To The Editor:
My wife and I have been coming to The Valley for over 30 years. Sixteen years ago, we purchased a second home and have enjoyed The Valley even more. We feel part of the community and are happy to support our local fire department, ambulance service, Meals On Wheels, Mad River Valley Community Fund and other causes in The Valley. The essential workers who have kept The Valley going with everyday supplies are truly heroes. Being excluded from the community and our property since mid-March because of the need to self-quarantine for 14 days has been difficult and disappointing.
Vermont government has forgotten a portion of residents, although part time, contribute to the tax base and state and local economies. I fully recognize the concern for overtaxing the health care system during the pandemic, but as vulnerabilities reduce, restrictions can be relaxed. I believe many second-home owners are older and mature enough to follow measures to keep the community safe. Many of us wanted to be in Vermont as an alternative to more congested areas. We are not a group wanting to be in Vermont as soon as spring break in Florida or Mexico was over. We would be arriving from strict local quarantine for weeks at our primary residences.
The continued restrictions on second-home owners set a depressing mood for us. Our local grocery store posted the restrictions as soon as they came out. Sugarbush is about to open the golf course only for Vermont residents and those who have quarantined for 14 days. A part-time resident’s letter in The Valley Reporter told of harassment because of his out-of-state plates. This leads me to question if part-time residents can become or should consider themselves part of community.
Barry and Adrienne Galowin
Fayston, Vermont
