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BENNINGTON — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amanda Janoo met with community members from Bennington and beyond for a meet-and-greet at the Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church on Wednesday, April 13, where prospective voters had the chance to ask questions and express their visions for the state.The meet-and-greet brought in roughly between 30-40 guests, who were encouraged to describe and disclose what they want out of a governor, as well as Vermont.The meeting began with Janoo asking attendees to describe something that makes them proud of the community.Community members cited local activist groups, the Bennington Battle Monument, and the ability to resist unpopular policy proposals, among other various points of pride.Janoo, who is currently embarking on a multi-county campaign tour, is running on a platform that centers a “people first” approach to the state economy.Establishing strategic goals and a vision for Vermont’s future is part of Janoo’s economic plan, including a process to increase the influence of the state’s town meetings, and encouraging local governmental influence over how defined goals are achieved.Part of Janoo’s plan for goal-oriented accountability would require major investment and policy proposals to prove that they contribute to key goals established through the democratic process.“Opening things in this way gives me a chance to learn about the unique community, the values people hold in terms of what they really appreciate and I really believe that there are examples of pieces of this better future for Vermont that we all want,” said Janoo.“People wanted to listen to me, but I really want to listen to them.It is always my favorite part because I learn so much from others, and it is something I can think about and integrate into my policy platform and proposals, and really build on the unique strengths,” added Janoo.Community member Nora Dyer-Murphy asked Janoo about limiting private equity influence in the local housing market.“She was talking about progressive tax policies, and wanting to tax second homes and house rental services, like AirBnB, at a higher rate.I was wondering, because she was talking about the only people who can afford a home in this state is investors [Janoo had previously stated that a high percentage of Vermonters would not qualify for a home loan], if she was also going to do something about private equity investment,” said Dyer-Murphy.“For example, in 2021 Bennington, about one fourth of all property purchases were from investors.When she answered, she said something even better than taxing.She wants to find a way to more or less ban private equity in Vermont.I think that this is a great policy proposal, because private equity is very predatory in my mind,” added Dyer-Murphy.Community member Ronald Murphy asked a question about increasing taxes on Vermonters with disproportionate amounts of wealth.“The vast difference in wealth is one of the biggest problems in this country, both nationally and likely in Vermont.It is hard for all of us regular people to fight each other for that two bucks, when someone else is walking away with two billion,” said Murphy.“A lot of the good programs that we need are being starved, and the same thing is going to happen in Vermont.Why are we consolidating schools?Because we do not have enough money.Well, why don’t we have enough money?If the political will was there, we would,” added Murphy.The meet-and-greet was organized by the Bennington County Democrats, who plan to bring fellow Democratic gubernatorial candidate Aly Richards to a similar meet-and-greet in the near future, as well as any prospective Democratic candidates who enter the race to Montpelier.Member and Bennington County Delegate Thomas Blakely, who is currently running for the Bennington-District 5 State Representative seat, said that bringing community members and candidates together is critical for fostering a representative democracy, and an informed community of voters.“The whole idea is that voters need to know as much as possible about the candidates they will have the opportunity to vote for.One of the most frustrating things that I have found is how people can go to the ballot, not have any idea who someone is, and we want to move things forward,” said Blakely.“That is the heart and soul of a representative democracy,” added Blakley.A candidate forum for the office of Lieutenant Governor will be held by the Bennington County Democrats on Saturday, May 23 at the Second Congregational Church, UCC (115 Hillside St., Bennington, VT) from 7p.m.to 9.p.m.