PUTNEY — I want to thank Senator Peter Galbraith for so ably representing all of us in Windham County during his two freshman years in the Senate. He has certainly kept his campaign promises by working for the welfare of our state - especially so on behalf of the following four key issues: its environmental integrity, an improved economy, a just and workable single-payer health plan, and the reform needed in campaign financing.
To highlight one of Peter's various legislative actions on behalf of Vermont's environment (a fundamental concern of mine), he introduced and successfully promoted through to enactment a ban on fossil-fuel extraction by hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking.” The process is potentially dangerous, especially to the groundwater of our state, and with this ban, Vermont follows all of France and sets an example for the other 49 states.
Moreover, he introduced a bill that would prohibit the commercial development of state parks and other protected lands under the control of the Agency of Natural Resources, an action that would undermine the very purpose of those so importantly designated lands.
And he has been working hard to curtail forest fragmentation, a trend inimical to the future of that ecosystem. Forests are the very basis of both our state's physical and social well-being as well as essential to the continued flourishing of our tourist industry.
And when it comes to Vermont's economy, we all know that the business world is becoming ever-more dependent upon fast and reliable access to the Internet. Such access is extremely valuable for our state's many small and often home-based enterprises.
Here, by way of example, Peter co-sponsored and has vigorously supported legislation that would bring broadband to our entire county by the end of next year.
Peter is again one of three candidates in the primary race of Aug. 28, vying for one of the two slots to represent the Democrats of Windham County in the general election.
Peter's innate intelligence, educational background, wide-ranging professional experience, and ability to work well with colleagues from both sides of the aisle - together with his drive, independence of thought, and principled actions - clearly make him my top choice for re-election, and I very much hope yours as well.