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Beth Gray pushes for successful Springfield By STEPHEN SEITZ Special to the Eagle Times 22 min ago Windsor candidates for House of Representatives Elizabeth Gray is second from the right. This photo was taken at a candidate forum at Hartness House in Springfield on Oct. 23. JEFF EPSTEIN SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — Depending on how the voters decide, the Gray household could be an interesting place in the fall. Beth Gray is running for the state House of Representatives in Windsor 3-2. Her husband, Randy, is running for one of the Windsor County Senate seats. Both are Republicans. Responding to an Eagle Times questionnaire, Gray said her top priorities would be economic. “I want to make Springfield successful and help it to grow both the population and economy,” she wrote. “I’d like to get more business in town. Talk with small business owners and find out what makes them stay and see if they would be willing to talk with prospective new business owners to offer advice or suggestions.” Gray wrote that she would like to overhaul Act 250, saying it might be too restrictive, especially for new landowners in the state. The law enacted in 1970 to create a “quasi-judicial process” for review of major subdivisions and developments. It’s purpose was to protect the landscape, the local economy and communities and to involve citizens in the planning process. “Back in 1970, when it first came out it was great to keep control over a sudden surge in development,” she wrote. “I think there are ways it could be changed to make it easier to start a business and make building a home more appealing.” Gray applauded the notion of the Black River Innovation Campus coming to Springfield. The initiative, announced several weeks ago, seeks to develop a digital business incubator at the former high school on Park Street. “I am very excited for the new digital technology program coming to Springfield,” she wrote. “I think though there is favoritism to certain counties. It seems the majority of the money goes to Chittenden and Franklin counties. I would like to see a coalition created to resolve this issue. Springfield has so much potential (as do our surrounding towns) and we are not getting the full assistance we all respectfully deserve.” advertisement When it comes to energy, Gray said she is studying different forms of wind power, though she does not approve of wind farms, and she would like to see more use of hydroelectricity. But she is not so fond of solar panels. “They are great for your own home and parking garages and lots,” she wrote. The solar fields, though, are not acceptable, in my humble opinion. I believe they are Act 250 exempt, which explains why the aesthetically pleasing part is not incorporated. We are wasting valuable farmland.” Gray said she would repeal Act 46, the law mandating school district consolidation. “I believe Act 46 is unconstitutional,” she wrote. “It is infringing on people’s right to choose. The Agency of Education is basically telling schools and residents they do not have a voice in what is best for their town and students. Montpelier does not always know what is best for every town; they know what is best for their pocketbooks.” Voters make their decisions a week from Tuesday.
Those eyes!
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