Category: Gregory Dennis

Of all the destruction wrought in Vermont by Tropical Storm Irene, the most widely seen was the collapse of the covered bridge in Bartonsville.

The bridge’s destruction by the rain-swollen Williams River made The New York Times. A handheld video, shot as the bridge sank into the river, was shown on “The Today Show.” New Yorker writer John Seabrook chimed in with “Requiem for a Covered Bridge.”

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There are about 626,000 Vermonters — a number smaller than the population of Memphis, Tenn. Compared to the single government of that medium-sized city, Vermont has 237 towns, nine cities, five unincorporated areas and four gores.

“We confront the 21st-century challenges of delivering good government with a 19th-century governance structure,” says Bruce Hiland, who chairs the Cornwall selectboard. He featured the contrast between Vermont and Memphis governance in his remarks at the recent Cornwall town meeting.

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This year’s Christmas column comes in three parts: A Scrooge-like rant; an interlude in which the author repents of his Ebenezerish qualities; and an uplifting conclusion of peace, love and joy.

First, the rant.

Of all the aggravating little pieces of political correctness to which we have been subjected over the years, “Happy Holidays” is the worst.

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The Burlington City Council, which as one member notes “normally can’t decide on which side the sun will rise,” has unanimously decided to make it official: People from Quebec are welcome in Vermont.

It hardly seems that the Quebecois need encouragement, judging by the number of Quebec plates in the parking garage of the Burlington airport.

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