 |
 |
Tom Buchanan
For State Representative
Londonderry, Jamaica, Windhall, Weston, Stratton
HEALTHCARE
"The cost of healthcare has skyrocketed. It has become a huge drag on our local and school budgets, and on our state budget. Businesses are being squeezed by these rising costs. Even Vermonters who have health insurance are facing soaring premiums, higher deductibles and larger co-pays. We must come to grips with escalating costs, and insure that every Vermonter has coverage they can afford."
HOUSING
"We all know there is a serious lack of affortable housing in our region. That makes it hard for young people to build lives here, and for our seniors to remain in their hometowns. It makes it tough for businesses to prosper, and it stifles our sense of community. We must balance growing property values with access to livable and affordable housing for all Vermonters."
BALANCING THE BUDGET
"Vermonters are constantly being asked to shoulder a growing property tax burden, yet we are given little in return. The generosity of out communities has been stretched thin. We must demand meaningful reform that matches tax liability with our ability to pay. It really is a time for change."
TIME FOR CHANGE
"Our voices must be heard. For too long our communities have been ignored. We now have a chance to send a new Respresentative to Montpilier who will command respect for senior leadership in the State House. We have not had this kind of real and meaningful opportunity for many years."
LEADERSHIP MATTERS
"I have committed myself to making a difference in our community through service on the Windham Regional Commission (WRC). My strong stand in legislature supporting affodable healthcare and housing, and meaningful tax relief, will make our communities even better places to live."
PRESS RELEASE
Tom Buchanan has announced his candidacy for the Vermont State Legislature to represent Londonderry, Jamaica, Weston, Winhall, and Stratton (Windham-Bennington-Windsor-1). Petitions have been filed with the Town Clerk in Londonderry, and the campaign now moves into high gear in preparation for the Democratic primary on September 12, 2006.
Mr. Buchanan is currently serving as a Commissioner on the Windham Regional Commission, where he sits on the Community Development and Project Review committees. He said "Serving on the WRC has brought me closer to my neighbors, and has fostered a philosophy of balanced leadership that seeks to hear all positions, and make critical decisions that enhance life in our unique communities".
Mr. Buchanan lives in Londonderry and works as a snowboard instructor at Stratton Mountain Resort in the winter, and as a fly fishing instructor for Orvis in Manchester through the summer. When announcing his candidacy Mr. Buchanan said "Sharing the outdoors with our guests is an amazing job, but as a low wage worker I sometimes struggle, as do so many other Vermonters. Yet I love Vermont and consider it the best place to live. Now I hope to make Vermont even better by representing my community in the state legislature". Mr. Buchanan continued "Too often I think the legislature hears from powerful lobbyists, and wealthy Vermonters. Certainly the needs of those with influence are important and they should be heard, but those voices must be balanced with the collective voices of working Vermonters. We all share similar needs. We want a clean environment with functioning farms; forested wilderness; livable villages, towns, and cities; good jobs; affordable housing; quality healthcare; outstanding educational opportunities, and the freedom to live our lives as we choose. Both the wealthy and the working poor struggle with taxes and government regulation, and together we must seek ways to balance our needs and available resources. The choices we make sometimes differ, but our goals are shared. The process of balancing those choices must be open and free, and the voices of all Vermonters should be heard. This year we have a opportunity to redirect our government at all levels. It will be a busy campaign season with Vermont voters choosing new State Representatives and Senators, a Governor, a United States Congressman, a United States Senator, and a variety of other state and local officials. The campaign season will soon become cluttered with competing messages, but I hope we all can focus on the values that join us together and define our community".
I'd like to hear from you!
email me at tombuch@aol.com
phone # (802) 824-4243
P.O. Box 261
Londonderry, Vt. 05148
|
|
|