WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — With civic energy seemingly depleted by the ongoing pandemic, fewer people are stepping up to run for positions on the Hartford Selectboard this year.
This marks a departure from last year’s Town Meeting, which saw contested races for five Selectboard seats, as well as a special election in August that had five candidates vying for two openings.
“Working on the board is a heavy lift for people,” said Joe Major, vice chairman of the Selectboard, who will not seek reelection this year after completing his two-year term. “It’s difficult to realize how much effort it takes.”
Pandemic fatigue might only further decrease motivation to serve an unpaid position in local government.
“You just can’t escape COVID,” Major said. “People are tired of it.”
Recent years have seen multiple members exit the board, citing reasons ranging from day-job scheduling conflicts to racist harassment and death threats from the community.
Still, Mary Erdei and another candidate whose name is simply Rocket, both of White River Junction, are running unopposed for seats on the Selectboard.
Erdei, 71, a retired Hartford High teacher, lost a race against Selectboard member Lannie Collins in August’s special election. The canvassing she did during that campaign inspired her to throw her hat back in the ring.
“I met amazing people, and I took my time to listen to what their concerns were, and that was energizing,” Erdei said. “It’s the people themselves that make a difference, and I got more of a chance to see the variety of issues that are important to people in Hartford.”
Erdei agrees that general weariness resulting from the second year of the pandemic has made running for public office unattractive, and she also cites vitriolic School Board and municipal meetings that have gone viral on a national level.
“I respect people’s opinions, but with freedom there are responsibilities,” Erdei said. “I am a strong supporter of civic discourse. Freedom without responsibilities isn’t democracy and isn’t representation.”
Rocket, 30, moved to the Upper Valley in August to attend Vermont Law School. A graduate of Middlebury College, he has been in and out of Vermont since 2007.
“The greatest thing I can aspire to is just really good service,” he said.
Acknowledging that time on the Selectboard can sometimes be viewed as hard work for little personal reward, he remains excited about the potential of local government.
“Here’s what it actually takes to be involved in a community,” Rocket said.
“Part of me is sad that this is uncontested,” Rocket said. “Competition is good for democracy. People deserve to have choices.”
Meanwhile, the Hartford School Board is unlikely to see any newcomers.
Member Havah Armstrong-Walther sees this as a testament to the success of the current School Board.
“I’d like to think that unchallenged seats represent the consensus that our community appreciates and values the hard work that the School Board has undertaken,” said Armstrong-Walther, who noted that the Board has worked hard this year to increase transparency and community engagement.
The uncontested seats for the Hartford Selectboard and School Board will be confirmed following Town Meeting voting by ballot on Tuesday, March 1. Voting will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hartford High School Gymnasium.
Frances Mize can be reached at fmize@vnews.com.