iBrattleboro Interview: Cheryl Rivers

Tuesday, September 07 2004 @ 11:11 AM EDT

In this interview we get a chance to meet Cheryl Rivers. Cheryl is a candidate for Vermont's Lt. Governor in the upcoming election. Join us as we discuss many things, including horses, helping out, and issues facing Vermont in the near future.

Name: Cheryl Pratt Rivers

Birthday: September 12, 1951

How would you describe Brattleboro to people who've never been here?

Brattleboro is a strong community with a vital downtown,a strong arts community, progressive politics, and a wonderful mixture of lifelong residents and newcomers. The community values education, the environment, and diversity.

As a kid, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I wanted to write the great American novel and to own and train Morgan horses.

Tell us about Morgan horses. What makes them unique?

The Morgan breed is the oldest surviving American breed of horse. Morgans are noted for their beauty, style, strength, their big trot, their fast walks, and their and versatility. The Morgan breed was developed here in Vermont, and it is said that Morgans will keep on "tin cans and snowballs."( They are hardy in comparison to other breeds) Morgans are excellent carriage driving horse, trail horse, dressage horses, and they excel in the show ring. They have spirit, yet are tractable and sensible.

My husband and I have six Morgans including our Morgan stallion River Echo Hamilton who has appeared with me in many parades during the course of the campaign. Hamilton rides, drives, skids logs, and produces beautiful foals. His newest daughter was born in June and her name is "River Echo Victory." He is a very special friend, and we have a very special bond of trust between us.(You'll see him in my TV ad and in my literature)

How did you end up in politics?

I worked as an outreach worker for Addison County Community Action in Middlebury. My job was to increase participation in Federal feeding programs: WIC, food stamps, elderly feeding programs, and school lunch and school breakfast programs. Those were very different times. I started to have ideas about how the programs could be better designed and administered to help those most in need. I traveled to Washington to testify, and several of my suggestions were adopted. After that I realized that I had the ability to effect positive change in our state and in our country.

I became involved in various advisory programs to state government, and eventually became the Legislative advocate for the Vermont Low Income Advocacy Council. I was elected to the school board in Brandon, and when we moved over the mountain to Stockbridge I was elected the first woman to serve on the Stockbridge select board.

After working in the Statehouse for six years representing the interests of low income people, I was asked by retiring Senator Edgar May of Windsor County to run for the State Senate. I remember being honored to be asked by Edgar. I am sure few people thought I could win. I live, after all in a very small town, not in one of the county's major population centers. But on election day I was elected the first woman Democratic Senator in the history of Windsor County.

Tell us about a memorable legislative accomplishment that still resonates with you today...

I suppose the most historic achievement is the role I played in the passage of Vermont's equal educational opportunity act. Many people played significant roles, but I chaired the Senate Finance Committee and the Committee of Conference.

In Vermont we now have a policy of equal educational opportunity for all children. Our laws guarantee that the quality of a child's education no longer depends on the property wealth of the community where the child lives. While property taxes are still too high, the act has improved the educational opportunities for thousands of Vermont's children. We need the Federal government to begin living up to its responsibilities to help fund our public schools.

Though my efforts to enact a universal health care system failed, the compromise added health carte benefits for Children, and for working poor Vermonters, and prescription drug benefits for seniors. I am proud of the role I played in expanding health care coverage, the creation of the independent health care ombudsman. I am dedicated to moving us forward to a universal health care system, and my previous experience will help me to be wiser in helping to achieve this victory.

I accomplished a great deal on the Senate Transportation Committee. The most significant achievement was the passage of the "Rivers bridge bill" which allows Vermont to develop its own design standards for highway and bridge projects. This saves taxpayers millions of dollars, and helps preserve the character of our rural communities, and is helping preserve historic bridges..

Why get back into government and run for Lt. Governor?

I believe our state has been failing to move forward in several important areas: universal health care, fair prescription drug prices, livable wages, energy independence, and I believe that family farms are at risk. I believe my skill, my experience, my energy, my commitment, and my persistence can make a real difference on these issues.

What can a Lt. Governor accomplish that a senator cannot?

A Lieutenant Governor has a statewide constituency, and can be a leader inside and outside the Statehouse. In addition to the duties of presiding over the Senate, casting tie breaking votes, and helping to appoint the committees, I will make sure that the voices of ordinary Vermonters are not drowned out by the voices of lobbyists representing special interests. A Lieutenant Governor has a better ability to speak from a statewide perspective than a Senator.

What do you see as the big issues facing all Vermonters?

Too many Vermonters are working longer and harder and going behind. They are too often not earning enough to provide their families with the health care, the housing and the food they need. With our country's misguided unfettered free trade policies more and more good paying jobs are moving to China, India, and Mexico. More and more Vermonters are uninsured or underinsured. Senior citizens are having difficulty paying the highest prices in the world for their prescription drugs. Family farms are at risk.

What, in your view, is the future of the state? What will Vermont look like in 20 years?

Unless we maintain and strengthen our planning and environmental laws, and unless we develop new sustainable economic development strategies, we will look like everyplace else USA and it won't take 20 years.

Our strong communities are at risk. We need leaders who understand that Vermont's greatest assets are our honest hard working people, our special working landscape, and our downtown centers. We need to have a new economic development strategy that builds on our strengths, rather than one which undermines and erodes those strengths.

How does your opponent measure up, in your opinion?

I have a fair amount of respect for Jan Backus. I am running for the job, not against anyone. I do, however, believe that I have a stronger record of accomplishment both during my time in the Senate, and in my professional life before and after my service in the Senate.(See www.Rivers-2004.org)

I believe I have a better ability to create a winning coalition, and I believe I have demonstrated an ability develop a campaign organization and structure with the horsepower to defeat Brian Dubie. To win we must reach out to Democrats, Progressives, independents, and reasonable Republicans. The key to victory is to keep the progressive candidate's percentage down. Jan has no ability to do this. We cannot afford to write off progressives.

Jan has said she views the job of Lieutenant Governor as that of a town moderator. A town moderator is supposed to be neutral. I would be fair, and when presiding would ensure that all points of view are allowed to be heard. Still presiding is a small part of my vision for the job.

In the fight for universal health care, fair prescription drug prices, and livable wages, I would not be neutral. I believe Jan's view of the job is a passive one which is weak. She acknowledges that she does not speak well-she says she is a better listener.

As a trained social worker I understand the skill and the importance of listening, but I also know one of the most important things a Lieutenant Governor has is a voice. I intend to use mine to help move us forward on the important issues of our time.

Is it possible to increase the state's use of renewable energy sources?

Of course. I support all forms of renewable energy. The purchase of the Hydro dams on the Connecticut Rivers is an important step. We also need to encourage wind, solar, and methane. Energy conservation and energy efficiency are also important. We need a strong energy plan that maps out step by step how we will move forward.

When people talk of increasing business in Vermont, they seem to focus on industry. Is agriculture a business that Vermont could encourage or are must we look for other industries to move in?

I believe diversified agriculture and value added products should be a cornerstone of our economic development strategy. This will help us maintain the character of our very special state by preserving the working landscape.

Should we encourage hat making? : )

I suppose this is an allusion to my trademark hats. If you'd like to know the full story on the hats go to www.Rivers-2004.org >About Cheryl and the "Why does Cheryl wear hats section.

Home prices are skyrocketing, causing many to feel they will never be able to buy a home. Others have problems getting health care. Other choose between paying bills and eating. The divide between rich and poor appears to be growing, and the rich seem to be getting meaner and greedier as the poor get more desperate. Is a class war on the horizon?

This Presidential election is the most important in my lifetime. It is important to start rebuilding the respect for our country in the international community, and it is important to stem the tide of these incredible class divisions. The middle class is shrinking. We need leaders in Vermont who will unite us, not divide us and who understand the importance of addressing the economic disparities you cite in this question. As I have campaigned around the state the economic issues have come into sharper focus. So many Vermonters have such powerful stories to tell. As Lieutenant Governor I will bring their stories with me, and I will give voice to these important issues.

During your interview on rfb, you stated that organic food was excellent for those that could afford it, like yourself, but implied that others without money would just have to get along. Is good, healthy food really a luxury item? Should organic food be a part of this state's health care plan?

I regret it if I sounded as if I believe organic food is only for those with the means to afford it .I do not wish to impose my choice on anyone else-or have someone else's choice imposed on me. I believe the remarks you refer to were remarks in which I sought to articulate my belief that the state should do all it can to ensure that we preserve our option to choose organic. If GMOs are not contained we could all lose that choice. The issue of the ability of all citizens to afford healthy food is an important issue connected to livable wages. We have a long ways to go before we reach any kind of equity in this area.

What do you think about one of Brattleboro's major Democrats announcing he'd like to support Douglas instead of Clavelle?

It's disappointing. I believe Peter Clavelle will be an excellent governor. He is a real economic development professional. I love his ideas for sustainable economic development, and I hope we will all get the chance to have them implemented.

What's the best way for people to find out more about your campaign and platform?

The website which is www.Rivers-2004.org is one way to find out more detail. You can also email me at Cheryl@Rivers-2004.org. Jessie Haas in Westminster has been heading up my campaign in Windham County. You can call her at 387-2601 to volunteer. Our campaign office is 264-1835. You can write me at Cheryl Rivers 2698 Vt. Rte. 107 Stockbridge Vt. 05772

What do you say to those who have become disillusioned to the point of not even wanting to vote?

When they are young men I say," Can you spell "DRAFT" I speak to them about instances where policies affect their lives. For young women- a woman's right to make her own decisions about her own body and her own destiny are at stake. For all young people, the funding of education and tuition costs are important considerations. While politics can be discouraging we have plenty of examples of responsive government here in Vermont.

Is there any question you'd like to answer that no one has ever asked you?

Great question. At the moment none comes to mind probably because I'm "fresh" from a day of campaigning at the Northfield Labor Day Parade and the Guilford Fair.

Well now one comes to mind: Please list your endorsements.

I'm honored that I've been endorsed by Congressman Bernie Sanders, that I've been endorsed by the NARAL Pro Choice Vermont Pac, and that I've been recommended by the Vermont National Education Association.

Thanks for taking time with iBrattleboro!

Note: If you are a candidate and would like to be interviewed here, send a note to info@ibrattleboro.com. We'd be happy to send you some questions.

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