Many endorsements for the Brattleboro selectboard tout the candidate’s open-mindedness, integrity, intelligence and compassion. If you have heard David Schoales’ positions on the board over the years, or if you read the long list of issues that he has championed, you know that he is all these things plus much more. If you’re a public employee you may remember that David led the board in support of a successful effort to negotiate a much better health insurance plan for town workers. More recently, he supported the successful effort for the town to hire a Sustainability Coordinator, a position critically to address the challenges ahead that go well beyond climate change. David also spent many cold days with others campaigning for the ban on distribution of single use plastic bags in Brattleboro. By any measure, he is a true champion of the environment, local businesses, and fiscal responsibility.
Because of David’s foresight and spirit of innovation, our town has saved hundreds of thousands of dollars in fuel costs by converting to solar-powered energy. Our schools have also saved substantial sums in fuel costs because of David’s successful campaign for pellet furnaces. This year, David has been leading an effort for Brattleboro to conduct feasibility studies for municipally-owned fiber optics internet service. It is this kind of forward-thinking proposal that is essential not only to attract more “green” jobs, but also to motivate young people to stay and work in our town and for our health industry to operate efficiently.
Just read selectboard minutes over the years to appreciate how much David Schoales has done for this community. His voice on the selectboard is essential if Brattleboro is to successfully address the challenges ahead. Homelessness, opioid addiction, lack of affordable housing, youth migration and the climate crisis need to be addressed by a board that is both pragmatic and compassionate, that will move with both alacrity and measured deliberation, and that will have the wisdom to address short-term problems with long-range solutions. David Schoales is a proven, seasoned public servant who will bring all of these qualities to the board. For the good of Brattleboro, please vote for David Schoales for a three-year seat on the selectboard.
Timothy Maciel
Brattleboro
5G
I like David Schoales because of all that he has done for our community, I highly respect his contributions. But, I still have no idea where he stands on 5G. This issue is of grave concern for a growing number of Brattleboro citizens. “There is a cell tower in the Centre Congregational Church steeple on Main St. We, the EMF group, have measured the EMFs on the street next to it and they are very high. There is a nursery school in that church. A new cell tower (another one from Verizon) is about to be installed in the West Brattleboro Congregational Church steeple which is 360 ft from the Academy School and also has a nursery school in the church building. We must protect our kids!” This is an important issue that has arrived in our town. We need to take a stand on this issue, David I want to know what you think. thank you.
FYI
He replied to your question under his interview questions.
thank you
Thank you cgrotke…I will look
David Schoales You have my vote!
David Schoales is someone I can vote for with trust. David said, “Brattleboro should not move ahead with 5G until definitive research (currently underway) has shown it to be safe. I have been pushing the selectboard for months to aggressively explore creating a fiber optic network to every home and business in town. The ultra high resolution available would enable families to visit the doctor through their trusted school nurses office, and allow residents without transportation to get quality medical attention remotely. It would enable isolated youth and adults to consult therapists remotely. It would make it possible to have school open remotely on snow days and when flu is rampant. It would attract young people and businesses to our area and encourage our youth to stay here. And it would allow all our businesses and residents to have true broadband service without having to go through the divisive political fight that has already begun around 5G.
Comcast or Verizon or the other big providers will never give our whole region real broadband service. They will try 5G in the densely populated areas whether it is dangerous or not, and leave the rest of us with sub-standard service.”
Great response on 5G!
Dave’s view on 5G is a great example of the Precautionary Principle, something that is lacking here in America. Dave is one of the few elected officials who is not arrogant, ignorant or brainwashed by the corporate media. He has my vote!
David Schoales is an easy choice... for Selectboard AND Schoolboard
In addition to being intelligent, energetic, and dedicated to honest public service; David listens and is easy to talk to.
There is something about the formality of Selectboard meetings which has often felt intimidating. For example as Chair, Dick DeGray would look at his watch and interrupt during citizen participation to remind you that under his rule you could not speak one second more than 2 minutes; and to let you know that he was merely tolerating your time at the microphone, but not paying attention.
The thing it: The other 4 Selectboard members would acquiesce, rather than speak up to support the “ordinary” citizen. That was a low point in Brattleboro Town Government. It does not seem so bad these past few years, but even with a decently acting chairperson: For people who are not used to speaking up at meetings, the Board can still seem unapproachable.
I can tell you from experience, that, both on the Selectboard and the Schoolboard, David has never acted like an “important person,” but as a friend and good neighbor.
Steven K-Brooks