Tesha Buss

I grew up on a 4th generation family dairy farm in Illinois. I watched my parents, like so many, lose that farm in the early 80’s. They took over a run-down tavern and turned it into the town’s supper club. Almost 40 years later, it’s now employee-owned. They created work force housing and sold all their units on contract to residents that couldn’t qualify for bank loans.  

Solving Vermont’s problems means we need hard work on all levels.  I am currently building an ADU (Ancillary Dwelling Unit) through the State and EDC programs and working on a small housing project. The ADU program works to create one unit at a time, but when creating a multi-unit development, the model doesn’t work below 18 units. We need to do more for smaller projects that fit the look of our small towns.  

I expanded childcare here in Woodstock and know first hand the economic challenges. If parents pay affordable prices, the center doesn’t make enough income to pay living wages. If we aid childcare centers, both parents can be in the work force paying taxes. When those kids age up into our public education system, more kids in our schools means lower per pupil spending saving Vermonter’s property tax dollars.

Learn more about Tesha’s ideas for Vermont

• Watch forum with Okemo Valley TV and The Vermont Standard
• Woodstock Community TV interview