Dear Editor,
My name is Michael Talbott and I am seeking your vote for Rutland City Board of Aldermen.
You might know me as a teacher at Castleton University, where I’ve worked since 2014. Perhaps you’ve seen me working on the property I’m slowly restoring on the edge of our vibrant downtown. We may have connected when I placed one of my students in an internship with your organization or business in the city. Or maybe we’ve crossed paths in Speakeasy Cafe, where I get my coffee.
I came to Rutland from a metropolitan area with a population of more than 13 million people. On my first day here, I found myself driving down a road that had become blocked by a fallen tree. In the big city I’m from, I would have joined the line of cars headed toward the nearest detour. But when I saw a driver on the other side of the road getting out of their car to try and move the tree, I rushed to help. Together, we managed to clear the road. I quickly realized that this was a place where I could jump in and make an important difference, working with the people who have also chosen to make Rutland their home.
I earned my PhD from New York University and currently serve as chair of the Media and Communication Department at Castleton University. I have a long history of working effectively on committees and serving a wide variety of constituents. I am trained to research tough problems, ask the right questions, and draw useful conclusions. As the head of a department, I manage a tight budget while serving the needs of students and faculty. In the classroom, I make sure I connect with every student and earn their confidence.
When I arrived in Rutland, I struggled to find a rental property within walking distance of downtown. I decided to buy a neglected building on Church Street, and dedicated countless hours to renovating it myself while living there. I love walking the streets of my neighborhood, meeting my neighbors, and enjoying all that our city has to offer.
I am invested in a vibrant Rutland. I’m excited to bring all of my experience to the role of Alderman, and to do my part in helping to remove any roadblocks our city encounters as we continue to move forward. Every vote matters on March 3, 2020. I hope you’ll vote me in for Alderman.
Michael Talbott,
Rutland
