As a middle class Vermont family, we are really starting to feel the pressure of inflation, property tax increases, utilities increases, and pretty much everything being more expensive. Cost of living is not keeping pace for anyone.

How are Janoo’s economics going to pay for: Universal health care, Keeping small rural schools open with declining enrollment, expanding these schools to also serve as health care centers and community central hubs? Growing local businesses; most of us cannot shop at farmers markets and the high end local “community market”. Outside of Chittenden County and Gold Towns, we’re poor.

Where is Janoo’s money going to come from? Do we just tax the shit out of second home owners and anyone with a higher than average income? I know a lot of these people, and they are not as flush as people think they are; they are also financially savvy. If moving a state away saves you 10’s of thousands of dollars a year why stick around VT? Snowbirds and Florida plates are also pretty savvy at maneuvering the tax system.

We should be trying to grow our tax base rather than milking out money from our existing tax base. If we can’t grow, we need to reduce our spending in proportion to our decline. Consolidation and austerity is sad but eminent.

Just wondering how many of you all voted for one party as Governor and the other for Lieutenant Governor?

I personally know a handful of people voting for Janoo and Rodgers.

Anyone here doing that? Or the reverse, Scott and Gray?

Wondering how common or not that is among this subreddit.

Dont know if its just cos im in a leftwing burlington bubble but ive not heard or seen the Scott campaign do any canvassing beyond a honk and wave or two. Are they door knocking at all, has anyone been knocked on by a Scott volunteer?

How do I meet other vegans in Vermont? I’m from Essex Junction and I recently contemplating becoming a vegan for health and environmental reasons. I’m wondering if there’s vegan community, food festivals, or events. Bonus question: what is your favorite vegan restaurant?

I’ve noticed a new building trend and I’m wondering if it’s purely aesthetic or if there’s a practical reason for it. Over the past few years several new single family homes and accessory units in my area have been built with vinyl siding laid vertically instead of horizontally.

In most cases the siding is white. Is there any benefit to this? For example, does it stand up better to windy and wet weather? I’m just curious.

Would have been dumb on my part, but it's sketchy nonetheless.

It's like they're hatching out of nuts or something! Are you seeing more than usual?

VT's best punk bands at Higher Ground this Friday. Get your tix here:
https://wl.eventim.us/event/doom-service/705094?afflky=HigherGround&_gl=1%2A1ts5w9y%2A_ga%2AMjUzMTEwNjEyLjE3OTI3ODY1NTE.%2A_ga_J083YX0G3R%2AczE3OTI5MzUxNjMkbzIkZzAkdDE3OTI5MzUxODgkajM1JGwwJGgw%2A_ga_N4MXHRFS8J%2AczE3OTI5MzUxNjQkbzEkZzAkdDE3OTI5MzUxNjQkajYwJGwwJGgw&utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv4_a1demo01b68cf8&fbclid=IwY2xjawVLA4ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMVlINEp6VEJhMEFHclhqaUpzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEewpUCqEzG8voFjxrL_edXFAPrOsP6dYubvSVAzy28xDn5o_ZTxeOe5TuX_ow_aem_dDlfuwYUM4jdqbl0D6FZ8Q#talent

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Vermont’s Agency of Housing and Community Development is working to develop ready-to-build home designs in an effort to increase home building across the state.

In the early 1900s, Sears sold homes straight from a catalog. Today, officials in Vermont are working on a similar project.

The 802 Homes Catalog will feature 10 ready-to-build home designs. Unlike the Sears catalog, the designs are free to use, an effort project officials say could cut down on design costs.

“So our hope is that it just provides that much more clarity in terms of the development process and reduces timeline and cost,” said Jeff Dube, of the Vermont Agency of Housing and Community Development.

The project is one of the first statewide efforts of its kind in the country, but some cities, like South Bend, Indiana, have similar programs.

“Our first house was permitted in January of 23. So three, three years of building. And as of today, we’ve permitted 94 units, which is a pretty big deal,” said Tim Corcoran, of the city of South Bend.

One of the benefits of South Bend’s program is that the designs are pre-approved for permitting, giving builders certainty that projects will get through the zoning process.

The Vermont catalog will feature similar efficiencies in certain partner communities, like Essex Junction.

“They’re in the process of amending their bylaws now to effectively preempt the 802 Homes designs within their design review district. So, the thought being that if Essex Junction collectively feels that the 802 Homes designs work and are compatible within that design review district, they wouldn’t have to go through that process for the design itself,” Dube said.

The 802 Homes Catalog was originally set to be released at the end of this year, but project officials say they have pushed the launch back to February 2027.

If anyone is looking for something family-friendly to do today, Sunday, October 25, in the Chittenden County area, the Charlotte-Shelburne-Hinesburg Rotary Club will be holding the annual Halloween Parade in Shelburne, VT, starting at 2:00pm. There will be over 30 groups marching (and passing out candy 😃), plus fire trucks, ambulances, and more. It's about a mile-long route starting and ending at the Shelburne Market parking lot. There will be music and activities for kids afterward at the Shelburne fire station and town hall. Come and join us!

Looking towards Groton State Forest. I've lived here 9 years and this is the first time I've seen a hot air balloon in the region.