Democrat primary candidate once ran for U.S. House

Lincoln -- A former candidate for U.S. Congress has thrown his hat in the ring for state senate, causing what at this point will be a primary race among three candidates for two seats.

“The election this fall is an important one for America and Vermont,” said Paul Forlenza, 59-year-old Lincoln resident.  “We must bring sanity back to the political process by electing as many thoughtful leaders as possible to all levels of government.  I am running for the Vermont State Senate because Addison County and Brandon deserve to be represented by committed people with experience, energy and vision.”

In 1984, Forlenza was a candidate for Vermont's sole seat in the US House of Representatives, winning Addison County by a wide margin before his defeat in the statewide primary. 

“Campaigning was the most rewarding experience of my professional career because I had a chance to connect with Vermonters, talking with each one of them about their hopes, dreams and how public policy could be changed to better meet their needs,” Forlenza said in an announcement press release.

Forlenza joins Democrats Sen. Claire Ayer of Weybridge and former state representative Harold Giard in what will be a primary from which two Democrats will emerge to vie for two seats representing the region. Sen. Gerry Gossens, D-Addison County, announce his retirement at the end of the legislative session.

Thus far, no Republican candidates have emerged for either seat.

Forlenza said his efforts will be toward improving the lives of Vermonters and their families, traditional and nontraditional. 

“While there are lots of public policy issues, for now I will focus on reforming the health care system, easing the financial burden on our seniors, safeguarding the environment and improving education.  Plus I am convinced it is time to bring our troops home. This senseless killing must stop,” he said.

Because he was diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago, Forlenza is particularly concerned about health care.  After his surgery, he was shocked to receive a surgeon's bill of $5,000, plus $20,000 for two nights’ stay in the hospital. 

“I am fortunate that I have health care insurance, but what about the 50,000 Vermonters who don’t and the 90,000 families who can no longer afford average annual premiums of $9,800,” he said.

Forlenza said that access to quality, affordable health care for everyone reflects core American principles of fairness and community and is good common sense.  He advocates the immediate, incremental improvement in the system by increasing the Dr. Dynasaur program to include young adults between the ages of 18 and 25.

Among Democrats and a growing number of Republicans, Forlenza observes, there is increasing support for universal coverage.  However, the difficult question is how to finance a system that is costing Vermont $2 billion a year and expected to double by 2007.

“Before I support a system run by the state, I want to see government develop a plan that gives Vermonters the confidence the state can efficiently and effectively use information technology to do a better job than private insurance companies are doing to reduce administrative costs,” he said.

He notes that Vermont is one of only seven states—California, Connecticut, Indiana, Nebraska, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin—that tax retirement income and military and private pensions.  Social Security benefits are also taxed if total income exceeds a base amount. 

“Senior citizens add to the strength and diversity of our community,” Forlenza said.  “We want them to continue living in Vermont and not have their quality of life diminished by ever increasing tax burdens.” 

Forlenza supports a sustainable environment by controlling sprawl, preserving Vermont's quality of life, and supporting organic and diversified farming. 

“I endorse the view that economic development can be carried out in harmony with effective environmental protection.  Plus we need to ban genetically modified seeds,” he said.

Forlenza is inviting voters to help shape the issues of this campaign by visiting his website www.forlenza.us.

With a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's in computer science, both from Union College, Forlenza’s education led him to careers in information technology and public policy.  He was a partner in Interactive Computing of Vermont, a small software services firm.  Later, he worked for Digital Equipment Corporation in South Burlington.

For the next  15 years, Forlenza worked in IBM's Governmental Programs Office, advocating for international agreements respecting intellectual property rights, eliminating restrictions on use of the Internet and lowering import tariffs on information technology products.

Two years ago, he took early retirement from IBM.

“Now I have the time to give back to the community by representing Addison County in the Vermont legislature,” he said.

Originally coming to Vermont as a skier, in 1972 Forlenza bought land in Lincoln, built a house, and served on the board of the Addison County Counseling Center.  In the 1980s, Forlenza was the spokesperson for the Save Lincoln Mountain Committee, which defeated an electric utility project proposed by Green Mountain Power.  Currently, he is the coordinator for the Addison County Prostate Support Group. He is also a member of Vermont Professional Photographers, Commercial and Industrial Photographers of New England, and Art on Main in Bristol.