(Continuing site policy of promoting diaries from officeholders and officeseekers – but in the future, please make it an actual interaction with the community, rather than a copied-and-pasted press release. – promoted by GMD)
Press release:
Donny Osman has announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for State Senate. “I have the experience, the know how and the will to get things done for Washington County.” Osman served three terms in the Vermont House of Representatives and was Vice Chair of the House Education Committee. Osman served as a advocate for children’s issues as Director of the Central Vermont Early Childhood Council. He directed the renowned Vermont Governor’s Institute on the Arts for 25 years and toured widely as a performing and teaching theater artist. Donny played a key role in the birth of Circus Smirkus.
STATEMENT
I bring to this Senate race a record of experience and accomplishment. Washington County needs a Senator who can hit the ground running, and get things done for an even better Vermont. I know the legislative process and I’m not afraid to stand up for what is right. I voted for civil rights and to move Vermont forward during the furor over Civil Unions. I voted time and again for a more fair, progressive tax structure. My voting record shows unwavering support for preserving our precious environment. I was a key player in legislation to make our schools safer, get state funding for the U32 expansion, and to try to bend the high cost curve in special education. I have worked hard for interests of families and I am proud of my reputation as a champion for children. I have shown that I can work across party lines and be an effective legislator. I will get the job done for Washington County.
We must assure that our children and grandchildren will grow up in the same beautiful, green Vermont that we love. That means smart, sustainable growth. Vermont has a lot to brag about and is a great place to live and do business. We need to protect our precious environment by attracting creative enterprises that have a long-term view and respect our rural and agricultural landscape. ”
I will fight for an affordable, high-quality health care system for all Vermonters. The bill passed by the legislature to study how we might change our system to deliver quality care at a reasonable and affordable cost is a start. But it is only a start: small business and our schools are being crushed by the cost of health care. We can do better in Vermont. I will push for a more humane system of health care that is affordable and works for everyone in the state.
For years we have elected senators who come from Montpelier. I love Montpelier! And I hope lots of Montpelier voters will agree that it is time to have a senator who comes from the smaller towns and villages. I want to help small downtowns like mine in Plainfield that are beginning to sprout small businesses. I live right on the Barre town line with a Barre phone and address and I am in Barre all the time. I see too many empty stores, too few jobs and too many desperate people. Like many of our other small cities and villages, Barre needs the state and federal government to step up efforts to increase commerce and create good jobs for its citizens.
Property taxes are a chronic Vermont problem. I will work to assure value for our educational dollar. Our children need a world-class education to compete in a global economy and quality education and economic progress go hand in hand. At the same time we cannot balance budgets on the backs of working people and those that can least afford to pay.
I want to be a voice for those that often have no voice. I will be a fierce advocate for children and a voice for the respect and dignity of elderly people and those with disabilities. As Senator I will be eager to help individuals who are having problems negotiating the system. These qualities of working for justice, fairness and opportunity have always been the best of what politics is about.”
I look forward to the campaign and meeting as many people as I can between now and Election Day. I know most candidates for Senate don’t do a lot of door to door campaigning, but I intend to wear my shoe soles thin. I see the campaign as a long job interview and I want to give the people of Washington County a chance to interview me in person.