THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

After such a hard run and so many wonderful supporters it’s hard to believe that this part is over.  While we sure didn’t get the votes we were hoping and working for, we all sure made significant contributions to the process. And I thank each and every one of you for your efforts, good words, sound advice and support.

While we aren’t certain who the winner is, we all know that our next task is to unite behind that person and make sure they win in November.  All 5 of us are in agreement that this campaign has been outstanding so far and it remains important for all of us to work the keep this an issue centered campaign.  Each candidate brought good ideas to the conversation and now we have the chance to have the winner take the best of all our ideas and move forward with a great plan for Vermonter’s and our future.

It has been such an honor to meet and talk with so many of you all over the state.  It is an experience that so few of us get to have, it seems a shame to me we can’t bottle it and share it with all of you.  The days are long and the debates have been many, but the energy from all of you to all of the candidates has been what has kept all of us running full steam ahead.  I guess this is renewable energy at its best!

I have no idea what I am doing next other than go to Maine for a few days.  Then I am happy to come back and help our candidate in any manner they want my assistance.  This has just been the first step on the road to victory and I hope all of you will join me in working for a bright future for all Vermonters.

Bartlett Endorsed by Manchester Journal

"While we don't agree with all her prescriptions for Vermont, we like her no-nonsense, straightforward style. Her idea of an office of patents and a stress on intellectual property is one of the few original ideas we've heard, and her experience as the head of the state Senate Appropriations Committee gives her a good vantage point to understand the state's economy and the government's role in it."

Read it here

Top Ten Reasons to Vote for Susan

I can beat Brian Dubie. Only by recapturing the middle will we take back the governor’s office. I am the candidate with the practical, pragmatic ideas that can lead Vermont forward.


I have not made extravagant promises. You will always know where I stand.  I have the respect of Democrats, Independents, Progressives and Republicans, and constituency groups from business to human services. You may not always agree with me, but you will know where I stand and you can count on me to listen and be fair.

I have the experience. The biggest problem Vermont is facing is the economy. As a state senator for 18 years and chair of appropriations for 10 years, I know how government works and understand what it will take to restructure state government, balancing the needs of the present while building for the future.

I am a moderate.  I have a reputation of supporting essential programs and saying no when necessary.  I can balance the diverse needs of all Vermonters from single low-income parents to the business community and everyone in between.

I will make government responsible.  Vermont is facing a budget deficit and our citizens are taxed out. Our revenues in 2012 will be the same as they were in 2005. We must bring our spending in line with our revenues.  With limited state dollars we must evaluate programs based on outcomes and facts.  We can no longer afford to continue programs by habit or based on sentiment.


I will hire the best and brightest.  I will bring the most qualified individuals into my administration regardless of their political affiliation.


I will support our schools.  Educating our children must be a priority. I have a background in education and I can work with Vermonters to improve our education system without raising taxes.


I will protect Vermont’s family farms.  We must keep Vermont’s working landscape hospitable to farmers. Agriculture has been a part of my life.  I have owned a farm and helped start a farmers' market. Farming and food production are part of what makes Vermont unique and no other candidate understands the details of the issues better.

I understand the needs of small businesses.  Helping small businesses grow and prosper is the key to our economic future. Through innovation and intellectual property, we can create jobs and prosperity for a secure future.


I will protect Vermont’s natural resources. Vermont’s environment is special.  I was a conservationist and an organic farmer before it was popular. Protecting the environment by cleaning our water, building a renewable energy future and preserving the Vermont landscape is part of who I am.

Saving Small Schools and Lowering Property Taxes

Susan Bartlett on Education and Lowering Property Taxes from Susan Bartlett on Vimeo.

I have a crush on Susan

VPR Governors "Debate"

Wednesday, August 18 2010 @ 08:19 AM GMT+4 iBrattleboro.com Contributed by: paulgardner http://www.ibrattleboro.com/article.php/20100818081930428 Fascinating debate show on VPR last night with the 5 Democratic challengers - did you catch it? I came out with a new favorite. I had not expected that. My mind was made up. It was a pro forma listen, I thought. But before I reveal who my new favorite is, here some other observations from the show. First of all, I call it a show because a debate did not take place. There were questions and answers and some posturing and campaigning, but no debating. The atmosphere was mostly collegial. There were a few testy moments, notably between Matt Dunne and Deb Markowitz. The candidates were given the chance to directly question each other. Dunne questioned Markowitz on the subject of transparency - and whether her office (Sec. of State) had been transparent enough. She thought she'd done well (natch) and he thought she could have done better (ditto). Easily the most bizarre moment of the night was the Peter Shumlin softball question for Susan Bartlett. First he praised her for her work on the Senate Appropriations committee (and praised himself for picking her to head the committee) then asked her to explain the "rainy day fund" which Doug Racine and Matt Dunne had been discussing moments before. Bartlett's explanation was at once so wonky and so clear that it made the Racine/Dunne discussion look superficial and simple minded by comparison. Racine was easily the most relaxed and personable candidate of the show, but Bartlett's performance exposed him a bit, imo. Score one to Shumlin. The two VPR moderators did a good job overall in their hosting and questioning duties, but to me their questioning of Shumlin seemed sharper than that of the other 4. In one instance he admitted a mistake on an education funding bill where he had compromised with Governor Douglas. Perhaps that line of questioning was agreed to in advance to give him a chance to speak to that issue. Deb Markowitz wins the dubious distinction of most disappointing. I have been touting her as the only candidate who can beat Dubie based on polls of the state that pit the various candidates against Dubie head to head. At the end of the night, those hand full of polls were all she had. In light of what I heard from the other candidates, that wasn't enough. Matt Dunne must have mentioned his experience as director of Head Start/Vista and its 6,000 employees 4 times at least during the show. So often that it made clear that he felt a need to stress his experience. For me it's the political version of "me thinks the lady doth protest too much". The more he talks, the more there seems to be an experience/maturity issue there. I love Peter Shumlin. He's a sharp politician who I mostly trust (a rare combination). Unfortunately, I think his negatives are high for many people and perhaps that's because he has a tendency to lapse into an almost Nixonian, whispery politician speak. I.e. he doesn't talk like "normal" people. You have to make an adjustment to your listening to take in what he's saying (see Racine below). This breaks my heart because he's ready to push for single payer health care and he'd be the staunchest foe to the relicensing of VY which are both huge issues for me. I just don't see him beating Dubie. Doug Racine likes to tout his defeat of Dubie in a Lieutenant Governor's race back about a decade ago when he was the incumbent and nobody knew who Dubie was. I don't think he can repeat the performance, but I could be wrong. He's a sharper and more impressive candidate overall than I thought. As mentioned above, he was the most personable of the candidates. He's the Democratic candidate who sounds least like a politician. He has the easy bonhomie of a salesman - which he is. He's been in state government long enough that he doesn't have to make too many grating references to his experience like Dunne does. He knows the issues well and discuss them without sounding wonky. All that said, my new crush, my new favorite for next governor of Vermont: SUSAN BARTLETT. It wasn't even close. It's not even the thought of how a non-politician like Dubie who is leaning on a lot of outside help is going to deal with an unaffected, brainiac, insider woman. Bartlett herself is a force. She reminded me at once of Bill Clinton and Temple Grandin (the high functioning autistic who has been on Terry Gross's Fresh Air numerous times and written several popular books about her condition). Bartlett plowed into every question given her and got to the nub of the issue in a way that was at once intellectually rigorous and easily understandable to the layman. She was political without seeming it. I don't see how Dubie can beat her and oh by the way, she'd be the best governor of the bunch.

WCAX Candidate Profile: Susan Bartlett

"I can walk into the governor's office tomorrow and know exactly what we need to do and how to do it," she said.

As a self-proclaimed moderate, Bartlett claims she stands out from the four other Democrats vying for the top spot -- including Peter Shumlin -- who possesses what she called fundamental differences.

"I have been the person for ten years who has balanced the budget, taken it forward and he hasn't. I'd say that's the difference right there."

http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=12987195#

Why Women Should Vote for Bartlett

I want women to vote for me to become the next governor because I am the best qualified for the position, not because I’m a woman.   In conversations with folks who work in the halls of government there are often discussions about what are the qualities that make for good leaders and good policy.  

It is generally agreed that effective leaders are much more willing to consider the long term effects of policy; they are willing to reach across the aisle and work with others; they believe in planning; they have empathy for folks, and they are strong and can make difficult decisions; they don’t have to take credit, they just want good results.

I believe that I have shown all of these traits in my years in the Senate.  I understand that there are long-term impacts from the decisions we make in Appropriations.  I have always worked with all of the individuals, regardless of party, or philosophy involved with the issues.  As Chair of Appropriations, I have helped develop long-term policy around issues such as corrections, substance abuse, our high school drop out population, affordable housing, access to early education, creating jobs and job training programs, developing programs to help farmers transition to sustainable agriculture and much more.  

In these difficult financial times there have been many nights that I have tossed and turned trying to figure out what we can do to balance a budget and do the least harm to Vermonters in need.  I have made difficult decisions while balancing the needs of all the people of Vermont, not just special interests. 

As the Chair of Senate Appropriations, I have balanced a $4 billion budget for years.  I understand not just the numbers, but also the policy behind the numbers.  I see the problems we are confronting because we have not had plans; we have not had the comprehensive conversations we need to have to move forward in a sustainable manner.  I am ready to lead our state to solutions that can only come from an in-depth understanding of the issues.  

I know that I can lead diverse groups of individuals to solutions that serve all Vermonters. That is what I have been doing in the Senate for years. 

If you want to know more about my views on various issues, please check out my web site www.bartlettforgovernor.com or you can always call me at home. 888-5591

The experts are frequently wrong.

Susan Bartlett: The best choice for governor. from Susan Bartlett on Vimeo.

When you first get into office, what will you cut, what will you add?

There really isn’t a simple answer to what do you cut and what do you add. What we have missed in the past few years has been the process to make these decisions in a reasonable way. We know that our revenues in 2012 will be the same as they were in 2005. To me that means we have to reduce our spending to the 2005 level. This has not been easy and the upcoming year will be the most difficult so far. This is why I have been and will remain an advocate for a process like Challenges for Change. We have to change the structure of government services if we want to have successful services. If we want Vermont to continue to be a great place to live, we must change how we are doing things.

The past few years have seen a significant number of cuts in state services and in state employees. The additions in the past years have been of governor appointed positions that have more to deal with politics than policy. Some of these positions have been cut, but many have simply been reclassified. These positions that deal with public relations and “educating” the public would be cut immediately.

I would have meetings with all agencies of state government and ask the people on the front lines what they would eliminate from their agency. I would invite the consumers of these services and outside providers to be part of this conversation. After working with state employees and  roviders of services in a challenge for change type of structure, we would decide what state programs need to be eliminated. This could lead to savings or investing those dollars into  programs that really work towards our common goals.

It is this type of process that will lead to the difficult discussions we must have if we are to have a government that is sustainable. We as Vermonters must work together to make tough choices, but we also can work together to create good solutions. It really is all up to us. As Howard Dean said “you have the power.” I believe  that you have the answers and I’m asking you to elect me governor so I can help us all move  forward in a positive way to constructive solutions and a prosperous Vermont for generations to come.

The Importance of Jobs

The first of Susan's web commercials. We don't want your money to put it on TV, we ask that you send it to a friend.

The Importance of Jobs from Susan Bartlett on Vimeo.

Dubie Says Spending Federal Education Money Would Be 'Reckless'

Brian Dubie says it's "reckless" to use new federal stimulus money to help offset projected cuts in local school budgets.

For the past decade, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Susan Bartlett has been chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

She says she likes the commissioner's plan and she says Dubie's response is simply a continuation of the flawed policies of the Douglas administration.

"I think it's just more of the same old, which is here you're talking about education, so you make education the bad guy, if you will, and totally miss the point of education is one of the most important things that we do. And that it's a big system and it takes time to make some structural change."

Read the VPR story.

‘Green’ grant to train workers

By Bruce Edwards

STAFF WRITER - Rutland Herald - Published: August 10, 2010

Vermont will use $4.5 million in federal stimulus funds to train unemployed and underemployed workers for green jobs.

The two-year grant program includes training in a number of fields, including weatherization, renewable energy, recycling and sustainable agriculture.

Several organizations and businesses are sharing in the Vermont Green Energy Training Partnership (www.vermontgreen.org) grant under the auspices of the Central Vermont Community Action Council — one of five community action agencies in the state.

Read on ...

Innovation Will Spark Jobs

Gareth Henderson

Vermont Standard

August 5, 2010

Bartlett, a former educator who has been in the Senate for 18 years, said her experience as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee has given her a deep understanding of the state budget and governmental operations. Also, she sees herself as being in the middle of the road politically.

“I thought the Democrats needed a person in the middle to vote for,” Bartlett said.

Read the Vermont Standard article here.

Bartlett courts the political middle in her campaign

“The conventional wisdom is that moderates can’t win primaries,” she said. “I think that we Democrats lost the governor’s seat when we lost the middle. When I hear the question, ‘why are you different,’ my answer is that I have very clear ideas about what kind of changes I would make to state government and who I will bring into my administration.”

Read the article in The Commons, Windham County's independent daily source of news and views.

Markowitz, Bartlett Debate State's Role With Banks

Tuesday, 08/03/10 5:49pm and Wednesday, 08/04/10 7:34am

Bob Kinzel - Montpelier, Vt.

(Host) Two of the Democratic candidates for governor strongly disagree about the best way to help stimulate the Vermont economy.

The difference centers on whether a governor should punish Vermont banks that don't make sizable investments in small businesses.

VPR's Bob Kinzel reports.

(Kinzel) To Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deb Markowitz, the issue is quite simple. She says many Vermont banks aren't lending money to small businesses and she wants to change this situation. In her new TV ad, she spells out the solution.

(Markowitz) "If there are banks that aren't going to invest in Vermont, they're not going to get our tax dollars not when I'm governor."

(Kinzel) Markowitz says that if she's elected, she'll sit down with all of Vermont's banks to spell out her new policy.

(Markowitz) "As the state of Vermont, we put $4 billion into financial institutions. As governor, I'm going to bring the banks together and decide, ‘If you're taking Vermont money, you need to be putting money back into Vermont's small businesses.' It's really as simple as that."

(Kinzel) One of Markowitz's opponents, Susan Bartlett says it's not that simple and she says that Markowitz doesn't understand how financial markets operate. Bartlett argues that new federal financial regulations have made it more difficult for banks to lend money to small businesses. That's why she wants to establish an expanded, state-backed loan program for these businesses.

(Bartlett) "Let's figure out what a constructive solution is instead of trying to bully somebody into doing something that, again, if you understand fundamental economics, obviously banks want to lend money to good businesses. That's how they make their money."

(Kinzel) But Markowitz says the federal rules are only a small part of the current problem. She says the larger problem is the attitude of the banks.

(Markowitz) "They are now extremely conservative. They're holding on to their money. There are better options than lending to Vermont's small businesses that are start ups. And that's not acceptable. ...We bailed out Wall Street. It's not trickling down to Main Street."

(Kinzel) Don't tell that to Dan Yates. He's the president of the Brattleboro Savings Bank and the current chairman of the Vermont Bankers Association. His bank operates three branches in southeastern Vermont. And he says small business loans are the bread and butter of his company.

(Yates) "We're not interested in the IBMs of Vermont. We're looking at who in Brattleboro, Springfield and in between that's a small business that has a good business that needs to borrow. We're anxious."

(Kinzel) Yates says banks may be hesitant to loan money to companies that don't have solid business plans.

He says he's concerned that if Markowitz's proposal is put into place, it will discourage smaller community banks from dealing with the state because they'll be unwilling to make risky loans to small businesses.

For VPR News, I'm Bob Kinzel in Montpelier

Where is the biggest waste/inefficiency in state government, and what will you do about it as governor?

Vermont has failed in the past to keep up with technology that leads to efficiency in the work place. Over the past several years we have made a conscious effort to correct this situation. In this past budget, even in these difficult times, we have made investments in technology that will eliminate redundant records and allow for better, faster exchange of information within state government. As governor I will make sure that we continue to make these investments as they are needed.

A business the size of state government needs managers who work with employees all of the time to encourage ideas that lead to efficient, effective government. There is not better place to get these ideas than the state workforce. As governor I would make certain that all managers and state employees understand that this is a goal for everyone in their everyday work and reward and encourage creative thinking that leads to better programs.

That said, I believe the only way to truly identify what is waste and what is inefficient in state government is through a process similar to Challenges for Change. Each program in government should meet with the advocates for their programs and people who use the services that the programs provide, and agree upon a set of outcomes for those programs. Then the same group needs to decide how they will measure the outcomes. This process has the effect of having all of the people involved in programs, both providers and consumers, set the priorities for the programs and how to measure those outcomes. The next step is to go through each of the programs involved and see if the programs address the outcomes they have agreed upon. If they don’t, then why should we continue to do those programs? One of the issues for government is that many programs are started, but few are eliminated. Now is the time to stop programs that do not meet the goals we chose.

The above process does not have to be overly time consuming and because it is an inclusive effort, it can be a very positive process. In these difficult times, it is much better to find the positive outcomes we all want and work together towards supporting those programs, than arguing about reductions. This means that there may well be programs that will be terminated, but those dollars can be saved or be redirected to services that address outcomes that can be measured. This is all a necessary part of right-sizing Vermont government.

On Meth Labs, Public Safety and Law Enforcement

I was astonished to hear Deb Markowitz say “if there is a meth lab found or domestic violence at 3AM and you call the state police, no one is there”.   Obviously she doesn’t know much about law enforcement in Vermont. 

Law Enforcement Cooperation and Support

I have been working with all of Vermont’s law enforcement organizations for many years and one of the reason’s Vermont is one of the safest places to live is the cooperation between all of our law enforcement agencies.  If something happens in the middle of the night and we call for assistance, we will receive help as soon as practically possible.  That help could be the state police, or your local police or your local sheriff, but you will receive help ASAP.  Who shows up truly depends on who can get to you the fastest.  That’s what cooperation and coordination are all about.

We have a statewide system of data sharing that is the envy of many other states, the Spillman system.  It is run by the Vermont Criminal Justice system and for those individual agencies that do not have this system; “gateways” have been built so they can connect into the database.   Could the system be even better, sure it could, but Vermont is way ahead of many states.  Vermont has taken advantage of Federal dollars for many years to build up this statewide system so all of our law enforcement people have the information they need in a timely manner.

The “meth” labs that were found in St. Albans were discovered by cooperative work between several agencies.  The word “lab” congers up a room full of dangerous, bubbling mixtures. Vermont took proactive measures a number of years ago when meth was becoming a serious issue through the country.  Vermont passed laws that make it very difficult to purchase the ingredients necessary to produce meth.  Our law enforcement saw this issue coming and asked us to act before it became a large-scale issue in Vermont.  We have been successful in our collaboration.

When a lab or drug scene is discovered, there are excellent protocols set up between Vermont law enforcement and the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency).  By following these protocols and having the DEA involved in the work, the cost of the clean up and disposal of the illegal substances is handled by the DEA.  That saves the state a great deal of money. 

Domestic Violence Training

The additional training that she wants for domestic violence has been in place for sometime.  All officers are required to get a mandatory 8 hours of training above and beyond their regular training and after than an additional 2 hours to keep them up to date on the newest procedures and methods.  While domestic violence is a serious issue, Vermont is a leader in the country in having our law enforcement people and our courts work to protect victims and support them through the legal process.  I have been part of these changes and have received recognition for my work in the area of domestic violence.

Prescription Drug Use

The last issue that she talks about is the abuse of prescription drugs.  This has been targeted by Vermont law enforcement as a top priority.  It’s fine to say you will work with the pharmaceutical companies to change how they make pills.  What about right now?  We know that the biggest issues facing us are heroin and prescription pills. 

Vermont law enforcement works with the DEA constantly to find large-scale dealers in prescription drugs and they have been successful in busting a number of rings.  A real issue is all the drugs in our own homes.  These are pills left over and just left sitting in the bathroom cabinet creating a target for criminals and addicts.   St. Albans had a model program for the disposal of these left over and tempting pills.  Working with the hospital, local pharmacists and law enforcement, they had collections of old prescriptions.  A problem arose because the cost of properly disposing of these pills is very high. 

On September 25 this year, Vermont is going to participate in a nation wide day to help all of us dispose of unused pharmaceuticals in a safe way.  Statewide our local sheriffs, working with other law enforcement and the DEA are going to have collections points for unused pills.  These pills will then be collected by the DEA and they will destroy them.  It is hoped that this will become a routine event all over the country.  Now there is a fast, effective, safe and efficient way to address a large part of the supply of illegally used prescription drugs.  Leave it to innovative Vermont law enforcement to develop a better way to deal with the issue.

Vermont has a Drug Task Force comprised of state troopers, municipal officers and deputy sheriffs that work around the state to deal with our drug issues.  The reality is that as long as there is money to be made, there will be folks who sell drugs.  The single most important thing that law enforcement and the rest of us can do is prevention through education.  Teaching young people the dangers of drug abuse and the signs of substance abuse is important and it is an ongoing task.  It is just as important to have adult’s dispose of their unused pills.   Vermont has been working hard to deal with these issues and we should all be aware of the work that goes on around the clock.  Can we do more, of course we can, but we have a great base and considering our economy, we get a great return on our investments.

What laws, rules or regulations would you change or enact to encourage business to remain, grow or locate in Vermont and that dissuade them from leaving? How would those changes work?

There are a variety of issues that confront the business community and not all businesses have the same issues. The issues of a small retail store are totally different than someone who wants to produce ice cream or build high tech equipment.

I do not have a specific set of "rules" or "regulations" that can be changed to create a better climate for business in Vermont. I think the underlying issue is that of the climate and the attitude towards business.

We all need to work to change the attitude towards business. In Montpelier it often seems that one is either for or against business. You are for or against the environment. You are for helping people or against helping people. I reject that idea. The single best thing we can do as a state in order to have the environment we want, to help those who need our assistance and to maintain a high quality of life, is to create good jobs.

As Governor I would have business leaders sit with folks from the human services community and the environmental community and come up with some common outcomes. Then I would have them work together to develop strategies to reach those outcomes. As I travel Vermont, it has become very clear to me that we have a lot more in common than we have differences. Leadership is about finding these common ground issues and working together to make Vermont a better place.

There has been talk for years of permit reform and it hasn't happened yet. I don't think it will happen until the agency of natural resources does some consolidation of the number of permits they have to administer. As Governor, I would begin that process immediately. The issue in the room that no one really wants to talk about is stormwater. Until we have a real plan and have real conversations about this issue, it will remain an unspoken threat to development. If we don't deal with stormwater and indirect discharges, there is no way we will ever clean up the Lake.

I do not pretend to have the answers, but I do know that I have an approach that is based on getting to real outcomes that work for Vermonters I know that working together we can create an attitude and environment that is business friendly, while protecting our environment and delivering the services to those in need. And we can do all this at a price we can afford.

Agriculture and Vermont's Future

When we think of Vermont agriculture, we think of green pastures full of grazing cows, with lush cornfields in the background.  That has always been part of our heritage and it will remain part of our future agricultural landscape. 

We know that dairy farmers have had a number of very difficult years and that is caused by the price they receive for their milk.  This price is set by a totally ridiculous pricing system set in Washington. It has nothing to do with the cost of producing mile.  There is little that the state can do to address this issue, but our federal delegation is hard at work to change this system.  As a state Senator I have been active in working with them and as Governor I would remain an active participant in getting the federal government to develop a reasonable reimbursement rate for the milk from our dairy farms. 

There is a great deal more to agriculture in Vermont and here are some of the actions I would take to help in the continuing diversification of our farming economy.  As you will see, the free market is alive and well in the redevelopment of Vermont agriculture.  I believe that the government can lend some assistance in possible access to capitol, but what we really need is a governor who understands that agriculture is alive and well and diversifying rapidly in our state.  This is where a governor can use the office to promote the many wonderful and exciting things that are happening in Vermont.

• There are a number of small beef, lamb and pork producers in our state.  They have said for several years that they could produce 80% of all the beef and pork we consume in Vermont if they had access to the proper processing facilities.  As Governor I would work with private business and the producers to see that this issue is addressed and help these producers more towards their goal of supplying more and more of the meat we consume.  The same issue applies to poultry.
• The success of our Vermont artisan cheeses is well known.  The growth of the program at the University of Vermont and the sale of Vermont cheese all over America is an excellent example of what our future in Vermont agricultural products can become.  As this sector continues to grow, I would listen to their plans and where the state can be of assistance, I would make certain the support was available.
• Vermont wine makers and our breweries continue to grow.  The Agency of Agriculture needs to become knowledgeable about the cultivation of grapes and hops.  These are two crops that can become a very important part of cash crops that will keep agricultural land in farming for years to come.  The demand for the basic supplies of grapes and hops that are grown in Vermont is growing and we should work to meet that demand.
• Many years ago, Vermont was the breadbasket of the East.  There is no reason why we cannot return to that claim.  As farms became larger and larger and all the grain was grown in the mid-west, the strains of wheat and other grains that used to be produced in Vermont have been lost.  The University of Vermont Extension Service has been working with Vermont farmers to redevelop strains of wheat and other grains that grow well in our climate and in our soils.  As governor I would make certain that this work continues and we provide the necessary support to take back the claim of being the breadbasket of New England.  Working with Vermont businesses such as King Arthur’s Flour and the Red Hen Bakery, Vermont agriculture can return to its roots and grow crops that are suited for our climate and do not require heavy fertilizing and do not require high transportation costs for the finished product.  It will be important to make certain that financing is available for these developing agricultural businesses and as governor I would make certain that the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) has the necessary capitalization to help these agricultural based businesses grow. 
• Throughout Vermont there are some very exciting projects with bio-diesel.  At Roger Rainville’s farm he is successfully producing all the fuel he needs for this farming equipment.  The sunflowers that are grown produce the oil that is processed into bio-diesel and the processed sunflower seeds produce high protein feed for the calves.  The total cost of producing the bio-diesel on the farm is $1.70 a gallon.  The cost of purchasing that bio-diesel is $2.70 a gallon.  This is an excellent example of a win for the farmer with a number of cost savings and a win for the environment.  The transportation costs are reduced and the need to purchase feed from out-of-state is greatly reduced.
• In times gone by it took 20% of a farmers land to produce the feed to take care of the horses and oxen that provide the “work” for the farm.  It turns out that it takes 20% of the farmers land to produce the bio-diesel to run the machines of today.  It seems that farmers are simply relearning the farming practices of their grandfathers.

Buying local and farmer’s markets are helping fruit and vegetable growers all over the state find outlets for their products.  I believe that what is necessary to help producers sell their products not only locally, but regionally is a series of cooperative type organizations.  

There is a business in Lamoille County called Deep Roots, and they have been in business for many years.  They are a cooperative that grows organic vegetables and then sell them in Boston and New York.  This allows the farmers to do what they do best, grow crops. The marketing is taken care of by that part of the business.  Each year every farmer knows what they will grow and that the sale of those crops is taken care of. Deep Roots is in the process of building a storage facility to facilitate year around access to many of its fruits and vegetables.  

A series of these types of businesses around the state would assure that an on-going supply of fruits and vegetables would be available to markets and restaurants throughout the year.

With Bartlett, you hear what you want to hear — and don’t want to

Susan Bartlett at Halvorson's Upstreet Cafe, Church Street, Burlington. Mike Townsend/Free Press

Original source 3:10 PM Thu., July 29, 2010 By Mike Townsend

Susan Bartlett met with a small audience today at Halvorson’s Upstreet Cafe in Burlington, and the message was she ”gets it." 

She gets the fiscal challenges. She gets the policy. She gets it that the buck does have to stop someplace.

I have been off the campaign trail for several weeks because of vacations here at the Free Press. I missed seeing the candidates work a floor. I am unsure of where this mass race of five ends up, and I wouldn’t bet on any specific candidate to win — or lose — no matter what polls may say and how much money anyone raises.

I only know that the state needs a persistent forum like this to get itself, as Susan Bartlett says she gets herself. Vermonters need to listen now and vote in the primary election, and not wait for the general election in November.

“I can walk into the governor’s office tomorrow and I don’t have a learning curve.”

The governor must be “outcomes” based in expectations and be consumed with the goals, how to get there and how to measure. Today, she says, “You cannot ask that question in state government.” With her as governor that question will be asked.

“If you like change, I am your person.”

Then comes the momentary pause Susan Barlett has perfected, because you know what is going to follow, with that sense of humor and raw honesty that connects with constituents in search of truth.

“If you want to keep things the way they are, you have at least four other decisions.”

Reminder: The primary election is Aug. 24. Vote.

7/26 Radio Interview

The first hour of the Mark Johnson show on Monday was an interview with Susan.

http://www.markjohnsonshow.net/in-the-news/mon72610

A Realistic Jobs Plan for Vermont

As I have said for year, government doesn’t create jobs, the private sector does. What government can do is help create the infrastructure and environment that encourages the growth of wealth in our state.

As governor there are a number of things I would work to have implemented to help retain and create jobs for Vermonters. The one issue that we all agree upon is that the telecommunications-high speed Internet structure must be developed rapidly and it must reach all parts of the state. This will need to be a public/private partnership to support access for all Vermonters. This is an example of having lots of the parts, but no system. My administration will immediately assemble the parts that exist, the parts that are planned and all the partners to lie out the completion of an up-to-date system for all of Vermont.

I will implement the following ideas as rapidly as possible to grow jobs for Vermont.

I will properly fund the regional economic development organizations and the regional planning commissions. This is where local business folks come to get the information they need. I will make sure that each region had the connections with groups such as the small business administration, Epcore, job-training programs and the sustainable jobs fund. These offices need to be the one stop-shopping place for regional businesses. I will shift $1 million from existing money spent in the central office in Montpelier.

I will assemble a group of small retail business owners to work with state government to consolidate the number of licenses and permits they need to operate their businesses. If we want our downtowns to prosper, we have to make it easier for retail businesses of all kinds to thrive in our downtown areas.

Travel and Tourism is an important part of the Vermont economy. For years the dollars we have invested in this area have only been in marketing. I believe that the agency needs to have several specially trained staff who understand the needs of these special businesses to work with them on business plans and marketing plans so they can get through the good and the bad times. Travel and Tourism is a specialized business just like farming and we should begin to address their business needs, not just their marketing needs. One specialized position $100,000.

Many businesses have trouble gaining access to capital, yet we know that our banks have money to lend. The problem is not that the banks don’t want to lend money, but they have come under so much more regulation from Washington that they can take very little risk. I will work with the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) and develop a new program that would allow VEDA to work with these businesses and the banks to create lending programs that cover the risk that the banks can’t take. This type of partnership should open the door to lending from the banks and encourage significant growth. Potentially several million dollars to capitalize.

Vermont is a state of innovators and it is time we truly recognized this and turned this asset into real jobs and real wealth for our state. I will start an office of Innovation and Intellectual Property as governor. This office will work with all the regional economic development groups and teach them the basics of helping a business or an individual with an innovative idea get on the path of securing the intellectual property rights for their idea. This office will also help find sources of capital for innovators and will encourage the growth of innovation of all types all around the state. As innovation and the demand for assistance with applying for patents grows, there could be assistance from this office in the form of grants and loans to help inventors achieve their goals of getting their intellectual property and then starting a successful business. For several years I have worked with VCET (Vermont Center for Emerging Technology) to help grow this type of idea. VCET now has a small seed capital fund to help businesses that meet their criteria.

The industry that has been hit the hardest in this recession is that of the building trades. Just like the rest of the country the Vermont housing sector has stalled. From looking at numbers and talking with folks in the field, I think it is safe to say that this sector is suffering from an unemployment rate of at least 30%. If we really want to jump start the Vermont economy, this is the sector we should help. I propose borrowing $15 million a year for two years and giving the money to Housing and Conservation. The housing organizations around the state very easily turn $15 million into $60 million with the financial packages they develop. This would mean $60 million a year spread around the state to begin to address the issue of affordable housing. Every discussion concerning growing our economy comes back to the lack of affordable housing. This two-year program would get the building trades back to work and begin to address the shortage of affordable housing.

I believe that the above steps, combined with my plan for agriculture, will get our economy moving in the right direction and will provide job growth for a number of years. We can fund many of these changes by a reallocation of the existing dollars in the Agency of Commerce and Community Affairs. I feel that these dollars need to be at work in the field, not in Montpelier. There are many Vermonters who are eager to grow their business or to start a business; we just have to provide the right attitude and the right incentives.

Statement on "Realistic Jobs Plan for Vermont"

Today I am releasing a detailed proposal to create jobs in Vermont. It includes accessing capital, a focus on regional development and building affordable homes to get the construction trades back to work. I will address the needs of agriculture in a separate proposal next week.

The other democratic candidates for governor have ideas for creating jobs, but they are all promises and don't address the cost of their programs. My proposal is different because it includes cost estimates. My experience as Chair of Appropriations gives me the ability to balance investment in the future with the reality of our budget problems today.

We must keep state spending under control as we build for the future.

I have talked to Vermonters all over the state and by far their number one concern is jobs.  People are worried about losing the jobs they have and wondering what will happen to their children in the future.  This is a critical time for our state.

Brian Dubie said on July 19 that he has a 10 point economic plan, but he is waiting to share it with Vermonters. Mr. Dubie, the people of Vermont need a plan for jobs now, not later.

Brian Dubie, what are you waiting for? 

Bartlett discusses jobs and the economy

A good article in the Brattleboro Reformer that gets to the essence of Susan's thoughts on how to support business and create jobs.

"This is about who do we think has the ideas and the skills and the personality and the style that Vermont needs right now, and who can stand next to and beat Brian Dubie," Susan said. "I can walk into the governor’s office tomorrow and I don’t have a learning curve."

Read the article ...

Agriculture day

Susan and I had a completely packed, agricultural day Friday. We met in Hardwick and carpooled to Jasper Hill Farms in Greensboro, which I had never actually seen or known much about. It turns out that they run a incredible facility producing world class cheese, with their own cows as well as others cheese products, and is built literally into a hill. At Jasper Hill we met the two brothers who owned the company, Andy and Mateo Kehler and Susan talked to them about how they started their company, how they are expanding rapidly, and how they make ridiculously good cheese. 

It was a really great conversation to listen to, as they exchanged ideas how they believed the future of Vermont agriculture was the exact opposite of the future of California agriculture. Everyone in the room believed that Cabot and Jasper Hill had the right idea, that we will never be able to compete with California and the incredible quantity of food they are able to produce in a single year. What Vermont will always be able to produce is the some of the highest quality food on earth. That will bring back high quality jobs into Vermont, and the financial growth that comes with it. With the tour at Jasper Hill, it became clear that this is exactly what they have produced. 

We were joined after the bulk of the conversation by the news crew from WCAX Channel 3. They had been covering the election and joined us for the rest of the day. The first thing that they did with us was to come along for the tour of the factory that Andy took us on. It was a very cool place, with rows of cheese wheels stacked on shelves. They explained the great deal of care that goes into cheese at Jasper Hill, how they vacuumed cheese for dust mites, manually rubbed and cleaned the wheels every few days, and that they were not just left to sit and age. I was very impressed with the entire tour, and the operation as a whole. They seemed very impressed with Susan and her commitment of not only her time, but her support of the goals they strive toward.

We left after thanking the Kehler brothers and headed to Hardwick to the Center for an Agricultural Economy where we met Monty Fischer over coffee. Monty and Susan talked and I learned about the mission and goals of the program, how they try and make sure Vermonters have access to good, locally grown food. He handed us a few papers with names of all the business in Vermont which they are associated with, and it seemed like they were helping out every locally owned business in Vermont, including Barre's own LACE. After about an hour the meeting ended and we headed to Cabot, while the news team interviewed Monty Fischer. 

In Cabot we stopped at Harry's Cabot True Value, which like many places in Vermont, was a little bit of everything. It was a hardware store with a diner in the back which was being used to hold a meet and greet for Susan. They had a really good assortment of food laid out for us when we got there, and had a pretty good turnout, plus the store's staff as well. Most of the people who turned up were farmers, and like the rest of the day, they asked Susan questions about farming and food policy, with Susan asking question's of her own. The news crew was there shortly after we were, and they were interviewing people about what they thought about her and the answers she gave. They got a massive amount of footage traveling around with us, it will be interesting to see what bits they use, and how it turns out. 

We were at the diner for probably 2 hours, with Susan doing what she does best, talking to the average folks who turned out to see her. I don't think the news crew expected to wait that long for her, but so me of the people who were talking to her were having such a good conversation, they didn't want to leave! We thanked our hosts, and then the final bit of the day was the news crew wanted to interview Susan outside after all of our events. That lasted for probably 5 minutes and we thanked them and headed off back to Hardwick so I could get my car and go home. It was a very successful day for Susan, and a great learning experience for me. 

It was a great day, and when we win the election, I will attribute it to days like this. Ever since I have been traveling with the campaign, I think that's what makes Susan different, Susan is going out and meeting people and learning what they care about, not staying at home raising money. People of Vermont know this, and its why we are going to win August 24th.

Andrew Desmarais

Addressing the next $120 million budget deficit

In order to deal with another year and another substantial deficit, as Governor I would ask legislative leaders to meet with the current administration, me, and the staff I would be appointing to budget writing assignments. It will take all the knowledge we have to develop a budget for the upcoming year.

For several years I have been focusing on the area of corrections for savings. We currently spend almost $140 million a year on this part of the budget. We know that we incarcerate a high percentage of non-violent offenders. Our goal needs to be to help Vermonters with substance abuse deal with their issues and become productive members of society.

This will take years to accomplish. For example; we currently have budgeted for 700 out of state prisoners. Each one costs us $23,000 a year. If we were to bring home all 700 of those prisoners, we would save $16 million. That is a great deal of money, but what would we do with all those prisoners? It will take years and a big investment to develop the programs we need to rehabilitate these Vermonters and to find housing and jobs for them so they do not return to a life of crime. But at least we are beginning to make these changes.

I would ask that each program in government meet with the advocates for their programs and people who use the services that the programs provide and agree upon a set of outcomes for those programs. Then the same group would decide how they would measure the outcomes. This process has the effect of having all of the people involved in programs, both providers and consumers, set the priorities for the programs and how to measure those outcomes.

The next step would be to go through each of the programs the state provides and see if the programs address the outcomes that have been agreed upon. If they don’t, then why should we continue to do those programs? One of the issues for government is that many programs are started but few are eliminated. Now is the time to stop programs that do not meet the goals we chose.

This process does not have to be overly time consuming and because it is an inclusive effort, it can be a very positive process. In these difficult times, it is much better to find the positive outcomes we all want and work together towards supporting those programs, than arguing about reductions. This means that there may well be programs that will be terminated, but those dollars can be saved or be redirected to services that address outcomes that can be measured. This is all a necessary part of right-sizing Vermont government.

I do not believe it is right to ask Vermonters to pay more taxes until government as a whole goes through the above process. Our state revenues are at about the same level that they were in 2005. We must get our spending back to those levels.

10 minutes on Education

Susan lays out some of her thoughts on how we go forward with education in Vermont. It's not just about aides ...

Susan speaks to the Vermont Chamber of Commerce Business Expo.

On May 26, she spoke to an audience at the Vermont Chamber of Commerce Business Expo. Chris Graff is the moderator.

Innovation and Intellectual Property, Jobs, Economic Development, the need to support Regional Planning Commissions, Challenges for Change, Economic Development, Agriculture and her experience are some of the subjects covered.

A Moderate Approach to the Budget

"I've balanced the budget for 16 years."

"The thing about being the moderate is you get beaten up by both sides. I'm pretty resoundingly, every year, beaten up by both sides. I think that proves my point that I'm the moderate."

Qualified to be Governor

Qualified to be Governor from Susan Bartlett on Vimeo.

Larger School Districts and Education Spending

Larger districts will offer more educational opportunities for children and save money. We need work together to reduce spending on education.

"Half our budget deficit next year, $60 million, is the general fund contribution to education. If we meet that obligation, we are breaking the back of other general fund services. To not meet them, and this is the no-win situation, is breaking the back of the property taxpayer."

Vermont Well-Positioned to Revamp Health Care System

Vermont is moving forward on global budgeting. The work we've already done on medical records immediately qualified us for millions of dollars in federal money."

"I believe that the next governor, and the next legislature will be able to move forward to make significant changes in the health care system in Vermont in the next two years."

Letter: Choose Bartlett as next governor

Burlington Free Press              SUNDAY, JULY 25, 2010

As we all know there are five candidates vying for the vacancy for governor of Vermont. After learning about each candidate's qualifications, I decided to support the senator from Lamoille County. Susan Bartlett is my choice for she is prepared to hold the position.

First: Bartlett has an education background earning degrees both at the University of Vermont and Johnson State College. With her degrees, she obtained employment as directorof a group home for youth and as director of special education services for a school district in Lamoille County. She developed programs that offered stability to our youth at risk.

Second: With her spouse, she has hands-on experience in organic farming and raising animals. She knows dirt, lambs and sheep.

Third: She has business experience having owned and operated a successful shop, Wool & Feathers, in Stowe. She knows yarn.

Fourth: She has served as Vermont's senator from Lamoille County for 18 years. When she won her first race, she was the first Democrat to be elected to that seat in the county's history.

Fifth: During her 18 years in the Senate, she served on the Appropriations Committee for 16 of those years. She was at the helm as the chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee for eight of those years. (A former Vermont governor, the first woman from Vermont to serve in that office, also served on the Appropriations Committee.) We know what a tough time our state is in right now with budgeting issues. Bartlett knows budgets.

Sixth: If you've met or read about Susan Bartlett, you have a sense of her competence, her vision for our state, and for the people within its borders. Voters in Lamoille County know.

PATRICIA A. ALLEN 
South Burlington

"Not every special needs child belongs in the classroom all the time."

Susan Bartlett talks about education to the VT NEA. She discusses the importance of improving our educational system to benefit the children and the people who work in our schools.


Susan Bartlett Speaks to the NEA About Education from Susan Bartlett on Vimeo.

How to help Southern Vermont and the Northeast Kingdom

I do not believe that government creates jobs; I believe that our citizens create jobs. It is the individuals who are already in business or who have an idea that they want to turn into a business that create jobs and prosperity for the entire state. The state can help create an environment and provide infrastructure that helps business grown. As governor I would look at all of the existing programs that give money to businesses and make sure these dollars are really creating jobs. I would make certain that money would go to the new, small businesses that are our future.

As governor I would fund the regional economic development groups properly so they could spend their time helping local business. It is these regional organizations that can best assist local business people. It is also these regional groups working locally that can best develop an economic development plan for their region.

The Northeast Kingdom has suffered higher unemployment rates than most of the state for sometime. The area has been very dependent upon Ethan Allen and the severe negative impacts can be seen when the Beecher Falls plant was closed. The expansion at Jay Peak and the interest in a high tech company building in the area are positive signs that more jobs and opportunity are coming to that part of the state. This part of the state has been the champion of getting funding through a federal program referred to as the EB5 program. This allows foreign investors to make investments into targeted programs that create new jobs. As governor I would work to have other parts of the state take advantage of this source of capital.

I believe that innovation and intellectual property will be the answer for good jobs all over Vermont. The interest in renewable energy poses opportunities for regions of Vermont to become the center of excellence for research and innovation. The rapid growth in bio-diesel and growing our own fuel can provide ways to keep our farmlands all over the state as farmland, not houses. I would form an office of Innovation and Intellectual Property that would train all the regional partners in these areas so local businesses would learn of these opportunities and be helped in getting the patents of their ideas. This office would also work to assist in finding new sources of revenue for businesses.

These ideas apply to our entire state. As I am traveling the state, I find so many pockets of good ideas for job growth. I believe that we are poised to come out of this recession in a way that will ensure slow but steady job growth for all of Vermont.

Susan Speaks at "Race to Replace"

In addition to talking about closing VY and renewable energy, Bartlett shows her humorous side in this video shot last spring.

Douglas Ignored Legislative Intent

from vtdigger

Lawmakers decried the Douglas administration’s decision to eliminate a conservation position in the Department of Fish and Wildlife at a press conference Wednesday.

Bartlett sees the administration’s decision as a matter of priorities. “This is a continuation of this administration not being supportive of conservation and/or planning,” Bartlett said.



 
The position was written into the budget bill that passed in the last legislative session. Legislative leaders said Gov. Jim Douglas violated lawmakers’ intent and negotiated in bad faith when he signed the budget bill and then shortly afterward allowed administrative officials to ignore language in the bill. That wording was designed to protect a staff wildlife biologist who provides technical assistance for towns engaged in conservation planning to protect wildlife habitat.
 
Sen. Susan Bartlett and Sen. Peter Shumlin (both Democratic candidates in the gubernatorial primary) and House Speaker Shap Smith said the Legislature saw the position as an essential component of the department’s conservation policy.
 
Douglas administration officials say the executive branch has the right to decide the fate of individual employees and positions. David Corriell, Douglas’ spokesman, accused lawmakers of trying to micromanage personnel.
 
“On the one hand, the Legislature through Challenges for Change wants the government to run more efficiently, and on the other hand, they’re running government as inefficiently as possible by dictating the way the administration is managing government,” Corriell said.
Observers say the stalemate over the language in the law could lead to a constitutional showdown between legislators and the administration. At issue is whether the administration is obliged to uphold language in the law that it deems unacceptable, and conversely whether the Legislature has the right to insist that it do so.
 
It’s too early to say if the question will become a constitutional issue, according to Attorney General Bill Sorrell, who, as of yesterday, had not been asked by legislative leaders or the administration to weigh in.
 
Smith said there are no plans yet to sue the administration over the elimination of the position. He called the decision a “breach of the good faith that we all contributed towards in reaching a budget compromise.”
 
“When we passed the budget document, we expected it to be followed,” Smith said. “It’s not merely guidance – it is the law of the state of Vermont. This year we worked very diligently with the administration to put together a budget that could be signed by the governor and was the result of many compromises, and to then have the governor sign the budget, and then ignore the language of the budget, really cuts against the spirit of the compromising that we did to get to a budget we could all leave the building with, without the repeat of the veto and override scenario that happened last year.”
 
Jonathon Wood, secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources, said in a recent interview that there is no constitutional problem. “Those powers are clear and absolute,” Wood said. “The administration has the authority to do this. We have to manage the budget and the Legislature sets the budget. They fund certain programs and we manage the positions.”
Bartlett said the administration is choosing to ignore “what the budget said.”
 
“If the budget’s a guideline, and you don’t need to pay attention to it, maybe you just need one branch of government,” Bartlett said.
 
The position, Fish and Wildlife Scientist II, was held by Jens Hawkins-Hilke, who worked with 50 to 80 towns a year to help them identify and map habitat. A U.S. Fish and Wildlife grant paid for half of Hawkins-Hilke’s salary, which was roughly $22 an hour. He was laid off recently and has filed a grievance with the union. According to the legislative letter of intent, his position would have cost the state roughly $16,000.
 
He provided technical support for towns, as well as helped local community members understand the scientific concepts behind conservation, such as habitat protection. Often this meant helping towns identify what kinds of habitat they valued for recreation, hunting, fishing and other wildlife, he said. Some towns are focused on deer yards; others are interested in protecting salamanders.
 
Hawkins-Hilke said in an interview that he was No. 4 on the reduction-in-force list at ANR last year. He survived the first round of cuts, but in February he was told his position would be eliminated. Town planning commission and conservation commission officials canvassed lawmakers about the RIF and pressured the Legislature to retain the position. By mid-June it was clear the administration had gone ahead with its original plan.
 
Wood called it a “limited service position” that wasn’t “meant to be a full-time job” and he said the agency will continue to offer services to local communities through its district offices.
 
“The position provides planning assistance to towns and municipalities — just assistance to conservation commissions and town plans on the types of things in towns that could be done to protect wildlife habitat,” Wood said. “That type of thing has been done by the department for many years.”
 
Mike Hedges, a member of the Waterbury Conservation Commission, said he is not confident ANR will help his group finish mapping for new subdivision regulations. Nor is he counting on help from officials from the agency with plans for protecting a moose crossing corridor on Route 100 near Walker Construction. It’s the only place, he said, where the large game animals can pass from the Green Mountains to the Worcester Mountains. Hawkins-Hilke identified the crossing for the commission and was going to help them develop a plan for protecting the area.
 
“It’s hard for others to take up those extra duties,” Hedges said.
 
Wood said the agency is responding to constant downward budget pressures.
 
“There aren’t any more paper clips to cut,” Wood said. “We’ve been into significant cutting of positions for a while now. There isn’t any choice.”
 
Wood said game wardens, however, continue to be fully funded by the Department of Fish and Wildlife because they “are a high priority.”
 
“I have not tried to cut game wardens, though the Legislature has cut their overtime,” Wood said.
 
Since the recession began in 2007, the agency has eliminated 100 positions, many of which were federally funded, according to Wood.
 
Corriell said the state faces an uncertain revenue outlook in the current fiscal year and a $100 million deficit in fiscal year 2012. He said small amounts add up to “real money” in the budget and that government leaders have to make hard decisions.
 
“This is a very challenging time, and as a state government there need to be priorities,” Corriell said. “What we need to do is focus on growing our economy. It’s short-sighted to focus on one position.”
 
Bartlett also sees the administration’s decision as a matter of priorities. “This is a continuation of this administration not being supportive of conservation and/or planning,” Bartlett said.