Mountain Times - Volume 49, Number 46 - Nov. 11-17, 2020

Opinion
8 • The Mountain Times • Nov. 11-17, 2020
OP-ED
Protecting Vt’s forests,
one deer at a time
By Lynn McNamara
Several years ago I made a decision that came as a
surprise to many of my friends and family. I was going to
start hunting deer here in Vermont. As a lifelong animal
lover and considered the family “tree hugger,” this desire
to hunt seemed to some to be at odds with my dedication
to conservation.
As a child growing up in Massachusetts, it was very rare
to see a deer and even when I first moved to Vermont over
20 years ago, a deer in the yard was a special sight. But in
the last two decades, with few predators, warmer winters,
and declining numbers of hunters, the deer population
has rapidly expanded in many parts of Vermont — resulting
in negative impacts to our landscape.
I have had the privilege to steward lands that have
been conserved by The Nature Conservancy for the past
13 years, and in that time I have witnessed our forests
change. The forests now appear more open and park-like,
if they are not infested with invasive plants such as honeysuckle,
buckthorn and barberry. They are composed of
widely spaced mature trees, with few saplings or seedlings
growing in the understory. While not always apparent at
first glance, what is missing is the next generation of trees
and the complexity and diversity of species that used to
be typical of our Northern hardwood forests. This altered
landscape is primarily due to the overpopulation of deer
that are over-browsing a vital ecological stage that promotes
healthy forests.
I’ve always felt a strong connection to nature and the
lands around me, a land ethic, which has grown over
time. Therefore, I have devoted my personal and professional
life to nurturing the natural communities that sustain
us. I do this through actions both big and small, like
picking up roadside trash, planting flowers and shrubs
that provide food for pollinators and wildlife, and through
my work restoring wetland and forest systems that have
been impacted by past human use. Witnessing the change
in our forests inspired me to take even further action and
Hunting > 11
Vermonters demand balance,
we’re ready to offer it
By Rep. Pattie McCoy (R-Poultney)
On Nov. 3, Vermonters spoke loud and clear. In a stunning
rebuke of the status quo, the Vermont Legislature
will have new leadership when it convenes in January due
to the current Lieutenant Governor, President Pro Temp,
Speaker of the House, and Progressive House Caucus
Leader not returning to Montpelier. Longtime Democratic
and Progressive lawmakers from all corners of Vermont lost
their primary and general election campaigns.
Perhaps most important is the Democratic-Progressive
coalition lost their Supermajority.
Meanwhile, Vermont Republicans gained ground. We
expanded our footprint in the Vermont Legislature for the
first time in six years. We picked up House seats we have
never before had a Republican represent and Governor
Scott won re-election by 40 points, totaling more votes than
any Vermont governor in history.
Vermonters were loud and clear in their electoral mandate
of more balance. With this newfound balance will be
a greater focus on our structural challenges: affordability, a
stagnant economy, the growing divide between Chittenden
County and rural Vermont, our demographic trends, and
the challenges we face as we weather the Covid-19 crisis.
We have an opportunity this biennium to make important
strides on all of these issues and be a force for positive
change. Whether it is lowering the cost of health care,
unleashing the full potential of our workforce, or investing
Balance > 11
LETTERS
Thank you
Rutland
County
Dear Editor,
From the bottom of
my heart, I say thank the
residents of Rutland County
for electing me to be one of
your next senators. I am beyond
grateful for your trust
in me. I am overwhelmed by
the support of thousands,
and I promise not to let you
down. This campaign, and
victory, would never have
been possible without the
unwavering support of my
wife, Jessica, and our four
children.
As I said time and again
during the campaign, I will
truly be a senator for everyone.
A spirit of collaboration
is needed more than
ever from elected officials
and I pledge to work with
everyone who wants to improve
our county and state
like I do. After all, respect
towards others always, even
those we may disagree with
from time to time, is truly
the Vermont way!
I look forward to getting
to work on Jan. 6. Thank
you, Rutland County.
Sincerely,
Senator-Elect Joshua
C. Terenzini
Thanks!
Dear Editor,
Thank you to all who
took the time to vote in this
year’s general election. As
you know, it was a record
turnout for Vermont with
approximately 80% of registered
voters participating.
Hats off to our town clerks
and their election teams for
the job they did preparing
for this year’s election with
the processing of all the
mail-in ballots and establishing
safety measures at
the polls on Nov. 3.
Thanks especially to
residents in Bridgewater,
Chittenden, Killington
and Mendon for your vote,
contribution, willingness
to host a lawn sign, to give
a friendly wave or words
of encouragement along
the way.
These are unusual times.
As the legislature begins
anew in January, I will to
do my best to represent
the district as a whole and
resume sending regular updates
on legislative action.
It is an honor to serve as
your state representative.
Thank you!
Jim Harrison, North
Chittenden for State
Representative, Rutland-
Windsor 1
You're fired by John Darkow, Columbia Missourian
Community rallies one more time
Dear Editor,
I’m writing in awe of the
incredible response to the
GMP Food Challenge recently
held on behalf of the
Vermonters who rely on the
Rutland Community
Cupboard.
With Covid-19
forcing this
wonderful annual
community event
into a virtual one
this year, we had
no way to know how this
might go — but again, Rutland
County came through
big for those in need.
Working with Rebekah
Stephens and the Community
Cupboard, we set
The virtual Food
Challenge surpassed
that lofty $25,000 goal
by raising $32,000.
what we thought was a huge
goal — $25,000. We knew
the need is bigger than ever
thanks to Covid.
With several checks arriving,
postmarked before
the deadline but after the
Herald’s recent coverage,
we wanted to let folks know
what an amazing outpouring
occurred. When all was
said and done, the virtual
Food challenge > 9
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