Exodus of Vermonters

Quote for the Day:“Lower rates of taxation will stimulate economic activity
 and so raise the levels of personal and corporate income as to yield 
within a few years an increased – not a reduced – flow of revenues to the federal government.”

– John F. Kennedy, Jan. 17, 1963, annual budget message to the Congress, fiscal year 1964

Pam assists a client on a fixed income

The Exodus of Vermonters

I read with great interest the timely article written by Art Wolfe in the September 25, 2014 edition of the Burlington Free Press. In the article he states "The out-migration of people tells us something about opportunities, the attractiveness of the state to people, its desirability as a place to live, and its overall quality of life. As people weigh all those factors, more have decided to leave Vermont than to come live here. ".   

 He provides empirical data to support this conclusion.  I, on the other hand, have merely anecdotal information.   I am a native Vermonter with a deep and abiding affection for our State.  In so far as all citizens of the State are also Vermonters,  the affect of any one choosing another State for residency is as equally damning as our natives leaving.  It just feels like losing a native has a  greater impact.

 Just recently I was having a discussion with a neighbor, also a native, who is considering pulling up roots and taking residence in Florida.  She and her husband would keep their current residence and pay the non-resident tax,  but in their cost savings analysis Florida is the better long term investment as they move into retirement.  This is a refrain I hear more and more frequently meeting voters in my 9-2 Malletts Bay District.  She spoke wistfully that  it pains her to make this decision due to her sentimental attachment to the State.  She even expressed feeling like a traitor but financial considerations cannot be ignored at this stage in their lives.

The loss of our citizenry affects us financially but it also erodes the character and the strength that is Vermont.  When each one of our citizens chooses to establish their legal residence in another state we lose their contribution to our democracy and the votes they cast at the ballot box.

 Many of you recall when us "Woodchucks" were losing ground to the "Flatlanders."  Now  constituents,  native and non- native are electing to cast their votes and pledge their allegiance to another state, not out of their desire but out of necessity.  We must reverse this trend and return our State to one of opportunity and sustainability for this generation and the others who follow.

Word for the Day:   extirpate 1. To pull up by the roots. 2. to destroy totally, exterminate

If we continue with our current economic policies,  we will extirpate the culture that is Vermont.

Pam

Pleasant Persistence

Albert takes his bride for a ride

Quote for the Day:
"Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments"
      Sonnet 116 Shakespeare 1609

                    

Pleasant Persistence

This past weekend Albert and  I indulged in a respite from my campaign to enjoy a Sunday afternoon celebrating our wedding anniversary.

We were married at the Marble Island resort long before the fire and that day was as glorious as this Sunday last.  Albert is not only my husband,  but we are partners in the business he founded in the mid 1980's, Preston Property Management and Leasing Services Inc.  In the early years of the business I worked full time as a Rehabilitation Specialist for a local Medical Equipment company and provided administrative assistance on evenings and weekends.  I joined Albert in the early 90's when the demands of the our growing company required my daily  presence on the front lines.  With pleasant persistence, forward planning and an eye on customer service in a very demanding profession, we established a solid business of which we are truly proud.  As property managers overseeing well over 400 units in northwestern Vermont  we are daily served a mixed offering of challenges from the very mundane maintenance complaints to  far more demanding issues usually revolving around tenant relations.

Throughout it all we have created a balance of our talents serving our customers, providing quality housing opportunities for a wide range of budgets and  building a future for ourselves and our employees.  And when the lights are low we still manage to laugh, repose and reflect  all the while keeping our marriage and our business alive, fresh and cherished.

 

Word for the Day:
impediment  something that impedes: a hindrance or an obstruction.

As a problem solver like myself, impediments are only hindrances to overcome.

A Call To Arms

A CALL TO ARMS!

Walking softly and carrying a big stick with Charlie 

"Faint heart never won fair lady". 

 

From the Gilbert and Sullivan 1882 comic opera Iolanthe.  Interestingly, this was a satiric treatment of the political party system.

Friends,

My opponents in this election present a formidable challenge.  One of my opponents is an incumbent and the other has deep connections with some of the more noted names in Colchester.  I am completely committed to meeting this challenge, winning the election and serving you in Montpelier but I need your help.   Please consider one or more of the following ways you can assist my campaign:

Place a sign on your lawn …I will deliver the sign

Write an Op Ed to The Sun

Post a comment on Front Porch forum

Host a "Meet the candidate" at your place of choice

Allow me to include your name on an ad in The Sun as a supporter

And, as always, any monetary contribution is gratefully appreciated

I have a tremendous task before me and November 4 is will be here sooner than one can imagine.  However, with your help and my dogged determination we will win in November and contribute to the restoration of common sense and balance so desperately needed in Montpelier.

Word for the Day: dearth  a shortage or a scarcity.

There is clearly a dearth of common sense in our current Legislature.

Balance

BALANCE

"The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by the private citizens."  

Alexis de Tocqueville Democracy in America 1835-1840

Balance has several  dimensions.  Balance may be referred to as simply a balance in numbers, but balance may also mean, as it does to me, a balance of ideas.

People elected to office are generally selected from either a liberal or conservative camp.  I am not a fan of labels as I think they limit the breadth of discussion, but for the purpose of this exercise let us allow ourselves some latitude.  In my view, the Liberal approach tends to lean toward  the philosophical and the Conservative may be considered more pragmatic.  Each viewpoint is necessary for democracy to thrive.  A healthy tension between the two fosters a dynamic relationship in the creation of new legislation.  Each elected public servant brings to the forum a wealth of varied experiences.  It is our duty, as your public servants,  to apply the balanced  breadth of perceptions and backgrounds for the purpose of creating the best  legislation possible.   

Also, there is balance in the formation of our government.  The Framers provided for us in the Constitution the principle of separation of powers and checks and balances.  The Framers intended for each branch, legislative, judicial and executive to exercise some restraint in the power of the other.  Whether by numbers or by ideology, they thought it wise that not one branch prevail over the other.

When the legislative branch does not challenge and indeed, may even walk in lockstep with the executive branch, we are  thwarting the very intent of the Constitution.  Lively debate is healthy for a vibrant democracy.   Our strength, as a democracy is to bring forth individuals imbued with their own intelligence, strong wills and commitment to service.  In the very nature of dissent may be found the unity of purpose.  However, lively and productive debate may only  take place when a grand mix of all ideas enters the arena.

Word for the day:  clarion  loud and clear

The time is now for a clarion call to ring out for balance in our government.

Have a great weekend!

Pam

Oft asked question

An  Oft Asked Question

Quote of the Day:

"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty"  Andrew Jackson

"Pam, why did you decide to run for Office?"

Dear Voter,

Shortly after arriving in Colchester and settling into our new home, we were served with a Notice of Violation which essentially accused us of living year round in a seasonal home.  Cochester, as many of you know, is an evolving community and "camps" which at one time were seasonal converted to year round use for a variety of reasons.  We happened to purchase one such camp which was historically occupied year round for 20 years prior to our purchase. Having a passable knowledge of property rights and the Vermont Bianchi ruling,  I had no reason to believe our occupancy would be challenged. 

The final upshot of this story, very much abbreviated here,  is we appealed and won our case in Environmental Court to live year round in our home.  All's well that ends well, but this legal battle with the Town somehow quite inexplicably brought me to become engaged in the local civic affairs.

Fast forward fifteen years of public service,  and I believe now is the time to harness the experiences and education accumulated over these years for greater service to the Voters of Colchester in Montpelier.  While serving locally, I have been able to respond to neighbors and friends on  matters of local interest and inquiry.  I understand the frustrations of our citizens when trying to make sense of rules, regulations, and ordinances.  And,  as  you may imagine, if local matters are confusing,  the work performed in Montpelier can be enough to make your hair hurt.

As part of my contract with you to serve, I will work to interpret the vagaries of the Legislature, keep you apprised of Legislative action and when asked, research and respond to any inquiry you may have for me.  I will strive to find the  answer and, indeed, will many times return to Colchester with answers you prefer not to hear.  However, I pledge to work diligently on your behalf with the same intensity and fervor I applied when fighting for our very home.

Word for the Day…  bootless   useless, fruitless, to no avail.

It is a sad commentary on our cherished Democracy, when citizens become disheartened when their bootless cries seemingly go unanswered by their elected Representatives.  In my very limited capacity as your  House Representative I will work to reverse that perception.

Enjoy your Day,

Pam Loranger

We Have Much Ground to Cover!

We live in a remarkable country. The great Republic of Vermont is one of 50 stars burning brightly. It just happens I think Vermont burns the brightest. I am indeed blessed to have been born in this State and I am twice blessed to claim Colchester as my home.

Growing up in Montpelier with two state employees as parents, the throb of State Affairs pulsed with regularity throughout my young life. As a teen, I served dinners to the Legislators at what is now known as the Capitol Plaza. Tales and ruminations filled my ears as I filled their coffee cups. My grandfather sat on the House Judiciary Committee and, although he passed too soon for his years, the DNA remains.

We have precious few calendar days left in the first leg of my journey to serving you in Montpelier. I

am hopeful over these few days you will have the opportunity to meet me on this blog and certainly at any time of convenience to meet you in person. We have much ground to cover, you and I, so let's get down to it.

Every day I like to find a phrase to guide me in learning what molds great leaders and thinkers. I do not

presume to be either but aspiring to one or both is a worthy endeavor. The quote for today comes from one of our great founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson. "The ground of liberty is to be gained by inches. It will not be won overnight"

Our Republic is floundering on the beaches of looming unsustainability. She will not be righted

overnight. However, I must believe and fervently do believe with dedication, determination and the support of common sense Vermonters we can collectively work together and return our Ship of State to the Seas of Promise for the next generation and all future generations.

Word for the Day... abstruse  The Vermont Health Connect is one example of many abstruse policy decisions running our great State aground.