In ideal conditions, it's really only safe to pass like 1-3 cars at a time, so once a line longer than that forms, the people in the back really can't safely pass.

But also part of driving in VT is keeping mental track of conditions that day and the few days before. If it's been below freezing over the past couple days, or rained and now it's below freezing, I'm always going to drive very carefully. There are many fatal crashes here every year, sometimes within a mile or so from where you live.

Once when I was a teen, a semi killed a car full of college tourists just minutes after I drove by the same spot. I've hit black ice before and thankfully it was a small patch and I was fine but it's scary!

It can be frustrating, especially if someone is driving more than 5 below the speed limit and conditions are ok to at least go the speed limit. But I have no doubt that slow drivers like this end up saving dozens of lives every year.

The risk is there end up being more regulation on affordable housing because Act 250 comes into play with 10 units or more, and developers are generally going to want to build more than 10 cheap units at once (whether in an apartment building or single family neighborhood). Once Act 250 kicks in, it is a uncertain bureaucratic process which could lead to years of disputes (which adds to cost), and even ultimately shut down the process. It's much easier and less risky to build one or a few luxury houses because it is less regulated.

I think lots of developers would prefer to make 20 cheap homes than spend the same amount on fewer luxury homes, but it's just a risky process with act 250 on top of other permitting and zoning. Making tons of cookie cutter houses or an apartment complex is, in many ways, easier than making a handful of luxury homes, since you can much more easily reuse material and designs.

It's not worth waiting a long time in line for, but if it's only a short wait, it is interesting. Make sure you check out the flavor graveyard (which is outside and does not require admission) because that's pretty fun.

I got everything from uncle gyms worms. Started with around a 1000, and I think the population increases or decreases depending on how much I feed them. Over the last 2.5 years I've had periods of lots of cooking with lots of food scraps, and periods of less.

I have a worm bin in my basement and a roller outside.

I think it's way too easy to be scared by the prospect of new housing units. As was explained really well in the article, it would take WAY more new housing units than is needed in order to reach just a fraction of the population density of overcrowdedness in areas like NJ or CA. It's a gross miscalculation in perception to think that a few thousand more units across the state will have any significant impact on the amount of nature to enjoy in VT.

His suggestion is to change act 250 so that it starts applying to residential projects of 50 or more units. This is an increase from the current of 10 units or more.

Recently, a senior living facility was going to open up here in Rutland, at the old college of saint Joseph campus. Right next to the new rec center, and the organization was even going to strongly subsidize the library moving to the old college library - a beautiful and modern facility, especially compared to the current building which is falling apart and crowded. Unfortunately the developer backed out. I'm not sure if they cited Act 250 specifically as a reason, but I'm sure that concerns about the development process dragging out contributed to their decision to back out. this wouldn't have even been entirely new development, as most of it would have just been repurposing the college campus, which is tucked away in the woods anyway. Again, idk how much of it is act 250 specifically, but I was excited about the new library, and I'm sure the senior living facility would have been an economic boost. It's a bummer.

Great article. Not only does it provide a good summary of how VT got here, it has some simple policy suggestions which I think could go a long way. Suggested policy actions that I agree are mostly pretty simple and would have a significant affect:

• Allow tax revenue from any new developments built in the next 5 years to go 100% to their towns, rather than a fraction of it be getting redistributed to the rest of the state
• Impose that towns which do not see a 3% increase in housing stock by a certain time period may get their zoning authority taken up by the state.
• Reform Act 250 so that it only applies to housing projects of 50 units or more (as opposed to the currently 10 units or more)

It's not that I necessarily disagree with you, but I have a hunch that there is bigger fat that could be trimmed before physical library books.

Good to know, thanks. Makes me even more frustrated they didn't just stick with Ravens 😔

And?

Was it a full poll of students, or just like talking to some students?

The practice of scalping is very much in reference to the mass murder of Native Americans.

No, I'm saying, articles about the Rutland Raiders specifically. That is the opposite of cherry picking lol. Like, Vermont newspapers had headlines about the Rutland Raiders scalping their competition.

Yeah I agree. I mean the fact the Stoodley (quoted in the article) is finally willing to move on says a lot about the development on this issue.

I mean, you can say what you want about its meaning now, but it was originally very racist in origin. Read old news articles and it's all, "the Raiders brought in more scalps at the game this weekend...", like, come on.

They polled the students and teacher, which should have been step one when they first considered a name change. And, as silly as it sounds, if it's what the majority of students want, I think it's a good decision.

This is the first I've heard of them actuallysurveying students on this issue, which they should have just done from the beginning.

I almost got in an accident this fall because someone stopped to let someone pull into the road from a store, and there were two lanes, so the person pulling in decides to go into the second lane, where of course they couldn't see oncoming traffic (me). And then I witnessed the same thing happen a month later.

To be fair, the person pulling in is being a lot dumber than the person letting them pull in but it frustrates me.

And this other time I was pulling out of my driveway, and sometimes I have to wait for a few cars to go by.. this person stops to let me come out, but there were like 4 cars behind them! Like, I can wait 15 seconds lol I don't need to hold up a bunch of people.

Anyway, rant over. Back to loving our great state 😅

Nah

I read this as I was exiting the thread and thought it said, "they may be able to sip out the water. Hope that help" lol

What am I missing here?

For some reason the one that always comes to mind is when my sister and I walked down to the video rental store, in all our gear, and got some movies and had a movie marathon.

I find Hannaford a bit pricier than Price Chopper generally, but quality often better too. For cheap stuff, I go to Aldi. Walmart is also usually cheap but they are not full grocery where I am at (Rutland). I'm closer to price chopper though so I'll usually go there if I just don't feel like driving an extra few minutes and just need a couple things.

There are some regional airports like Rutland VT, Hartford CT, or Manchester NH you might consider. You'll probably have to connect through Boston but could be worth it. Might be cheaper to book separate tickets for it. Or just go from Boston - you can rent a car or take the Dartmouth coach to get to Hanover NH (right at VT border) very cheaply.