BRATTLEBORO-Civility. Respect for the facts. Listening thoughtfully. Explaining clearly and fully.
These are not merely qualities to hope for (or, these days, to long for wistfully) in our elected officials, they are essential to good governance.
When these things are present, the public is well-served even on those occasions when the Selectboard's decisions are different from what we would have preferred. And when they are absent, our community is harmed even when the Selectboard's decisions are in line with our own desires.
I'm voting for Nell Mayo, Isaac Evans-Frantz, and Amanda Ellis-Thurber this year, and I hope you will, too.
Among the first-time candidates, Nell Mayo stands out as someone who always does the homework, listens carefully to the discussions, and speaks respectfully and inclusively when it is her turn. She is particularly impressive when she is reminding those in power of facts they have inadvertently overlooked or intentionally disregarded.
At times when others are ratcheting up divisiveness and argument, Nell consistently brings down the temperature in the room by speaking in a respectful tone and sticking to the facts. Nell's thorough, intelligent, even-tempered approach would positively impact the quality of Selectboard discussions and decisions.
As an incumbent, Isaac Evans-Frantz has a Selectboard record to run on. That record reflects that he addresses all issues transparently, without demeaning those who disagree with him. He has raised matters for Selectboard consideration that would otherwise have been overlooked in the conduct of town business, and our community is better and stronger for that.
Perhaps most importantly, Isaac has tirelessly advocated for openness, inclusive processes, and accountability in town government. The Selectboard does the public's business. Regardless of our particular points of view, we are all better served when the Selectboard sincerely invites public participation and is open and accountable to the public for the results.
Amanda Ellis-Thurber also is an incumbent who has consistently demonstrated her commitment to open processes and respectful communication. Although I haven't always agreed with her on the policy direction she has supported, I have appreciated how she works with people in making decisions rather than talking at them or down to them.
Her main opponent for the three-year seat is Liz McLoughlin, who frequently demeans, bullies, and speaks in terms of exercising power rather than in terms of building consensus or community. Liz has had her chance to lead and has presided over a period of financial dysfunction and increased divisiveness.
We need change. Amanda represents that change in the positive, curious, and respectful manner in which she approaches the Selectboard's work.
Peter Elwell
Brattleboro
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