About
I am running to continue my service to the town of Williston, and to pay back all of the gifts this town and our community have given me and my family. I am running to bring new energy and a fresh perspective to the Selectboard.
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I want to serve. My mother’s example of public service (20 years as Williston Town Clerk and 2 National Guard tours in the Middle East) shaped my life. My own experiences growing up in Williston – and being a young woman building her life in our town – have shown me that we must BOTH keep Williston’s historic identity and sense of community AND manage the growth that will inevitably come.
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If you elect me, I will focus on:
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Natural Resource Protection: Williston must protect its green space and undeveloped land by continuing to concentrate growth in the growth center (Taft Corners / Maple Tree Place, etc.) and working to ensure the town has adequate zoning regulations protecting our rural landscape and view sheds. We must adequately fund the town’s Environmental Reserve Fund, which has conserved over 2,000 acres of land since 1989.
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Small Business Support: Now more than ever, we must attract, retain and assist small business owners who will make Williston a place where people want to be.
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Housing: Younger adults and families are the future. We need to support local regulations that meet the significant need to increase housing stock and variety but don’t overwhelm town resources and school capacity.
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More about Ellie Beckett:
Ellie was born and raised in Williston. She is an Economic Development Specialist for the Vermont Department of Economic Development, and also works as an Executive Assistant at the Howard Center. Before that, Ellie lived in Washington, D.C. working on financial management and economic development policy on behalf of Native American tribal governments.
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Ellie serves Williston as a member of the Williston Planning Commission. She is an active member of the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club. Ellie graduated from CVU in 2009.
Ellie has both a B.A. (Government - Claremont McKenna College) and a Master’s Degree (Health Systems and Public Policy - University of Edinburgh). Since college, she has hiked over 6,000 miles across the world, including the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail.