Pollina wraps up forums on improving Vermont
Burlington Free Press, June 21, 2008, by Lisa Rathke (link to article).
MONTPELIER — Andrea Stander told Progressive gubernatorial candidate Anthony Pollina today that she moved to Vermont because of how forward thinking it was. But in the last decade the state has fallen behind on environmental policy and missed opportunities in environmental technology, she said.
Pollina said he couldn’t agree more.
The candidate wrapped up a series of discussions he’s held around the state about how Vermont could be better by reviewing the top priorities that came out of them.
From the 13 meetings emerged a call for enforcement of environmental laws, the clean up of Lake Champlain, investment in small, local businesses, an increase in public transportation, the creation of a local food supply and decreasing the state’s dependence on oil.
“We really wanted to do something to make sure we heard from people,” Pollina said of the forums.
Pollina said he had hoped to come up with clear policy statements for his campaign but Saturday’s meeting turned into an education and question-and-answer session, with four experts chosen by Pollina speaking on the topics.
Anthony Iarrapino, a staff lawyer with the Conservation Law Foundation, who said he was speaking as an individual on Saturday, said for many years the state has lacked leadership in environmental enforcement. Water quality has suffered as a result, he said.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently criticized the state’s efforts to clean up Lake Champlain, saying that after almost six years of work, large amounts of phosphorus fertilizer continue to flow into Lake Champlain from the state’s rivers.
Incumbent Republican Gov. Jim Douglas, who kicked off his re-election campaign this week, shot back at the EPA saying its contention was out of touch and scientifically baseless.
Pollina called Douglas’ response arrogant and nonproductive, while Irrapino said better enforcement would reduce pollution in the lake.
In terms of jobs and the economy, Doug Hoffer, an independent policy analyst in Burlington, said the state should help existing local businesses instead of trying to draw companies from out of state. He said it should establish more affordable housing and quality day cares and help farmers to diversify.
Organic dairy farmer Rep. Dexter Randall, P-Troy, said the state needs to create its own food supply with facilities to process and store milk, meat and produce.
“I think we can trust our local food supply much better,” than food from Mexico, he said.
Besides Douglas, Pollina faces gubernatorial candidates Democrat Gaye Symington and independents Sam Young of Glover and Anthony O’Connor of Derby.