Reigning Hope
BENNINGTON CANDIDATES
From the Oct. 24, 2024, Manchester Journal - click here
Steven Berry
(I)My early development as a minister in Eden and North Hyde Park, Vermont in the 1970s, gave me a solid foundation to subsequently manage larger organizations like the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles - a 1,000-member congregation ($7 million budget). Serving as Senior Minister, I also led 500 ethnically diverse K-12 students at our Pilgrim School and expanded our Cedar Lake Camp and partnerships with the LAPD, USC Emeriti College, and Habitat for Humanity, where I worked with founder Millard Fuller and President Jimmy Carter. I’ve also served on several boards, including the LA Mission, receiving awards for my work in homelessness and affordability. Today I'm working to preserve the 1786 Rupert Meetinghouse and other meetinghouses in Vermont, and have designed a blueprint for preserving others around the state. Prior to serving in the Vermont General Assembly in 2014-16, I led Vermont to become the first state in the nation to oppose Citizens United.
CRIME
In recent years, the converging national crises of opiate addiction, homelessness and immigration have all been exacerbated by external factors beyond our control. Within our control: better training for police officers (especially mental health), stronger sentencing practices, and lessening regulations around homeless shelters. Health is also key: the lack of attention to it nationally is a systemic cause that I address throughout communities in Vermont.
HOUSING
Recent efforts to reform Act 250 need to honor rural Vermonters, and the bitter politics around the issue need to stop. One policy to address the shortage of ~30,000 housing units that we need that might also preserve rural heritage is to create better incentives to build housing, and relax regulations and lessen permit fees. Creating partnerships between private contractors and vocational tech centers could also help the school-to-work pipeline to address the lack of qualified tradesmen; and a well-organized program around tiny house building would enhance Vermont's housing stock significantly.
AFFORDABILITY
Prior to the recent slate of tax and fee increases imposed upon us by the Legislature, the gap between Vermont's cost of living and the average income was already -$7,500, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. As a result, we are starting to see the exodus of the middle class. We need to create a livable wage! We need to shift our priorities away from social issues to fiscal responsibility, and repeal some of the Supermajority's recent bills which are exploding our costs.
I would like to enact policies that would safeguard our state, and bolster citizen engagement: 1) Ensure Town Meeting/local autonomy is preserved/strengthened through referenda to declare Town Meeting Day a State Holiday; 2) Allow voters to allocate a % of their taxes to issue areas of importance to them; 3) Create specific tax credits and expand partnerships between small farmers and civic organizations like schools & hospitals to ensure cost-effective ways for healthy Vermont produce remain within the state's economy; 4) Adapt our meetinghouses to create wellness centers around the state; and 5) Implement my program "My State is Great" in all Vermont schools to celebrate what we love about where we live.
Steven Berry
(I)My early development as a minister in Eden and North Hyde Park, Vermont in the 1970s, gave me a solid foundation to subsequently manage larger organizations like the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles - a 1,000-member congregation ($7 million budget). Serving as Senior Minister, I also led 500 ethnically diverse K-12 students at our Pilgrim School and expanded our Cedar Lake Camp and partnerships with the LAPD, USC Emeriti College, and Habitat for Humanity, where I worked with founder Millard Fuller and President Jimmy Carter. I’ve also served on several boards, including the LA Mission, receiving awards for my work in homelessness and affordability. Today I'm working to preserve the 1786 Rupert Meetinghouse and other meetinghouses in Vermont, and have designed a blueprint for preserving others around the state. Prior to serving in the Vermont General Assembly in 2014-16, I led Vermont to become the first state in the nation to oppose Citizens United.
CRIME
In recent years, the converging national crises of opiate addiction, homelessness and immigration have all been exacerbated by external factors beyond our control. Within our control: better training for police officers (especially mental health), stronger sentencing practices, and lessening regulations around homeless shelters. Health is also key: the lack of attention to it nationally is a systemic cause that I address throughout communities in Vermont.
HOUSING
Recent efforts to reform Act 250 need to honor rural Vermonters, and the bitter politics around the issue need to stop. One policy to address the shortage of ~30,000 housing units that we need that might also preserve rural heritage is to create better incentives to build housing, and relax regulations and lessen permit fees. Creating partnerships between private contractors and vocational tech centers could also help the school-to-work pipeline to address the lack of qualified tradesmen; and a well-organized program around tiny house building would enhance Vermont's housing stock significantly.
AFFORDABILITY
Prior to the recent slate of tax and fee increases imposed upon us by the Legislature, the gap between Vermont's cost of living and the average income was already -$7,500, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. As a result, we are starting to see the exodus of the middle class. We need to create a livable wage! We need to shift our priorities away from social issues to fiscal responsibility, and repeal some of the Supermajority's recent bills which are exploding our costs.
I would like to enact policies that would safeguard our state, and bolster citizen engagement: 1) Ensure Town Meeting/local autonomy is preserved/strengthened through referenda to declare Town Meeting Day a State Holiday; 2) Allow voters to allocate a % of their taxes to issue areas of importance to them; 3) Create specific tax credits and expand partnerships between small farmers and civic organizations like schools & hospitals to ensure cost-effective ways for healthy Vermont produce remain within the state's economy; 4) Adapt our meetinghouses to create wellness centers around the state; and 5) Implement my program "My State is Great" in all Vermont schools to celebrate what we love about where we live.
Cynthia Browning
File photoCynthia Browning (I)I have the skills and experience to make Vermont’s government more effective and more equitable. I have developed a basic understanding of Vermont’s spending patterns and system of taxation that will allow me to critically evaluate reform proposals from others and to develop proposals of my own. I served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 2007 to 2020, serving on the tax committee and one of the spending committees. I have served on the Arlington Select Board for twenty years. I know the problems of our towns, I know the Legislature. I have a Ph.D. in Economics, and I know how to analyze reports and proposals. I can provide oversight of government operations that will keep agencies and programs accountable.
CRIME
There are three ways to keep our communities safe. We need to provide sufficient resources to law enforcement. We need to ensure that our judicial system and correctional institutions can hold those who commit crimes fully accountable while still providing opportunities for rehabilitation and restorative justice. And we need to work harder to ensure that Vermonters with substance abuse or mental health problems get the treatment and support that they need, since some offenders struggle with such disorders.
HOUSING
In the long run we need more permanent housing – apartments and workforce housing. Any available state resources and all regulations should be oriented towards supporting and encouraging new construction and renovation of existing buildings. In the short run it may be useful to re-design some housing support programs to encourage larger households, which would increase density of use.
AFFORDABILITY
Education: Education property taxes are too high. The state has been using the Education Fund to cover the costs of non-education programs, amounting to about $200 million or about 20 cents on the education property tax rate. This must stop. The education finance system must also be reformed to deliver better cost control in an effective and equitable way.
Energy: We must undertake a balanced and pragmatic approach to energy issues that does not unduly burden Vermonters who can least afford it. We should stress conservation, increased efficiency, and increased use of renewable energy
Health Care: While Vermont has made progress in expanding insurance coverage, health care costs continue to grow quickly for many reasons. I would like to work towards the reduction of administrative costs at all stages of the provision of health care.
The slogan of “Vermont Strong” has been used to capture our spirit and our resilience as we face challenging conditions. I would like to expand its meaning to incorporate strength in the broadest possible way: strength from the health of individual Vermonters, the health of our communities, the health of our environment and natural resources, and the health of our economy. The challenge is to design and implement state programs that can guide and support us as we work to achieve such strength and health together. I believe I could make a contribution towards meeting that challenge.
Joe Gervais
For more go to the candidate's website.
Joe Gervais (R)Vermonters need a Senator that will listen and understand their needs. As a missionary, I worked with a wide spectrum of people across many cultures, working carefully to understand them, work with them, and not force my will or plans on them. As a product manager, I honed these skills - gathering customer requirements and working with engineering to building cost effective solutions for the customer while driving company profitability. Legislature needs to operate similarly, understanding Vermonters' needs and ensuring legislation meets those needs. Today, special interests frequently override Vermonters.
Crime will require multifaceted solutions. The Judiciary must be fixed so violent criminals aren’t immediately back on the streets. The flow of Fentanyl and other dangerous drugs into Vermont must be stopped. Mental health needs to be addressed. Finally, we need to support effective peer-based addiction recovery programs.
Vermont’s housing crisis has been growing since the passage of Act 250. Overregulation makes it increasingly difficult and expensive to build in Vermont. The recent Act 181 authored by my opponent further restricts building in over 90% of the state. As Governor Scott has proposed, these regulations must be reduced, and laws and regulations that discourage long term rentals fixed. When building a simple apartment over a garage in Bennington costs $500 a square foot, costs are out of control.
There are several huge drivers to the affordability crisis in Vermont, much of it entangled with overregulation. Massive climate legislation has been passed over the governor’s veto over the past ten years, with no understanding or regard to the cost. These unaffordable climate mandates, coupled with provisions giving anyone standing to sue the state when mandates aren’t met must be removed. Vermonters can’t afford a massive, forced transition to solar and wind power, electric cars, and heat pump based thermal solutions. These programs become a massive regressive tax on those least able to afford it. The largest data center providers have realized that the solar, wind and battery technology cannot support their new AI data centers and have contracted for nuclear power in recent weeks. A reset from mandates to a market driven transition based on achievable goals, while simultaneously investing in climate resiliency is better Vermont policy. An environmental policy refocused on local Vermont issues like forever chemicals polluting our soils and waters is more pragmatic.
Just as special interests have driven Vermont’s climate agenda and the corresponding affordability issues, they are driving the ballooning education costs. The Commission on the Future of Public Education is yet another group commissioned to study solving our education crisis, yet stacked by special interests focused on preserving, if not increasing their slice of the pie. A first priority is eliminating waste in all areas outside of direct instruction to reduce education cost. The constitutional value of frugality needs to return to the legislative process.
If the next legislature is successful in addressing these points, we will have fulfilled the promises of the Vermont Republicans GET REAL campaign. This starts with electing Vermont Republicans.
Robert Plunkett
Manchester Journal file photoRob Plunkett (D)As a nearly lifelong resident of Bennington, I bring a deep understanding of our community's needs and how the town has evolved. My 17 years as a prosecutor in Bennington County gives me a unique perspective on the entire county, and how much its needs have changed in just the past decade. I also have extensive legal experience and a thorough grasp of Vermont's justice system and, in particular, criminal and juvenile justice issues.
Running a successful write-in campaign for the primary demonstrated my ability to connect with voters, understand their concerns, and showed the support I have from so many who have known me and worked with me throughout my life. My nearly two decades of experience advocating for the interests of Bennington County, have prepared me to represent the Bennington District in the Senate.
With my roots in the community and dedication to public service, I am ready to address the unique needs and priorities of our region and ensure that our voices are heard in Montpelier.
I've seen firsthand how crime, housing instability, and affordability issues are interconnected, so we need a comprehensive approach that prioritizes safety, expands access to affordable housing, and supports working families.
We need continued commitment to community policing and an increased emphasis on programs that address addiction, mental health, and housing instability before they become an issue for the justice system. A preventative approach, combining outreach, empathy, and accountability can keep our communities safe and secure.
To address the housing crisis, I’m supportive of the steps taken to reduce regulatory barriers, but I also support increasing funding and incentives for affordable housing development and rehabilitating existing homes. I don’t see a solution without a thoughtful balancing of lesser regulation, subsidies, and property tax reform.
Expanding access to affordable quality childcare and reducing healthcare and education costs will be critical to address affordability overall. However, we must balance these investments with responsible budgeting and sustainable revenue sources, so our middle class does not keep getting squeezed. I will work collaboratively in Montpelier to find common sense solutions that make Vermont a more affordable place to live and work.
Vermont faces challenges with the vitality of our downtowns, economic pressures on working families, and a far greater impact of climate change than certainly I expected.
I'll fight for policies that support our small businesses, promote downtown revitalization, and develop our workforce. I'll advocate for environmental responsibility, including climate resilience measures to protect our towns, and a thoughtfully implemented clean heat standard.
To lift up working families, I'll help rework our healthcare funding system, and continue to expand access to quality childcare. Our education property tax system needs to be overhauled, and it needs to be done now, and not just pushed down the road again and again. I know we can build the partnerships we need to overcome these challenges and build a brighter future.
Lawrence "Spike" Whitmire.
File photoSpike Whitmire (R)I am a 52-year-old husband, father, and grandfather who loves Vermont. For thirty years, I've worked as a local businessman in the housing industry. As a community servant, I have worked for the past 25 years at our local soup kitchen feeding and encouraging the disadvantaged and homeless with a "hand-up approach." I founded and directed Promised Land camp and a local teen center for area youth and spent over 10 years volunteering with the Department of Corrections helping recently-released inmates re-enter society. My family has hosted eight foreign exchange students from several different countries in the past years and have valued the beauty and benefits of multicultural and diverse communities. I have been the school board president of a local private school for the past six years. I am now hoping to represent the Bennington District as a Vermont State Senator.
This is my promise: if you will vote for me, there will be no more surprises coming out of Montpelier. I will post on my website what is being debated and voted on every week and you will have a chance to voice your opinion there before votes are cast, in order that I may represent the will of the people accurately.
As your State Senator, I will put party politics aside and work for all Vermonters. I will bring transparency and fiscal discipline to the state senate by reducing wasteful spending which will help lower property taxes. I will work hard to find partisan solutions to reduce the cost of education while maintaining the highest educational standards for Vermont's children. For example, I will look to save Vermonters $75 million per year by consolidating supervisory unions and reducing excessive administrative positions in school districts. I will support law
enforcement with the resources they need to help make Vermont's communities feel safe again. I will seek to tighten laws that enable prosecutors to make deals with criminals which allow them to be released back into our communities. I am committed to finding ways to lower rental costs and to make home ownership attainable for more Vermonters, as well as working to make sure that quality childcare is available for all working Vermonters. In addition, while remaining environmentally sensitive, we must reduce unnecessary regulations which will, in turn, encourage new business growth to help revive Vermont's economy.
I love Vermont and I want my children and grandchildren to live here and enjoy Vermont too. We must make Vermont affordable again. Together, we can find practical solutions for effective, efficient government. Contact me at www.spikewhitmire.com.
File photoSpike Whitmire (R)I am a 52-year-old husband, father, and grandfather who loves Vermont. For thirty years, I've worked as a local businessman in the housing industry. As a community servant, I have worked for the past 25 years at our local soup kitchen feeding and encouraging the disadvantaged and homeless with a "hand-up approach." I founded and directed Promised Land camp and a local teen center for area youth and spent over 10 years volunteering with the Department of Corrections helping recently-released inmates re-enter society. My family has hosted eight foreign exchange students from several different countries in the past years and have valued the beauty and benefits of multicultural and diverse communities. I have been the school board president of a local private school for the past six years. I am now hoping to represent the Bennington District as a Vermont State Senator.
This is my promise: if you will vote for me, there will be no more surprises coming out of Montpelier. I will post on my website what is being debated and voted on every week and you will have a chance to voice your opinion there before votes are cast, in order that I may represent the will of the people accurately.
As your State Senator, I will put party politics aside and work for all Vermonters. I will bring transparency and fiscal discipline to the state senate by reducing wasteful spending which will help lower property taxes. I will work hard to find partisan solutions to reduce the cost of education while maintaining the highest educational standards for Vermont's children. For example, I will look to save Vermonters $75 million per year by consolidating supervisory unions and reducing excessive administrative positions in school districts. I will support law
enforcement with the resources they need to help make Vermont's communities feel safe again. I will seek to tighten laws that enable prosecutors to make deals with criminals which allow them to be released back into our communities. I am committed to finding ways to lower rental costs and to make home ownership attainable for more Vermonters, as well as working to make sure that quality childcare is available for all working Vermonters. In addition, while remaining environmentally sensitive, we must reduce unnecessary regulations which will, in turn, encourage new business growth to help revive Vermont's economy.
I love Vermont and I want my children and grandchildren to live here and enjoy Vermont too. We must make Vermont affordable again. Together, we can find practical solutions for effective, efficient government. Contact me at www.spikewhitmire.com.
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