This program explores the role of media in Democracy and how it shapes the way we as Vermonters receive information. The focus is on technological changes, gaps and challenges across geography, as well as language and socio-economic boundaries. On this episode we speak with Winooski Representative Taylor Small

For more information on the Essex Selectboard and their current procedures and meeting dates, please reference the agendas at essexvt.org/AgendaCenter/Essex-Selectboard-9.

From the Ethan Allen Homestead:

Historian Mary Donchez explores the impact Thomas Jefferson had on the development of the American maple sugar industry, starting with his trip to Vermont in 1791. The talk explores the evolution of the industry, including technological advances and the influence of the Civil War, and discusses Jefferson’s lasting ties with Vermont as he attempted to persuade the new country to substitute maple sugar for slave-produced cane sugar. Along the way, it will provide insight into Jefferson’s views on the American economy, its economic independence from Great Britain, and particularly race and slavery.

Mary Donchez is a resident of Newton, Massachusetts, whose first post-retirement project was to earn a Master’s degree at Harvard University’s Extension School. This talk is based on her thesis for that degree. Her undergraduate degree, in history, is from Boston College. She spent her professional life working as an editor at WB Saunders, Macmillan, and Little, Brown publishing companies before retiring from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care in 2011, where she worked as a project coordinator for patient disease management programs and as editor of the physician newsletter.

For more information: ethanallenhomestead.org

Representative Lori Houghton, Ch. 8-2, and Representative Karen Dolan, Ch. 8-2, discuss the process of the Village of Essex Junction becoming the City of Essex Junction through a community vote for charter change and then a legislative process to review, amend and accept that charter change. The bill in the legislature, h.491, was approved and sent to the Governor's desk on April 14, 2022. The Governor signed the bill into law on April 20, 2022. This video contains the recorded proceedings of both the House and Senate as they discuss and deliberate the proposed charter change.

From Gary de Carolis:

5 words: Dedicated, sincere, positive-outlook, values justice

Sally Borden is the Executive Director of KidSafe Collaborative, a community based non-profit organization in Burlington, VT. Ms. Borden started with KidSafe Collaborative in 1998 and has served as the Executive Director since 2001. She leads numerous community initiatives to improve the safety, health and well-being of children and youth, including the Children and Recovering Mothers (CHARM) team, a multi-disciplinary group which coordinates services for pregnant and post-partum women with a history of opioid use disorder and their infants, and the Chittenden County Child Protection and Family Support Team.

Ms. Borden co-Chairs Vermont’s federally-mandated Vermont Citizens Advisory Board to the VT Department for Children and Families, and serves on the Vermont Child Fatality Review Team. She has extensive professional experience in the fields of domestic violence, child abuse services and victim/witness assistance. Ms. Borden previously served as the Executive Director of Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments (Fremont, CA). Prior to that she was the Director of Training for the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance, and was the Victim/Witness Assistance Director for the Northwestern Massachusetts District Attorney’s Office.

Ms. Borden’s work has been recognized with the U.S. Health & Human Services, Administration for Children & Families Commissioner's Award, the Vermont Agency of Human Services Community Award, and the Queen City Police Foundation Antonio B. Pomerleau Medal of Honor, presented by Senator Patrick Leahy. Additionally, she was awarded the Frederick H. Tuttle Memorial Award from the Rotary Club of South Burlington, and the Laura’s Spirit Award from the Laura K. Winterbottom Memorial Fund.

Ms. Borden grew up in California, and attended college at the University of California at Davis. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Cambridge College in Massachusetts. Her partner is a born-and-raised Vermonter, and they returned to live in Vermont in 1996. They live in South Burlington and have two now-adult children.

From the office of Senator Sanders:

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough this week will visit Vermont to tour some of the state’s VA medical facilities after Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) invited him to see Vermont’s health care system for veterans first hand and hear directly from the veterans it serves. 

This program explores the role of media in Democracy and how it shapes the way we as Vermonters receive information. The focus is on technological changes, gaps and challenges across geography, as well as language and socio-economic boundaries. On this episode we speak with Burlington City Councilor, Ali Dieng.

For more information on the Essex Junction Trustees and their current procedures and meeting dates, please reference the meeting agendas at essexjunction.org/boards/board-of-trustees.

For more information on the Burlington Electric Commission and their current procedures and meeting dates, please visit burlingtonelectric.com/about-us/who-we-are/board-electric-commissioners.