CCV students talk mental health, debt with Sen. Sanders

BY OLIVIA CONTI Community News Service

While awaiting the arrival of Sen. Bernie Sanders in Winooski, people’s eyes were cast down scrolling on their phones. When he arrived, heads turned in undivided attention as he took strides to the front of the room.

On Friday, April 28, the Community College of Vermont held a town meeting on its Winooski campus with Sanders. Community members eagerly gathered to voice an array of concerns to the senator, including student debt, substance abuse/addiction and healthcare. Almost every chair in the room was filled. This meeting was an open discussion to voice and listen to each other’s personal experiences for the senator to bring back to Washington.

Opening the meeting, Sanders said, “What is going on in your lives economically … What would you like to see the govern-