VERNON-I support Ian Hefele for Vernon town clerk in this year's election.
I've known Ian for 15 years, and I can still be moved by the depths of his patience, understanding, compassion, and devotion to helping those around him. He is kind, intelligent, well-informed, hardworking, and generous with his time and his efforts.
He is also my brother-in-law. But, even if I had just met him, as a stranger, at, say, a Vernon Elementary School function, Uncle Jesse's Café (one of our favorite breakfast spots), the library, or any of the other local places that we both frequent, I would still be impressed with him.
Ian has spent decades being of service, as a teacher (in the Philadelphia public school system and with the Peace Corps in Mozambique), as an advisor at nearby schools (SIT Graduate Institute in Brattleboro and Stoneleigh-Burnham School in Greenfield, Massachusetts), and as the community engagement manager for the Ethiopian Community Development Council. His wide range of experiences have given him a deep understanding of how to communicate with, and bring together, people from different backgrounds and points of view in order to accomplish the important work that needs to be done.
He has lived in Vernon for 11 years and is deeply invested in this community. He can often be found at Governor Hunt House events, Vernon Elementary School functions, and volunteering at the polls. He is a respectful neighbor, a community contributor, and a reliable supporter of those around him.
If not for Ian, I wouldn't have had the courage, the resources, or the planning capabilities to go back to college in my 40s. He helped to get me enrolled, pointed me in the right directions, and connected me with the right people to help me reach my goals. That's where he thrives - organizing, elevating, and accomplishing every project he takes on.
I'm excited to see what he will bring to this new position, this new opportunity to be of service, a position that he would love to dedicate years of his life to.
Please join me in voting for Ian Hefele as town clerk on Tuesday, March 4.
Cheryl Christophe
Vernon
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