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It's not good for people in need either. This is pretty typical of the area but I had no idea it was going to happen to my neighbor - and then it really hits home. My neighbor's mother was in town (she is in her mid 70s) and decided to walk her daughter's dog. She collapsed at the entrance to our neighborhood (on the sidewalk and an extremely busy road) and apparently layed there for about 15 - 20 minutes before someone finally stopped to help. It happened to a co-worker too last year who had been forced to lay down his motorcycle on a heavily traveled two lane road....again, no one stopped and he was injured enough to be in the hospital for 5 months.
I know that Vermont isn't perfect and that the grass is always greener on the other side - but the lack of any kind of caring in this area is unbelievable. Say it is a little friendlier in Vermont. I have to admit that living in this fast paced area - you get swallowed up by lack of time and you are always in a rush....and I read about stories like the above all the time...
For all the griping that people do about Vermont....I often find the gripes almost 'trivial' but also realize that it is all relative. I will probably be complaining and griping about the same things a few years after I'm there - and I welcome it!
It's true that despite the poor living conditions, lack of livable wages and high cost of living, the people of Vermont are basically decent and helpful.
It's not the people who are the problem, it's the state government and its agencies. Have you seen this?
On one hand, you have someone who is advertising his business on a large sign and has included space for the residents to post greetings, fundraisers, etc., to keep the community connected.
On the other hand, you have someone who is advertising his business on a large sign which is in violation of state rules. These rules have kept the state free from disgustingly large billboards --like the ones on I-91 + I-95 in CT which advertise stores specializing in sexual aids, steakhouses, banks, casinos, fast food restaurants, Hooters, car dealers, boat shows, hospitals, candle stores, etc.
If the man is given permission to keep advertising his business on a large sign -- has the state opened a Pandora's box?
Next time you're driving along 89 on you're way into Burlington, would you rather see the view you have now, or a billboard for the Pure Gold Gentleman's club?
How did people in small towns keep connected in the days before electric signs?
OhBeeHave it sounds like you might not have read the article.
The issue is not that he is advertising his business. That is allowed. They were going after him because he was using his sign for something else:
"Clark used the sign to raise money for local charities, recognize birthdays in the community and help out families in need."
It's not a billboard, it's a sign on his business property. Legal as long as he uses it only to promote his business. But he gets into trouble if he uses it to promote something like a blood drive.
I mean cripes, I've driven past signs like this in NH all the time where a business owner might congratulate the recent high school grads, say that someone lost their dog, post bake sales etc. Why do the bureaurats in Montpelier whose salaries are paid for with our tax dollars have to make a big stink over this? It proves to me that we have too many state employees with time on their hands and nothing to do other than harass business owners.
I live in South Florida, born & raised, and I hear No. VA and MD-D.C. area is much the same with the dog eat dog/everyone out for themselves attitude. I absolutely despise this soulless attitude and I'm counting the days until I can move. VT was my first choice to relocate but now I fear it is cost prohibitive. I live now in an area with a very high cost of living(CD rates it @ 120) and it's tough, I fear I wouldn't be able to afford or enjoy VT. Insted I'm checking out the U.P. of MI. I hope it has the same wonderful vibe as VT.
To the OP, you are very lucky to be from such a great state. I can see why you miss it. Good luck moving back, it will feel great to get away from such a negative, crowded environment. I wish I too were heading up to beautiful VT!
Here in Houston, you couldn't get much more fast paced and insensitive. We found a man lying on the side of the road in a ditch in 95 degree weather. Called 911 and in the 10 minutes we waited for a response at least 50 cars drove by with curious looks, but not one offer of help. When the police and ambulance arrived, they walked over to the man, nudged him with their boots and said "get up and get on your way Jose" - an obvious inference to his Mexican roots. Then they gave me an annoyed look and left. The following week, I watch a pastor at a local church escort a homeless man off church property because the kids were arriving for Vacation Bible School.
We're hoping to make our move to Vermont in 6 months to 1 year and wish it could be sooner! Surely there must be a greater sense of community and compassion there. Sure not finding that in the Bible Belt...
OhBeeHave it sounds like you might not have read the article.
The issue is not that he is advertising his business. That is allowed. They were going after him because he was using his sign for something else:
"Clark used the sign to raise money for local charities, recognize birthdays in the community and help out families in need."
It's not a billboard, it's a sign on his business property. Legal as long as he uses it only to promote his business. But he gets into trouble if he uses it to promote something like a blood drive.
I mean cripes, I've driven past signs like this in NH all the time where a business owner might congratulate the recent high school grads, say that someone lost their dog, post bake sales etc. Why do the bureaurats in Montpelier whose salaries are paid for with our tax dollars have to make a big stink over this? It proves to me that we have too many state employees with time on their hands and nothing to do other than harass business owners.
I apologize, I read it before my first cuppa coffee. It's the off premises events they are trying to get him for. That hadn't sunk in. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
Getting back to the law -- he is in violation of it, despite his good intentions. What happens if someone else decides to erect a sign at their business and flash other messages as well? There has to be one set of laws or standards applied or the law itself will be eroded to nothing with each person's interpretation. It's a lot harder to put the Genie back into the bottle. It took years and a lot of money for my parent's community down south to get the local strip club to remove the giant billboard they erected on the roof of the building. (Billboard on roof made it visible on I-95). One thing though, the "WE DARE TO BARE" billboard made their exit very obvious!
Still wondering -- how did people in small towns stay connected in the days before electric signs?
Well I'm glad you're seeing what my point is! Ah the 'slippery slope' theory: if we let this one guy promote bake sales and wish people a Happy Birthday with his business sign, next thing he'll be plugging the strip club and topless bar down the road. Yeah that IS probably how our Montpelier bureaucrats think. I rest my case.
As to how people in small towns stayed connected before electric signs? How far back do you want to go? Back a couple of decades, when we had local newspapers? Or further, when people saw each other at church? Either way those days are long gone, and if the electical supply outlet I drive past in NH wants to use their sign to let me know that someone lost their dog along that stretch of road, I'll keep my eye out for it and not report them to the NH agency that could conceivably send them a nastygram for misusing their sign. Which isn't very likely anyway.
We are 60 year olds thinking about relocating from Wisconsin (Madison) to Vermont in the next few years to be closer to family and to be some place where the social safety net has not been removed for those with physical and developmental disabilities. Right now our 36 yo daughter lives in a supported home with 2 other people and a live-in who provides care. She has been employed for the last 15 years at a supported job where her job coach assists her with simple tasks. She makes minimum wage of which a portion goes to pay her rent. Her medical needs are taken care of through I believe medicaid? We want to land somewhere that will provide services for her once we are gone...and that is closer to family.
We are coming out in July and thought we would take in a few places to check out. I am a Realtor and my partner is a Speech and Language Therapist. We would like to keep working (at least part time) and are inclined toward the southern part of the state because of proximity to family.
Any feedback or direction you can give would be appreciated.
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Ah the 'slippery slope' theory: if we let this one guy promote bake sales and wish people a Happy Birthday with his business sign, next thing he'll be plugging the strip club and topless bar down the road. Yeah that IS probably how our Montpelier bureaucrats think. 
I rest my case.
Potential Move to Vermont...
