About Bob

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 “Crossing the Divide has been a theme throughout my life and
one which has taken me on the “road less traveled” from Vermont
to North Carolina. I have discovered that North Carolinians’ interests and needs don’t vary much from those in New England. 

The characteristics of those living in the northeast are similar here in Winston-Salem: a desire for safety, student-focused education, a healthy environment, a robust local economy, access to affordable healthcare and housing, and an understanding/acceptance of benefits of a diverse population. ” 

Primaries are challenging and are not always won strictly on the issues.  As was recently said to me, Bob, you have been in the political arena long enough to know that you can have the best platform and still not win your race.  On Tuesday March 5th my quest for city council ended through the voters’ choice for my opponent.

This campaign taught me much about Winston-Salem and its priorities. More importantly I learned from you, my wonderful supporters, what really matters to you and how you envisioned Winston looking like one day. Your comments dovetailed with many of the issues I was presenting and focusing on in my campaign. My travels of door knocking and speaking with Democrats and Unaffiliated voters at nearly 4500 homes was enlightening but not enough to take us all over the finish line.  However, It was time well spent and one I will look back fondly upon in the months and years ahead.

I will forever be indebted to you for your support and to those many volunteers who helped me along the campaign trail.  You were, and remain inspiring.  My biggest supporter, best friend, and wife, Wendy, has been a gift to me before, during, and after the campaign.  We look forward to making GOOD TROUBLE together in the future.

We have much at stake particularly in the state and nationally in this election.  Let’s keep Democracy alive.  Stay informed.  Be ever vigilant, vocal and vote.  Remain BLUE.

Bob is a seasoned hiker and he uses this backpack to carry his cards when he travels around the NW Ward door-knocking and meeting voters.  You may have met or seen him on his journey; if not, when you do, give him a friendly "hello" and tell him about your dreams for Winston-Salem!

Bob says, "I chose Winston-Salem to be my home.  Now I'm asking Winston-Salem to choose me to be their next City Councilperson for the Northwest Ward!"  

• VOTE BOB HARTWELL

• Address affordable (workforce) housing needs through a fusion of creative  ideas
• Work alongside Winston-Salem Police & Forsyth County Sheriff's Office to build public trust & address crime
• Protect our natural environment today for tomorrow & prepare for climate effects
• Increase opportunities for citizens to share in the planning & development process
• Make roads safer for all residents of Winston-Salem 
• Build citizen participation & protect democracy     

•  Former Labor Attorney at a Fortune 100 corporation ensuring fair and ethical employment practices 
•  Four terms as a State Senator in Vermont; chair of the Natural Resources and Energy Committee in the Vermont State Senate 
• Senate President's Panel - Environment & Climate Change, Berlin, Germany
• Convocation Speaker on Climate Change, Lawrence University
• Legislative Delegation to Taiwan by Invitation to Foster Closer Relations with the United States
• Former Precinct Chair - 909, Winston-Salem
• Winston-Salem Recreation & Parks Commissioner since 2019
• Member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Chatham, MA.

"With age comes wisdom, with experience comes knowledge.  I intend to use both to cause GOOD TROUBLE wherever necessary." ~ Bob Hartwell

• Advocated vigorously for passage of 2009 Gay Marriage Bill. First state in the country to pass this legislation without court order.
• Succeeded with others in banning single-use plastic bags on Cape Cod. 
• In 2011 when Hurricane Irene made landfall in the Outer Banks, NC and later moved northward to Vermont, Bob helped coordinate volunteer efforts in his district to bring food and supplies to the people of Wilmington. As the state suffered massive loss of property and experienced isolation, Bob, along with others, acted to stabilize the effects of the disaster. 
• Chaired Institutions Committee responsible for drafting the capital construction bill that helped restore Vermont after Hurricane Irene.
• Prepared strategic plan with Winston-Salem Recreation & Parks 2024.

• Issue municipal bonds dedicated exclusively to affordable housing  https://www.durhamnc.gov/445/Community-Development
• Establish an eviction diversion policy to protect tenants' rights to legal counsel
• Build an urban forest to protect against extreme heat caused by climate change using current technologies to determine the successful planting of appropriate tree canopies  https://time.com/collection/time-co2-futures/6328316/macarthur-genius-lucy-hutyra-urban-tree-planting/
• Create a municipal civilian conservation corps to build the urban forest & implement other climate mitigation measures
• Undertake a comprehensive review to revise the current transportation system to utilize cars on call to reach passengers who are not reached under the current system while maintaining the present Trans-Aid system https://www.wilsonnc.org/residents/all-departments/public-works/wilson-transit-ride-wilson-industrial-air-center/ride
• Enact changes to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to formalize greater citizen participation
• Amend the bylaw to require the replacement of trees lost in new development projects 
• Support the Sustainability Department in their effort to reduce food deserts

Bob Hartwell is the “Real Deal”.

Our current election is an especially critical one for Winston Salem’s future. We need strong, experienced leadership now more than ever which compels me to share my experience of meeting one of our candidates, Bob Hartwell.  I met Bob on an organized Nature Walk at Long Creek Park prior to his run for office. As I walked alongside Bob and his wife Wendy, conversation topics quickly changed from “where do you live” to more serious issues facing our community. I learned that Bob had spent his life in community service and had served as a State Senator in Vermont. 

We talked at length about local environmental issues including environmental justice, sensible development practices, planning for climate resiliency and the need to protect parks like the one we were hiking through. I have spent 40 plus years as a professional environmental scientist and was very impressed with his knowledge, experience and achievements. Two things that stood out to me was he had been the Chair of the Committee of Natural Resources and Energy and had championed the elimination of single-use plastic bags at stores resulting in a drastic reduction of plastic trash in New England.

His focus will be as an advocate for under-served communities, assure that people are heard who are impacted by major development and bring his knowledge and expertise to the table for sensible planning.

We would be lucky to have Bob’s experience and passion on the City Council to face major challenges and decisions that affect our lives and Winston Salem’s future.

Dianne Lennon

Three years ago, the North Carolina Education Corps provided resources (Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief/American Rescue Act provided funding for teachers and other staffing needs across the nation) for then Winston-Salem Forsyth School District to hire literacy tutors to work with students K through third grade (up to grade 5 in some schools) to assure competent literacy and comprehension in public school students. 

A child who has not mastered reading comprehension by the third grade is at serious risk of educational failure, future unemployment, poverty and risk of serious exposure to crime.  Both Winston-Salem Police Chief William Penn and Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough have emphasized the critical importance of education and, in particular, literacy in crime prevention.

The literacy tutoring program employs more than two dozen tutors within Forsyth County who work with children in groups of three and, as necessary, with one child. Literacy tutoring has been a success in helping students achieve higher test scores and assisting teachers who are under serious pressure in today’s challenging teaching environment.

Despite all this, the funding through the North Carolina Education Corps is about to be exhausted. Although well aware of this and after three years the Winston-Salem Forsyth School District has failed to include literacy tutoring in its budget rather electing to spend for plastic electric signs. Principals were informed that they could keep the tutors in place if they could find the money in their budgets.  What are the priorities here?

This is a major failure in public education and only highlights the kind of decision making which continues to provide fuel to the legislature’s continuing assault on public education.

The School District needs to move swiftly to change decisions such as this which hinder public education and the future of its students.

I have learned much about the issue of literacy from my wife, Wendy, who has dedicated her talent, her love of the written word and for the children, through her service to the NCEC program.

Some may point out that public education is not under the purview of the city council.  I am aware of this, however, it is incumbent upon all of us to exert influence to make changes wherever they are needed to protect our fellow citizens, especially our most vulnerable, the children.