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  Former Human Services secretary to run for Senate

Burlington Free Press - June 9,2004

By Tim McCahill
The Associated Press

MONTPELIER ó Former Human Services Secretary Jane Kitchel is making a bid for state Senate.  Kitchel, a Danville Democrat, is running for the two-person district that includes all of Caledonia County and six towns in neighboring Orange County including Bradford, Newbury and Topsham.

She joins fellow Democrat Matthew Choate of St. Johnsbury in the race against incumbent Republican Sens. Julius Canns and Bernier Mayo, who was appointed last year to replace Robert Ide.

Another Northeast Kingdom Democrat, Rep. Robert Starr of Troy , is also said to be considering running for the Senate, to represent the Essex-Orleans district.

Starr could not be reached for comment Tuesday, but Democratic Party officials said he would make an excellent Senate candidate.

ìIt's my understanding that Representative Bobby Starr has been encouraged by a number of people to run for Senate and is actively considering it," party spokesman Mark Michaud said.  ìHis record of accomplishment in the Legislature would make him an excellent candidate and an excellent senator.î

Sen. Jim Greenwood, R-Essex-Orleans, is not seeking reelection, opening up one of the two seats in the district.

Kitchel who retired from the Human Services Agency in 2002, said Tuesday that many people had approached her about running for state office and she made her decision within the past few days.

"I felt that I had a tremendous amount of experience and background on key issues," she said.  "That will serve me well as we're dealing in those policy areas in the future."

She said those issues include health care and promoting strong communities through education and civic involvement.

"We want to make sure our state policies are designed to achieve that," said Kitchel, 58.

After her retirement, Kitchel worked with lawmakers to draft a plan restructuring the Human Services Agency which oversees several departments and operates the Vermont State Hospital in Waterbury .

Kitchel, who started her career as a social worker in St. Johnsbury, became Human Services secretary in 1999.

ìI have a strong personal commitment to making government work well,î she said.  "I feel that I have an ability to ask the right questions so we can have informed debate.î

Kitchel also has deep roots in and around Danville .  She grew up on one of the state's  remaining ìcentury farms,î owned and operated by the same family for more than 100 years.  Sheís president of the Fairbanks Museum ís board of trustees and secretary of the Danville chamber of commerce.  Kitchelís mother, Catherine Beattie, was once a House member and her brother, Marty Beattie, runs a grocery store and gas station just outside town.

Her connection to the area gives Kitchel credibility in the traditionally Republican Northeast Kingdom, Senate President Pro Tempore Peter Welch said.

óSource:  The Burlington Free Press.  Wednesday, June 9, 2004.  Page 5B.