Hopeful for the future
A view from Fletcher Hill Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
With the nation facing an onslaught of daunting issues, it often seems easy to dismiss optimism. But Vermont hasn't, according to a recent poll in the state.
The VPR-Vermont PBS poll conducted earlier this month found that 65 percent of respondents felt "somewhat" or "very" optimistic about the future of their community. The most incredible part: This percentage is essentially level with the result from the same question in the 2019 poll, despite the ongoing pandemic and its crushing financial impact.
Paul Costello, the executive director of the Vermont Council on Rural Development, is leading the Local Solutions and Community Action Committee, part of Gov. Phil Scott's COVID recovery task force. Costello was pleasantly surprised at the steady optimism level, Vermont Public Radio reported.
"I don't know if that's distinct to Vermont, but I'm glad to see it here, and it makes me proud of Vermont," he told VPR on Thursday.”
That number inspires pride, even amid current challenges. Unemployment remains an issue, food insecurity is up, and many businesses are struggling to stay afloat — all while any additional federal relief remain elusive. Still, any sense of security can really help when it comes to optimism, and Vermont's COVID-19 response has on some level allowed for that, at least on the health front. As of Tuesday, the state still had the lowest COVID-19 positivity rate in the country. In the September VPR-Vermont PBS poll, 59 percent of respondents said the state's response to the pandemic made them "more proud" to be a Vermonter.
While speaking to the press, Gov. Scott has often noted the potential for Vermont to emerge stronger from this crisis than we went into it, if we all work together for the common good. Costello also spoke hopefully about the state’s future.
"I think that out of this moment of tremendous pressure, we're going to galvanize a course of action that has transformational potential for the future of Vermont," he told VPR.
After all is said and done, Costello's additional quote is probably also true, that "there’s no normal to go back to." But he and many others are optimistic about how the Vermont community can recover from this crisis. When it comes to progress, Vermont has the wind in its sails, because its people remain strong and equal to the task, and committed to focusing on opportunities for the collective good. That alone is cause for optimism.
— Gareth Henderson
