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Moran urges Vermonters to go vote on Tuesday
Editor of the Reformer:
Tuesday, Aug. 28, marks the anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene. It is also primary day in Vermont.
We have come far in recovery from Irene, and yet, have much more to do. Our initial handling of the crisis, and the cooperation at the local, state and federal level, gave all of us good reason to be proud as Vermonters. Now, we need to revisit some of the original repairs to prepare for future challenges and we need to work with FEMA for the funding that we in good faith have planned upon. The governor will be conducting an anniversary tour and is expected in our area, Jamaica, Stratton and Wilmington, on Saturday, Aug. 25. One effort to raise money for those affected by the storm is the sale of "I AM VERMONT STRONG" license plates, which I have available for anyone who is interested.
We hold primary day in Vermont for political parties to select candidates for the general election in November. However, the closer we get to direct representation at the town or district level, the less partisan our politics become. I find constituent political preference less important than the issues that are brought forward, and I am proud to represent Democrats, Republicans, Progressives and Independents with their concerns in Montpelier. I would appreciate your support on Tuesday to continue as our state representative.
Please contact me to buy a license
State Rep. John Moran,
Dover, Readsboro, Searsburg,
Somerset, Stamford, Wardsboro
and Whitingham, Aug. 21
In support of Trieber, Partridge
Editor of the Reformer:
I am writing and asking you to vote for Carolyn Partridge and Matt Trieber in the primary election on Aug. 28. First of all, it’s extremely important to exercise this right and it’s extremely important to vote for people who can effect change in our state.
Carolyn has been our representative for more than 10 years and I know her personally. I would trust her with my life. Matt, I’ve known for only a few years. In fact, I encouraged him to first run for the Rockingham Selectboard because we needed some change and some "young blood" on our board. He’s still learning, but now has almost two years under his belt in Montpelier. Now is not the time to change horses in midstream.
As one of the Founding Mothers of Citizens for Participation in Rockingham, I love it when we have more than one choice at the polls. We must make a choice however, when we vote and can only vote for two to represent us from Windham-3. Please vote for Partridge/Trieber.
Ann C. DiBernardo,
Rockingham, Aug. 20
Questioning O’Connor
Editor of the Reformer:
Kate O’Connor and Tristan Toleno appeared on my show, "Live And Local," on three occasions discuss their candidacies for the District 3 House seat. Since Tristan is a friend, I made sure to tell Kate and the listeners that I was not without bias, but could still maintain proper neutrality. Whoever proved to be the better candidate would get my vote.
I was puzzled by Kate’s work in 2006 for Rich Tarrant’s failed run for U.S. Senate against Bernie Sanders. When asked about her role, she claimed she was merely helping Tarrant understand the needs of Democrats, as she repeated in her recent letter to the Reformer.
It struck me as odd that one would take a paid position with a campaign, yet not really work toward a victory. So I did a simple Internet search and found these (and other) Kate O’Connor quotations in the Reformer and the National Journal from February 2006:
"’It’s not the party that draws me to someone. It’s the person and what they believe in and their philosophy’ ... O’Connor said she valued Tarrant’s attitude, along with his political agenda, which focuses on health care, jobs and the economy ... ‘I was just really attracted to how (Tarrant) thinks we should run government.’"
"I’m working for the person who I believe will best represent Vermonters in the Senate. I’ll always be a Democrat, but at the same time I think it’s important to put our country before party politics."
I e-mailed Kate, asking her to reconcile these contradictory positions. What I got back was a cursory response to one quotation, and then she came after me. She CC’d her e-mail to my boss at WKVT and asked if it was "the policy of WKVT to allow employees to invite community members onto its programs without telling them in advance about any conflicts of interest they should know about?" And also if my "charge that I’m ‘lying’ the official position of WKVT? (If so, I ask for the name of the appropriate manager for me to contact at Saga Communications.)"
Kate was told multiple times of my friendship with Tristan. As for WKVT’s position: My words are my own, reflecting no one but me.
Instead of answering a legitimate inquiry into her public statements, Kate went after the questioner. It’s one thing to "cross party lines." It’s entirely another to contradict oneself, be called on it, and then attack the messenger.
Knowing this information yet also being Tristan’s friend, did that mean my inquiries were biased? I’ll tell you where I’m biased. I love Brattleboro. I have been talking to it, with it, about it for six years on my show. I cannot silently watch as representation of Brattleboro could go to someone who I believe has not been candid about her judgment and behavior.
I suspect Kate probably hoped no one would remember Tarrant. Since the district she seeks to represent went 15 percent Tarrant, 83 percent Sanders, I can see how awkward it would be to ask those 83 percent for their votes.
Steve West,
Brattleboro, Aug. 21
In support of Toleno
Editor of the Reformer:
I represented District 2 for eight years in the Vermont Statehouse and I know first hand how the Legislature works. I’ve been watching the race between Kate O’Connor and Tristan Toleno for the District 3 House seat. It’s important to remember that the Legislature is different from the governor’s office. Kate was hired to help Governor Howard Dean with his agenda. Members of the House are elected to serve their districts and they have thousands of "bosses," not one.
A big part of the recent Reformer profile of the race ("O’Connor, Toleno battle for Dist. 3 House seat," Aug. 18-19) is about their different experiences and what they’ll bring to Montpelier. Tristan talks about his long involvement in the community as an employer and in a wide range of volunteer activities. Kate focuses on her big role in the executive branch of government as an important aide to Dean.
My experience tells me that the winner of the primary will be a freshman legislator when they walk in the door. What I think matters most is knowing Brattleboro, having high energy and intelligence, working hard, listening and an ability to get along with and work with others.
In Vermont the ideal is citizen legislators whose sole interest is the well-being of their district and the state. I know Tristan and I believe he is running for the right reasons and will serve Brattleboro well.
Daryl Pillsbury,
Brattleboro, Aug. 21
Support for O’Connor
Editor of the Reformer:
It is with great pleasure that I write this unsolicited letter of support for Ms. Kate O’Connor for election to the Vermont House of Representatives. I had the pleasure of serving the people of Brattleboro from 1994 to 2000. During that time, Brattleboro had two members of Governor Howard Dean’s administration that were invaluable: Julie Peterson and Kate O’Connor served as members of the Governors Cabinet.
Now that Kate is seeking election I can think of no one better to serve the people of her district. She will bring a world of experience to the position. She served "under the Statehouse dome" for more than 10 years already as a senior staff member. That experience alone makes her well qualified.
As a person, Kate shows compassion and caring. Her devotion to service of the people of Vermont goes beyond political boundaries. I found each time I went to Kate with a need or concern she was there to assist. She never asked the political party of the constituent. She was there to serve all Vermonters regardless of their personal views.
Kate O’Connor never let me down and never let the people of the state down.
As our state struggles with the continuing post-Irene issues we need a seasoned person in Montpelier representing the interests of southern Vermont. She is a person of dedicated personal and fiscal responsibility. Kate O’Connor is the right person and the right time to be serving in the legislature.
Gordon E. Bristol,
Williamsville, Aug. 21
