The Divide in Brattleboro
March 10th, 2007
When did we all become smiling strangers to one another? We are all neighbors, and like it or not, we work together and see each other almost everyday. So why such a wide divide in Brattleboro?. The recent campaign for the open Selectboard seats illustrates a disturbing inclination to demonize each other and widen a divide between the citizens of Brattleboro. We all saw and, I hope, participated a discussion of the issues, ( I’ll comment in another post about a 23% voter turnout) but we also saw a theme emerge of opponents somehow being the sinister “other” and “different” in some way that didn’t reflect just a difference in political philosophy.
Audrey Garfield’s Smile became an indicator of some hidden problem and was used by opponents (not the Candidates) to demonstrate an inability to work with others. This characterization of her makes her the “other” and someone to be feared by those who don’t agree with her. To use Audrey’s smile to judge her ability to be on the Selectboard is just silly. And, most important, it is certainly not an accurate indicator of her abilities or her position on Brattleboro issues.
Marc Sprague talking to business leaders in town became the focus of those who said he had sold himself, darkly implying nefarious motives, to the “old boy network”. Marc said from the beginning of his campaign that bringing more high quality jobs to Brattleboro was one of his top priorities. Now, who on earth expects someone with this as his/her top priority not to visit as many business owners as possible? Agree or disagree, this was his stated purpose from the beginning!
I would hope that any candidate for town office would talk to business leaders, and would hope equally that each would talk to leaders of charities, community groups, town employees and officials. It doesn’t mean we have to agree with them all, but how can we know what each wants or stands for if they are not consulted. When having a conversation it is always desirable to be speaking with someone else. It’s easy to have an opinion if you don’t have any facts.
Example: It was posted on Ibrattleboro that Marc Sprague, the “blue collar” candidate had sent a mailing to some (I don’t know how many) residents in Brattleboro. The Ibarttleboro poster wondered “where this ‘blue collar worker’ is getting funding to promote his campaign?” The following posts, quoted directly from Ibrattleboro, commented on Sprague’s mailing and meeting with business leaders.
- “Just an FYI - Marc is very much supported by Kevin Yeager, Greg Worden, and Steve Steidle. He recently was a guest of them at a business meeting, being introduced to the business leaders of the town, and endorsed by Kevin Greg and Steve. Not putting a judgement on that, just an observation and FYI.”
- “So…the old boy network lives on!!!”
- “Totally with you. What closed the deal was the mailing @ 39 cents a pop, (my emphasis) and the slick professional lawn signs. Some serious money is required for that. Since both candidates have little money, as they proclaim who’s paying for them? The rich don’t throw money where they won’t get a return; that’s one reason they’re rich. Rich, Audrey and Dora made their own signs. I think that’s great.”
Mysterious goings on.Back room deals. Marc must be doing something “wrong”.
Not putting a judgement on that, just an observation and FYI.
The funny thing about the reaction to Sprague’s mailing is that, on the very day these postings appeared, I received a mass mailed postcard from Rich Garant. ( I never did receive the Marc Sprague mailing). Rich Garant did the same thing as Sprague. I didn’t then and don’t now question where he got “funding ” for this. Rich ran a good campaign and that involved a mailing to voters. My impression of Rich is that he is thoughtful and deliberate. I will watch with interest as he works on the Selectboard in the coming year. But in any case he should be judged by his actions.
So: Marc Sprague and Rich Garant made a mass mailing, should we wonder about one and not the other? Both? How about we ask them if we have a question? They were both available and willing to take questions. But, maybe it’s just easier to believe what we believe, facts be damned.
Marc Spague mailed to voters. Rich Garant mailed to voters. He won. Period. End of story.
MORE TO FOLLOW:
The campaign gets ugly. Divide widens. Complete with hate mail and racial epithets directed at Steve and me. Check out the hate pyramid below. Where do you think we are?
