voices - The Commons

Brattleboro, Vt.
Brattleboro, Vt.
Vol. III No. 10
Vol. III No. 6
October 2008
October 2008
•
VOICES
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Election 2008
DaVID sHaW/THe COMMONs
A smorgasbord of Democratic lawn signs in the window at the party’s Brattleboro headquarters
— one of three in left-wing Windham county.
Politics and campaigns,
Windham County–style
Random
tales from
the trail
By Jeff potter
The Commons
aCCORDINg TO Reed Webster,
the vice chair of the county’s
Democratic committee, a Republican
neighbor had an epiphany.
“He said, ‘I know what the
problem is. Vermont is the most
liberal state in the union. Windham
County is the most liberal
county in the state. We live in the
most liberal place in the county’,”
recounts Webster, a gregarious
road crew worker who is using
some of his vacation days to staff
the party’s storefront in Bellows
Falls.
The most-liberal-state-in-theunion
designation is credible by
many yardsticks, including the
state’s landmark civil unions
law granting rights to gay and
lesbian couples, its vigorous environmental
protection laws, and
local, grassroots political movements
like the calls to impeach
or indict president george W.
Bush and Vice president Dick
Cheney.
an analysis of state voting patterns
in election cycles going
back to 1998 shows Democratic
and progressive candidates in
Windham County receiving a
higher margin of votes than they
do statewide — a margin of at
least 10 percent. Voters in three
DaVID sHaW/THe COMMONs
A nonpartisan message on a parked car in Brattleboro.
n see REcREAtioN, page 7
Historical
society to
buy store
Putney landmark,
damaged in fire,
needs repairs
before winter
By Jeff potter
The Commons
pUTNeY—The putney
general store property in
the heart of the village, exposed
to the elements since
a May 3 fire left it roofless
and damaged by water, could
be stabilized before winter.
On sept. 27, the putney
Historical society’s board
of directors voted unanimously
to purchase the
former store, dormant since
a fire that heavily damaged
the 239-year-old building,
after a similar unanimous
decision by the task force
charged with exploring the
project. approximately 200
members also overwhelmingly
voted to endorse the
purchase at a sept. 21 membership
meeting.
Tugce, Inc. owns the property,
a former timber-frame
grist mill used continuously
as a general store for 165
years, a Vermont record. The
corporation’s president, erhan
Oge, ran the store with
his wife, Tugce Okumus.
The couple also operates
putney Village pizza.
n see pUtNEY stoRE, page 3
Rockingham seeks funds
for new recreation center
By Joe Milliken
The Commons
ROCKINgHaM—It has been
a local dream for nearly a decade
— a community project
that would create a new “multigenerational”
recreation facility
to replace the outdated pool,
recreation, and playground area
that has served the area for 50
years.
The current 60-acre recreation
area, which includes an
outdoor pool, basketball and
tennis courts, baseball fields,
a playground, hiking trails, a
hill for sledding, an outdoor ice
Architect’s rendering of a new pool, part of a
recreation center in Bellows Falls that will replace
50-year-old facilities.

2 The Commons • October 2008 The Commons • October 2008 nEWS 3
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t Water from the Sun!
4 nEWS The Commons • October 2008 The Commons • October 2008 nEWS 5
a potential spoiler by noting that,
Like most third-party candi-
n politics FROM page 1
in 2004 and 2006, Democratic
dates, Mitchell threw himself
candidates were unable to defeat
into the race to expose the vot-
Brattleboro precincts routinely that in their small way illustrate
Douglas even without the compliing
public to alternative ideas
voted even higher.
some of the unique aspects
cations of a three-way race.
— to make citizens think and to
The once-staunchly-Republican of contemporary politics in
Complicating the equation:
expose people to political phi-
political landscape in Vermont Vermont.
the Vermont constitution manlosophies
that exist beyond most
has changed into something
dates that an election where no
voters’ conception.
more unpredictable.
sURROUNDeD BY lawn signs
candidate receives more than
When Costello tried to set up a
a large left-of-center popu- for local, state, and national
50 percent of the total vote must
debate with Dubie, Mitchell says
lation hasn’t led to a left-wing Democrats, Reed Webster and
be decided by the legislature.
he offered to debate his Demo-
citizenry falling into political Lamont “Monty” Barnett sit at a
Douglas became governor after
cratic opponent. To his delight,
lockstep. Rather, it has made
room for more diverse points
of view on that end of the spectrum,
adding a new constellation
of complications to the campaign
process.
The Vermont progressive
party, which originated in Bur-
banquet table loaded
“It’s
with piles
a No-Brainer
receiving 45 percent of the vote in
!”
of brochures, stickers, literature,
the 2002 election; his opponent,
and voter registration forms as
then-Lieutentant governor Doug
another volunteer breezes back
Racine, received 42 percent. In
and forth to get the kinks out of
the three-way race, independent
the loaner computer.
candidate Con Hogan garnered
The traditionally ragtag cam-
10 percent of the vote.
paign decor stands in contrast
The three candidates have re-
Costello accepted.
The three — as well as progressive
candidate Richard Kemp
— will participate in a debate to
be broadcast over Vermont public
Radio Wednesday, Oct. 29 at
7 p.m.
“Ordinarily, Liberty Union
lington with support for the to the upper-crusty architecceived
mixed signals from polls
is excluded from debates be-
mayoral candidacy of socialist tural detailing in the lobby of
and surveys, including a midcause
we’re considered too
Bernie sanders, now Vermont’s the old Hotel Windham in Belseptember
poll from a Burlington
radical,” Mitchell says. “people
U.s. senator, has played a major lows Falls. Under the watchful,
television station that predicts
get afraid.”
role
solar
this season, with anthony two-dimensional gaze of a
hot
smil-
water heater
the decision will once again be
pays for
pollina declaring his candidacy ing, life-sized, die-cut Barack
thrown to the legislature.
“VeRMONT UseD to be Repub-
for governor under that party’s Obama display, Webster and Bar-
“everyone, from Republicans progressive candidate for U.s. Representative thomas Hermann meets voters in
JeFF pOTTeR/THe COMMONs
lican, and then a lot of people
label before he broke ranks — nett, both of Rockingham, talk Above: Anthony pollina,
to progressive-leaning people, Brattleboro.
moved in from out of state,”
amicably, he says — to run as an about the energy of the Demo- independent candidate for
have found fault with this poll,”
Webster observes — but like
independent.
cratic party in between a steady governor, speaks with peter
said Meg Brooks, pollina’s cam-
Ben Mitchell
everything else with Vermont
six progressives serve in the stream of visitors to the Bellows cooper of West Brattleboro.
paign manager.
of Westminster for drug offenses “the first day politics, the designation is not
legislature, and the party has Falls headquarters, one of three Right: Gaye symington talks
“It’s very interesting,” Brooks
says his
the governor leaves the state for quite so simple.
fielded 15 candidates for races Democratic headquarters in speaks during a recent visit to
says. “Nobody has any idea how
campaign an afternoon.”
Windham County Republican
that range from Burlington City Windham County.
the Democratic headquarters
close the three of them are.”
helps make By day, Mitchell works as di- party Chair Michael Hebert de-
Council to Congress.
The fact that the county can in Brattleboro.
voters aware of rector of admissions at Landmark scribes a traditional Vermont
Ben Mitchell of Westminster, support three headquarters —
IN ReCeNT YeaRs, Vermont
other political College in putney. On nights and conservative as “a traditional
a socialist and a Liberty Union one in Brattleboro and the other
has provided hospitable ground
philosophies weekends, he puts on his cam- person, who kind of likes things
party candidate, will vie for the in Wilmington — can serve as Windham County is a Demo-
itself !
for candidates who don’t fol-
beyond “both paign hat. With the mainstream the way they are,” one who favors
lieutenant governor’s office another yardstick of the area’s cratic county,” says Barnett, the
low their names with a “D” or
corporate media almost completely ignor- “slow, evolutionary-type change,
against Republican incumbent political activism.
chair of the Windham County
an “R.”
parties.” ing his candidacy, Mitchell posts is frugal, and stands for small
Brian Dubie and their Demo- In 2006, the party “had a hard Democrats and owner of the
“Our ballot access has been
on electronic communities like government.”
cratic challenger, Brattleboro time finding a headquarters in Rock and Hammer Jewelry store
much more friendly in Vermont
iBrattleboro and Myspace and a number of political observ-
lawyer Tom Costello
Brattleboro, and Monty sug- in Bellows Falls. “The question
than in a lot of other states,” says
speaks with excitement about visers have pointed out that the
What follows are a few vigested we open a headquarters is, can we make that work for all
Morgan Daybell, executive direciting
eighth-grade civics classes Republican party has moved to
gnettes of the election season here,” Webster says. “We got the candidates?”
tor of the Vermont progressive
to speak to kids about political the right nationally, leaving less
from citizens and candidates over 70 volunteers, and we found “people don’t know what’s hap-
party. “and without party regis-
ideas.
extreme Vermont Republicans in-
from the traditional Democrat/ a lot of energy in this community. pening,” Webster says. “They do
tration here, we have a history of
a traditional campaign would creasingly open to changing their
Republican dichotomy and those That’s why we decided to do the know they’re not better off with
people being independents, or at
leave Mitchell beholden to large party affiliation or considering
who seek to shatter the hold of same.”
the Republicans in charge. Listen
least independent of the two ma-
JeFF pOTTeR/THe COMMONs
donors, he says — yet he would voting across party lines.
the two-party system — vignettes “There’s no question that to the people on the street, how
jor parties.”
have to raise $17,000 before “In my mind, a lot of people
bad off they are.”
even if victory is a long-shot, absurd’,” Mitchell says. of that belief system.”
qualifying for public campaign fi- who identify as Republicans
“Time and time again, you
a third-party campaign “pushes “Both corporate parties [the Mitchell contends that the nanancing. Not surprisingly, he also identify as 1902 Republicans,”
have to ask: why is a Democratic
the issues so elected officials can Democrats and the Republicans] tion’s drug policies, which put has ideas about campaign finance said Morgan Daybell, execu-
state electing a Republican gov-
no longer be complacent,” says keep saying, ‘The market is al- recreational drug users or ad- reform and the role of money in tive director of the Vermont
ernor?” Barnett said, echoing a
Thomas J. Hermann, a progresways the best solution’,” Mitchell dicts into “a revolving cycle of politics. He wants it illegal. progressive party. “They really
constant theme of frustration.
sive candidate for the U.s. House says, calling the profound insta- incarceration,” have cost society, But none of that will happen. get that the Republican party
Many Democrats remain con-
of Representatives. The veteran bility of financial markets “the and has vowed to use the office, “Look, I know I’m not going to left them long ago, and they’re
vinced that splitting the vote
of the Iraq war moved to Barre opportunity to show the fallacy if elected, to pardon those in jail win,” Mitchell says.
n see politics, page 6
three ways among Douglas, sym-
from Florida only this year.
ington, and pollina will result in
JeFF pOTTeR/THe COMMONs
On a saturday afternoon in late
another win for the Republican
september, Hermann stood at
governor.
many national candidates finding Jim Douglas.
the doorway of the River garden
Barnett and Webster don’t want seismic changes in the process at a campaign fundraiser at the
in Brattleboro, eager to talk with
to see that happen. “Douglas of reaching voters via Internet West Brattleboro home of peter
passers-by about his campaign to
hasn’t done anything,” Webster video and social networking and gail Cooper this summer,
hold his Democratic opponent,
says. “He hasn’t done anything pages, Vermont lags behind be- pollina arrived after a full day of
peter Welch, accountable for his
good. He hasn’t done anything cause of a lack of high-speed campaigning, a 400-to-700-mile-
votes on legislation that funded
bad.”
Internet.
per-week routine that requires
the war.
The Douglas legacy, the two Consequently, the candidates,
volunteers say, point out a legacy stopping just short of kissing
of missed opportunities, like the babies, still must reach out face
Hot Water Hot from Water the Sun! purchase of a series of hydroelec- to face.
crisscrossing the state, he said
before making his stump speech
to approximately 100 who came
out to meet him.
Ben Mitchell, a member of the
Liberty Union party, proudly introduces
himself as another such
candidate.
tric dams on the Deerfield River On a Friday night in septem- pollina calls Vermont “an easy
Mitchell’s party, a decidedly
“It’s a No-Brainer !”
during the bankruptcy of Usber, the anthony pollina caravan place to campaign” because “it
Vermont institution idealistically
from the Sun!
gen New england in 2005. The — a car with the independent really is a community,” he says.
affiliated with the socialist party
A solar hot water heater pays for state dropped out of the bidding candidate for governor, and his “You see people you’ve known
of the Usa, is fielding a handful
process, with TransCanada ulti- entourage following in a distinc- for years.”
of other candidates, notably pe-
itself “It’s a ! No-Brainer!” mately assuming ownership. tive yellow campaign van — has But any candidate must face
ter Diamondstone, a party elder,
Most visitors to the storefront returned to Brattleboro. pollina meeting people in tiny, far-flung
who, like symington and pollina
A solar hot water heater seek lawn signs and campaign goes from bar to bar, pressing towns, and Chittenden County,
will vie for Douglas’s seat. The
materials for the Barack Obama the flesh with prospective voters where one third of Vermont’s
Liberty Union party was founded
pays for itself!
Solar Pro
presidential campaign, followed in bars after a long work week. entire population lives, “is not an
in 1970 as “a party that would
by interest in signage for the Two days later, his challenger, easy population to reach,” pollina
boldly address their issues, the
symington campaign and in- Vermont House speaker gaye observes. “It’s urban, suburban,
war in Vietnam, the militariza-
Solar Pro
terest in volunteering, Webster symington of Jericho, Vt., ap- and rural — all at once.”
tion of society, the problems of
says.
pears at what has been promoted pollina, a resident of the Wash-
the poor and the destruction of
“This headquarters is a place to as a pancake breakfast at the ington County town of Middlesex
the environment,” its Web site
get information out there, to get Brattleboro Democratic Cam- who ran unsuccessfully as a pro-
says.
involved and to do something,” paign Headquarters. Despite the gressive for governor in 2000 and
at a time when major party can-
Vermont
Webster says. “It’s important lack of pancakes — or maybe be- lieutenant governor in 2002 in
didates greet a growing financial
in an area when demographics cause of same — a steady handful similar three-way races, received
crisis and potential government
For the best price on the
are leaning towards Democrats of potential voters come to ask 25 percent of the vote in his most
bailout of financial markets with
that you have a headquarters the speaker about her stances recent contest in the race against
grim caution, Mitchell speaks
best equipment and
for them.”
on issues ranging from Vermont Dubie and Democratic state sen-
almost with glee about the “ex-
DaVID sHaW/THe COMMONs
expert installation, call
Yankee relicensing to recourse ator peter shumlin.
treme opportunity” for a financial though few Mccain lawn signs can be found in Windham
MaNY aspeCTs of politicking for rental property health code “If everyone who voted for me
catastrophe to change the fabric county, records show a solid base of 30 to 40 percent of
Jim and Karen Lee (802) 375-6462 in Vermont remain traditional violations.
in 2002 votes for me again and
of society.
voters casting ballots for Republicans in recent elections —
— even more so than in many Both candidates seek to unseat brings a friend, then I’ve won,”
“If I proposed a year ago to buy a base Windham Republican chairman Mike Hebert says
Save money AND reduce your carbon footprint!
other parts of the country. With three-term incumbent Republican pollina says, denying his role as
out Wall street, you’d say, ‘That’s will grow.

6 nEWS The Commons • October 2008 The Commons • October 2008 nEWS 7
n politics FROM page 5
a little more open to voting for
progressives.”
Webster believes the mainstream
media has co-opted the
definition of “liberal,” turning a
more nuanced word into a loaded
term of derision.
“plenty of Vermont Republicans
are liberal,” Webster says,
savoring the irony. “They just
don’t know it.”
even well into the campaign,
it has been almost impossible to
find even one McCain/palin lawn
sign in the Brattleboro area, another
rough benchmark of the
minority status of the Republican
party in Windham County.
But Hebert, of Vernon, says
there’s a good, solid base of
support for his Republicans. so
does the state gOp organization,
whose chair, Rob Roper, points to
the ouster of Brattleboro selectboard
Chair audrey garfield as a
conservative backlash to a decidedly
progressive agenda.
Thirty-eight percent of Windham
County voters cast a ballot
for Douglas in 2006. president
george W. Bush received 37.3
percent of the vote in 2004 in
the county.
He describes Windham County
citizens as “a very diverse group
of people,” with a range of views
reflected on the Brattleboro
Union High school Board, where
he serves as vice chairman.
The problem, says Hebert,
himself a two-time candidate for
state senate, comes with fielding
new candidates who find
themselves reluctant to subject
themselves to a “not pleasant”
political arena, one where candidates
find themselves accused
of negative campaigning when
they express honest political
differences.
Vermont has followed the national
lead of increasingly nasty
partisan political rhetoric, Hebert
says sorrowfully. “a couple of decades
ago, that wasn’t so.”
Hebert describes former Democratic
state Representative
Tim O’Connor, a Brattleboro
attorney who served in the legislature
from 1969 to 1980, as “a
fine speaker of the house” who
didn’t deserve to be “vilified”
in recent years when he openly
broke party lines and supported
Douglas.
“I found that appalling,” he
said.
particularly distressing, says
Hebert, a self-described “Catholic
who was brought up with a
set of values,” was the contention
during the civil unions debate
of 2000 that “if someone didn’t
agree with gay marriage, you
were somehow a mean-spirited,
learn about the candidates
Governor
• Jim Douglas (R) ...............................www.jimdouglas.com
• Gaye Symington (D) .................www.symingtonforgovernor.com
• Anthony Pollina (I) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.anthonypollina.com
• Peter Diamondstone (LU) . . . www.libertyunionparty.org/?p=27#more-27
lieutenant Governor
• Brian Dubie (R) ...............................www.briandubie.com
• Tom Costello (D) ......................... www.tomcostelloforvt.com
• Ben Mitchell (LU) .......... www.libertyunionparty.org/?p=18#more-18
U.s. Representative
• Peter Welch (D) .........................www.welchforcongress.com
• Thomas Hermann (P) ......................... www.votepeacevt.com
intolerant homophobe.”
Hebert calls that the political
environment unhospitable
for candidates of any party. “If
the roles were changed — if the
legislature were predominantly
Republican — we’d still see a
problem getting candidates,”
he says.
Taking the long view, Hebert
says for Republicans to be successful
once again in the state,
“we must clearly define who
and what we are as Vermont
Republicans.”
“For far too long we have been
defined by our opposition, with
the support of most of the media
outlets in the state,” he says. “We
need to better utilize electronic
media to get the voters engaged
earlier in the process. Many folks
today tend to only think about
elections when the ads start popping
up on television.”
Hebert, chairman of the state
party platform committee, says
a new platform for the electorate
to consider “clearly reflects the
views of Vermont Republicans,
not just the die hard political
junkies like myself.” He also says
the party will look toward engaging
young people in schools with
guest speakers, Young Republican
clubs, and other activities
that will expose students to a
broad variety of political ideas
and ideologies.
“all this and more will take
time,” Hebert says. “Change
comes slowly. The Democrats
did not gain control of the state
overnight.”
Editor’s note: The campaigns of
Jim Douglas, Gaye Symington,
and Tom Costello, as well as the
Vermont state Democratic Party,
did not respond to multiple messages,
e-mails, or direct personal
overtures seeking participation
in this story.
n Recreation FROM page 1
skating rink, and a ski tow, has
developed serious problems that
will require extensive rebuilding
within the next few years.
The facility needs a major overhaul,
requiring major funding for
repairs — like $25,000 to repair
leaks in the pool lines — which
its proponents say would be better
spent on a new, state-of-the-art
activity center.
Now organizers on the town’s
Recreation Facility Committee
are optimistic that the Rockingham
area Recreation Center
will be “a gathering place where
family members of all ages can
find healthy activities, fun and
companionship,” according to
literature provided by the Rockingham
Recreation Commission
on the town’s Web site, www.
rockbf.org.
“The whole idea started as
a real grassroots idea based
around the thought of the town
of Rockingham simply needing
a place for kids to go, especially
during the winter months when
the existing recreation center
closes its doors,” said Raphael
“Lefty” Lopez, a Bellows Falls
resident and original director of
the Rockingham pool project.
“However, it has developed
into even more than that now, because
not only do the kids need
a place to go for activities, but
also adults and senior citizens
as well,” Lopez said.
The plan will evolve into a
“multi-generational facility that
will not only be useful for all generations,
but also help bridge the
gap between those generations,”
Lopez added.
The fully accessible facility
will include a new outdoor pool
with a movable bulkhead to divide
a splash pool from a lap
pool. a 37,000-square-foot recreation
building will include locker
rooms and bathrooms, an indoor
facility featuring a therapy pool,
and versatile courts used for
activities such as basketball, volleyball,
and tennis.
a second floor will accommodate
office and storage space,
meeting and activity areas, a
media center and computer lab,
and a mezzanine level that also
serves as a walking track.
The estimated overall cost? a
cool $4.5 million.
Building and operating expenses,
estimated at $400,000
to $450,000 per year, should be
offset by fees, income, and contributions
from the community,
according to the Web site.
The Recreation Facilities Committee
has contracted Mark
green from saxtons River, who
will oversee the fundraising
efforts of the Recreation Facilities
Committee at least through
mid-October. green told the
selectboard aug. 5 that the
committee will secure 75 to 90
percent of the necessary funds
prior to breaking ground on the
project.
Depending on how quickly the
town raises funds for the new facility,
construction could begin as
soon as next year — realistically
in the fall of 2009, unless federal
money comes through.
A long process
The concept of building a new
recreation facility was originally
proposed in 2001 by Lopez,
then a selectboard member, to
address not only the concerns
of residents having a place for
activities, but also the town’s concerns
with serious leaking in the
existing pool.
a community survey showed
roughly two-thirds of Rockingham
residents in favor of moving
forward with the “playground
project.” With those results and
a lack of funding, Lopez visited
the architecture department at
Keene state College.
“I talked to the professor at
Keene state and he thought it
would be a great assignment for
his students,” Lopez said. “so the
class created three different designs,
one of which remains the
main plan to this day.”
However, the proposed “pool
project” eventually lost momentum,
partly because of a lack of
fundraising, but mostly because
the Rockingham selectboard
simply had too many other more
pressing issues on their plate,
Lopez said.
a further complication came
from nearby springfield, which
had just received a $137,500
grant from the U.s. Department
of agriculture’s Rural Development
Housing and Community
Facilities programs to construct
a similar recreation center, making
it less likely that Rockingham
would simultaneously receive
the same type of government
funding.
Fast forward to 2007 and with
several new selectboard members
in place, Lopez received
a call inviting him to a board
meeting about brining the “pool
project” concept back to life.
“after going through so much
red tape the first time around,
I wasn’t sure how serious they
were about resurrecting the
project,” Lopez said. “But I went
to the meeting and indeed, it appeared
they had good intentions
about getting the project rolling
again.”
The selectboard appointed
a pool committee to research,
develop, and implement a structured
plan to erect a new facility at
the existing recreation facility.
“We again conducted the same
survey done six years earlier and
got virtually the same response,”
said Rockingham Recreational
Director Brad Weeks, who also
serves on the “pool project”
committee.
The majority of Rockingham
residents wanted to see the “pool
the current recreation area, in service since 1958.
project” plan put into motion.
However, this time the plan was
fine-tuned, incorporating the reality
that an outdoor, seasonal
pool would be far less costly
than the original plan with an indoor
pool.
The town of Rockingham then
received a $10,000 engineering
grant from Dubois & King, Inc.,
an engineering firm that has
designed the new facility using
Keene state students’ plan as a
base to work with.
Raising the money
“Fundraising for the pool project
is now in full swing, with a
plan of building the new multigenerational
recreation center in
two phases,” Weeks said.
phase one would encompass
construction of the swimming
pool and building, and phase
two would add the multi-use indoor
gymnasium and walking
track to the facility. each phase
would require 12 months of
construction.
The town of Rockingham has
put $100,000 towards the project,
and the pool committee has
raised roughly $50,000 towards
the cause since June. The committee
will seek the balance of
the funds from federal and state
grants and from residents and
businesses. The pool committee
has placed donation jars throughout
the town.
The project has also received
positive backing from senator
Bernie sanders, who has lobbied
for the town receiving the
same type of federal government
funding that springfield received
some six years ago.
Once the verdict on the earmark
is in, due in late October
or early November, the pool committee
will have a much better
idea of how close they actually
are to beginning construction on
the existing recreation area.
“It is indeed an important step
in the process; however, there is
still so much we as Rockingham
residents can do to contribute
to this important cause,” Lopez
said. “It’s not just about money.
There are many local businesses
that could also help with in-kind
services to help the cause, such
as demolition, plumbing, and
electrical services.
“The more that residents can
contribute by way of monetary
donations or services, the
closer we will be to seeing this
project realized. We need everyone’s
help in order to make this
happen.”
To contribute money or services
to the pool project, write to:
Rockinham Pool Project, Town
of Rockinham, P.O. Box 370,
Bellows Falls, Vt. 05101, or
contact the Rockingham Town
Hall at (802) 463-3456.
The Brattleboro Savings
& Loan is pleased to
support the Commons’
Media Mentoring Project,
a grassroots initiative
that helps budding
journalists write more
effectively about local
events and issues. Clear
communication leads
to understanding—and
that’s something we
wholeheartedly endorse.
BSL982_MediaMentoringAd.indd 1 8/21/07 9:18:34 AM

8 The Commons • October 2008 The Commons • October 2008 CALEndAR 9
Calendar
Friday, October 3
LITERARy FESTIVAL the seventh
annual three-day Brattleboro literary
Festival celebrates those who read books,
those who write books, and the books
themselves. Located in downtown Brattleboro,
the festival includes readings, panel
discussions, and special events, featuring
emerging and established authors. Brattleboro,
various locations. All events are
free. Supported in part by a grant from the
Vermont Humanities Council. Information:
bookfest@brattleboroliteraryfestival.org, www.
brattleboroliteraryfestival.org.
muSIC Hilltown Music presents John
Wesley Harding. Kick off the Brattleboro
Literary Festival with Musician and author
Wesley stace, aKa John Wesley Harding.
Wesley will also be doing a reading on saturday,
Oct 4th.The author cum musician has
joined many luminary performers onstage;
springsteen, Baez, Lou Reed, Iggy pop to
name a few. 9 p.m. The Stone Church, 3
Grove St., Brattleboro. $10 in advance, $12
at the door. Tickets at Turn It Up and Flat
Street Brew Pub and www.brattleborotix.com.
Information: (802) 380-2997.
muSIC cantrip. Twilight Music presents
an evening of high-energy scottish music
on twin fiddles, bagpipes and guitar with
edinburgh-based quartet Cantrip. 8 p.m.
Hooker-Dunham Theatre, 139 Main Street,
Brattleboro. Information: (802) 254-9276.
ARTIST’S RECEpTIOn sarah Rice and
Josh steele, proprietors and curators of
Through the Music. Opening during Gallery
Walk. 5:30 pm - 9:30 p.m. Through the
29th. 2 Elliot Street, Brattleboro. Information:
(802) 779-3188.
THEATER The Belle of Amherst. William
Luce’s one-woman show built from
emily Dickinson’s letters, diaries, and poems.
New England Youth Theatre. 7:30 p.m.
100 Flat St., Brattleboro. $10.50; Students
$8.50 Information: (800) 246-NEYT.
E-mail calendar submissions to
editor@commonsnews.org. Deadline
for November: Wednesday,
Oct. 22.
FOR
STOP
Sponsored by:
Safe Kids Coalition,
Safe Routes to School,
Brattleboro Area Bike/Ped
Saturday,
October 4
muSIC House concert. Kindred Folk artists
Luz elena Morey, ali Chambliss, and
New York based singer-songwriter Kathleen
pemble. Noon-4 p.m. Light refreshments
served, with pot luck encouraged. Bring a
blanket to spread and chairs to sit on. (Rain
date sunday, Oct. 5.) The Silo, 219 Hamilton
Rd. (at end of Slate Rock Rd - off of RT 5)
Guilford. $10; $15 per family. Information:
(802) 275-7478.
pAnEL “the Enduring legacy of Robert
Frost.” panel features Vermont Humanities
Council executive Director peter gilbert
and authors Natalie Bober, ellen Bryant
Voigt, Jim schley, and John elder. Part of
the Brattleboro Literary Festival, supported
in part by a grant from VHC. 12:30 p.m.
Centre Congregational Church, 139 Main
St., Brattleboro. Free. Information: bookfest@
brattleboroliteraryfestival.org, www.brattleboroliteraryfestival.org.
ARTIST’S RECEpTIOn “the Angel series,
and More.” Carrie gelfan’s figurative
drawings and paintings. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. The
Crowell Gallery at the Moore Free Library,
23 West Street in Newfane. Through November
1. Gallery hours are Tuesday thru Friday
1-5 p.m. and Saturday 9-1 p.m. Information:
(802) 365-7948.
LIBRARy SALE A gigantic book and
video sale, sponsored by the Friends of
the Moore Free Library. Volunteers needed;
call (802) 348- 7773. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Newfane
Union Hall, Newfane. Information: (802)
365-7948.
muSIC the Grafton cornet Band plays
a foliage concert downtown. If you wish to
play, please bring your band instrument
and dress in a white shirt and dark blue
pants. 2:30 p.m. Information: Dan Axtell at
802-387-4145.
muSIC Annual New England sacred
Harp sing. This singing typically draws
an extraordinary group of maybe 200 singers
from all over New england and beyond
for two days of shape note singing from the
sacred Harp. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Walpole Town
Hall, Walpole, NH. Free. Information: Matt
Wojcik at (802) 246-1008.
ADULTS, TEENS AND CHILDREN
Studio Classes , Life Drawing and Painting,
Independent Study, Art and Meditation,
Sculpture, Illustration Techniques,
Printmaking and Collage,
Teen Portfolio class,
Homeschooler and
Tots classes.
Saturday classes and
Weekend Workshops
32 Main St. Brattleboro
rgsart @ sover.net www.rivergalleryschool.org
Vermont Law states that
drivers shall stop for
pedestrians within a crosswalk.
THEATER The Belle of Amherst. William
Luce’s one-woman show built from
emily Dickinson’s letters, diaries, and poems.
New England Youth Theatre. 7:30 p.m.
100 Flat St., Brattleboro. $10.50; Students
$8.50 Information: (800) 246-NEYT.
Sunday, October 5
muSIC the Easy street Duo, Mark
Trichka and Lisa Brande, perform at the
Front porch Cafe during brunch, in downtown
putney. The duo perform all manner of
acoustic music on guitars, mandolins, fiddle
and vocals, including swing, Honkytonk, Cajun
and Zydeco, Bluegrass, and americana.
10 a.m.-1p.m. 133 Main St., Putney.
LIBRARy SALE A gigantic book and
video sale, sponsored by the Friends of
the Moore Free Library. Volunteers needed;
call (802) 348-7773. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Newfane
Union Hall, Newfane. Information: (802)
365-7948.
muSIC Annual New England sacred
Harp sing. see listing for Oct. 3. 9:30
a.m.-3:30 p.m. Walpole Town Hall, Walpole,
NH. Free. Information: Matt Wojcik at
(802) 246-1008.
THEATER The Belle of Amherst. William
Luce’s one-woman show built from
emily Dickinson’s letters, diaries, and poems.
New England Youth Theatre. 3 p.m. 100
Flat St., Brattleboro. $10.50; Students $8.50
Information: (800) 246-NEYT.
WORKSHOp cold frame workshop will
focus on the fall cold frame’s operation, and
will cover such topics as frame construction,
proper site, wind protection, soil fertility,
planting schedules, daily operation, coldhardy
greens, watering, harvesting, and
chilly weather strategies. 1-3 p.m. Robert
King’s Chosen Garden, Joy Road, Putney.
monday, October 6
dISCuSSIOn “Hyperlocal Media.” Lise
Lepage and Christopher grotke, founders of
the citizen journalism site iBrattleboro.com,
will host a discussion of the site and citizen
journalism, and they will answer questions
about the effects of hyperlocal citizen media.
7 p.m. Vermont Independent Media’s
Media Mentoring Project, Brooks Memorial
Library, 224 Main St., Brattleboro. Information:
(802) 254-0129.
WORKSHOp evelien Bachrach-seeger
demonstrating on how she creates works
of art using twigs and ink. Those attending
should bring 2 or 3 sheets of heavy paper.
evelien will supply the twigs and ink. Saxtons
River Art Guild. Free. United Church
of Bellows Falls, 8 School St., Bellows Falls.
Pre-register at (603) 358-6804.
Tuesday, Oct. 7
dISCuSSIOn Foreign policy with Dan
DeWalt and Lynn Corum. part of a moderated,
civil political discussion series
intended to provide a forum for airing of
different opinions about important issues.
“They will also attempt to inject thoughtful
discussion, which includes listening, into
our decisionmaking process so that differences
are not just articulated but heard.”
7-8:30 p.m. Wine Gallery at Windham Wines,
30 Main St., Brattleboro. Reservations (required):
(802) 246-6400.
Wednesday,
October 8
dISCuSSIOn lou cannon’s President
Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime. part
of the presidential Biography series sponsored
by the Vermont Humanities Council
and facilitated by Vermont humanities
scholar Deborah Luskin. Books are available
for checkout at the main circulation desk.
Funded by the Friends of Brooks Memorial
Library. Free. Brooks Memorial Library Main
Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro. 7 p.m. -
9 p.m. Information: (802) 254-5290.
Thursday,
October 9
THEATER Actors theatre playhouse’s
second Annual ten Minute play Festival,
running six performances. 8 p.m.,
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from Oct. 9
- 11 and 16 - 18. Reservations recommended.
All tickets are $5 and reservations can be
made through the Box Office at (877)233-
7905. www.actorsplay.org.
WORKSHOp “How & Why Feng shui
Works.” Four-week class. practice the
art of Feng shui by understanding more
clearly the scientific and esoteric aspects
of energy (also known as chi). Silver Moon
School of Feng Shui, 29 High St., Brattleboro.
Thursdays, 6 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. Through
Oct. 30. $108. Information/register: (802)
254-9600.
Friday, October 10
REAdInG Roberta’s Woods. Betty J.
Cotter’s novel, praised by Publishers Weekly
as “a competent debut” with “strong character
development, sensual writing and an
absorbing plot,” tells the story of a college
professor who loses her job in the middle
of a nationwide energy crisis and returns
to the rural home of her upbringing. The
novel raises issues of survival, self-sufficiency
and community while painting a
disturbing picture of the near future. Free.
Brooks Memorial Library Main Room, 224
Main street, Brattleboro. 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Information:
(802) 254-5290.
Saturday,
October 11
WORKSHOp Robert Carsten offers a
pastel workshop sponsored by the saxtons
River art guild. The “Barns of New england,”
from stately to humble, will be the
theme of this fun and educational workshop.
Bring pastels, paper and either drawings or
photos of barns and your own lunch. 9:30
a.m.-3:30 p.m. United Church of Bellows
Falls, 8 school st, Bellows Falls. Information
and reservations: (802)463-9456.
muSIC the Brattleboro Music center
presents Noche de Muertos: Welcoming
Our Ancestors Home, a
collaboration between Melodic Vision and
Boston Music award–winning Latin music
ambassadors sol y Canto (sun and song) to
illuminate Mexico’s beloved Day and Night
of the Dead. Recommended for adult audiences
and children older than 11 years of
age. 7:30 p.m. SIT Graduate Institute, 1
Kipling Rd., Brattleboro. $15; $5, students.
Information and tickets:(802) 257-4523;
www.bmcvt.org.
WORKSHOp “connecting with Wood”
with paul Bowen. Bowen will lead this intensive
workshop that is open to both beginners
and those who are experienced in other
media. Learn to build structures ranging
from the miniature to monolithic by using
scrap wood with simple and safe techniques.
Tools and materials will be supplied but may
be augmented by the student if they wish.
Great River Arts Institute, 33 Bridge Street,
Bellows Falls. 9 a.m. Also Sunday, October
12 at 4 p.m. Information: (802) 463-3330;
www.greatriverarts.org.
FESTIVAL the Grammar school Medieval
Faire. games, rides, market place,
feasts, music – a family favorite for over 20
years. Features include two climbing walls,
haunted castle, pony rides, pillow jousting,
catapult, dragon piñata, archery, and more.
Costumed attendees welcome. Free. Game/
ride passes available. Proceeds benefit The
Grammar School Scholarship Fund. The
Grammar School, 69 Hickory Ridge Road S,
Putney. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Information: (802)
387-5364; www.tgs-putney.org.
BEnEFIT dInnER 5th Annual Empty
Bowls Dinner. For a $20 donation, savor
a delicious meal, take home a handcrafted
bowl, enjoy live music and a silent auction
to benefit the Brattleboro area Drop In Center.
Landmark College, River Rd., Putney.
Seatings: 5:30 and 7:00 p.m. Information/
reservations: (800) 852-4286 ext. 106.
Tuesday,
October 14
dISCuSSIOn Energy with Tom Wessels
(antioch), John Dreyfuss (Vt. Yankee), Rick
Fleming (Fleming Oil). part of political discussion
series; see listing for Oct. 7. 7-8:30
p.m. Wine Gallery at Windham Wines, 30
Main St., Brattleboro. Reservations (required):
(802) 246-6400.
Thursday,
October 16
THEATER tennessee Williams’s The
Glass Menagerie features teenage and
adult actors. a now-classic dream-tale of
the Wingfield family and the dynamics that
tear them apart during the hardscrabble
years of the great Depression, this play will
challenge actors and audiences alike. New
England Youth Theater, 100 Flat Street, Brattleboro.
7 p.m. $12; $9, students. Information:
(802) 254-1382; www.neyt.org.
Friday, October 17
muSIC sound healing with sarah pirtle,
Jim Ballard, sue Blessing and Luz elena
Morey, to benefit Mahalo Rose Healing
Temple. 7:30 p.m. Malahlo Rose Healing
Temple, Western Avenue, West Brattleboro.
$15. Information: (802) 254-1310.
REAdInG Fearless Puppy on American
Road. Doug “Ten” Rose will read from
his book. Rose says he has been compared
to Kerouac, Chopra, Hunter s. Thompson,
Castaneda, Black elk, Will Rogers, and gandhi.
Free. Brooks Memorial Library meeting
room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro. 7 p.m.–9
p.m. Information: (802) 254-5290.
THEATER tennessee Williams’s The
Glass Menagerie. see listing for Oct. 16.
New england Youth Theater, 100 Flat street,
Brattleboro. 7:30 p.m. $12; students $9. Information:
(802) 254-1382; www.neyt.org.
Saturday,
October 18
THEATER tennessee Williams’s The
Glass Menagerie. see listing for Oct. 16.
New england Youth Theater, 100 Flat st.,
Brattleboro. performances at 3 and 7:30
p.m. $12; students $9. Information: (802)
254-1382; www.neyt.org.
muSIC Blanche Moyse chorale: stravinsky,
schutz, Bach. The Blanche Moyse
Chorale, under the direction of Mary Westbrook,
performs works by schutz, Bach, and
stravinsky. six Motets by Heinrich schutz,
unaccompanied; Motet No 1, singet dem
Hern ein neues Lied, Johann sebastian
Bach; Mass in C, Igor stravinsky, brass and
wind accompaniment. Centre Congregational
Church, 193 Main St., Brattleboro. 8 p.m.
$18, $10 students. Information: (802) 257-
4523; www.bmcvt.org.
Sunday,
October 19
THEATER Tennessee Williams’s The
Glass Menagerie. see listing for Oct. 16.
New england Youth Theater, 100 Flat st.,
Brattleboro. 3 p.m. $12; students $9. Information:
(802) 254-1382; www.neyt.org.
muSIC Blanche Moyse chorale: stravinsky,
schutz, Bach. see listing for Oct. 18.
Vermont Academy, 10 Long Walk, Saxtons
River. 3 p.m. $18, $10 students. Information:
(802) 257-4523; www.bmcvt.org.
Tuesday,
October 21
LOCAL HISTORy “Vermont History
through song.” singer and researcher
Linda Radtke, joined by pianist John Lincoln,
brings Vermont history to life with
commentary about the songs found in the
Vermont Historical society’s collection of
sheet music. Dressed in period costume,
Radtke takes listeners through state history,
using the songs Vermonters published
in their communities. 6:30 p.m. Brattleboro
Museum and Art Center, 10 Vernon St., Brattleboro.
Information: (802) 257-9198.
dISCuSSIOn Health care with Barry
Beeman (Brattleboro Memorial Hospital),
Tom schll (Richards group), Richard Davis
(Vermont Citizens Campaign for Health).
part of political discussion series; see listing
for Oct. 7. 7-8:30 p.m. Wine Gallery at
Windham Wines, 30 Main St., Brattleboro.
Reservations (required): (802) 246-6400.
Wednesday,
October 22
dISCuSSIOn “Before You Vote... A
primer on primary sources – the Declaration
of independence.” Discussion of
essential documents in american history.
part of the presidential Biography series
sponsored by the Vermont Humanities
Council and facilitated by Vermont humanities
scholar Deborah Luskin. Funded by the
Friends of Brooks Memorial Library. Free.
Brooks Memorial Library Meeting Room,
224 Main Street, Brattleboro. 7-9 p.m. Information:
(802) 254-5290.
Thursday,
October 23
REAdInG The Immigrant’s Contract. author
Leland Kinsey will read from his recent
work, published by David R. godine in 2008.
In this new collection of linked poems, Kinsey
offers a new installment of his narrative
verse. Free. Brooks Memorial Library Main
Room, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro. 7 p.m. -
9 p.m. Information: (802) 254-5290.
THEATER Tennessee Williams’s The
Glass Menagerie. see listing for Oct. 16.
New England Youth Theater, 100 Flat Street,
Brattleboro. 7 p.m. $12; students $9. Information:
(802) 254-1382; www.neyt.org.
Friday, October 24
THEATER tennessee Williams’s The
Glass Menagerie. see listing for Oct. 16.
New england Youth Theater, 100 Flat street,
Brattleboro. 7:30 p.m. $12; students $9. Information:
(802) 254-1382; www.neyt.org.
Saturday,
October 25
FESTIVAL Nuclear Free Jubilee. Join
Bread and puppet Theater’s procession up
Main street starting at elm and Flat street
in downtown Brattleboro at 10:30. alternative
energy Fair at the Brattleboro Common
from 12-2:00. alternative energy exhibits,
musical performances, food, and speakers,
including anthony pollina, gaye symington,
peter shumlin, and energy expert and author
Harvey Wasserman. guest appearance
by Reverend Billy. Rain or shine. Information:
www.nuclearfreejubilee.org.
THEATER tennessee Williams’s The
Glass Menagerie. see listing for Oct. 16.
New England Youth Theater, 100 Flat Street,
Brattleboro. Performances at 3 and 7:30 p.m.
$12; students $9. Information: (802) 254-
1382; www.neyt.org.
Sunday,
October 26
THEATER tennessee Williams’s The
Glass Menagerie. see listing for Oct. 16.
New england Youth Theater, 100 Flat street,
Brattleboro. 3 p.m. $12; students $9. Information:
(802) 254-1382; www.neyt.org.
Tuesday,
October 28
TRIp New Britain Museum of American
Art. Join the saxtons River art guild on a
bus leaving Walpole at the North Meadow
plaza at 7:45 a.m. and at Hannaford’s parking
lot in Brattleboro at 8:15 a.m. The new Chase
Family Building of the New Britain Museum
of american art showcases the Museum’s
collection of more than 5,000 works of art
dating from the 18 th century to the present
day. $53. Reservations: Greater Falls Travel,
(802) 463-3919 by Oct. 7.
dISCuSSIOn pre-election summary
of political discussion series; see listing for
Oct. 7. 7-8:30 p.m. Wine Gallery at Windham
Wines, 30 Main St., Brattleboro. Reservations
(required): (802) 246-6400.
Wednesday,
October 29
LECTuRE “the Western Abenaki, History
and culture.” Who were the native
people of Vermont and how did they live?
This lecture, by Jeanne Brink, examines the
importance in abenaki society of elders and
children, the environment, and the continuance
of lifeways and traditions. 6:30 p.m.
Moore Free Library, 23 West St., Newfane.
Information: (802) 257-9198.
dISCuSSIOn “Before You Vote...
A primer on primary sources – the
Declaration of independence.” see
listing for Oct. 22. Free. Brooks Memorial
Library Meeting Room, 224 Main street,
Brattleboro. 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Information:
(802) 254-5290.
Friday, October 31
muSIC trio con Brio copenhagen/
chamber series. Korean sisters violinist
soo-Jin Hong and cellist soo-Kyung Hong;
and the Danish pianist Jens elvekjaer - received
the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson
International Trio award in 2005. Benefit
concert, presented by Brattleboro Music Center.
Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main
St., Brattleboro. 8 p.m. Information: (802)
257-4523; www.bmcvt.org.
Saturday,
november 1
FESTIVAL Vermont Mongolia Film Festival.
Films, presentations. presenters who
have just returned from Mongolia’s annual
golden eagle Festival. Latchis and Hooker
Dunham Theaters, 50 and 139 Main St.,
Brattleboro. 6 p.m. Information: (802) 257-
7898, ext. 1.
Sunday,
november 2
LECTuRE “George Houghton: Vermont’s
civil War photographer.” a
hidden gem in Vermont’s history is the
photographic work completed by Brattleboro
photographer george Houghton. He
took pictures of Vermont soldiers in the
field, camp, and at home. This program
by Donald Wickman will discuss some of
Houghton’s life and show a number of the
images that brought the Civil War back to
Vermont via photography. 2 p.m. Brooks Memorial
Library, 224 Main St., Brattleboro.
Information: (802) 254-8398.
FESTIVAL Vermont Mongolia Film Festival.
see listing for Nov. 1. Latchis and
Hooker Dunham Theaters, 50 and 139 Main
st., Brattleboro. 11 p.m. Information: (802)
257-7898, ext. 1.
Tuesday,
november 4
WORKSHOp Annual design-a-plate program
during the week of Nov. 4-8. suitable
for the whole family, design-a-plate makes
the perfect gift for friends and relatives. $5
per plate. Drop in during library hours, Tuesday-Friday
1-5 p.m., sat. 9-1 p.m. 23 West st.,
Newfane. Information: (802) 365-7948.
Wednesday,
november 5
LECTuRE the impact of the U.s. invasion
and occupation of iraq. part of the
First Wednesdays series. Retired CIa Chief
of Counterterrorism Haviland smith discusses
the impact of the U.s. Iraq operation
on ethnic rivalries, oil supplies, terrorism,
Israel and Iran, U.s. interests, and our future
policy options. A Vermont Humanities Council
event. 7 p.m. Brooks Memorial Library,
224 Main St., Brattleboro. Information:
(802) 254-5290.
Tired of waiting?
Now taking
VIP deposits
for ’08
move-ins.
On a waiting list for
senior housing?
Not with us.
Safety and well-being can’t wait so
we’re rolling out the red carpet. Get
settled into your very own, brand new
apartment at Bentley Commons at
Keene before the cold weather hits.
197 WATER STREET
KEENE, NH 03431
www.bentleycommons.com/keene
(603) 352-1282
SAVE
THE DATE
VOTE On ELECTIOn dAy
TuESdAy, nOV. 4
Join Bread
& Puppet
Theater
in a lively
procession
through
downtown
Brattleboro -
10:30 A.M. at Flat
and Elm Streets
Join your
neighbors
for an energy
fair, speakers
and musical
performances
— 12 noon at
the Brattleboro
Common
Saturday, October 25 • 10:30 A.M to 2 P.M.
The
NUCLEAR-FREE
Jubilee
sponsored by the Safe & Green Coalition
The Vermont Legislature will vote
on the continued operation of
Entergy Corporation’s Vermont
Yankee this spring – we have the
opportunity to turn from dangerous
and polluting nuclear power to
conservation and renewable,
community-based energy sources.
SPEAKERS
■ Vermont state sentaor PETER SHUMLIN
■ Candidates for governor ANTHONY POLLINA
and GAYE SYMINGTON
■ Energy expert and author HARVEY
WASSERMAN
■ A special appearance by the notorious
REVEREND BILLY
Be part of the change – Be part of history!
nuclearfreejubilee.org / safeandgreen.org
AD SPONSORED BY EVERYONE’S BOOKS

10 The Commons • October 2008
Voices
VIEWpOInTS, ESSAyS, And pERSOnAL pERSpECTIVES
By, FOR, And ABOuT THE CITIZEnS OF WIndHAm COunTy
VIEWpOInT
on living with fear
An uncertain future
connects a nuclear plant
in our backyard to the
national presidential race
Brattleboro
SITTINg IN THe gYM
at the Vernon elementary
school on sept. 15,
listening to hours of testimony
about the future of Vermont
Yankee, I couldn’t help but
see a clear connection to what
seems to be the major issue in
the presidential race, albeit a
mostly unspoken issue.
The issue, of course, is fear.
Fear of change that cannot
be controlled or accurately predicted.
Fear of loss — either of
the present or the future. Fear
of fear.
Testimony about our local
nuke praised VY as a safe, clean,
and reliable source of energy.
Many of its supporters echoed
the sentiment that, yes, we need
and support the quest for renewable
energy, but we’re not there
yet, so we need to renew VY’s
license for another 20 years so
that its reliable energy can serve
as a bridge to the renewable future
that we all want to see.
Other supporters played the
economic card: VY employs X
people making high salaries,
contributes Y dollars in payroll,
another Z dollars in direct financial
support of community
efforts, and its employees can
always be counted on to give up
their days off to help out with local
community projects.
There was even testimony
from the local United Way and
Chamber of Commerce that,
without VY’s presence, life
here in Windham County just
wouldn’t be as sweet. Did you
know that VY is the largest single
contributor to United Way?
Did you know that it is the largest
employer of veterans? and
how, exactly, should this figure
in any relicensing decision? The
VIEWpOInT
Tapping into
the earth
page 12
BOB ROTTEnBERG
(bobkar@valinet.com), a longtime
resident of Colrain, Mass.,
recently moved to Brattleboro.
implication was that VY’s demise
would punch a big hole locally.
The not-so-subtle subtext here
was: Without VY, we just don’t
know how our community will
survive or how our refrigerators
will keep running (yes, someone
actually said that!). Fear of
change, fear of loss, fear of fear.
Testimony on the “other side”
was equally predictable, also
echoing its own unspoken fears:
loss of our environmental integrity,
loss of our incentive to
jump-start the renewable energy
future by shutting down nonrenewable
generators by a date
certain. Fear of allowing the status
quo to keep us from moving
into the future — a move that we
all know will require all of us to
make sacrifices.
and this, I think, is the biggest
fear that we all carry, even
if we don’t acknowledge it to
ourselves or to others: the fear
of the need to make sacrifices in
the name of the future.
These fears are felt viscerally
on both sides of the debate.
They are very real. and, we
know that we cannot be easily
talked out of our fears. On the
other hand, our fears can very
easily be played on.
see THe CONNeCTION to the
presidential campaign?
The McCain/what’s-her-name
ticket, similar to the VY supporters,
plays on fear because it has
nothing substantive to offer.
What are the fears? I think it
boils down to the fear of loss of
self-image. We’re clearly not the
country we once were, nor are
pRImARy SOuRCE
VY testimony
to the VpsB
pages 13–16
steam rises from Vermont Yankee.
we the country we used to hope
we could be. The “hope” still exists,
yet people know in their gut
that something is very wrong.
and we’re afraid of looking at
it because it might ask more of
us than we’re willing to give.
We might need to sacrifice our
american way of life.
The Obama camp plays on
fear in a more subtle way —
mirroring the more subtle
fears expressed by the VY opponents.
It’s the fear that says,
“If we don’t do something very
creative very soon, we will lose
whatever measure of control
over our lives we may actually
have.”
This is a harder fear to identify,
and it certainly won’t easily
fit onto a bumper sticker. The
Obama folks sense the threat of
an even greater sacrifice — that
of our ability to exist as both a
nation and an ecosystem.
peRHaps THe most telling
testimony came from a
gentleman who said, simply,
“Nuclear power is 20th-century
technology. It’s time to pay
more attention to 21st-century
technologies.”
300 WORdS
The lake
page 11
This certainly got my attention.
What he was saying was
that nuclear power worked for
a while. It held a big promise —
remember “too cheap to meter?”
— but, unfortunately, that promise
didn’t pan out, much in the
same way that the last half of the
20th century was, in many eyes,
the “american Century” that
also held big promise, accomplished
many things, and is now
on its way out.
Isn’t it time to say “thank you”
to both of these 20th-century
concepts, and move as quickly
and seamlessly as we can into
the 21st century?
Wouldn’t it have made more
sense, and made their argument
more acceptable, if the VY supporters
had backed up their
claims to an interest in moving
toward renewables with this
pledge: “We would like to see
our license renewed, and have
the renewal tied directly to the
generation of replacement, renewable
energy. as renewable
production increases, our output
will decrease megawatt for
megawatt, until there’s simply
no reason for us to be here
anymore.”
EdITORIAL
The meaning
of charity
page 21
I know, I know: Nobody will
finance a nuclear plant under
those conditions, but isn’t that
part of the problem?
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
said it best: “The only thing
we have to fear is fear itself.” I
would love to be able to say, with
absolute confidence, to those
people who fear their personal
or community loss resulting
from a VY shutdown, that they
don’t have to worry, because
they will be taken care of. That
they may be in for some rocky
times, but things will come
around again for them.
In the same way, I’d love to tell
all the McCain supporters that,
yes, he will be able to bring the
healing and creativity that this
country so desperately needs.
and I wish I could tell myself
that it’s absolutely OK to “just
sit back and relax — that the
meltdown (nuclear, economic,
constitutional, etc.) won’t happen
if Vermont Yankee gets
renewed or McCain moves into
the White House.
I’m just not so sure that I believe
any of these things — or
that I could say them with a
straight face. n
VIEWpOInT
get to know
Latinos
pages 17
JeReMY OsBORN
The Commons • October 2008 VOICES 11
Not an energy island
Westminster
AN eXTRaORDINaRY
NOTION has crept into
the public dialogue
about closing Vermont Yankee.
The notion is that unless Vermont
has a vast array of new
in-state power sources in place
on March 12, 2012 at midnight,
the lights will go out along with
the deadly, glowing fission at
the heart of VY.
This notion has been on the
lips of our gubernatorial candidates
and other public officials.
It is encouraged by entergy propaganda.
and it leads, of course,
to another notion: that we cannot
decide to close the plant
unless and until we have replaced
it with 600 windmills or a
gazillion solar panels, or 70,000
more pooping cows.
Both ideas are false. While it
is desirable to replace VY with
in-state renewables for a number
of reasons, doing so is in no
way a necessary prerequisite to
making the decision to close the
plant in 2012.
You only have to reflect a moment
on your own experience to
realize why. During its lifetime,
VY has gone off-line dozens of
times due to mishaps (several
of them in very recent memory),
periodically for weeks at a
time for refueling, and for many
months such as during replacement
of faulty reactor coolant
pipes.
even with a sCRaM, a completely
unpredictable sudden
shutdown of a nuclear reactor,
when 33 percent of our
power supply disappears in
an eye blink, the lights in Vermont
never flicker. There are
no brownouts. There is no
panicked scramble to string extension
cords to Canada.
mICHAEL J. dALEy, who
writes books of science and science
fiction, describes himself
as a “lifelong renewable energy
advocate.”
How come? Because Vermont
is not an energy island.
VeRMONT Is part of the IsO-
New england power grid,
whose mission is to keep the
lights on no matter what is happening
to any individual power
plant in the mix. The grid’s total
generation capacity is 32,000
megawatts (MW). at 620 MW,
VY represents less than 2 percent
of that capacity. at any one
time, between 4,000 MW and
10,000 MW is not being used
and stands ready to pick up load
when major generators like VY
go off line unexpectedly.
That’s why you never know
VY has gone down until you
read the headlines the next day.
and that’s why there is absolutely
no reason to link the issue
of closing VY with the notion
that we must build in-state generation
to replace it.
Having said that, a nonnuclear
transition to in-state
renewables is entirely possible.
such a transition should begin
with the full exploitation of
energy efficiency because it is
cheaper and friendlier to the
environment than any source
of power. even governor Jim
Douglas’s Department of public
service agrees that within a few
short years at least 15 percent of
Vermont’s power demand could
be saved this way.
That’s more than a third of
the power needed to replace the
portion of VY power Vermonters
use. It will save ratepayers
millions of dollars and create
hundreds of new in-state jobs.
Today, efficiency Vermont employs
more than 150 people
while saving 40 MW to 50 MW
annually. That’s three jobs created
per megawatt saved, versus
only one job at VY.
after the efficiency savings
above, only 150 MW of power
will be required to make up the
VIEWpOInT
VY is not a bridge to safer, cleaner, renewable energy
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VY deficit — less if Vermont
utilities take less of the nuclear
power anyway, as is currently
planned.
IF THe LegIsLaTURe rejects
the VY license extension, Vermont
can rely on short-term
contracts from region-wide
sources of hydro or wind or
other renewables to carry us
through a period during which
we undertake the orderly development
of in-state renewable
sources to meet this demand.
That development need not
take long if permitting issues
can be settled. Windmills can be
erected in a construction season.
Biomass plants can be built
in two years (and provide 4 to
5 jobs per megawatt). With appropriate
encouragement, some
capacity might even be ready to
go on-line before VY closes.
a transition to safer, cleaner
renewable energy sources is
needed, but VY is not the bridge
to get us there. Its spans are
strung with cables of nuclear
risk and hung on pillars of dry
casks full of deadly wastes.
attempting to cross it may
lead us to a future nobody can
live with. n
The lake
Townshend
TURK LIKeD to get up
early and take his boat
out on the lake before
work. Being out on the water
so much gave him a lot of
time to observe the lake and
the homes that lined it. some
were old, dating from the
Depression.
New regulations required
homeowners to install septic
tanks. The new tanks cost
thousands of dollars.
The owners of one of the
shorefront properties, an old
working class family, had a
brand-new Cadillac parked in
the driveway. Turk wondered
how they could afford it.
as he stared at the house,
an upstairs window opened,
and a small plastic bag flew
out, landing in the lake. It
soon floated away and sank.
The same scene was repeated
the next two mornings.
Turk’s imagination ran wild.
Maybe the family had turned
to dealing drugs to make ends
meet. perhaps the bags were
filled with contraband that had
been meant to be picked up by
a buyer.
TURK CRUIseD pasT the
house very early the next
morning, determined to capture
one of the mystery bags,
300 WORdS
GARy GRInnELL used
294 words.
which he had convinced
himself contained drugs or
money.
He waited close by, just
out of sight. Turk heard the
window open, then the unmistakable
plop of a plastic bag
hitting the water.
Turk managed to fish the
bag out of the water. It was
filled with human waste, not
exactly what he was hoping
for.
“They were going in bags
and slinging them out the window,”
Turk said. He reasoned
that the family had used the
money for the septic system to
buy the new Cadillac.
“In a way it makes sense,”
he said thoughtfully. “What
would you rather have? a septic
tank or a Cadillac? You
can’t drive a septic tank.” n
Do you want to express
a truth, a peeve, an appreciation
of life? Write about
any real-life experience in
300 words or less. Send your
contributions to editor@commonsnews.org
or P.O. Box
1212, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
We will choose one essay to
run in each issue.
5
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12 VOICES The Commons • October 2008 The Commons • October 2008 VOICES 13
tapping into the earth
Geothermal lets us spurn fossil fuels in home heating
Dummerston
IT Was 5 degrees outside
when we woke up
one morning. snow devils
danced across the field illuminated
by early morning winter
sunlight. Inside, the blower
on our 1980s vintage wood/oil
combination furnace was humming
away. It was a cozy 68
degrees, our preferred house
temperature.
Nothing is extraordinary
about these observations, except
for one small detail — not
a single drop of fossil fuel or
even so much as a matchstick
of wood is being consumed.
Instead we rely on the solar energy
stored in the earth’s crust
to heat our home.
When we moved to our 18thcentury
farmhouse, we had
a strong desire to reduce our
home heating carbon footprint
to as low as we could get it —
zero if possible. We explored a
lot of heating alternatives. some
seemed impractical, especially
for a retrofit to a historic home.
Others involved technologies
that we felt had not yet arrived.
and others were good on the
renewable side of the equation,
but still put at least some carbon
and other pollutants into the
atmosphere.
Of all the feasible technologies,
using a ground source
heat pump to extract the solar
heat stored in the earth’s crust
seemed the most practical to us.
This technology, which has a
long history of success in northern
europe, relies on simple,
well-established heating and
refrigeration principles and
equipment. We could use our
current hot-air heating ducts,
and the system would provide
us with air conditioning when
run in reverse in the summer.
We could also keep our current
wood/oil combo furnace intact
as emergency backup.
Now that the system is installed
and working, we often
find ourselves needing to explain
this little home heating
and air conditioning zero carbon
GREG mOSCHETTI
is a semi-retired marketing
consultant with interests in
alternative energy solutions.
He is working on new business
ideas that “link the new green
economy to green-collar jobs
and job training to help provide
good jobs for people with barriers
to employment,” he writes.
emission miracle to our friends.
Here’s what we tell them.
THe eaRTH’s CRUsT, once
you get below the frost line
here in Vermont, is a pretty constant
51 to 54 degrees. This
heat comes not from the earth’s
magma (too far away); rather, it
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is stored from the sun (farther
away, but strong enough to heat
the earth’s surface).
The trick is getting this heat
out of the earth and into the
house. There are different systems
available for doing so, and
the particular one we chose,
because of its high efficiency,
came from advanced geothermal
Technologies in Reading,
penn. and was installed by The
good Heat Company.
This system circulates a refrigerant
in sealed loops in the
ground to pick up the heat
stored there (or coolness in
summer, relative to seasonal
temperatures). There are 8
loops each 70 feet long in holes
drilled at an angle so that the disturbed
area on top of the ground
is only about 10 feet by 10 feet.
The refrigerant comes from
the ground loop at around 54
degrees. It passes through
a compressor (just like the
one in your refrigerator or air
conditioner, only bigger) where
compression heats it to 150 degrees
or so. It then continues to
a coil in the furnace where the
blower blows air across it and
into the ductwork. The air leaving
the furnace is about 110
degrees — hot enough to warm
the house.
as the air blows across the
coil with refrigerant in it, the refrigerant
cools down to about
24 degrees and loops its way
from the furnace back into the
ground to pick up more heat.
The whole process is reversed
in the summer to provide air
conditioning. The compressor
unit is housed in the basement
and is very compact and as quiet
as a refrigerator.
sOMe OF OUR friends still
don’t quite understand how we
can go from 54 degrees ground
heat to 150 degrees at the other
side of the compressor. Obviously,
these are the friends who
didn’t pay attention in physics
class, so we try to stay nontechnical.
We begin with a question:
“Have you ever noticed the heat
that comes out from behind an
old refrigerator when it’s running
or how hot it is at the back
of an air conditioner when it’s
running — way hotter than it is
in the house or even outside?”
Most say, “Yes.”
“The principle,” we explain, “is
exactly the same.”
The refrigerant picks up heat
from the ground. It then gets
compressed and gasified to raise
it to even higher temperatures.
The air blowing across it takes
the heat out and returns it to
VIEWpOInT
the ground colder than when it
started.
“aha, I think I get it,” our
friends say with hesitation in
their voices, “but how can you
claim zero carbon emissions
when you’re using electricity to
drive your compressor?”
We have a two-word answer:
“Cow power.”
By subscribing to 100 percent
Cow power we are using zeroto-low-carbon
and renewable
energy sources for our electricity.
Ultimately, we’d like to
generate our own electricity as
wind, solar photovoltaic, or other
technologies become more practical
and affordable as this will
truly be zero carbon, but right
now buying electricity generated
by renewable resources like manure
methane, wind, and hydro
seems the best choice.
“sO,” asK our friends, “what
happens when the power goes
out?”
Of course, the same question
arises with oil or propane, but
our friends like to challenge us
and seem to forget that fossil
fuel furnaces rely on electricity
as well. We could use a generator,
but still have the option of
burning a small wood fire in our
backup wood/oil combination
furnace.
Lastly, they ask, “How expensive
is it, and what’s the
payback?”
The expense depends on
whether you can re-use your
existing ductwork and furnace.
This aside, it is definitely more
expensive than installing a new
furnace and, regrettably, the
government now provides no
incentives for installing ground
source heat pump systems. We
got a meager $300 tax credit.
The payback as the price of oil
continues to rise (and the price
of cordwood along with it) looks
better and better. Based on the
2007-08 heating season, our total
extra electrical costs were
$1,054. This is our total heating
bill. Not a bad price for heating a
2,400-square-foot house with average
weatherization.
Typically, we might expect to
use 1,000 gallons of oil annually,
which would cost $3,300 at $3.30
per gallon, so we came out at
about one-third the cost of heating
with oil. In 2008-09, with oil
prices at $5 per gallon, we will
still be paying around $1,000
versus $5,000. at this rate the investment
will pay back in under
6 years.
There is another payback.
This is the one of knowing that
we are no longer contributing to
global warming in the heating
our home. It is immediate and
strong.
It’s the least we can do for
Mother earth in return for
the privilege of waking up to
5 degree days with snow devils
dancing across the fields
as we look out across the valley
to Black Mountain covered
in snow. n
pRImARy SOuRCE
citizens condemn, defend
Vermont Yankee
What the Vermont Public Service Board heard
Editor’s note: Following are citizen comments from a public
hearing of the Vermont Public Service Board, whose members
came to Vernon Sept. 15 to hear testimony about the
proposed 20-year extension of the Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee
plant. Because of the range of issues and the highly polarized nature
of the relicensing debate, we thought we would literally publish the
viewpoints from the PSB transcript of everyone who spoke. The text
has been lightly edited for grammar and condensed for space.
Richard Meister/Brattleboro: I was
looking for a career change, looking at
the industry, what might be a good plant to
join. I chose Vermont Yankee because I saw
a plant that had a good operating history,
good maintenance, and good quality of the
physical condition of the plant, appropriate
procedures and policies in place to ensure
long, reliable, safe operation of the station,
and appropriate people in place to ensure
safe, reliable operation of the plant.
I would ask you guys use logic, common
sense, and your education to choose
the right path for Vermont Yankee going
forward.
daniel sicken/Dummerston: Vermont
has the opportunity to go the
route of safe technology and to abandon the
dangerous technology, and this is something
that’s unprecedented. I believe that
we need to think really clearly about what
this means for Vermont because Vermont is
a rather special state, and I think a lot of us
recognize that.
We have a lot of potential here for doing
things on a new basis and abandoning
the old, and I think when it comes to energy,
I think even the national people
would recognize that we need to come up
with something new. so we’re looking at
basically continuing on with dangerous
technology for another 20 years.
Claire chang/Gill, Mass.: When Vermont
Yankee shuts down on March 21,
2012, Vermont will have an absolutely wonderful
opportunity to finally put into place
a lot of energy conservation and efficiency
measures and renewable energy.
germany in 2001 decided it was going to
shut down all its nuclear reactors. In order
to replace the power that came from those
reactors they started an aggressive program
of installing solar pV and wind. In four
years, starting in 2001, the country installed
3,300 megawatts of solar pV and 14,000
megawatts of wind.
Now germany is about twice the size of
New england, and Vermont Yankee only
represents 2 percent of the New england
power grid. It is a minuscule, wholly insignificant
drop in the bucket. It is entirely
possible with technology that is available
off the shelf today — technology that is being
installed on roofs across the country to
replace the power that comes from VY. This
is not a pie-in-the-sky dream.
deb Katz/Rowe, Mass.: I’m the executive
director of the Citizens awareness
Network. We have over 2,500 members in
the tri-state community, and I’m here to represent
their interests.
You know, not only does Vermont have
an opportunity to transform its energy policy,
but the Vermont public service Board
has an opportunity to transform the way it in
fact deals with entergy.
I do not think Vermont Yankee should
get a Certificate of public good from this
board or any board in New england or the
northeast on the way they operate. There
are issues of reliability, there’s inadequacy
in terms of maintenance programs, there’s
inadequacy to the way they have run that
reactor.
I have one quote to leave the board with:
the idea of what sustainable development
is. sustainable development is development
that meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs. I say
entergy is wholly unacceptable in terms of
that concept.
osh Dostis/New salem, Mass.: I think
Jthere are a lot of honest people in this
room. However, the process in which we
find ourselves is the issue: how can you put
honest people in a dishonest process?
I’ve looked at the target map of the radius
around the center of the nuclear power
plant. I noticed that almost half of the area
within that radius happens to fall in Massachusetts.
Now it seems pretty odd that
Vermont, with maybe one-quarter of the
pie, is dealing the whole issue right here in
your Board.
perhaps have one of your meetings in
greenfield and see who shows up, because
we in Massachusetts would like some representation
in your decision.
Ginger carson/Northampton,
Mass.: I’ve done a lot of research
about Chernobyl and what happened post-
Chernobyl. even if something happened
here that is even a fraction as upsetting and
dangerous as what happened there, we
would have a massive evacuation, we would
have great danger to our populace.
Harvey schacktman/shelburne
Falls, Mass.: I think it’s absolutely insane
that we allow a corporation to come in,
extract profits, ship them out of state, and
subject the residents to such potential for
catastrophe.
It’s terribly irresponsible, selfish, and
greedy, and I think we’re all crazy to allow
a corporation to come and continue to do
this to the point where there’s a possibility
of losing our homes, our land. If you own
property, look in your homeowner’s insurance.
There’s an exclusion there that does
not cover you in case of loss from a nuclear
accident.
What are we doing here? How can you allow
this to go on?
Now Vermont — the very nature of
what Vermont represents as a brand — is
at stake. everybody knows these plants
release terribly dangerous radionuclides —
and what else — in the air 24/7.
Nuclear power is failed technology. Bring
it to an end, shut it down, and let them go
back to Louisiana.
nina Keller/Wendell, Mass.: If there
were to be any kind of evacuation
problem, the economic chaos would be
profound, and we must be included in your
consideration.
I want to remind you that the evacuation
plan, which I call a “non-evacuation plan,”
has not been fully tested using school bus
drivers who are not first responders, and
many of them would not go into an evacuation
zone. This has to be considered in your
analysis.
Amos Newton/Jamaica: I wonder how
in the world can you separate the issues
of economy and safety because if there
is an accident that involves nuclear radiation,
there’s no telling how expensive that
can be.
If there’s not an accident, we’re talking
about decommissioning and caring for this
waste for far beyond the foreseeable future
for any of us. That is expensive.
The future ratepayers for however many
generations are going to be paying for this
whether we’re getting power from it or not.
Sally Newton/West townshend: It’s
absolutely ridiculous and totally outrageous
that we have no control on the local
and state level over nuclear safety issues. It
just doesn’t make sense.
peter Newton/Windham: In order
to decide if relicensing is in the public
interest, the board must weigh short-term
economic benefits against long-term liabilities.
If the plant’s relicensed and if it
runs without major incident or accident for
20 years, Vermonters will get reasonably
priced electricity and good-paying jobs.
Those are the benefits.
The liabilities, known and unknown, are
unpredictable and unaccountable. some
would say unacceptable.
1. Can the plant run reliably for another
20 years? Recent history suggests
otherwise.
2. a waste solution using long-term storage
or some kind of recycling has eluded
the best minds in the business for half a
century. This is not a theoretical problem.
Without the how-to, no one can predict the
how-much.
3. It’s a fact that the end of this plant’s
engineered lifespan, the very important decommissioning
fund, is at least half a billion
dollars short. Does this mean we are not
paying enough for the power or that we are
being robbed? Will a current owner be responsible
for these enormous costs?
4. If we continue to rely on a dangerous
technology using obsolete infrastructure,
we will not invest in efficiency and renewable
technology that will sustain us in the
future.
The most condemning judgment of
Vermont Yankee’s economic viability is entergy’s
plan to take the money and run. The
value of electricity produced in the near
future will be capitalized on now, leaving
us with a nuke owned by a completely leveraged
limited liability corporation called
enexus. This speaks for itself.
Alicia Moyer/West townshend:
When calculation methods of the
emission levels can be monkeyed with to
downplay the higher levels since the uprate,
when spent fuel rods can be lost and take
forever to find, when leaks can be detected
yet never found nor fixed, when employees
become trapped in containment areas, when
cooling towers collapse due to deferred
maintenance, when valves become stuck
and shutdown occurs, when a crane drops
a cask full of radioactive waste, again due to
human error, when all of these issues seem
trivial compared to the yet-unresolved issue
of vast accumulations of deadly waste all set
to go to a mythical Yucca Mountain, which
would be full now if all designated waste
were sent today, why would the public certify
this as good?
ean Kiewel/chester: It seems that a
Jpromise was made when the plant was
licensed that there would be a plan to take
care of the waste. That’s a promise that has
not been kept, and there was also a promise
made that the decommissioning and the
cleanup of the plant would be paid for. It
seems we’re hearing in the news that that’s
also a promise that doesn’t look like it’s going
to be kept.
ane Newton/south londonderry:
Jsadly, because those who profit from
the business have convinced us that only
nuclear power and nuclear weapons can
keep us safe, warm, and green, it seems
as if we are willing to sacrifice children for
thousands of generations to a legacy of
unspeakable suffering. The world is fast becoming
covered in the most toxic material
known to man. On scene it will remain radiologic
for about 250,000 years.
Whenever I talk about Vermont Yankee
I try to remind people about the sneaky
connection between nuclear reactors and
nuclear weapons.
surely one of the reasons that our government
and the Department of Defense
seek to keep creepy old reactors like ours
going is the plutonium, which has given us
about 10,000 nuclear warheads and is found
mostly in nuclear waste or spent fuel rods.
This link between nuclear power and
nuclear energy is one of the most critical issues
of our time. shutting down Vermont
Yankee in 2012 may be only one baby step
back from the edge, but if we don’t take it,
Kurt Vonnegut’s words will be appropriate
forever.
He said most people don’t give a damn
if the plant closes or not. They act as if
they are all members of alcoholics anonymous
living one day at a time, and nobody
seems to be dreaming of a world for their
grandchildren.
Colin Blazej/Windham: We need to
work to reduce the demand for electric
power so that we can allow Vermont Yankee
to shut down as scheduled in 2012.
Relicensing will put off until our children’s
generation the inevitable economic
disaster that will follow maintaining a shutdown
plant that will have 20 years more
high-level waste stored at it for an eternity at
a site that would never have been allowed as
a long-term storage site if it were proposed
as a standalone site for nuclear waste.
If we are serious about reducing demand,
I think the state should be working
on helping other people achieve this lower
electricity use, and we could allow Vermont
Yankee to be out of the picture in 2012 with
nobody having to live huddled in the dark.
It’s as simple as that. I would beseech
you to all work in that direction.
Sally shaw: Here are a few of the broken
promises.
• Vermont Yankee spent fuel will be removed
after five years by the Department
of energy.
• Tritium releases will be monitored
before dissolution, not in the middle of the
Connecticut River. a 20-millirem limit will
be the standard at the fence line. This measurement
will assume that 1 rad equals 1
rem.
and the promise that we now ask you to
uphold that the reactor will be shut down
and decommissioned and dismantled starting
in 2012.
a story earlier this summer revealed

14 VOICES The Commons • October 2008 The Commons • October 2008 VOICES 15
that a clause in the sales contract drawn up
when entergy bought the reactor allows Ver-
mont utilities that were its previous owners
to receive enormous profits if entergy gets
to extend its license beyond 2012. This has
been portrayed as due to the savvy of Dps
lawyers working for ratepayers, but in fact it
is the usual business of Dps lawyers work-
ing for the private utility companies. There is
no guarantee that the ratepayers, rather than
the out-of-state stockholders at Central Ver-
mont public service and green Mountain
power, will benefit from the windfall.
I urge you to exercise your statutory
independence from the advocacy of the De-
partment of public service and the utility
companies they serve, and serve the Ver-
mont people.
L oren Kramer/Greenfield, Mass.: The
nuclear power industry is a 20th-century
industry. It was expected to be clean, cheap,
and unlimited. It has become none of those.
It is now the 21st century, and it seems not
only sensible, but necessary that we come
into the energy business in the 21st century.
That means clean, cheap, and sustainable,
alternative energy — our nature’s energy —
wind, solar, geothermal.
Between those alternative energies and
conservation there’s no reason why we
should continue with a 20th-century disaster.
n orman Raymond/putney: I’m an en-
tergy employee. I feel entergy should
continue. It is here. It is working well. It is
safe and reliable. as a ratepayer I am con-
cerned that if we move too quickly, our rates
will be going up and with everything else
increasing there’s not another thing I would
like to see happen.
S arah Evans/Dummerston: I was
born here. I was raised here, and I
moved back here to raise my children here.
I’m a fourth-generation Vermonter, and I’ve
lived with Vermont Yankee being here my
whole life.
I don’t live in fear, and I don’t see that I
will ever be in fear of Vermont Yankee be-
ing my neighbor. as a child I benefited from
Vermont Yankee being a part of our commu-
nity. Not only economically, but also from the
employees who have reached out and been a
part of our community.
My children currently are also reaping
those same rewards. I have acted as the
volunteer for my entire adult life with many
organizations, and every single one of those
organizations has benefitted from Vermont
Yankee. Not only those, but many others
that I’ve been involved with.
Most recently our town’s school play-
ground was in disrepair. When it came down
to it Vermont Yankee not only stepped up
with the finances to do so and gave us not
just what we asked for but more. More em-
ployees from Vermont Yankee showed up
who don’t even live in Dummerston to help
construct our new playground than did par-
ents of the children who live there, and that
is something to be said for this organization.
J ohn Ward/Gill, Mass.: What we’ve
heard tonight is not just a group of lefties
that are against everything and don’t want
Vermont Yankee relicensed because they
don’t want anything else.
In august a group of us got on our bicy-
cles and rode through Vermont. We rode up
main roads, back roads, main streets. We
canvassed in towns.
We talked to everyone we ran into, and
hundreds of people did not want Vermont
Yankee relicensed in 2012. a few people
like the people in this room were concerned
about the jobs that would be lost when that
plant is decommissioned and gone. Those
fears were easily allayed by mentioning the
hundreds of other jobs: plumbers, electri-
cians, contractors. There are a few people
concerned about the rates, but by and large
people wanted this plant closed, and the Ver-
mont Legislature has the chance to do that
this year.
If the legislature votes for the will of the
people, if this were a citizen referendum, it
would be closed today.
If the legislature votes with the will of the
people, you gentlemen will not even have a
job to do, because the legislature will say no
to the Certificate of public good.
n orm Rademacher/conway, Mass.:
I work at the plant. There are, as you
know, socioeconomic elements that you are
asked to evaluate for whether Vermont Yan-
kee should continue or not. They include the
economics of impact for the station which
are greater than $2 billion over the next 20
years.
Vermont is a reliable station. Over the last
five years we’ve exceeded 91-percent capac-
ity factor. We’re a green facility and emit no
greenhouse gasses during normal opera-
tions. We’re a community supporter and one
of the largest supporters of special needs
and common needs in the area where we
work. We’re the largest United Way contrib-
utor in the county, and many other things.
L aurel Facey/Wendell, Mass.: I’m
relatively uninformed. I learned some-
thing about evacuation from an old calendar
distributed by Vermont Yankee 20 years
ago when I lived in Vernon. I was thereby
informed of two very different kinds of pos-
sible events, each of which would require
totally opposite evacuation response.
Now I live outside the 10-mile zone and
work at shrewsbury elementary school in
Massachusetts. I think about the concept of
evacuation and believe it would be totally in-
adequate even if I knew what action to take,
and I agree with the person who said we
need to be more informed.
W illiam schulze/North springfield,
Vt.: For 29 years Vermont Yankee
and I have been a part of each other’s lives.
Most of the time I’ve lived in Vernon, a short
time I’ve lived in Brattleboro, and now I live
up in North springfield. I have a little bit of
an interest in this because I do work for Ver-
mont Yankee, but I think that economically
and as a resident of the state, relicensing is
the best course of action for Vermont Yankee
and for the people of Vermont.
Vermont Yankee’s available 24/7. It’s
base-loaded electricity, and over the last
couple of years, actually three-years-plus,
we’ve had some pretty darn good runs. We
ran once continuously for 18 months, and we
recently came across 365 days straight of un-
interrupted operation.
some folks have been talking about
Vermont Yankee saying we’re not reliable.
Well, gee, that sounds reliable to me.
Vermont Yankee is a large source of
revenue for the state of Vermont, for the lo-
cal economies as well, and the community
service.
We produce no greenhouse gasses in
our operations, and although we do pro-
duce radioactive waste in the form of spent
fuel, all the waste that we deal with we
know where it is. With coal-fired plants and
oil-fired plants the waste is real. You don’t
know where it is, and there is no expiration
date on it.
Vermont needs to keep its energy op-
tions open. We need to pursue everything
we can.
R ichard January: I’ve worked at the
plant since 1980. I’m now 61 years old.
By 2012 I probably will be thinking about
doing something else, so I’m not here look-
ing for myself.
I hear discussions at every one of these
meetings about the plant’s wearing out.
equipment wears out. I can tell you that on
a routine basis the plant is maintained.
The real issue is my family, not myself
unfortunately, but my family goes back in
Vergennes, Vt., into the 1700s. When my fa-
ther reached the age of needing to support
himself and his family he had to leave Ver-
mont because there was no work for him,
so I grew up elsewhere.
I’ve been fortunate to be able to come
back and work in Vermont, and I hope that
you make a decision that prevents other
people like my father from having to leave
the state because they cannot support them-
selves here.
B rian patno/Guilford: I don’t work
at Vermont Yankee, but I am a native
Vermonter. I’ve lived in Brattleboro up to
15 years ago. Then I lived in guilford. at
all times I’m in that big circle that you guys
have on the thing. I also have family down
in Vernon.
One of the things I hear is, “Not in my
yard.” I read that in the paper all the time.
Vermont Yankee: “Not in our yard. What
will it do to Vermont?” Then I actually hear
we’ve got to do other things. We’ve got to do
power. We’ve got to do wind. Well, “not in
my yard because I don’t like those big wind
turbines sitting on top of the beautiful moun-
tains in Vermont.”
solar — but “not in my yard because I
don’t like those solar panels on the side of
the mountains.”
Come on, people — Vermont Yankee is
2 percent of the power output in New eng-
land or something like that. Why aren’t we,
instead of saying “get rid of Vermont Yankee
now in 2012, because then we can start think-
ing about green energy and stuff like that,”
there’s no reason why we can’t be thinking
about green energy right now and get that
in place. Keep Vermont Yankee running so it
can give us that power that we need keep the
lights on. I’m sure everybody has power at
their house. Let them stay open.
also, they are a great corporate spon-
sor of everybody. everybody in the state of
Vermont benefits from Vermont Yankee not
only because of the jobs supplied. We lose
190 jobs, but that’s being shortsighted. We
lose a lot more than that.
m ike philippon/Vernon: I’m also an
employee of entergy. I would like to
give you a perspective from someone from
the outside. I’m not a native Vermonter. I
moved here about a year ago.
Where I came from Michigan, we lived
near the Monroe Coal plant, which was four
750-megawatt units, the second largest in
the world. every morning you would see a
brown cloud across the sky from the emis-
sions of that plant. I don’t believe anybody
in here is advocating coal or fossil fuels, but
there’s not a lot of viable alternatives for large
plants.
The low carbon footprint of Vermont
Yankee is important for Vermont, and it’s
one of the strong selling points when I of-
fer jobs to new people that want to come and
work at the plant is that Vermont has very
clean air.
The costs here in New england are prob-
ably, by my own estimate, 15 to 20 percent
higher than in the Midwest. everything
from gas, milk, propane, fuel — everything
with the exception of electricity. electricity
is probably 10 percent less than it was in the
Midwest.
n ancy Braus/putney: I’m concerned
about the planned spinoff of Vermont
Yankee to a new corporation, enexus.
Multi-billion-dollar corporation entergy has
decided to give up all fiscal responsibility for
the plant if this spinoff goes through. en-
tergy wants to create a corporation whose
only assets are the six aging nuclear plants.
It will own no monetary assets — only all
the debt it accrues when it buys these plants
from entergy.
This plan is so dubious that the Vermont
Legislature passed a bill to scuttle it. Unfor-
tunately, your boss, Jim Douglas, vetoed it.
Where will the cash come from if one of
these six plants has a major accident? Will
a company without entergy’s deep pockets
decide to cut corners on safety? What hap-
pens to Vermont Yankee if this business
goes bankrupt a la enron? Who will take
care of the waste for 10,000 years? Who will
pay for the $400 million or more not avail-
able currently for decommissioning? Who
will guard the plant ad infinitum? If the plant
is still operating, who’s going to run it?
d an Yates/Brattleboro: The reality is
that using wind to that extent isn’t at all
feasible, at least not with today’s technology.
Not only can wind turbines not supply base
load levels of electricity, the wind doesn’t al-
ways blow. It would take a land mass equal to
the size of Wisconsin to hold the number of
wind turbines needed to generate the same
amount of electricity our current nuclear
plants generate.
Then there’s the issue somebody else
already addressed with respect to what’s it
going to look like on the horizon if you al-
ways sees turbines. We could burn more
coal, but who is going to want a coal-pow-
ered plant generating near them?
a coal plant generating the same mega-
wattage as Vermont Yankee would send
65,000 tons of sulfur dioxide into the atmo-
sphere, as well as 6½ million pounds of ash
annually. I’m sure nobody would vote in
favor of that kind of plant anywhere in our
area.
Like it or not, this is a huge economic is-
sue. Vermont Yankee employs more than
600 people with an average annual wage of
approximately $75,000. If the plant is forced
to shut down, the impact on our region’s
economy will be significant.
There will be hundreds of homes put on
the market, driving down the value of real
estate further than it already is. people will
move to other areas to find work, which
means they won’t be here to spend their
earnings with the local merchants. That’s
about $7.5 million a year. Tax revenues to
the state and local towns will decline, and
we’ll get a real taste of a different kind of
trickle-down economics.
With an average wage in Windham
County of $35,000, we’re not talking about
replacing 650 jobs. We’re talking about hav-
ing to replace those positions with perhaps
more than 1,300 jobs, and where are those
going to come from?
We do have to find alternative sources of
energy, and we do have to look at sources
such as wind, hydro, solar, and geothermal,
but until we can develop sources that will
provide base load energy levels we need
this plant.
J ulie Hamilton/Guilford: I’m the vice
president of the board of directors of the
Brattleboro area Chamber of Commerce.
The following statement is from the board
and does not necessarily reflect the ex-
pressed sentiments of the Brattleboro area
chamber membership at large.
The Brattleboro area Chamber of Com-
merce is comprised of both the profit and
nonprofit sectors of our local economy. The
Chamber has membership of about 600.
Our membership runs the gamut from
several of the larger employers in our area
who have hundreds of employees to those
with only one or two. It’s fair to say most
businesses and organizations in our commu-
nity, including those who aren’t members,
struggle to sustain themselves against odds
that are becoming increasingly difficult.
The cost of doing business today is rising
at dizzying rates. some obvious examples
are insurance, health plans, educational re-
imbursements, and transportation, and of
course energy, which is part of everything
we do while we are doing business.
Because of the location in our area of
Vermont Yankee, it is no surprise that there
are perhaps no residents of the state, either
private or business, that are more con-
cerned with the energy issue than those in
Windham County, particularly in our greater
Brattleboro area.
Without question there are myriad points
of view and ideas and opinions about energy
in our community, specifically about how the
state of Vermont produces and provides en-
ergy options to its residents.
In this marketplace the ideas, we believe
that the constant is not that we must choose
one energy source over another. Rather it
is to ensure that there are options available
that allows for safe, steady, and physically
sound energy of all Vermonters. It does not
matter to us that the source of energy is
nuclear, fossil fuel, whatever. The issue for
business, just as it is for residents, is that it
be environmentally friendly and affordable.
For all the years Vermont Yankee has
been part of the mix our community has
enjoyed the blessing of fair and affordable
rates.
Needless to say, we would like to see
these rates continue. If it is nuclear energy
that keeps our rates down, then we support
continuing to license Yankee as long as it ad-
heres to the appropriate standards of safety
and ecological responsibility.
so it’s about energy, not entergy. It’s
about the sustainability of the local economy,
about our ability to keep and develop jobs,
about a greater Brattleboro that works.
C had simmons/Brattleboro: I am
urging the public service Board to re-
ject entergy’s request for a Certificate of
public good. While I have numerous con-
cerns and reasons why entergy, entergy
Nuclear, or enexus should no longer oper-
ate the Vermont Yankee nuclear reactor, I
will state a handful in relation to the mission
of the public service Board.
First, the uncertain escalating cost to
decommission Vermont Yankee is unaccept-
able. In October of 2007 it was estimated by
entergy that it would cost $970 million to de-
commission Vermont Yankee. Revisions this
year put this at approximately $1 billion. For
other utilities in the state like wind, decom-
missioning costs are required up front.
entergy is attempting to spin off itself
into a limited liability corporation. There is
still great uncertainty related to this new
corporation and if it will have the financial
resources or capacity — or interest, for that
matter — to pay for such an expensive de-
commissioning process.
Third, Vermont Yankee has over one
million pounds of high-level nuclear waste
on site.
as of this year it is estimated $11 billion
of ratepayer funds have already been mali-
ciously wasted in research and development
of Yucca Mountain, a partial storage option
that will not see the light of day.
I am asking the public service Board to
utilize a wider, more inclusive definition of
“cost” when making its decision. The cost
to Vermonters in terms of monthly electric
bill rates will increase regardless if Vermont
Yankee remains online. We have not heard
or seen any evidence to the contrary.
m ike Hebert/Vernon: My wife and
I live two miles from the plant. My
grandchildren live in this town and go to
school right here in Vernon.
None of us are paranoid about this plant.
Never have been. We raised our daughters
here. We’re not concerned about that, and if
you look around and you hear what’s going
on next door, this is our community center.
I’m the chairman of the Vernon elemen-
tary school Board, which supports entergy
and its plans to remain here in Vernon.
We have great faith in our neighbors
working at the plant and know they would
not subject our community or their family liv-
ing in our community to unnecessary risks.
We know you have heard a great deal of
testimony to the fact that VY is one of the
most significant engines — if not the most
— driving the economy of Windham County.
The tens of millions of dollars paid in taxes
by VY and their employees are vital to the
state of Vermont.
I’m here to speak about the value of the
heart of VY: its employees, some of the most
highly trained and talented people in the
state. They are also some of the most gen-
erous. When our gym divider, as you see it
over there, broke and the estimates to repair
it were in excess of $80,000, VY employees
volunteered to redesign and fabricate the
necessary parts for the repair, saving us the
cost of that repair. We probably would not
have been able to afford to do it.
When we were considering use of the
Internet and other technologies here at the
school and struggling to find ways to fund
them, again, employees of Vermont Yan-
kee stepped up to supply and install the
equipment.
entergy is far more than a corporation or
power plant. It is people. These people are
neighbors and friends with families of their
own — people who don’t sit around com-
plaining that something needs to be done.
They do it. They are people who, when
asked to help, don’t give excuses, they step
up to help.
They are people who have never asked
for anything in return, these outstanding
men and women are woven into the fabric of
our communities. To remove Yankee would
be to remove these people.
Losing these people would be a loss
to our community that, no doubt, we
could never replace. They are truly an
irreplaceable resource. entergy and its em-
ployees must remain an integral part of our
community.
d art Everett/Brattleboro: Because
of Vermont Yankee, we pay about half
what our electric rate would otherwise be
and we have great concerns. What happens
to our local employers if the rates go up?
Vermont Yankee provides power to the
state’s utilities at half the rate, and according
to the Department of public service, since
2002 Vermonters have saved more than $200
million and will save an estimated $450 mil-
lion dollars more by 2012, thanks to this
beneficial agreement.
If our legislative negotiators, ex-
ecutive-branch decision makers, and
power-company managers are really looking
out for Vermont’s future, they would sup-
port the 20-year license renewal with a side
agreement that would encourage entergy
to immediately begin the lengthy process
of constructing a new generation plant in
Vernon with our legislators running interfer-
ence against the anti-nuke industry.
p hil steckler/Brattleboro: I’m here on
behalf of the Brattleboro Development
Credit Corporation, whose primary objective
is to create, promote, and retain a business
community that supports vibrant fiscal ac-
tivity and enhances the quality of life for its
residents. essentially, good jobs are a key
component of the economic and social well
being of the region.
If BDCC was approached by a company
considering locating to the area with some
540 employees plus the need to hire addi-
tional local contract labor, a total payroll of
approximately $60 million dollars annually,
an average wage somewhere above $60,000,
and economic benefits for the entire state of
Vermont, we would be excited and realize
that the area and the state would reap tre-
mendous benefits.
With an average wage higher than the
average family income in Windham County,
we would be attaining positions that would
enable employees to afford to purchase their
own homes, provide disposable income to
spend in our local shops, and provide tal-
ented people to contribute their skills and
financial resources to the many social or-
ganizations that provide for those in need.
BDCC would essentially do everything pos-
sible to help influence that company make
the decision to locate in this area. This would
include tax incentives, job credits, and more.
We’re fortunate to have the men and
women of Vermont Yankee here. They par-
ticipate in our community and they work to
produce dependable, clean, affordable, and
safe power.
L issa Weinmann/Brattleboro: I’m
a mother and an owner of business
here in Brattleboro with my husband,
and our two children, and I’m against the
recommissioning of Vermont Yankee. I feel
that the issue has been a very divisive one
in our community for the years that I’ve
been here.
When the plant was originally allowed
to come into being it was a very close vote
in the Vermont Legislature. I think there
was a covenant made at that time that the
plant would close in 2012, and I think that
covenant with the Vermont people should
be honored.
I think there are a lot of employees of
Vermont Yankee here, and I respect their
position. I respect the money that Vermont
Yankee’s given to the community, but I
think we also have to respect the views of
the people who are not here tonight.
I think our legislature is in a really
unique position right now as is the public
service Board. I don’t really trust the Nu-
clear Regulatory Commission, but I know
that’s not an issue tonight. I think it’s a case
of the fox guarding the henhouse, quite
frankly.
I think that we need an independent
safety assessment of Vermont Yankee. I
think we can make up the jobs that are lost
ten times over at least and give new busi-
nesses the opportunity to give back to the
community.
entergy is not the only one that can
give to the nonprofits and others in the
community.
E llen Kaye/West Brattleboro: I have
no financial connection to Vermont Yan-
kee or to entergy Louisiana. I think it’s very
interesting that almost everybody who has
come up here to ask for another 20 years
has been financially connected to this cor-
poration and to this reactor.
I don’t think it holds a lot of credibil-
ity when, if you received money from this
company, you come up and say nice things
about it. I have a little clue for people: if a
corporation gives you a lot of money and
you get up at a microphone and say, “I want
you to give that corporation what it wants,”
you’ve been bought out.
I know that the state has a decision to
make about issuing a Certificate of public
good. I want to talk about that phrase.
“public good” cannot be defined by buy-
ing off local communities with a corporation
donating an infinitesimal fraction of its enor-
mous profits.
How many times is this giant corporation
from Louisiana that has no accountability
to our state going to ask Vermont for some-
thing and we say, “How much?” It’s time to
stop. It’s time to listen to people who are talk-
ing about renewables and alternatives and
moving into the future, not the past.
S ophie Bady-Kaye/West Brattleboro:
people are wondering, you know, what
are we going to do without Vermont Yankee
for power. I just recently learned about solar
on a bike tour.
We did 40 miles in two days, and I think
if an 11-year-old girl can easily do 40 miles
in two days, then we can use other kinds of
power.
We can find ways to do that easily.
A nthony Mathews/Gill, Mass.: Half
of gill is within the 10-mile evacuation
zone and along the Connecticut River. at its
annual town meeting in May the town voted
unanimously, I repeat unanimously, to op-
pose the relicensing of the Vernon nuclear
power plant. perhaps because we faced the
risks of the plant without sharing any of the
tax benefits we’re more clear-eyed about our
interests.
We feel our property is not properly in-
sured. This is also the case for the citizens
of Vermont. Because of the price-anderson
act the nuclear power plant operators do
not have to provide liability insurance for its
operation, and the federal government pro-
vides very limited insurance.
S teve Moriarty/Greenfield, Mass.:
I’ve worked at Vermont Yankee for 31
years. prior to that I worked all around New
england for New england power service
Company, which is a construction company
that maintained all fossil plants, including
coal, oil, hydro, and of course, nuclear.
My background was electrical construc-
tion maintenance, materials management,
quality assurance, and quality control.
In 1977 I was assigned to Vermont Yan-
kee. When I first visited this site I was
pleasantly surprised. It was clean, organized,
and run efficiently. It was nothing like the
dirty fossil plants that I was used to. I was so
impressed by the workplace and the person-
nel of the VY I took a permanent position at
VY and have been there ever since.
My daughter worked here as a summer
student while attending college. This past
summer my son worked as an intern in the
mechanical design engineering department.
I would not have allowed either to work
here if I didn’t truly believe it was a good and
safe place to work.
Having worked here, both were amazed
at the extraordinary difficulty that I go
through as a nuclear worker just to do my
job. The defense posture that nuclear work-
ers are forced to assume is not an art of daily
task [sic] that workers in most other profes-
sions have endured.
K arl Meyer/Greenfield, Mass.: If
you go down the Connecticut River,
there’s a bank of cooling towers that sit by
the river. They were put there to protect the
Connecticut River from effluent going in,
and every owner that has taken over that
plant ever since has been backing away from
that commitment to the Connecticut River.
In 1991 the owners at that time asked
for a variance so they could heat up the
Connecticut River an extra 5 degrees Fahr-
enheit. That stopped shad from migrating
upstream. Once the water’s heated to about
70 degrees the shad will spawn right there
and not continue their runs upstream.
In 1991 there were 30,000-plus shad that
came up through Vernon to make its way up
the fish ladders. In 1992 there was a bump,
and it was the biggest year — 37,000 — but
those fish had been out in the atlantic Ocean
for three to four years before that, and right
within a year after that effluent and the river
started being heated up by the owners. With
that effluent going downstream the Connect-
icut River runs have plummeted since then.
We need to have conservation at work
here, we need to have a better way to make
power, and we need to have corporations
that have a commitment to the Connecti-
cut River.
E d Anthes/Dummerston: For the pub-
lic service Board to give a Certificate of
public good to entergy you must find that a
nuclear waste dump in Vernon will not un-
duly interfere with the orderly development
of the region and will not have an undue ad-
verse effect on the natural environment and
the public health and safety.
There’s another fantasy being pushed
now that it would be prudent to give entergy
a license for less than 20 years. To give en-
tergy Nuclear a short-term renewal would
give Vermonters the worst possible outcome
— an increasingly embrittled reactor and
owner increasingly unwilling to spend ade-
quately on repairs and maintenance.
some of you will remember the bathtub
curve testimony from eNVY’s power boost
hearings. This is the demonstrable theory
that the most vulnerable times for a system
are in its early years and then in its worn-out
phase. The transformer fire, cooling tower
collapses, and steam dryer cracks all dem-
onstrate this worn-out phase at Vermont
Yankee occurring since the public service
Board’s uprate decision.
The NRC blamed entergy for failure to
take timely and appropriate corrective ac-
tion to fix the crane that had seven problems
in three years and then dropped the casks
nearly to the floor. This is not just eNVY’s
negligence and failure, but also the NRC’s
failure to provide the oversight necessary to
prevent the licensee’s repeated violations.
J udy Davidson/Dummerston: Keep in
mind what kind of corporation you are
dealing with — one that has shown that it
makes empty promises and that if it does
not outright lie, it sure tries to hide the truth
sometimes.
given a number of breakdowns and part
failures since eNVY has bought this plant,
please take seriously the question that many
of us in Vermont are asking. What else could
go wrong?
although some of these accidents and
failures are the result of human errors, I
believe that most workers at eNVY are
responsible and highly skilled. I believe that
most of the problems lies with entergy and
the management because it is not doing the
necessary maintenance.
I really urge you to look carefully at the
radiation that is being emitted by this plant
and to question very carefully both the
Health Department and entergy about this
issue. We need to protect our youngest citi-
zens, our children.
A rthur Greenbaum/Brattleboro: Our
small construction company is a service
contractor for Vermont Yankee, and that rep-
resents a small portion of our business. We
believe in the regulatory and inspection pro-
cess that the state and NRC have in place.
Vermont is a beautiful place to live and
work. Unfortunately, the economics of do-
ing business in this state is more costly due
to regulations and taxes. Businesses are of-
ten approached by our neighboring states
to move from Vermont. Vermont has some
competitive edges, and that is keeping busi-
ness here, along with the natural beauty,
great work force ethics, excellent educa-
tional opportunities, community spirit, low
carbon footprint, and very competitive elec-
trical rates.
License renewal will benefit all Vermont-
ers with continued competitive power rates,
currently 50 percent below the average in
New england. The state currently benefits
with millions of dollars in taxes and millions
of dollars in energy savings. Jobs are key to
maintaining our way of life, and competitive
electric rates are keeping jobs here.
n ancy Blake: I’ve worked for Ver-
mont Yankee for the past 12 years in
human resources, and during that time
my co-workers and I have partnered with
our management team to hire some of the
brightest talent this country has to offer.
Our mission of staffing this site with top
professionals goes hand in hand with our
commitment to safely operating this plant
now and for years to come. It also ensures
our plant will continue to be a reliable and
sustainable source of energy for the future
of Vermont.
You know this plant is only as good as
the people who run it, and I have had the
privilege of meeting most of the employees
hired over the past decade. I can assure you
that we are very, very selective. We employ
smart people, people who are dedicated to
safety and quality, people who recognize the
value this plant has to our state, and the im-
portance of maintaining and operating it to
the highest possible standard.
In addition to the tens of millions of dol-
lars in reduced power costs every year
for Vermont ratepayers, VY provides $100
million a year in economic benefits to our
county, and low-cost VY power helps to keep
industry and jobs at Vermont and makes
electricity more affordable for low- and mod-
erate-income Vermont families.
B rian teitze/Vernon: I had the oppor-
tunity recently to hire five employees.
First question I asked them was why
did they want to come here. Their answer
was that they had high trust. They were not
afraid of the plant, and that they thought it
was a great opportunity for them.
I also go out and I canvass the state, and
I know a lot of people have said that people
they talk to don’t want us. Well, I’m on the
other side. a lot of people I talk to do want
us. They are comfortable. so it depends who
you are and who you talk to, I guess.
R andy Kehler/colrain, Mass.: In
Franklin County, Massachusetts, 14
towns voted on whether a relicense permit
should be granted. Two towns voted in favor
of relicensing by a very narrow vote. The
remaining 12 voted overwhelmingly against
relicensing.
There were two reasons why people felt
this thing should not be relicensed. One was
that we all know that all technology begins
to fall apart, whether it’s a car or a nuclear
reactor. Common sense tells people that.
The other was because of the owner of
this plant, entergy, an out-of-state multi-bil-
lion conglomerate which is in business to
make a maximum profit, is not in business
to protect the health and welfare of people
in this area, and they have a track record of
being sued successfully for negligence and
lack of maintenance and safety.
d on strange/Guilford: For the third
year I’m the commander of the ameri-
can Legion post Five in Brattleboro, 1,000
members of the american Legion.
In 1960 I joined the Navy and I spent four
years on the first-ever nuclear power ballis-
tic missile submarine. The people on that
submarine were highly trained, and I always
felt safe and confident because I was prop-
erly trained.
I feel the same way about Vermont Yan-
kee. Vermont is a better place because of
Vermont Yankee, because its employees are
highly trained and they care what goes on
down there.
B ob Doney/Brattleboro: I’m here
representing The Veterans Commemo-
rations Committee, established in 1992 to
honor our veterans.
The financial help of Vermont Yankee and
their employees it made it very easy for us
to carry out this mission.
p at McKenney/Vernon: I’ve worked at
Vermont Yankee for 22 years and I’m a
resident of Vernon, where I live with my wife
and children.
I’m here tonight to explain why I be-
lieve the VY license extension should be
approved.
Number one, reliability. The key is to
maintaining a highly reliable, safe source of
energy. Vermont Yankee has a high capabil-
ity factor. This is a measure of how much
time the unit is producing power. as of today
VY has been on-line for 381 days, function-
ing as a base load plant, providing solid
reliable power to heat and light our hospi-
tals, schools, and homes.
Two, I believe we need a mix of energy
sources to support the needs of today and
future growth. Nuclear and hydro are pro-
viding the majority of the base load power
to Vermont at this time. Vermont inge-
nuity should also be driving us to expand
other energy sources and to push for more
conservation.
Renewable energy sources cannot at
this present time replace the base load
generation needed to support our state’s
infrastructure and industry. VY and Hydro-
Quebec provide two-thirds of Vermont’s
electricity without fossil fuels. If Vermont
Yankee shuts down in 2012, the majority
of this lost generation will come from fos-
sil fuels that create large amounts of carbon
dioxide. also, we have seen this year in par-
ticular fuel prices can change considerably.
and, three, the positive impact VY has on
the local economy. There are nearly 650 em-
ployees working at Vermont Yankee.
approximately $54 million is paid in em-
ployee wages per year. Typically there are
150 to 200 contractors working at Vermont
Yankee supporting the local economy.
B rad Ferland: I’m the president of
the Vermont energy partnership. We
are a diverse group of over 90 members
and member organizations that include
business, labor, community leaders, environ-
mentalists, and the farm community.
We support solar, wind, hydro, efficiency.
efficiency Vermont is a member of our or-
ganization, hydro Quebec, Cow power. We
have Cow power in Franklin County where
I’m from in st. albans, and we have trav-
eled north, south, east, west of the state and
we are finding that there’s a tremendous
amount of support for Vermont Yankee in
the groups and organizations that we visit
and with the seminars and forums that we
do on energy.
If continued operation of Vermont
Yankee provides Vermont abundant and low-
cost electricity, it’s an important component
of our diverse power supply, and it produces
practically zero greenhouse gas emissions
and provides substantial economic benefits
for Vermont’s economy.
J eff Merkle/Vernon: Two years ago I got
an opportunity to move back to Vermont,
and I took it. We’ve talked a little bit about
what’s going to happen to the local economy.
I started thinking about what about the state
of Vermont. What’s our biggest industry?
Tourism. ski areas. What do they use
to blow snow? electricity. We have lumber

16 VOICES The Commons • October 2008 The Commons • October 2008 VOICES 17
VIEWpOInT
Brattleboro
A pUeRTO RICaN in
Vermont?,” people ask
when I mention where
I live.
I came to Brattleboro in 1983,
and it seemed as if Bea Fantini
and I were the only Hispanics
in Vermont: two token Latinas
at the school for International
Training. Today, Hispanics com-
prise only 1.1 percent of the
state’s population – nearly 7,000
— but we are the largest minor-
ity, making 22 percent of the
minority population in the state.
as of June last year Latinos
made up 45 million (15 percent)
of the U.s. population, estimated
to grow to 30 percent by 2050.
Hispanics are the largest and
fastest-growing minority in the
United states, but many people
do not understand the scale of
that demographic impact. Be-
cause of their young age and the
declining U.s. baby-boom work-
force, Hispanics will become
the workforce of the future, es-
timated to grow 77 percent by
2020. Currently, Hispanic pur-
chasing power is $800 billion;
16.5 million Latinos purchase on
line, and by 2010 our purchas-
ing power is estimated to reach
$1 trillion.
But little attention is paid to
us as a group, and there is much
ignorance about who we are,
the challenges we face, and the
gifts we bring as workers, citi-
zens, leaders, and neighbors. On
the occasion of Hispanic Heri-
tage Month, sept. 15–Oct. 15,
I want to reflect on the impor-
tance of Hispanics for the future
of Vermont.
Like me, many Hispan-
ics come to the United states
to work, seeking better
professional and economic op-
portunities. In 2005, Hispanics
sent $54 billion in remittances
back home, a growing reve-
nue source in many developing
countries, more than income
from oil in Mexico and coffee
in el salvador and Bolivia. His-
panics make up approximately
10.8 percent of the U.s. civilian
workforce. One of 20 small U.s.
businesses is Latino-owned, gen-
erating $300 billion in annual
sales.
Other Hispanics come to
escape political or social oppres-
sion. Others come to reunite
with their families: 48,000 of
these are children crossing the
border alone and without docu-
mentation. puerto Ricans and
Mexicans in particular come and
go following seasonal worker
programs that started in the mid
1940s, the Bracero programs
(bracero meaning “tough arm to
lean on”). Many Hispanics trace
their heritage to California, New
Mexico, Texas, Florida, placing
their families in North america
before the Mayflower landed.
HIspaNIC — or Latino, a term
I prefer (see sidebar) — is an
umbrella term for people from
various nationalities, ethnicities,
races, class backgrounds, ages,
and histories. Mexican ameri-
cans and Chicanos comprise the
largest group, with Central and
south americans, puerto Ri-
cans, and Cubans following.
While there are many differ-
ences among us, our mixture
of the indigenous americans,
europeans, and africans, the
spanish language, a history of
discrimination and oppression,
and a set of cultural traits unite
us.
Whether you are an employer,
an entrepreneur, a student or
professor, a town manager, a
politician, or a community mem-
ber, you should want to know
more and invest in Latinos and
Latinas in your communities.
• Latinos are the workforce of
the future; better start including
us now.
• Latinos are the consumer
and customer base of the future;
better start gearing your organi-
zation to serve their needs.
• In an increasingly global
world, most Latinos are bilingual
and bicultural; better start using
this resource.
another reason: Latino “cul-
tural scripts” — shared attitudes
and ways of being particular
to a cultural group — translate
into advantages in today’s global
world.
For example, music from
puerto Rico, Mexico, Colombia,
ecuador, New York City bar-
rios, Cuba, and the Dominican
Republic is recognized all over
the world and reflects one of our
cultural scripts, fatalism, the be-
lief that life is what it is and the
Creator gives us what we need,
so we might as well enjoy it and
make the best of what we have.
In my research on Latinos
and Latinas, five major cultural
scripts stand out. The first is
familismo, having close, pro-
tective, and extended family
relations. Familismo translates
into support networks in the ex-
tended family that help Latinos
achieve, reach higher, give back
to the community, and be al-
lies for families’ well being and
work-and-life-balance policies in
workplaces.
Respeto, having a high regard
for persons in formal authority,
with seniority and social power,
translates into respect for the
wisdom of elders and experts,
valuing community traditions
and organizational rituals, and
loyalty to one’s employer, neigh-
bors, and community.
Personalismo and simpatîa,
forging meaningful and trust-
ing relations and promoting
personal and positive situations
while avoiding conflict and dis-
harmony, both translate to an
ability to get along and empa-
thize with others. Collectivism,
attending to group needs be-
fore those of the individual,
translates into a commitment
to teamwork and collaboration
across all kinds of differences —
the hallmark of a global citizen.
UNFORTUNaTeLY, these cul-
tural resources have not been
recognized yet by the majority
culture and on the contrary, are
many times perceived as a defi-
cit, as “the problem with hiring
Latinos” or as “a hindrance to
Hispanic advancement.”
“If only you were a bit more
like us, then everything would
be fine,” the belief seems to be. I
propose the exact opposite: be-
cause we are not similar to the
majority, we have something
unique to contribute to organiza-
tions and communities.
For example, employers often
fear Latinos speaking spanish
on the job, because it proves
they do not want to assimilate.
This fear generates english-only
propositions and unconstitu-
tional corporate policies. But
when Latinos translate for free
for the customer or the boss or
a dinner guest, we are seldom
compensated for the additional
skill. In a global world, shouldn’t
we all be (at least) bilingual?
Now I know why I stayed
here. The values of familismo,
respeto, personalismo, simpatìa,
and collectivism, are the very
same values that make Ver-
monters and our Brattleboro so
unique and so precious. Isn’t it
time we do more to attract, re-
tain, and affirm Latinos in our
Vermont organizations and
communities?
To do so, we first need to un-
derstand the advantages of the
Latino cultural framework and
come to appreciate it. second,
we must make friends with,
recruit, employ, interact, and
include Latinos so as to learn
firsthand about the gifts and the
challenges they face.
and third, we must acknowl-
edge that discrimination and
prejudice is no longer a black-
white issue only. Latinos and
other people of color face it too.
Instead, advocate and assume
responsibility for Latinos’ prog-
ress and full contributions in
your organization and commu-
nity. after all, while there may
be a strong demographic ratio-
nale for the inclusion of Latinos,
there is also a moral and legal
case for equality for all. n
I use the terms Latino
and Hispanic interchange-
ably in this piece, though
there are differences.
Those who prefer the
term Latino emphasize the
mixed racial nature of our
ancestry — spanish, afri-
can, and Indian. Those who
prefer the term Hispanic
emphasize the importance
of the spanish ancestry and
spanish language.
Hispanic is the term
coined and given to us by
the Census Bureau. Latino
is a self-identifying term,
highlighting the history of
colonization and oppression
by the spanish of the indig-
enous cultures and of the
countries of Latin america
and the spanish-speaking
Caribbean.
EVAnGELInA HOLVInO
of Brattleboro has more than 30
years’ experience as a consul-
tant and educator, both in the
United States and internation-
ally. She holds a doctorate in
education from the University of
Massachusetts. She is president
of Chaos Management Ltd.
(www.chaosmanagement.com),
an organization that provides
diversity training and consulta-
tion to groups and organiza-
tions, and she serves as an
affiliate faculty member with
the Simmons College School
of Management in Boston.
She serves as vice chair of the
ALANA Community Organiza-
tion.
latinos in Vermont:
why we matter
Get to know us and our culture
mills here in southern Vermont and north-
east Vermont. What do we use? electricity.
C & s Wholesale grocer has a freezer
in Brattleboro. What do they use to freeze
the food? electricity. Husky in Milton.
ge in Rutland. ethan allen in Northeast
Kingdom. IBM in essex. all of them are de-
pendent on low electrical rates. If you don’t
relicense Vermont Yankee, our electric rates
will go up.
G ina pattison: I am here on behalf
of United Way as a member of their
Board of Directors to say that each year do-
nations from employees at Vermont Yankee
and entergy total over $100,000. They are
by far our top campaign each year. With-
out their campaign, $70,000 of which stays
in Windham County, those that are most in
need would not benefit, would not be able
to survive.
B etsy corner/colrain, Mass.: since
the reactor was built I have heard tales
claiming welders were drunk when they
were welding, and I’m sure these stories
come out.
Humans make mistakes, and having
heard these stories it didn’t give me a good
feeling about this reactor.
My parents lived in North greenfield
in the early ‘80s and a gentleman moved
into their neighborhood for a year who was
a nuclear industry inspector. You have to
take this from my word. He told them, “I
wouldn’t live here. I’m glad I’m leaving.” He
said it was poorly built and poorly managed.
You can have workers that do their best
right now, but you can’t change how it was
built, and I urge you not to relicense.
V alerie stuart/Brattleboro: I have
lived here for 14 years, and I have
raised money for nonprofit causes that as-
sist youth, the arts, and agriculture, and
what I would like to speak to tonight is the
people who possibly may not be here be-
cause they are afraid to speak their mind.
I was one of those people until 2005,
when I had the audacity to sign a petition
outside the co-op requesting that an inde-
pendent safety assessment be conducted.
entergy throws a lot of money around
here, and maybe they can buy goodwill, but
I don’t appreciate being slapped around. I
worked for a nonprofit agency that helped
children and families. I spent a lot of my own
personal time. I’ve been a board member,
board president, a donor, a staff member for
important nonprofits around here, and I can
tell you stories about how entergy Nuclear
Vermont Yankee has slapped every one
of them around for small sums of money.
small sums.
I got slapped around for $2,500 that
entergy used to underwrite a very impor-
tant part of the fundraising schematic of
this small nonprofit. I got called to task for
signing a goddamned petition for an inde-
pendent safety assessment.
a lot of people around here don’t want to
talk because they love nonprofits and they
know we need the money, and there are a
lot of good people who work at entergy. I
have worked with them as a staff member,
as a co-board member. They are great peo-
ple, but everyone should be able to really
come out and speak; I wasn’t allowed to do
that and I resent that.
p eter van der Does: everybody’s
been bantering about the economics.
Has anybody any idea what would happen if
there was a meltdown here? It would make
1929 look like a picnic. There would be eco-
nomic implosion. It would affect the stock
market, and it would have repercussions be-
yond Vermont, I can assure you.
as these guys know, Vermont Yankee
closes periodically during nuclear refuel-
ing for between 17 and 35 days. When it
shuts down we get our electricity from the
New england grid. The New england grid
is 33,000 megawatts producing real time,
24/7. From this amount 4,000 megawatts
are available for our use at any time. Face it
— Vermont Yankee is obsolete.
We don’t need it right now. We can shut
it down and not notice a difference be-
cause we can get our electricity from Hydro
Quebec.
a serious accident at Vermont Yankee
would jeopardize an entire southern part of
the state. Now how can you possibly give a
Certificate of public good when you know
we can shut it off now, this instant, not no-
tice a difference — and it’s that dangerous.
m arcia steckler/Brattleboro: I would
like to bring a slightly different per-
spective. although we live in southern
Vermont, it is not an island unto itself. Nei-
ther the state, nor New england — we’re
not just part of the United states. We’re part
of a continent, part of a hemisphere. We’re
part of the globe, and that’s a perspective I
would like to bring.
We need to diversify our means to gen-
erate clean energy and to expand efforts
to make those technologies more efficient,
more readily available, and more affordable.
We need to reduce our carbon footprint,
particularly carbon-related emissions. This
will take time.
In the interim and for the foreseeable
future nuclear power is the greenest al-
ternative available to us on a large scale
for base-load electricity needs. I see grow-
ing global demand for energy resources,
especially those necessary to support civi-
lized existence in urban settings and for the
infrastructure of a world that is intercon-
nected through technologies that depend
upon continuous and reliable sources of
electricity. Our dependence on non-petro-
leum-based resources must increase as we
strive to combat poverty, promote health,
and achieve greater local parity.
m icky Moos/Guilford: There’s a
great deal of poverty in our state. Ten
percent of our state’s children are at risk for
going to bed hungry every night. Vermont
Yankee and entergy have given $133,000
in cash donations to the Brattleboro area
Drop-In Center and project Feed The Thou-
sands. employees of entergy Nuclear
Vermont Yankee have donated an addi-
tional $40,000 in materials and labor to build
a food storage center on Center property,
and they have also personally donated over
$6,000 in cash.
entergy employees have donated hun-
dreds of bags of groceries and hundreds
of new toys to help the center fill the needs
of local citizens at the holidays for the last
15 years.
These guys have really made a dif-
ference in our community. They have
contributed generously and with an open
hand and open heart and I would for one
would be very sorry to see that stop.
E rik Gillard/Keene, N.H.: The cost
for cleanup could be as high as $800 mil-
lion dollars due to the governor’s veto of
the decommissioning bill.
so keep that cost in mind when we think
about electricity we get. also keep the costs
in mind of the federal tax dollars that go
to insuring nuclear power. No private in-
surance companies will take on insuring
reactors.
Those are costs externalized that we
don’t think about a lot. a lot of people have
talked about the people who work at Ver-
mont Yankee, you know, that the plant is
only as good as those who run it. I would
like to say that I think those people are as
good as they are and the plant’s just some-
thing that’s brought them together. I think
we can do a lot better than that.
We don’t have to spend 800 million dol-
lars to clean up the cost of bringing people
together to build playgrounds, to fund
things that we need. We can do a lot bet-
ter than that. I think we can supply a public
good in a more efficient way.
J effrey Gouger/Brattleboro: I’m here to
speak in favor of it. I am a small business.
I have a small market and deli and I can’t
imagine having Vermont Yankee being shut
down and the soaring cost of electricity and
everything else today. I’ve also been lucky
enough to work with them on some of their
jobs, which include the drop-in center.
I just think it would be devastating to the
whole community if they close.
G ary sachs/Brattleboro: entergy
has given a significant percentage less
than Vermont Yankee used to. You know
that.
Community services to playgrounds.
economic best interest and environmental
impacts relate to the Certificate of public
good that entergy seeks from you gentle-
men, the public service Board. entergy
wins in relation to economics. entergy wins.
You’re going to have this process, public
hearing, and at the end of it the Depart-
ment’s going to create a MOU with entergy
and entergy’s going to throw millions of dol-
lars to the state just like they did in the dry
cask, just like they did in the sale, just like
they did with the uprate, and it will be eco-
nomic best interest.
That’s called a win. That is an economic
best interest to the state. That’s all you guys
have to determine. You’ve done your job.
There’s only so much attention that I can
draw to the oft repeated phrase “entergy
neglect.”
entergy neglect led to the crane collapse.
entergy neglect led to the demineralizer ra-
dioactive release. entergy neglect led to the
cooling tower collapse. entergy neglect led
to the second cooling tower failure. entergy
neglect led to the transformer fire. entergy
neglect led to the lost radioactive waste and
the list continues.
Nuclear is not emissions free. Vermont
Yankee does release significant amounts
of radiation to the Vermont environment
repeatedly and regularly as a part of its nor-
mal operating procedure. I believe it’s 6,000
curies a year roughly. That is after the Na-
tional academy of science, the country’s
top appointed scientists, in 2005 in their
report stated that there is no amount of ra-
diation so small that cannot be found to lead
to the formation of possible cancers in solid
organs.
You know this.
The only reason these three men are
here tonight is because they are mandated
to be here. The nuclear industry really does
have it all sewn up. Let’s say there’s a sig-
nificant accident. Loss of coolant accident at
the reactor across the street right now. How
many of us know the evacuation plan?
G eorge Harvey/Brattleboro: I won’t
say I’m disturbed by the number of
people who have talked about the idea that
VY is giving us inexpensive power. The
reason why the power is inexpensive is be-
cause of tough negotiations that took place
years ago, and it has nothing to do with the
fact that it’s nuclear power.
When 2012 comes around and the con-
tract is renegotiated I got news for you. I
would love to hear somebody here tonight
say, “guarantee us that they will charge us
less than double what they are charging
now,” but I don’t think anybody will do it.
I am the chief technology officer of a
computer company. My first computer
that I dealt with was in 1967 before VY was
started. I imagine that computer cost 2,000
times as much as my current pC, and my
current pC is 10,000 times more powerful.
I don’t know when VY was consigned,
but I do know the reactor was part of a proj-
ect that was started in 1960. This reactor
design comes from the 1950s. That 1967
computer was a marvel compared to what
they had in the 1950s. You want to see what
they had in 1950s for computers? That’s it.
Right there. slide rule. That’s how they de-
signed VY.
That plant, if you look at the fission-
able material that is in the reactor and you
trace it down through the various things
that it produces, less than 1 percent of the
power that is available due to fission is ac-
tually turned into heat that can be turned
into steam.
Today, not in the United states but in
China, they are building subcritical reactors
that use close to 100 percent of the fission-
able material and produce waste which is
99.99 percent non-fissionable and which will
have less radioactivity than coal ash within
500 years.
This plant is a relic of a bygone age.
S tuart savel/chester: at some point
we have to be prepared to pick up the
slack, whether it’s in four years or 20 years.
We’ve not been collectively responsible to
be able to build our own playgrounds, to
give to our own charities, to provide for our
own rates. We haven’t accumulated enough
to shut it down.
If we continue with this, we’re going to
be in a worse position in 20 years. economi-
cally, if it’s extended, we should include all
this in new rates so that in 20 years we’re
not in the same position. That new rate
should be used to calculate its economic
viability.
I’m hearing about all this money that’s
coming around, you know, being donated
to this and that. I’m wondering where is it
coming from. It seems like it’s coming from
the ratepayers, so are we paying too much
so they can donate to Windham County? I
don’t live in Windham County so I’m won-
dering, why can’t I keep some of that money
and donate it myself?
You establish rates. I see ads for Ver-
mont Yankee when I drive around in
northern Vermont. Where is that money
coming from?
S hari Zabriskie/Brattleboro: I’ve got
10 quick reasons why Vermont Yankee
should be closed in 2012.
1. VY was built with a 40-year intention.
The structure is already showing the effects
of aging. I often wonder how many of the
safety-related issues are seen and how many
are actually being shared with the public.
2. studies all over the world show a di-
rect correlation to exposure to low level
radiation with early childhood cancer. Kids
under 10 are more susceptible to deadly dis-
ease if they live near a nuclear power plant.
3. We do not have adequate storage for
the waste that is being generated. What will
we do with the waste yet to be generated?
Do we want deadly waste stored on the
banks of the Connecticut indefinitely? This
waste is 2 feet above the predicted 200-year
flood plain.
Who are we to think we can safely con-
tain the waste for thousands of years and
then leave it for our children’s children’s
children for transport of the waste else-
where? We do not have a safe system for
moving the waste. accidents by definition
are unpredictable. Therefore, the argument
in favor of a safe transport of the waste is a
moot point.
5. The lack of a working, realistic evacu-
ation plan.
6. The NRC is a farce, a mockery of the
people’s best interest. a money-grubbing,
industry-protecting, rubber-stamping exam-
ple of cronyism at its best. Clearly we need
to block the relicensing for ourselves. We
need to follow our instinct which wants to
protect our homes and life.
7. The plant is a terrorist threat in our
backyard. some like to write off this argu-
ment as fantastic. I see it as a real threat,
and believe the government does as well.
Wackenhut’s semi-automatic gun practice at
gun range since 9/11 is not in preparation
for hunting season.
8. The river’s health. VY’s practice of
bypassing its cooling towers, its practice of
thermal pollution, raising the temperature
of the river water has nothing but predict-
able negative effects on migratory fish and
other aquatic life. an intricate web of life is
being meddled with.
9. Vermont could and should push ahead
into the green energy future. Now is the
time to retrofit our state into the realm of re-
newable, safe-energy sources.
10. We simply do not need the electricity
from VY. every Vermonter I know agrees
they could and are willing to reduce their
electrical use by 30 percent.
H attie Nestle: We have to care about
the people who mine uranium to fuel
this reactor. If it gives us cheap energy, it’s
at their peril. The Native americans are suf-
fering greatly from the uranium mining on
their land.
Now we want to dump it back on their
land in both western shoshoni land and ab-
original land in australia. That is a morally
bankrupt situation that we would put other
people’s lives at peril for our cheap energy
so that our kids could have a playground
while their kids die.
Nuclear power is not clean. It is radioac-
tive and it is fossil fuel intensive from the
time it is mined into uranium because they
don’t mine uranium with a spoon. They
mine uranium with a steam shovel. What
do they put in the tank of the steam shovel?
gas. Oil.
They enrich the uranium in Kentucky
with a very dirty coal-fired plant. We happen
to live on the same planet. That is going to
affect global warming.
How do they build a nuclear power plant?
With concrete, with stone, with steel. all of
that is fossil fuel intensive. so we have to
look at the big picture and we have to be
moral citizens on our planet.
d eborah Reiger/corinth: Our town in
central Vermont voted about ten years
ago to ban the mining of uranium, the trans-
portation of nuclear waste, etc. I’m not just
talking for myself — I represent my neigh-
bors who can’t be here. We traveled two
hours to speak to you, and I want to appeal
to the human being in you.
The Economist in 2001 observed nuclear
power once explained to be too cheap to
meter is now too costly to matter. You know
we have to deal with this waste. It’s going to
be our children who are going to have to be
militarized armed guards.
Is this what you want for our children’s
jobs in Vermont? I don’t think so. I think we
want to train them with green-energy jobs.
We all want to have a future here, so please
drop all your preconceived ideas.
K arl Rosenkrantz: There’s a lot of
misconceptions going on about wind
power that I’ve noticed. a couple years ago I
filmed an engineer who gave a lengthy dis-
cussion about wind power, and he said that
in Vermont there’s 12 mountaintops that are
viable sites for wind power.
They are high enough to capture the
wind that’s basically blowing most of the
time. You get above 400 feet above these
mountaintops and you get into the types of
wind currents that can produce basically
almost base load power, and he said that if
those 12 sites were to have wind farms on
them, it would provide 20 percent of Ver-
mont’s power. This was an engineer who did
the site work for the searsburg wind farm,
so he was very knowledgeable about it.
We cannot separate the safety issue from
the economic cost benefit issue, so you can’t
in my opinion offer a Certificate of public
good for Vermont Yankee without being
sure you know what the possibility of a melt-
down is or a significant catastrophic failure.
Many of the Vermont Yankee employees
here may very well lose their lives, and I
urge them to be extra diligent to make sure
that the plant is safe.
There’s a limited amount you can do with
an old piece of technology, but I do feel that
what’s at stake is not really being looked at.
We need a purely independent safety review.
m ilton Eaton/Brattleboro: Imagine
a hundred rail cars of coal arriving
everyday to fuel the 1,000-megawatt power
plant in any Vermont location, and don’t for-
get ash disposal.
Imagine licensing a gas pipeline and
right-of-way the length of the state.
Imagine laying new transmission rights-
of-way across the forested mountains.
Imagine the increased cost to you, your
consuming neighbors, and their employers.
One of these scenarios will be neces-
sary if we do not renew Vermont Yankee’s
license.
Today Vermont Yankee produces about
70 percent of all electricity produced in
Vermont. This base load production is com-
pletely without the fossil fuel pollutants,
carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, mercury,
nitrous oxides, and particulates. These are
greenhouse gasses and/or contributed air
pollution.
In the latest surveys we are already los-
ing manufacturing jobs and working age
population.
m eredith Angwin/Wilder: I am in
favor of continuing the licensing of
Vermont Yankee. I do not work at Vermont
Yankee, and I have never received any
monies from Vermont Yankee for any not-
for-profit or anything like this.
We need Vermont Yankee because
renewables won’t work quickly enough par-
tially because they need more development
and partially because you have not seen
NIMBY until you’ve seen renewable
NIMBY because renewables can’t move.
The wind is on top of that mountain which
is beautiful.
H oward shaffer/Enfield, N.H.: I’m
a licensed professional engineer and
nuclear engineer in Vermont and New
Hampshire and Massachusetts now. In my
retired and consulting status I’m not finan-
cially tied to anybody, but I was privileged
to come to Vernon in 1970 as a startup engi-
neer for Vermont Yankee.
I subsequently worked eight years in sup-
port of Vermont Yankee, and nine years at
other Mark-1 boiling-water reactors, as well
as other reactors and types of plants. prior
to that I lived, worked, ate, and slept 100
feet from a nuclear reactor called subma-
rine service.
Recently entergy Corporation, which
owns the Indian point plants, also commis-
sioned a safety study, and at the end of that
study they held a public meeting and the
discussion at the public meeting was docu-
mented online also. Many of the underlying
misconceptions and wrong information
about nuclear power were revealed in the
record of that meeting.
n ancy Rice: I understand that Vermont
Yankee is one of these pressurized wa-
ter reactors and it has cracks in its steam
generators -- its steam generator.
I also understand from engineers that
cracks like these lead to deterioration of
components of the plant, and that the 20-per-
cent increase which a plant is now running
at adds terrifically to the wear and tear of
the system. also with increased tempera-
tures and flow rates we tend to get more
turbulence, which creates cavitation in the
pipes. In other words, the pipes get weaker.
Yet the state of Vermont is actually con-
sidering relicensing this aging and brittle
plant.
I was shocked to learn of neglected
maintenance by entergy on the brakes of a
crane which failed while holding a cask of
high level radioactive fuel on May 12, and I
think this was one of the first times it was
moving its radioactive waste.
plus, its removal of safety stops on a
crane on June 10 while spent fuel was be-
ing moved.
Federal inspectors said the crane that
was involved in the May 12 incident had had
a total of seven problems in recent years and
that entergy had failed to follow through on
corrective measures it had promised to do.
A nnette Roydon/Vernon: I am the
emergency management director for
the town of Vernon, I’m a member of the
Vernon selectboard and the rest of the
board is over there. I’m also here as a pri-
vate citizen.
I’m an organic farmer. I live less than a
mile downwind from the plant. I have the
most beautiful Connecticut River bottom
land you’ve ever seen and raise grass-fed
cows, steers. so obviously I think Vernon
is a great place to live, and I know there’s
going to be comments about the fox guard-
ing the chicken house again. However, the
selectboard has given the Vermont Yankee
entergy a certificate of common good.
We’re having enough difficulties this year
as it is with fuel, heat, all of the general en-
ergy other than electricity. I know what the
statistics are. I know what the numbers are.
For us to have power coming from outside
is almost impossible.
We all are a little more concerned with
a train derailment. I don’t hear anyone talk-
ing about closing down chlorine factories.
We have a train that comes through here
several times a day — freight, with the most
unimaginable things on there. One whiff
and you’re dead, and that’s no exaggeration.
so I think we should keep Vermont Yan-
kee, and all of us on the selectboard have
said the same.
m ike laporte: We don’t live in a de-
mocracy as we are often told. It’s an
often misused phrase. We’re actually a re-
public, and in a republic the individual has
rights that cannot be trumped by a majority.
Often the majority can be wrong. I’m
sure the people that worked at Chernobyl
thought they were safe there. I’m sure the
people who worked at Three Mile Island
thought they were safe. Nevertheless, af-
ter that documented radiation release and
cancers developed in many people and two-
headed cows and mutated daisies, and it
was played down in the courts where people
tried to sue. a woman can spill coffee from
McDonald’s and get $10 million dollars, but
the people who have cancer effects from
Three Mile Island got very little.
But as far as this propaganda card here,
one uranium fuel pellet equals three bar-
rels of oil and one ton of coal. That doesn’t
sound like a whole lot in comparison, espe-
cially when you figure out the fact that what
this doesn’t mention is the fact that you can
come in contact with one ton of coal and not
have to worry about getting cancer immedi-
ately like you will if you get anywhere near a
uranium fuel pellet.
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18 VOICES The Commons • October 2008 The Commons • October 2008 VOICES 19
the strap
Author recounts the wacky world of corporal punishment
Putney
IF YOU THINK torture
went out with the spanish
Inquisition, you have no experience
with the public school
system in southern Ontario in
the ‘50s and early ‘60s.
Child abuse was as kosher
as gefilte fish at King edward
public school in Windsor. I was
press-ganged into the place by
my parents. at least I think they
were my parents. Would my biological
mother and father allow
the fruit of their loins to be abandoned
to the faculty-fiends at
King eddie?
King edward was four stories
of red brick with concrete
scrolls over the lintels and two
Board of education–issue gargoyles
perched above the front
entrance. On each floor were
classrooms, one the same as the
next, with five rows of standardissue
desks bolted to the floor
with flip tops and inkwells on the
upper right.
Miss Cumafort, a rare woman
whose head had been marinated
in vinegar during her formative
years, staffed the library
and could give you a rash with
just one piercing hiss for silence.
Our sports program was
a leather soccer ball lobbed into
the playing field and monopolized
by the toughest boys in
school. Fists rather than finesse
generally decided changes in
possession.
pUBLIC sCHOOL was the Cold
War in microcosm. The teachers
had various warring factions
united only in their contempt for
the student body. The students
divided themselves into cliques
by age, sex, and ability to fight.
The glue that held the entire
system together was rules, and
the bottom line was “the strap.”
going to the principal’s office
to get the strap — a 1½-by-12inch,
stiff leather quirt lashed
across the palms of malefactors
regularly in the 1950s — was
an integral part of the educational
process for nihilists, petty
thieves, ruffians, blasphemers,
and any others whose behavior
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or academics were considered
outside the Beaver Cleaver
norm.
My association with the strap
was vigorous and frequent in
those less-than-halcyon days.
Not only was I considered lazy,
irresponsible, and combative,
but I was also cursed with an attitude
problem.
Rules governed both strapper
and victim. Crying was out. You
just didn’t cry; it was unmanly,
and it let the strapper know that
he had broken your will. The
second rule was more practical.
It called for a motionless presentation
of the hand. If you resisted
and only tasted a partial cut of
the leather, you would receive it
again. The victim was much better
off not to flinch, but to stand
(like a man) rock steady to take
his licks.
I would like to apologize to
female readers for my lack of
feminine pronouns and references.
at this stage of Canadian
educational development, girls
did not get the strap. If they behaved
in the same philistine
manner as the boys, they were
removed from school and sent
to convents or put on a program
of Thorazine-based narcotics.
The master of the strap at
King edward was peter Miller
Mitchell, the principal, a mildlooking
man resembling a bank
vice-president, but who was lethal
and legendary in strapping
circles and proud of it. I know
his middle name from frequent
readings of a framed copy of his
degree from the University of
Toronto which hung in the anteroom
of his lashing chamber.
Mr. Mitchell, roundish but
not obese, stood about 5’5” and
had thin brown hair heavily brilliantined
and plastered to an
unblemished cueball-shaped
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skull. Imagine an adult Charlie
Brown with the eyes of a cobra
and the voice of Basil Rathbone.
THe MOsT DRaMaTIC strapping
in King edward history did
not happen to me, but it was an
event I will never forget.
It all began with a schoolyard
scuffle between myself
and another boy, Big Mike,
who weighed about 175 pounds
and stood all of 4 feet tall lying
down. Big Mike remarked that
Mary Kay Boyd, the young lady
with whom I was in love, had
“boobs like mosquito bites.”
While this was accurate it was
not a statement that could go
unchallenged.
after the obligatory name-calling
we set about pushing, which
led to rolling on the ground and
culminated in Big Mike squatting
like a prepubescent Buddha
on my xiphoid process. at this
juncture Howard Weeks, my
best friend and a consummate
dweeb, committed the one aggressive
act of his 11-year-old
life. Howard, a young Barney
Fife but without Barney’s prickly
hostility, reached down, grabbed
a handful of Big Mike’s hair, and
pulled.
at this moment Mr. Thomas,
our reptilian playground monitor
and homeroom teacher,
glanced over at us. His mouth
drew back toward his ears, exposing
an overlapping jumble of
lunch-laden teeth in a murderous
scowl. Dandruff the size of
corn flakes avalanched to his
shoulders as he trembled with
righteous indignation, choosing
to see two boys beating on one.
Never mind that the one made
three of the two or that the one
was winning. It was two against
one — the code had been broken.
It was the strap for Howard
and me.
Now I could accept this verdict,
unfair though it was; my
personal ledger in crimes
against humanity for the month
showed a credit balance. This
strapping would just about balance
the books.
Howard, on the other hand,
was a boy of an entirely different
stripe. all of our playground
ethics and “be-a-man” mentality
meant nothing to him. He
begged, groveled, and wheedled
like a child possessed. He
blamed everything on me, then
everything on Mike and finally
on fate for casting him into this
desperate situation.
How little he knew of the
psychology of playground
monitors and principals. Both
Mr. Thomas and Mr. Mitchell
endured Howie’s tirade with
ill-disguised expressions of disgust.
all he accomplished by
spilling his guts was the dubious
honor of being first under
the lash.
THe pRINCIpaL made a few
cursory remarks about the evils
of fighting but concentrated
mainly on the drama of removing
the strap from his desk
drawer and lashing a few practice
swings in the air before a
thoroughly blanched Howard.
Mr. Mitchell encircled Howard’s
quivering wrist with his left hand
and reared back for stroke number
one.
Don’t flinch, Howie, I
thought, as the strap descended.
at that moment, in an act
of appalling cowardice, Howard
jerked his hand free of the
principal’s grip. The strap whistled
by his withdrawn mitt and
landed with a crack like a pistol
shot on Mr. Mitchell’s knee. Our
fuehrer’s eyes bugged out like
organ stops from the exquisite
pain of his tortured patella.
Mr. Thomas stared at the
overhead light fixture as if it
held great significance. Immediately
his face cleared of all
emotion and resumed a newtlike
malevolence. Without a
word he garroted Howard’s
wrist in a grip that made his fingers
balloon with trapped fluids.
Don’t cry, Howard, I thought,
but the chances of that were nil.
at this point I could only hope
that Howie’s sphincters would
hold up.
Mr. Mitchell fairly came off
the ground delivering that first
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stroke to Howard’s bloodless
palm. Before the nerves in Howard’s
hand had even registered
the excruciating pain they were
about to receive, he burst into
tears. That initial burst launched
a mortar shell of verdant snot
across the span between victim
and disciplinarian.
Time seemed suspended as
the mucus blob tumbled in slow
motion and landed squarely on
the principal’s pin-striped lapel,
where it lodged, glistening
contemptuously.
Mr. Mitchell glanced down,
face ashen, lips working feverishly,
gibbering inaudible oaths.
a glare of unimaginable loathing
passed palpably between
him and the slobbering cur that
was Howard Weeks. To clean
off the snotball would be to acknowledge
that this atrocity had
indeed happened. It stayed to
bear witness.
Mr. Mitchell’s face assumed
a greasy, gray quality not unlike
liver left for hours in a tropical
sun. Like a Cronenberg metamorphosis,
his collar points
stood at attention while his neck
purpled and pulsated visibly,
threatening to snap his essex
golf and Country Club tie. He
then laid on with a jihad-like vengeance:
six on each, unheard
of in the annals of corporal punishment
in the Ontario public
school system.
Howard could easily have become
a folk hero had it not been
for his otherworldly screeching
and blubbering that accompanied
the strokes. Howard did
not react to the individual blows.
He wailed a prolonged bleat
that rose in volume and pitch to
be guttered in chest-crunching
sobs.
My turn was of no consequence.
Two on each, delivered
by a pale and wheezing principal.
I didn’t even bother to run
water from the cold fountain
over my hands.
HOWaRD MIsseD sCHOOL
the next day and when he returned
he wasn’t the same. He
looked and acted like a marginal
character in Night of the Living
Dead. He recovered most of his
faculties after the summer holidays,
but the scars of Mitchell
justice were not easily salved
or quickly forgotten. Howard’s
mirth at games and jokes
seemed strained or fraudulent
like a recently released mental
patient trying to prove that the
therapy had worked.
The strap is a thing of the past
nowadays, and that is a good
thing. It did nothing for me save
make me resentful and suspicious
of authority. I’ve lost touch
with Howie, but I’ll guarantee
you that strapping still stands
out in his memory.
Like a loogie on a lapel,
I’ll wager. n
Jim Austin, a regular Voices
columnist, can be reached at
jim@commonsnews.org.
Reading — and thinking —
through life in Vermont
Williamsville
In graduate school, I worked
my way through elizabethan
Drama, the British
Novel and the Romantic poets
at the rate of two to three books
a day. In addition, I read innumerble
critical works as well as
The New York Times, The New
Yorker, and The New York Review
of Books. I spent most of
my days reading.
Occasionally, I’d come up for
air to meet with the professor
directing my graduate work. I
remember well one overcast,
autumn day. I arrived in his disheveled
office, cluttered with
books. The place appeared dim;
it’s quite likely the windows
hadn’t been washed since the
publication of george eliot’s
Middlemarch, in 1874.
The professor sucked on his
pipe as he listened to me recite
the titles of my week’s reading,
and then, in a grand puff of
smoke, cleared his throat and
said, “Reading ain’t thinking,
you know.”
This is the sort of enigmatic
education one receives in a prestigious
Ivy League graduate
program where, in return for a
job teaching insolent freshmen
(Columbia didn’t go co-ed until
1983), one receives just enough
cash to stay marginally housed
and fed.
I understood what the guy
meant: he wanted me to write
papers, proving I could not only
read but think. so write I did. I
Saxtons River
mY KaRMa ran over
my dogma.” That
was one of my favorite
bumper stickers years ago
(along with “Uppity Women
Unite”). The clever tagline resonated:
I was a post-adolescent
struggling with The Meaning
of Life (especially mine), and
somehow the slogan spoke to
me in a way that suggested I
should be less serious in my
quest for my personal Nirvana.
I have been thinking about
karma a fair amount since finding
myself back in asia, and to a
lesser extent I’ve also been contemplating
dogma. This happens
when I am in a Buddhist environment,
so to a certain extent
this reflection constitutes a reprise
of an essay I wrote back in
2005 when I lived in Thailand.
This time, however, I am in Indonesia
— a primarily Muslim
nation — at the site of its answer
to Cambodia’s angkor Wat and
Burma’s pagan. That is to say, I
have just visited Borobudur, an
extraordinary 9th-century Buddhist
temple ruin that rises out
of the earth like a huge sand
castle. It has withstood earthquakes,
time, and terrorism,
and its survival speaks to the
very essence of Buddhist philosophy,
which underscores a
kind of grace, acceptance, and
forbearance.
dEBORAH
LEE
LuSKIn
wrote a dissertation, “Jane austen
and the Limits of epistolary
Fiction.” I received my ph.D.,
which is like being admitted to
a highly secretive club of pipesmokers
who spend their days
in cluttered offices with dirty
windows.
THIs pReTTY WeLL describes
my current office, except for
the pipe smoking — and the
students. I’ve been fortunate
enough to slide out of the mainstream,
and to have patched
together a job teaching literature
to a much wider audience
than is generally found in an
institute of higher learning. I
teach lifelong learners — ordinary
Vermonters from all walks
of life who like both to read and
to think.
It may have taken me 20 years
to understand what my professor
meant by “reading ain’t
thinking,” but the people who
attend any of the programs I
teach for the Vermont Humanities
Council understand that we
can read and read and read and
never feel sated, never fill up —
and never move on. To make
reading meaningful, we need to
Reflections on balance
ELAynE
CLIFT
THe THINg that got me thinking
about karma and dogma
and the possible relationship
between the two from a Western
perspective was our guide’s
explanation of the symbolism
in the carved stone friezes
that wrap around the temple of
Borobudur.
These amazing sculpted episodes
recount the story of
Buddha’s journey to enlightenment.
They are laden with
lessons of patience, rightful
thinking and behaving, and the
continual search for balance.
The idea of life’s cycles — large
and small — is preeminent.
It stuck me quite powerfully in
contemplating the eastern view
of the cycles of life that we in the
West may have things all wrong.
eastern philosophies seem
to emphasize the search for
balance — yin and yang or whatever
— as a natural part of life.
For them, it’s an ongoing search
in the daily course of things to
get it right. For us, every upset
is a crisis.
In the east, it seems to me,
people don’t agonize all the time
think about it.
The readers who attend the
VHC’s Reading and Discussion
programs already know this.
That’s why they come. While
reading is something we each
do alone, thinking is something
we need to do together. and this
is what I’ve witnessed in 20-odd
years of Reading and Discussion
programs: Neighbors coming
together to think through what
it is they’ve read, to discover and
clarify what it is they think.
sometimes, readers come in
with questions and uncertainty,
and sometimes, readers come in
with attitude. as a facilitator, I always
hope for a mix of both. and
if we have a really good discussion,
the questioners leave with
a little more certainty, and those
with attitude leave with a little
less. everyone gains.
FOR THe pasT YeaR, a group
of intrepid readers has tackled
brick-sized biographies of
american presidents and met
monthly to discuss the presidency.
This year-long enterprise,
sponsored by the Vermont Humanities
Council and Brooks
Memorial Library, has led us to
a better understanding of american
history, the political process,
and the evolution of presidential
power. By talking and listening
with others, we have been
able to develop our own understanding
of presidential politics.
Ultimately, this study has made
us better-informed citizens,
about the big Cycle of Life stuff,
or for that matter about the simple
cycles we all go through,
whether in terms of job stresses,
family dynamics, or romantic
relationships. They just get on
with it and hope to regain their
balance when things get out of
whack.
We, on the other hand, make
a major megillah of life’s every
challenge. We agonize, articulate
angst, vent our anger. We
read normal, temporary imbalance
— the dips of daily living
— as deviant, depressing, a recipe
for despair. We get way out
of proportion when all we really
need to do, maybe, is get a grip
and get on with it.
I DON’T MeaN to suggest that
no one in asia is ever depressed
— nothing breeds depression
like poverty and powerlessness
— or that there’s no such thing
better able to participate in the
political process.
In anticipation of the upcoming
election, our reading and
discussion group will end this
month with the Declaration of
Independence on Oct. 22, and
the Constitution on Oct. 29.
Vermont has a national reputation
as a state of independent
thinkers and voters. I don’t know
if it’s Vermonters’ independence
that accounts for our ideas or
if it’s our interest in ideas that
makes for our independence. I
do know that Vermont’s a small
state; nevertheless, the Vermont
Humanities Council sponsors
close to 2,000 programs a year.
a lot of them happen in Brattleboro,
the cultural center of
perhaps the most independentthinking
county in the state.
In addition to programs at
Brooks Library, the Vermont
Humanities Council will sponsor
a program on Robert Frost
at this month’s Brattleboro
Literary Festival (www.brattleboroliteraryfestival.org)
and
will partner with the Brattleboro
Community Justice Center
to pilot a Justice and Literature
Reading and Discussion series
to be held at the Brattleboro
savings and Loan’s Community
Room.
Building on the idea that reading
literature primes people’s
minds, we’re going to read stories
which deal with the issues
of justice and revenge.
Detective fiction, murder mysteries
and courtroom drama
are all popular literary genres;
people like reading about murder
and mayhem — as long as
law and order are ultimately restored.
Using archer Mayor’s
Open Season, Castle Freeman’s
Go With Me, and David guterson’s
Snow Falling on Cedars,
as deviance from social norms in
this part of the world.
I’m just wondering if our penchant
for pathology and personal
introspection isn’t leading us
away from the very thing they
endlessly scrutinize — a sense
of balance about the world and
our place in it. Maybe we place
too much emphasis on the
dogma of our psychology gods
and not enough on the karmic
lessons of the larger cosmos.
we will discuss issues of justice:
what it is, how it works, what
happens when it doesn’t, how
society metes it out, how society
might do better. In short, we’ll
read imaginary literature and
we’ll think about hard issues.
This model of using literature
to start important conversations
about difficult issues is being
used in health care as well, not
only in Vermont, but nationally.
Until recently, there was a Literature
and Medicine program for
health-care workers at Brattleboro
Memorial Hospital. It was a
well-attended and highly appreciated
oasis of humanity for all
members of the medical establishment,
where they gathered
to discuss aspects of health care
outside the crucible of patient
care.
Unfortunately, the program
has not been funded for the
coming year. In a health-care
system taken over by the beancounters,
there’s little place for
anything that doesn’t generate
revenue, like the humanities.
I know: I went to graduate
school to figure out how to read
for a living. Twenty years later,
I’m still trying to figure out
how to support myself. In the
meantime, I’m reading — and
thinking — my way through a
very rich life indeed. n
Deborah Lee Luskin (deb@
commonsnews.org) is a regular
Voices columnist. For more
information on the Vermont
Humanities Council programs,
visit www.vermonthumanities.
org. Check out the programs at
the Brooks Memorial Library at
www.brooks.lib.vt.us.
places like Borobudur make
you think about such things.
It’s a great venue to visit. Who
knows? You might even decide
you’d like to “live” there. n
Elayne Clift, a regular Voices
columnist, has just returned
from three months of traveling
and writing in Thailand and
Indonesia. She can be reached
at elayne@commonsnews.org.
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20 VOICES The Commons • October 2008 The Commons • October 2008 VOICES 21
look out over my home these
I days and I am overwhelmed
by how lucky I am. I live a life
of such peace and love and
prosperity.
Do you know how, when you’re
little, the world seems perfect?
and then you grow up some
and learn that it isn’t? and then,
a little later, something happens
that makes you understand that
the world can be hell? Well, that
just happened to me, and it has
made me aware of the grace that
has blessed my life.
You see, I was recently lucky
enough to spend a week with 27
Iraqi students. It was an experience
that I wouldn’t trade for the
world, but it opened my eyes to
a kind of sorrow I have never
experienced.
Over the week I spent with
these students, I came to love
them more than I can say. They
are my dearest friends, and
they are some of the best people
I have ever met. There is
something about them — an understanding,
a joy, an eagerness
to learn about others, and to help
others to the best of their ability
— that sets them apart.
I have all these little memories
of people. Of the way one person
said, “Oh, god,” the way another’s
smile lit up his face, the way
one person always said that any
adventure we embarked on was
doomed to failure, the way another
always teased everyone.
all these little things that make
them human, that make me love
them.
This humanity about them
makes the realities of their life
so hard for me to take. It isn’t the
facts about their lives — facts are
LETTERS
iraqi students leave a mark
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just numbers, in a sense. It’s the
humanity and the emotions, the
love and the pain — the unbearable
pain.
Underneath every personality
was the reality of death. It was accepted
and lived with, hated but
acknowledged. The reality that
death is unexpected and may
come soon — only god knows
when. The reality that you may
leave your friends and family for
a month-long trip and never see
them again. That everything you
love, everything that makes up
your world, may well be ripped
from you. and then what are
you?
One friend talked of a firefight
he was in just outside his school,
of four friends lost. I have been
shown a picture of a computer
screen punched through by a
bullet that just missed a friend’s
father. a boy I clearly remember
imitating Tarzan for me during
one lunch had been kidnapped,
and resigned himself to death after
24 hours.
perhaps the most powerful
thing was one girl looking me
in the eyes and saying, “You see
me now, I am laughing. But … in
a minute … I am crying.” That
boundary between pain and hope
is their lives.
That is wrong. There is no
other way to describe it. How can
As the race for governor heats
up, the very lifeblood of democracy
is being drained away
by governor Jim Douglas with
support from the Democratic
candidate, gaye symington.
as recently as mid-august
there were two dozen debates
and forums scheduled for public
meetings with the candidates.
The topics ranged broadly, covering
agriculture, health care,
conservation, renewable energy,
business, the economy,
State rep thanks voters
Thank you to the Windham-4
House of Representatives
district — voters in the towns
of athens, Brookline, grafton,
Rockingham, a portion of
North Westminster, and Windham
— for your support of my
candidacy for state representative
in the recent primary
election.
I seek the opportunity to
work hard for you. With your
support I will continue to work
to secure access to affordable
health care for all Vermonters,
this hell exist on earth? How can
humans do this to other humans?
How can god, if you believe
in such a thing, let this exist? I
take my family and my life for
granted. I know my friends will
be there tomorrow and the day
after. How can we just go on with
our beautiful lives and let this
horror happen?
We need to do something.
We americans from the program
are planning a conference
called Vermont student summit
on Building peace in Iraq
(VTssBpI). This summit will
serve as a springboard for further
action and will hopefully
draw attention. anyone interested
should please contact Heron Russell
at hiliz@comcast.net.
I will end with something that a
guy I love as a brother wrote:
[I] have seen the blood, the dirt
on there faces, men ripped apart
education, and more.
Recently the governor has
cancelled five of these events,
claiming scheduling conflicts,
and gaye symington has used
this as an excuse to withdraw her
participation. so far no sponsor
efforts to reschedule have been
successful.
Independent candidate anthony
pollina has pledged to
be present for all debates and
forums. One would hope that
candidate symington would join
to stabilize the state’s finances;
to reduce the property tax
burden, to help working Vermonters
experience economic
success, and to preserve the
Vermont style of democracy.
I value the trust and confidence
you place in me and
look forward to your continued
support in the Nov. 4 general
election.
Michael J. Obuchowski
Rockingham
by bullets i cant forget theses
things i’ve seen so i asked my self
how much mor 1 man can take.
please remember this. No one
should have to take that.
Annie Laurie Mauhs-Pugh
Poultney
couldn’t have
said it as well
Thank you to Martha Nelson
for your piece in The
Commons [“Faith in the voting
booth,” Letters, september]. I’ve
made copies of it for friends and
family, for it describes my way of
looking at life in a comprehensive
and concise way.
Thank you! I could never have
said it so well.
Sherwood Bromley
Marlboro
Douglas cancels, symington follows
STOP
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pollina on stage to discuss the issues
and where she stands.
apparently, however, she is
more interested in avoiding a
real discussion with pollina and
in denying the voting public opportunity
to learn firsthand about
her style, her record, and her
plans. Douglas’s and symington’s
cancellations do not keep with
our state’s Town Meeting tradition
of involving citizens, nor do
they keep with the spirit of Vermont
supporting direct access to
our elected officials.
Television advertising and
sound bites do not fill the gap.
How sad for the citizens of
Vermont.
Peter Cooper
West Brattleboro
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for, by, and about Windham County, Vermont
Jeff potter, Editor and Graphic Designer
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Strings attached
Many citizens of
the communities
surrounding
Vermont Yankee
agree that entergy, the owner
of the nuclear power plant, has
behaved as a generous corporate
citizen.
as is obvious to anyone who
hasn’t been living under a log
for the past 30 years, citizens
have healthy and vigorous differences
about nuclear power.
In an area this small, citizens
whose opinions fall on either
side of the issue will be involved
with the same nonprofits that
entergy supports with charitable
donations.
That’s inevitable, and
that’s good. However citizens
disagree, nonprofits and community
service provide a rare
common ground for people to
set aside ideology and come
together.
Nobody can dismiss the real
good that entergy’s funding
has purchased. Many people
at a sept. 15 public hearing by
the Vermont public service
Board spoke passionately
about not only the company,
but the employees who contribute
to their communities
Not a punchline
this community organizer says
the Republicans just don’t get it
Somerville, Mass.
ON sepT. 4, I left work
at Inquilinos Boricuas
en acción (puerto
Rican Tenants in action), a
nonprofit community organization
in Boston’s south end, and
headed home. along with 37.2
million of my fellow americans,
I tuned into the Republican National
Convention.
Rudy giuliani was discussing
Barack Obama’s qualifications
for the job of president: “He
worked as a community organizer,”
deadpanned guiliani,
who broke into a fit of laughter
and then added a derisive,
“What?”
I can’t say I was shocked or
surprised. These are the sort
of negative attacks that I’ve
grown accustomed to over the
last eight years. But during vicepresidential
nominee sarah
palin’s speech, there was more
of the same: “I guess a smalltown
mayor is sort of like a
community organizer,” she explained,
“except that you have
actual responsibilities.” The delegates
roared with approval.
as volunteers, often with specialized
skills.
But we’ve also heard stories
— one documented as
public testimony, others told
in hushed tones off the record
— about entergy threatening
to withhold funding against
organizations that include citizens
who don’t see eye to eye
on the nuclear issue.
One citizen, Valerie stuart,
testified at the Vernon hearing.
The former development director
of Youth services later told
The Commons that the company
threatened to pull funding for
an event in 2005 because she,
while acting in her capacity
as a citizen, had signed a petition
calling for an independent
safety review of the plant.
Larry smith, the plant’s manager
of communications and
one of six members of a board
that evaluates requests for contributions,
concedes that “there
have been instances where the
company expressed dismay in
those circumstances but there
has never been funding pulled
because of it.”
stuart says the money isn’t
the issue — her concern lies in
the chilling effect on people who
VIEWpOInT
WILLIE GOuLd, a graduate
of Brattleboro Union High
School and Wesleyan University,
wrote frequently in these
pages of his worldwide travels
as a Thomas J. Watson Foundation
Fellow.
I’m a youth worker. What
this means is that I’m a parttime
teacher, mentor, counselor,
friend, and, yes, community organizer
all rolled into one. I work
long hours and do not have the
money to show for it.
I’m not complaining. I love
my job, my teens, and the community
I work in. and I wasn’t
offended by guiliani’s or palin’s
comments. I laughed it off and
didn’t take it personally.
But watching the delegation’s
response to these backhanded
remarks solidified what I already
knew: the Republican
party just doesn’t get it.
WHaT DOes a community do,
where do they turn, when they
feel that their government has
left them behind? When trickle-
This issue of The Commons is brought to you by the hard work and generosity of:
Director of photography: David shaw
EdITORIAL
comics editor: Jade Harmon
Editorial and proofreading support: Vincent panella, Lee stookey,
Bethany Knowles, Kim Noble, Bob Rottenberg, shoshana Rihn.
technical/logistical support: simi Berman, Trevor snorek-Yates,
Chris Wesolowski, Diana Bingham, Jim Maxwell, Bill pearson,
shana Frank, Roberta Martin, Janet schwarz, Bill Lax, Doug grob,
Mary Rothschild, susan Odegard, Menda Waters, Richard Davis.
fear that acting on their own
consciences will create problems
for their organizations.
entergy funded the event
anyway, stuart says, but the
message was absolutely clear.
“Their philosophy is, ‘We’re
not going to support people
who don’t support us’,” she
told us.
•
smith describes a process
where the committee, recognizing
the divisiveness of the
plant, works with funding applicants
to determine whether
entergy’s largesse will create
more problems than the money
is worth — whether the relationship
will be a good match
for both parties.
smith said one year entergy
donated to strolling of the Heifers,
a contribution that inspired
public blowback, controversy,
and an anti-nuclear contingent
in the parade. From their perspective,
no good deed went
unpunished. They declined further
funding.
We understand. But the
“good match” concept is a slippery
slope, one that creates
a very real perception that
money from entergy comes
down economics doesn’t quite
trickle down that far?
In Barack Obama’s acceptance
speech for the Democratic
nomination he summed up the
economic policies of the previous
administration: “Out of
work? Tough luck, you are on
your own. Born into poverty?
pull yourself up by your own
bootstraps. even if you don’t
have boots you are on your
own.”
I work in a neighborhood
called Villa Victoria (Victory Village),
which just celebrated its
40th birthday. In the late 1960s
the Boston Redevelopment authority
(BRa) labeled it parcel
19 and placed it on the short list
for urban renewal. This meant
attempting to evict the predominately
puerto Rican residents,
bulldozing historic brownstones,
and building luxury condos and
shopping centers in their place.
around that time a group of
community organizers banded
together, stood up against the
BRa, and established a plan
to preserve their neighborhood.
The result is a 435-unit
affordable housing community,
complete with the multi-service
agency that I work for.
Our organization addresses
the needs of the community
and fills in the gaps where the
local, state, and national services
end. We have a preschool,
after-school programming for
5-18 year olds, esL, geD, and
puzzlemaster: Connie evans
published by
Vermont Independent Media, Inc.
139 Main st., p.O. Box 1212
Brattleboro, VT 05302
(802) 246-NeWs
www.commonsnews.org
Without the support of all our
volunteers, this paper would still
live only in our imaginations.
THE dRAWInG BOARd
with strings attached.
asked under what circumstances
the company would
express dismay about staff sentiments,
smith wrote, “I don’t
know.” such decisions happen
case by case.
Our dictionary defines
charity in various contexts as
“benevolent goodwill toward or
love of humanity” and “a gift for
public benevolent purposes.”
It is absolutely entergy’s
prerogative to do what it wants
community college classes, employment
opportunities, arts
shows, concerts, and countless
other social services. I am constantly
amazed and inspired by
my co-workers, who put in long
hours and make great sacrifices
because they truly believe
in the work that they do. They
understand what it means to
serve their community and their
country.
BaRaCK OBaMa also heard
this call to service. You know
the story: he graduated from
Columbia University and spent
three years as a community organizer
on the south side of
Chicago. after finishing Harvard
Law school, he directed
project Vote, an organization
focused on registering new african-american
voters in Illinois.
as president of the Harvard Law
Review and a promising graduate,
Obama could have written
his own ticket, but he chose to
return to his adopted community
of Chicago and dedicate his
life to public service.
For John McCain, and the
Republican party, this service
apparently means nothing. They
equate national service with
serving in the military or the
government; anything else is
just a joke.
In a time when natural disasters
are pummeling our shores,
our public education system
is failing to educate our youth,
with its money, but if citizens
are made to feel they have to
check in their personal opinions
at the door, those contributions
are no longer charity. They become
a form of extortion.
energy can’t possibly want
this type of relationship with the
community it serves. Without
clear guidelines and absolute
specificity, even well intentioned
contributions to help the
community can become poisoned
by nuclear politics.
and my teens are scared to walk
down the street because of gang
violence, we need our young
people to stay in their communities
and lend a hand. We
can’t afford to have hundreds
of thousands of our young men
and women scattered around
the globe in military uniforms.
We need a surge of teachers, a
surge of doctors, and a surge of
green engineers.
While McCain promises that
we will stay in Iraq for 10 or
even 100 years to finish the job,
Obama has vowed to expand
ameriCorps positions from
75,000 to 250,000, provide $4,000
college scholarships for students
who commit to 100 hours
of community service, and mandate
that 25 percent of all federal
work-study money be spent on
service learning. This would put
our most promising young people
back into our communities,
where we need them the most.
John McCain has also served
his country. He was asked to
fight in Vietnam, and he went
above and beyond the call of
duty. since then he has worked
tirelessly in the House and senate
for nearly three decades.
I do not wish to question his
exceptional and honorable career.
I respect John McCain’s
service to america. It’s just
a shame that he doesn’t respect
mine. n

22 The Commons • October 2008 The Commons • October 2008 23
The Arts
FRoM
gut
tHE
Founding members
of GUtWorks, Daniel
Burmester, Jonathan Maloney,
and Kali Quinn (inset).
theater company incorporates multimedia
in mission to tell ‘visceral stories’
By caitlin Baucom
The Commons
aTHeNs—Theatergoers
around Brattleboro were recently
treated to the inaugural
performances of This Is the Place
of Parting, a new multimedia collaboration
by playwright Neil
Knox and gUTWorks, a young
theater company dedicated to
telling “visceral stories.”
Featuring puppets, film, a live
score, physics, and hand-held
lighting, the piece provided a
cinematic spectacle that one audience
member described as
a “choose-your-own adventure.”
Founded in New York, gUT-
Works, now based in athens,
recently transitioned to working
mainly in southern Vermont,
putting down new roots in the
thriving theatrical and artistic environment
of Windham County.
Committed to performing new
and innovative work, gUTWorks
has already established ties
within the community and hopes
to build a working relationship
with local audiences.
The three founding members
of gUTWorks met at the
Dell’arte International school
of physical Theater in Northern
California. Kali Quinn was there
working toward her MFa, when
Daniel Burmester and Jonathan
Maloney came out to attend a
workshop. They wound up moving
to Manhattan at the same
time, and in between working on
various other shows began their
first project together.
gUTWorks describes “Vamping,”
an original one-woman show
performed by Quinn, directed by
Maloney, and assisted by Burmester,
as “a dynamic multimedia
theater piece that explores the
struggles of senile dementia. It
is seen through the eyes of Julia,
an elderly woman confined
to a nursing home in her later
years, and the world that surrounds
her, both in reality and
her fading mind.”
The show had an extensive run
at a variety of venues, including
its premiere Off-Off Broadway at
HeRe art Center’s 2006 american
Living Room Festival. It has
also played in terraNOVa’s soloNOVa
Festival at ps122, at
the Dialogue ONe festival at
Williams College, and Luminz
performing arts studio in Brattleboro.
excerpts from the show
have been featured at various locations
around Manhattan and
Vermont.
critical acclaim
Quinn was hailed as “a talented,
immensely watchable,
and vibrant performer” by Nigel
Maister, artistic director of
the Todd International Theatre
program at the University of
Rochester.
“Vamping is a deeply personal
and impressively honest piece of
theatre that effectively captures,
with theatrical grace and wit, the
universality of love and loss,”
Maister wrote.
The show’s multimedia aspects
functioned differently from those
in “parting.” says Maloney: “We
had screens, but they acted more
as a setting. The show was about
dementia and alzheimer’s, and
the [multimedia] acted as a ‘lifeline’
to the audience, a way of
getting inside her mind.”
The set consisted of the screen,
an afghan, and a wheelchair,
which “shifted… it was only a
wheelchair for maybe five minutes,
then it took on the roles of
other props, objects throughout
[the rest of the show].”
This initial collaboration was
so successful that the three
decided to continue the partnership.
“We thought, why just keep
auditioning and trying things on
our own?” Kali says. “Of course,
we still do that, but we worked
together so well that we wanted
to keep doing it.”
The three come from diverse
backgrounds and disciplines,
including film and media, ensemble
and physical theater, and
clowning. This diversity serves
gUTWorks’ mission to “serve
theatrical story telling from a
multi-faceted approach in order
to reach a diverse audience.”
Their next show was the american
premiere of “No Man’s
Island,” a new play by celebrated
australian playwright
Ross Mueller.
Quinn directed Burmester and
Maloney in the two-man production,
which “plies the emotive
depths of two haplessly damaged
souls,” the company’s Web
site says.
“With the two locked in the
isolation of a cell together and
their crimes and sentences unknown,
we plunge to the core of
their confusion, need, and boiling
loneliness. Tim and Robbie
may have come to prison from
desperate parts of the outback,
at different times and for separate
felonies, but now their lives
are indefinitely converging into
one as they become striking reflections
of each other.”
This show is the only one
they’ve done that existed in a
finished form when they took it
on, and was more traditional in
setting, with no media and a full
set. Josh sherman of nytheatre.
com said, “Quinn, Burmester,
and Maloney have brought to
life a powerful new piece that deserves
a longer run and as much
attention as it can grab.”
coming to Vermont
soon after, Maloney and Quinn
came to Vermont to teach at the
putney school’s summer program.
Impressed with the area
and its artistic possibilities, they
decided to stay, and Burmester
soon followed.
“It’s so much easier here,” says
Quinn. “We’ve found jobs that fit
in with what we’re doing… it’s so
welcoming. space exists, people
want to help.”
They like the idea of a returning
audience, a core group of
people who are interested in
what they do and will come again
and again. “In a smaller community,
we can really show our
diversity over time,” says Maloney.
“It’s exciting that the same
people will continue to come,
they’re supportive and interested.
In New York, you are what
you are and people come or they
don’t… there’s no community
that returns, is invested.”
This is particularly helpful
given their practice of holding
“talk-backs” after the shows. The
sessions afford audiences the opportunity
to offer criticism, ideas,
or thoughts on the piece they’ve
just witnessed.
“Our projects are completed
when we show them, but then
again we’re always looking to
shift, to improve it,” says Maloney.
“Theater and film usually
can’t show process, so talk-backs
really let the process come out
for the audience to see.”
“It is hard,” says Quinn. “Having
to talk about something
you’ve just seen can be difficult.
Often people want to ask
questions instead of offering constructive
criticism, or it’s hard
for them to speak up at all. But
when we did ‘parting’ in Bellows
Falls, over 50 people stayed and
they really were frank… they had
no problem telling us what they
thought.”
“This Is the place of parting”
is the first work they conceived
since the three came to Vermont.
It started with a script by Neil
Knox, who met Quinn while in
graduate school at sarah Lawrence,
where she was a teaching
assistant. after Knox graduated,
he looked for a company
to produce his work and noticed
that Quinn had co-founded
gUTWorks.
“He sent the play, and it was so
cinematic and seemingly impossible,”
Quinn says. “That made us
really want to do it.”
They began collaborating
remotely with Knox, sending
ideas back and forth. “He would
send us a bunch of ideas, we’d
say ‘Well, we like this and this,
maybe we could change this and
then do something else here,’
and he’d respond again. He’d
send us these huge long descriptions,”
Quinn says. “The piece
was quite modular, and then we
extracted what became the final
performance.”
This was the first show they’d
worked on which involved a
number of other people. “It was
a relief to have all of those extra
minds,” says Quinn. “This is
something we could never have
done in New York… to bring in
three other actors and two designers
and house them. It was
great. They were all people we
knew individually, and just knew
they would be great together.
We’ll definitely work with them
again in the future.”
They plan to take “parting”
on tour, after further revisions,
taking into account feedback received
at the talk-backs.
The trio is now in residence
at Vermont academy in saxtons
River for the school year, where
they teach film and theater, book
shows, create a scene shop, and
collaborate on new work. This
semester Quinn is also directing
“Little shop of Horrors” on
campus.
“every single thing we’ve done
has afforded us with a better
opportunity,” says Quinn. “everything
has been successful.”
“We’re still figuring out our
place; we don’t want to define
ourselves as doing one kind of
theater,” she says. “everything
we’ve done has led the way to
something new.”
Life & Work
Primal food
enjoys a
resurgence in
Vermont
ode to dairy
I
Brattleboro
aM sitting at my table eating
a piece of cheese,
peaked Mountain Vermont
Dandy, made in Townshend,
and it has that distinct nutty,
sweet, complicated quality that
I associate with the taste of
sheep milk.
Cheese is one of my very
favorite foods, and is a direct reflection
of the milk from which
it is made. I have never particularly
enjoyed just drinking
milk, but that transformation
from milk to curd to cheese has
always delighted me. as I sat
there very much enjoying my
piece of cheese, I started thinking
about milk.
Milk is such a basic food. For
most of us it is the first food
we eat as humans. Milk is also
deeply woven into the literature
and lore of our civilization. Milk
represents kindness and plenty,
beauty and motherhood.
Milk is an “old fashioned”
food that conjures up long-ago
days when the “milkman” came
to your door. The image of those
glass bottles, cream risen to
the top, clinking softly as they
were carried inside, speaks of a
quieter time when life was easier,
simpler somehow. Lovely
complexions are referred to as
“milky.” Cleopatra, among others,
was said to have bathed in
milk to retain her dewy youth.
gO TO THe supermarket today
and stand in front of the dairy
case. You will be faced with milk
of all sorts, real and otherwise,
colored, flavored, reduced, enhanced,
organic, lactose-free,
cow, goat, sheep, local, or highly
processed. Milk has become big
business and like so many foods,
has become politicized in the
process.
Before the advent of refrigeration,
a lot of milk went bad
or was contaminated by microorganisms
that caused all sorts
of disease. The process of pasteurization,
developed by Louis
pasteur in the late 1800s, provided
a means by which the
potentially dangerous microbes
in milk could be destroyed by
heat.
Two methods exist. slow pasteurization
heats milk to around
The World on
My Plate
CHRISTOpHER
EmILy COuTAnT
144 degrees and holds it there
for 30 minutes. Fast pasteurization
heats milk to 166 degrees
for 15 seconds. The first method
is said to have a less adverse effect
on the flavor of the milk,
while the second is favored by
most commercial producers
because of its speed. Ultra-pasteurization,
mostly of cream,
involves heat of 280 degrees for
one second.
Homogenization is another
process designed in France
around the turn of the last century.
When left alone, whole
milk separates, creating two distinct
layers: one very rich cream
layer on top, and a less fatty milk
below. Once separated it is hard
to mix the two together again.
Homogenization was designed
to evenly disperse the fat
globules throughout the milk.
This is accomplished by passing
the milk through a small
pipe under high pressure so that
it sprays onto a hard surface,
breaking up the fat into smaller
particles that are more uniformly
distributed.
aT THe TIMe, these two developments,
along with the
invention of commercial refrigeration
in the late 1800s, allowed
for the mass distribution and
processing of safe milk to a population
that now had the means
to preserve it at home. Mass
distribution meant mass profit,
and like many agricultural enterprises,
the dairy industry saw
itself quickly overtaken by huge
farms and mighty lobbies. We
need only look around at the
fields and farms in our own state
to see the ramifications.
according to the Vermont
Dairy association, in 1950 more
than 11,000 dairy farms operated
in Vermont. Today fewer
than 1,500 do so.
But the amount of milk
produced has actually risen,
because the average cow now
gives more than three times the
amount of milk its foremother
produced in 1950. Cows have
been bred to produce more
milk, not tastier milk. The finances
of the Vermont dairy
industry are locked into the nationwide
push for mega-farms
and the export of dairy knowledge
and cows. China, a country
that has no history of dairy farming,
is eager for both cows and
farming knowledge. They fully
expect to become one of the top
exporters of dairy products in
the next two decades, thanks
in part to the help they are receiving
from the Vermont state
Department of agriculture.
elsewhere in Vermont we’ve
all seen a huge growth in organic
dairy farming, from only
three certified organic dairy
farms in Vermont in 1993 to 209
in 2008.
That same Vermont Department
of agriculture that sends
heifers to China is also trying to
help local farmers retain their
dairies. Vermont is filled with
organizations that help support
small farmers: the Vermont
Farm Bureau, the state agricultural
Outreach programs, the
UVM extension service, and
Center for sustainable agriculture,
the Vermont Land Trust,
the Women’s agricultural Network,
and the Vermont Organic
Farmers association, to name
but a few.
eNOUgH pOLITICs. My piece
of cheese is gone, and I am hungry
again. Luckily I can ride
down the road to Lilac Ridge
Farm and buy a few quarts of
farm-fresh raw organic milk.
Vermont dairy farmers can
sell a limited quantity of raw
milk directly from their farms,
provided they do not advertise
in any way other than word of
mouth and have no promotional
signs at the dairy. and I am not
limited to cow milk in my quest
for taste.
goat milk, with its slightly
higher and chemically different
fat content and smaller fat globules,
is easier to digest than cow
milk and makes cheese with a
piquant, acidic quality. Try a Hillman
Farm disc made in nearby
Colrain, Mass. for the perfect
example of a goat milk cheese.
Nothing could be creamier or
have a better balance of sweet
and tart.
sheep milk has an even
higher fat content, 6.7 percent as
compared to goat’s 3.9 percent
and cow’s 3.5 percent. sheep
milk also has much more protein
and lactose than either goat
or cow milk. This gives sheep
Ricotta cheese
milk a complexity and richness
that is reflected in cheese made
from it. For an aged sheep milk
cheese try peaked Mountain
Vermont Dandy, Bonnieview
Farm Ben Nevis, or classic Vermont
shepherd, all supremely
delicious and very much about
the milk.
WITH MY QUaRT of local raw
organic cow milk, I am making
ricotta. Now this isn’t traditional
ricotta, which is made from the
sheep milk whey that drains
away from curd in the making of
cheese. But it is one of the best
ways I know to retain the sweetness
and flavor of milk.
Ricotta is luscious on its own,
dressed with a bit of olive oil,
salt, and pepper, or sweetened
with some fruit or a drizzle of
local honey and toasted nuts. It
can also be called upon to top
your favorite pasta, seasonal
vegetables, or a toasted piece of
bread.
Ricotta is simplicity itself to
make. eat it the day you make
it, and when that first spoonful
slides onto your tongue, think
about the milk of human kindness.
We can use all we can find
of that these days. n
Christopher Emily Coutant
(christopher@commonsnews.
org) writes about food every
other issue.
• 2 quarts whole milk – local, raw, organic if you can find it
• ½ tsp. salt
• 3 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Large sieve lined with fine-mesh cheesecloth placed over a
large bowl
Bring the milk and salt slowly to a boil over moderate heat.
Stir to prevent scorching. When the milk begins to boil, turn
down the heat to low and add the lemon juice. Stir constantly
for about 2 minutes, until the mixture curdles.
Remove from heat and gently ladle the mixture into the
cheesecloth. Leave to drain for at least an hour.
Gather the cheesecloth by the four corners so that the curds
form a ball inside, and twist the cloth above the ball to apply
a little pressure. Then gently unwrap the cloth and empty the
ricotta onto a plate.
The ricotta can be refrigerated for a few hours, but I recommend
eating it immediately. Get your spoon.
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24 LIFE & WORK The Commons • October 2008 The Commons • October 2008 LIFE & WORK 25
Windham County
teachers return
from Turkey
By chuck Bingaman
The Commons
pUTNeY—How would area
high school teachers respond
if given expense-paid nine-day
tours of Turkey?
With great enthusiasm.
Jane Olmstead, social studies
teacher at Leland & gray Union
High school in Townshend, and
Blake Zahn, african studies and
U.s. history teacher at the putney
school, spent nine days in
Turkey in July, courtesy of the
Turkish Cultural Foundation
on a trip designed to help teachers
get to know Turkey. They
joined social studies teachers al
Hibler of Vermont academy in
saxtons River and Kim Costello
of Fall Mountain Regional High
school in Langdon and about 23
others from around the country
in the tour.
The Windham World affairs
Council of Vermont, based in
Brattleboro, selected the teachers
and sponsored the orientation
for the tour. In its effort to help
american teachers know more
about Turkey, the foundation
took the group for several days
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in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest
city and the only one that straddles
two continents, europe and
asia.
Then they spent several days
visiting ancient and more modern
cities along the aegean sea
coast, including a day in the Biblical
city of ephesus, and then
on to several old and new cities
inland from the coast, including
the ancient site of pergamum,
Konya, Kayseri, and the area of
Cappadocia.
“We could totally see how Turkey
could be called the ‘cradle of
civilization’,” said Zahn. “It has
a number of different climates,
different worlds really, based on
proximity to the Mediterranean
and Black seas, and different elevations.
sites we visited ranged
from Neolithic to ancient greek
to Roman, and we stayed in very
modern cities such as ankara,
and ancient cities such as Istanbul
which has very modern
areas.”
“ephesus was the highlight
for me,” recalls Olmstead. “even
though it is in ruins, you can see
how the greek influence in Turkey
started and remains today.
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Blake Zahn, African studies and U.s. History teacher at the putney school, sits before the
Blue Mosque in istanbul, turkey in July when he was touring on behalf of the Windham
World Affairs council hosted by the turkish cultural Foundation.
I’ll be putting more emphasis
on Turkey in my global studies
and Western Civilization courses,
with more discussion of the
connection between greek and
Roman culture, and also between
Christian and Muslim faiths.”
Zahn said in mid-september
that he had already begun using
his Turkish experiences in
his classes.
“I’m talking about ancient
civilizations and trade routes
through Turkey and how they influenced
languages and cultures.
and I like doing a lot of time comparisons
in history — what was
taking place at the same time,
for instance, as the exploration
of North america in asia, africa,
and europe.”
“The traveling with 26 other
teachers was also fascinating,”
according to Zahn. “To hear what
it’s like to teach in other regions
of the country was great — so
many other points of view! and
to learn about how other school
systems approach teaching!”
Both teachers highly praised
their Turkish hosts for the skill
with which the tour was arranged
and run.
“It was so professionally run,”
according to Olmstead.
“I didn’t realize that we’d see
so much from prehistoric times
to current political situations,”
she said. “It was an excellent
tour, although we did spend a lot
of time on the bus.”
“Our guide, Orhan, was the
best organized, best informed
historical guide I’ve ever had,”
Zahn said. “Topnotch!”
“He could answer any question
we had about any of the historical
places we visited and tell us
about anyone whose name we
heard,” Zahn said. “He also was
great at telling us who to talk to
at places we stopped and where
to eat out in the evenings.”
“It was so well organized,” said
Zahn. “I’m hoping to get back
there and see even more as soon
as I can.”
Do your best to avoid
people who treat you badly
Dummerston
dear Mary Ellen:
someone whom i
cannot avoid dealing
with keeps bringing
me tales about other people
who warn him that i am
untrustworthy. these accusations
are never specific
enough so that i can actually
respond with the facts.
i feel that he is expressing
his own hostility but
avoiding responsibility by
attributing it to others.
Hearing these attacks on
my character feels disheartening,
and i also feel that
its purpose is to make me a
defendant, as though somehow
i have the burden of
proving my innocence. i
have to be very careful how
i speak to this person, because
he easily becomes
argumentative. Any suggestions?
—Disheartened
Dear Disheartened: I have a
rule in my life: if people treat me
badly, I stay away from them. In
a situation like the one you describe
where you cannot avoid
dealing with this person, it is really
hard. If you let it, it can have
a negative impact on your health
and your life. and it is not easy
to avoid letting it do that.
I have several ideas that might
help.
When the person begins telling
you these tales, tell him (let’s
assume it’s a him): “I am not interested
in hearing that,” “I am
not interested in talking about
that,” or another similar phrase
that feels comfortable to you —
one that you hope will end the
conversation.
If the person doesn’t stop, repeat
the phrase, using the exact
words. Keep doing it. If he persists
or becomes argumentative,
tell him you have to go. Then
leave.
at any time during the conversation,
you can say you have to
go. You don’t have to have someplace
to go. When you want the
discussion to end, end it. You are
just protecting yourself.
Limit the time that you have
to spend with this person. If you
must see him, make the parameters
clear at the beginning of
your time together. say, “I have
only ten minutes to work with
you on this and then I have to
go.” Don’t leave any time for
him to tell you tales. You don’t
need to say where you are going
or what you are doing — just
end the meeting and leave. If it
is in your house, go someplace
else in the house. Your bedroom
or bathroom might be good
choices.
If these measures don’t work,
for your own protection and for
your own life — what is more
important than that? — you
may have to figure out a way to
change your life so this person
no longer remains a part of it.
as you work on dealing with
this issue, get support from loving
family members and friends.
spend as much time as you
can with people who treat you
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ELLEn
COpELAnd
Commonsense
If you need more help with
this issue, please let me know.
—Mary ellen
Dear Mary Ellen: i have a
terrible time motivating myself.
if i have a project or
deadline for someone else,
i become engaged, knowing
i’m meeting another person’s
needs. i enjoy that.
But if it’s for myself (a
project, regular exercise,
daily practice, meditation) i
hardly last a week before i
“fall off the wagon,” which
disheartens me whenever i
think of something new i’d
like to learn or take on. i
don’t have confidence that
i’ll stay with it.
How can i take the
dedication i give to others,
and apply it to
myself?—Unmotivated
Dear Unmotivated: Your problem
is not uncommon. Many
of us are dependable, reliable,
and do a great job when we are
working for or with others, but
when it comes to something we
want to do for ourselves, things
that would really enhance our
lives, we fail miserably. I suggest
you:
• Set a goal that includes a
time limit
46 Canal St., Bellows Falls VT
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Great meals in a relaxed atmosphere
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using local organic and imported ingredients
• Keep track of your progress
• Plan a reward
• Get support
• Celebrate
• Set a new goal and repeat
the cycle again
I suggest you choose one
thing you really want to work on
(for instance, regular exercise
practice). One thing at a time
is plenty. Decide on your goal:
perhaps walking at least 30 minutes
a day, five days a week for
a month. (setting the time limit
helps.) Write it across the top
of a monthly chart or calendar.
Check off each day that you take
your walk or your other activity.
You could even use gold stars or
stickers as motivators — they
worked for me when I was a kid.
set up a reward for yourself
when you have reached your
goal. For instance, you could
purchase a CD, but not allow
yourself to play it until you meet
your goal. If your goal is weight
loss, you could buy a garment
that is several sizes too small,
one that you will be able to wear
when you meet your goal. You
could promise yourself a day off
from work as a reward. Maybe
a family member would take
over some of your household responsibilities
for a day when you
have met your goal.
Tell at least one person, or —
even better — several people,
what you are going to do and
ask them to check in with you
once a week to see how you are
doing with it.
I usually ask my spouse to
check in with me. He also makes
supportive comments like, “You
are really looking trim, and I
am so glad you are keeping in
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shape.” If you know someone
is going to check in with you,
it is easier to do what it is you
are working toward than to tell
someone why you didn’t do it.
ask a confidante to celebrate
with you when you have met
your goal — something special
for dinner, a night out, a walk
together, or whatever works for
you.
Once this thing has become
habit for you, you can set another
goal so you keep up with
your new regime and work on it
in the same way, or begin working
on some other new habit or
skill.
good luck. —Mary ellen n
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Mary Ellen Copeland, a
national mental health educator
and author of mental
health recovery resources,
will answer questions through
this column. Responses are
not a substitute for treatment,
professional consultation,
exceptional self-care, and support
from family and friends.
Address questions to Common
Sense, c/o The Commons,
P.O. Box 1212, Brattleboro,
VT 05302. E-mail questions to
info@commonsnews.org.
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the speed limit
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26 The Commons • October 2008 The Commons • October 2008 COmICS 27
HELp WAnTEd
Classifieds
FREE COmmunITy
NEwspapEr dElivEry voluNTEErs:

28 The Commons • October 2008 The Commons • a
The Brattleboro Food Co-op’s
from top to bottom: Roland and Deborah Smith, their sonsin-law
moving hives
YOGA
Every Wednesday, 12–1 p.m. $3
Prakriti Yoga Studio, 139 Main St., #701
Yoga with Dante
Free to Co-op members
Every Wednesday 5:30–7pm
Prakriti Yoga Studio, 139 Main St., #701
Board Meeting
Monday, October 6, 5:15
Meet & Greet
Wednesday, October 8, 3–7 p.m.
Meet the folks from Singing Cedars Apiaries
and sample some of their honey.
Fair Trade
Sampling
Thursday,
October 9, 4–7
OF
THE
Singing Cedars
Apiaries Orwell, Vermont
Roland and Deborah Smith started beekeeping in 1971 – producing sweet delicious raw honey in their
basement in Castleton, Vermont, under the name North Country Apiaries. In 1978 they bought 10 acres
in Orwell, Vermont on Singing Cedar Road. Their original five hives has swelled to a buzzing 1,400 as
they not only produce their range of fine unpastuerized honey which is unfiltered, yet strained, to preserve
all the natural flavor and nutritive value as well as hand dipped beeswax candles, but also raise young
queens and nucleus hives for sale to beekeepers around Vermont, as many as 200 to 300 a year. The
Smiths developed their own Vermont hardy strain of bees over the 37 years they have been in business—a
combination of Carnolian bees and Russian stock.
At Singing Cedar Apiaries bee health and hardy stock is the primary concern. They only hire out a
small portion of their hives to apple orchards; primarily their bees are raised to make high–quality honey
from the biological richness of Vermont’s farmland. Roland ensures that his bees get good nutrition from
a variety of sources so that they overwinter well, and he’s experienced very little of the problems that are
Meet the folks from Singing Cedars Apiaries
at the Co-op, Wednesday, October 8, 3-7 p.m.
seen with honeybees elsewhere by making sure they have a continual supply of young healthy queens.
Even though Singing Cedar Apiaries has grown to supply around 150 stores around the area, the
beekeeping and honey producing business remains very much a family affair employing four kids, two
sons-in-law, and now grandchildren. Roland Smith became a full–time pastor in Fairhaven, Vermont, five
years ago. Two years ago on a mission to the Sudan, he had the opportunity to teach beekeeping to the
Sudanese, offering an alternative to hunting wild bees and destroying the entire hives. Instead he showed
them how to trap wild hives and put them to work producing honey and pollinating crops.
You can enjoy Singing Cedars Apiaries honey products at the Brattleboro Food Co-op or buy direct
online at www.vermonthoneybees.com.
Immune Strength for Kids and Adults
Tuesday, October 14, 6 p.m., Free
Co-op Community Room
Cindy Hebbard
It’s time to detoxify, build and nourish our bodies
so that we’ll stay strong and healthy throughout
the upcoming cold and flu season. Join us as we
discuss the use of foods, herbs and nutritional
supplements to support the special needs of
babies, children, adults and elders for prevention of
viruses, lung and sinus issues and other infections
that the winter months bring us. Learn new tools
to maintain your family’s good health this year!
Please pre-register for this class by calling or stopping
by the customer services counter.
Whole Foods Cooking Class for Adults
Tuesday, October 21 , 5–7pm
Coop Community Room
Cost $7.00 per person–payment is made directly
co-opcalendar
October 2008
to instructor at the start of class. Ready for a
change in your cooking and eating? Come prepared
to learn new recipes for cooking seasonal
whole food. Sieglinde Joyce, a holistic health
counselor and nutritional coach will show you
how. Share a seasonal meal and learn the benefits
of eating whole foods. Please call Sieglinde, 464-
2846, with any questions. Registration in advance is
necessary by calling the Co-op at 257-0236, x121.
Story-n-Snack is back!
Co-op Kids’ Room. Open to children aged birth
to five and their caregivers. Fridays in October,
10:30–11am.
Wine Tasting at the Co-op
Friday, October 24, 3–7 pm
Co-op Community Room
It’s free, and you can taste up to six
different wines. You must be 21 or older.
Monday–Saturday 8-9 • Sunday 9-9 • 2 Main St., Brattleboro, Vermont • 802 257-0236 • www.brattleborofoodcoop.com