The County Courier of Enosburg Falls VT is running a weekly candidates’ Q & A in relevant issues.

Here is this week’s question and my response. 

Q: It seems that politics have become more and more divisive in recent years. If elected, what would you do to ensure that you will represent all of your constituents, not just those who align themselves with your party, and how would you work across party lines to ensure your constituents have the best representation possible.

A: If I am elected to continue representIng Franklin-5, I will work for all of my constituents, as I do now. My District-mate Rep Fegard (D) and I (R) share the responsibility for all of our constituents in our two-seat District, regardless of party affiliation. We make it a priority to answer all inquiries, and if neither of us has the institutional knowledge to provide an answer, we find someone who does,

and we respond in a timely manner.  We each have individual areas of expertise based on the community boards and organizations we serve with and the different Legislative Committees we sit on;  it is useful in a wide geographical District to be able to share that knowledge with one another to benefit our constituents in the most expedient and non-partisan way that we can. There are certainly issues that we don’t vote alike on, but we are always respectful in our interactions, and we take the time to listen to each other and to discuss our varying viewpoints; we spend many hours together in person and by phone and email collaborating to find solutions for our constituents’ needs. 

I will continue to reach out to all sides to find the best answers I can to the problems that we will face in January. I have used my time in the past 18 months learning to cultivate a respectful, honest, working relationship with members of all parties within my Committee and in the General Assembly, and I feel that the ability to do this will go a long way towards crafting successful legislation for all Vermonters . 

Stay well,

Lisa