In the contest for the Democratic nomination for the Windham 9 (old 3) district, we have two candidates with records of community service and good policy values. In part because he is older, David Gartenstein has a much longer history of working for the people of Brattleboro; moreover, he has broader experience, including 20 years as an assistant State’s Attorney and service on Brattleboro school boards.
What really distinguishes Gartenstein is the depth at which he has thought about the issues that matter to Brattleboro. He speaks with more than superficial knowledge on these things and has concrete plans for trying to improve the town’s circumstances. (For evidence, watch the candidate forum on BCTV.)
A critical issue that Gartenstein has identified is the degree to which the high property taxes in Brattleboro are due to our service as a hub town, and he has pledged to focus on getting the state to use its resources to provide us some relief. On a related point, he has a full understanding of the failed State approach to school finance, and he can use this knowledge to find a path forward that will ensure generating the resources necessary to educate our children without unsustainable school tax increases such as we are suffering this year.
Gartenstein also has the experience to address the interlocking problems of crime, mental health and abuse crises, and corrections in ways which are effective, humane, and sensitive.
David Gartenstein is the best choice for Windham 9.
David Gartenstein
He got my vote.
Public comment
One thing that I liked about Gartenstein on the Selectboard is that he made it a regular practice to ask the public to weigh in on each and every agenda item. Prior to him, that wasn’t always the case.
(His opponent in this race was the opposite – blaming the public for his long meetings, wanting a countdown clock aimed at them, and cutting people off during their comments. Plus, the only Chair to forbid a member of the public from speaking during public participation.)
Willing to listen
I agree with cgrotke.
After having endured one of several chairpersons who would warn that you have only 2 minutes, and then ostentatiously look at his watch as you spoke, as though to make you nervous and let you know that he has no interest in actually hearing your opinion; it was a pleasure to see Gartenstein chair, even a very large meeting with a lot of people lined up to speak, and asking us to try to keep it to 2 minutes, and not to go too much over.