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Long Time Resident

I’m a creative problem-solver, who moved to Essex in 2004. When I saw issues that needed remedies, I went to meetings, talked to people, and proposed common sense solutions.


Effective in Local Politics

Being on the “outside”, I sought change through collecting signatures to put questions on the ballot for voters to approve. That took time but I got to know all parts of town and found many residents that agreed. 


I used my photography and computer skills to communicate complicated information in ways that anyone could understand. In addition to a streak of victories at the polls, my team was a Reed Award Finalist in the Homegrown Video category for the fourth video in our “You Can’t Get There From Here” series about the 3+3 Charter Change. 

For several years, I've served on the Conservation and Trails Committee and the Economic Development Commission.  I was elected a Justice of the Peace in 2024 and serve on the Board of Civil Authority and Board of Abatement. After attending more than 100 Selectboard meetings, I've learned what serving on the board requires.


I Have the Time

I've run my own business since 1981. I've built, or been part of, teams both large and small creating systems for my clients. I now have the necessary time to serve on the Selectboard. I know what is required: long meetings, all day sessions and large packets that require detailed review just for starters.  


It's Time for Some Changes

  • Our town has netted a general fund surplus for every year I have observed. Over the last five years the average is $684k per year! This is on top of maintaining a 15% of the budget reserve. That surplus has been assigned by the selectboard each year to items recommended by our Town Manager, bypassing the normal budget process. Some years the annual tax increase could have been greatly reduced. I want to change this policy. 
     
  • Capital Funding has regularly fallen short, having to be supplemented by the surplus mentioned above. This, along with a separate fixed capital tax, makes our municipal tax appear lower than it actually is. We also need more detail published about what is included in our long term capital plan. Not just the five year plan we vote on. This needs to change. 

  • We have an ineffective ethics complaint process. With the state not able to stand up a working ethics commission I will advocate for an independent local process.  Possibly as a committee of our local Board of Civil Authority.  We can do this.

  • We need a more responsive Selectboard. Many times I have seen residents come to our Selectboard asking for action with little or no response. One of those times – after the Selectboard ignored our request for information – I worked with a group to put the question on the ballot. Because we were in sync with a our residents, a large majority of voters approved the questions to increase transparency. Now our Annual Report lists all employees' compensation, and commercial property tax breaks. 

  • I have an eye toward the future.  People and businesses choose Essex for a reason. Our voter-approved Town Plan lays out Essex residents' priorities. I'll push to make that vision a reality.