What made you want to run for Selectboard this year? What special qualities do you have that you think would make you helpful to have on the board at this time?

The people of Brattleboro seem to have a deep sense of frustration at not being heard by the current Selectboard. Having watched the board operate, I share this sense of frustration myself. I have spoken to many people about this, and so far, the only one of them who actually denies the problem is my opponent. I can bring to the board an ability and a desire to hear what people say, to consider what they mean, and to respect their ideas.

What's your favorite thing about Brattleboro? What would make Brattleboro even better and why?

I have lived in many communities, as different as New York City and a rural hamlet in England. Much of my life has been spent within a few miles of Brattleboro, and this is where I feel most at home. Having lived in Brattleboro itself for the past five years, I can honestly say this town is my favorite of all the places I have been. It is full of creative and friendly people. The mood of the town is very accepting and even playful in a way that seems unique.

Brattleboro would be better if we had more sustainable local employment and used local resources. For example, large parts of our electric bills provide money that is sent out of state, to Entergy, in Louisiana, to Hydro Quebec, and to the producers of fossil fuels all over the world. If we close Vermont Yankee, and replace some of our fossil fuel consumption with local, sustainable energy, much of that money will be kept in our economy. One possible opportunity currently being considered is a district heating system, which ultimately would heat many of our buildings and supply all our electricity, using entirely local resources, and providing local jobs for construction, operation, and production of fuel. Such projects should be encouraged.

What's the biggest problem facing the town? Why?

The economy and sustainability are two closely related problems. I think a lot of people fail to understand sustainability. It is a matter of having local jobs, engaging in local production, using local products and doing all these things in a way that preserves them for the future. It is a way out of the economic woes that disturb much of the rest of the world. Local solutions are both possible and achievable. If we fail to use them, we are at the mercy of the times. But if we do use them, we may even show others a viable way into the future.

After watching the budget process this year, would you expect more cuts next year to keep the budget down? Would you support cuts to services? staff and benefits? capital spending? What's your take on the town budget and local taxes?

We should avoid cutting staff wherever possible – every person who is out of work is a person for whom we need to find employment to have a healthy economy. Before we talk about increasing taxes, or cutting services, we should be looking at other paradigms for getting things done. It is not necessarily true that if you want to accomplish something it must be done with taxpayer money. Increasing efficiency to save money is a good example, which is being encouraged by Federal grants.

There are millions of dollars in capital improvements planned for the Town, from the $20+ million dollar wastewater treatment plant to the $800,000 the Town plans to borrow to fix roads. Can the Town and its residents afford everything it has planned? How would you want to see such projects funded, given the current economic climate?

We do not know all the ramifications of the economic climate on the funding the town is seeking for these projects. The economy does not have the same effect on municipalities as it does on businesses. The economic stimulus package may actually make some of the projects more affordable to the town. So we will very likely be able to afford everything envisioned. As things stand now, the most important thing the Selectboard could do is probably encourage the employment situation as much as possible so as to keep tax revenues from declining.

What is the role of private citizens in town affairs? What is the best way for a citizen to have input into the Selectboard's decisions on town matters?

The greatest resource Brattleboro has is its citizens. They have great ideas and the will to impliment them. Every challenge represents an opportunity, and I believe Brattleboro has people who have the creativity, intelligence, and courage to rise to any challenge. Ideally, where their ideas involve the selectboard, they should expect to be properly considered.

I am running for office because of a perception that the Selectboard is not paying attention to the citizens of the town, a perception that has created widespread frustration. The Selectboard should hear citizens at meetings and anywhere else it can. In fact, the listening should be active, engaging in the process of listening checking for reasons and proper understanding. The citizens can provide good guidance, if they can be heard.

Sometimes public officials have business affairs that present conflicts of interest when they are in their public roles. How serious should a conflict be before a board member recuses themself from voting?

I think the rules about conflict of interest are fairly precisely defined. For those occasions when there is a conflict not covered by the rules, they are a matter of individual conscience. There may be times when a board member should recuse himself or herself to avoid an appearance of undue influence, but clearly this is a subjective matter as long as the laws are respected and obeyed.

As times get harder, more residents are likely to find that they need help staying afloat. What do you think the role of the town is in taking care of needy residents?

For people who cannot work, whether from inability or just because of a lack of jobs, assistance is often necessary, but the bulk of funding comes from state and federal sources. Sometimes it comes through local non-profit organizations. The towns have historically not been very involved in providing money for these needs, and very little is allocated for them. The town should provide guidance where that is helpful and where no other body is providing it. Where it is possible to do so, the town should encourage local employment. If the economy worsens, we may have to look for other alternatives and get pro-active.

Philosophical question: Some people think we elect Selectboard members to represent us in town affairs. Others think we elect them to do what they think is best, regardless of public opinion. How do you define the role of a Selectboard member?

Sometimes the opinion of a majority of people is wrong – it can even be hurtful. A proper role of the elected official is to try to distinguish between what is important in public opinion and what is merely popular. It is a role selectively to represent the will of the people or exercise an individual sense of wisdom. It is necessary to listen, but it is also necessary to try to act wisely, even if public opinion mostly disagrees. The bottom line is being balanced – listen, try to be fair, and act for the overall good of the community.

What do you do for fun?

I watch movies whose characters I can admire. I read history and write fiction (please visit georgeharvey.org). I enjoy talking with interesting people. I make music – I whistle a lot, and consider myself very good at it. I listen to the Quintet of the Hot Club of France when I drive – but I also sometimes listen to J. S. Bach, Ella Fitzgerald, and Queen. I still read Ferlinghetti after all these years, but not very often. I have enjoyed comparing Jane Austen with Ann Radcliffe. More often, I read randomly chosen articles from the encyclopedia.

I look at maps, especially if they are obsolete. I play with geometry (please visit polymodular.com). I enjoy technology, especially if it is experimental, and most especially if it provided an alternative to a different technology that was adopted. I like sliderules. I have been known to brew beer and make cheese. I collect inexpensive ancient coins and occasionally give them away.

Sometimes I invent things, and once in a while they are useful (please visit artificialcognition.com). I like watching it rain, especially with thunder and lightening on a warm summer evening. I like finding a jack-in-the-pulpit in a damp and dark place in the woods no one else would visit.

Thank you for participating. Good luck.

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George Harvey is running for the 3 Year Seat on the Brattleboro Selectboard.