BRATTLEBORO — In past years when I have canvassed door-to-door, I was taken aback by those who said, “I'm not voting; I don't want to encourage either of them.”
That's clearly not a good option. This year there are a few primary decisions to be made.
So, first, be informed and vote! Aug. 28 or before at the town clerk's office.
This letter is about Sen. Vincent Illuzzi, whom I met in March when he chaired a State Senate hearing in Brattleboro. He has served 31 years in the Vermont Senate.
I was impressed by his interest, by his knowledge, by his insight, by the fact that he really listened to people, and by his ability to take their ideas and put them into legislation.
I've since learned that, during his time in office, he has championed many programs throughout the state - preserving farmland; protecting affordable housing, including mobile-home parks; and sponsoring schools, theaters and police barracks.
Now, Vincent Illuzzi wants to run for auditor of accounts. I think his experience in getting things done would go a long way toward his understanding of how things work in this new role.
As for the partisan business, Vince is classified as “an independent, moderate Republican,” and he has worked well and effectively with Democrats and Progressives.
A Democrat recently told me that Vince could usually find a way to get his colleagues on the right to listen and come to agreement. There are some campaigns that are not about party affiliation, but about what a candidate has done for the community and what knowledge and skills he or she can bring to the office.
Proof of Vince's bipartisan appeal is that he received the Democratic nomination for state senator in no fewer than six elections from write-in votes on the Democratic Party primary ballot.
In my opinion, we must extend that bipartisan level of support to a statewide office: if you are voting in the Democratic primary, write in “Vincent Illuzzi” for auditor of accounts.