Some residents at a recent CFV forum in Newport believe VT is becoming a haven for the retired and for second homeowners, but is losing its youth, who seek better opportunities for employment and technology.

"Everyone wants things better for their kids than they had it, whether it’s a Masters degree or an SUV …"

There was a pretty good discussion in St. Albans on Thursday, January 24, about the future of Vermont.

VCRD Executive Director offers his thoughts.

Does yesterday hold the answer to Vermont's tomorrow?
 

JOHN WALLER, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 01/05/2008 03:29:29 AM EST
BENNINGTON — Vermonters are still rustic and rugged individuals with a strong connection to the land, but a weakening economy and rising costs have caused many to stray from this romantic ideal and gravitate toward a harsher reality, according to Bennington County residents at a community forum Thursday.
"Vermont Life magazine is not the reality of Vermont," longtime Bennington resident Robert Matteson said Thursday. "It's a wonderful image, and we should retain this image, but it's not a reality."
Bucolic images

By KEVIN O'CONNOR
Staff Writer
Rutland Herald
December 5, 2007

The Council on the Future of Vermont says it wants to hear the concerns of all 623,908 state residents. So why did members attend a private lunch in Rutland on Tuesday featuring locals with all the power? Because workers at Central Vermont Public Service Corp., the state's largest electric company, had plenty to say.

A cross-section of 28 linemen, meter readers, engineers and support staffers talked about soon-to-expire state contracts for power from Hydro-Quebec and the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant. But they also voiced concerns about adequate jobs, affordable housing and health care, as well as how to support schools and an aging population.

Tuesday December 3, 2007
By KEVIN O'CONNOR
Rutland Herald Staff

The future of Vermont is coming.
Tuesday.
To Rutland

The Council on the Future of Vermont will hold a public forum Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Rutland's Paramount Theatre to hear residents' concerns for coming decades. The nonprofit Vermont Council on Rural Development has formed the Council on the Future to conduct "a once-in-a-generation review of where Vermonters believe our state is headed and what we want to be."

Commentary 11/23/2007 Randolph Herald

In response to Richard Mallary of the Council on the Future of Vermont. I’ve known that Vermont was an undesirable place to live for many years for out-of-staters because they say there’s no money up here. Therefore, they stay in their high paying job areas and enjoy a visit here instead.

Commentary By Richard Mallary
11/22/2007 Randolph Herald