World 080421

Vermont Pension Investment Commission (VPIC) Chair
Announces Fiscal Year 2021 Returns
Tom Golonka, Chair of the Vermont Pension Investment
Commission (VPIC), announced an investment return of
24.62% for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021. Assets under
management increased $1.14 billion during the fiscal year, net
of all administrative and benefit payments.
Golonka stated that “the commission is very pleased with
these strong results, which will go a long way in funding pension
liabilities in a manner that minimizes the cost to the
taxpayers of the State of Vermont.”
Chief Investment Officer Eric Henry thanked his team and
consultant RVK for their efforts in underwriting and streamlining
the portfolio to maximize investment returns within
acceptable levels of risk and liquidity. Henry added “we
believe we have a balanced portfolio that is well positioned to
capture upside returns while protecting against economic
Roger and Me (1989)
★★★★
The need for full employment is the most important issue in
our society. If you don’t have a job that pays a living wage, the
need for more good jobs is the only issue. Michael Moore
understood that.
“Roger and Me” is an explosive success that has grown
more relevant as the decades go on. The film established
documentary filmmaking as the new way for muckraking
journalists to reach a wide audience. And it solidified Michael
Moore as the spiritual leader of the Populist Left.
The film is surprisingly non-partisan. Moore doesn’t take
potshots at Republicans and he doesn’t lionize any Democrats.
If it were released today, “Roger and Me” would be more
likely to be made by Tucker Carlson than Rachael Maddow.
Michael Moore explores the fundamental problems of our
Wall Street-controlled economy. He argues that the purpose of
a company is to provide jobs. He wonders whether a corporation
has value at all if it just sells things but doesn’t employ
any American workers. He exposes the fact that a CEO who
only cares about increasing profit is nothing more than a
Gilded Age Robber Baron.
The Robber Baron in question is General Motors CEO
Roger Smith. His crime was to close 11 GM plants in the late
80s, mostly in Michigan. 30,000 Americans went from solidly
middle-class workers to desperate peasants living in a rusty
post-industrial wasteland.
Michael Moore makes it clear that the plants didn’t close
because GM was broke or because they weren’t selling
Chevys anymore. The plants closed because laborers in
Mexico would work for less.
Moore’s hometown of Flint, Michigan was devastated.
Moore contrasts the empty houses and boarded-up storefronts
with the rich suburbs, where the decadent GM executives
reaped the benefits of globalist profit.
There are so many political and social issues that divide us
today. “Roger and Me” is a forceful reminder that the need for
good jobs is THE issue that underpins all the others.
In my heart, animal rights is more important than the
• • •
downturns.”
Treasurer Pearce, a VPIC member, indicated that “this is
good news and will certainly strengthen the three statewide
pension plans, but investment returns alone will not solve the
unfunded pension liabilities. We must continue to look at
structural changes to put the pensions on a sustainable, positive
track.”
As of July 1, 2021 VPIC has been restructured so that
Vermont can continue to build on these successes. Chairperson
Golonka thanked the General Assembly for making the necessary
statutory changes to codify recent VPIC governance and
management practice improvements, adding “we expect these
changes to support further improvements to the investment of
pension plan assets.”
Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition Announces New Director
The Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition is pleased to
announce that it has selected David Martins as the Coalition’s
new director. David brings to VAHC over a decade of nonprofit
and ecclesial leadership, with a background in counseling
for those in addiction recovery and a commitment to
working for social and economic justice. His work has been
built around education, advocacy and peer support.
Throughout his professional and life experiences, he has
always had a passion for advocacy, giving voice to the voiceless,
and empowering the underserved and the marginalized.
“I’m so excited about beginning this journey with VAHC,”
David says. “Upholding and celebrating the human dignity
intrinsic to every person necessarily includes affordable and
safe housing. That’s exactly why it’s altogether appropriate
that the coalition brings together organizations and individuals
from so many different backgrounds to work together
towards this common mission. In all my work in advocacy,
strengthening communities, and connecting folks to the supports
they need, stable housing has always been where the
work begins. I’m truly honored to take over this role, and to
work with a team of such dedicated advocates.”
David hails from Providence, R.I. He holds a B.A. in
Philosophy from Providence College and a Masters Degree in
Pastoral Theology from Saint Joseph College in Maine. He
served as the pastor of an inclusive faith community in Rhode
Island for nine years, while concurrently working in the nonprofit
sector. During these years he was heavily involved in
advocacy work, primarily with the LGBTQ+ community, the
recovery community, and individuals experiencing homelessness
and housing insecurity. He was a founding member of
• • •
• • •
“Partners in Service,” an interfaith coalition which partnered
with community agencies to provide material and emotional
support to at-risk youth and their families. He was also
involved with the Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality,
and was an active advocate in the passing of the Good
Samaritan Law in Rhode Island. Most recently, David served
as the Executive Director of Recovery Ministries and Spiritual
Enrichment on Enders Island, in Mystic, Conn.
The VAHC Steering Committee selected David on the basis
of his demonstrated leadership and program management history,
previous coalition-building and community service
work, and his integrity and dedication. He brings to the housing
field a fresh, intersectional, and person-based perspective.
David will serve as the coalition’s first-ever full-time director,
after the departure in March of longtime Coordinator
Erhard Mahnke, who served as VAHC’s consultant and lobbyist
for more than two decades before moving on to join
Senator Bernie Sanders’ staff. The new director position is a
result of the support of VAHC’s members and partners, and
the Steering Committee’s dedication to maintaining and
strengthening the coalition’s future as a voice of advocacy for
affordable housing in Vermont.
“The success of the coalition is a testimony to Erhard
Mahnke’s 24 years of dedication and vision. We look forward
to continuing the legacy of change, empowerment, and advocacy
that Erhard energized,” Steering Committee Chair Cindy
Reid said. “We are thrilled to bring David on to build on these
accomplishments, and to continue to address the critical need
for affordable housing.”
David began his role as VAHC Director Monday, July 26.
economy. Michael Moore addresses that. There’s a brutal
scene where a poor young woman is selling rabbit meat to
keep from being evicted. Moore is right: people aren’t going
to care about the welfare of animals if they don’t have money
or dignity themselves.
In my heart, the prison industrial complex is a more important
problem than the economy. Michael Moore addresses
that. Moore shows us that many laid-off workers turned to
crime and ended up behind bars. And one of the best new
careers available for former GM employees was to become a
prison guard in the new Michigan Correctional Facility. Our
choice is factories or prisons, and our society made the wrong
decision.
“Roger and Me” tugged at my heartstrings. In the most
powerful scene, a newly unemployed worker tells the story of
how he was driving home and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice?” by the
Beach Boys came on the radio. Like all people with good
taste, he loves that song. But this time, it left a lump in his
throat. Suddenly, his future was something to dread, not look
forward to.
“Roger and Me” is one of the most influential movies of the
1980s. And it isn’t influential enough. There are still people
who don’t recognize that the need for good jobs is the most
meaningful political and social issue. Politicians pontificate
about pronouns and the mascots of sports franchises and who
is kneeling for the flag. These politicians are oblivious fat cats
at best and dishonest charlatans at worst.
“It’s the economy, stupid,” a wise politician once said. It
has always been the economy.
PUBLIC
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TOWN OF ORANGE, VT
WWW.ORANGEVT.ORG
NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF CONSTRUCTION
NOTIFICATION ORDINANCE
On July 26, 2021, the Selectboard of the Town of Orange,
Vermont, adopted Construction Notifi cation Ordinance pursuant
to the Town of Orange Selectboard. This notice is published
pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 1972 to inform the public of this ordinance
and of the citizens’ right to petition for a vote to disapprove this
ordinance.
The purpose of this Ordinance is to create a basic notifi cation
program to inform the town of new building and construction
projects.
The full text of the Ordinance may be examined at the Orange
Town offi ce at 392 US Route 302 Orange, VT 05641 and may be
examined during regular offi ce hours.
CITIZENS’ RIGHT TO PETITION FOR VOTE
Title 24 V.S.A. § 1973 grants citizens the right to petition for a
vote at a special or annual Town Meeting to disapprove ordinance
adopted by the Selectboard. To exercise this right, citizens must
present to the Selectboard or the Town Clerk a petition for a vote
on the question of disapproving the ordinance signed by not less
than fi ve percent (5%) of the Town’s qualifi ed voters. The petition
must be presented within forty-four (44) days following the date of
the adoption of the ordinances. Unless a petition requesting a vote
is fi led pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 1973, the amended Construction
Notification Ordinance shall become effective sixty (60) days
from the date of said adoption.
PERSON TO CONTACT
Additional information pertaining to this Ordinance may be
obtained by contacting Angela Eastman, Town Clerk, at 392
US Route 302 Orange, VT, or by calling (802) 479-2673 during
regular offi ce hours.
TOWN OF ORANGE, VT
WWW.ORANGEVT.ORG
NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF REGULATING THE
DISPOSAL OF REGULATED WASTE THROUGH
OPEN BURNING ORDINANCE
On July 26, 2021, the Selectboard of the Town of Orange,
Vermont, adopted Regulating the disposal of regulated waste
through open burning Ordinance pursuant to the Town of Orange
Selectboard. This notice is published pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 1972
to inform the public of this ordinance and of the citizens’ right to
petition for a vote to disapprove this ordinance.
The purpose of this Ordinance is to promote the health, safety
and general welfare of the inhabitants of the Town of Orange and
to prohibit Solid Waste disposal practices that pose a danger to
the public health and welfare and the environment or constitute
a public nuisance.
The full text of the Ordinance may be examined at the Orange
Town offi ce at 392 US Route 302 Orange, VT 05641 and may be
examined during regular offi ce hours.
CITIZENS’ RIGHT TO PETITION FOR VOTE
Title 24 V.S.A. § 1973 grants citizens the right to petition for a
vote at a special or annual Town Meeting to disapprove ordinance
adopted by the Selectboard. To exercise this right, citizens must
present to the Selectboard or the Town Clerk a petition for a vote
on the question of disapproving the ordinance signed by not less
than fi ve percent (5%) of the Town’s qualifi ed voters. The petition
must be presented within forty-four (44) days following the date
of the adoption of the ordinances. Unless a petition requesting
a vote is fi led pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 1973, the amended
Regulating the disposal of regulated waste through open
burning Ordinance shall become effective sixty (60) days from
the date of said adoption.
PERSON TO CONTACT
Additional information pertaining to this Ordinance may be
obtained by contacting Angela Eastman, Town Clerk, at 392
US Route 302 Orange, VT, or by calling (802) 479-2673 during
regular offi ce
August 4, 2021 The WORLD page 13