Pollina is hero Vermont needs
Letter to the Editor:
The dream of our state being saved by Democrats turned into a nightmare with Gaye Symington as speaker for their majority. Bill Cleary needs to wake up, but he can’t expect Gaye to be a hero, not with her record (”Pollina, be a hero and drop out of race,” July 1). The worst blow to environmental protection and Abenaki rights was delivered when she orchestrated the legislative boondoggle allowing continuing degradation of the sensitive archaeological Intervale site.
Circumventing Act 250, a once visionary and now sadly eroded environmental protection law, sets a dangerous precedent sure to be used by others who think their project is more important than protecting the environment or Native American heritage.
Neither she nor her fellow Democrats made any progress in single-payer, universal health care. No override vote of Douglas’ veto allows Vermonters to pay billions to decommission Vermont Yankee. They have the votes, but Gaye is running for governor and could not raise funds until override sessions are over.
We need a governor free of partisan politics, who works for consensus, not conflict, and who cares more about Vermont and less on personal ego, personal financial gain and party domination. We need Anthony Pollina, who stepped up to the plate while Democrats were fumbling around trying to get reluctant candidates to run. Pollina already is a hero, for caring about our state enough to take on the Douglas administration, even before becoming the best candidate for the job.
Joelen Mulvaney
Barre
This Letter to the Editor was published in the Thursday, July 17, 2008 issue of the Burlington Free Press. (link to source)