Lyndon Kids Get Unique Greeting

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Created on Friday, 28 September 2012 16:51

Written by Brian Stone

LYNDON - Candidates running for the state senate gathered with both voters as well and future voters Wednesday evening. The meet and greet, held at the Thaddeus Stevens School in Lyndon, is held every two years, and it's more than opportunity for candidates to discuss their stances on topics. The forum also allows students to interact with the candidates and develop an interest in politics.  

The meet and greet with candidates provided a unique chance for students to learn about politics outside of the classroom.

"I compliment the school on getting them involved and starting to learn the electoral process," said David Dill, a Republican candidate hoping to become one of Caledonia county's two state senators. "A great way to do that is to learn who the candidates are." In addition to meeting the candidates, students were given the chance to ask the candidates questions on topics such as climate change, nuclear and wind power, and even taxes on soda.

According to the U.S. census, voters aged 18-29 made up less than one quarter of voter turn out in the 2010 midterm elections. All of the candidates involved at the meet and greet noted the importance of getting the youth involved and interested in politics in order to make well informed decisions.

"I believe that they are the future of our country," said Stephen Amos, a Democrat vying for one of Caledonia county's seats in the state senate. "Right now there are an awful lot of decisions being made about the future of this country that they need to know."

Caledonia county's current senators, republican Joe Benning and democrat Jane Kitchel, also saw the importance of having the students learn what the issues are,

"One of the things I was told when I was their age," Benning said, "was that these folks are going to be the one supporting you and I as we get older, We want to make sure that everyone of them gets as compete an education as possible."

"It's tremendously important because our democracy is really dependent on engaged and knowledgeable citizens," Kitchel said.

Elections for Vermont State Senate will be held on November 6.