Dear Editor:

I am writing to recommend Aida Nielsen for Vermont House of Representatives, representing Brandon.  Aida is a mom, wife, daughter and nurse who knows Brandon, has a thorough knowledge of schools after sending two children through the Brandon public school system, has a thorough knowledge of health care and elder care as a nurse, has lived in Brandon for many years, and knows the issues firsthand that families face in educating their children, purchasing/renovating and maintaining property in Brandon, and knows what our children, seniors and families face for affordability issues in Vermont.

Aida is originally from Russia and studied the English language, studied and became a US citizen, put herself through nursing school, and works in our health care system now.  Aida sees firsthand the challenges that Vermonters face with the healthcare, health insurance, education, infrastructure, and affordability crisis.  Aida has studied the legislative issues and decisions over the past four years, and cares deeply about Brandon’s and Vermont’s future.  Aida will read the bills, discuss the issues, share information with the public, and represent a wide range of citizens because of her experience and time in Brandon in her many roles.

We are very lucky to have someone that will run for office with this extensive background.  Please support Aida Nielsen for Vermont House of Representatives for Brandon.  Aida is Brandon’s best candidate for life experience and education on the serious issues we face and for real representation for Brandon citizens in Montpelier! Please vote for Aida on November 3!

-Sharon Stearns, Brandon

To the Editor:

I’m sympathetic to Burlington’s business owners, who have been gaslit by their progressive leadership for years. Burlington howled in fury when Phil Scott tried to restore public safety to the city they had sacked, Portland-style. Now business owners are asking the state of Vermont to pay to correct the horrible policies inflicted by Burlington loonies. 

That is “inequitable.” Burlington defunds police, has a prosecutor who releases hardened criminals and employs unconstitutional, racist DEI metrics in charging and sentencing. Burlington progressives have created homelessness, drug abuse, and crime in their streets, then use those leadership failures to demand yet more money from people who favor law and order, work or run businesses, and don’t abuse drugs. This is the vicious cycle of Marxism, on display in Vermont.

Governor Scott, if we all must pay for this folly, how about conditions? How about support ICE in its duties, like we did under Obama? How about prosecute criminals, not reward them with Social Justice ideological nonsense that justifies criminality? How about stop calling our police racist every time they arrest a violent “criminal of color”? 

Or maybe, just let Burlington clean up the mess it has created and blames on everyone but those responsible. Bad policy has consequences. Let’s not bail out bad actors and reward bad policy.

-John Klar