Town Meeting Day was a very busy day

Some people have busy days on Town Meeting. Others have incredibly busy days. Springfield Selectwoman Stephanie Thompson, who is running for re-election, had to spend most of the day away from the Springfield polls — she is Londonderry’s part-time town administrator.

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Photo by Len Emery Stephanie Thompson of Springfield retains her seat on the Select Board. Published March 2, 2016 in the Rutland Herald Town Meeting Day was a very busy day By SUSAN SMALLHEER LONDONDERRY — Some people have busy days on Town Meeting. Others have incredibly busy days. Springfield Selectwoman Stephanie Thompson, who is running for re-election, had to spend most of the day away from the Springfield polls — she is Londonderry’s part-time town administrator. She started her re-election day at Londonderry Town Meeting around 9 a.m., where the hot topics of crime and drug abuse brought out a large crowd. Voters debated the details of buying a proposed gravel pit, and earlier had taken their time electing town officials during Londonderry’s traditional floor meeting. Thompson, 31, who was first elected to the Springfield board when she was 25 years old, started her job working for Londonderry in mid-October, and she said it’s been an interesting transition to see things from the flip side. Her first meeting since starting in Londonderry was on the policing issue. Thompson has been key in Project ACTION in Springfield in the past year, organizing the town and its social service agencies in the town’s fight against crime. And she said she was pleased that Londonderry took an important first step toward addressing the crime that often accompanies drug use and abuse. Her other part-time job is the executive director of the Springfield Prevention Coalition. Previously, she was the executive director of the Springfield Family Center, the town’s anti-poverty organization. Shortly before 8 p.m., Thompson learned that she had easily won a third term over challenger Chuck Gregory, 1,441-774, according to unofficial results. As soon as the Londonderry meeting was over about 4 p.m., she was going to make her sign and head for the Springfield polls at the Riverside Middle School. Her challenger, Gregory, is a Springfield Planning Commission member. Thompson, who was born and raised in Springfield, said she didn’t feel comfortable asking friends to stand at the polls all day, promoting her candidacy. “If I haven’t proven myself in the last six years...” she said, noting she would always be involved in her hometown, regardless of Tuesday’s vote. But the results left no doubt in her mind. “I’ll continue to wear many hats in Springfield,” she said. http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20160302/NEWS02/160309871