Originally from Wallingford, Proctor resident Dave Weeks (R) has specialized in “leading commercial high-tech, internationally sensitive projects valued in the billions” and works as a “Chaos Manager and Fortune 500 Aerospace Program Director.” He is a “combat-tested” 31-year veteran whose former ranks run from Marine Corporal to Navy Captain. He is self-described as “Calm in the harshest and most demanding conditions” with skills in business diplomacy and strategic planning that he says are “directly applicable in Vermont to ‘cross the aisle’ and improve the quality of life for all Vermonters.”
Among Weeks’ educational highlights are “Mill River High School; UVM undergrad; 3 masters in business, public administration, and national security; [and] a Ph.D. studies in National Security.”
Prop 5/Article 22.
“I believe the government should not be involved in the medical decisions of women.”
Mental-health services.
“This is a critical pillar in our community.”
“Support a state-supported robust safety net for our most economically challenged neighbors.
“Remain involved in the red flag gun laws.
“Ensure our veterans are properly respected due to the too-frequent mobilizations of citizen soldiers over the past 20 years.”
Workforce development.
“Without local workforce development, Rutland County will continue to stagnate.
“Our non-university bound students in High Schools and Trade Schools are underemphasized. There is great pride in becoming a master tradesman. We’re sorely lacking in essential skilled workers.
“For the near-term, to satisfy our labor shortages, we must increase international ‘guest worker’ visas to fill our current manpower shortages. This is a national problem that we see every time we try to hire a plumber, carpenter, electrician, machinist, or driver.”
Equity/Inclusivity.
“My family and the military ingrained in me that all people bring value to the table. We should be truly blind to sex, race, religion, age, or sexual orientation.
“Equal opportunity; equal work; equal pay; equal respect.
“I believe strongly in the merit-based system.”
Public Education.
“It’s clear that we don’t compensate our educators properly for their critical impact on our children’s education. Given the limited days in an annual school year … it’s imperative that teachers’ unionization should not impact our student’s education and their parent’s job obligations.
“Prepare our future workforce with a combination of professional university graduates as well as skilled tradesmen. Our schools are too heavily focused on the college path; trade schools are underemphasized.
“Public school employees are Government workers who provide essential public services—as important as our firefighters, police, military, and civil service workers. Yes, they can strike—but—not to interrupt critical public services as important as our children’s education. We’re currently seeing dramatically poor examples of public service strikes in several sectors.
“Teachers are key public servants. They should be recognized for their community sacrifice. Wholeheartedly support the current pension for our educators but feel strongly that future pension systems should be modeled after the Federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan 401K and ROTH options.”
Gun control.
“As a Marine infantryman, Navy officer, and Iraq vet, I fully understand the implicit risk of guns. For enhanced public safety, I advocate increased safety training for new owners.
“Maintain current red flag laws.”
Business development.
“This is Rutland County’s #1 issue. Business development has a direct link to our economic rejuvenation. Labor shortages and our roads are a matter of priority. Rutland County has not experienced an economic boom since the end of the railroad era. The reason is simple—and we all know it—Rutland isn’t connected to any interstate. Our major arteries to the surrounding interstate system are roads designed in 1930 when the Model T was the bestselling car.
“Addressing affordable housing and infrastructure development via a rebalancing of Act 250. Our left hand and our right hand are not coordinated. While keeping an ecological perspective, we must ensure that Act 250 does not stagnate our economy with an over-bureaucratized, time-consuming, and costly permitting process.
“Emphasize the rebranding of Vermont’s tourism industry towards a four-season destination. While maintaining the sustainability of our natural resources, we need to improve our tourism industry and its lucrative revenue.
“Invest in infrastructure that pays back—roads, broadband, cell service, dormant housing/industry that all positively effects our quality of life, business attractiveness, and tourism.
“The divisiveness of political parties is getting in the way of Vermont’s progress. What’s important is to coalesce Vermont’s political vision. We need to focus on where we want to be in 50 years. The caucus of the southwest corridor of Vermont needs to bond together for infrastructure to support our region’s economic development. Once the largest city in Vermont, Rutland now remains in the shadow of Chittenden County. While maintaining a safety net for our most challenged citizens, we need to invest our treasury into infrastructure supporting regional economic revival.”
Agriculture.
“Full support for local farmers at the micro and macro level.
“Focus on increasing higher-density downtowns and village centers surrounded by farm, forest, and natural areas.”
Immigration to Vermont.
“Welcome immigration to Vermont but via sustainable growth. We should see long-range population increases if the right measures are taken in Montpelier regarding our economy, workforce stabilization, and Act 250 rebalancing. This population influx will be challenged by the lack of local affordable housing. To address this effect, we need to encourage the supply side to invest in sustainable growth while renovating abandoned homes, business space, and dormant industry facilities.
“I strongly support international ‘guest visas’ to meet the labor needs of our business community for skilled and non-skilled labor.”
Police Reform.
“Policing is an enormously stressful public profession—I pledge my strongest support for all our first responders.
“Strong public safety supporter—ensure our professional and volunteer community emergency service folks are provided adequate equipment, resources, training, and respect.
“Respect the rule of law in our community.
“Strengthen non-lethal deterrence equipment and techniques.”
