Living and Working in Burlington Vermont

The holiday season is supposed to be a festive one filled with family and friends. Regardless of one’s religious beliefs there seems to be an omnipresent sense of goodwill in the air. That’s why it is particularly tough to lose friends and associates at this time.

Late last week, we mourned the loss of Ira Trombley, a state representative from Grand Isle County. Ira was a quiet and steady legislator that could always be counted on to keep the best interests of his constituents first and foremost in his political deliberations. A couple of years back, Ira was instrumental in ensuring that new boating regulations did not work against the growing lake-based economy in our region. He talked to local business leaders, researched the subject and offered excellent amendments to a pending bill. More recently, he approached Chamber staff and simply asked how he could be of help in moving some key economic development initiatives forward. He didn’t need the limelight; he just simply wanted to be of service to Vermont. He was true citizen-legislator in the best sense. Ira, we will miss you.

Last night, we were informed that Rick Hube, the state representative from the southern Vermont region of Londonderry, had passed away while visiting his sister in Florida. Rick was one of those rare breeds of legislators that made it look simple to be bi-partisan. He would argue tenaciously for his position and, win-lose-or draw, would socialize with those with whom he just fought. Battles were not personal and politics never trumped relationships. Much will be said about Rick and his penchant for good natured practical jokes and sense of humor, much of which lampooned himself. Those of us in the Chamber will remember his work to make Vermont’s tax and fiscal system one which made responsible development a centerpiece economic growth. We will remember that whenever he gave his word, we could take it to the bank. We will remember that he was the master of assuring the fair deal. For some of us who knew him before he became a legislator, we will remember Stratton Mountain, the Jamaica House and the Red Fox. Rick, the memories will be with us until the day we join you.

Vermont has lost two treasures and our political landscape is diminished because of it. So, in keeping with their spirit, let our advocacy and legislative work be guided this year by their legacies.

Happy Holidays.

When an ambulance crew arrives on the scene of an accident, and the victim is in a bad way, the general expectation is that the crew will know how to stabilize the victim and start the person on the long road to recovery. So why is it that when our health care system is in a bad way, the ambulance crew that arrives on the scene can do nothing more than argue, posture and dither?

American businesses are hemorrhaging from the cost of health care and their employees are offered less care for a higher cost. Bottom lines are being squeezed and business is doing what it can to hold up its end of the social compact. Don’t we have a right to expect that our elected officials will do more than pontificate and stamp their feet demanding ‘their way or the highway’? Vermont can and should be proud that our entire delegation has carried themselves with dignity and with our best interests at heart. Surely there are provisions in the many bills floating around that they like and other provisions that they don’t. Each one has compromised and collaborated in the hopes of getting a bill passed that will stabilize the situation and offer hope for the future. If the rest of the Congress followed this lead and demonstrated those same Vermont values of common sense and working for the common good, we might actually move towards affordable health care for all.

Just this morning former Vermont State Senator Jim Leddy dropped by the Chamber office to discuss some ideas that he and others have to level out the costs of health care in Vermont. Sure, there are parts to it that left me scratching my head and others that were very intriguing. For his part, Jim acknowledged that some ideas might have to change. What made me happy and proud to be a Vermonter was that he was still out there trying to find a solution, coming up with ideas and willing to engage in a constructive dialogue to find common ground. We agreed to keep talking, to looking for points of agreement and to keep the conversation civil. No pouting, no shouting, no histrionic diatribes ranted before a television crew ---- just dialogue.

There’s always hope when people agree to keep talking.

Winter has finally arrived and the ski areas are open for business. We often forget about these economic engines that do as much for our economy as any other industry in the state. In years gone by it was easy to dismiss ski areas as playgrounds for the rich and famous with the Hollywood stars of the day showing up at Stowe and the political stars going to Sugarbush. While our ski areas still attract the rich and sometimes infamous, they are much more geared to families and groups as anything else. Smuggler’s Notch has secured its position as the most family friendly resort in the east, Bolton Valley caters to the local audience with varied terrain for skiers and boarders alike, and Jay Peak boasts natural snow like none other combined with fantastic snow making. The two big resorts anchoring different ends of the “valley” Sugarbush and Stowe annually refine their world-class offerings of everything from all mountain experiences to fine dining, lodging and general ambience. In the south, Killington offers a diversity of terrains across its mountain peaks that can usually be found only in the West.

If you are thinking about a winter getaway, give Vermont’s ski areas a hard look. Each has its own personality; each has amenities that please singles, families and elders; each welcomes the visitor with Vermont’s own charm and hospitality and, for those in the East, each is just a drive away. It’s much easier and cheaper to drive to Vermont with than to lug all that clothing and gear through an airport on to a plane and back out to the rental car.

Vermont is truly the East’s winter playground.

Image courtesy of Stowe Mountain Resort