MEET CASTLETON’S CANDIDATES
(View as PDF) Updated 2/23/2022 with corrections to typos
Questions developed by local members of the League of Women Voters* of Vermont were sent to every candidate on the Castleton Ballot. These pages are their responses transcribed exactly as the candidates wrote them.
Remember to vote at the Community Public Safety Building (Castleton Fire Hall) on Tuesday March 1. The polls will open at 8A and close at 7P. You may also vote before then by Absentee Ballot.
Thank-you to all the candidates who took this opportunity to let us know them better.
*The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization dedicated to creating an informed electorate.
League of Women Voters of Vermont in Castleton
P.O. Box 208
Castleton, VT 05735
2022 Candidate Questionnaire
TOWN SELECTMAN: Question: Listed below are 3 statements. Choose ONE of them, fill in the blank and explain your answer.
- What Castleton needs is/are more . [Why?]
- What Castleton needs is/are less . [Why?]
- Castleton is perfect as it is because
Mary Lee Harris (1-year term) [Ms. Harris chose “c”
Castleton is perfect as it is, a small Vermont Community with lots to offer her citizens: including Castleton University, Library, Crystal Beach, Birdseye Mountain, the Rail Trail and multiple restaurants and eateries. Castleton is a wonderful place to raise a family and to retire. I’ve had the good fortune to do both on the farm I operated with my husband and son. I am running for select board to preserve this community’s resources, farmlands, and neighborhoods. I believe everyone, at some time, should participate in government and add their thoughts and views to running the town. I bring 50+ years of business experience to the role. If elected, I will work hard, be prepared and approach town matters with an open mind, listening, learning and acting. I believe town government should be transparent, accepting and encouraging open and honest dialogue and when in conflict respectful and civil discourse.
Michael R. Holden (1-year term)
NO RESPONSE
Jim Leamy (1-year term) [Mr. Leamy chose “a”
Castleton, like many other Vermont towns needs more quality Economic Development. At the present time, most property taxes are paid by individual homeowners and economic development will provide jobs and reduce the tax burden on our residents.
We need to encourage local businesses to remain in town and allow them to expand. We also need to aggressively recruit new businesses to locate here, thereby encouraging a vibrant community for the future of Castleton.
TOWN SELECTMAN: Question: Listed below are 3 statements. Choose ONE of them, fill in the blank and explain your answer.
- What Castleton needs is/are more [Why?]
- What Castleton needs is/are less . [Why?]
- Castleton is perfect as it is because
Robert Spaulding (3-year term)
NO RESPONSE
LIBRARY TRUSTEE: Question: Physical access for all people to the Library is being addressed and will become a reality eventually. Other than physical access, what other enhancements to the library would you like to see in the future?
Pamela Arel (5-year term)
It has been a privilege and pleasure to serve as a Castleton Free Library Trustee. As a board, we are excited to be making accessibility a reality for the residents of Castleton. In addition, the transformation of the children’s room into a dynamic space for our youngest patrons continues. We are in the process of turning a previously unused room downstairs into a comfortable reading room for all. Creative adult and children’s programming is being planned for the upcoming year by our librarians. Rejuvenation of the current gardens are continuing and additional improvements to the grounds are in the planning stage. Eventually an shaded outdoor space near the northeast corner of the library lawn will be turned into a fresh air “reading room.” All board members have been busy writing grants to not only address accessibility, but to spruce up the exterior facade of this historic treasure in the village.
TOWN MODERATOR: Question: What have you found to be the most challenging aspect of being Town Moderator during the pandemic?
Michael Finnegan: (1-year term)
NO RESPONSE
SLATE VALLEY UNIFIED UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
Question: What are your priorities as a school board member?
Timothy Smith: (3-year term)
NO RESPONSE
