AARP Vermont

We are headed into a critical election both nationally and locally; and voters deserve to know how candidates will lead. The future of Social Security needs to be a critical part of the debate for President. As for state level elections, if a candidate wants to be Governor, they should be able to tell us their plans to address transportation needs and the rising cost of our utilities. We need your help to ensure issues facing older adults are top of mind for our next Governor.

As the state gears up to elect its next governor, AARP is offering members a chance to meet the candidates and learn their positions on issues important to Vermonters age 50-plus. AARP will host an information and training session for those interested in talking with candidates about their plans to improve transportation infrastructure, for example, or to keep utilities affordable. Volunteers will facilitate discussions of key issues at town hall meetings and other events, or through social media. “This is a great chance to get involved in the race for governor without getting tangled in partisan politics,” said Greg Marchildon, AARP state director. The session will be held at the AARP state office, 199 Main St., Suite 225, in Burlington, on Friday, July 1, from 10 a.m to noon. Snacks will be provided.

As the state gears up to elect its next governor, AARP is offering members a chance to meet the candidates and learn their positions on issues important to Vermonters age 50-plus. AARP will host an information and training session for those interested in talking with candidates about their plans to improve transportation infrastructure, for example, or to keep utilities affordable. Volunteers will facilitate discussions of key issues at town hall meetings and other events, or through social media.

After an extensive review of several very qualified applicants, AARP Vermont has selected Bethel, VT to receive a $15,000 sponsorship aimed at a downtown revitalization demonstration project slated for late this summer. AARP, town officials and local groups will be collaborating with Team Better Block to implement the Community Demonstration Project -- an approach to revitalization that begins with temporarily transforming a single block into a vibrant destination that illustrates the potential for new business, safer streets and improved livability. Typically, cities and towns have used their Better Blocks to set up farmers’ markets, beer gardens, bookstores and fruit stands. They’ve built swings and climbing areas, set up trampolines and presented school plays, local dance troupes and open-mike musicians. They often lead to more permanent neighborhood improvements.

The CommYOUnity Tech Talk is a free event co-hosted by AARP Vermont, Small Dog Electronics, and Technology for Tomorrow that will provide community members with free tech training.

Do you want inspiration for how Burlington could make its streets safe for walking and biking -- for everyone, all year round? Join us for an evening with Betsy Hodges, the mayor of Minneapolis, who will share her city's work to bring walking and biking within reach for all her city's residents.

As part of its ongoing efforts to help consumers avoid falling victim to identity theft, AARP Vermont is holding “ Shred Fest 2016” – an event to provide free shredding of personal financial documents and other sensitive records.

Every 2 seconds someone's identity is stolen! Sadly, older Vermonters are being targeted in great numbers. AARP Vermont and the Fraud Watch Network are working across Vermont to give you information and tools to protect yourself and your family from these cons. Free informational forums are being offered to community groups, senior centers, libraries, residential facilities and other organizations upon request. If you are interested, contact Elliott Greenblott at 802-254-4489 or egreenblott@aarp.org.

“Everything is OK.” That seems to be the conclusion of the recent report and testimony by the Vermont Department of Public Service (DPS) in responding to a legislative order to study whether its advocacy unit is best representing ratepayers. Unfortunately, everything is not OK, and both their report and public comments, while defending the status quo, actually prove how they are failing at that mission. It shows that the DPS does not serve, in any fashion, as a ratepayer advocate. In fact, it sees its mission as being focused on promoting the “public good” rather than “ratepayer interests,” particularly residential and small commercial customer interests. When our public advocate backs the utility companies time after time, something is clearly wrong

Using small bits of information found in your car, or your mailbox, con artists can steal your identity and your life.