2 out in the mountains I SEPTEMBER 2006 l MOUNTAlNPR|DEMEDlA.ORG POLITICS Martha Abbott, Thomas Salmon Take on Republican Incumbent Auditor Randy Brock Vies for Second Term BY LYNN MCNICOL 8: TINA GIANGRANDE An Underhill Progressive and a Rockingham Democrat are chal- lenging state aud itor of accounts Randy Brock, a Republican, on fronts including healthcare pay- ments, corporate tax credits, and connections to Vermont towns and cities. In her July announcement speech at Bur]ington’s City Hall, Progressive Martha Abbott brought up payment for nonex- istent health services in the -De- partment of Corrections, saying there has been a lack of follow- up to make sure this has been corrected. Brock told OITM “there was some repayment" regarding con- tractual health care services for the Department of Corrections, and that his office will be taking a further look at vendors provid- ing medical care this year. Abbott also criticized the timing of Brock’s recently an- nounced review of Medicare and Medicaid. “What took so long? Where has the state auditor been for the ‘ past two years?” she asked. Brock said the state audits Medicaid annually, because the state provides about 40 percent . of its fimds; the federal govem- ment supplies the other 60 per- cent. Medicare is a federal pro- gram, he said, so the state auditor has no authority over it. Abbott also noted that the state has offered millions of dol- lars in tax credits to companies to encourage them to create more jobs. However, she charged, when the jobs don't materialize, the companies have not been re- quired to pay back the credits. “Why is this not being investi- CONTINUED 9 ' Martha Abbott Progressive Abbott served on Burlington's city council from 1994 to 1998, represented Burlington at the U.N. Conference on Climate Change and Global Warm- ing in Kyoto, Japan, and has chaired the state Progressive Party for the past five years. She was involved in starting Women Helping Battered Women in die 1970s. A native Vermonter and graduate of Burlington High School and the University of Vermont, Abbott co-found- ed Independent Tax Service in Burlington. She lives in Underhill with Barbara Brody, her partner of 20 years. Barbara Nolfi served with Abbott on the Burlington council. "Her talents fit really well with the auditor role," Nolfi said. "She always speaks up f h t ' ' ht "" Randy Brock Republican (incumbent) Originally from Philadelphia, Auditor of Accounts Randy Brock has lived in Swanton for the past 20 years, accord- ing'to the Vermont Republi- can Party website. A gradu- ate of Middlebury College and Yale University, Brock is now retired from Fidelity In- vestments, where he served as executive vice president and general auditor, He spent more than 10 years as chair of the State Board of Private Investigative and Se- curity Sewices. Brock received medals of honor for his service in the U.S. Army's Military Police Corps. He is a member ofthe board for the Alzheimer's As- sociation and is vice chair of the board of the internation- al College Foundation. Brock and his wife’ Andrea h h'ld Thomas Salmon Democrat A native Vermonter living in Bellows Falls, Salmon is serving his first term on the Rockingham selectboard. Salmon formerly worked as a CPA for Joe Pieciak & Co. in Brattleboro. He has taught disadvantaged students and served in the Us. Navy Re- serves. Last year, Salmon volun- teered with victims of Hur- ricane Katrina in Mississippi where he was impressed by the people who had lost so much but didn't lose heart. "it was a flashpoint for me," said Salmon, whose experi- ence led in part to his de- cision to run for office.in March. Photos (I. to r.) by Lynn McNicol, courtesy of Office of State Auditor, courtesy of Thomas Salmon.