Neal Fox And
The Town Hall

The letter in last week’s Herald from Chris Hemond criticizing legislative candidate Neal Fox for his alleged failure as a "leader" betrays a political self-centeredness that should have no place in theses critical times. A public official doesn’t immediately fail as a "leader" just because he doesn’t fully implement the views of one faction over those of another.

One of the specific accusations is that Mr. Fox has displayed poor leadership by not moving forward on the town hall issue. The accusation may have the ring of truth to those who have been less than satisfied because the town hall rehabilitation effort hasn’t gone their way. But they must understand that theirs is not the only view among the public.

On the contrary, there are many Bethel residents who have expressed strong opposition to any effort by town government to preserve the town hall. If one reviews the political history of the Bethel town hall over the past few years one sees clearly how divisive the issue has been. Many voters are opposed to public spending on the building. Some even want to tear the building down.

Mr. Fox should not be blamed for also listening to those, or any other views including those points that one might consider "trivial," as described in the letter.

Rather than condemning Mr. Fox for lack of leadership, one should praise him for his willingness to absorb the concerns of all sides, and to craft the policy, that is in place now, of incremental restoration of the town hall. It is due to his support, his personal leadership and the respect that he enjoys in the town, that the public has approved for the town hall fund these past few years.

It is also significant that Mr. Fox’s two colleagues on the selectboard have been of the same mind as Mr. Fox regarding most issues. I think Mr. Fox has been in better touch with the electorate than some people realize.

Mr. Fox has demonstrated wise leadership in his ability to listen to all sides, balance their views, and then adopt the best policy accordingly. It is just the sort of quality that we need in the legislature, not some uncompromising adherence to anything that one faction or another wants to foist onto everyone else. These critical times in Vermont do not call for factional intransigence or ideological partisanship. They call, instead, for old fashioned New England pragmatism, common sense, and a respect for differing views. That’s why Mr. Fox, as a moderate, will get my vote.

Carol A. DeFreitas

Bethel

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