About the video:
During the Vital Economies consulting firm’s process which helped to establish some of the goals and action plans for SEVEDs we had a very long discussion about “Advertising the Worst Case” scenario. This video was scripted following that meeting in an effort to demonstrate the worst case to the group as to what happens if some of the existing trends, identified by the raw data collected in their efforts, continued.
The purpose of this was originally to draw the Board’s attention to the issues and facilitate dialogue, and thereby action by exaggerating them. It was not designed as a promotional video.
This as a “worst-case scenario”….or what we’re trying to avoid.
Jane is certainly not a good spokesperson that any of us here in SE VT want. She does however say a great deal of what we DON’T want to hear.
I found this film to be offensive toward our town and our Selectboard who gave this organization twenty five thousand dollars to promote work force development.
This prodution portrays a community where the needs of retired people are pitted against young people, rather than demonstrating to potential employers that we are a community united in seeking better opportunities for employers and employees especially in educational, agricultural, art, medical, solar and green energy, food distribution, lumbering and more.
We are an array of innovative people seeking solutions through SIT, Slow Living Summit, Post Oil Solutions, Farmers Markets and more.
We are an economically viable community that needs improvement in job preparation/creation rather than sending out a video that indicates our Selectboard and people are out of touch. Your organization needs to bring people together rather than in creating cartoons that are devisive, and could scare potential employeers away.
In addition Retirement opportunites to serve others and be assisted ourselves is an economic opportunity for this community that brings in viable people who want the best possible life style for young people also. We are an asset, and a possible economic opportunity for this community as we age and need other services for which we will want to create a more justly paid and educated service orientated workforce.
This is a supportive video for the Keene Chamber of Commerce but hardly our town. It is possible to realize the difficulty with the economic situation for young people here without negating the town or selectboard. Putting money and effort into proving times are hard, or blaming others (selectboard or subtle reference to retired folks) is counter productive, unless the goal is to just prove how bad things are in order to get more money for the organization to groan and moan rather than providing community building/business building so that together we have as much solutions as are possible. Keene as an example negates the Slow Summit and Post Oil Solutions that should be proudly proclaimed rather than ignored in the video.
Suggestion: Work with the forward thinking positive elements here so that our children can find meaningful lives and employment in a community in which the old models no longer work nationally or locally. Expand your base to include listening to and appreciating those people who have found and seek new ways of economic development and meaningful lifestyle. Support and Proclaim them, and thank the Selectboard and citizens of Brattleboro for giving you the twenty five thousand dollars. Now prove to them that you are a viable organization that finds solutions and community building rather than making cartoon videos of this kind.
There are some not inconsiderable comments about this video on the iBrattleboro.com website, viz,
http://www.ibrattleboro.com/article.php/20120621120822667#comments
Though I think the clip’s intentions are good, there’s a problem: The clip pits art galleries and jazz on the commons against finding ways for young people to be employed in our county. It pits retirees against young people. It suggests, if indirectly, that the solution for Windham County is to become Keene, NH. Brattleboro’s own identity is part of what attracts people to our area, as both residents and as visitors. For many reasons, Brattleboro and Windham County couldn’t become Keene if we wanted to and a great many people in the area are here because of what the area offers that’s different.
There’s no disputing the key point that our population is aging (Well, I certainly hope to keep aging myself; the alternative is definitely less appealing!). It’s an unfortunate reality that there are limited opportunities for young adults, especially with regard to employment. But the (hopefully inadvertent) dichotomy in the animation implies that the “negative” examples in the clip — retirees, arts, and music — are the cause of the problem. in fact, many young people get a lot out of the artistic and musical life of Windham County, including some employment. And the maintenance of retiree homes is a still more significant source of employment for many young people. Those these may not “solve” the problem, it’s simply wrong to imply they’re the cause.
There is no doubt that our area needs to be sustainable for all — young and old, art-related and non-art-related activity. Information, as the clip mentions, is important, but painting selectpersons’ ignorance as another “cause” is misplaced. While I’m sure many elected officials are less informed than they should be, they (well, “we,” since I would have admit, if forced to under oath, that I am an elected municipal official) have a keen awareness of the problems, but a far less clear sense of what to do about it.
The information and analysis that SeVEDS provides is potentially extremely valuable in drawing attention to some of our area’s more intractable problems (problems which, btw, are common to many communities across the U.S.), such as the dearth of career opportunities for young people. But I do think more care should be taken in defining alternative strategies rather than set up dichotomies that play off stereotypes of some our citizens.
I do imagine that this is not the intent of the animation, but, honestly, I’m not sure. I also don’t accept, btw, the argument that anything that raises controversy and upsets folks is good because it stimulates discussion. Let’s see some potential solutions proposed rather than take pot shots at some easy targets.
I find it interesting that your disclaimer/explanation was placed after the dates of community comments which were posted in ibrattleboro and here on your website.
To anyone reading your disclaimer, it would seem that the people who responded to the video did not understand/ acknowledge your clear intent as stated prior to the video. It would seem that they missed the point because they did not comprehend what you stated you were doing.
. I find that your disclaimer placed without date, or explanation that it was placed later as a result of community members’ concern (here and i-brattleboro) is somewhat misleading to future readers.
In addition, even with your disclaimer, and realizing your intent, I find that there are more productive/creative/fair and community- enhancing methods of presenting the situation than this paticular “Worse case” scenario tactic