Biography
Retired Vt Public school teacher-French, Spanish, Civics & Economics & Global Studies; Co-advised the Mock Trial and Speech & Debate clubs as well as the National Honor Society; Produced a regional Global Issues Network conference for 10 years at Rutland High School; Rowland Foundation Fellow (2014 cohort); Vermont Humanities Council Victor Swenson Educator 2017.
Mediator (Vermont Family Mediators); Facilitator for UVM/ VT Family Court’s “Coping with Separation and Divorce” class; Co-Producer of Peg TV program (broadcast in the Rutland region) “The Relationship Toolbox.”
Have volunteered with Amnesty International, Habitat for Humanity, supported the welcoming of refugees in Rutland, canvassed for Reproductive Rights Amendment. Member of the Maple Leaf Quilters. Last but certainly not least: A mom.
Candidate occupation
Retired public school teacher; mediator; facilitator for UVM/ Vt Family Court
Why are you running for office?
I am inspired to combine my persistent optimism for the future, my passion for making our communities safer, healthier, and more just with my disposition for being able to address situations with compassion, reason, pragmatism and civility. I have been discouraged by the tone of politics and believe that we all must do better. I believe, collectively, we can arrive at solutions to the interconnected and complex problems we face. We must also find the will to implement them. Some actions will require sacrifice.
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?
Yes
Do you believe Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election?
Yes
Issues in depth
What would you do to help grow Vermont’s economy?
I believe that Vermont’s economy is poised to grow. Vermont is an attractive, appealing, untapped destination. It will be important to shape how it grows to not compromise the very nature of our State that makes it amazing. And of course, we need housing to welcome and support new residents and to satisfy the needs of our existing citizens. Affordable housing is essential to public safety, equity, improved mental and physical health, public safety and economic growth. I support time-limited tax incentives for folks who want to try new businesses, bring clean-industry and offer innovative services with lower financial barriers to getting launched.
What changes, if any, would you make to the way Vermont funds its schools?
I can say that depending heavily on the property taxes assessed on a shrinking and aging population is not fair or sustainable. I have learned that in Hawaii there are at least 9 different tiers of property taxes, too. Maybe it’s time to redefine Vermont’s categories to represent the nuances of property use, including not only owner-occupied homes but also owner non-occupied, ADU’s, short-term rentals, fair-market (and below fair market) rentals, commercial, industrial, hotel/ resort rentals, conservation, agricultural uses. These new categories could more fairly distribute the weight of taxation. I have seen education from the delivery side of it and I would be an expert on how to defend against suggestions that would harm it, while wrestling with how to better fund it.
Is Vermont doing enough, too much or not enough to address climate change? Please explain.
Vermont has been a courageous leader in climate action. Free market factors are not enough to incentivize the brave climate actions and resilience-building measures that we must take to mitigate environmental collapse and vulnerabilities. Formal Legislative Policy nudges businesses and citizens to do better. However, we must meet people where they are…or at least close to where they are. Coercion, austerity, and mandates without support doesn’t create real progress. It creates backlash, resentment, and dissent. We must educate, inspire and assist instead. We must not lose the momentum we have built, without stalling or setbacks. Obviously, nowhere in the world are we doing enough according to Nature’s plea, but we must defend against a lack of compliance too, which could be as detrimental in the big picture. Taking courageous climate action is important. We need to find a balance between martyrdom and abdication of responsibilities. Cultural shifts cannot be legislated, however. They must be cultivated.
Is Vermont doing enough, too much or not enough to regulate gun ownership? Please explain.
Not enough. We can solve—or at least reduce the frequency of gun violence, nationally, regionally and locally. It is not outside of our control. Civilians do not need automatic weapons. Background checks are a must. Red Flag laws save lives. Large capacity ammunition is not needed for hunting. Existing laws must be enforced. Loopholes must be closed. Non-family private sales must be registered. Mental health care addresses and prevents violence to self and others. We should value preventative measures. Building a sense of belonging and inclusion—strong community building—also helps by reducing the incidence of sad, lonely, disenfranchised people who commit the highest percentage of gun violence on self or others.
What would you do to help ease Vermont’s housing crisis?
I support the sensible revisions to the act 250 permitting process, which provide for relaxing the barriers to smart growth in already developed areas while protecting the larger swaths of rural land in between. I support the growth of compact (including more vertical) development where there is existing water and sewer infrastructure and zoning and subdivision provisions. I support walkable towns, improved public transit, and the introduction of new, clean industry. I support upgrades and maintenance of technology to support remote work. I would support the allocation of funding to the VHIP financial incentives for rehab work on existing housing inventory as well as new building.
How would you address rising homelessness in Vermont?
The housing crisis seems to be an intersection of poverty, mental health needs, substance addictions, employment, childcare, and housing stock. In part due to the emergency measures that were taken during COVID, we have a disproportionate number of unsheltered folks in our district. Rutland was tasked with solving and emergency. The State should be tasked with helping us move on from operating in an emergency status to a more sustainable approach. We need multiple types of housing:
- Emergency housing for unsheltered folks for the winter.
- Transitional housing with wrap-around support staff and services on site for those lifting themselves out of unemployment, drug addictions, domestic violence, poor health, and managing disabilities, etc.
- Transitional housing for aging folks who are down-sizing
- Affordable houses and rentals for young people, first-time homeowners, small families
- Housing to appeal to the tastes and needs of professionals moving to accept employment in Rutland County and folks with larger families.
What would you do to increase access to health care services for Vermonters?
I am eager to learn more and to be a part of addressing health care needs, but I must admit that I do not have solutions in mind, beyond parroting what others say, “single payer, etc…” I know that access to health care has decreased, wait-time for procedures has increased, premiums continue to rise, coverage becomes more complicated, people avoid preventative care and hold policies that are basically catastrophic care only, and the whole system is opaque to the lay-person. Providers are less likely to work in rural areas. I def to those who are more knowledgeable about this than I but I will be glad to work on it if assigned to this topic.
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 Cassel’s financial disclosure here.
Disclaimer
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