Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Driscoll posted paid campaign ads on Facebook and Instagram featuring a black-and-white photo of her with Sanders. The ads refer to her as Sanders' "daughter" rather than "stepdaughter," as she has previously referred to herself.
"I am Bernie's daughter, and am one of the thousands of people across this country inspired by Bernie to lead during this challenging time," the ad reads. It lists Driscoll's political experience on the Burlington School Board, on the city council and in the Vermont legislature. "I am also a candidate in my own right," it says.
Tags: Senator , Carina Driscoll , Miro Weinberger , Bernie Sanders , Infinite Culcleasure , Town Meeting Day , Image , Web Only
Ebony Nyoni submitted the necessary signatures to meet the filing requirements, Winooski city manager Jessie Baker confirmed Wednesday morning, ahead of a 4:30 p.m. deadline.
The racial justice activist is unopposed for a seat on the council that serves the 7,100-person city adjacent to Burlington.
Tags: Winooski , Black Lives Matter , Town Meeting Day , Ebony Nyoni , Winooski City Council , Image , Web Only
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
The Town Meeting Day ballot question is advisory, and is not likely to prevent the planned 2019 arrival of the F-35s. The crux of the debate during Monday's meeting centered not around the vote itself, but around language F-35 opponents used conveying "strong support" for the Vermont Air National Guard.
The original question, on a petition signed by 2,700 city residents, asked:
Three councilors — Jane Knodell (P-Central District), Dave Hartnett (D-North District) and Kurt Wright (R-Ward 4) — proposed an amendment to delete the phrase, "as part of our strong support for the men and women of the Vermont National Guard, and especially their mission to 'protect the citizens of Vermont.'"
Shall we, the voters of the City of Burlington, as part of our strong support for the men and women of the Vermont National Guard, and especially their mission to 'protect the citizens of Vermont,' advise the City Council to:
1) request the cancellation of the planned basing of the F-35 at Burlington International Airport, and
2) request instead low-noise-level equipment with a proven high safety record appropriate for a densely populated area?
Col. Hank Harder, the guard's 158th Fighter Wing Vice Wing Commander, agreed with the proposed amendment, saying Monday that it would be "disingenuous and misleading" for F-35 opponents to frame their question in terms of support for the guard.
Tags: Kurt Wright , Jane Knodell , Dave Hartnett , F-35 , Eileen Blackwood , Chip Mason , Burlington , Vermont Air National Guard , Hank Harder , Air Force , Peggy Luhrs , Eric Maier , Image , Web Only
Monday, January 29, 2018
Neither incumbent filed for reelection by day's end Monday, the deadline for candidates who want to be listed on the ballot on March 6.
After 12 years of running Barre and months of speculation about his political future, Lauzon confirmed to Seven Days that he is stepping aside. Lauzon, who owns an accounting firm and is one of Barre’s largest developers, endorsed Lucas Herring, his ally on the city council. Herring is running against fellow councilor Sue Higby, a vocal Lauzon critic who often accused the mayor of having conflicts of interest.
“I will miss it terribly. I already do,” Lauzon, 56, said. “It’s going to be very strange. But life goes on.”
Tags: Thom Lauzon , Gary von Stange , Ebony Nyoni , Town Meeting Day , Image , Web Only
Friday, January 19, 2018
The Washington, D.C.-based Our Revolution announced its support for Driscoll in a press release Friday that praised her experience and political approach. "If elected, Carina will push for more transparent government, protect community assets, and invest in Burlington schools," the release read.
Driscoll is going up against Democratic incumbent Miro Weinberger and independent Infinite Culcleasure in the Burlington mayoral race.
Both Driscoll and an Our Revolution spokeswoman denied that the endorsement constituted nepotism.
Tags: Senator , Carina Driscoll , Miro Weinberger , Infinite Culcleasure , Bernie Sanders , Town Meeting Day , Our Revolution , Rights & Democracy , Image , Web Only
The advisory question, which must be approved by the city council to be on the ballot, asks voters to "advise the city council" to cancel the planned basing of F-35s, which are scheduled to arrive at the airport's Air National Guard base in 2019. The ballot item asks if voters will "request instead low-noise-level equipment ... appropriate for a densely populated area."
Tags: Jimmy Leas , F-35 , Air National Guard , Rosanne Greco , Rachel Siegel , Charles Simpson , Image , Web Only
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
The 56-year-old political novice faces Democratic incumbent Karen Paul and Progressive candidate Charles Simpson in the Ward 6 race.
FitzGerald, a 20-year Burlington resident, decided to run after Paul, citing a last-minute conflict of interest, recused herself from a vote on the sale of Burlington Telecom in October.
"That was the final straw," FitzGerald said. "We got no input, no feedback" on the recusal, he said. "We deserve more than that."
Tags: Karen Paul , Charles Simpson , Joel FitzGerald , Burlington City Council , Town Meeting Day , Ward 6 , Image , Web Only
Sunday, January 7, 2018
A crowd of 250 people inside the Burlington High School auditorium roared with approval, waving "Miro for Mayor" signs as they gave their endorsement with a voice vote.
Weinberger avoided what could have been an awkward caucus. Independent mayoral candidate Carina Driscoll initially said she planned to seek the Democratic endorsement, but later backed down.
"Rather than attempting to pull off a political stunt unseating the Mayor in his own caucus, I am focused on engaging voters throughout the city and increasing participation on election day, Tuesday, March 6th," she said. Driscoll earned the endorsement of Burlington Progressives in December.
Tags: Miro Weinberger , Adam Roof , Carter Neubieser , Lizzie Haskell , James Lockridge , Ali Dieng , Chris Trombly , Chip Mason , Karen Paul , Town Meeting Day , Image , Web Only
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Both will stay in the race as independents, running against six-year incumbent Miro Weinberger.
A standing room-only crowd filled the gym at the Sustainability Academy at Lawrence Barnes. The Progs gathered around cafeteria tables for a shared meal and then voted on Progressive candidates for council and mayor.
Tags: Carina Driscoll , Infinite Culcleasure , Max Tracy , Brian Pine , Carter Neubieser , Ali Dieng , Sharon Bushor , Jesse Warren , Charles Simpson , Town Meeting Day , Image , Web Only
Monday, December 4, 2017
Carina Driscoll, the stepdaughter of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), on Monday announced she'll run for Burlington mayor. Driscoll, who said she'll run as an independent, will challenge incumbent Democrat Miro Weinberger, who's up for reelection in March. Another independent candidate, Infinite Culcleasure, announced on Friday that he'll run.
Tags: Carina Driscoll , Burlington mayor , Miro Weinberger , Infinite Culcleasure , Bernie Sanders , Town Meeting Day , Image , Web Only