LINCOLN — In the Town Meeting Day vote in Lincoln, outgoing selection committee member Bay Jackson is running unopposed for another two-year term, while incumbent Will Sipsey, who is completing a three-year term, will face to a challenge from Alan Schmidt in the only disputed selection committee. race through the 5 cities. We asked those who had a head-to-head race to answer four questions and gave them a word limit.

ALAN SCHMIDT

1. What are the most pressing issues facing the city?

As a municipality, I am interested in the role Lincoln can play in continuing to encourage and support a diversity of families, young and old, to enjoy the uniqueness of this area. The cost of living and the lack of young families moving here is a growing problem in all five cities.

2. How will you work to resolve these issues?

Using an unbiased approach and working collaboratively with other members of the Board of Directors, as well as community members, I want to ensure that Lincoln is an affordable and vibrant community for all to enjoy – that whether through economic growth, the cost of living, or affordable taxes.

3. Which of your qualities will be useful for this job?

As an entrepreneur, I must be open and accommodating to different personalities, backgrounds and perspectives, regardless of my personal opinion. This often requires a combination of open-mindedness and strategy. I will bring these qualities to the jury.

4. What is the most important thing people need to know about your application?

I own a small business and raise my young children in this community. I care about the future of our city and the future of the next generation, while preserving the qualities that make Lincoln the special place we all know and love. As a lifelong Vermonter, I have witnessed significant changes, our community as well as surrounding towns are facing long-lasting issues, some of which include education, municipal services and regulations. I hope to add a voice that recognizes that change is inevitable, but it’s how we prepare for, adapt to, and tolerate change that is integral to this city.

I have owned the Belgian carpentry and construction company for five years.

I look forward to bringing my experience of growing up in all five cities and more recently living in Lincoln, being a parent in the community and owning a business to this position. A big part of my interest in the selection committee is to get more involved in the community. I believe it is important that young people become more active in our communities and are represented on municipal councils.

GO SIPSEY

GO SIPSEY

1. What are the most pressing issues facing the city?

I feel like the city of Lincoln is fighting for its survival. The current manifestation of this is the threat from the Education Agency/MAUSD to shut down the LCS. In short, the state of Vermont has an extremely dysfunctional educational governance model. I looked on the AOE site. We don’t have a model per se, so we are left with the amalgamation of the one-room school model reforms of the 19th century. It’s a mess. This is all outside the scope of the selection chart.

The city’s transportation assets are deteriorating faster than we have the fiscal capacity to repair and replace them. Specifically, the York Hill and Grimes Road bridges need to be replaced, with no state aid in sight.

We have a significant percentage of our 52 miles that are non-DEC compliant and we have a short track to make up for.

We have IT and organizational challenges at the municipal office, including basic communication between our volunteer boards.

We have public safety issues.

2. How will you work to resolve these issues?

There is one-time money that could be raised to replace the city’s bridges. I successfully lobbied for funding for the Gove Bridge included in the latest Jim Jeffords transportation bill. I pray that Build Back Better passes. Then we lobby.

DEC’s challenge on mitigating stormwater road runoff weighs unequally on Lincoln’s ratepayers. The state must equitably fund stormwater mitigation from non-property tax dollars.

We need to decompartmentalize administrative work in the office. We need to replace old software and replace it with COTS (off-the-shelf commercial software) that adapts to our workflows rather than defining them.

The city must continue the dialogue on public safety. I’m sure the recent daylight home invasion was an eye opener for some.

3. Which of your qualities will be useful for this job?

There is a 150 word limit, (lol) Modesty, a good sense of humor and the ability to put City business ahead of my personal concerns. I have no problem speaking the honest truth. I can also be a diplomat. Honesty is my constant practice. I have a keen eye and a sharp mind.

4. What is the most important thing people need to know about your application?

I’m not running for election so much as for election. I am the most qualified candidate. I am pleased to offer my experience in municipal governance, institutional knowledge of the city, and my residence in Lincoln for four decades now. My mom worked on JFK’s 1958 senatorial campaign while carrying me. I saw JFK speak on 4/20/1963. I have Irish pols in my family tree since the Potato Famine. I have always, since I was a child, wanted to come forward and serve in the public service. I’ve done it several times, thanks to Lincoln voters. I’m ready to get off the merry-go-round and give another kid a ride if that’s the will of the people. It was a good race.

1. a) How long have you been a member of the selection committee?

Honestly, I don’t remember. I have been twice. One time was after Bill Masterson had finished. This was after the 98 flood. You probably don’t realize how much Bill did for the city during and after the flood. Stop at his farm stand. I’m sure he will tell you stories. I survived that trick until I couldn’t take it anymore. I ran again and forgive me for not looking at the year, to help bring stability and, ironically, harmony to the board. Much to the chagrin of the current members because I’m at least as cantankerous as the guy I replaced. Maybe that’s why I have an opponent?

I am a retired computer professional. I did a whole bunch of really cool stuff as an engineer. One thing I did was design workflows around software called Enterprise Content Management. I did it in the state of Vermont as an Enterprise Architect. Introducing such a concept in the city would make it more efficient and effective.

My current focus is on highway management, IT modernization and public safety. On the selection committee, I am chair of the Addison County Regional Transportation Advisory Committee. I’m a former council member of Burnham. Hoping to become more active in this area as the COVID-19 pandemic ebbs.