BRATTLEBORO-Incumbent Selectboard Chair Elizabeth McLoughlin has been ousted by current board colleague, Amanda Ellis-Thurber, who is completing her first one-year term, for a three-year seat on the Selectboard.
In a second race in the March 3 annual elections, incumbent first-year board member Isaac Evans-Frantz retained his seat for another term and will be joined by newcomer Eleanor "Nell" Mayo.
In the first race, Ellis-Thurber received 1,556 votes, McLoughlin received 705, and newcomer Ken Fay - who dropped out of the race March 1 - received 69, according to the unofficial results issued Tuesday night after polls closed.
In the race for two one-year seats, Evans-Frantz received 1,462 votes and Mayo, 1,255.
Also in the race were newcomers Deena Chadwick (817 votes), Randall "Randy" Blodgett (592 votes), and William "Bill" Harvey (250 votes).
Throughout election season, sides were drawn distinctly, pitting McLoughlin and Ellis-Thurber against each other - not so much by the candidates themselves as by many of their supporters.
Tuesday, however, in the snow outside the American Legion on Linden Street where ballots were cast, they apparently shared some pizza and camaraderie.
"The Brattleboro voters have spoken," said McLoughlin of the results. "I wish all the winning candidates the very best in their service to the town of Brattleboro."
In thanking the community, Ellis-Thurber thanked fellow candidates for "determination and hard work" and gave special thanks to McLoughlin "for her years of service."
"We have a lot of work to do Brattleboro," Ellis-Thurber said. "I am optimistic for our town's future. It will take all of us to getBrattleboro into a balance of affordability, growth and respect, so let's get to work."
Fay said he dropped out of the race after talking with "folks more versed in local politics than I am."
"I've come to the conclusion that I don't see a path to victory. I did not arrive at this decision lightly. Although this may disappoint some people who have already voted for me, I am doing this so that more people who have considered voting for me aren't disappointed with the Election Day results," Fay said.
He also urged his supporters to redirect their support to Ellis-Thurber. "Amanda has served her freshman term by willingness to listen, and thinking creatively," he said.
Calling service on the board "an honor," Evans-Frantz said he's grateful to voters "who have entrusted me with another year of Selectboard service, and I congratulate everyone who was elected and re-elected this evening."
"I want to thank the Brattleboro residents who opened their doors, talked with me, and shared their hopes and concerns during this campaign," he said. "I am particularly grateful to everyone who supported our campaign with phone calls, letters, yard signs, and walks through our neighborhoods."
He added that the voters "have demonstrated they share our vision for a town that is affordable, responsible in its budgeting, and compassionate toward all."
Pledging to work "with all Brattleboro residents - no matter who they supported during the campaign - for a better Brattleboro," Evans-Frantz said he would "continue to work to ensure we hear all perspectives, and especially those of the people most affected by our decisions."
"In these uncertain and difficult times, it can be easy to turn our backs on one another," he said. "We do not have to do that."
Mayo also thanked voters, calling her victory "a great responsibility and one I do not take lightly."
"We have a great amount of work ahead of us, addressing budgeting concerns, supporting our town's growth and our residents' needs," she said. "I am proud and heartened by the vast number of dedicated people who share this pursuit and look forward to continuing this work on the board and across our community."
'I don't see this as a loss'
Chadwick, thanking those who voted for her, also said her candidacy helped her grow as a person after "so many people saw something in me that I didn't yet see in myself."
"Even though I did not win, I don't see this as a loss," she said. "What I've learned from our community through this campaign has forever changed my perspective on public service, on our town employees, and on Brattleboro as a whole."
She expressed her appreciation for "the opportunity to talk with many different people and hear their stories."
"I will continue to stay involved, to speak up, and to work for the future of our community," she said, and urged residents to "stay engaged, attend meetings, talk with your neighbors, and support those who step up to serve."
"As an independent, I believe we all share the same fundamental vision for this town, even if we have different ideas about how to reach it," Chadwick said.
Blodgett encouraged collaboration and support.
"Thank you to everyone that voted for me," he said. "I appreciate your support and I would ask that we all work together to support the new board to do the work of the town during the next year."
This News item by Virginia Ray was written for The Commons.