Advocating for the needs of working Vermonters and protecting those most vulnerable for over 30 years.

Bob Hooper - State Representative shared a post.

5 days ago

I brought this up as an issue when the Mayor was FIRST running for office. The response was to get the reserve (no crew) ambulance PARKED in that garage, but not doing any calls.

I also asked to see a representation of call logs (billing codes for the transport) to determine the real NEED for immediate transport in the Great North End, I.e. a FIGHT downtown versus a CARDIAC event in one of our elderly persons homes..... NO RESPONSE.

Although I would support an increase to fund this action for the Ambulance only, I really feel that it should just HAPPEN as a rational need for public SERVICE not public safety.

I was also surprised to be told that citizens get charged for the ride in the ambulance that we purchase and staff with our existing tax dollars. And that ride isn't inexpensive!!

This is something that has been bothering me for almost a decade and I mention it every election. Change would be good!! ... See MoreSee Less

Bob Hooper - State Representative

2 weeks ago

I have been approached about this issue by a couple of people who I OWE return phone calls or emails. Sorry to have taken so long, but the "thinking out of the issue" took a spell longer than I thought. This article was very helpful......

It is a complicated public policy issue, but it is a relatively simple public HEALTH issue. I suspect the folks who "advise" me are going to say this is a third rail sorta thing, but you deserve to know how I feel and how I would VOTE should the issue arise in Montpelier. I will need to do a good bit of pondering, but this article lays out a good bit of foundation for a position that protects those who CAN'T protect themselves.

To my mind, in the end, government is about protection. Drinking water, air to breathe, safety of motor vehicles, who can hunt what when, how loans are administered, basic election laws, etc. etc....the list goes on and on. Public Health is one of those protection things. I have read a bit on the allegations that vaccines cause end diseases and although somewhat questionable in scientific rigor, I can see where some parents would balk at the intentional administration of things they find may be harmful. Unfortunately the diseases that are prevented have LONG been recognized as really harmful. Your pick of the Poxes....fevers....viral cancers, etc are nasty and preventable.

As with a lot of tribal living stuff, some behavior needs to be self limiting or socially limiting. Smoking is a good example-you can smoke if you want, but society via statute and regulation takes the authority to limit your behavior when doing so.....they say where and when you can and can't...even to the point of "get that out of my house" behavior. In doing so, we attempt to limit the cancers caused by exposure of US by YOU with second hand smoke and such things.

The common context is that if you decide to not be vaccinated for some fairly nasty germs/viruses, then you must be prepared to have your options to interact with the group limited. Access to the community may be limited so as to protect those who for some reason (actual allergy to a vaccine?) CAN'T be inoculated to prevent the passage of a disease to them.....and threatening their lives. Lots of kids are allergic to the foundations used in the manufacture of vaccines and can't enjoy the benefit of their administration and safety. They should not have to be isolated from society because of this when everyone else can get the vaccine to help protect them by thwarting the transmission of the disease.

These thoughts are fairly new and unfortunately not firmly adopted as a position yet, but this is where I think I am going to end up position wise.

Please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss or comment. Always eager to have input....Science is however hard to refute....

Thanks. ... See MoreSee Less