December 16th, 2021
Like all of us, I am saddened by the news that Marybeth Redmond has to step down as our Vermont State Representative. I know you join me in wishing her well. I’m hopeful that she will remain active in our community.
I wanted to tell a quick story about Marybeth that demonstrates why I admire her so much. When the pandemic first hit Vermont, many people lost their jobs. The Vermont Department of Labor could not keep up with unemployment claims.
Marybeth communicated to Essex the status of processing, and the status of changes in both federal and state law. Some of these were changing day by day, during a very scary time.
But the main problem was the Labor Department didn’t have enough staff for the crush of applicants. Marybeth was one of the State Representatives who rolled up her sleeves and took phone calls on behalf of of the department.
Communication. Follow through. And getting things done. That’s exactly the kind of Representative I want to be for Essex.
Our Essex representation in Montpelier must extend Marybeth Redmond's legacy of compassionate, empathetic leadership.
I will bring my love for Essex and Vermont to the Statehouse to help create smart and realistic solutions for our entire community.
My software consulting experience consists of listening to different stakeholders – coders, testing, sales, customer support – and coming up with the best solution for all. Listening to all sides of an issue and coming up with balanced solutions is what I do.
Speaking of balanced solutions, let me give you an example of how I’m already doing this for Essex. Act 1 was recently passed which allowed Vermont towns to implement mask mandates.
Was that the policy I would have chosen? No. But it was what we had to work with.
So I spoke to Pat Murray on the Selectboard. He said he needed some grass-roots support to help get a mask mandate on the agenda.
I reached out to members of groups I’m a either a member of, or have built, and Pat had that support within the hour.
At the time of the meeting, 13 people spoke in favor a mask mandate. None spoke against. The emails Pat received were 29 for and 1 against. The Essex mask mandate passed 5 – 0.
This is just an example of how I already get things done for Essex. I think I can do more as a member of the legislature.
But to be clear, this isn’t about me. It’s about the work that needs to be done.
- We need to implement science-based & data-driven Covid mitigation
- We need fight the climate emergency by electrifying transportation in Vermont
- We need to enshrine the right to choose into the Vermont constitution
- We to keep public education in Vermont strong. And we need to make sure your tax dollars aren’t sent to private schools which discriminate on the basis of race, gender identity, or disability
- We need to make sure that everyone’s vote counts
To get those things, it’s going to take all of us.
I’m here to fight for them, but I can’t do it without you. I’m Brian Shelden. I ask you tonight to choose me to fill Marybeth’s seat in Chittenden 8-1.
And then let’s get to work. Thank you.
