by Sen. Russ Ingalls

It’s not often that I interject myself in someone else’s fight. I certainly can say that it is the first  time ever that I have jumped into one defending someone from a political party opposite of  mine, but there is a first for everything and I believe, this time, it’s warranted.  

I read an article last week where comments were made by Meaghan Emery, the Vice Chair of  the South Burlington City Council, unfairly criticizing her fellow Board Member and State  Senator, Thomas Chittenden, over his efforts to do what ever was needed to be done to ensure  that the exciting new company, BETA, would continue to seek an application to build their new  manufacturing plant in South Burlington, bringing 500 jobs that fit the States goal to combat  Climate Change to his District and City and State.  

My first thought was how disappointing it was to see such unfair comments made by someone  who was never in the process herself and obviously didn’t see the hard work and evolving  landscape that was going on between the State, BETA and the City of South Burlington.  

It wasn’t like BETA didn’t have other suitors. There is a large, under utilized airfield just across  the lake that is still trying to find their footing after loosing the military oh so many years ago.  Plattsburg has worked hard through the years to reinvent itself and to bring a company like  BETA on board, with all those jobs, where they already are known to that area, would be a  great addition to the City of Plattsburg. 

Imagine my surprise when I read again today another angry commentary written by Ms. Emery  not only bashing Senator Chittenden again but then trying to take credit for all what she didn’t  do.  

I really was taken aback that a Council Vice Chair of a major city in Vermont would use such  harsh words and criticisms to describe something that she really wasn’t part and then, would  shamelessly take credit for all the hard work that others had done.  

I watched Thomas Chittenden through all of this process. He and I serve on the Senate  Transportation Committee together. There was a lot of wrangling going on trying to make all of  this process work. There were big names at the table who all needed their interest met as they  have people that they are responsible for as well. Tom handled it all like a seasoned pro. Yes,  there were a lot of things said, a lot of ideas exchanged and everything was changed multiple  times. And then changed more. But that’s what happens with deal making.  

I want to close with this. My admiration for Thomas Chittenden has always been at a high level.  I found him on the first day that we meet to be a highly principled, trustworthy individual.  Watching him maneuver all these changing parts and pieces the last few weeks and then  bringing this deal to an agreement with help from others has shown me that Tom is ready for  prime time. I think that if Ms. Emery would spend more time trying to be part of the process  versus part of the problem then the City of South Burlington would be so much better served.  

As for now, The State and South Burlington are in great hands under the capable leadership of  Thomas Chittenden. 

The author is a Republican senator representing the Essex-Orleans district.