Ken Wells, a Republican, is entering the race for the Orleans 3 seat in the Vermont legislature, a position recently vacated by David Templeman. This district encompasses Barton (Orleans), Brownington, and Westmore.
Wells' motivation for running stems from years of contemplation, particularly during his time in the newspaper industry where he said he engaged with various candidates and local issues. His decision crystallized in response to rising taxes and what he perceived as an overwhelming liberal majority in the legislature. Wells expressed concern that the state’s identity is shifting due to non-generational Vermonters influencing property and political landscapes. He feels compelled to act, stating, “It was now or just keep talking about it and doing nothing concrete.”
His top priority, if elected, will be addressing affordability, particularly concerning the anticipated Clean Heat Standard. He projects that this will lead to a significant increase in fuel costs, impacting low- and middle-income Vermonters, and vows to fight against such tax hikes. Following affordability, he intends to tackle housing, education, and public safety issues.
Wells is staunchly opposed to the Affordable Heat Act, predicting that it will impose an undue financial burden on Vermonters already grappling with high taxes. He emphasizes the need to prioritize low- and middle-income families, stating, “I don't want them to have to pick between buying groceries or purchasing fuel during the long winters.”
On the Clean Air Act, Wells voiced his discontent with mandatory transitions to electric vehicles (EVs), citing issues such as high costs, limited range, and inadequate infrastructure. He argues against forcing residents into electric vehicles that may not perform well in Vermont's winter conditions and expresses skepticism about the electric grid's current capacity to handle increased demand.
Addressing the housing crisis, Wells advocates for reducing regulatory red tape to facilitate the construction of affordable housing options. He believes long-term solutions should focus on enabling diverse housing developments, rather than temporary fixes.
Regarding education funding, Wells critiques the state’s spending, noting the paradox of declining student enrollment coupled with rising education costs. He suggests a comprehensive overhaul of the funding system to ensure that resources are allocated more effectively and to curb rising property taxes associated with education.
Wells acknowledges the challenges posed by a Democratic supermajority in the legislature but emphasizes the importance of bipartisan cooperation. He aims to foster dialogue among constituents with differing views, stressing that the goal should be to work together for the common good of all Vermonters.
The issue of addiction and related crime in the Northeast Kingdom is another area of concern for Wells. He calls for a tougher approach to drug enforcement, advocating for stricter penalties for drug-related offenses and increased law enforcement resources. He believes in a deterrent-based approach, opposing strategies like supervised injection sites, which he argues could exacerbate local drug problems.
Wells said supports the advocacy efforts of the group Don't Undermine Memphremagog’s Purity (DUMP) to address landfill capacity issues as the Casella landfill in Coventry nears its limit. He proposed exploring alternative sites for waste disposal and offering residents of Orleans County incentives to manage their waste.
Environmental issues are also on Wells' agenda, as he underscores the need for updated wastewater treatment systems to protect Vermont’s lakes and water quality. He pledged to support legislation aimed at enhancing water quality standards and improving outdated infrastructure.
Finally, Wells expressed a commitment to preserving Vermont traditions and values, particularly those cherished by generational Vermonters. He views the current shifts in state policy as threats to the Vermont way of life, vowing to fight for the rights and livelihoods of long-standing residents.
“The Vermont way of life is worth fighting for,” he asserted. - Written by Ed Barber.
Wells' motivation for running stems from years of contemplation, particularly during his time in the newspaper industry where he said he engaged with various candidates and local issues. His decision crystallized in response to rising taxes and what he perceived as an overwhelming liberal majority in the legislature. Wells expressed concern that the state’s identity is shifting due to non-generational Vermonters influencing property and political landscapes. He feels compelled to act, stating, “It was now or just keep talking about it and doing nothing concrete.”
His top priority, if elected, will be addressing affordability, particularly concerning the anticipated Clean Heat Standard. He projects that this will lead to a significant increase in fuel costs, impacting low- and middle-income Vermonters, and vows to fight against such tax hikes. Following affordability, he intends to tackle housing, education, and public safety issues.
Wells is staunchly opposed to the Affordable Heat Act, predicting that it will impose an undue financial burden on Vermonters already grappling with high taxes. He emphasizes the need to prioritize low- and middle-income families, stating, “I don't want them to have to pick between buying groceries or purchasing fuel during the long winters.”
On the Clean Air Act, Wells voiced his discontent with mandatory transitions to electric vehicles (EVs), citing issues such as high costs, limited range, and inadequate infrastructure. He argues against forcing residents into electric vehicles that may not perform well in Vermont's winter conditions and expresses skepticism about the electric grid's current capacity to handle increased demand.
Addressing the housing crisis, Wells advocates for reducing regulatory red tape to facilitate the construction of affordable housing options. He believes long-term solutions should focus on enabling diverse housing developments, rather than temporary fixes.
Regarding education funding, Wells critiques the state’s spending, noting the paradox of declining student enrollment coupled with rising education costs. He suggests a comprehensive overhaul of the funding system to ensure that resources are allocated more effectively and to curb rising property taxes associated with education.
Wells acknowledges the challenges posed by a Democratic supermajority in the legislature but emphasizes the importance of bipartisan cooperation. He aims to foster dialogue among constituents with differing views, stressing that the goal should be to work together for the common good of all Vermonters.
The issue of addiction and related crime in the Northeast Kingdom is another area of concern for Wells. He calls for a tougher approach to drug enforcement, advocating for stricter penalties for drug-related offenses and increased law enforcement resources. He believes in a deterrent-based approach, opposing strategies like supervised injection sites, which he argues could exacerbate local drug problems.
Wells said supports the advocacy efforts of the group Don't Undermine Memphremagog’s Purity (DUMP) to address landfill capacity issues as the Casella landfill in Coventry nears its limit. He proposed exploring alternative sites for waste disposal and offering residents of Orleans County incentives to manage their waste.
Environmental issues are also on Wells' agenda, as he underscores the need for updated wastewater treatment systems to protect Vermont’s lakes and water quality. He pledged to support legislation aimed at enhancing water quality standards and improving outdated infrastructure.
Finally, Wells expressed a commitment to preserving Vermont traditions and values, particularly those cherished by generational Vermonters. He views the current shifts in state policy as threats to the Vermont way of life, vowing to fight for the rights and livelihoods of long-standing residents.
“The Vermont way of life is worth fighting for,” he asserted. - Written by Ed Barber.
Kenneth Lance Wells was born in Newport, Vt and was raised In Irasburg. He was educated at Irasburg Graded, Craftsbury Academy and Lake Region UHS. He went on to Lyndon State College majoring in Media Productions.
After working building trades for a few years and driving delivery trucks for United Parcel Service out of Berlin, Vermont he moved around the United States for a couple years living in California and working at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco as part of a carpet company crew.
He worked out of East Montpelier. working on a travelling slate roof company for a couple years, constructing slate roofs in sites and locations from Oyster Bay, Long Island to Martha's Vineyard, MA .
His professional career moved back to an early love, media productions.
After being a stringer at several Vermont newspapers including the Barton Chronicle. Caledonian Record and Burlington Free Free Press he found time to work his way through a radio career until he settled on the newspaper business as a salesman and photo-journalist.
He spent 28 years at the Newport Daily Express as salesman, reporter, photo-journalist, Sports Editor, News Editor and the last ten years as Publisher.
He also held the post of Publisher at the Sherbrooke Record in Sherbrooke, Quebec for 4 years as well.
He wrote two weekly columns for over a decade on local happenings, "From The Sideline" a sports column covering local to professional sports and "FromThe Publishers Desk" focusing on news, business and personalities from the Orleans County area.
Wells produced thousands of stories plus photography ranging from local business to crime to sports.
Ken reinvented himself several times along the way with several years devoted entirely to radio broadcasts,live remotes, interviews with locals to governors to Nascar drivers to pro football players to country singers.
Wells also has a long background in Am and FM radio and video streaming and has done more than 2000 live broadcasts events from sports to Newport's 100th birthday Celebration to hundreds of local business profiles in Orleans County. His subject matter had a wide range.
A former standout athlete at Lake Region UHS and Lyndon State College, Sports competition of all levels from youngsters to professionals have always been important to Ken.
He is a former or current member of the Country Music Association, Derby Elks, Newport City Chamber of Commerce and several other groups and organizations. Those include The New England Writers association. He still acts on the board as a Hall of Fame Voter for the Vermont Hall of Fame in Burlington.
His hobbies include travel, sports cars, Country music, camping, boating, motorcycles, and live sports and concert events. He was one of New England's top newspaper salesmen winning regional awards three times in the 90's and was named 2017 Vermont Coaches Association Media person of the year.
He created the Red, White and Blue basketball camp in Orleans County which ran from 1994 to 2004. He coached hundreds of student athletes in a 12 year run from 1992 to 2004. He has emced dozens of baquets, Hall of fame dinners and award ceremonies including introducing Country Music groups at Fanfare in Nashville, Tenn.
Wells is the voice of a generation in terms of sports broadcasting in Orleans County. In fact if you were from the towns of Orleans or Brownington from 1993 to 2005 and played sports at Orleans Graded school he probably coached you or you attended his basketball camps.
Ken currently is still involved with sports, with having done 150 live sports events a year for several years in colleges and high schools in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts. He is recognized by many as the top live sports broadcaster in Vermont and Northern New Hampshire calling over 200 state championship games during his career including 26 in the last year alone. He also calls car races in Bradford, Vermont at Bear Ridge Speedway and the White Mountains Race Track in Woodstock, New Hampshire. And if you are at the Rider Hill Motorcycle dirt track in Derby this summer that is his voice you hear.
He currently lives in Brownington with his wife of 35 years, Lori, a lifelong banker in Orleans County. Together they have two grown children and one granddaughter. His son Brandon is a UVM graduate with a career as a producer/script writer for the NIKE Corporation. His Daughter Paige is a VTC graduate and currently owns her own business in Wisconson.
These days Ken currently works for the Northeast Sports Network with locations in Lyndonville and Essex, Vt. and does live high school and college sports broadcasts in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts for the NFHS (National Federation of High School Sports). located in Atlanta Georgia.
A five generation Vermonter, Ken would be honored to serve the citizens of the towns in District Orleans-3 representing. Barton, Brownington, Orleans and Westmore. "My voice will be heard for the NEK and I want the citizens of Orleans County to know I have their back in Montpelier."
After working building trades for a few years and driving delivery trucks for United Parcel Service out of Berlin, Vermont he moved around the United States for a couple years living in California and working at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco as part of a carpet company crew.
He worked out of East Montpelier. working on a travelling slate roof company for a couple years, constructing slate roofs in sites and locations from Oyster Bay, Long Island to Martha's Vineyard, MA .
His professional career moved back to an early love, media productions.
After being a stringer at several Vermont newspapers including the Barton Chronicle. Caledonian Record and Burlington Free Free Press he found time to work his way through a radio career until he settled on the newspaper business as a salesman and photo-journalist.
He spent 28 years at the Newport Daily Express as salesman, reporter, photo-journalist, Sports Editor, News Editor and the last ten years as Publisher.
He also held the post of Publisher at the Sherbrooke Record in Sherbrooke, Quebec for 4 years as well.
He wrote two weekly columns for over a decade on local happenings, "From The Sideline" a sports column covering local to professional sports and "FromThe Publishers Desk" focusing on news, business and personalities from the Orleans County area.
Wells produced thousands of stories plus photography ranging from local business to crime to sports.
Ken reinvented himself several times along the way with several years devoted entirely to radio broadcasts,live remotes, interviews with locals to governors to Nascar drivers to pro football players to country singers.
Wells also has a long background in Am and FM radio and video streaming and has done more than 2000 live broadcasts events from sports to Newport's 100th birthday Celebration to hundreds of local business profiles in Orleans County. His subject matter had a wide range.
A former standout athlete at Lake Region UHS and Lyndon State College, Sports competition of all levels from youngsters to professionals have always been important to Ken.
He is a former or current member of the Country Music Association, Derby Elks, Newport City Chamber of Commerce and several other groups and organizations. Those include The New England Writers association. He still acts on the board as a Hall of Fame Voter for the Vermont Hall of Fame in Burlington.
His hobbies include travel, sports cars, Country music, camping, boating, motorcycles, and live sports and concert events. He was one of New England's top newspaper salesmen winning regional awards three times in the 90's and was named 2017 Vermont Coaches Association Media person of the year.
He created the Red, White and Blue basketball camp in Orleans County which ran from 1994 to 2004. He coached hundreds of student athletes in a 12 year run from 1992 to 2004. He has emced dozens of baquets, Hall of fame dinners and award ceremonies including introducing Country Music groups at Fanfare in Nashville, Tenn.
Wells is the voice of a generation in terms of sports broadcasting in Orleans County. In fact if you were from the towns of Orleans or Brownington from 1993 to 2005 and played sports at Orleans Graded school he probably coached you or you attended his basketball camps.
Ken currently is still involved with sports, with having done 150 live sports events a year for several years in colleges and high schools in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts. He is recognized by many as the top live sports broadcaster in Vermont and Northern New Hampshire calling over 200 state championship games during his career including 26 in the last year alone. He also calls car races in Bradford, Vermont at Bear Ridge Speedway and the White Mountains Race Track in Woodstock, New Hampshire. And if you are at the Rider Hill Motorcycle dirt track in Derby this summer that is his voice you hear.
He currently lives in Brownington with his wife of 35 years, Lori, a lifelong banker in Orleans County. Together they have two grown children and one granddaughter. His son Brandon is a UVM graduate with a career as a producer/script writer for the NIKE Corporation. His Daughter Paige is a VTC graduate and currently owns her own business in Wisconson.
These days Ken currently works for the Northeast Sports Network with locations in Lyndonville and Essex, Vt. and does live high school and college sports broadcasts in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts for the NFHS (National Federation of High School Sports). located in Atlanta Georgia.
A five generation Vermonter, Ken would be honored to serve the citizens of the towns in District Orleans-3 representing. Barton, Brownington, Orleans and Westmore. "My voice will be heard for the NEK and I want the citizens of Orleans County to know I have their back in Montpelier."