Recently, my husband and I were working through some family logistics for a busy day that included the need for one of us stop at a grocery store with a medium-sized list. I was skeptical when he budgeted a mere 15 minutes for the task and astonished when he successfully pulled it off. No matter how few items are on my grocery list, I don’t think I’ve ever made it in and out that quickly. As my husband pointed out, that’s because for me, all errands are also opportunities to stop and chat when I run into a friendly face. After a few decades of living, working and playing in the same community, I know a lot of people. Naturally I really enjoy living in a town that conducts local elections through an in-person town meeting because it means running into neighbors and friends I don’t see often enough, especially in the cold winter months.
As someone who is “from away,” when I first started going to our town meeting, I was struck by the number of community organizations that receive support through ballot items and the engagement of my neighbors who could speak on behalf of those organizations. I’m proud to be connected to one of those organizations now.
Each year on Town Meeting Day, voters across Vermont allocate funding to help ensure that everyone has access to the home health and hospice care they need. It used to be that towns hired Town Nurses to provide care at home to residents. With support from the cities and towns we serve, VNAs took on that role and today, our not-for-profit members care for children, adults, seniors and families, helping to keep people where they most want to be
–
at home,
regardless of their ability to pay
. These allocations and the generous donations of individuals in each community are critical to making that possible. Help make sure everyone has access to the dedicated and highly skilled expert staff of nurses, therapists, social workers, licensed nursing assistants, care attendants and hospice volunteers of Vermont's VNAs.
Vote on Town Meeting Day.
As in all Vermont elections, early voting until the day before the election is also an option. That’s what I’ll be doing this year since I’ll be taking my son to look at colleges on Town Meeting Day. Formerly known as the “absentee ballot,” early voting is available to any voter who requests a ballot prior to voting day. You do not need to be out of town or ill to vote early. More information is available from your town or city clerk.
Click here
for more information from the Secretary of State.
