Politics

Politics section

Brattleboro Survives Open Town Meeting

by cgrotke | Politics

Brattleboro survived Open Town Meeting. 

It looked a lot like a Representative Town meeting, but there were small differences.  Attendees were called “Voters” rather than “Representatives.”  There was no separate seating for the un-elected. People who just moved to town could participate.

The similarities were numerous. A bit of confusion about Roberts Rules? Check. Exciting explorations down rabbit holes of amendments to amendments. Check. Lasting nearly 10 hours? Check.

Brattleboro Town Meeting Dependent Care Reimbursement Forms

by Not Signed In | Politics

Dependent Care reimbursement forms for the Brattleboro Town Meeting will be available at the meeting on April 11 at Brattleboro Union High School gymnasium, near the Clerk’s table. Funds are limited and not guaranteed for everyone who makes a request. This is managed in partnership with United Way.

Reminder – Brattleboro District 9 Forum

by fidel | Politics

Residents of District 9 will continue their discussion of Town matters in advance of Town Meeting (which is Saturday 11 April) in another of our periodic get-togethers. The District 9 forum will occur at 6:30 pm on Tuesday 31 March in the Community Room of the Brooks Memorial Library (3rd floor). For more information, contact Robert Oeser (robt.oeser@gmail.com) or David Levenbach (fideladelphia@gmail.com; 413.559.1533).

District 3/9 Forum

by fidel | Politics

Residents of District 9 will continue their discussion of Town matters in advance of Town Meeting (which is Saturday 11 April) in another of our periodic get-togethers. The District 9 forum will occur at 6:30 pm on Tuesday 31 March in the Community Room of the Brooks Memorial Library (3rd floor). At the suggestion of one of the participants at the last forum, we invite suggestions as to matters that should be scheduled for the agenda. Send your preferred topics to convenors Robert Oeser (robt.oeser@gmail.com) or David Levenbach (fideladelphia@gmail.com; 413.559.1533).

Important Dates and Details for Brattleboro’s Open Town Meeting

by Not Signed In | Politics

During Town Meeting Day, held on March 3, 2026, Brattleboro voters discontinued Representative Town Meeting. Representative Town Meeting, which had been originally scheduled for March 21, has been canceled, and Open Town Meeting will replace it on April 11.

At Open Town Meeting, all registered voters who are present can discuss, debate, amend, and vote on the town budget and on other binding and non-binding items. Below are some helpful dates and documents to review prior to the meeting.

Brattleboro Selectboard Elect New Officers for 2026

by cgrotke | Politics
new selectboard 2026

Newly-elected Brattleboro Selectboard members were sworn in by Town Clerk Hilary Francis. Amanda Ellis-Thurber, Isaac Evans-Frantz, and Nell Mayo join Oscar Heller and Peter Case on the board.

The new Chair of the Brattleboro Selectboard is Oscar Heller. “Thanks for trusting me with this position.”

The Vice-Chair is Amanda Ellis Thurber.

Majority of United States Senate Quietly Voted to Continue War With Iran

by Cris Ericson | Politics

March 4, 2026 Motion to Discharge S. J. Res. 104, a joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within the Islamic Republic of Iran.  ROLL CALL VOTE:  Yea 47,  Nay 53

This means the majority of Members of the United States Senate voted to CONTINUE the WAR WITH IRAN because they voted against (against = Nay 53)  removal of U.S. Troops from Iran.

Brattleboro Unofficial Election Results March 2026

by Not Signed In | Politics

Please see attached for Brattleboro’s Unofficial Town Meeting Day election results. These are the results from the ballot tallies, not including write-in votes, The projected winners are in bold.

WSESD results will be released from their central office once they have the results in from all voting towns.

Note that these are numbers that were crunched after a VERY long day. I will reiterate that they are UNOFFICIAL.

Thanks to the amazing poll workers and the American Legion who made today possible! We had a lot of voters coming through the doors – 28% for Town Meeting Day (similar to last year). The day was smooth and safe!

iBrattleboro Selectboard Candidate Interviews

by cgrotke | Politics

Interview questions were sent to all candidates for Brattleboro Selectboard; for the first time, not everyone bothered to return answers (there is still time).  

Here are the links to candidate interviews in one handy spot of those who chose to participate so far:

We Deserve Better

by fidel | Politics

Selectboard Chair Elizabeth McLoughlin made some grossly false charges against former Town Manager Peter Elwell in her piece in the Reformer on February 17. Why? Could it be because he had the temerity to express concerns about her impacts on town finances and on the atmosphere of town politics? McLoughlin’s disproportionate and misleading response seems to prove his point.

McLoughlin says Elwell favors defunding the police. He doesn’t. She says, correctly, that at one point the police department was down to 13 officers but fails to acknowledge that, in his capacity as town manager, Elwell hired Norma Hardy, the police chief who rebuilt the department and who developed and implemented the Downtown Safety Action Plan that McLoughlin supported. She implies that he seeks to create a new Community Safety Department with over $100,000 a year for an executive director. Not so.

iBrattleboro Selectboard Candidate Interview – Ken Fay

by cgrotke | Politics
Ken Fay

Ken Fay is running for a three year seat on the Brattleboro Selectboard.

Introduce yourself. Who are you and what would you say are your qualifications for the job?

I’m Ken Fay running for the 3-year term on the selectboard. I believe that my qualifications for the position can be divided into two sections – what I have done professionally throughout my adult life as well as my life experiences. As a CPA with an MBA who has worked in finance and accounting and as a finance director for nonprofits as well as for an Alaskan municipality, I have hands on experience with municipal government. The towns in Alaska while smaller in size than Brattleboro had many of the same fiscal challenges – including that of doing more with less. Since graduating college in 1983, I have had 49 life events – 29 moves and 20 changes in employment. Having no children and never been married has allowed me that flexibility. 

iBrattleboro Selectboard Candidate Interview – Isaac Evans-Frantz

by cgrotke | Politics
isaac evans-franz

Issac Evans-Frantz is an incumbent running for a one year seat on the Brattleboro Selectboard.

Introduce yourself. Who are you and what would you say are your qualifications for the job?

My name is Isaac Evans-Frantz, and I’m the clerk of the Brattleboro Selectboard, running for re-election for a one-year term. I was born at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and raised in West Brattleboro.

I bring a strong understanding of municipal finances and a willingness to dig into the details. I’ve consistently asked hard questions, advocated for responsible budgeting, and stood up for democratic processes, including voting against budgets I believed placed an undue burden on taxpayers.

Brattleboro March 3rd Election Information

by Not Signed In | Politics

Below is some helpful information for the March 3rd Town Meeting and WSESD School Board Director Elections.

Absentee Ballots

Absentee ballots for these elections were mailed by request. Please make sure to follow the instructions provided with your ballot, including: 

Signing the certificate envelopeand ensuring your ballot/s are insidethe certificate envelope.
Using ablack pen to mark your ballot.
Do NOT use a markeras it can bleed through to the back of your ballot, requiring a replacement ballot.
WSESD you may vote in all town’s races for School Board.
Only vote for the number of seats available. Voting for more than the number indicated in that race will result in an overvote, and that vote will not be counted.

iBrattleboro Selectboard Candidate Interview – Randall “Randy” Blodgett

by cgrotke | Politics
randall blodgett

Randall “Randy” Blodgett is running for a one year seat on the Brattleboro Selectboard.

Introduce yourself. Who are you and what would you say are your qualifications for the job?

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Marketing from Albright College. My career has consistently focused on finance, entrepreneurship, and business development.

I began my professional career with New York Life Insurance Company, where I earned licenses in life, health, and securities. I later founded and operated a successful photography studio for 22 years, while also consulting within the studio industry on finance and marketing strategy.

iBrattleboro Selectboard Candidate Interview – Deena Chadwick

by cgrotke | Politics
deena chadwick

Deena Chadwick is running for a one-year seat on the Brattleboro Selectboard.

What would you say are your qualifications for the job?

My name is Deena Chadwick, and I’m a third-generation Vermonter and longtime Brattleboro resident. I’ve lived in a number of neighborhoods in Brattleboro, as well as in Vernon and briefly in Guilford. I graduated from BUHS in 1993 and raised my two children here; they both attended Green Street School and BUHS and are now in their early 20s.

For the past 31 years, I’ve worked as a hairstylist in Brattleboro—17 years at Whitman’s Hair Salon, over 14 years running my own business, and the last 8 years as a co-owner of a cooperative hair salon. I also previously co-owned a downtown cycling studio. Over the last decade, I’ve been involved in rehabbing older homes and turning them into business spaces and affordable housing.

Brattleboro Selectboard Candidates

by cgrotke | Politics

The latest slate of candidates for Brattleboro Selectboard has been finalized.

For the 3 year seat, Amanda Ellis-Thurber, Ken Fay, and current Chair Elizabeth “Liz” McLoughlin are hoping they will get your vote for the single available seat.