PETITION DRIVE 2006

NOTE: On Jan. 24, 2007, the 2006 petition drive officially ended. 550 signatures from eight counties were gathered: ADDISON, CALEDONIA, CHITTENDEN, GRAND ISLE, LAMOILLE, ORANGE, WASHINGTON & WINDSOR. Thank you to all on-location volunteers and individuals for your efforts! Petitions were presented by Rep. Carol Hosford to the Natural Resources and Energy comm. at a hearing for H.58 on Feb. 8, 2007. Petitions were also presented by Sen. Harold Giard to the Education comm. at a hearing for S.13 on Feb. 9, 2007.

ON-LOCATION EFFORTS

AUGUST 16: ADDISON COUNTY: IDLE-FREE VT PETITION DRIVE GETS UNDER WAY
At the Bristol town green Farmer's Market, 30 signatures were collected in two and a half hours by Wayne Michaud. It was most effective to discuss how school bus idling effects children. Also, several people were informed about the restart after 10 seconds of idling fact, and the 30 second max. warm up period. Some people asked how an idle-reduction law could be enforced. It was stated that people observing buses or trucks idling at length could report it to police. And that the enforcement of idling could grow to be an equivalent of the "Click It or Ticket" safety belt use awareness campaign.

AUGUST 26: ADDISON COUNTY: VERGENNES DAY
It was a perfect day to gather signatures right across from all the festivities on the Vergennes town green. In two and a half hours, 74 signatures were collected by Wayne Michaud--a mix of well-informed and some that learned about the issue. The highlight was an enthusiastic visit by House candidate (Addison-3 district) Liz Markowski who was making the rounds. She intends to be an active participant in the Idle-Free VT campaign.

SEPTEMBER 16: CHITTENDEN COUNTY
Local Motion--a non-profit organization with a mission to make the Greater Burlington area a better place to walk, bike, run and skate--generously allowed Idle-Free VT to gather signatures outside their facility along the Burlington Bike Path. Although it was a challenge seeking to make contact with the faster moving bike path users--and about half were not Vermonters--it still was a worthwhile effort (and a stunning afternoon) with about 37 signatures gathered by Wayne Michaud, and a couple of useful contacts made.

SEPTEMBER 24: WASHINGTON COUNTY: MAD RIVER GREEN FARMER'S MARKET
Oorganizers of this seasonal weekly Saturday event in Waitsfield encouraged Idle-Free VT to petition. Conditions were not ideal due to the weather (only a provided patio umbrella enabled petitioning in a steady light rain), and that a good 70% of the light crowd were out-of-staters. 29 signatures were gathered by Wayne Michaud. A special awareness was achieved when a Massachusetts visitor complained about extended truck idling outside her company's business. Upon learning that MA has an idle-reduction law, she couldn't wait to confront the situation.

SEPTEMBER 30: LAMOILLE COUNTY: MORRISVILLE FARMER'S MARKET
30 signatures were gathered in two hours by David Polow. Overall reaction was good with a general feeling that exposure in the mass media, and legislative enactment are the best ways to affect behavioral change in idling habits.

OCTOBER 7: ADDISON COUNTY: "WOOFSTOCK" & CANNON PARK, MIDDLEBURY
29 signatures were gathered in three hours by Wayne Michaud in a combined effort in Middlebury at the Addison County Humane Society's Woofstock event and then at Cannon Park. It is the height of tourist season and a good 75% of the people encountered were out-of-staters. Many cars passing by had curious passengers looking at the IDLE-FREE VT sign and logo display.

OCTOBER 14: CHITTENDEN COUNTY: LANTMAN'S IGA MARKET, HINESBURG
The folks at Lantman's IGA Market in Hinesburg were most gracious in allowing permission to petition right outside the front entrance. Although gusty winds presented a challenge, many food shoppers streamed by and 66 signatures were gathered in 3.5 hours by Wayne Michaud.

DECEMBER 6: CHITTENDEN COUNTY: BURLINGTON LEGACY PROJECT
An unexpected opportunity to petition once more! The Legacy Project took place in the Contois Auditorium of Burlington City Hall. Approx. 200 people participated in a community dinner, and presentation and discussion on transportation solutions for Burlington. Idling was on the agenda. Stephanie Clark, AmericorpVISTA volunteer and one of the event coordinators, invited Wayne Michaud to seek petition signatures. A very successful haul of more than 70 signatures (including Burlington's Mayor, Bob Kiss) were gathered.