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In the following edition of The Herald, BBA member Peter Nikolaidis replied with a letter of his own agreeing with White's observations and suggesting that they meet at the BBA to compile a list of existing committees, their members, and their missions, in order to follow up with steps towards better coordination. Nikolaidis also noted the potential of Bethel’s new website as a clearinghouse for such information, including meeting agendas and minutes.

When White and Nikolaidis did indeed get together at a BBA meeting, they mapped out their strategy for contacting local organizations and committees to coordinate their efforts. An unspoken point is that Nikolaidis is widely perceived as a Republican, while White is chair of Bethel’s Democratic town committee. Each insists that efforts to improve the town’s situation do not lend themselves to politics or ideology. Both have expressed their hope that their attempt to infuse some energy into Bethel, being a collaborative effort, will remove suspicion of political motives.

The impetus to their initiative may have come in part from the knowledge that Bethel is struggling to stay afloat financially, and also from a growing sense of stagnation among the residents. At the recent town meeting the point was made that citizens who want to see more varied input to town policies are free to attend and participate in meetings of the various town committees, but that they usually don’t.

Selectboard chair Neal Fox, a BBA member who was present at the March 2 BBA meeting later commented, "This is a good beginning. The selectboard is more than willing to see citizens get together to do something positive."

1. To elect a Moderator for the year ensuing. Carroll Ketchum
2. To elect a Town Clerk for the year ensuing. Jean Burnham
3. To hear the report of the Auditors and take action thereon. Accepted
4. To elect a Town Treasurer for the year ensuing. Jean Burnham
5. To elect by ballot, a Selectman for a term of three years to succeed Eric Benson whose term expires. Eric Benson
6. To elect by ballot, a Lister for a term of three years to succeed Louise Ferris-Burt whose term expires. Louise Ferris-Burt
7. To elect by ballot, an Auditor for a term of three years to succeed Louise Ferris-Burt whose term expires. Michelle Washburn
8. To elect one or more Grand Jurors. Kent Batchellor
9. To elect an Agent to prosecute and defent suits in which the Town is interested. Debra Leahy
10. To elect a Trustee of Public Funds under Section 24, VSA for a term of three years to succeed Carroll F. Ketchum whose term expires. Carroll F. Ketchum
11. To see if the voters of the Town of Bethel will vote a sum of money to defray Highway and General expenses for the year ensuing. Recommended: $650,015.54 $675,015.54 Approved
12. To see if the Town will appropriate, using the cap given by the Selectboard, the sum of $13,035.00 for support of local Human Services Agencies. Approved
13. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $750.00 to support the work of the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Approved
14. To see if the Town will appropriate $61,051.00 to continue service provided by the White River Valley Ambulance, Inc. Approved
15. To see if the Town will collect Town taxes on real property in one (1) installment being due on July 15, 2005 and Town School District Taxes in 2 equal installments due September 15 and November 15, 2005. Approved
16. To see if the Town will vote to exempt the property of the Middle Branch Grange in the Village of East Bethel from both municipal and education taxes for a period of five (5) years. Approved
17. To see if the Town will, in accordnace with 24 VSA 1683(c), establish its fiscal year to end on June 30. Approved
18. Shall the Town of Bethel vote to add two more members to the Selectboard for the term of two years. Rejected
19. Shall the voters of the Town of Bethel vote to approve the resolution concerning the war in Iraq and the deployment of members of the Vermont National Guard in that war, as attached to the petition and incorporated herin by reference, and then send a copy of the resolution to Vermont's state and federal office holders? (A copy of the full resolution can be viewed at http://iraqresolution.org) or at the Town Clerk's office). Approved, with modifications
20. To do any other necessary and proper business in connection with the foregoing articles, and to discuss a pending bond vote for the local share of costs associated with the replacement of the Church Street Bridge.

You can download the 2004 Town Report here.