Randolph Needs Accommodations

When the Planning And Zoning boards of Randolph think about Interstate Exit 4, I hope they think of visitor needs. If I have to help arrange for events in the Randolph area, one of the first questions asked is "What kind of motel accommodations can you offer?"

All I can do is stutter and say, "Well, there is a seasonal camp ground nearby and a resort type Inn down the road a few miles."

But what is close to the exit? There is a heavily used service station, a busy fast food restaurant, a limited use golf driving range, and a Vermont Highway Department garage. If you want a quality motel room at reasonable prices, you better head back down the road to Montpelier or White River Jct.--they are only about 20 or 30 miles away.

Why would anyone want a motel room in Randolph? Let’s start with the fantastic view from around the Interstate exit. People come for activities connected with the Vermont Technical College, the Vermont Veterans Cemetery, The Gifford Memorial Hospital, Chandler Music Hall, the Vermont Congregational Conference head-quarters, Porter Music Museum— the list goes on and on.

As a youth who grew up in Randolph and a life long resident of Vermont, I firmly believe that good planning must meet the needs of people as well as preserve the natural beauty of our state.

Fred Webster

Williston