly-created MRV Recreation Hub. I am so impressed with the development of this new area, and look forward to its Grand Opening this coming Sunday.
Election Day is a little more than two weeks away. Let’s do everything we can to put Kamala Harris in the White House (and me in the VT State House!).
Candice
P.S. Please join me for these upcoming events:
Thursday, Oct. 17, 6 PM, Harwood Union Middle School: Candidate Forum
Tuesday, Oct. 22, 7:30 AM, Three Mountain Cafe: Meet Up with Candice
Tuesday, Oct. 22, 5 PM, Lawson’s Finest Liquids: Meet Up with Candice
Tuesday, Nov. 5, 6 PM, Emily’s Bar & Bistro: Election Watch Party
