Many thanks to the 119 citizens of Middlesex for returning the Town Meeting Survey. This was the largest return ever! Middlesex gave strong support to cell and broadband, reducing prison population through alternatives for non-violent offenders, and also showed great concern about the use of opiates. The following are some of the comments from the citizens of Middlesex.
Education
“The cost of education in Middlesex/U-32 is out of control. Montpelier is outrageous.”
“Educational financing must change. Income sensitivity causes a huge group of people not to be greatly concerned about tax increases. Those of us on the cusp of the limit struggle and end up paying the bulk of the tax increases.”
Affordability
“Vermont is only affordable to the people who live on welfare and I also believe Vermont is affordable to the upper class and wealthy. The people most vulnerable are the lower class workers and the working poor. These individuals find it difficult to make a decent living, let alone survive.”
Wind Turbines
“Wind turbines should only be constructed with strict regulations on siting and site restoration.”
Minimum Wage
“Minimum wage needs to mirror livable wage.”
Senator Bill Doyle serves on the Senate Education Committee and Senate Economic Affairs Committee, and is the Senate Assistant Minority Leader. He teaches government history at Johnson State College. He can be reached at 186 Murray Road, Montpelier, VT 05602; e-mail wdoyle@leg.state.vt.us; or call 223-2851.
