Green tree-killer arrives
2023-08-08
Dear friend,
How's your August going?
I'm relieved that most readers of this newsletter were not badly affected by Vermont's historic July flooding.
I haven't been emailing a lot on this topic in order to not add to your inbox.
Today, a few non-flooding-related news items. I'm also gathering up some key flood-related items to share soon. Questions? Issues? I'd love to hear if there's anything you need from me.
And by the way, I post these newsletters on my website if you ever want to catch up on anything: https://tristanroberts.org/
Also, you can manage your email preferences at the link below. I created a "Digest" version that you can opt for instead of real-time updates.
Here we go...
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DV Fiber
What is that entity co-owned by 24 towns that is working to bring high-speed, reliable broadband Internet to everyone?
DV Fiber is coming to Halifax and Whitingham in 2023 and 2024. This is a great time to sign up to be contacted when service is available at your home or business. Go to https://dvfiber.net/service-availability/ or call (844) 383-6246.
Green tree-killer arrives
After years of monitoring, Halifax and Whitingham both now have Vermont's newest invasive, after it was found in Wilmington in 2021 (and Readsboro and Stamford earlier).
Confirmed locations of Emerald ash borer in Vermont
Emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive insect that is spreading throughout the Northeast. Based on its arrival here and around Vermont, foresters anticipate it will kill virtually all of our ash trees over the next several years. 😥
As EAB destroys the interior of an ash tree, it becomes a hazard that could fall anytime and in any direction. The State of Vermont encourages removal of roadside ash trees before they become a hazard to passing cars, pedestrians, and to utility poles.
Take a look around your home, driveway, utility lines, and town rights-of-way. If you see ash, you're seeing a tree that is likely to become a hazard over the next few years (if it wasn't already). Plan accordingly.
Here's my plan, for example:
--Halifax has mapped all of its roadside ash trees, so I know the trees I own in the right-of-way are already on the town's list for removal. The town did Collins Road this year and plans to do more ash tree removal every year.
--I'm going to try to get to it first. If I have the opportunity to hire the logger I work with to do a salvage removal and help me process for firewood, I'll do that to save the town money and to have better control over when I would get the logs.
--I have one huge ash near my house I'm considering treating with herbicide. Some foresters are offering this service.
More information: https://vtinvasives.org/land/emerald-ash-borer-vermont
CogSci thought of the day
No news content in this item -- feel free to skip.
I designed my own Cognitive Science major at Marlboro College combining Computer Science, Psychology, and Philosophy. That's the kind of thing you could do at Marlboro -- R.I.P.
Here's how I chose that major. I noticed that I enjoy observing things like the following...
If you say the word "rojo" or "negro" to me, I translate those Spanish words in my mind to "red" and "black," and then I picture those colors -- in that order, with a moment of thought.
If you say the word "teal" to me, or "salmon," I see that color right away in my mind. These English words are in my native color tongue.
But if you say "emerald ash borer" -- all English words? I have to translate "emerald" as if it were Spanish.
"What color is emerald? Oh yeah, green."
How do you picture color?
If you ever have questions about your Medicaid renewal
About 13,000 Vermonters a month go through the Medicaid renewal process.
In August, the number will be larger due to the disruptions of the July flooding. For any residents who ever need assistance understanding your health insurance options and qualifying for them, all Vermonters receive access to the Office of the Health Care Advocate (HCA).
The HCA is a part of Vermont Legal Aid, and they want you to know the following:
They can help you understand what health insurance programs you qualify for and advocate on your behalf. Contact their free helpline today to connect with an experienced advocate who can answer your questions about Medicaid renewals, financial assistance, or signing up for health insurance.
Call 1-800-917-7787 or visit www.vtlawhelp.org/health to connect with an Advocate who can assist you and give you a better understanding of your options.
Rep. Tristan Roberts selected for CSG Henry Toll Fellowship
Some news about me -- I made the last page of the paper!
Roberts selected fro CSG Henry Toll Fellowship
Here's the Reformer's reporting:
MONTPELIER — Rep. Tristan Roberts, D-Windham-6, was chosen for a prestigious, national leadership development program for government officials.
The Council of State Governments announced that Roberts, who joined the Vermont Legislature this year, has been selected to participate in the 2023 CSG Henry Toll Fellowship. Bringing together 47 individuals representing 29 of the states and U.S. territories and from all branches of state government, the Henry Toll Fellowship is considered the nation’s premier leadership development program for state government officials.
“I’m honored and excited to be selected for the Toll Fellowship because of the difference this will make for my constituents,” said Roberts, who lives in Halifax and represents Halifax, Whitingham, and Wilmington in the Vermont House of Representatives. “My first year in office has given me deeper appreciation of how Vermont’s State government supports and sometimes hinders small towns like the ones I represent. I look forward to learning more from the Council of State Governments and the experience of all those involved in this intensive training.”
Since 1986, CSG has annually convened a new class of CSG Henry Toll Fellows at its national headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky, for an intensive leadership boot camp. The program’s sessions are designed to stimulate personal assessment and growth, empower leaders to collaborate and communicate more effectively, and provide nonpartisan networking and relationship-building opportunities.
“While the CSG Henry Toll Fellows come from every region of our nation, from both political parties and all three branches of state government, they share one thing in common — they are all people of purpose with a passion for public service,” said CSG Executive Director/CEO David Adkins, a former Kansas state senator and 1993 CSG Henry Toll Fellow alumnus. “Toll Fellows are selected based on their demonstrated commitment to solve problems, to work collaboratively to get things done, and their belief that state government can and must be a force for good.”
Read the full story here: Rep. Tristan Roberts selected for CSG Henry Toll Fellowship
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Thanks for reading.
Please be in touch anytime.
warm regards,
Rep. Roberts
P.S. My son had a dream two nights ago where he removed his own eyeballs and was looking at them. Wild.
If you still have eyeballs left after reading everything above, I also posted these recently on my blog:
--Do you have hope for our kids?
--Thoughts in opposition and elation of the self
If you read either of them, I'd love hearing back a short note on what resonated, or didn't (I do appreciate critical feedback).
P.P.S. Have a great Tuesday!