Leah Stuart is running for a one year seat on the Brattleboro Selectboard. Read on for her responses to the iBrattleboro Candidate Interview.

1. What made you decide to run at this time? In what ways do you think you'd be helpful on the Selectboard?

In my mind, I saw the need to approach our problems on the Selectboard with deliberateness. To me, it is not a time to panic about the economy. It is the time to proceed carefully. Fear can hasten the Selectboard into voting unwisely.

Brattleboro is in a mini-economic crisis like many municipalities in Vermont. As a member of the Selectboard, I want to work with the other members to formulate a strategy that will encompass 3 plans: short, medium, and long range. We need to take each step that will allow the correct decisions to be made. The Selectboard also has to use its highest integrity to revise and rework any plans that it deems necessary. In order for this effort be successful, we must have differing viewpoints which allow the board to consider options to put into its planning. A gap analysis and assessment survey about the specific needs of our economic community is a prudent strategy to identify our strengths and weaknesses. To me, this is the sound part of long range planning.

In the short and medium term, as a Selectboard, our leadership role is to assist our citizens to connect with, for example, why they need to recycle, which will continue town trash pick- up. It is a good strategy to always make known to others “what is in it for them.” This connection needs constant marketing, for example, in the schools, business, and local TV and radio. To me, we need to have a good marketing strategy. Also the Selectboard needs to look carefully at our material “Commonwealth” which is only second to the citizenry which is our first, of course. For example, the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, as our town treasure; it is not just a neighborhood treasure-- but a treasure to be kept for subsequent Brattleboro generations.

I bring a wealth of knowledge about our diverse community because I have lived in different sections of Brattleboro such as the Clark/Canal neighborhood and West Brattleboro; worked at divergent enterprises such as the Brattleboro Food Co-op in Advertising and Price Chopper; see my biography for a partial listing of my community advocacy.

2. With regard to the budget, it has been said that if the town does not want to raise taxes, it will have to cut services. Do you agree with this assessment? If so, what services do you think should be cut? If not, what would you do instead?

In my mind, we may need to delay some building efforts such as the new police and fire station. Town Governance does have viable ways to increase the bottom line in Town Finances. Some have suggested a very minimal tax on gas. The Town needs to stop outsourcing jobs that can be done in our town, municipally or by employing a Brattleboro private business. Perhaps, we need to look into the future and place the internet as a town service that can be taxed. This minimal tax can offset the shortfall in revenue. These ideas and others are coming from residents.

Perhaps we need to think outside the proverbial “box” and garner ideas—Brattleboro has an incredible amount of talent. Let us not forget grants from state and federal government. I want to advocate on both these levels for funding because Brattleboro is a magnet town. Brattleboro supplies goods and services that the smaller outlying towns cannot provide because they lack the infrastructure, etc. Brattleboro needs to work with the State and Federal Representatives’ to keep this before all of them that fact and other considerations.

3. In the current economic climate, people are feeling the pinch. What can the Selectboard do to make things easier for residents to get through these tough times?

The Selectboard can provide leadership in wanting to hear from the citizenry. We need to inspire them to bring into focus the ideas that can bring money into their homes, such as recycling by not having to pay as you throw; and volunteering for those in need. The Selectboard can remind the residents about the opportunity for training and education within our area. We can remind folks about what some people did during times of hardship a generation or two ago. Many are too young to remember, or perhaps this is the first time of economic shortfall.

The Town needs to revive some of those old fashioned ideas that can be used such as home gardens or using fresh fruits and vegetables from our local markets, making clothes and toys, and bartering. I would really like to look into a local barter system with downtown business which other communities have adopted. The Town needs to keep advocacy services funded. The town needs to develop a plan to bring jobs into Brattleboro that have a viable living wage.

4. What can the Selectbaord do to help businesses that are already here, as well as to encourage new businesses to start?

The Selectboard, in my mind, needs to support the idea that a business grows one customer at a time. I believe in the sandwich signs. In my mind they stimulate sales. To me, it is a part of our Vermont way of doing things. It is a charming part of a small town. In the recent controversy, I hope to vote that the sandwich signs are kept on Main Street as well as the Alici sign which is placed on a lesser traveled street just off Main Street.

I believe that we can enhance the businesses on Main Street by getting more out of existing festivals by working in conjunction with the business community. Make the Strolling of the Heifers an all day affair with Music in Pliny Park under a tent afterwards; stores open later, etc. Perhaps The Strolling of the Heifers can point out in marketing that there is more after the Retreat and to stay in Brattleboro. We need to do outreach and help businesseses and groups know that they can have events at the River Garden. Perhaps some have never thought about having their events there: some business parties and meetings; even weddings and civil unions; and that there are other groups who can cater local food, or provide music. It is something that can inspire folks who would use hotels and such to keep it local—on our Main Street. I do know some already do; however helping some businesses and groups to think out of the box, we can increase the “bottom line” enough in the short term to stay afloat and perhaps even prosper.

5. Respond to the following "true or false" statements:

- The driver of Brattleboro's economy is money.
- The driver of Brattleboro's economy is people.

People are the driver of the economy. People have the ideas, initiative, and work ethic; people buy and sell goods and services. The Town should encourage thinking out of the box. Much business on our Main Street started with a small dream that ONE could make a difference in their lives and the lives of others. In these times, the Selectboard needs to help our Town come together, as communities came together in the 30’s and 40’s.

6. Tell us about your ideas to help Brattleboro thrive despite the larger economy.

See answer to question #4.

7. Pay As You Throw — are you for it or against it, and why?

I am against it because it will impact those on the low side of the economic scale and renters. The Selectboard needs to foster co-operation; in my mind, this will place a measure of ill will among the residents, beside the current system which provides trash pick-up works well. Pay as you throw will not help with those feeling the “pinch” of a rough economic time.

8. Do you feel it's the Town's role to own and manage certain public properties such as parks, museums, and other recreational spaces? Would you be in favor of more or fewer such Town-owned facilities in the future?

The parks, museums, and recreational spaces are our commons which make up our shared commonwealth. The Town needs to always keep these under its governance for the residents or whoever comes to Brattleboro to enjoy them. The Town can always look to fundraisers as well as cost effective measures that will not take away from the function or beauty of these spaces.

9. Do you currently support relicensing of Vermont Yankee Nuclear Plant?

Everyone knows that vehicles, appliances, and many other items and such have a warranty. Vermont Nuclear Plant has one— its warranty is up in 2012. If the plant is deemed unsafe, we must as a Town through petition and through our State and Federal Legislators, ask that its operation cease. I am for not renewing Vermont Yankee’s license to operate.

10. What's the most impressive thing you've read recently?

One recent book that I found very affirming was Eight Weeks To Optimum Health by Andrew Weil which gave me a lot of new ideas to consider with regard to my health.

Thanks for participating in the iBrattleboro Selectboard Candidate Interviews!