Vermont means a place where good citizenship, common sense, hard work, neighborliness, individualism and a free-spirit are common values; where voicing your choice may make a difference. It's a beautiful landscape of woods, fields, mountains, hollows, where resilient, resourceful people are figuring out mundane or creative ways to make a living.

I hope Vermonters share the common values of simplicity, self-reliance, responsibility, healthy families, and love of land and nature.

Challenges: The decline, or too high a price, of fossil fuels Alternative transportation Caring for an aging population Enough meaningful work for everyone An ever more diverse population Opportunities: All of the above! Plus, new state leadership with vision!

Renewable fuel sources. Transitional Towns (UK as guideline). Responsible growth and development. Utilizing VT resources (and values) in addressing issues. Greening houses, both existing and new. Educating for, and supporting, responsible farming practices. Creating and supporting local businesses/economies.

I am moving from Middlebury to N. Ferrisburgh in a month, and I don't know yet about the isses facing my new town. But I do know it is a fine agricultural resource, and I expect it is facing (as most VT towns are) the pressures of sprawl. I look forward to learning more.