I have been part of the Vermont dairy industry for my entire adult life, so it should not come as any surprise that I would strongly support one of my own. I hope you will join me on Nov. 6 in voting for Independents Marie Audet and Paul Ralston for Vermont Senate in the Addison District.
Marie and Paul are running a unique campaign in that they are running as a “ticket.” They promise to work in tandem and pull the rope in the same direction. How often have you heard, “I can’t get anything done because I can’t get anyone else to go along with my ideas?” Here we have an opportunity to send two like-minded people to Montpelier.
When contemplating who will receive my vote on Election Day, I have a very simple way of deciding my candidates of choice. I like to think of it as my ABCs.
A is for agriculture. Marie Audet is one of the most qualified candidates to advocate for dairy farming in Vermont that I have seen in a very long time. Her commitment to Vermont agriculture far surpasses anyone else in the arena. She has tirelessly devoted herself in worthwhile efforts to improve and protect the wellbeing of Vermont dairy farming.
B is for business. As a small business owner himself, Paul Ralston is no stranger to the challenges Vermont businesses face. Like our dairy producers and agribusinesses, Paul deals with the obstacles associated with running a business in the modern era. Marie and Paul both share an understanding of what it takes to get it done.
C is for community. Not only do business leaders like Marie and Paul provide decent jobs for our community, the money they and their employees spend goes back into our community and local economy. The strength of our community relies entirely on the strength of our local businesses. Just drive through a town where most of the Main Street businesses have closed up shop, and you will see what I mean. If you want to see community at its very best, go to the annual Breakfast on the Farm, which Marie’s Blue Spruce hosted last year. These events are an absolute shining example of our local dairy farms and businesses reaching out to the community to educate them about what they are all about. Marie and her family excelled at making the community feel welcomed and appreciated.
These are a few of my thoughts. Naturally, there are other issues that are important to me, just as I imagine there are other issues that are important to you. But I see agriculture, business, and community as being central to the future of Vermont, and that is why I support Audet and Ralston for Vermont Senate.
Bob Grim
General Manager
Feed Commodities International Inc.
Middlebury