We are writing to express our support for Dee Gish in her run to replace Tim Briglin as state representative for the Windsor-Orange 2 district that includes the towns of Norwich, Sharon, Stratford and Thetford. We have appreciated the work that Tim has done and think that Dee is the perfect successor.
Since moving to Sharon in 2008, Dee has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to our community as well as to the state. She has a record of dedication and service that we feel embodies what is needed in Montpelier.
She has been involved in numerous volunteer activities including Sharon Energy Committee, the Baxter Memorial Library, the Sprouty run/walk fundraising event each September, The Sharon Academy, and most recently the Sharon Food Shelf. She has helped with Green Up days, mucked basements after Tropical Storm Irene, and has been a supporter of the Ashley Community Forest. She is a board member at BALE (Building a Local Economy) and is a past board member for Interfaith Power and Light.
And her background and qualifications go well beyond her volunteer activities. She has earned a bachelor’s degree in international business, an MBA and a master’s in environmental law and policy. Her work experience includes finance manager for Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission and most recently as accountant for the Vermont Land Trust. Her work experience aligns perfectly with her dedication to the environment, sustainability and equity at the community level and beyond.
Her husband Kevin retired from the Navy, and they have two young adult children. And as a Navy spouse and mother, her life experience is even broader.
We think that her education, work and life experience and her boundless energy make her the perfect candidate to represent our four neighboring towns as our representative in Montpelier. We strongly encourage everyone to go to her website, deegishforvt.com, and to take the opportunity to meet with her in person as she travels throughout the district. We know you will be impressed!
And remember, please vote in the primary, in-person on Aug. 9, or by absentee ballot before. Every vote is important.
Bob and Lynn Ferguson
Sharon
America and its
weapons of war
While I imagine John Payson’s article might stir up some opposition, I am writing to thank him (“US gun violence is an industrial problem,” June 9).
He wrote a piece that brings up an issue that hasn’t much been discussed since President Eisenhower warned our citizens about war industrial dominance.
Can we as a nation begin to reduce the creation of more and more weapons of war?
For the safety of our children and their children, can we now, at least, come together to ban sales of AR-15s to youths? Can we possibly ban sales of such weapons completely?
This would be an immediate help.
Margaret Kannenstine
Pomfret
One cause of crime
Crime has always been a problem in all societies. Mr Nelson’s op-ed (“Perception, not reality, drives America’s crime policy,” June 12) left out an important cause for crime. Career criminals are the cause of crimes too. Those who deal with these criminals are well aware of them.
We had a neighbor when we lived in central Massachusetts who was superintendent of a state prison. He told us of “born criminals” — those always looking for a way to break the rules. They arrive in prison and can’t wait to get into making alcohol from food smuggled from the mess hall.
Recently, a district attorney, (I think in Atlanta) said there are criminals who should be locked up for a very long time.
A quick internet search finds that those who study criminality have identified career criminals as having a personality disorder. Improving our criminal justice system must include identifying them and understanding that their rehabilitation will be very long and hard and may be impossible for some. Ask those who have day-to-day contact in the system.
Howard Shaffer
Enfield