GREENSBORO – Right now, our country is in chaos. Many struggle every day with anxiety or fear around the unknown. We’re paying more for groceries, more for fuel, more for medical necessities, more for our taxes and we don’t know when the end will come. Feelings like these affect our psychological well-being.
From a letter to the editor in the Chronicle dated May 13, 2026: “The Vermont Psychological Association, an organization which seeks to embody justice, promote equity, foster action and support healing,” recognizes how traumatized we all are.
The association recognizes how violence, fear, and social division can have lasting psychological effects. We in Greensboro are not immune from these occurrences.
When fear and intimidation filter down from the top of our national government through state government and on down to the town level, we here in Greensboro are affected.
There is always hope and the Vermont Psychological Association helps us to find that hope. It is important for us to engage in activities with others, such as the Walking Ladies group here in Greensboro, a softball team, sailing, swimming classes, your church, a book club, volunteering, visiting with friends and neighbors. All of these help us to engage with other people, to interact and have hope.
On June 30, we will have an opportunity to express our feelings and thoughts and vote for an outcome around Australian ballots. During this time, it is more important than any other time to engage peacefully in expressing our views.
We are the legislators of our community. Every name on the voter check list in the town of Greensboro represents a member of our community. Every name on that check list is a legislator for our town and there are over 600 of us.
Being a legislator gives us power to help shape our community and brings with it the responsibility to listen to both sides. It is important to be part of open discussions, to debate, to compromise, and to find consensus. Being a legislator also brings with it the responsibility to be present, to be part of the debates and discussions, and thus part of the solution.
Our branches of government are set up in this way. At the top of our government, the executive branch is represented by the president and the legislative branch is the U.S. Congress. At the state level, the executive branch is the governor and the legislative branch Is the state legislature. At the city level, the executive branch is the mayor and the legislative branch is the board of aldermen.
At the town level, the executive branch is the select board and the legislative branch is you and all voting members of our community.
Often branches do not have all their members present at all times to vote, but business of the legislature goes on and votes are cast. As legislators, in our town meeting, we legislate for those who for any number of reasons, are unable to attend town meeting.
The Vermont Psychological association also recognizes in times of heightened tension, communities benefit from dialogue. They recognize the importance of open meetings, such as planned for June 22, June 30, and going forward continuing the tradition of open town meetings.
Open town meetings validate what we fought for 250 years ago. “We The People” have the right and responsibility to engage in open dialogue, the right to debate and to help make decisions for our community. This valuable gift will be lost if we abandon open town meeting and go to Australian ballot. We should not cut out this important responsibility for our neighbors and future citizens.
I encourage all to come to an open community meeting on June 22 and again at the special town meeting on June 30. Listen to the debate, express what you are pleased with or the frustrations you have. Offer your ideas, thoughts and solutions. No special degrees or education are required to voice your view. What you have to say is important.
Engaging with our community will not only make our community stronger but it will help us all heal.
