I've had these thoughts on my mind forever. I've wanted to discuss what it means to be a Vermonter in changing times, both in Vermont and the world in general.
I would like to write several diaries like this one to explain my thoughts and feelings on what it's like to be a Vermonter.
I encourage debate on these diaries as I am sure the issues mentioned affect people who live in areas similar to Vermont.
Born and raised a Vermonter, I've always pondered the meaning of being a Vermonter. Coming from what is probably the whitest state in the nation, it's easy for someone to say that I've been sheltered along with other Vermonters from the reality of life in general. That's not the case anymore.
My biggest issue with Vermont is the proliferation of sprawl outside of urban areas (of which Vermont has few) such as Williston, St.Albans and Winooski. I grew up in Swanton and I could remember when the land by Exit 20 was exclusively farmland. No buildings or houses to be found. Nowadays, there's a growth spurt of houses popping up in what looks to be a suburban enclave.
My question is, why would anyone choose to live outside of a town or city center? Why would people choose to tear down perfectly good farmland or woods to build McMansions? I don't understand this. I also noticed a development along Rt.7 in St.Albans where a whole swath of woods was chopped down and a road built so people could build fancy houses.
Why do people feel the need to do this? Who's going to buy those houses? It certainly won't be most of the residents in those areas. I hate to be an isolationist and all but I point the blame at people who recently moved to Vermont.
It seems as if people move to Vermont to enjoy the pristine views and recreation offered. I have no issue with that, despite a few minor annoyances. After all, the state of Vermont depends on revenues from tourism to get by.
My issue is with people who move to Vermont and attempt to change Vermont into a paradise of sorts. People who build huge houses in the middle of nowhere instead of within town/city limits. People who carve entire suburbs out of beautiful forests because they can't stand the idea of living near their neighbors. People who complain when they don't have a place to shop, which leads to the next part of my diary.
Williston used to be such a sleepy town. 14 years ago, Williston had nothing, and I mean nothing. A school or two, churches and a few gas stations and strip malls. That was it. Then, come 1994, houses started springing up alongside Interstate 89. Wal-Mart and Home Depot were built, soon to be followed by Best Buy, Circuit City and the like. These stores were followed up by the quaint (sic) Maple Tree Place. One man was usually responsible for these developments, one Jeffrey L. Davis.
While I can understand peoples' concerns about not having a place to shop, I don't understand how most Vermonters could even allow Williston to get as big as it is. I remember when there was a perfectly good horse farm that went belly up not long after Shaws opened across the street. It was sad to see that part of rural life disappear.
What's even more alarming is that as Williston grew, they added 1% onto the Vermont Sales tax in order to sustain the growth. I hope most people are happy with their little shopping mecca because to me, it's very un-Vermont and destructive to the character of this great state.
It's a cautionary tale of what could happen in many other Vermont cities, including St.Albans. Besides the development already taking place there, there are talks of building a road to run parallel to Rt.7 in order to handle traffic from a Wal-Mart that people want (and probably isn't going to come anyway). This is a dangerous route to proceed on because more farmland would disappear, wetlands would be trampled and the character of St.Albans would disappear much like Williston.
When it comes to development, I urge people to think about sustainability and preserving the character of the towns they are building in. Instead of tearing down a large swath of forest, how about tearing down a near-abandoned strip mall (like the K-Mart plaza in South Burlington) and putting up a new building in the same spot? Wouldn't that be a good way to re-use that land without having to destroy yet another forest or set of woodlands?
Common sense, people. I'll definitely touch on this issue again when I discuss how out of state residents are contributing to the destruction of Vermont's rural character and also how they are helping in other ways. There's always a bright side.