Randolph T. Holhut/The Commons

Chris Woodworth, left, of Burrows Specialized Sports talks with Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie, center, during a Main Street campaign tour by the Republican gubernatorial hopeful on July 23 in Brattleboro.

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Strolling in the rain for votes

Republican gubernatorial hopeful Brian Dubie visits downtown Brattleboro

By Olga Peters/The Commons

BRATTLEBORO—On a rainy afternoon in downtown Brattleboro, Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie visited Main Street businesses and introduced himself to business owners and employees.

With seven campaign workers in tow, ranging in age from the late teens to late 20s, the sole Republican candidate for governor stopped into stores to speak with the owners.

The top two topics of discussion? Expanding broadband Internet to the rest of Vermont and the economy.

Last Friday’s heavy rain may have soaked the group’s campaign signs, but it didn’t extinguish their fire.

Richard Cogliano of Dummerston said he used his day off from work to support Dubie.

Cogliano said he has backed Dubie since hearing him speak in 2003. He said likes the candidate’s fiscal policy, his track record as lieutenant governor and his vision for the future.

Three other campaign workers came from the Brattleboro area.

Earlier that day, Dubie visited Cotton Mill Hill, the small business incubator run by the Brattleboro Development Credit Corp.

“It was fascinating,” said Dubie, referring to the number of small and diverse businesses under one roof.

Dubie feels small business are the future of Vermont’s economy. Looking at the statistics, he said small businesses are where the economy is growing in the United States, specifically women-owned business.

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Originally published in The Commons issue #60 (Wednesday, July 28).