State Rep Candidates Express Views on Education, Property Taxes and Maintaining our Rural Character
by Kaya Yurieff
July 15, 2010, pg 6

The five candidates running for State Representative from Charlotte gathered at the Old Brick Store on June 30. The debate was open to the public, and community members were invited to list up to three questions or topics of discussion. Candidates seeking this office are Mike Kurt (D), Charles Russell (D), Mike Yantachka (D), Ed Stone (R) and Robin Reid (I). This meeting is one of a series of gatherings organized by Reid. Issues discussed included education, property taxes and maintaining the Charlotte rural character.

The first topic of debate was property taxes and their connection to education. Yantachka argued that less experienced teachers should be brought into schools because they will have lower salaries. He also added that schools should consolidate school districts and offer early retirement.

Russell, chair of the Selectboard, retorted that schools should get rid of the “bad teachers,” regardless of their age. “We need to get rid of the teachers who can’t control the kids.” He later added that the school administrators should evaluate teachers.

Kurt went out on a limb and suggested an approach similar to one taken in Washington D.C., where all teachers, administrators, custodians and others, had to reapply for their jobs. This could help to ensure that schools have the best possible faculty. Kurt concluded that teacher competence is important, not age. Older teachers set an example for new teachers.

Reid said that there should be a statewide system or contract outlining spending on teachers. “Teachers are not thinking how to cut down. We can manage with less. Why do we always have to have more?” Living on a dairy farm, Reid has to make cuts all the time and said that she would love to see the Legislature take another cut.

Stone argued that it’s not the teachers’ fault, it’s the fault of the “people in Montpelier.” Teachers should be rewarded for their work. As the lone Republican candidate, he said that he doesn’t expect to do much unless Republicans get a “foothold.” Stone believes that a more balanced government is needed, which would create more debate and yield interesting ideas.

As far as maintaining Charlotte’s rural character, the candidates unanimously agreed to support anything that would keep Charlotte and Vermont the same. Stone commented that because of all the regulations, it is very difficult to change anything in Charlotte. “It’s going to be the same for the next 100 years. Charlotte is what it is.”

Yantachka said that he will support tourism, dairy farms and any loans or grants that support agriculture. Russell added that Vermont should create its own milk-pricing system so that we can get a premium on our own milk. Reid believes that Vermont has the potential to be an even larger tourist attraction.

The next “Meet and Greet the Candidates” meeting is on July 21, from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Tenney Family Deli. The primary election is August 24, and absentee ballots are now available at the Town Clerk’s office.

Kaya Yurieff, who will be a senior at CVU in the fall, is a summer intern at The Charlotte News.