PUTNEY-I am grateful to call Bex Slattery a colleague, blessed to call her a friend, and completely enthused that she's running for a seat on the Putney Selectboard.
When Bex joined the Garland School team in Brattleboro as our cook, it was clear right away that she was going to contribute more than just food to our community. I felt the same way in getting to know her personally, as a neighbor in Putney.
This was a woman who had a lot to bring to any table that she was at. Now she's stepped up to run, and it is easy to see the ways that our community will benefit.
Bex has an eye for what may be missing that others skim past. She uses her creativity and out-of-the-box thinking to find solutions. Her initiative lights the way, encouraging others to join in.
I've seen Bex shine at work, but perhaps she shines brightest in the strong relationships that she develops and her communication. This ability to get tough work done in a caring and thoughtful fashion will serve our town well.
Bex is one of the most kind and clear people I've met, and her integrity is rock solid. She has spent a lifetime moving through her own ups and downs (some literally on sailing ships), which has gifted her with a capacity to understand others and a funny bone to boot. She listens deeply and is open to sharing compassion or advice. Her knowledge of herself and humble transparency are an example to others. She is committed to creating spaces where everyone can feel loved and cared for.
I have served on the Putney Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee for the past five years and am currently the co-chair. We have made many strides to help our Selectboard reach its vision of becoming more conscious of the diverse needs of its marginalized communities and adapting policies to be more inclusive and just. I know Bex is committed to creating spaces where everyone can feel loved and cared for, and she is ready to dive into the work it takes to make that happen for our town.
Integrity and kindness are what I look for in leadership, and Bex Slattery brings both - and so much more. We are lucky to have her.
Swift Everdy
Putney
This letter to the editor was submitted to The Commons.
This piece, published in print in the Voices section or as a column in the news sections, represents the opinion of the writer. In the newspaper and on this website, we strive to ensure that opinions are based on fair expression of established fact. In the spirit of transparency and accountability, The Commons is reviewing and developing more precise policies about editing of opinions and our role and our responsibility and standards in fact-checking our own work and the contributions to the newspaper. In the meantime, we heartily encourage civil and productive responses at [email protected].