In my lifetime of participating in and out of the political process, one of the demographics painfully missing in the process has been and still largely is young people. The notion that young people have no or little experience in office should not be an impediment to young people’s candidacies nor a reason why not to vote for them. [(R-L) Christophe Gagne and Avery Schwenk]
For too long all levels of politics are denied probably the most important voices needed to understand the present and prepare for the future. As Spoon Agave wrote in the February 22nd edition of the Reformer, “The world is never going to be like most old-timers thought it would be and are still trying, laboriously, fruitlessly and wastefully, to make it become.”
It seems the older one gets the more time stands still and too many older folks are resistant to change. When the voice of politics is weighted to the old, there is an unnatural balance when the voices of young people are silent.
Avery Schwenk, co-owner of the Hermit Thrush Brewery here in Brattleboro, is vying with David Gartenstien and Dick DeGray for two one-year seats on the Selectboard. Many of the decisions the Selectboard are and will be facing will reverberate well into the future. Avery Schwenck has every reason to be equally if not more concerned about the future of Brattleboro than his two older, experienced opponents. Yet, Spoon goes on to say about Avery, “We can’t know the tenor of his decisions until he has had a chance to become fully informed on the issues as they come before the Selectboard but he begins with all the tools and qualities requisite for the responsibilities.”
The Reformer recently reported, “Newcomer Avery Schwenk, with his partner Christophe Gagne, opened Hermit Thrush Brewery downtown about a year-and-a-half ago but his career is not limited to beer. He is part of Destination Imagination, a group that teaches kids how to solve problems creatively. He also was a paramedic for six years. “I’m looking for your vote to have an opportunity to serve my community that’s been extremely opening, welcoming and kind to me since I’ve moved here,” he said. “I’m really invested in Brattleboro because Brattleboro’s invested in me.””
Brattleboro’s local elections and presidential primary take place Tuesday, March 1 in the Municipal Center, 230 Main St., Room 212, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Early/absentee ballots are now available in the town clerk’s office until 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 29.
Reasons to vote for the young guy
I read this and I’m sure Avery Schwenk is a great guy but other than his relative youth, are there any other reasons to vote for him? Does he have any views on anything? Just wondering….
Juxtapose Avery Schwenk’s ideas with old-timer’s David and Dick
Take your pick. These links juxtapose Avery Schwenk’s ideas with those of old-timer’s David and Dick:
http://www.reformer.com/letterstotheeditor
http://www.reformer.com/news/ci_29517706/brattleboro-selectboard-three-vie-seat
http://www.commonsnews.org/site/site05/story.php?articleno=14092&page=1#.Vs3Ym30rKmU
http://www.commonsnews.org/site/site05/story.php?articleno=14025&page=1#.Vs3ZGH0rKmU
http://www.commonsnews.org/site/site05/story.php?articleno=13964&page=1#.Vs3ZLn0rKmU
Who wants more of the same?
I, for one, am excited to see new blood willing to jump into the malestrom that is more often than not Brattleboro politics. The fact that he is young and relatively new to town and is, in all probability, not entrenched in the current mindset of ” This is how we’ve always done this and this is how we’re going to do it” is exciting to think about. Maybe having someone with a new outlook and a willingness to look for more creative options to town problems will bring people back to participating in community meetings and decisions. I certainly don’t want another year of a SelectBoard who so blatantly makes it known that public opinion and input at SB meetings is really not welcome. I wish more younger residents were willing to bring some fresh ideas to this town’s government.