Gardiner Democratic Party

A journey begun in isolation, on horseback, led to a love of place. A threat to the integrity of that place, the Ridge, led to community. Impassioned engagement with that community led to an opportunity to serve the people of Gardiner with my election to our Town Board in 2005.

Many of the constituents reading this letter are already familiar with the challenges we have faced in the course of these past four years, the positions taken and votes cast. A partial list of some of the big ones would include the following: I helped to craft and voted in favor of Ridge Protection Zoning -- legislation which ensures the viability of this jewel in the crown of our natural resources infrastructure, as well as protecting the property values of those fortunate to own land in one of the world's "Last Great Places." We worked long and hard to create, and I voted for passage of, Townwide Zoning--an as-yet-barely-tested law which is intended to balance the requisites of economic vitality with the broadly expressed desire to maintain Gardiner's rural character, as well as protecting our social fabric by facilitating the creation of accessory apartments and affordable housing to ensure the continued residence of middle class families.

I am the Town Board member working with the Environmental Conservation Commission to formulate clean water regulations fundamental to our financial and physical health. Government transparency is fundamental to democracy, and to that end I obtained a grant for equipment which will be used to videotape all Town Board meetings for uplink to the net so that all citizens will be able to "attend." (Now we need a volunteer videographer!) Every Gardiner resident - not only those who can be "in the room" -- should be able to scope out how the needs and hopes of our community are being addressed, and exactly how our tax dollars being spent. Videotaping opens the door to the room.

Regardless of the particular issue before us, however, the inspiring and unexpected aspects of elective service are the ever-present responsibility to consider the ideas and opinions expressed by individual citizens in the context of the entire community interest, and being aware of how every decision made in the present will impact generations to come and the Gardiner they'll call home. Your chosen representatives are charged to extrapolate policy from facts and feelings: through diligent research, civil deliberation, and careful choice of what we conclude is the best path. We do not always agree on what that is, but we arrive at our decisions honorably on behalf of the community we share.

I am honored to serve you, and ask for your vote on November 3rd to continue our work together.