VERNON — I am 33 years old and I have lived in Vermont my entire life. I work with my in-laws and our family here on the Miller Farm, and my wife and I are partners in the “Miller Milk'' branded products you may have seen in stores.
I have always felt as though Vernon is a part of my identity, and since returning, my roots have grown even deeper. My wife and I live in town, work in town, go to church in town, and have invested heavily in our future rooted in this town.
The most pressing issue I see facing Vernon is property tax rates as we continue to transition into a post– Vermont Yankee reality. We need to come together as a community and decide how to balance the services provided by the town with the “new normal” financial constraints and reality facing us since the plant's shutdown.
The top issue I hear about from people in our community is: How do we afford to stay in and maintain our homes with the rising cost of living?
I would define fiscal responsibility as “effective and efficient use of taxpayer money.” Sometimes it pays to invest to gain efficiency or avert a crisis down the road.
Another pressing issue for me is what happens to the Vermont Yankee site when decommissioning is complete. There is a vast amount of space and electrical infrastructure close to the site. I would support bringing an industry on site, one that would increase the tax base of the town and decrease the tax burden for citizens.
I can offer a fresh perspective. I feel like we need to make decisions that are going to benefit all citizens of Vernon. Being involved in small businesses, I've learned many skills that can be applied to local government, including unbiased decision-making, adapting and correcting if a bad decision has been made, and listening.
I come to the table with a willingness to learn and to listen. I have no agenda or bias - only a desire to leave our town in a better position for generations to come.
I would truly be appreciative of your vote for me on Town Meeting Day.