GUILFORD-Peter Elwell just wrote the kind of commentary he would never have wanted to read about himself when he worked for Brattleboro.
He asks voters to value civility, collaboration, and respectful governance. Yet when he turned to Elizabeth McLoughlin, that tone disappeared.
The other candidates were evaluated in terms of governance, their commitment to process, and their public record. Ms. McLoughlin was described in personal terms — demeaning, bullying, dysfunction, and divisiveness. That is personal targeting, not a professional critique. It is not Vermont’s way, and after his years of service to the town of Brattleboro, he should know that.
In Vermont, we take politics seriously. We debate policy. We examine records. We hold elected officials accountable for votes and outcomes. What we do not do is single out one neighbor for personal condemnation while treating others through a professional lens.
If there has been dysfunction on the Selectboard, it belongs to all five members. The board governs collectively. Budgets are passed by majority vote. Meeting tone is shaped by everyone at the table. To attribute institutional problems to one person while praising others who served during the same period ignores how municipal governance actually works.
I do not know Elizabeth McLoughlin well. I have met her once. This is not an endorsement. I live in Guilford and can’t vote in this race. This is about standards — standards I believe Mr. Elwell did not meet. If he is going to speak about collaboration and community, the tone of his public commentary should reflect those values.
In Vermont, we live with one another long after the election is over. Our public discourse should reflect that.
Chip Carter
Guilford
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.