City of Essex Junction
July 1st Independence
Celebration
Today We Celebrate!
But we leave you with this challenge…
Continue coming to city meetings, join city committees, attend city events, talk to your neighbors, and help each other out.
Our work doesn’t end with the creation of an Independent City of Essex Junction.
Our work begins again tomorrow – to make the City of Essex Junction the best city to live in the State of Vermont!
Thank you!
Reps. Karen Dolan and Lori Houghton
For full speech click here: city-celebration-speech.html
This end of session report provides details on just some of the legislation passed this session. Thanks to everyone who reached out to advocate for and educate us on issues important to them. There continues to be much to do. Reducing trauma in our youth's lives and providing supports when it occurs is top of mind right now and will continue to be my focus as I work for systematic changes.
Enjoy reading and reach out anytime!
Read Report Here:
2022-end-of-session-report.html
Community Conversations
Please join your Essex Westford House delegation during the legislative session for "Community Conversations," a monthly online forum for updates on bills, committees, caucus activities, and more. We welcome your concerns, questions and a spirit of open, respectful dialogue. A Zoom link will be provided ahead of each virtual event, accessible on Front Porch Forum, Facebook & via email.
January 23rd, 2022 2pm to 3:30pm
February 17th, 2022 7pm to 8:30pm
March 19th, 2022 9am to 10:30am
April 13th, 2022 6pm to 7:30pm
May 15th, 2022 2pm to 3:30pm
Please join your Essex Westford House delegation during the legislative session for "Community Conversations," a monthly online forum for updates on bills, committees, caucus activities, and more. We welcome your concerns, questions and a spirit of open, respectful dialogue. A Zoom link will be provided ahead of each virtual event, accessible on Front Porch Forum, Facebook & via email.
January 23rd, 2022 2pm to 3:30pm
February 17th, 2022 7pm to 8:30pm
March 19th, 2022 9am to 10:30am
April 13th, 2022 6pm to 7:30pm
May 15th, 2022 2pm to 3:30pm
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The Essex House Democratic delegation is united in condemning the actions of the Vermont GOP in their vicious attacks against our LGBTQ+ legislators and community members. Over the past several days, the VT GOP has centered anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric in their fundraising efforts taking out ads on social media targeting specific legislators (including our own Tanya Vyhovsky, Vermont State Representative) who have supported gender-affirming care for LGBTQ youth. These ads labeled the legislators as extremists and groomers, which refers to grooming children for exploitation and abuse. This type of narrative is extremely dangerous and has a long history in response to expanding protections for the LGBTQ community.
Tragically, we learned that last night, a transgender woman was murdered in Morristown adding to the fear and anxiety within our trans and the LGBTQ+ community. Our hearts are with Fern Feather’s family and loved ones and are devastated at this senseless loss. This week, the EWSD School Board election decidedly declared our community's support for equity and inclusion by electing three individuals committed to lifting student voices and ensuring an educational environment in our schools that welcomes and supports all learners regardless of identity. Given the growing violence, threats, and harassment against our LGBTQ+ community members, we must amplify this topic and our LGBTQ friends and neighbors' challenges and let them know that we have their back. Karen Dolan, VT State Rep Rep. Lori Houghton Alyssa Hughes Black |
2022 Town Meeting Report We’re halfway through the 2022 legislative session! Our work officially began on January 4, with legislators working remotely to protect public health as the Omicron surge peaked. On January 18, we returned to the statehouse in hybrid mode, a welcome shift. We’ve passed some significant legislation in these first two months, and this report provides highlights. Work on our key priorities will continue, across the House and in collaboration with the Senate, as we debate bills and consider investments prior to our May adjournment. It’s an honor to serve as your state representatives. Please reach out anytime with ideas, questions and concerns. Be well, Karen and Lori Read our report here |
"Today’s vote marks a momentous milestone, moving us one step closer to the creation of the City of Essex Junction. H491, the bill before us, represents a collaborative and thoughtful path forward in a decades-old municipal discussion in the Essex Community. It has been an honor to work with the senior member of Essex Junction to shepherd this charter change through the legislative process, as H491 overwhelmingly holds the voice of our Village with 88% of voters supporting its passage.
The creation of the City of Essex Junction will allow two communities, who have tried almost every conceivable relationship, the opportunity to thrive as two separate entities for the betterment of all residents. I would like to share extreme gratitude to the many hands that contributed in efforts toward today’s vote. It truly takes a village to create a city and I ask for your support in continuing that work by voting yes on H491."
Representative Karen Dolan
The creation of the City of Essex Junction will allow two communities, who have tried almost every conceivable relationship, the opportunity to thrive as two separate entities for the betterment of all residents. I would like to share extreme gratitude to the many hands that contributed in efforts toward today’s vote. It truly takes a village to create a city and I ask for your support in continuing that work by voting yes on H491."
Representative Karen Dolan
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A historic vote happened last night in Essex Junction. We have had many votes on this topic in the past, but this one felt different, and it was. Nearly 45% of registered Essex Junction voters made their voice heard and a resounding 88% voted yes to an independent City of Essex Junction. Thank you voters!
We also want to thank everyone involved in getting us to this day. The countless hours the staff and the Trustees dedicated to working through options, listening to public input and ensuring the final decisions were clearly articulated to residents. All the residents who attended meeting after meeting because they wanted a say in the outcome. Our Village Our Voices leaders were instrumental in communicating factual information and coordinating dozens of volunteers to get out the vote.The volunteers walked the streets in the sun and the rain, answered questions and helped some register to vote. We thank each and every one of you. Now our attention turns to January. We have always agreed to bring the will of the voters to Montpelier - we have heard you loud and clear - and will do our best to ensure all legislators hear you. We will keep the community updated on progress and how those who wish to be engaged can be. For now, enjoy your fall and holidays and stay safe. We are proud to call all of you our neighbors and Essex Junction our home. Rep. Karen Dolan and Rep. Lori Houghton |
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We see the presence of discrimination, bias and structural racism in the foundations of many of our institutions, organizations and programs. It is healthy and courageous to take a hard look at the ways in which "we have done business" that have limited the opportunity of our neighbors who have told us they experience marginalization on a recurring basis. |
Last Friday marked the final day of the 2021 Vermont Legislative Session. It's truly an honor to represent our village voices at the State House and it has been extremely rewarding to connect with so many community members about legislation this session. It has also been a pleasure serving alongside Representative Karen Dolan this session. Our priority this year focused on advancing policies that create an equitable COVID recovery plan to rebuild the economy across Vermont and help our families and communities thrive.
Our Joint End of Session Report provides an update on many of the key bills passed in 2021. You can read the report here.
Please be in touch with me if you have any questions or to discuss issues. Additionally, Rep. Dolan and I are inviting Village community members to join us for an End of Session Cookie Chat on Sunday, June 6th from 3-4:30pm. We will have hard copies of our report on hand and look forward to catching up and answering any questions. We are looking forward to the chance to see folks in person! See the full details here:
Although the session is over, please reach out any time. I will continue to send out updates during the off-session but less frequently.
Our Joint End of Session Report provides an update on many of the key bills passed in 2021. You can read the report here.
Please be in touch with me if you have any questions or to discuss issues. Additionally, Rep. Dolan and I are inviting Village community members to join us for an End of Session Cookie Chat on Sunday, June 6th from 3-4:30pm. We will have hard copies of our report on hand and look forward to catching up and answering any questions. We are looking forward to the chance to see folks in person! See the full details here:
Although the session is over, please reach out any time. I will continue to send out updates during the off-session but less frequently.
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We know we are not alone in our disappointment with the outcome of the merger vote. We also know we are not alone in our heartfelt gratitude for the work of our municipal leaders and community members who gave so much of their personal time to the effort of bringing our communities together. We appreciate the level of civil dialogue and engagement in the Village. |
