BRATTLEBORO — After I lost the Selectboard race, many people reached out with condolences. I told them all the same thing: I wasn't disappointed or discouraged. I was inspired.
I met so many new people through my campaign. Their ideas fired my imagination, and their knowledge and experience stoked that fire. My desire to contribute to town government and to help shape our town's future is even stronger now than it was before I ran.
Thank you to Franz Reichsman, Elizabeth McLoughlin, and Daniel Quipp for running thoughtful, issue-based campaigns. Liz and Daniel, congratulations! I think you're both great choices. I'll be watching with interest to see how your new perspectives help guide the new Selectboard.
Thanks also to everyone who voted for me, wrote letters for me, told their friends about me. Despite having jobs, families, and causes of your own, you all took time out of your busy lives for me. That's humbling. I'm very grateful.
I'll continue to chair the Energy Committee. I plan to join the Finance Committee on Franz's recommendation. To provide a foundation for a detailed economic development plan I'm writing, I'm drawing up an economic model for the town that will include a focus on housing and child care. I'll also be keeping my eye on the Day Jobs program. And for the Camp Waubanong alumni out there, I'm planning to join the board of directors.
I might not be a Selectboard candidate anymore, but my open-door policy remains. If you want to talk about town issues, if you want a sounding board for a new idea, if you just want to connect, please reach out. You can contact me at oheller@protonmail.com or through my website.
Looking forward to a great year!