Cordes, Olson will represent Democrats on ballot

Those filling out the Democratic ballot in Tuesday’s Addison-4 primary picked incumbent Rep. Mari Cordes of Bristol and Herb Olson of Starksboro to move on to the Nov. 5 general election, when residents of Bristol, Lincoln, Monkton and Starksboro will make a final decision on who will represent them in the Vermont House.

I hope you’ll consider voting for Herb Olson to serve in the Vermont House, representing Bristol, Lincoln, Monkton and Starksboro. I have known Herb as a neighbor, a friend and a partner on a variety of community development projects for past 40+ years.

We need legislators who will listen to, and advocate for rural, small-town voters. Herb is ready to bring a fresh perspective to the work that needs to happen in Montpelier, and will be a strong voice for Bristol, Monkton Starksboro and Lincoln.

Herb will keep the rural perspective front and foremost in the minds of legislators so that our towns will not be an afterthought when housing, education, health care, and the environment are being considered.

When we moved to the community 50 years ago, we were told we would be fine — as long as we pitched in. Community service creates our moral center, binding the individual and the community with each other.

I’m asking you to join me in voting for Herb Olsen for State Representative in The Democratic Primary. You can vote now or any day until Primary Election Day on August 13th.

Please support education for our children in Bristol, Monkton, New Haven and Starksboro by voting on June 11 for the new, proposed budget of the Mt. Abraham Unified School District.

Longtime lawyer Herb Olson spent a very memorable 15 years of his career (1987-2003) as a member of the Vermont Legislative Counsel, helping state lawmakers draft bills targeting healthcare, economic development, taxation and other weighty policy issues.

It was encouraging to hear board members at a recent meeting of the Mt. Abraham Unified School District express skepticism of the proposal to move 6th grade students to the Mt. Abe Middle School/High School.

The past several years have been traumatic for our Mount Abraham Unified School District educational community.

While we may disagree on solutions, we acknowledge our school districts face many difficult problems that are not easy to fix. 

There are better ways to improve education for all of our students and to prudently manage taxpayer dollars.

As the authors of an MAUSD facilities planning alternative proposal, we wanted to share some thoughts on recent letters expressing concern about the possibility of closing the Mt. Abe high school.First, we understand the shock and emotional pain. It is th … (read more)

BRISTOL — This fall, as a subcommittee of the Mount Abraham Unified School District board discussed which school-closure and other cost-saving options it should recommend to Superintendent Patrick Reen, Starksboro resident Herb Olson showed up to meeting … (read more)

Editor’s note: The writers sent this letter to the Mount Abraham Unified School District board and cc’d the Independent. Dear MAUSD School Board Members, It has become painfully clear that our district schools are in a tough place financially. We hear you … (read more)