“Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success.”
— Henry Ford
Informed Community
Participation (Friday PM)
Participants:
Facilitator/Scribe: Bill and Molly
Jean Shaw Joyce Marcel Dan Munson Patti Smith Diana Wahle Charlie Laurel
Strengths
Joint Board meeting and collaborations
Boards’ cross-pollination
Conservation Commission functions well
Ditto for Select Board and Planning Commission
Dummerston attracts intelligent people
Views a strength
Great town meetings
Place program activities brought all people together
Participant is proactive, e.g. trail committee and library books
group and meals on wheels
Mix of people in length of time in community
Meet candidates night
Businesses contribute well.
Welcome book for new people
Jody Normandeau
Grange bulleting board, also schools
Word of mouth
Church volunteers and philanthropy
Many willing people/volunteers
Community chest
Community Center
CSA> Volunteer opportunities
Weaknesses
More people could run for office
VT Yankee not taxed enough – need to think ahead
High school planning – need to ask right question in thinking ahead
No high speed Internet for some
Available info on town for newcomers, e.g. Mission statements of
groups and organizations
Need for public announcement on organization and town needs.
More support needs to be given older people to keep them in town
(Dummerston Cares)
No social services umbrella organization like Putney Family Services
Informed decision-making – how to educate the public?
Missing people tonight – why?
Few businesses to contribute
No minimal help to migrants in community
Link between property tax situation and citizens needs and interests
Organizations need to challenge state tax system.
Future (What we would like to see)
Small “tax” to promote community volunteers
Sell school athletic field and rent it back for school use.
Views – more frequent
Build more connections to migrant’s communities
More equitable tax system through leadership of Dummerston
More fun opportunities for newcomers and every one to get people
involved, integrate education
Have a town fair
Monthly community suppers
Ore concerts on Green/Common
More lightening up activity.
Key Issues
More fun time and socializing, e.g. Neighborhood parties, community
suppers, town fairs, and concerts.
Welcoming the strangers e.g. people not here, migrants.
Improved and more frequent communication, such as High speed Internet,
Views, info for newcomers
Broaden and strengthen Dummerston Cares ability to serve all in
need, Use Dummerston Community Chest to help support this effort.
Promote more educated and informed decision-making, including action
by legislature and Governor on funding tax equity etc.