The Backlash! - September 1997

Organization News - Parents and Children for Equality - Vermont listserv

Study of the Status
of
Parents and Children after Divorce

The Vermont Legislature has set up a Joint Committee to Study the Status of Parents and Children after Divorce.

The first meeting was held on Wednesday Sept. 10th at the state capitol building. Future meetings will be held:

October 1, 1997   at  9:30 a.m.
October 6, 1997         9:30 a.m.
October 20, 1997     9:30 a.m.
On October 20th there will be a statewide interactive TV session held with sites around the state.

The hours will be from 7 to 9 P.M.  For further information contact Ken Mahren

November  12, 1997  at 9:30 a.m.
December 8, 1997  at 9:30 a.m.

If you can it is VERY IMPORTANT that you attend as many of these meetings as you can. One of the questions raised at the first meeting was "is there really a problem with the current system. Does it really need to be changed". You can imagine how hard is was to bite my tongue at that one.

We MUST inform these legislators that there IS a problem with the current system....  it is IMPERATIVE to do so, and this is a excellent opportunity, one that may not come again...

What we can do

  1. Attend these meetings if you can.. show these legislators that there IS a problem that CANNOT be ignored.

  2. It is IMPERATIVE that you write/call to EACH of the legislators (list will follow). You can write the same letter to each.  Tell them your experience with the Vermont Family Court.  Tell them about your support of Joint Custody, if you feel that is a necessary change.  Tell them we need to change the family Court system to change the adversarial, incredibly destructive and costly system we now have.   Write strong but respectful letters.... Make a decision... do you want to spend thousands of dollars on lawyers or spend about $2:00 in postage and an hour of your time to write these letters....  to make changes to our Statues and Family Court. This is the way legislative changes happen...  but unless we SHOW that there is a NEED and support for changes IT JUST WONT HAPPEN!!

  3. Attend the statewide interactive TV hearings on October 20th, 7 to 9 p.m. in your area. Locations will be announced when available.

List of Legislators on COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE STATUS OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN AFTER DIVORCE.

Chairperson:
Cheryl M. Hooker,  (D)
11 Royce St., Rutland 05701
4432 775-5462

Sara Branon Kittell, (D)
RR 1, Fairfield 05455
827-3274
 
Richard J.McCormack,  (D)
RR 2, Box 124, Bethel 05032
234-5497

Helen S. Riehle,  (R)
1559 Hinesburg Rd., So. Burlington 05403
864-5460

Sally G. Fox,  (D)
21 Weed Rd., Essex Jct. 05452
879-6420

Elaine R. Alfano,  (D)
PO Box 93, East Calais 05650
456-8758

Judith Livingston,
PO Box 753, Manchester 05254
362-1949

Cathy Voyer, (R)
RR 3, Box 610, Morrisville 05661
888-7011

Everyone asks "What can I do".... Here is a chance to MAKE SOME REAL CHANGES in the way Vermont Family Court handles the issues of divorce and children.....

Now it's up to us all to come together. If we don't nothing will change.

Home Boutique Directory Links Definitions

The Backlash! is a feature of New Chivalry Press
Copyright © 1993 - 1997 by New Chivalry Press

Email to the Editor -- If you don't want it published in the "Email to the Editor" column, say so. Otherwise, it may be published.