That assumption may or may not be true, but we really aren’t out to list reasons why the area should be taken seriously, or to hang a fellow journalist out to dry.
No, the real problem is that we often buy into that very assumption. Oh, we may not do it consciously, but there is no doubt that we often don’t do ourselves any favors when it comes to being visible to the northern two-thirds of the state. Perception, after all, is often reality. Part of that has to do with geography. We are, after all, just about as far south as one can go in Vermont. Folks from up north who travel south don’t generally pass through the Deerfield Valley on their way out of state, so they don’t think much about us.
But, if a reporter from a north-central Vermont media outlet doesn’t think much about what goes on here in southern Vermont, we need to take notice. Why? Because that means we don’t have enough exposure in the place where political clout does take place, Montpelier.
Honestly, we need to be more active and visible in the state capital, and in statewide media. We need local officials to attend more hearings, be more visible in the halls of the capital, serve on statewide boards. Sure, it’s not an easy task. Geography, again, is a problem. It’s two hours or more to the capital. It’s not easy or convenient to get there, But a little more face time up north, and the next time that reporter starts talking about backwater areas of the state, maybe we won’t be near the top of his list.
After all, Wilmington’s own state senator, Dick Sears, has coined this region of the state as “the forgotten kingdom” while at the same time the chamber of commerce’s marketing tagline says “It’s more Vermont here.” Ironic, isn’t it?
In this instance, looks like Sears has the winner. Maybe if more of Vermont took more notice of what is more Vermont here, we might not be so forgotten up north.
Or, was that tongue-in-check too?
Just spellcheck doesn't cut it, Mr. Editor in his editorial.