For local selectboards, I recommend that Brattleboro residents vote for Oscar Heller and Richard Davis, that Putney residents vote for Aileen Chute, that Guilford residents vote for Zon Eastes and Chip Carter, and that Vernon residents vote for Thomas Guerino and Jim Pinkerton.
For WSESD school board, I recommend Brian Remer from Guilford.
For the Brattleboro Selectboard, I plan to vote for Oscar Heller, who is running for a three-year seat. At age 35, he brings fresh energy and perspective to town government. I am impressed with his energy to protect us from future floods and his ambition to support the creation of affordable housing.
With Ian Goodnow, chair of the Selectboard, having announced he will not seek re-election, the town needs representation of his and Oscar's generation on the board. Oscar has served in leadership roles for years on the town finance committee, energy committee, and Representative Town Meeting, and he will bring commitment to the Selectboard.
I also plan to vote for Richard Davis, a retired nurse and administrator running for a one-year seat on the Selectboard. Richard has been an amazing force in the community for many years, and you are likely familiar with his column in the Brattleboro Reformer.
His work achievements speak for themselves: He has prioritized public and community health, and meeting the basic needs of our neighbors in need. I am excited to see his name on the ballot.
In Guilford, voters should re-elect Zon Eastes, and elect Fred "Chip" Carter for Selectboard. Residents of Brattleboro, Dummerston, and Putney should all vote for Brian Remer in the WSESD school board election.
Zon Eastes has proven to be an honest and hard-working Selectboard chair for the past two years. He is willing to hear other views when they are presented civilly and makes time for residents to talk with him.
Chip Carter has a track record of volunteer service, including with Guilford Cares.
Brian Remer, a Guilford candidate for the WSESD school board, and a recently retired educator and facilitator, has a reputation for his thoughtful and collaborative approach. He will serve the young people of our towns well.
Voters in Putney should re-elect Aileen Chute to the Selectboard. In this role she has supported the creation of housing in Putney - a critical need throughout Vermont. She also has helped revive the town's Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee and is an ally to the LGBTQI+ community. She is the kind of leader our towns need.
In Vernon, Thomas Guerino and Jim Pinkerton, community-focused candidates for selectboard, have proven their abilities to help transition Vernon to a post–Vermont Yankee reality. The Vernon School Board is still searching for people to fill a vacant seat.
Let's come together as communities this coming Tuesday, Town Meeting Day, to support these leaders who are committed to making our towns stronger, more inclusive, and more vibrant places to live.
Isaac Evans-Frantz
Brattleboro
This letter to the editor was submitted to The Commons.