I am voting for Fred Baser and Valerie Mullin because they are both intelligent people with good experiences and common sense that I think will help turn things around in Montpelier.
The voting records and actions of Mike Fisher and Dave Sharpe are disappointing. These men have voted yes for every tax increase (including sales tax, gas tax and property tax), increase in miscellaneous fees or new tax that has come up for a vote.
A 4 percent increase in property taxes may not sound like much but it means an increase of 4 cents for every $100 of property value. For a $100,000 home, this means $400 yearly or $33 monthly. Last year it went up 5 percent, or $41.66 monthly. Add them together and that totals a $74.99 monthly increase in two years. It is very difficult for me to understand how millions and billions of dollars will affect me personally, but I do understand this.
Vermont Health Connect is another issue and this is a pet project of Mr. Fisher. Some like it, some don’t, but it is broken. It has already cost millions and millions of dollars. Who let this happen? The Green Mountain Care Board consists of only five people who answer to nobody. It was very clear to me Friday night that we are in a situation in which the people are not being listened to and somebody’s agenda is being pushed forward at all costs.
Mike Fisher (as were the other candidates present) was asked if he would support legislation that would put more choices in the hands of the people instead of the state and he did not give an answer. I took that as a no.
Lynn Dike
Bristol