Comments for Bill Schubart Opinion & Fiction

Comment on Hunger by Sabine Shepard

Sabine Shepard — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:25:08 +0000

Great story!

Comment on Hunger by barbara porter

barbara porter — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:50:53 +0000

Thanks Bill, Loved the short story AND your comments.
Barbara Porter
(childhood friend of Suzy Dean in Greenwich)

Comment on R.F.D. R. I. P. by David Usher

David Usher — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 22:13:36 +0000

When government becomes too big to cope with the accelerating pace of change in technology, we spend more than necessary to accommodate a legacy service.

I agree that it’s beyond time for the postal service to reinvent itself. Will the unions and rural America listen?

Comment on VT Bus. for Social Responsibility Comments 5/12/2011 by Bill Schubart

Bill Schubart — Fri, 27 May 2011 19:10:16 +0000

JC,
I don’t know much comparative data you have looked at. You are right that VT is an expensive state in which to live, partially because the 620,000 Vermonters who live here, of whom 310,000 are tax filers and of whom 160,000 pay income tax, have relatively high standards for their educational system and the well being of their communities. A few people pay a lot for community. Energy costs are high and Vermont is cold. Our mountainous landscape and small, spread out towns make transportation and road maintenance expensive. Yet we choose to live here. Having run a company with several hundred employees, I can tell you it was no harder to do business in VT than in any other state. Business makes a habit of complaining about the cost of regulation in all fifty states.

Any data I cited is on the Blue Ribbon Tax Commission website and is available for your review. Thanks for your thoughtful question. Bill

Comment on VT Bus. for Social Responsibility Comments 5/12/2011 by j.c. Taylor

j.c. Taylor — Fri, 27 May 2011 15:28:34 +0000

Mr. Schubart – I notice that you haven’t responded to my comment re your speech. Is it because you are doing further research or is it because you find it hard to acknowledge that Vermont does not have a response to a very difficult yet fundamental issue

Comment on VT Bus. for Social Responsibility Comments 5/12/2011 by J. C. TAYLOR

J. C. TAYLOR — Mon, 16 May 2011 20:07:45 +0000

Mr. Schubart – I have just read your speech and assuming your position is fully supported by the research and studies to which you allude, I can understand your point of view. However, I know from personal experience that Vermont is an expensive place in which to do businesss and an expensive tax jurisdiction. I simply do not understand why VT. doesn’t make it attractive financially for business to come into the State and thus keep its bright well educated residents in the State. More and more I hear parents moaning about the fact that their offspring have left VT. as the environment elsewhere was ecomically more rewarding.Many VT. legislators seem to think that VT. can have its cake and eat it too. Private capital is totally fungible and VT. simply is not getting enough.

Comment on VT Bus. for Social Responsibility Comments 5/12/2011 by Bill Schubart

Bill Schubart — Sat, 14 May 2011 12:01:52 +0000

Thanks, Julie, I appreciate your feedback. Bill

Comment on VT Bus. for Social Responsibility Comments 5/12/2011 by Julie Lineberger

Julie Lineberger — Fri, 13 May 2011 19:55:03 +0000

Thank you, Bill. As I mentioned after your well received remarks yesterday, you have challenged us, the business community, to live up to current SR practices, stay at the forefront AND keep our elected representatives on track. I appreciate your thoughtful remarks. Very apropos.
Julie

Comment on The Lamoille Stories by Chris Bohjalian, Bill Schubart, The Authors of Addison County

Chris Bohjalian, Bill Schubart, The Authors of Addison County — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 15:53:06 +0000

[...] writes about Vermont in fiction, humor and opinion pieces. He has published two works of fiction: The Lamoille Stories and Fat People. The Lamoille Stories was the Christmas gift I gave all of my friends and family the [...]

Comment on Author by Chris Bohjalian, Bill Schubart, The Authors of Addison County

Chris Bohjalian, Bill Schubart, The Authors of Addison County — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 12:42:35 +0000

[...] Bill Schubart is an incredible story teller. He can turn a a joke about a guy getting a bee sting in a most inappropriate private part of his anatomy into a realistic tale that takes 45 minutes in the telling and will have you reaching for the calamine lotion (the ice packs? How does one treat such a sting?). He makes his tenure as an elementary school teacher sound like an adventure out of Easy Rider. I am envious of those lucky souls who were his students way back when. [...]

Comment on Author by Vermont New Business Prescription: First in a Series « On Vermont Startups | Ty Danco

Sun, 07 Nov 2010 18:28:18 +0000

[...] service from great entrepreneurs (on different sides of the political spectrum) are Tom Evslin and Bill Schubart. State government can’t afford that kind of expertise in competitive markets, but ask the winners [...]

Comment on Election Day 2010: Now it’s our turn by David Usher

David Usher — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 12:11:36 +0000

Bill takes a measured, sane approach to guiding Vermonters in the parameters of our vote today. Although Vermont may be conservative in the sense that Bill defines it, politically Vermont is far too left-leaning.

The role of government in Vermont has become unbalanced because people have been led too far down a road of dependency rather than self-reliance. The result is pervasive government that has become overbearing when candled against the true conservative values of Freedom and Unity.

Bill is absolutely correct is his assessment about ‘simplistic promises’ without an ‘implementation strategy and some assessment of intended and unintended consequences.’

Political spin by would-be leaders and vague ideological promises are a recipe for expensive, disappointing and ineffective government. But we deserve what we get when we fall for hype and marketing rather than common sense.

Comment on Wyvis’ Fence by Bill Schubart

Bill Schubart — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 21:38:46 +0000

Sorry for the long delay, my site has been undergoing an overhaul. Name is made up from Bushways and a Wyvis I knew. I went to school with a Jimmy Bushway and new a Wyvis Fiske. Bill

Comment on Change is Not Progress by mary ellen

mary ellen — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 18:32:30 +0000

Bill, Well written. I agree with your insight. I have been having many of the same conversations with my own friends but I do believe art, design, creativity will also be a big part of our progress. There is also this huge creative movement that is happening right now, a return to art, design, sustainable and handcrafted products.

Comment on Ah, Mother by Marion

Marion — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 17:23:01 +0000

Speaking of mothers ~ did you live next to Copley Hospital in Morrisville while growing up? If you did your mother was a good friend of mine

Comment on Economic Development Speech Green Mtn. Business Expo by Tim Volk

Tim Volk — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:27:30 +0000

Bill, this is very thoughtful. I like the “mismanaged brand” thought, especially.

Tim

Comment on Wyvis’ Fence by schubart

schubart — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 10:28:39 +0000

Karla,
It was a made up name and character, drawn from several characters I knew in the Fisk family and the Bushway family. Jimmy Bushway was a classmate. Is he your uncle?
Bill

Comment on Wyvis’ Fence by Karla Bushway

Karla Bushway — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:54:03 +0000

Was Wyvis Bushway his real name, or is he based on somebody? He’s from the same region as my g-g-gf, so I’m naturally curious to see if he might be related.

Comment on Our National Weight by David Usher

David Usher — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:36:29 +0000

Bravo for this clear and correct message, Bill. We need fewer victims and more doers. Political leaders can only set the tone. The heavy lifting is required by each of us.

Comment on Lyla’s Bucket by David Usher

David Usher — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:39:57 +0000

This Lamoille Story is my favorite!!

Comment on We Have Opportunities by schubart

schubart — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:29:13 +0000

Patricia,
Thanks for your thoughtful response, Having grown up partially on Willoughby, I am familiar with Newport. My stepfather went to the convent school, there as well when he was young. Your “studied to death” comment rang so true. This is the cover of politicians who have no natural leadership instincts. Thanks for all your good work up there. It sounds impressive.
Best,
Bill

Comment on We Have Opportunities by Patricia M Sears

Patricia M Sears — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 01:44:44 +0000

When I heard your commentary on VPR I found myself exclaiming, ‘Yes, yes, yes!” My husband had come in from the other room and said, “This is what you based your campaign on!” Yes. Oh, and I lost. It was a three-way race.

And then this evening we watched your interview on ‘Profile,” which reminded me to look for your commentary to read it again; thanks for posting.

One thing I would like to add into the mix of observations is that we’re tired of being studied to death. Yikes! We need to discover what’s in front of us and develop the strength to enhance and expand opportunities.

These days I am the executive director of the Newport City Renaissance Corporation and we’re on the verge of some tipping points that will make a great deal of difference to our residents, work force, students and visitors. We need to try to get the right solutions. In March there will be the first American Institute of Architects Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team project in its 40-year history in Vermont … Newport to be exact. It’s wonderfully exciting to be ‘first’ in Vermont!

In November, I was elected president of the Northeast Kingdom Travel & Tourism Association; your comment re niche tourism needing a marketing plan rung true. We’re working on a marketing plan for our National Geographic Geotourism destination (one of maybe a dozen in the world… and now that Montreal has just been awarded as a Geotourism destination we’re the two closest in the world … perhaps the VT Dept of Tourism should invest in marketing that & getting our workforce ready for French Canadians instead of trying to pull visitors from China!). I participate in a monthly mtg w/Customs & Border Patrol in Derby Line in an effort to get a ‘friendly border’ campaign going.

Oops … passion took over. Thanks for sharing your observations. It means a lot to hear it from one who has discovered opportunities, embraced challenges through ups & downs and can still see clearly and say, “Why not?” Thanks again. Patricia | http://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciamsears

Comment on We Have Opportunities by Dave Usher

Dave Usher — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 22:56:51 +0000

Well stated. Our opportunities must be seen to be encouraged and enabled. Good jobs will come from good ideas that can be implemented swiftly by entrepreneurs.

But we must overcome or somehow override the lethargy and old thinking that inhabits Montpelier always stoked by too many special interests who believe government can solve their problems. Government has a rightful place but their spendthrift culture for the past several years has drained the tax base dry.

Many believe there’s some magic that government (Federal and state) can work to create a wonderful cocoon of plenty.

Hard work applied to capital in the private (commercial and non-profit) sector is the best stimulus.

Our prod to Montpelier should be for the conditions necessary for a vibrant private sector to emerge from this recessionary chaos.

Comment on Jack Daulton’s New Woodstove by schubart

schubart — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 13:55:16 +0000

Deb,
Thanks for your very thoughtful and appreciative comments. The truncated sentence on Page 127 is because of how printing treats orphan words. It should read “…pencil-bearing beard.”
The only word missing is “beard.” It would have sat alone on a page by itself and should have been integrated by compression into the page where it belongs. I have asked that it be fixed in future runs.

You are very close on “biscuit wood” if not right. Rather than kindling which I associate with sticks or bits and pieces of lumber waste. Biscuit wood was hard wood split into very small pieces. It burned much hotter in the firebox than larger pieces and brought the oven to a temperature where one could cook biscuits quickly, like setting your oven at 500 degrees.

“Debouch” is not used that often in English but is a bona fide usage. The Mississippi debouches into the Gulf of Mexico.

Thanks for your story suggestions. It brought several to mind. I am now working on a novel which will be little more than a series of linked short stories. I am afraid I am inveterate story teller.
Thanks for your kind words abd best wishes for 2009.

Bill Schubart

Comment on Jack Daulton’s New Woodstove by Deborah Abbott

Deborah Abbott — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:50:52 +0000

Dear Mr. Schubart,

My parents mailed me your terrific collection of stories as a Christmas present. It was my best Christmas present. However, I live in Istanbul and I need your help. On page 127 of my copy, the story of Jack Daulton’s New Woodstove seems to end a bit abruptly, even without the usual punctuation. It could be the ending, but the sentence seems to stop in mid flow and there is nothing at all printed on page 128. I wrote to my family about the problem, my future sister-in-law responded that her copy’s page 128 is also blank and that we needed to invent our own ending. I rather like your endings. Assuming the story does continue for a sentence or two, might you post it here?
I am limiting myself to “only” two stories a night and have been enjoying myself thoroughly – thank you for writing this book. I hope it encourages others to get down on paper or screen these precious moments from daily life. Though I doubt that many will have your gift of description. Just to mention one, I was quite impressed by your description of the pig dyers’ kitchen and the family’s meal together last night. You really helped me to see the room and picture the various characters seated around the table. The precision of your vocabulary is impressive. I learn from you. I speak French fluently, but never knew that we use the verb to “debouch” in the same way the French might, for example. Or another, grew up in Essex Jct (ok, not “real” VT) parents had a woodburning stove for years,Dad’s as “real” a Vermonter as anyone who grew up in Burlington can be,and is something of a woodsman, but I’ve never heard the term “biscuit wood” (kindling I presume).
I hope that Lamoille Stories is volume one and that I may hope to read another collection someday. If I may make a suggestion, my Turkish students here in Istanbul love to hear stories about Halloween, Cabbage Night, and April Fool’s Day, and I really don’t have stories of my own to tell, I tell them stories heard from my father and grandfather. I bet you could fill up a volume with those, and I’d love to read them.

Sincerely Yours,

Deborah Abbott

Comment on The Right to Dry by schubart

schubart — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:22:40 +0000

My rule is hang’em high and defend your right to dry. Bill

Comment on The Right to Dry by Wendy Patterson

Wendy Patterson — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:55:00 +0000

Yes! Bill, we just sold our home this year, off Baldwin Road, to live within walking distance of Hinesburg Village. The new house is quite visible from the road, a new experience after 20 years out of view. Ah, now the question is how to help the new development come up with a plan for drying our bloomers in the great outdoors while being respectful of our new neighbors sensibilities…???

Comment on *Champlain College Graduation Speech ’08 by betsy myers harris

betsy myers harris — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:42:06 +0000

You crack me up……….just cruising on the pages here….now I know what you do in your spare time…….the tooth trip was funny. I will give your website to Fr. Daviginon as I know he will get a kick out of reading this. Your speech to Champlain was right on…very nice – I purchased your book today thru Ingam web site? Will need a signature at some point – I will buy one for Fr., he will want it signed I am sure. stay cool betsy

Comment on Jack Daulton’s New Camp by Kent Cassella

Kent Cassella — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:27:18 +0000

Bill – if you don’t narrate these stories we will miss some of te hilarity that your storytelling brings. If you don’t….I’d love to give it a shot!! Brilliant…Read By A Vermonter!

Comment on Freedom and Unity by Sarah Waring - VCRD

Sarah Waring - VCRD — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:22:46 +0000

Bill;
This is a very eloquent and inspiring piece and we wanted to thank you for thinking of our project and helping us to raise the bar. It’s been great work, but it’s made better when the challenge goes out to people to think at a higher level and act on what they think.

I was hoping that we might post the text of your blog entry on our Council on the Future of Vermont site, so that people could also read it there. We could also include a link to your blog of course, so that people are directed to your writings on other topics as well. The website is http://www.futureofvermont.org.

Thanks for letting us know,
Sincerely,
Sarah Waring
Program Manager
Council on the Future of Vermont
VCRD

Comment on Politics of Fear by Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:45:02 +0000

Hello Bill,

You may remember me as the operations director at Vermont Life. We spoke a few times while I was there. I’m now on my own as a strategy, marketing and Web publishing consultant to smaller and independent magazines.

I’m just writing to say how much I enjoy your commentaries on VPR, especially the recent one, Politics of Fear. Your ideas and words are consistently a very rare combination of probing inquiries into complex subjects and good old common sense.

I’m glad I have (after not finding a way to contact you from the VPR.net site) discovered your blog site. I’ll be checking it regularly.

Best wishes,
Andy Jackson (Montpelier)

Comment on Personal Responsibility by katie nubel

katie nubel — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 01:06:10 +0000

Hello,

Can I republish this on my site when it launches mid April?

-Katie

Comment on Health Care by Bil Schubart

Bil Schubart — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:18:51 +0000

I did not mean to imply that politicians would lead the rationing discussion, they will only respond to increasing public pressure and debut a system. I had hoped to convey that any discussion of how it will be deployed on their part would simply end their political career, as the underlying reality of a health care social safety net is too daunting for most politicians to address even though badly needed.

I am sad that our national arrogance does not allow us to cull best practices from some of the health care systems that work reasonably well around the world and to learn from their successes and failures as we design our own. Those of us accustomed to great health care quality and access will be shocked to find that a national system will not be “all things to all people.” But only those of us who are better off ever believed that anyway. Those with no access will be grateful for something.

I believe the biggest problem will be cultural. People in countries that have had systems for several decades know what to expect and what not to expect or possibly to insure for.

Comment on Health Care by Dick Mallary

Dick Mallary — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:51:44 +0000

I agree with youur fundamental premise; that the U.S. will end up with some sort of national health care system. And, I agree that it should require an agonizing discussion of priorities in the care that system delivers. I don’t agree, however, with your assumption that the politicians will have that discussion and then come to grips with it. What they are unlikely to do is to make an explicit decision as to what care the system will deliver and what care will be denied. The necessary rationing will be left to the administrators of the system who, confronted with inadequate funds to give everyone everything they want, will ration care by queueing, incovenience and underinvestment. It may eventually be better than what we have now, but it is unlikely to result in a rational allocation of limited funds to an unlimited desire.

Comment on Twist and Shout by Brian Doubleday

Brian Doubleday — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:47:41 +0000

Twist and Shout—My favorite of your stories. Was Chris the deviant Chris of the bisexual car he sold to you? Who are the other guys—was one a Lyford from Northfield.

And by the way, whenever I’ve retold this story, I’ve made it Christmas Eve. Didn’t know it was in the summer. Damn.

Comment on Death and Taxes by Kristal Marshall

Kristal Marshall — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 03:13:44 +0000

Hi…Thanks for the nice read, keep up the interesting posts..what a nice Wednesday . Kristal Marshall