Vermont Needs You
There are times when it’s important for people who feel strongly about something to stand up and be counted. For those of us who feel strongly that the people and elected officials of a community, state, or region should have the right to determine what kind of energy supply they want, one such time is Saturday, September 10, 2011.
On that day there will be a public rally, with music and speakers, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Wells Fountain on Main Street in Brattleboro. The purpose of the rally, which is sponsored by Citizens Awareness Network and the Safe and Green Campaign, is to support the decision of the people, governor, and legislature of Vermont to close the Vermont Yankee nuclear reactor when its original 40-year license expires on March 21, 2012.
Why is this support needed? Because the state of Vermont has been sued by Entergy, Inc., the giant Louisiana-based corporation that owns and operates Vermont Yankee. On Monday, September 12, two days following the rally, Entergy’s lawsuit, which seeks to prevent Vermont from closing Vermont Yankee, will be taken up by the federal district court in Brattleboro.
Vermont can’t match the millions of dollars Entergy has to spend on high-priced lawyers and pro-nuclear PR. But what Entergy doesn’t have, due to its practice of “misleading” or stonewalling Vermont officials and the public (not to mention putting its shareholders’ profits ahead of public safety), is widespread popular support.
Please join us in Brattleboro on the 10th to show that Vermont does have such support. It’s important.
Randy Kehler
Safe and Green Campaign
Colrain
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Irene and Our Farmers
Most of us have held important events outside that were dependent on the weather, such as a wedding, family gathering or community event. But our farmers are growing our food and farm products outdoors every day, working in the fields to put food on our tables and earn a living for their families. Our farmers are accustomed to the day-to-day uncertainties of the weather, but in recent years we have seen a growing number of dramatic weather events, including large snowstorms, hail, tornadoes and last week’s hurricane. We can expect that this pattern will increase as our climate continues to change
As the rivers recede and cleanup continues, Irene’s impact on local farms is more evident. Many of our farms escaped with some to little damage, and their owners were glad that the winds did not match the ferocity of the rains. But some farms had severe damage that destroyed fall crops and, for a few, could impact the future fertility of their land.
When our local farmers are affected, we are all affected. Over 4,000 families in the Valley have farm shares with a CSA (community-supported agriculture) farmer and may see a different harvest this fall because of the hurricane, as will the shoppers at our farmers’ markets, farmstands and retail stores sourcing locally grown food. But that is part of being connected to our farmers, our land and our homes here in the Valley. Perhaps we’ll eat more of one crop this fall and a little less of something else. Over the next few days, when you pass your neighbors who are farmers, ask them how they are weathering the past week and if they need a hand with cleanup, and thank them for doing the vital work of feeding our families.
Philip Korman, Executive Director
Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA)
South Deerfield
