Education is very important, and we must ensure that the schools have the resources necessary to provide a quality education. However, we also need to ensure that we are getting the best quality of education for the money we are spending. Budgets need to be transparent so that a layperson can figure out the spreadsheets. I am fully committed to attending this fall’s budgetary meetings to understand the process and numbers better.

Regarding Education Freedom Accounts, I have always said that if there is a way to fix the schools that are not providing the parents with the education levels they are expecting, it needs to be fixed. There needs to be an in-depth focus on the deficiencies and how to fix them. Due to some constraints, this may not always be possible. So, in order for parents to ensure that their child is getting the right education, I feel we should allow the parents to find alternative schooling at their expense.

Protecting the Lake Sunapee watershed is one environmental threat facing our community. What are some of the things we can do to manage this change? We need to look at how we can preserve the Lake Sunapee watershed through education, regulation, and enforcement focused on protecting the future of our precious resources, which are a significant economic contributor to our community.  I support being proactive in protecting our watershed and support the Septic Plan Health Ordnance.

My understanding of free-staters is that they believe in minimal governmental intrusion in their everyday lives. They exhibit negative and disruptive behavior. Without order or guidelines, chaos comes. I do not support their doctrine as I feel it is too extreme.