To the editor:
I have been impressed with Katherine Sims’ performance as our State Representative. I would like to highlight two of her initiatives that really stood out to me.
In her very first year in the legislature she spearheaded an initiative to organize 22 towns in the Northeast Kingdom into a Communications Union District. This was no easy task to get this on the ballot of all these towns. The following year the remaining towns also joined. She then was able through her work in the legislature to help deliver the funding to build out this fiber optic
network throughout the NEK. For many reasons it takes a long time to get this done, but the trucks and workers just ran the lines past my house a couple of weeks ago and I’m looking forward to fast reasonably priced internet service soon. She only represented seven towns but was really working on behalf of the whole NEK.
Then last year Orleans County was hit by some serious flooding. In the initial disaster declaration Orleans County wasn’t included as one of the counties eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance. This is the program that provides funding to individual homeowners who had damage from the floods. Katherine helped organize people and get the Orleans County damages accounted for so that we could be part of the disaster declaration. Nobody wants to be hit by a disaster but if you are it’s nice to know someone has your back and will make sure you get the assistance needed.
And did you know that Katherine was one of four Democrats in the House to stand with the Governor and vote against the veto override on property taxes this year. If you check her voting record you’ll find that she’s a moderate on a good number of issues and is rock solid when it comes to representing rural Vermont.
She has earned our vote.
Sam Young
former Orleans Caledonia State Rep.
Greensboro
