Footsteps Heard Near and Far

Hiddy-ho from near the White River Valley! It has been an invigorating and eventful few days to say the least. Unless, of course, you are walking 16 miles over the course of an eight-hour day…there tends to be a bit more monotony involved.

Needless to say, the walkers and our supporters are clamoring to arrive at the steps of the VT statehouse next week Wednesday, as the 2010 VT state legislative session began Tuesday. Entergy/Enexus clearly laid out a bad deal for ratepayers and taxpayers and continues to demonstrate their inability to reliably and safely provide Vermont (and New England for that matter) with the electricity we need to build our future energy infrastructure. We walk with this one message to state legislators: Vermont Yankee is not worth the risk. We don’t need it. Close it and replace it. Vote “No” to continued operation this year.

Walkers continued to follow the graceful meander of the Connecticut River as the group moves north. On Tuesday, Bob reflected on the early morning start and the serene VT landscape they ambled through. Bob described the initial seven-mile ascent leaving Springfield and the “somewhat harder” four-mile decent moving towards Windsor. The weather was sunny and peaceful.

The walkers were grateful for the Weathersfield Town Energy Committee and the Weathersfield Town Office for coordinating and hosting (respectively) Tuesday’s lunch and break in Ascutney. Needless to say, the walkers greatly await the hour-long midday break to eat and rest. Thank you to Denis Rydjeski and Betsy Eldredge for the generous use of their beautiful home on Monday for lunch, a break and an interview.

Here are some comments left by those that walked over the past couple of days:

I found my way to the Quaker Meeting House in Putney yesterday [Sunday] morning, and arrived just as the group of walkers was about to head out. I quickly laced up my boots and joined them. It was truly wonderful! The camaraderie, the food, the organization, all of it was beautifully done. And the weather made me feel like I was trapped inside a permanent snow globe. It was lovely. So thank you for putting this together, and for allowing me to participate. I hope that the legislators read and take to heart our message. In peace, Emily Koester (Northfield, MA)

Having the RV and driver Ra makes so much difference. Beyond just having "facilities" when Ra drives up we know he will have hot drinks, gourmet dark chocolate and a big smile... much appreciated luxuries on a cold, long day. Shut it down! The nuke, not the RV :) Cate Woolner (Northfield, MA)

The support walkers are getting continues to be overwhelmingly positive. On Tuesday morning, a driver pulled off to the side and shouted (paraphrasing) “I just heard a story about you on VPR!” She eagerly voiced her support for the walk and for closing VY.

Speaking of press, Monday and Tuesday saw the walk buzz take off with numerous media outlets from across the state covering the walk. Vermont Public Radio carried this story entitled “

Vermont Yankee Opponents Start Walk To Montpelier.” Click on the links below to view other stories.

WCAX Channel 3

New Hampshire Public Radio

Rutland Herald

Valley News

Also, walkers did radio interviews with hosts from WDGR. We are all very thankful for the overwhelming coverage and hope this accurately and articulately tells the stories we have as residents living in the shadow of Vermont Yankee.

I realize this post is nearing the ‘overly lengthy point,’ however, let me talk for a minute about the ‘Interweb’ responses these stories have generated.

These peopel are idiots…I seriously hope they get hit by a truck, or something. (Tom, WCAX post)

Get a job you 24 nitwits!! (True Vermonter, Rutland Herald post)

I think "10 dirty aging wannabe's" is a more accurate assesment. (B. Rock, Rutland Herald post)

Three weeks back, I was told (via an anonymous web post) that I don’t even deserve to flip burgers.

We strongly encourage those that support closing VY, replacing it and a just transition for its employees to NOT replicate these kinds of attacks. That is not our purpose.

I realize these violent and angry sentiments represent the extreme minority, but they also represent the fear that the Entergy/Enexus-lobby/PR machine has successfully injected into this debate. These are the voices currently squelching genuine progress to in-state, affordable and renewable solutions guided by efficiency and conservation. These are the voices that insipidly cling to the status quo, with powerful, morally corrupt corporate stooges at the helm (Think Jay Thayer in front of VT legislators and regulators). This is why we walk. To democratically and non-violently support the solutions we seek for healthy, positive communities. For today, tomorrow and generations to come.

We continue to be flooded with support from folks in communities along the walk route and from those living in the shadow of VY. Thank you one and all. On Monday, Gayle Davidson, a massage therapist from Shelburne Falls, MA, volunteered several hours of her time to provide aching walkers with much-needed massages. She plans to go up again and will bring up supplies (healing oils, moleskin, etc.) that are needed. If you have items or skills you would like to donate, please give me a call at 802.377.7403. Thank you again for the truly amazing support!

Thank you to Cate Woolner for the touching photos for today’s post (sorry they are so tiny!). To view them all, Click Here.

Tonight we are in White River Junction. Join us tomorrow, Thursday, January 7 from 4:30-7 pm, at #157 and #

149 Latham Works Ln, for a potluck and screening of the film"Global Banquet."

Final note…really! If you have not yet signed our “Retire Vermont Yankee On Time” statement that will be presented to VT leadership next week Wednesday at 12:30pm in the Cedar Creek Room, AND you live in the 20-mile evacuation zone, Click Here to sign the statement.

Until I overwrite again.

Chad Simmons

Do you do The Facebook? The Twitter? If so, post this to your friends and fam!