Biography
Resident of Lyndon since 1977. Employed at Weidmann Electrical Technology for 27 years in sales, customer management, and continuous improvement work. Selectman in Lyndon and Lyndonville 21 years. Active in regional planning and economic development agency 25 years. Served in the House of Representatives 2013-2023 for Caledonia 4. Was active on Natural Resources and Energy Committee and Appropriations Committee. Seek to bring a stronger voice for rural Vermont to the Legislature.
Candidate occupation
Retired
Why are you running for office?
Vermont needs a better balance between the political parties. Rural interests and those that prefer a smaller government footprint are not often heard. In recent years the Legislature has spent millions of dollars on issues that do not address core problems. Recent tax increases are making it much more difficult for average families to manage with no corresponding benefit. I seek a better prioritization of spending that will ultimately benefit our population.
Issues in brief
Do you believe Vermonters are better off now than they were 10 years ago?
No
Do you believe Vermont needs a new education funding formula?
No
Do you support imposing new taxes on the wealthiest Vermonters?
No
Do you support the establishment of overdose prevention centers?
No
Do you support a ban on flavored tobacco products?
No
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?
We need to reduce regulations on business establishment. We need to encourage a diversity of businesses, especially in rural areas. Workforce development would help fill jobs. Reducing entitlements would encourage more to enter the workforce and improve their economic lot.
What changes, if any, would you make to the way Vermont funds its schools?
I am not so concerned about the methods of funding schools, but am concerned about the increasing costs of our school system. We need to re-examine many of our mandated practices to determine if they are effective. We should prioritize only those that truly bring value to our system. Parents that are able need to fund many of the programs that are now offered at no cost to them (meals, after school, summer camps, etc.).
Is Vermont doing enough, too much or not enough to address climate change? Please explain.
Vermont is doing enough. We need to concentrate changes on what practices are reasonable for our demographics and weather patterns. Transition needs to be planned at a pace that the population can absorb without disrupting our economy.
Is Vermont doing enough, too much or not enough to regulate gun ownership? Please explain.
Vermont has a good balance on the gun issue. Individual responsibility and protection of the public are both considered.
What would you do to help ease Vermont’s housing crisis?
We need to offer more incentives to rehab existing older un-occupied or low quality housing stock. A few units sprinkled throughout the neighborhood is often more acceptable than a new multi unit building.
How would you address rising homelessness in Vermont?
Homeless persons should be required to accept residence in a shelter or other suitable location if offered in the community. Our public dollars should not go to those who will not accept shelter that will provide stability. Landlords that are protected from abusive renters are more likely to offer space.
What would you do to increase access to health care services for Vermonters?
More awareness of available services is needed. Current subsidies and insurance availability seems adequate. Transportation to services can be supplemented on a local level if needed.
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 Feltus’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.
