BRATTLEBORO-Amanda Ellis-Thurber started on the Selectboard a year ago and brought with her a history rooted in this town. She and her husband, Ross, have operated the Thurber family’s dairy farm, along with Ross’s parents, and their children were raised here.
She has been involved with many local organizations and knew many of her constituents already and certainly was up to date on the complex issues here. Since joining the board, she has been an active participant in meetings with a thoughtful and respectful voice.
Amanda has taken risks to put forth potential solutions that were voted down, in the end, but still worth discussing as we need different opinions to solve the issues here.
I have also been impressed with her energy and the way she has voluntarily taken on some town issues. When the town stopped leaf pick-up this fall, she and board member Isaac Evans-Frantz voluntarily got some pickup trucks and a group of volunteers and spent several Saturdays collecting leaf bags for residents who had no way to get them to the dump.
Last fall, when Hinsdale was upset about the debris on the former bridges to New Hampshire, Amanda volunteered with others to clean it up. Realizing what a wonderful recreation resource these bridges will be when restored, she has voted for the Selectboard to continue negotiating with Hinsdale to find a solution.
And this winter, she has been volunteering at the Beloved Community temporary overnight shelter for the homeless. Her educational background as a mental health counselor gives her the training to listen respectfully to people of many backgrounds and will continue to help create a positive atmosphere at Selectboard meetings.
I hope you will join me in supporting Amanda for a three-year term in this election.
Judy Davidson
Brattleboro
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