Biography
I grew up in Stamford, CT. Public school education from K-7. Private school including boarding school from 8-12. Nominated Air Force Academy. Graduated Duke University. Obtained MBA from University of Connecticut. Applied for Connecticut State Trooper position. Worked in public accounting – Arthur Andersen. Passed CPA exam. 20 professional jobs (the last as town manager of Westminster) in 14 cities or boroughs. Lived in 25 different cities in 5 different states. Came to Vermont 3 years ago after about 5 years in Alaska and 15 years in NYC. Needless to say it was an interesting contrast living in NYC as well as off the road system in Alaska.
I’ve worked in a lot of organizations, seen a lot and met a lot of people. I have also utilized the “safety net” including welfare (TANF), food stamps (SNAP) and unemployment. Perhaps I am neuro diverse since I seem to have the ability and effort. In a nutshell, I’ve had a wide range of professional and personal experiences.
Candidate occupation
Semi-retired Accounting, Finance type.
Why are you running for office?
I am seeking a seat in the Senate so I’m “at the table.” I feel I have a lot to offer the Vermont public and would like the opportunity to use my unique skills to fix the problems that exist within the state. I will learn as much about the political climate as possible, get state-wide recognition and then run for governor next biennium since the governor is singular and the legislature are many. Specifically in the Senate I will attempt to understand how the high- income tax surcharge failed to get out of committee. I will “lobby” from day 1 for this to pass the Senate
Also I am running for office because the government of Vermont is not working for all Vermonters. A governor should work with the legislature. The services provided by the state of Vermont that I have utilized (unemployment, COBRA/continued health insurance, pension and container redemption) are the worst that I have ever experienced and that includes NYC as well as Alaska.
Issues in brief
Do you believe Vermonters are better off now than they were 10 years ago?
No answer
Do you believe Vermont needs a new education funding formula?
Yes
Do you support imposing new taxes on the wealthiest Vermonters?
Yes
Do you support the establishment of overdose prevention centers?
Yes
Do you support a ban on flavored tobacco products?
Yes
Do you support increasing penalties for property crimes such as shoplifting?
No
Do you believe Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election?
Yes
Issues in depth
What would you do to help grow Vermont’s economy?
Since my goal is to understand the issues and what the legislature (and thus the people they represent) desires in order to work in tandem with the legislature as I run and hopefully become governor, it wouldn’t make sense to me to provide specific thoughts on issues. There are many existing legislators as well as challengers who have established ideas on these issues. I don’t want to recreate the wheel, at least not until when and if I’m elected. And to be sure the wheel that I would try to recreate is to provide the services that would make Vermont the great state that it could be.
What changes, if any, would you make to the way Vermont funds its schools?
See above.
Also as I’ve been campaigning people have questioned my seriousness since I am running for 2 offices. I was not able to run for governor this election since I have not been a Vermont resident for the requisite 4 years. Also running for Senate gets my message out to more people than the House. If people in my district like me, I’ve suggested vote for me twice. If they like Mollie, vote her as representative and me as senator. Everyone else in Windham county who likes my message should vote for me for senate.
The message is that of change. Change of perspective and respect. Change in relationship as well. The governor needs to show respect for the people of the state of Vermont and administer the laws that are passed by the legislature in a manner such that Vermonters deserve.
Is Vermont doing enough, too much or not enough to address climate change? Please explain.
See above.
I do not understand the hesitation in ranked choice voting in Vermont. It makes sense. It’s only complicated if you want it to be. There are millions of things more complicated than ranked choice voting such as driving a car, adhering to a budget, raising children and many other activities.
Is Vermont doing enough, too much or not enough to regulate gun ownership? Please explain.
See above.
What would you do to help ease Vermont’s housing crisis?
See above.
How would you address rising homelessness in Vermont?
See above.
What would you do to increase access to health care services for Vermonters?
See above.
Financial disclosure
Candidates for state and legislative offices are required to submit a financial disclosure when filing to run. These disclosures include each source, but not the amount, of personal income of each candidate, and of their spouse or domestic partner, that singly or jointly totals more than $5,000 for the previous 12 months. The information provided is an opportunity for voters to learn about candidates’ potential conflicts of interest.
You can find Fay’s financial disclosure here.
Disclaimer
We emailed a questionnaire to every candidate with a valid email address. The responses provided by candidates are in their own words. VTDigger has not edited or fact-checked information provided.
If this is your candidacy and you’d like to fill out the questionnaire or report an error, please contact us at voterguide@vtdigger.org.
