Donna Donahue (D) | Candidate Column | Sun Community News Addison-1 District, Addison Candidate for State House of Representatives

I am seeking the Vermont House of Representatives seat being vacated by Paul Ralston. Since stepping down as President of the Better Middlebury Partnership, I have been looking for a new way to be involved in community service. I believe this opportunity is the right fit at the right time. I understand and respect the values this community views as important: the goal of making Middlebury a better place to live, work, play and do business, and that goal is really our state's goal. Vermont is a unique state whose reputation for quality of life is recognized everywhere. The challenge is to make that quality of life sustainable through smart economic growth. The Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative that seeks to enhance opportunities in the agricultural and forestry sectors, entrepreneur programs for emerging technologies, encouragement of a telecommuter community and support of existing business expansion are all incredibly important avenues of growth. The population of Vermont is growing older outpacing most other states. We have to find a way to keep young people in our state, to make it possible for them to raise families here, and that means jobs, affordable housing and good schools. It needs to be accomplished with fiscal responsibility and an efficient planned approach. That takes cooperation, compromise and commitment to getting things done. Idealism tempered with realism and pragmatism - in other words - vision, integrity, hard work and common sense, working values that I would bring to the position. I ask for your support. If elected, I will look at any assignment I am given and ask "what are we doing, why are we doing it, can we afford it and will we be better off. I would like to be part of finding solutions not just for you and me, but for our children and grandchildren, and future generations. Background I worked for 22 years in what was a true start-up company that began with three people (I among the three) and learned firsthand the challenges of starting a business, finding a brand and niche market, evolving and expanding responsibly to grow. It was a great experience in a very successful company. Since 2005 I have worked for National Bank of Middlebury in their Business Development department with responsibilities for expanding and managing the bank's website content and on project management teams to implement and market new products as well as conducting sales and service training. It is a privilege to be part of a business that is committed to its community, its customers and its employees. I served on the board of the Better Middlebury Partnership for several years and on its executive board as Vice President and then President. During that time we organized the signature events the community now enjoys Midd Summer Fest, Spooktacular, Very Merry Middlebury, and the Chili Festival all with the goal of creating both a sense of community and improving the local economy. BMP events generate a quarter of a million dollars annually for the Middlebury community. During my time on the board we started looking at the nonprofit organization from a business perspective and we sought and brought in younger board members to insure succession and continuity and started the process of developing a business plan that would serve not only the BMP but Middlebury as well by emphasizing smart local growth and the Middlebury experience. I was a designee to the Addison County Chamber of Commerce and the Addison County Economic Development Corporation and worked with others on a committee to bring an Economic Development Fund and Director to Middlebury. After only a year that is bearing fruit in bringing new businesses to Middlebury and creating jobs. Editor's Note: This is the third in a series of columns submitted by candidates for elected office, the order of which was determined by random draw. Those seeking elected office who would like to be included in this segment should contact Managing Editor Lou Varricchio at lou@addison-eagle.com or 802-388-6397 for details.

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Donna Donahue (D) | Candidate Column

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