Editor’s note: This commentary is by James B. Hall, of Rutland, who is a retired sergeant major from a 28½ year career with the Vermont Air National Guard. He has served on selectboards in Royalton and Rutland Town and currently serves on the Board of Civil Authority in Rutland Town.
[T]he track record of Gov. Phil Scott has been deeply disappointing — not his record at Thunder Road, but the one under the golden dome. This record of disappointment goes back to the campaign, when he was extremely slow to put forth any plans for the state under his leadership. This was frustrating, and looking back on it, his actions since election have told a different story than was being expected.
The first major disappointment was his reappointment of Rebecca Holcombe as education secretary. She was a holdover from the Shumlin administration, so it was a given as to what to expect from then on: more of the same. This was instead of using the “new broom sweeps clean” approach and getting some leadership in the Agency of Education that would have turned the place around by sending responsibility for schools back to districts so that the partnership between parents and administration would be in charge instead of giving us the same old snake oil routine that has to take responsibility for steadily declining student achievements that have persisted for much too long in Vermont. Hence the increase in home-schooled children, the expansion of private and Christian schools all around the state.
To his credit, he has kept taxes and fees in check, but that may come to an end according to recent reports.
Then there was the marijuana signing.
Then came most recently the gun issues that have turned into laws that will be enacted very soon.
I believe the turning point has been reached, and there will be no turning back. Remember Peter Smith and his gun control proposals, and his opponent? His opponent was Bernie Sanders, who once was mayor of Burlington. The rest is history.
Folks, in talking with some of my like-minded friends, I am learning that the silent majority is waiting to be heard, once again, on Election Day of 2018.
In 1997, the silent majority took back the Legislature and completely changed the legislative landscape in Vermont.
I really think the skids are being greased for that to happen again, maybe even the governor’s office will feel the effects of that action. Time will tell, but I can say with certainty, there are many, many disgruntled voters who are extremely unhappy with the current landscape.
I don’t blame them for feeling that way.