I am writing to announce the official start of my campaign for a one-year term on the Brandon Select Board. I also want to introduce myself to readers who may not yet have met me and are wondering, “Who the heck is Cecil, and why should I vote for her?”
I am a graduate of Vermont Law School, and I moved to Brandon in 2019 after working for many years as a Senior Assistant Attorney General for the State of Oregon, where I represented state agencies in state and federal courts. Before I was appointed to that position, I worked in private practice, where I represented cities and counties in various stages of litigation.
I am 61 and come from a family of public servants. For many years, my mother was active in the civic life of Bethel, Vermont, where among many other things, she coordinated the clean-up efforts after Hurricane Irene. She has been a huge influence on my life. So, it was probably inevitable that, upon moving to Brandon, I threw myself into the life of the town. In addition to working part-time at The Bookstore, I am the current chair of the town Planning Commission and I serve on the Board of Trustees of the Brandon Free Public Library.
My past volunteer history includes serving on the Board of Directors of REACH Community Development in Portland, Oregon, where I worked to develop and promote equitable access to quality, affordable housing, supportive services, and community. I also spent thousands of hours volunteering for the Oregon Humane Society, where I did everything from counseling potential adopters to caring for dogs seized from neglectful and abusive owners. I led the OHS’s Technical Animal Rescue Team (OHSTAR) and deployed multiple times with the ASPCA to work with animals affected by natural disasters and seized from criminal dogfighting rings.
I am running for Select Board because I love Brandon. Brandon is wonderful place to live, work, and play. But like many Vermont towns, it is facing challenges. The economy is shifting, with Brandon losing many of the farm and manufacturing jobs that had formed the backbone of its economy. Housing, energy, and childcare costs are rising, and the available workforce is shrinking as a result. I am running for Select Board because I believe my knowledge, skills and experience will be a valuable addition to the Board and the town as it navigates those challenges. I want to help Brandon grow and prosper, while retaining the small-town magic that makes Brandon so special.
If you would like to find out more about me, feel free to contact me at cecilforbrandon@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you!
Thank you so much,
Cecil Reniche-Smith
Brandon
