[NYLIER]

Actually, that does make a lot of sense. The people that aren't very friendly look like they are not happy with life in general. Sad when you think of it, because there is no second chance at life.

[925mine]

Consider what you have said; flatlanders have moved in because they've been pushed out of where they come from by too much building. HMMMMM And Vermonters are supposed to be happy to see you come overbuild here????? I DON'T THINK SO.

I'm a flatlander, and I love this state for the most part. I've NEVER had anyone snub me that belongs here. The people I love most here are ones whose families were here for generations. But then, I don't have an attitude that I'm better, or too well dressed to fit in, or might have better ideas how to run this state.

I fit in quite well.

[Alt Dach]

Originally Posted by fromPA

Yeah, that. People here (in general) are friendlier than the rural area I grew up in back in PA, in fact.

Unless you go up Killinton way .Rutland county is less gentrifiied than most of VT.

[PAREADY]

My family helped settle Bennington. My family has owned a farm there for 200 hundred years.I was born and raised in Vermont. I will always consider it home. I still own property on the top of a mountain and visit it as life permits. I was raised with the understanding of hard work builds character. We were told to find solutions not problems. We didn't blame others for our problems. We were not looking for hand outs.
Too many people" Flat Landers" or not have ruined this is country because they don't have the GUTS to take care of themselves. If you want to move to Vermont please take the time to pack three items. Common Sense, Good Work Ethic and Responsiblity for your Own Actions!

[Jeff9477]

I have to hand it to Vermonters. They have a beautiful state and they want to keep it that way. There's nothing wrong with that, however, to me, change is a part of life and that new strip mall doesn't really change the landscape that much...does it?

[terryandtouey]

That new strip mall may not change the scenery "that much," but that one, plus the next, and the next (because if x is allowed to build one, than y also should be permitted) . . . .I lived along what was originally intended to be a scenic highway, and there's nothing scenic about it anymore. Now it's just one struggling strip mall after another. It only took 50 years to achieve.

[OhBeeHave]

Jeff9477 -- as the above poster wrote, it's that one, plus the next, plus the next. The once the area is chock-a-block with souless strip malls, one owner is going to ask for a variance to build out further on his property, to add a drive thru, to add a 24 hour mart, etc., and then the next owner and the one after him will want the same plus -- further eroding what remains of the area.

Look at Nassau County on LI, NY. It's one town running into the next with no discernible difference from one to the other. These churned out developments are strung together by miles and miles of major roadways which consist of one strip mall after another, punctuated by the occasional big box store.

[flu189]

I can appreciate the concern regarding over development, but in order for stores to survive and stay in business there has to be a population base to shop and spend money. That just is not going to happen here. Long Island and other suburbs surrounding major metro area only grew because there were and are millions of people in the region with the jobs to provide the ability to spend money. Sustained, responsible, and aesthetic growth is possible which would give the economy a boost here while still allowing the state to retain it's present character. Vermont's overall geography, climate, coupled with the current economy and energy costs virtually assures growth of any significant rate will not happen.

[OhBeeHave]

Part of the problem on LI is/was unchecked development. Building permits are/were issued with no concern as to a project's impact on the environment and the big question: Is this really necessary?

There are many areas where strip malls are lined up one after the other; some of these shopping centers have vacancies which have been empty for years. We watched a KMart go our and the building sit empty for years. Along a one block stretch, there's a shopping plaza 1/2 empty -- and the owners had the nerve to fight to put a new addition on it (which the town gave them, despite residents' demands otherwise. Next to that is a brand new building (which replaced a run down one) and that building is 1/2 empty (shocker.) Next building west is 2/3 full. Finally there are 2 free standing buildings -- both large chain operations (Friendly's & Party City.) Cross the road westward and there is a large shopping mall. The 2nd and 3rd largest shops are vacant -- a huge MJM Shoes and a Linens and Things are gone -- a sign of the economic times. Mind you this isn't some lousy area, either. BTW, that empty Kmart was the next shopping center west of MJM & Linens and Things.

LI is certainly different than other areas surrounding a metro area. Remember that LI is 120 miles long. My home is 60 miles from NYC -- not exactly close. By the time you make it out this way, the number of commuters into NYC is rapidly decreasing. It takes 2 hours to reach NYC by the LIRR from my station. And the topper -- I am not quite 1/2 out on LI. LI changes the further east one heads.

Eastern LI (especially the north shore) once was like Vermont - unspoiled, uncrowded and lots of farms. People started subdividing, roads and infrastructure remained the same and little shopping districts started spreading outward by way of strip malls.

Unfortunately the words sustained, responsible and aesthetic growth are not in the vocabulary of the local building departments.

There are many people who would love to pave over LI and call it progress and claim they need it for cheaper housing. Manhattan is built out and up. Housing hasn't gotten any cheaper there.

The jobs strip malls bring are low paying retail jobs and not capable of supporting a person, let alone a person with a family.

I don't mean to say that VT shouldn't develop businesses and grow jobs; I've learned from my friends here that VT needs smart growth. However I will always echo my "Don't do to VT what greed has done to LI" sentiment.

[Alt Dach]

Originally Posted by PAREADY

My family helped settle Bennington. My family has owned a farm there for 200 hundred years.I was born and raised in Vermont. I will always consider it home. I still own property on the top of a mountain and visit it as life permits. I was raised with the understanding of hard work builds character. We were told to find solutions not problems. We didn't blame others for our problems. We were not looking for hand outs.
Too many people" Flat Landers" or not have ruined this is country because they don't have the GUTS to take care of themselves. If you want to move to Vermont please take the time to pack three items. Common Sense, Good Work Ethic and Responsiblity for your Own Actions!

Easy to have guts when you inherit money and land.If you were born in a ghetto might well be a drug dealer.Pride is the most grevious of human faults and you apperar to quite an excess of same.