Why I’m running for Hartford Selectboard

I’m a current house-builder and former journalist. I’ve always found ways to contribute to the place I live, whether volunteering to teach cooking to elementary students, or investigating to present officials evidence of the results of their actions. In the four years I’ve lived in Vermont, I’ve wondered how best to serve others. Selectboard members do their share of suggesting policy based on the needs of the community they serve and hear from regularly. That feedback loop is important, since the town manager would have trouble talking to every resident. (And at any rate, he isn’t elected.) That’s what I’m most excited to do.

For one example, the price of housing is a nationwide problem but I believe we can devise and implement a local solution. The distorted price of housing affects households, and the local economy, more than anything. My work as a builder has helped me understand where the bottlenecks are so we can start to fix them. One of my worthy competitors has been an attorney for 20 years. I’ve taught attorneys about transparency law, for credit from several state bar associations. But I’m a life-long working-class schmuck; maybe that counts for something. I spent almost a decade cooking in restaurants that were fancier than I could typically afford. I’d like to think I’m “in touch” with most of you. But if you wonder about specific things, please reach out. I’m at hey(at)brandonsmith(dot)com.

Brandon Smith

Hartford

Ford Burley for
Lebanon School Board

Elections for the Lebanon School Board will be held on March 12. I’m sure voters are already familiar with Lil Maughan, who has proven to be an excellent leader as the chair of the Lebanon School Board this past year. I am excited for everyone to have the opportunity to meet Richard Ford Burley, who is seeking a contested three-year term on the Lebanon School Board. Richard is both intelligent and compassionate, demonstrating both qualities in his previous experiences on other boards. He responsibly attends to his duties and is always willing to offer help where it is needed or wanted. He has shown he cares for every member of Lebanon, and values providing the necessary resources for all students, whatever their path may be. Richard Ford Burley would be a valuable addition to the Lebanon School Board. Voting turnout in these elections is historically low. Strong schools make strong communities: Get out and vote on March 12!

Tia Winter

Lebanon

Cousineau for
Cornish library trustee

The choice of Library Trustee is especially critical as Cornish transitions to a new library and community center in the renovated Cornish Store. Laura Cousineau, the incumbent, is a perfect fit. Not only does she have over 30 years of experience as a librarian, she has excelled professionally, managing budgets and personnel and providing strong leadership in educational organizations. Libraries in the 21st century are growing organisms, providing stimulating programs and access to all members of the community.

Laura is unerringly diplomatic and passionate about libraries, and she is actively involved with community volunteer organizations, such as Aging in Place, Friends of the Cornish Library and the Cornish Book Club. You will see her at these and other events and gatherings because she cares; showing up matters. We are indeed fortunate to have a trustee of Laura’s caliber involved in our community.

While we feel nostalgia for the present George Stowell Free Library, it is evident that a new, expanded library and community center will better serve Cornish. Many library events are already taking place at the former store, due to limitations at the Stowell. The new library will be a bright, open space — safe and accessible — where creativity and vital programs can thrive. Please vote for Laura to continue the tradition of excellence and to provide continuity and expertise during this transition.

Leigh Callahan

Cornish

Short-term rentals’
hidden cost

The emergence of short-term rentals has proven to be a boon for investors. At the same time, short-term rentals in condominium communities have presented special problems for condominium owners who have chosen not to rent their property. One such problem, which has received little attention, is that short-term rentals place a hidden financial burden on condominium owners who don’t rent. In effect, these owners are being forced to subsidize their neighbors’ businesses. In many instances, condominium owners aren’t even aware of this hidden subsidy. Let me explain.

A significant fraction of the annual fee that a condominium owner pays to their homeowner association (HOA) includes the cost of insuring the entire condominium association. This insurance protects against losses due to exterior damage, damage to all common areas and damage to all shared facilities, such as pools and tennis courts. This insurance also provides liability protection for claims made against the association by renters, condominium owners or visitors.

Insurance companies are keenly aware that short-term rentals significantly increase a condominium association’s exposure to risks from damage and liability. For this reason, they are requiring higher premiums. Under current bylaws in virtually all condominium associations, these premiums are shared equally among all condominium owners.

It is noteworthy that in 2024 insurance companies are starting to withdraw from offering condominium association insurance policies. Given the anticipated growth of short-term rentals and the decrease in the number of insurance companies willing to insure condominium associations, it is reasonable to expect that premium increases will accelerate in the coming years. It is also reasonable to expect that some condominium associations may be forced to prohibit short-term rentals to reduce their costs. For those condominium associations that can afford higher insurance premiums as the result of short-term rentals, their bylaws need to be amended so that condominium owners who use their property for short-term renting are levied a surcharge proportional to the extent of their renting. Condo owners who don’t rent should not be forced to subsidize the business of their neighbors.

The financial impact that short-term renting has on HOA fees, in and of itself, should give all condominium owners pause.

Steve Regen

Quechee and Williamsburg, Va.

Thoughtful story
on Gaza survivor

Many thanks to the Valley News and Liz Sauchelli for the thoughtful article on Matan Boltax, a survivor of the Oct. 7th Nova Music Festival in Israel. I was so pleased to read that Dartmouth College hosted this event.

Hopefully there will be an end to this horrific war, that hostages, dead and alive, will be returned, and that there will finally be long-lasting peace to the region.

Paula Dorr

Grantham

A master photographer

Thank you for the article by Alex Hanson about Larry Vanier, an unacknowledged master photographer (“A well-developed passion,” Feb. 22).

We met Larry when shopping at Stateline Sports. We noticed some of his amazing photos from Newfoundland. Sue had been stationed as a Navy nurse in Newfoundland, and has very fond memories of the land, the people, and the experience. We asked about the source of the photos and were introduced to Larry. After expressing our admiration for the photos and the wonderful memories they triggered, Larry offered to give several to us. He refused our offers to pay for them, saying “that would put his status as an amateur photographer in jeopardy.” Perhaps, but his status as a master photographer is not in jeopardy at all.

Thank you for bringing Larry, his story, and his talent, to a broader audience.

Sue and Paul Etkind

Grantham

Competing ideas
need reconciliation

Two letters that appeared in the Feb. 22 Forum were almost diametrically opposed (“Politics means compromise” and “ ‘America First’ for a better world”). While my own bias would align me with the letter about “compromise,” the real need is clearly how to get beyond the opposing views. This requires critical and analytical thinking, as well as the willingness to relinquish strongly felt opinions for the good of the whole, a compromise which is always bound to be imperfect for all sides of any issue. Reaching a position that transcends one’s own deeply held convictions and striving for some manner of objectivity requires both self-criticism and humility. Attaining such a point requires individuals to set a goal wherein the whole takes precedence over any part of the whole.

Allan C. Greenberg

Bethel