BRATTLEBORO-As a property owner in Windham County who stays abreast of local and statewide politics, I have paid close attention to the upcoming Windham-9 race, as it is a pivotal one for Windham County and the State of Vermont and for the direction we wish to see our state move in.
I, along with many others I know, am struggling with impending tax increases and the general hyper-progressive direction our current reps have voted to bring our state in.
It is important to me that our elected representatives really understand and be sensitive to the needs of all constituents, not just those who align with their political beliefs.
Ian Goodnow has a unique perspective in that he served on the Brattleboro Selectboard for four years, and as its chairperson for two of them. He served through Covid and the effects of the aftermath of that time on our town.
He listens intently to his constituents. He is keenly aware, more than any of the other candidates running, in my opinion, of what the citizens of Brattleboro are truly concerned about. He is realistic, reasonable, inquisitive, and a problem solver, and he has incredible passion for the betterment of this town and the state as a whole.
Personally, I know Ian to be a man of great integrity and honest to a fault. His enthusiasm is infectious.
At the candidates forum, he made a statement that resonated greatly with me: He said he is running so that his generation can live in Vermont and thrive and so that the aging population can live out their lives here, in the place they love, with dignity - affordably.
As the mother of a 24-year-old who moved away from Vermont to thrive because that was nearly impossible here, and with aging parents, those two statements meant a great deal to me.
Ian wants a Vermont where all can flourish - and I have all the confidence in the world that no one will work hard to see that vision realized than Ian will.
Missy Swim
Brattleboro
This letter to the editor was submitted to The Commons.
This piece, published in print in the Voices section or as a column in the news sections, represents the opinion of the writer. In the newspaper and on this website, we strive to ensure that opinions are based on fair expression of established fact. In the spirit of transparency and accountability, The Commons is reviewing and developing more precise policies about editing of opinions and our role and our responsibility and standards in fact-checking our own work and the contributions to the newspaper. In the meantime, we heartily encourage civil and productive responses at voices@commonsnews.org.