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OCTOBER 17, 2024
Thomas Chittenden
Montpelier motivations WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
Taylor Craven
Ginny Lyons
WWW.WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM
Kesha Ram Hinsdale
Bruce Roy
Rohan St. Marthe
Senate candidates explain their aspirations for the Vermont Legislature Williston voters have six candidates to choose from, for three available seats, to represent them in the Vermont Senate as part of the Chittenden Southeast Senate District. The roster of candidates includes three incumbent Democrats who won their party’s nominations during the primary election in August (Thomas Chittenden of South Burlington, Kesha Ram Hinsdale of Shelburne and Ginny Lyons of Williston) and one Republican challenger, Bruce Roy of Williston, who won a Republican primary nomination. Two candidates who didn’t participate in the primaries are also on the General Election ballot: Republican Rohan St. Marthe of Jericho and Shelburne independent Taylor Craven. The Chittenden Southeast Senate District covers nine Chittenden County municipalities and a portion of the City of Burlington. Early voting has begun, as all registered voters received ballots earlier this month and can mail or hand deliver them to the Williston Town Clerk’s office. The mailed ballots can also be completed and turned in on Election Day, Nov. 5, at the Vermont National Guard Armory in Williston Village. The Observer asked the candidates a series of questions to help inform voters’ decisions. Their responses begin on this page. (Ram Hinsdale did not participate. In an email response, she said she is taking time to welcome a second child to her family.) Look for responses in next week’s Observer from candidates to represent Williston in the Vermont House of Representatives.
Please describe your professional background and your personal connection to the State of Vermont. THOMAS CHITTENDEN: I have lived in Vermont for 44 of my 47 years. I grew up in South Burlington (SBHS ’95) and I went to the University of Vermont for my undergraduate degree and to earn my MBA. My current full-time employer is the University of Vermont, where I am a Senior Lecturer in the Grossman School of Business. My public service history includes eight years (three terms) on the South Burlington City Council, five years on the Green Mountain Transit Board, 10 years as a Rotarian and many other years on other local community committees. My lovely wife is a 5th grade public school teacher in Colchester, and we are raising our three kids (12, 15 and 17) in the house I grew up in on Dorset Street. If re-elected, this would be my
third term in the Vermont State Senate.
family business, Craven’s Home Services, LLC.
TAYLOR CRAVEN: I was the valedictorian of the first graduating class from Twin Valley High School in Wilmington, Vermont. I attended the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Vermont on full scholarship, earning a B.S. in Civil Engineering. Post graduation, I worked at multiple engineering consulting firms with roles including resident project representative for large municipal infrastructure projects, hydraulic and hydrological modeling for bridges destroyed by Hurricane Irene, residential site design, environmental and safety auditing for railroads, inspection and surveying. I also served on the Colchester Planning Commission. I founded Green Mountain Maintenance and Carpentry, Bright Future Properties and Craven & Emmons — all companies focused on renovating old homes to create new housing units. Following the death of my parents and older brother, I took over the
GINNY LYONS: I retired as a Professor of Biology during the pandemic with over 40 years of experience, including at Trinity College. I taught at Community College of Vermont and mentored University of Vermont students during Senate sessions. I was president and national board member of the Vermont chapter of a science honor society at UVM. I developed and directed programs in medical technology, premed and pre-allied health and taught diverse areas from environmental to human development. Some of my students were “first in family” to attend college and now work in farming, nursing, child care, as physicians, lab techs, mental health counselors, teachers, school administrators and solar energy developers. My husband and I have lived in Williston for 50 years with strong ties to family and friends across Vermont. Our daughters and close relatives live and work in Ver-
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