As promised, I am letting folks know about my decision of whether or not I will run for office in 2010. I pledged to let folks know after Town Meeting Day and I also said to let people know on iBrattleboro about my decision.
I have decided that I will not be a candidate for any office in 2010.
It was a very tough decision to forgo a bid for the Senate after all the fantastic encouragement I received from folks across Windham County and people were really excited about my candidacy.
However, the biggest obstacle to my candidacy was the fact that I would have to suspend my graduate studies at the University of Vermont. Currently, I am preparing for a thesis that will focus on the future of public funded media in Vermont and its place in the nonprofit sector. This work would have to be placed on hold and I would not have been a full-time Senator with my education playing such a big role in my professional development. Windham County deserves a strong, full-time Senator who can address our budget challenges and job climate.
I called Jeanette White and Peter Shumlin yesterday evening and informed them of my decision. Jeanette, as always, was incredibly supportive and gracious. I pledged that I would support her 110% in the primary and I encourage everyone here to support her candidacy for re-election as our Senator.
I will continue to be involved and remain engaged in the community. My top priority now is to protect the Chestnut Hill Reservoir and help educate Town Meeting Representatives of its importance to the whole community as well as the need to support our new Selectboard and the challenges that they face and my work on several town committees.
Thank you to everyone who has provided me with their thoughts, their feedback and also their friendship and good words. Most of all, your support meant a great deal. I appreciate it and thank you humbly.
Authored by: Maus Anon E on Tuesday, March 09 2010 @ 04:57 PM GMT+5
This is a back-handed compliment and a wisecrack, but I mean nothing personal. You seem like a nice guy, and you'll make a good representative for Bratt when you do choose to run.
But, you might think about going into the marketing biz. I have never seen anyone get so much traction out of a non-story as this. Two reformer articles! One about a decision to make a decision, and another about a decision not to do something.
Will the Reformer start covering other things that don't happen?
"Arthur Fesenden, 58, of Brattleboro, who announced Thursday that he would drive to Hannaford's on Putney Road sometime during the ensuing week, returned home from the shopping trip Tuesday morning without incident. Fesenden noted that a brown Buick pulled out in front of him as he approached the downtown area, but he was able to slow down in in time to avoid an accident." ;)
Authored by: ScottMcCarty on Tuesday, March 09 2010 @ 05:13 PM GMT+5
Thanks, Maus. I did get a lot of traction. It's all about the press release. I write a mean press release. I was trained by some of the best in the state so I know how to write but the only thing I did was update my Twitter, Facebook, Website and here as well as sending out a press release.
It may be the fact that the news cycle is pretty slow.
No idea. But thanks for the wise crack compliment. I'm performing on Sundays.
