PAWLET—Edgar Cleveland, a lifelong resident of Pawlet, has declared his candidacy for the House of Representatives for the Rutland-Bennington District. Cleveland, 67, is campaigning to represent the towns of Middletown Springs, Pawlet, Rupert, Tinmouth and Wells.
“There is a need for change in Montpelier,” said Cleveland, “and I know that I can help drive that change. I’ve been a farmer and rural postal carrier; I know how to listen. I’ve heard folks’ frustration and their fears. I also have some ‘skin in the game’ with my grandchildren attending local schools. … Locally, we need to grow full time jobs and cultivate lifelong opportunities. In the past, our five towns were prosperous. We are dairy, maple, slate, fishing and hunting; we have an opportunity now to expand our district’s appeal by maximizing our green recreation, encouraging local vineyards and breweries and utilizing our rail trail. We need good infrastructure to renew commerce so that our towns will thrive as they have in our past and guarantee our future.”
Raised on the family dairy farm in Pawlet, Cleveland is a graduate of Pawlet Elementary School and Granville, N.Y., Junior-Senior High School. He was an active member of the Montvert 4-H Club in Middletown Springs. An avid supporter of 4-H, Cleveland is currently a vice-president of the Rutland County Agricultural Society, d/b/a Vermont State Fair. He has been an active member of the society for over 40 years.
Cleveland is in his third term on the Town of Pawlet Select Board, a member of the Pawlet Community Church, Pawlet Historical Society, a Pawlet Library volunteer, and a former board member of the Pawlet School District. Active in the Maple Sugar Makers’ Association, Cleveland is a supporter of Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) and Vermont ATV Sportsman’s Association (VASA).
Edgar Cleveland and his wife Sally reside in Pawlet, and three of their four children live and work in Rutland County.
