Calendar of Events
Welcome to the Vermont State Grange
Message from the State Chaplain/Legislative Director Contact: Jamesbmilton@comcast.net
802-893-7734
Legislative Day was well received by those who braved the bad weather to attend.
The State House Tour was at 10:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m. Governor Douglas signed the proclamation declaring April 2008 as Grange Month. A special thanks to Past State Masters Phyllis Mason and Dale Sanderson for being present at the signing, where Phyllis upon my quest, accepted the Proclamation on the behalf of the Grange in Vermont. Master Clyde had to attend a workshop for his job.
The House was in session so a number of Grange members watched the proceedings.
At noon we had a very nice Grange Reception prepared by the Abbey Food Group. We had a large number of lawmakers and state officials visit the Cedar Creek Room to participate in the reception and to meet and talk with Grange members.
Lieutenant Governor Dubie and Governor Douglas also joined us for the reception.
Governor Douglas mentioned to me how much he liked having the reception at the State House.
Farm Bureau President Jackie Folsom and Rural Vermont President Amy Shollenberg attended the reception. Grange member Jenny Nelson, who is head of Vermont Senator Bernie Sander’s Montpelier office joined us at the reception. Jackie and Jenny were able to speak to Grange members in room eleven after the reception. Jackie spoke about a Summer Study report on Railroad Farm Crossings study, which if it bec0mes law could have serious repercussions for Vermont farmers and landowners. The report deals with railroad crossings that are adjoining farm property. The attorneys for the Railroad propose that the landowner become solely responsible for the liability insurance for the crossing, which may be as high as four thousand dollars a year. Vermont may be the test case for this legislation. I have contacted some N. E. Legislative Leaders and National Legislative Director Leroy Watson concerning this legislation. We are still learning how this report and possible future may evolve. I have also spoken to a railroad official, which indicated that the issue is when developers come involved.
I also will propose a resolution on farm crossings to my subordinate Grange Milton #522 and if agreed upon submit the resolution to Champlain Pomona a resolution opposing farmers being liable for the crossings in regards to agricultural usage. If this become an issue the Vermont Grange will be in front of the entire Grange on this issue.
Jenny talked to us about the National Farm Bill, which is slowly working its way through Congress. There is concern by many about Senator Leahy’s support for NAIS National Animal Identification System by increasing funding for the system.
Next year it is suggested that we try to get the conference room near the cafeteria where could have food and be less chaotic than the Cedar Creek room.
Film Review: I recommend a new film ‘Body of War’ that will be released on April 2nd by Phil Donahue and Ellen Sapiro, which relays the story of Iraq War through paralyzed veteran Thomas Young. No matter your opinion on the war I understand this moving film puts a human touch "if possible" on the face of war. I understand like most of our families and in particular military families, like the one covered in this film, there are contrasting viewpoints.
Another film recently shown in Vermont, ‘ Thirst’ which is a documentary dealing with the free flowing topic of Ground Water.
Residents and Bottled Water
The film ‘Uncounted’ a study of the 2004 and 2006 elections with ramifications for the 2008 election regarding the usage of modern voting machines and by the tactics of some election officials by denying people their right to vote. There already have been concerns in the Democratic Primary in some states. Both sides have issues to correct. The easy solution is to give up, and tune out, but that’s the opposite for what freedom-loving people should do. We in Vermont are blessed with a fair and working election process. The Grange supported Run Off Election Process is being worked on by Vermont Lawmakers at the present time.
* Now concerning the Legislative Seal for 2008
Attending Legislative Day is a major point event and it is virtually impossible to obtain unless a member of your Grange attends. This year as you know the weather on Legislative Day was bad, many people who had planned to attend were unable to come.
In an effort to recognize the valiant efforts of those who were able to attend and not penalize those who has planned to attend.
I will as Legislative Director make at this time the unusual, but very hopefully fair decision, to make some changes to the point system so that more can receive a legislative seal by June 30th 2008.
You will automatically obtain a seal if your Grange or Pomona if you attended Legislative Day. You must still submit a report.
Please continue to perform the other legislative requirements as time permits, for they will only strengthen your Grange.
If you were not able to attend the Legislative Day you must submit a report by June 30th. You must submit a resolution to your Pomona by June 1st. Your Pomona should take action and submit to Nancy Perkins State Grange Secretary by August 1, 2008. If your Pomona does not take action the resolution must still go to Nancy with the notice that Pomona did not take action. The subordinate Grange and Pomona will have to communicate on the status of their resolution. If your Pomona does not take action is not to be taken as a negative. It may simply mean that your Pomona did not have the time or take the time to work on the resolution.
**It is up to the Pomona to mail the resolution(s) to Nancy Perkins by August 1st 2008.
You can also get the book ‘This is a America’ by Don Robb for your community library, school or Junior Grange. The cost is 7.95, which includes shipping. If you wish to buy a book for our Junior Grange members, please send the money to me and I will see that Barb Chambers receives the books for the juniors. I would estimate 12-15 books would be needed for our junior Grange. Barb could hold any extra books for future juniors. You must also have a Legislative Program at a meeting or sponsor a Legislative breakfast by June 30th.
If you feel that I have been unfair to those who braved the weather by giving another chance to those who were unable to attend. I shall take the responsibility for that displeasure. I feel the reason for projects and seals is not to burden Granger members, but rather to encourage and grow our Grange Community.
One final note I plan to copy an idea from the New Hampshire State Grange Legislative Director. We will have a mock election at state Session for some of our statewide candidates for public office.
There will be NO! Signs, Speeches or Public Displays of any sort or form. There will be just an option for Grange members to express their opinions by secret ballot. I will have some of the youth and juniors help with the process and in conducting the poll. We plan to have a table where Grange members for receiving their ballots and a private spot to cast their votes. I will ask the youth to count announce the results at the banquet.
Hope to hear from you soon. Jim Ballard
Middle Branch Youth Night
On Friday, April 4th the Youth Committee at Middle Branch Grange #463 would like to invite grange members of all ages to its annual Grange Youth Night. This meeting is entirely run by the Youth (up to age 35) of the Middle Branch Grange.
The meeting starts at 8:30 pm, there will be a program during the meeting and after the meeting there will be refreshments including sugar on snow.
Thanks,
Andrew Wright
Youth Committee Chairman
Middle Branch Grange #463
