Select Board member Erin Russell-Story announced her resignation from the board last spring. The vacancy will be filled for the interim period between now and Town Meeting in March, when residents will officially elect a new member.
TIME, KNOWLEDGE, EXPERTISE
While Robinson said he's never considered becoming a member of the select board, he said he "has the time, knowledge and expertise to do it."
Robinson has lived in The Valley for most of his life, owned and operated his own business "successfully," he said, and, following his retirement at age 65, has the time and interest to serve on the select board.
"Even though I'm 80, I think I have a lot of time left," he said.
Robinson said there is no agenda behind his decision to run and has yet to decide whether he'll run officially at Town Meeting in March.
"I have no agenda. I think I have the knowledge and a lot of experience to help the board," he continued.
DEER HUNTING
Robinson has served on the Zoning Board of Adjustment before responsibilities were reorganized with the formation of the Development Review Board, and also as a lister, which he said was "quite a challenge."
When asked to offer his opinion on individual property rights, Robinson said he has posted his property once in the past during deer hunting season and, after a hunter unknowingly crossed onto his property, "felt this big," he said.
"I never posted it again, I felt that when I used to hunt, I liked to hunt anywhere and no one ever chased me off. Why should I chase anybody off?" Robinson continued.
Robinson served on the Mad River Path Association when it first started and said he was "upset that we couldn't get it extended further."
SHAPE UP OUR BOARD
"It's their property and if they don't want us on there then there is not much you can do about it. Most Vermonters don't think that way; maybe I'm wrong," he said.
In reference to a current debate over a closed trail between Warren Village and the Brooks Field, Robinson said, "I have no reason to not let people on my property. In this situation we have now, make sure where the right of way is. If there is a right of way then I think it's still intact. It's just the way I feel about it."
"I know we have a dog ordinance, but I've always allowed dogs on my trail," he continued.
Warren resident Rudy Elliott spoke out in support of Robinson's candidacy and said that he "would be a good man to step up there and shape up our board."
"In the past, the select board has been a one- or two-member board with two people doing all the talking and decision making," Elliott said.
READ EXCERPTS
Robinson said that he "tends to do a lot of listening before I do any decision making," and that if elected he intends to continue serving on the DRB.
Cunningham read excerpts from a letter the town received from Warren resident Ken Frey that outlined his qualifications to join the board. According to the letter, Frey has been a homeowner since 2001 and has lived in Warren full time since 2006.
Frey said he has no agenda in his pursuit of the vacant seat, and if elected he will bring his professional background as a financial analyst and knowledge of business and economic practices to the board.
Frey said he is a member of the Stark Mountain Foundation, active with the Boy Scouts, and could bring a "fresh perspective to the board."
His interest in the position, according to the letter, is his belief in town volunteerism and he has not been active in town politics previous to his candidacy.
Select board members concluded the forum with a closed session deliberation to discuss the candidates. Frey will be invited to the October 13 meeting to meet board members and field questions from the public. The decision will be deferred until such time.
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