The Deerfield election is May 7 and the top of the ballot is a race for Selectboard.
Erich Brown is challenging Carolyn Ness on the platform that change is good. He also has an engineering background, which from time to time might have value as a selectman. Being a Selectboard member is so much more than that. Actually I think his engineering skills are more suited for the Capital Improvements Committee.
My entire working career has been as a public employee at the local level. I started in public works on the back of a rubbish truck and other public works jobs. Then I became a police officer and finished my career as a chief of police. I have seen how local government works first hand, and I can tell you; to be a good and effective Selectboard member, in even a small town like Deerfield, takes commitment, time and experience.
It appears to me that Erich Brown has very little or no experience in local government. Carolyn Ness on the other hand has a wealth of experience not only as a selectwoman for several years but serving on other boards and committees. And she has done all of it with Deerfield’s best interest at heart.
Deerfield is a wonderful town to live in and I believe part of that is due to the commitment of Carolyn Ness. Someday Erich Brown may be the guy to vote for, but not this time. To vote for “Change” instead of “Experience and Dedication” just doesn’t make any sense. Carolyn Ness gets my vote.
Patrick O’Bryan
Deerfield