Lynn's Candidate Profile in the St. Albans Messenger

http://www.samessenger.com/node/433

May 30th, 2010

Letter to the Editor 

      Now that the legislative session is over, I want to update you on my efforts in Montpelier.  This year’s session came with many challenges as the state continues to address Vermont’s financial situation.  I ran for office so that I could create jobs, save taxpayers money by making state government more efficient and strengthen our communities.  I am hopeful that my efforts this year have served to increase economic opportunity in Franklin County while safeguarding your tax dollars.  Here are some of the highlights of my work from the session: 

      I improved and worked to pass a jobs bill that distributed $8.665 million for broadband expansion, workforce development and loan subsidies for farmers, industries and municipalities.  

      I worked directly with our employers on a balanced solution for the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund deficit.  This new law is designated to allow for continued financial assistance to families in need while not overburdening our local businesses.

      I worked to protect consumers by passing a new law that would prevent credit rating agencies from selling the personal information of mortgage borrowers to other mortgage lenders.

      I helped reduce credit card fees imposed on our local Main Street businesses for small purchases made by consumers.

      I also worked with the Franklin County delegation to resolve permitting issues for the Franklin County Field Days to insure that our friends and families can continue to enjoy the Field Days in our community for years to come.

      I cosponsored a bill to help the original Cow Power farmers in Franklin County get the same fee as the new methane digesters would receive with legislation passed in 2009.  This bill was included in the renewable energy bill.

      I also cosponsored a bill to create an income tax credit for active duty military members serving overseas.  This bill was included in the miscellaneous tax bill with a check off on the state tax return to raise money for veterans.

      I sponsored a resolution to support building a Wal-Mart in St. Albans Town.  I continue to be a leading voice to bring jobs, and a wider range of shopping options to our area while making our permitting process more accountable to those in the actual town where the project occurs. 

      I continued to help residents of my district deal with issues involving state government during the past two years.   This is an important part of my service to all of you in the communities I represent.  As always, I look forward to hearing your views, hopes and concerns.  Please contact me at 802-524-3404 or at edickinson@leg.state.vt.us. 

Rep.  Lynn Dickinson

St. Albans Town, Fairfield, Fletcher 

Letter to the Editor 

Last week, I attended two events that deserve special mention:

I attended the Ground Breaking for the 93 acre addition to the Industrial Park in St. Albans Town.  This addition has taken ten years of planning and a great deal of hard work to bring to fruition.  The members of the Franklin County Industrial Development Corporation Board and Tim Smith have worked with the St. Albans Town officials to realize this expansion of the Industrial Park.  This will bring more jobs to our community and create continued prosperity for residents of the area.  Congratulations to all who worked so hard for so long to accomplish this important goal. 

I also attended the concert of Vivaldi’s Gloria presented by the BFA Chorus students under the direction of Armand Messier. It was a professional level concert with soloists Claire Hungerford and Evelyn Kwanza and an eighteen piece orchestra put together by Gianna Messier.  When we have high expectations for students, they will rise to the occasion and perform magnificently.  Armand has brought many more students, especially young men, into the Chorus.  He has challenged them with serious musical presentations such as this performance of Gloria and in the past with Handel’s Messiah.  It is beautiful music we don’t often have the chance to hear in Franklin County, but it is especially inspiring to see so many young people participate and perform at such a demanding and high level.   

Creating jobs, celebrating the arts and quality education are all important to our community and complement each other.  I congratulate all the people involved in these endeavors for working together to make our community better.  

Rep. Lynn Dickinson

St. Albans Town, Fairfield, Fletcher

April 4th, 2010

Letter to the editor