Glad to see this FPF posting in a South Burlington neighborhood today…
Roni the lost cat is home, relaxed and wondering what all the fuss is about! Thanks to all the neighbors on Simpson, Birch, Barrett , Iby et. al who kept an eye out for her. And thanks, Front Porch Forum, for connecting neighbors with neighbors!
And here’s why it’s a big deal… lost cat postings get neighbors talking and helping each other out. And such connections lay the groundwork for more. For example, in Westford, VT, citizens have been struggling over school budgets, and various facts and points of view are filling up their FPF. Today’s post from one FPF member hit home…
It’s interesting to me that one who claims to dislike Front Porch Forum seems to make use of this very forum to convey their well thought out, lengthy contribution to this budget discussion. They can be sure that their post is read and received with the respect that should be afforded all members.
I love Front Porch Forum. I wish everyone in Westford posted here [about two-thirds of the Town subscribes]. They could contribute thoughts and opinions in their entirety, at a time that is convenient for them, which could never happen at a budget meeting. The sheer number of posts would consume more time than any meeting could allow. You can read them, or not, as you so choose.
Another recent post indicates that the person was reluctant in the past to make their thoughts and opinions public. Their first post to this forum was again, very well thought out and expressed much of what this contributor had on their mind. Awesome, in my opinion.
Just last night, I was so excited to find new towns added to the FPF service area that I emailed the info to my siblings who can now sign up. I am that impressed with the impact that Front Porch Forum has had on my town and myself. I am so much more educated about what is happening around me. This exchange of ideas is the key to change.
P.S. Don’t forget to vote!
From Courtney Lamdin in the Milton Independent…
Despite no appearance on the agenda, a dead noise ordinance drew a large crowd to the Monday, May 17 Selectboard meeting.
It kicked off with a noisy display by Ron Moorby who, just as chairman Lou Mossey called the meeting to order, turned on a boombox and blasted Jimi Hendrix’s “The Star Spangled Banner” through the flag salute.
Mossey asked Moorby to shut off the music and eventually was asked to leave by police chief Brett Van Noordt.
But Moorby was not alone. The community room was packed, and according to Milton resident Tina FitzGerald, the crowd came because of a May 8 posting to the community Web site Front Porch Forum by Selectboard member Todd Shepard…
Milton has been slow to put FPF to use, but it’s finding the value now, with 250 households subscribing and more joining every week. Read the full story here. And, if you live in Milton (or elsewhere in Vermont), sign up for Front Porch Forum here.
Thanks to Lauren Curry of the Westford Food Shelf and Barry Lampke and colleagues at the Champlain Initiative for this video clip…
It’s great to live among neighborly folks. Here’s Dave’s post today to Front Porch Forum in Huntington…
I was overwhelmed with seven offers to lend a chopsaw for my flooring project, so I wanted to say “thanks” and observe, as others have, that it is gratifying to live in a community in which people show kindness and concern for one another. It’s a great place to be!!
And from Laurel in Richmond…
So thankful to have Front Porch Forum… it works! My Mom’s camera was found. Thanks Margo!
These kind of things happen day after day in many of the neighborhoods and small towns served by FPF.
12 Communities Selected to Pilot e-Vermont Project
MONTPELIER, VT — A dozen rural communities across the state will receive digital tools and in-depth training as the initial participants in the new e-Vermont Community Broadband Project. The twelve will benefit from the expertise and resources of e-Vermont’s statewide partners as the local groups develop ways to take full advantage of the Internet for job creation, school innovation, providing social services, and increasing civic involvement.
The 2010 communities (selected from over 40 applicants) are Brighton, Bristol, Canaan, Cambridge, Grand Isle County, Ludlow, Middlesex, Newport, Poultney, Pownal, Sunderland/Arlington/Sandgate, and West Rutland.
“Vermonters have a long history of innovation and finding creative ways to meet our goals,” notes Project Director Helen Jordan. “e-Vermont will continue that tradition by bringing 21st century tools to these communities and nurturing the local development of model solutions we can adapt statewide.”
e-Vermont is not stringing cable or fiber, but is working to make better use of broadband where it is available. An unprecedented network of partnerships will contribute to this two-year project.
e-Vermont updates are posted at www.vtrural.org. Contact e-Vermont with any questions at 802-223-6091 or eVermont@vtrural.org
From a brave #BTV #VT mother, posting on Front Porch Forum today to 500 nearby neighbors…
This is a tough letter to write, but here goes: My son was recently released from prison after a period of incarceration for crimes stemming from an addiction to drugs. He’s been back with us a little more than a month, and has found, like many people looking for work, that it’s not easy. His troubled past makes it more difficult for him than most.
All mothers love their sons, of course, but Anthony is a young man most people find bright and engaging. He’s very polite, (my friends say “charming” ) great with people and not afraid of hard work. — He also offers, because of his history, federal bonding for six months for any employer who is willing to give him a chance. — When we talked about whether a letter to Front Porch Forum would help, I asked if he would be embarrassed. He said “Mom, I don’t mind people knowing about my past. I’m just hoping someone will give me a chance to prove my future will be different.”
He has been spending his days applying for anything he can find. He has managed to work a few odd jobs, but with rent coming due again soon, he really needs something full time. He’s 26 and has experience with fork lift, data entry, some roofing, and has good math and reasoning skills.
Any leads would help. Please email me and I will pass any information along to him.
This just in from a rural #BTV #VT member of Front Porch Forum…
Keep up the great work. This donation is in memory of my mom who ended her earthly journey this year at age 97. She loved all the great ways of communication in today’s world, and would have enjoyed FPF. Since I can’t send her flowers this year, this is a $$ bouquet for FPF.
This contribution is appreciated and the spirit in which it is given is especially touching. Additionally, this member was one of a few upset with us a couple months ago about a community-management judgment call we made… so to bounce back from disagreement to this lovely gesture… well… a special thanks to her.
Anyone else so moved… here’s the link to learn more and/or make your contribution to help keep FPF going strong.
From Li Ling in Burlington…
Found: a very pleasant-mannered red eared slider about the size of a green coconut. Turtle in question was crawling on Conger Ave Thursday afternoon.
From the Harvard Business Review’s piece about a new Twitter study from the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems in Germany…
Only about 11% of Twitter users actively tweet.
Given the tremendous hype around Twitter, I’m surprised its that low. However, it’s still an astounding 6 million actively used accounts (out of 52 million total)… but it’s also not far off the old 1:9:90 estimate that posited that 1% of many social media users contributed the vast majority of the content, 9% a little, and 90% none. Which means most Web 2.0 folks are lurkers/voyeurs who are listening/watching and reading the few extroverts among us.
A recent look at Front Porch Forum in Starksboro, VT found that ratio to be 34:44:22… or an amazing 78% of members had posted content on FPF over the past year! And, about 45% of the entire subscribes. FPF can be VERY active.
Try Front Porch Forum around #BTV #VT. Here’s today’s example…
We lean heavily on Front Porch Forum when it comes to getting the word out to the widest spectrum of people in Chittenden County. People really read it and, most importantly, they respond. We used our usual low- to no-cost promotion vehicles to promote a public tour of our recycling facility. We received a handful of responses. We put it out on Front Porch Forum, and within two days we had filled all 20 slots on that tour, plus another to be held next month. This is an active, engaged audience–just the people we want to reach!
-Clare Innes, Chittenden Solid Waste District
Ghost of Midnight is an online journal about fostering community within neighborhoods, with a special focus on Front Porch Forum (FPF). My wife, Valerie, and I founded FPF in 2006... read more