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  • Approved for CNN

    • Click to view calebjc's profile
    Posted March 25, 2012 by
    calebjc
    Location
    brattleboro, Vermont
    Assignment
    Assignment
    This iReport is part of an assignment:
    Impact Your World

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    Rare Representative Town Meeting in Brattleboro, Vermont

    By calebjc  |  Posted March 25, 2012  |  brattleboro, Vermont
     

    CNN PRODUCER NOTE     calebjc told me, 'I feel I've made a positive impact on my town and district by working to pass the major school and town budgets responsibly, debating the issues, and taking part in our unique local government. I wish more people in our town would get involved, but I think a lot of people in town don't even know they can or how to go about it.'
    - hhanks, CNN iReport producer

    Representative Town Meetings a rare form of government in the US. The only states that have legalized them are New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont

    Saturday was my first day as a town meeting representative in Brattleboro, Vermont.

    In Vermont, the town of Brattleboro is the only town in the state to make major decisions this way. Other towns use a regular town meeting, wherein all members of the community can vote. Other towns, usually larger ones, use a standard mayoral system.

    In Brattleboro the town is divided into three districts. Each district elects representatives and sends them to the town meeting. There are about 100 representatives. To become a representative you need to get 10 signatures in your district that support your being on the ballot. Then you are put on the ballot.

    It was a long meeting, but worth it to feel empowered in decisions that effect me.

    Get involved. Make a positive impact!

    More info from the town of Brattleboro's website:

    http://www.brattleboro.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7BF3058E6F-E133-410F-9060-D4CAB1EABDAB%7D&DE=%7B8C210C3F-1114-47EF-A326-42FAF582C427%7D

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