What else?

I am incredibly grateful that I found my way to Brattleboro. I initially landed here in a scramble to leave a volatile living situation in Chester, Vermont, and while it didn’t make sense for me to stay (I worked 65 miles north and had a partner based in Montreal), I did. I was immediately charmed by Brattleboro, the Victorian homes, the murals, the painted telephone poles on Elliot street. My daily dog walks became full of ritual, beauty, and history as I wove between the shingled walls of the Estey Organ complex. I was inspired by the immense spirit of ingenuity I saw channeled into all facets of life here, everything being done in service of neighbors, and thus ourselves. I spent two years commuting 130 miles daily before leaving my job in July. I cancelled my move to Montreal. I have firmly rooted myself here. There is so much that I love about Brattleboro, including the participatory basis of our governance. It demands involvement and a commitment to cooperation to secure the best home for our collective well being, and I am honored to have the chance to participate.

About me: my values and background

Why am I running?

During last fiscal year, I heard widespread alarm over the budget and the large, unplanned, mid-year expenditures. While I understood these concerns, I wanted to understand what the procedural answer to them was, so I joined the Finance Committee. It provided clear insight to how we as a town operate our finances, and has illuminated new areas of concerns which I believe necessitate a change in approach.

I also deeply appreciate our form of municipal government. I believe it’s immensely valuable that in Brattleboro there is often a path towards change and improvement through participation within town structures such as public comment, committees, citizen petitions, and Town Meeting. This is in stark contrast to other municipalities I’ve lived in, where attempts to engage civically have felt like banging against a wall to be let in. Through my own involvement I’ve made innumerable connections with other townspeople, a cross section of some of the most intelligent, passionate, and critical thinkers I've had the pleasure of knowing. I value that our structure of government demands participation to function, that to be a citizen of Brattleboro is an active identity. I believe this puts us in good hands, as they are our hands. I also understand that not everyone has the will, or the ability to further involve themselves, and that a government is built to serve. I have this will and ability, so I am offering myself in service to the people of Brattleboro.

What are my priorities and values?

I believe my values are presented within my priorities. They would be as follows.

Financially: To return to a structurally balanced budget. To further invest in realistic long term financial planning. To address financial concerns with citizen input. To create an accessible way for townspeople to understand town finances. To maintain our essential infrastructure such as roads, bridges, retaining walls, and promote accessibility such as sidewalk maintenance and clearing, and bicycle infrastructure.

Culturally: To promote democratic values and to preserve the structures that enable them. To encourage participation and foster a receptive environment for constituents. To contribute towards an effort for more cooperative and productive conversation surrounding our downtown, and the implementation of public restrooms.

Many people know me for my incessant notetaking on my trusty laptop. I often refer to those notes and to other data when I address the Selectboard, because I believe good decision-making has to to be grounded in the facts.

How will I approach budget issues? What other challenges is Brattleboro facing?

I believe that to be able to make informed decisions on the budget, we must first reassess our ongoing financial commitments as a town. I join many others in a call to return to realistic long term financial planning. I would like to review how we are using outside funds, both how we calculate transfers to the general fund, and how we use special funds for expenses that would otherwise be a direct cost to taxpayers.

There will always be conflicting interests amongst townspeople, and so I believe it's a governmental responsibility to break down not only the cost of a service as a whole, but additionally on an individual level, such that townspeople can decide the value they find in a service relative to its privatized equivalent.

Another challenge I see is people who feel that their questions are not welcomed in government. I believe that as a government and as a town, we must foster an environment that respects and cares for all of our neighbors, as well as protect constituents' right to ask questions, and our government’s obligation to answer transparently.

What is my work background?

In my town focused work, I am currently serving as the clerk of the Representative Town Meeting Finance Committee. The budget redevelopment in April necessitated an additional Finance Report, after which we, following our own recommendation for an earlier start to the budget process, continued to meet throughout the summer to develop additional material for the town. Notably, we compiled a list of financial recommendations for the town's approach to finances, as well as publishing our preliminary budget recommendations.

I greatly enjoy serving on the committee, and am disappointed the Selectboard has not been more receptive to our advice, both during and prior to my tenure. I believe this committee is a deeply important part of our system of checks and balances, and would like to thank my fellow committee members for their extensive work, and for all that I have learned from our collaboration.

In my professional work, I'm a carpenter by trade. I grew up in Ottawa, Canada, where I trained in heritage carpentry and joinery at Algonquin College. After moving to Vermont, I joined Snowdog Construction, where I worked in high performance building and energy retrofits until this past July. I now work as an independent contractor. Prior to entering the trade, I spent six years in grass root organizing, primarily working to divert waste from food streams. I ran a free weekly grocery program for three years, and brought meals to 1-3 community events a week. To a lesser extent, I worked with advocacy groups on issues such as public transit, fair wages, responsible resource extraction, and support for survivors of domestic abuse.