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.