My top priority will be to expand improvements in Bennington that will make a positive difference. Given the nature of Dillon’s Rule, there is a lot that I would love to do, which would require Vermont state authority; such as connecting our own North Bennington train station to commuter rail with the rest of our state.
Given the powers of the Select Board, I aim to work with colleagues to expand sidewalks, as well as their upkeep, in Bennington. I want to explore tangible opportunities to responsibly house our fellow Bennington residents who experience homelessness. Furthermore, I will be steadfast in securing equity for marginalized communities.
2. So far as I have seen, Putnam Block has been successful thus far amid a pandemic, and the economic hardships thusly attributed. A flurry of fantastic, new businesses have blossomed on Main Street, and this is the sort of progress we need to build on. I am grateful that the Community Market is championing healthy food for Bennington and its most disadvantaged residents.
I fully appreciate that the Bennhi project seeks to restore a historic part of our town, and offer potentially My name is Asher Edelson, and I am running for Bennington Select Board.
I choose to move to Bennington after growing up in the South, where I never felt at home, and found home here. The small town atmosphere appealed to me, as did seasonal weather and the town’s charm. This is where I found home, community, a place to work, and a place to buy my first house. This is where I want to raise a family.
Prior to the move, I ran for the school board of the sixth largest school district in the nation (at the age of 19), and lost my race while talking about student nutrition and ending state standardized testing.
From there, I got my Bachelor’s Degree, held positions within local political structures, interned for a Congresswoman, and worked for numerous political campaigns.
Even then, I knew I was not at home. The best decision I ever made was making the move to Bennington. After the move in 2019, I got right to work. Amid full time employment, I became Chair of the Vermont State Rehabilitation Council, Town Chair of the Bennington Democratic Party, a School Board Member at Southwest Tech, and a history teacher at the Vermont School for Girls.
Each of these positions offers me an opportunity to do real good for the community. Whether that is helping to successfully lobby for mandated hearing aid insurance in Vermont, bringing a variety of statewide candidates to Bennington, successfully adding gender identity & national origin to SW Tech’s anti-discrimination policy, or helping disadvantaged students learn about the world, I am proud of what I have accomplished. And it is only the beginning.
I am running for Select Board to make an impact. I will do what I can on a variety of issues that I care about, including transit, housing, and disability accessibility. I am prepared to be a proactive listener and find a way to make positive change a reality.
I live in Bennington, with my two cats. I enjoy spending time with friends, gaming, catching up with programs or books that I enjoy, and learning about Vermont.more affordable housing to older people. The idea that this space could be used to host community events, affordable and accessible housing, small businesses, and nonprofits is attractive. Provided I am elected to the Bennington Select Board, I will be diligent in utilizing whatever resources I can to ascertain the feasibility of the Bennhi project. If it is financially appropriate, and accessible to those with disabilities, it will be a project that I support.
3. I love Bennington and I am grateful to call her my home. Bennington needs to be equitable, accessible, and productive. Let’s get down to brass tacks, our town has experienced serious problems with regard to racism. We need to work as a community to ensure our town is welcoming and safe for people of color. Painting “Black Lives Matter” in front of our Town Office is wonderful, however it is not a tangible change for ensuring our black and brown neighbors are safe, as well as truly listened to — we need to do work on that front. When a duly elected Vermont l State Representative feels the need to resign and move out of town due to racism, that’s a problem.
Furthermore, Bennington would thrive more so with a variety of public transit options. When people with disabilities have difficulty accessing damaged sidewalks, that’s a problem. When our local bus drivers need to unionize in order to make ends meet, that’s a problem. When trade jobs leave Bennington while our water gets polluted, that’s a problem. The good thing is that we can fix these problems in order to revitalize our beautiful, resilient, blossoming Bennington.
From the heart,Asher Edelson
