A Vision For The Tankerhoosen Valley

On June 9, 2011 the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing to present and receive input on the Plan Of Conservation & Development that will be adopted later this year and will guide the town for the next decade. Following is my testimony to the Commission outlining a vision for the Tankerhoosen Valley:

In reviewing the Draft one of our largest challenges is our aging population and attracting young families to town. At one of the POCD public input meetings several people mentioned that Vernon does not have a memorable positive identity to people living in other towns, which  might encourage people to move here.

In the POCD telephone surveys residents valued our natural resources - forests, lakes and rivers - and favored promoting and preserving our open space and greenways as well as preserving and promoting our historic resources.

I think we are missing an opportunity to create an additional positive, recognizable image, while protecting and preserving our natural resources that will also attract young families to town.