Prosperity in The Valley is much more complex. It can't be solved with
a public tirade towards one town, Waitsfield. That's being a part of
the problem instead of part of some possible solutions. Like it or not,
success is more dependent on what can be done as a singular unit (The
Valley towns of which Moretown is a part). Let me be clear, I don't
know what the answers are, but I don't agree with and am offended by
most of Mr. Richichi's negative shotgun blast at what he feels is the
target of what ails The Valley (Waitsfield as he puts it). To say
people don't care whether businesses succeed is irresponsible. Most
know only too well that every business lost is a detriment to
prosperity as a whole. As far as taxes are concerned, it is obscene
that we continue to spend way beyond our means and expect our citizens
to keep giving. The complaints are very valid and quite normal, thank
you!
What is a local? I'm a fourth and fifth generational Valleyite,
respective to the paternal and maternal sides of my ancestry. Is that
local or is someone who has been here for perhaps a year, let's say?
Whatever the case, I am not inhospitable to folks visiting our area.
I've helped many of them over the years from giving directions to
pulling them out of snow banks. In general, I don't think I'm ignorant.
Perhaps about some things, but we can't all be experts in all areas of
life. I frequent many stores and businesses here in The Valley and have
found everyone to be mostly cheerful and helpful. I've not witnessed
whatever it is that Mr. Richichi seems to be concerned with.
Then there's the "low-end bohemian counter culture." I know what all
the words mean, but I'd like to know, more specifically, what members
of the local society fall under that crude and rude category. Awhile
ago, I told someone in jest to "shut their pie hole." I was told that
sounded like trailer trash talk. My response was that I am a proud
graduate of the trailer trash society having spent five years in the
Verdmont Park before being able to afford a house for my family. Some
of my fondest memories are of the good times with my fellow trailer
trash neighbors.
I don't and can't disagree that we need tourism dollars. By our own
hands, we have become a tourism-dependent state. Gone and going is the
agricultural base that made Vermont the beautiful pastoral magnet that
attracted people. We need to mine ideas from our diverse "local"
citizenship to find entrepreneurial solutions to a very complex
problem. Casting stones on the "locals" isn't a good way to start.
Kevin Eurich lives in Warren.
