“Okay,” she said, still not getting his
point.
“Did you read the constitution?”
Fred asked.
She had. Fred had suggested she
read it over to help settle in to her
role on the select board.
“‘That all persons are born equally
free and independent,’” Susan quoted
the opening lines of the founding
document of the state. “I love
that Vermont made slavery illegal
in its Constitution. That’s the kind
of progressiveness that I love about
Vermont!”
you see their side. ‘Th
currence to fundam
and a firm adherenc
moderation, temper
and frugality, are ab
necessary to preserv
of liberty and keep t
free,’” Fred conclude
Vermont Constitutio
with ands. You could
some cold winter ni
“Well,” Fred went on, “all through
that Constitution and is the key.
That’s Vermont. That’s how to be of
service to the town. And.”
Today, Susan knew what he meant.
But back then, after just the one
year of having lived in Vermont,
she hadn’t appreciated his point.
“Sorry, Fred. I don’t get it,” she said,
overcoming her frustration and
wanting to learn.
She had run for the open seat on
the select board to improve the
town. She wanted to make things
better.
“Well,” he said, drawing that one
word out yet again, “we’re a small
town, but we’re a town full of thinkers
and doers, and everyone’s got
their own ideas. Select board’s job
is to listen and figure out a way that
takes everyone’s ideas into account.
You won’t make everyone happy.
You might make everyone unhappy.
But you’ve got to see all the sides,
and you’ve got to let people know
“But letting the store
Sunday is such a noblushed
now, remem
sure she was that she
“Think of all the tou
through town on the
They’ll stop and spe
money. It’s a win-wi
shop owners want to
ey?”
“Have you talked to
wants to keep things
are?” Fred asked.
22 VERMONT MAGAZINE