For the past several years members of the Middlebury Select Board have authorized the VT League of Cities and Towns to lobby on their behalf against any effort to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Vermont. Until recently most of us were not aware of this. We find it upsetting that they would have taken a position on this issue without first assessing whether it reflects the town’s wishes.
To address this, they sent out a survey this summer which had remarkable results. First was the response — over 700 Middlebury residents took the time to fill it out, which is about three times the average. And 66 percent of respondents were clear that they do not want Middlebury to continue to ask the VTLC to do anti-cannabus lobbying. 
There have been indications that the Select Board is ready to ignore the survey, and the wishes of townspeople, and again apply pressure in Montpelier to stop cannabis legalization. If you find this antidemocratic, and just plain wrong, then please come to the next Select Board meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. Meetings take place at the town offices at 77 Main Street. 
A big turnout for this meeting, like the big response to the summer survey, can send an important message to our elected officials. It’s not too late to prevent an action that most Middlebury residents strongly disagree with!
Winslow and Joanna Colwell
East Middlebury