In my lifetime of participating in and out of the political process, one of the demographics painfully missing in the process has been and still largely is young people. The notion that young people have no or little experience in office should not be an impediment to young people’s candidacies nor a reason why not to vote for them. [(R-L) Christophe Gagne and Avery Schwenk]

For too long all levels of politics are denied probably the most important voices needed to understand the present and prepare for the future. As Spoon Agave wrote in the February 22nd edition of the Reformer, “The world is never going to be like most old-timers thought it would be and are still trying, laboriously, fruitlessly and wastefully, to make it become.”

Serving on Brattleboro’s Selectboard has been one of the greatest honors and privileges of my life. Government is a fundamental public trust, and I am humbled to have been elected to represent and work for Brattleboro’s citizens in providing oversight and direction for our Town.

I am running again for Selectboard because I want to continue the important work we are doing. As a member and chair of the Board, I have many priorities. Our government should be responsive, open, and transparent. Everyone should be able to have a voice in the process, and we should listen to and hear competing views thoughtfully and respectfully. Municipal services need to be provided in a safe and effective manner that meets the needs of our community and our ability to pay. Decisions should be made after careful consideration of all available information, with sufficient time for reflection, based on what best serves the public good.

As we watch the primaries unfold (a process that continues until early June, if you can believe it), I thought I would finally take a few minutes to figure out how the primaries actually work these days, and where the candidates stand.  Here’s what I discovered.

 Goldwater Girl  in 1964

This one ought to be easy.