Voices Will Rise…Like the River’s Steam

Ahhh, I love to be reminded why I live in Vermont…the meandering streams, quiet roads and the tremendously hospitable people. This past weekend, I was finally able to join the crew as we stretched from Sharon to South Royalton and on to East Randolph. Before I share the journal entries from other walkers gathered this weekend, let me say this: Vermont Yankee will close. Not because of the stockpile of waste, tritiated water or the preposterous scheme to create a debt-riddled shell corporation (although, that’s not a sexy top-3 list), no. Vermont Yankee will close because Vermonters have a voice. Democracy is thriving in Vermont. It is abundantly clear the people are fully behind retiring Vermont Yankee on schedule. It is now up to the democratically elected legislature to see to it, that those voices are respected.

Check out the VPR story that ran 1/12 that sums it up: Click Here.

Walk on:

I had imagined my weekend would be spent reading books, feeding the fire, and taking walks on my snowshoes. Instead, I found by accident—or so it seems—the Safe and Green Campaign in South Royalton, and decided to walk a one day stretch with the group in support. That itself isn’t too remarkable…what worked very well was that the group was the coming day without a warm inside place for lunch, and I happened to know some friends along the day’s route. Well, inside thirty minutes, those friends had found a space for us in a local church, well heated by wood, and in an ideal spot along the way.Torsti RovainenChelsea, Vermont

An email from Leo entitled “Caffeine”

Yet one more item that the crew totally nailed-- all in all an incredible effort thanks

North Hartland lunch stop:

Miracles happen! I joined the walk Monday night in Springfield. I heard walkers talking about not having a place to stop for lunch on Wednesday. While walking on Tuesday I noticed how important it was to have an inside place for lunch. So I looked up the name of the only place I knew in North Hartland, a pottery shop. The walkers said most likely a pottery shop would not let 20 winter dressed people with packs come in to sit down. I called Information but they did not have a phone number for the pottery shop. So the next day since I could only walk part of the way and I reached my car I drove to the pottery shop and not only did the owner agree to let us have lunch at the pottery sop but she went out to get a copy of the local newspaper, since we were on the front page, and she asked the walkers to autograph her copy of our photo. She said she was honored to have us for lunch and put out tablecloths. As group of walkers doing up to 16 miles a day we appreciated the stop. The locals were responding more and more as we got local press coverage walking through the state. I call it a true miracle having someone open their business to 20 strangers. Laura Simon, Wilder, VT

Vermont is so incredibly beautiful. Walking today from South Royalton to East Bethel through this beautiful, lovely river valley, I was so grateful for this peaceful, quiet, pristine land we call home. We are all part of this land. I worry what would happen if a radioactive cloud covered our farms, hills and rivers? It is outrageous and immoral to continue to allow this accident-prone, outdated plant to continue.

I wonder, what are we about? Have we become so disconnected from this natural, beautiful place? This is Verd Mont. It is in the state’s name. I see the Green Mountains all around us as we walk. Vermont has the potential to become the leader in renewable, safe and GREEN energy. Kip Moeller – Colrain, MA

This walk has proved to me that the great majority of people, at least along our route up the Connecticut River Valley into the White River Valley, support shutting down Vermont Yankee, the sooner the better. The response from drivers and residents along the way has been multiple thumbs ups, “thank you for what you are doing” comments, and a very small percentage of disapproving drivers. As we have walked along the way, we have been welcomed into homes, community centers, a pottery studio, coops, and always with gratitude.

Thank you to the rest of our group and the enlightened state of Vermont, which will tell the nuclear industry to pack up and leave. Nancy Braus, Putney, VT

With that, the day has come to rock the Statehouse. Within hours, dozens of walkers will take to the streets one last time to complete the last 6 miles of the walk…poised to share the resounding call to close the toxic liability rattling on the banks of the Connecticut. We’ll be seeing you on the streets.

Chaderoo

PS: It seems as if we have attracted followers...of the radioactive kind, if you will. They even decided to join us at a few of our forums and take notes. Check out their blog, it’s cute! YesVY

PSS: Thank you Nancy Braus, Cate Woolner for today's pics!

PSSS: Alright, this is it. Check out John Mingle's piece from AllVoices.com here. John was gracious enough to spend a couple days with us on the road.

Get Up To Get Down!

It’s time to kick Entergy out. It’s time to stop producing toxic, radioactive nuclear waste for our children’s children to deal with. It’s time to truly pursue conservation, efficiency and renewable solutions. The VT legislature is poised to vote on whether or not Entergy will be allowed to continue operating Vermont Yankee beyond March 2012 this legislative session, commencing the first week of January, 2010. Let’s make sure they know what we the people demand for our energy future.

On January 2^nd, 2010 folks living in the shadow of Vermont Yankee nuclear reactor (i.e. those of us living in VT, MA and NH and in closest proximity) will converge in Brattleboro to embark on a monumental action.

The idea: walk 120+ miles from Brattleboro to Montpelier over the course of two weeks from January 2^nd thru January 13^th.

The goal: talk with our neighbors throughout southeast and south central VT about our lives living under the shadow of Vermont Yankee with the intention of moving people to act…and that action will lead to the democratically elected VT state legislature to vote “NO” to the continued operation of Vermont Yankee beyond 2012.

Over the two-week walk, we will be trudging through the cold, snowy Connecticut River and White River valleys making stops each night in various towns along the way. Plans for regular public forums, dances, discussions and all sorts of good times are planned.

We are two weeks away from the January 2^nd kickoff in Brattleboro and we need you to join us! Walk with us for one day or every day. Support walkers by assisting with transportation, lodging, food, event coordination, or financial support. Sign our statement of support by Clicking Here. This will be hand-delivered to VT state legislators on January 13. Join us on January 13 in Montpelier for a unique opportunity to meet with and talk with VT state legislators and share your opinion. If nothing else follow our walk journal and contact VT state legislators!

Be on the lookout for updates and follow our regular posts.

Cheers!

Chad Simmons

802.377.7403

FYI: Check out some press we’ve recently had. Click Here to read the Burlington Free Press article. I especially enjoy the name-calling and stereotypes strewn about. Reminds me of the first protest I helped organize.