Candidates crowd race for Windsor County Senate

The Windsor County Senate election is crowded this year with three Democrats and three Republicans on the ballot and three seats available.
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20121102/NEWS02/711029924/

Candidates crowd race for Windsor County Senate By Christian Avard Staff writer | November 02,2012 The Windsor County Senate election is crowded this year. There are three Democrats and three Republicans on the ballot and three seats available. The Democrats control all three seats but Republicans hope they can shake things up on election day. Dick Tracy of Sharon, Paul Gibbs of Springfield and Jeff Whittemore of Weathersfield are Republicans running against incumbent Sens. Alice Nitka of Ludlow, Dick McCormack of Bethel and John Campbell of Hartford. The Republicans are upset with the status quo and they said they can offer new ideas and solutions to complex state problems. Tracy is a lifelong Windsor County resident, a grandfather, a father and “a citizen and taxpayer.” He said income tax rates are too high, state budgets are on the rise and good-paying jobs are not coming to Vermont. Tracy said the line has to be drawn. As senator, he will find ways to improve the state’s economic environment. “My oldest daughter just got out of the Air Force. She speaks four languages, supervised 400 men and women, and oversaw a $10 million budget. She came back to Vermont and the best job offer she got was $12 an hour,” Tracy said. “That’s not an uncommon story. Ultimately we need to become more competitive.” Gibbs is a retired U.S. Army veteran with 27 years of service. He served in Korea and Vietnam. Like Tracy, Gibbs is concerned with the state government. According to Gibbs, Vermont roads and bridges are “atrocious” and he would want to take a role in improving state infrastructure. He agrees with Tracy that Vermont needs more jobs and tax breaks for companies instead of social programs. “I don’t like socialism at all,” Gibbs said. “We have a bare shelf economy and residents end up paying more taxes as a result. Something needs to be done.” The Democrats maintain the economy is growing. McCormack was first elected in 1989 and said the state has been “aggressive” with economic development. As a member of the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee, McCormack believes economic development is critical but cannot be done haphazardly. “There’s an idea that any business should be able to do anything they want, sell it to the highest bidder, break environmental rules, and use our workers. We need economic development. But it must be done right. That was Gov. Dean Davis’ legacy and that is what I want to fulfill,” McCormack said. Nitka is seeking a fourth-term to oversee the state’s fiscal responsibilities. She is vice chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Nitka was instrumental in balancing budgets last biennium and was named the 2012 Vermont League of Cities and Towns Legislator of the Year. She wants to continue her work on both committees. “I think getting a balanced budget and maintaining a Triple-A rating to borrow to money is important,” Nitka said. “We need to find ways to save money. We’ve done creative things before and that’s something to keep working on.” As Senate Pro Tem, Campbell is involved with several issues. But one he is most concerned about is the economy. Campbell endorses Vermont’s EB5 Visa Program which allows foreign nationals to invest $500,000 in Vermont business ventures and receive permanent residency in exchange. He said the program was a success in the Northeast Kingdom at Jay Peak Resort and can spur economic development in Windsor County. “I’d like to see people to look at places like Windsor and Springfield as well. I believe they are ripe for new types of businesses to come in,” Campbell said. Whittemore did not respond to Rutland Herald interview requests. The election is Nov. 6.