PUTNEY — Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA), the anti-poverty agency serving Windham and Windsor counties, will be holding a public election during the week of Jan. 25 to elect a Client Representative to its board from the Putney area.
SEVCA needs representatives of low-income residents throughout its service area to ensure that there are board members who can speak with firsthand knowledge about what people need to cope with financial hardship and become self-reliant. It's a unique opportunity for local residents to help direct SEVCA's resources and services to achieve its mission to alleviate suffering and lift people out of poverty.
Donald Skekel, who has been on the SEVCA Board and whose current term has expired, has declared that he will be running for re-election to that position from the Putney area. Skekel, who formerly represented the Brattleboro area, has been a resident of Putney since 2012. He holds a degree in administration and management, as well as a Master's degree in counseling psychology.
Skekel has performed extensive volunteer work in the Brattleboro area with the mentally ill, as well as serving on the board of the Arts Council of Windham County. He has also been on the receiving end of needed services. His desire to serve on SEVCA's board is to help address the economic realities that restrict people from improving their well-being and achieving their potential, and as an opportunity to put his skill sets to good use.
SEVCA will continue accepting nominations for other candidates from the Putney area until Jan. 20, and there will also be a space for a write-in candidate on the ballot. Ballots will contain a brief biography on announced candidates. Voting will take place at the following locations on the dates and hours listed below:
• SEVCA Outreach Office, 15 Grove St., Brattleboro, Jan. 25-29 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• SEVCA Main Office, 91 Buck Drive, Westminster, Jan. 25-29 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Putney Family Services, 54 Kimball Hill, second Floor, Putney, Jan. 25-29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Putney Foodshelf, Christian Square (Putney Community Center), Jan. 26 from 6 to 7 p.m., and Jan. 30 from 9 to 10 a.m.
• Putney Meadows, 17 Carol Brown Way, Putney, Jan. 28 from 9 to 10 a.m.
Clients, customers and patrons who frequent the above locations are invited and encouraged to vote in this election to help ensure representation of the low income population in the Putney area on the SEVCA Board. People do not have to be registered voters to vote in this election. Voting can also be done by mail. To request a ballot or for more information, call 800-464-9951, ext. 105.