I write this letter to voice my support for Ben Elliot in the race for Great Barrington Selectboard.
With all the profoundly important issues currently on the table – affordable housing, the school district merger, Housatonic Water Works, gentrification, and economic development to name a few – the next three years will have a huge impact on our community. It is critically important that we have a Selectboard that has a holistic understanding of the community and a vision for how it flourishes in a changing world.
This year the choice has been more challenging than in years past. Sharon Gregory has undoubtedly rolled up her sleeves and made valuable contributions to the town (her work on Housatonic Water Works comes to mind). On the other hand, her frequent opposition to the proposals of the Planning Board (who has done more to encourage affordable housing than any other town board); her hostility to the airport (as it has struggles to survive); and some of her positions on school district issues reveal a lack of understanding of the practical realities experienced by many residents and the traditional ways that the town has maintained social cohesion. While I value Sharon’s expertise and earnest involvement in town affairs, the Selectboard needs a deeper perspective on the soul of this place to balance the pressures created by a changing regional economy.
It is telling that three former Selectboard members have publicly endorsed Ben Elliott for this seat. The reasons are clear. First and foremost, Ben listens before he speaks. His thoughtfulness allows him to see past the controversy and focus on the issue at hand. As a person who grew up here and attended local schools, went off to college in Chicago, launched a career as a writer, and came back home to raise his family; he has the engrained experience that enables him to see and understand the issues of the day with the eyes of a native son and with a vision for the future.
What Ben lacks in governmental experience is more than compensated by his understanding of the community in a deep and personal way. He has navigated the local rental market. He has managed to become a young homeowner in a hostile housing market. And with a young child, he has a keen interest in our schools. He is soft spoken yet is thoughtful and his positions are compelling. As a resident of Housatonic, he knows the reality of the Housatonic water supply first hand. He supports the recent special permit for the airport. He clearly understands the importance of the town’s role in creating an environment that fosters the creation of new small business while valuing a high quality of life for all residents. In short, Ben has the temperament, empathy, and commitment to be a valuable addition to the Selectboard.
Vote for Ben Elliot for a better Selectboard.
