Welcome to the Mudroom, a joint commentary series of Rumble Strip Vermont and The Dooryard.

Today, a commentary from Hilton Dyer of Middlesex, Vermont. Hilton is a renewable energy consultant and author of the blog, Minor

Heresies. In this commentary, he proposes that much of Vermont politics is about who shows up.

Here in Vermont we pride ourselves on our tradition of participatory democracy.

Our legislature is made up of part-timers, we have town meetings, and most Vermont municipalities have part-time public servants and volunteer committees running the show.

I'm having my doubts though.

I was listening to Vermont Public Radio recently when they announced a Board of Directors meeting.

The meeting was advertised as open to the public.

It was at 1 PM on a Thursday.

I thought, who can make a meeting at 1. on a Thursday. I thought who can make a meeting at 1 p.m. on a

Thursday. Oh right. Retirees, self-employed professionals and the idle rich.

Donors. Not working stiffs, people with spare days.

I looked up the VPR meeting calendar and all their meetings are midday weekdays,

including their community forums.

Then again, all Vermont politics is like this.

Our legislature is part-time, January through May.

Legislators make $636 a week during the session or just under $12,000 annually.

It's not enough to live on, but who can drop their usual employment and legislate for four

and a half months a year. Serving in the legislature is

nearly impossible for someone working a regular hourly or salaried 40 hour a week

job. I looked through the bios of our legislators and a few occupational categories covered virtually everyone.

Lawyer, consultant, small business owner, part-time educator, retired.

...