Leigh Davis is the rarest of elected officials. She was sworn-in and promptly made a measurable impact on the community she represents. Most recently, the short-term rental bylaw she spearheaded was approved amid a lively public debate that included defeating the likes of Airbnb and other powerful business interests. It was a win for those standing up for the character of residential neighborhoods and as a firewall in the evermore challenging effort to protect the already minuscule number of affordable housing units in a town like Great Barrington. In our conversation, we discuss the dynamics of the town meeting victory on short-term units in GB, the importance of developing a thick skin in the political arena, and the self-awareness to do what you believe is right in the face of sometimes harsh criticism and attacks. We also discuss her upbringing and her relationship with her late father, Lloyd Davis, who carved his own legacy in housing and civil rights in the US – and in particular – was instrumental establishing the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and carrying on his legacy. Leigh’s journey to Great Barrington was a long and winding one, starting at film school in Ithaca to a decade in LA, editing films for Dreamworks and Steve Spielberg, Law and Order and more. Then, right at the height of her career, she turned on a dime and moved to rural Ireland. Even finding her way to Great Barrington was serendipitous, as it began with getting stuck in the snow and unable to get out of town. The happy accident has led to this mother of three committing fully to strengthening the GB and southern Berkshire community. One day, she even dreams of opening a little establishment in town where people can gather, enjoy each other’s company and….dance (it would likely include a disco ball, which Leigh is clearly a fan of!). I hope you’ll enjoy my conversation with Leigh Davis. — Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/john-krol/support
Leigh Davis is the rarest of elected officials. She was sworn-in and promptly made a measurable impact on the community she represents. Most recently, the short-term rental bylaw she spearheaded was approved amid a lively public debate that included defeating the likes of Airbnb and other powerful business interests. It was a win for those standing up for the character of residential neighborhoods and as a firewall in the evermore challenging effort to protect the already minuscule number of affordable housing units in a town like Great Barrington. In our conversation, we discuss the dynamics of the town meeting victory on short-term units in GB, the importance of developing a thick skin in the political arena, and the self-awareness to do what you believe is right in the face of sometimes harsh criticism and attacks. We also discuss her upbringing and her relationship with her late father, Lloyd Davis, who carved his own legacy in housing and civil rights in the US – and in particular – was instrumental establishing the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and carrying on his legacy. Leigh’s journey to Great Barrington was a long and winding one, starting at film school in Ithaca to a decade in LA, editing films for Dreamworks and Steve Spielberg, Law and Order and more. Then, right at the height of her career, she turned on a dime and moved to rural Ireland. Even finding her way to Great Barrington was serendipitous, as it began with getting stuck in the snow and unable to get out of town. The happy accident has led to this mother of three committing fully to strengthening the GB and southern Berkshire community. One day, she even dreams of opening a little establishment in town where people can gather, enjoy each other’s company and….dance (it would likely include a disco ball, which Leigh is clearly a fan of!). I hope you’ll enjoy my conversation with Leigh Davis.