Parker's Plan
Would Work

I would like the opportunity to respond to the St. Albans Messenger editorial republished in the Herald on Oct. 12.

During this campaign season, school budgets and property taxes have become two of the key issues. I believe Scudder Parker's plan to address the underlying problem of escalating costs is insightful and smart.

Here's why: Health insurance costs are about 9% of a school's budget. These costs are increasing at 10% a year. Energy costs, though a smaller part of the budget, will probably rise at a similar rate.

These two parts of the budget, health insurance costs and energy, are not insignificant, as the editorial claims. In fact, they are the drivers of unsustainable budget increases. Cutting these costs, especially energy costs, is something that Scudder Parker excels at. Scudder was the Director of the Energy Efficiency Division of the Vermont Department of Public Service for 13 years. This experience and exposure to the cost-savings available through efficient energy use will help Scudder help us bring down school costs.

As an aside, the potential savings of efficiency are astounding. Just by implementing the improvements in energy efficient lighting now available, we can save enough electricity in the United States to displace 120 Chernobyl-sized power plants. (Source: Rocky Mountain Institute at www.rmi.org).

Scudder Parker is my choice for governor. He has the ability to listen to the needs of communities and individual Vermonters, and has the intelligence and leadership to get things done. Please consider voting for Scudder.

Evan Mulholland

Royalton