As a Rutland town councilman, I urge voters to choose Ken Gleason over Colleen Woolley on Sept. 9 for the town board. Please review some background and facts.

Colleen Woolley is the former Colleen Stouffer, who raises sheep with her business partner, Harold Boomhower.

Colleen was nominated to the council Jan. 22, 2008, as a direct result of Mike Gillette and Doug Main refusing to authorize funds to hire a bookkeeper and to provide health insurance for the new highway superintendent, Claude Phelps, until the fifth council seat was filled.

Mike and Doug eventually made it clear that no one but Colleen would get their vote. In the interest of providing health insurance for Claude's family, and to hire a bookkeeper to pay the bills and keep the town running, Gary Eddy and I voted for Colleen to fill the vacancy. It has proven to be an error.

Colleen has consistently attacked Claude for his necessary purchases of salt and fuel. She disregards the fact that Harold Boomhower left the salt barn virtually empty on Dec. 31 when he finished his term as highway superintendent. With consumption of fuel lower than the long-term average, the severely higher price per gallon has eroded our fuel budget.

Colleen, Doug and Mike outvoted Gary and me and paid $700 for software upgrades and phone support for bookkeeping software that the town doesn't even use. Explain that financial acumen.

They also voted together to eliminate a man's job who had been hired to fill a highway department vacancy 10 days before. How can we attract talented new hires if the last man was treated this way?

At the August meeting, Colleen and Mike lacked Doug, but blocked payment to King's Quarry and Suit Kote until September. Their quarrel was not with these local businesses, but with Claude. These businesses are owed upwards of $120,000, which is due and payable. With Net 30 terms and 11/2 percent interest per month, that decision could cost the town a $1,800 penalty for nothing. That's financial expertise.

Could you wait another month for your paycheck, pension, or Social Security check? If you missed paying Fuller Insurance for more than 30 days, would Mike cancel your policy? Consider these questions while in the voting booth Sept. 9.

Ken Gleason is a proven, successful businessman with rock-solid work and professional ethics. He has effectively managed money, people, equipment and real estate.

In addition to his professional skills, he is a dedicated husband, father and longtime active volunteer in our community.

This town needs Ken Gleason on the board as an important step toward the restoration of credibility and professionalism to our town of Rutland. I urge Rutland voters to vote for Ken Gleason at the Rutland Town Barn Sept. 9.

Raymond P. Cramer

South Rutland