Getting ‘Stern’ with Vermonters

When Keith Stern’s great-granddaughter was born earlier this year, the North Springfield man held her in his arms and realized that he worried what kind of world she had just entered.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100817/NEWS02/708179867

Published August 17, 2010 in the Rutland Herald

Getting ‘Stern’ with Vermonters

By Daniel Barlow
Vermont Press Bureau

MONTPELIER – When Keith Stern’s great-granddaughter was born earlier this year, the Springfield man held her in his arms and realized that he worried what kind of world she had just entered.

“The country is continuing to lose jobs,” said Stern, one of three Vermont Republicans in the primary to challenge Democratic U.S. Rep. Peter Welch. “The debt is piling up as the federal government spends our money. I’m really worried.”

Stern, 55, is the owner of Stern’s Quality Produce, a small grocery store in White River Junction, who has aimed high for elected office in the past, such as running as an independent against U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy in 2004 and against Welch previously in 2006.

Born in Springfield in 1955, Stern was one of six children in his family and began working at a family vegetable stand with an older brother. That stand blossomed into a family business that Stern has operated for 26 years in White River Junction.

Stern took classes at the University of Vermont and later got a general studies degree from Johnston State College. Running the grocery store with his wife, Judy, is more than a full-time job. But Stern said he saw running against Welch as a priority for him this year.

“When I see Welch, I see someone who likes big government, who likes big spending and doesn’t care about the deficit,” he said. “He’s not business friendly. He doesn’t know what it’s like to run a small business.”

Stern has offered some media-savvy policy statements: He wants to eliminate the federal income tax for those making less than $75,000 a year and have a flat tax for all income above that amount.

“I call it a trickle-up economic plan,” Stern said. “A lot of people like this idea. We put more money in the pockets of people who aren’t millionaires so we can start putting money away for retirement.”

Part of Stern’s plan to build down the national debt is to force large companies to pay their fair share as well. He said too many companies use tax loopholes – such as setting up shop outside of the country – to avoid certain taxes, forcing those costs on traditional taxpayers.

He said if a company wants to do business in the country, they should employ Americans. If they don’t, they’ll be taxed at a higher rate than companies who do hire mostly United States residents.

“All of our good jobs are going overseas,” he said. “We need to make it cheaper to employ Americans. We can’t let companies continue set up PO Boxes in the Bahamas or Bermuda to avoid paying their taxes.”

Stern said he doesn’t believe in the science behind climate change, but he is a supporter of finding new renewable energy sources in the United States. He said he sees this as more of a national security imperative rather than an environmental one.

Among his ideas: Adapting Vermont to use ethanol fuel by growing switch grass and sugar beats in the state to power cars and other vehicles.

“I don’t think the technology is there yet on solar or wind,” he said. “But he can make our homegrown fuel right here.”

Stern faces Rutland businessman John Mitchell and former “True North” radio host Paul Beaudry in the Aug. 24 primary.

On the web: www.vermontgetstern.org

daniel.barlow@rutland herald.com

Bio box:

Name: Keith Stern

Party: Republican

Age: 55

Town: Springfield

Married: Wife, Judy

Children: Two stepdaughters

Occupation: Small business-owner