Announcement | Ben Doyle For Montpe

Ben Doyle Announces Candidacy for Montpelier District 1 City Council Seat

Montpelier, VT – January 13, 2025

Contact: Ben Doyle
Phone: 802-839-9914

(Montpelier, VT): Longtime resident and co-chair of the Montpelier Commission for Recovery Resilience, Ben Doyle, declared his candidacy for the Montpelier City Council today, driven by the belief that an affordable and resilient Montpelier is both achievable and worth fighting for. Ben is running in District 1.

A nearly 20-year resident of Montpelier, Ben has been deeply involved in the city’s recovery from the 2023 flood. As a board member of the Montpelier Foundation, he helped lead efforts to raise over $2 million in philanthropic donations to support impacted small businesses. He currently serves as co-chair of the Montpelier Commission for Recovery Resilience, which was created to advance community priorities identified in a series of public forums after the flood. In that role, Ben successfully advocated for the return of retail postal service in downtown Montpelier, developed a public-private partnership for a planned 18-acre floodplain restoration project that will help mitigate future flooding in Montpelier (5 Home Farm Way), and secured grant funding for the city’s first comprehensive emergency response planning effort, the Montpelier Action Plan for Local Emergency (MAPLE).

“The 2023 flood was a pivotal moment for our community and for me personally,” Doyle said. “I recognized that the city I love, the one where my kids were born, was at risk. Our community rallied, and we have made some great strides – but we have more to do to prepare for the future and to make Montpelier a place that more people can afford to call home. That’s why I’m asking District 1 residents for their vote and the chance to lead.”

Ben has spent his entire career serving rural communities, first as a Peace Corps volunteer and administrator, then as an Area Director for USDA Rural Development, and currently as President of the Preservation Trust of Vermont. “I’ve worked with communities across Vermont to improve their quality of life and economic vitality. Every town is different, and I’ve listened carefully to local suggestions, helped residents articulate a hopeful and achievable vision for the future, and found the resources to save the places they love,” Doyle said. “Nothing motivates me more than the opportunity to bring the experience, skills, and commitment to do the same in my hometown.”

Current District 1 City Councilor Lauren Hierl, who will not be seeking re-election, has endorsed Ben for the open seat. 'I'm thrilled that Ben has decided to run for City Council and am confident he has the vision and skills to deliver for Montpelier residents. His professional expertise, volunteer service, and deep love for our community will help make him a great Councilor at this critical time. I encourage voters to elect him on Town Meeting Day.'"

Drawing on his community engagement, economic development, and operational experience, Ben is focused on addressing key issues such as:

• Infrastructure: Ensuring that Montpelier’s roads and water systems are well-maintained to serve residents and accommodate future growth.

• Housing: Encouraging policies and initiatives that make Montpelier the most housing-friendly city in the state, offering a variety of affordable housing options.

• Economic Development: Supporting downtown businesses and encouraging additional mixed-use development to broaden the tax base and increase affordability.

• Resilience: Collaborating on floodplain restoration across the watershed and working with state and federal partners on mitigation efforts to limit the impact of future flooding.

“No one is coming to save Montpelier from its challenges—but our community has the talent to solve them. And there are resources, partnerships, and lessons that we can benefit from if we seek them out and listen,” said Ben.

Ben has committed to serving as a positive voice in Council and community conversations. “Montpelier is a wonderful community. We should honor that fact with our attitude and tone. We can disagree without being disagreeable. Be neighbors and be neighborly. I promise to be someone who believes in this city and who will fight for it with integrity and civility. I believe in leading as a servant to the community. I believe in accountability, humility, deep listening, creativity, and relentless optimism. People will pull together for the common good if leaders share with them the opportunity to do so.”

The campaign will kick off with a series of community events to engage residents, listen to their concerns, and discuss the future of the city. Ben invites everyone to join in the conversation and share their ideas for Montpelier's future. For more information about Ben Doyle's campaign, visit www.bendoyleformontpelier.com or email bendoylemontpelier@gmail.com.