Incumbent since 2019, Stephanie Jerome, not looking after Rutland County town’s taxpayers

To the editor:

I am writing to ask you to vote for change in the Nov 5 election.  As a Brandon citizen, taxpayer, and business owner for the past 36 years, I am deeply concerned about affordability in Vermont and my neighbors and friends who are seniors, parents raising their children, working people, fellow business owners, and fellow horseback riders/farm owners.

Long time Vermonters can see the health provider crisis, health insurance company crisis, housing crisis, childcare provider crisis, worker shortage crisis, education cost and outcomes crisis, drug crisis, and the affordability crisis as indicators that our current legislative majority is not solving problems by the spending they are forcing us to pay.  

Following the Global Solutions Warming Act (GSWA) to mandate reduction of greenhouse gas emissions or be sued for non compliance, the Legislature will be tasked with instituting rules and plans for converting heat and transportation to reduce gashouse emissions in January.  Every Vermonter should be concerned with the plans of the Legislature and the Public Utilities commission that affects our heat and transportation, both basic needs. Rep. Stephanie Jerome voted for GSWA and votes along party lines.  Will she support any plan to comply, no matter the cost to you or your small fuel dealer business?

Folks who have moved to Vermont from other places may believe the taxes aren’t too bad as compared to where they came from.  However, the stories I heard at the polls at the August primary and since then are heartbreaking that native Vermonters are having to sell out because they can’t afford the legislation that is being forced upon them.  Why would we elect representatives that force our native Vermonters to leave their homes?  Why are the laws prioritizing policy over our people and not caring about all diverse members of our town?

Brandon’s VT House Representative has been in office since 2019.  When I have approached Rep. Stephanie Jerome to discuss concerns about health insurance, rising costs, and increased administrative burdens on businesses, good jobs for our children that aren’t in government or hospitals, she has not been helpful in any way.  Other Brandon business owners have shared the same feedback with me. They, as with me, were told that how Stephanie voted was what was best for me, even when we knew better, or she says she pays even more than we do.   I am embarrassed to be a Vermonter now based on some of the ridiculous and harmful votes she has voted for in the past few years,  and our taxes have continued to increase, and this year, it was significant increases.  It is time for change!

Vermont needs change in the statehouse to have more careful votes to consider the effects on our people and our childrens’ futures.  We need people who will think twice about spending.  We need a representative who will talk to their neighbors and listen and can relate to a working person’s income, a business owner wanting to support their family, and who has the strength to vote against party lines for Brandon.  It is time for a change!

Todd Nielsen listens, he cares, he wants Vermont to be more affordable, and he wants his children to have a future in Vermont!  Please vote for change and affordability and vote Todd Nielsen in the Nov 5 election.

Sharon Stearns, Brandon

VDC will publish letters and commentaries from across the political spectrum. Email to news@vermontdailychronicle.com.