Plainfield Democrat Donny Osman is looking to head back to Montpelier this January to begin a fourth term in the Legislature. Independent challenger Tom Pelham of Calais, however, has other plans.

Citing the need for fresh blood and an end to partisanship, Pelham is campaigning on a platform of increased fiscal responsibility and an assertion that he has the ability to bridge the gaps between Democrats and Republicans and environmentalists and developers that have plagued the legislative process.

Pelham also contends that Osman is largely a one-issue candidate, whose intense focus on education limits his input on other questions.

Osman contends that Pelham's criticism of his fiscal record is unfounded, and thinks that he is the more fiscally responsible candidate in this race. He stresses that his focus on early and higher education is one that transcends other issues and will save the state money in the long run.

"Early education is one of the most long-term, fiscally conservative measures we can make," he said. "It's what my whole campaign is about. I'm the fiscal conservative because I believe in conservative long-term investments that will pay off. Early childhood education is one of those."

Osman thinks enhanced early education will reduce costs in the regular education system, monies spent on incarceration and provide a stronger, more skilled Vermont workforce.

Pelham respects Osman's push for education, but says he feels there are other areas of immediate concern that must be addressed, such as job generation, health care and prescription costs and the support of Vermont's rural economy.

"The education fund is running high surpluses," Pelham said. "After all its commitments there will be $35 million left over. I believe that money should be given back to property tax payers in two ways. First, we can totally eliminate school property tax on farms and forestland enrolled in the current use program. These taxpayers are the keepers of our rural culture and we need to tell them 'We care about you.' Secondly, we can drop the statewide property tax rate, probably by up to 6.5 percent."

Pelham believes that job generation necessitates that legislators offer a keener ear to businesspeople.

"I think that we have to listen to the folks that create jobs," he said. "Employers are leaving Vermont for other states for many reasons including high energy costs, a perception of difficult regulatory processes and the fact that we are a high tax state. We need to create an environment that welcomes business."

Osman thinks that painting Vermont as a tough place to do business is not only false, but also part of the problem.

"I think the image we project is so important," he said. "If we project an image that Vermont is bad for business than it tends to be a self-fulfilling process. Vermont is a great place to do business and a wonderful place to live. We have a pristine environment and a hard-working workforce. We have all kinds of advantages that they don't have in New Jersey."

Osman grants the need for some large industry, but wants to focus on helping small Vermont businesses.

"We need some big business, yes, but most Vermonters are small business people. Even our native big businesses grew out of small businesses," he said.

Pelham contends that Osman's support of small rural business has been lacking.

"His relationship with Vermont's rural economy is not as strong as it should be," he said. "Every dairy farm in the district is endorsing me."

Osman points to his own list of endorsements to counter Pelham's claims that he is a one-issue candidate.

"It's simply not true," he said. "I have the endorsement of the Sierra Club, of the Vermont Alliance of Conservation Voters. I have extremely high marks from the Vermont Public Interest Research Group and the endorsement of the Vermont Science and Education Cooperative as well as that of the Vermont chapter of the New England Education Association. I have an unblemished record of environmental support and support for working men and women. My record speaks for itself."

The candidates differ slightly on their approach to the statewide governor's and lieutenant governor's elections should those elections be decided by the Legislature. Pelham says he will vote with the will of his district. Osman would prefer a constitutional amendment calling for instant runoff voting or one designating plurality as the deciding factor, but says he would honor his oath to "Do the best for Vermont" should the races come before the Legislature. This would not necessarily mean voting with his district or state, but he says he would be glad to make his vote public.

Both candidates support looking into changes to Act 60, namely those that would more closely link the education taxes to an individual's ability to pay. They both support sustaining health care and prescription drug benefits, with Osman going so far as to advocate a universal coverage system. Pelham believes that universal coverage may be the best plan somewhere down the road, but supports incremental change so as not to place too large a shock on the state's public financing system and jeopardize other programs.

Both defend the philosophy of Act 250, but feel minor changes in the process could be helpful.

Pelham thinks that Osman's partisanship is a large barrier.

"(Osman) brings much more partisanship and engages in the us versus them, Democrats vs. Republicans politics. We need people that can work with one another."

Osman points to his record.

"I have a proven record of accomplishment and a record of being effective," he said. "I have the experience, the talent, the skills and the will."