Excerpted from Commentary - "The degree to which Vermonters cherish the rural setting in which they live is no surprise. A high percentage of us live out in the midst of the woods and fields, and those who live in the towns appreciate the rural settings that enrich their lives just beyond the town line. Vermonters are active in the outdoors for recreation and spiritual renewal, but many also make their living on the land or in the woods. From the old-timer with a worm on the end of his hook to the young high-tech skier with the latest gear, Vermonters cherish what the natural world gives them.

But the pressures of the economy are a reality for Vermonters, too, including those who on the weekend are out fishing or skiing. Lack of affordable housing is a vexing problem, and job opportunities remain relatively limited, compared to the larger world of metropolitan Boston, New York or beyond. Economic growth is a must, and yet it raises disquieting fears about the potential destruction of the natural world."

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