Clear contrasts in style and substance emerged last week between the three candidates running for mayor of Vermont’s largest city.
In public discussions at City Hall, the Greek Orthodox church and a community center in the Old North End, the contenders – Republican Kurt Wright, Democrat Miro Weinberger and Independent Wanda Hines – addressed a broad range of social and economic issues and continued to disagree, at times heatedly, about how to behave and how city affairs have been managed.
Weinberger, who has been the most critical of decisions made over the last six years, named a budget team to hit the ground on March 7, with the goal of shaving at least $700,000 from city spending. Hines, who began a leave of absence from her job in the Community and Economic Development Office (CEDO), pledged to be a frugal executive.
In a confrontation with incumbent Mayor Bob Kiss, Wright tried to remove Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) from the city ballot. On Sunday, in an unprecedented move, he promised Hines a key role in his administration, possibly by turning the position of assistant to the mayor into a community liaison with seniors, women and “the diversity community.”
On the campaign trail, all the candidates continued to stress bringing in new staff to review city finances and increase accountability and diversity. After the City Hall forum on crime prevention and domestic violence, event organizer Sandy Baird said she still wanted to know who is advising the candidates and which key staff will change with the next administration.
At a press conference Thursday, Weinberger announced a budget advisory team, which includes former Progressive official Carina Driscoll, longtime business leader Pat Robins, former Independent candidate Dan Smith, educator Dawn Moskowitz, and Doug Hoffer, Democratic candidate for state auditor in 2010 and a former CEDO staff member during the Clavelle years.
Weinberger’s objective is to avoid returning to voters for a city tax hike in the spring. He and Wright opposed the mayor’s proposal to place a 2-cent increase on the March ballot. Wright doesn’t rule out returning to the voters if necessary, but only after a thorough evaluation of all departments.
Hines continued to stress her experience in community building and strove to turn limited fundraising during January into a potential asset. She declared herself “an independent and a frugal manager,” one who can run the city with the same austere approach she is applying to her own campaign. The road to success, she told VTDigger.org, will be increased participation, spurred by a major voter registration drive she intends to pursue.
In public encounters, Hines frequently touts the city’s accomplishments and her role in local affairs, although she often also says that much more needs to be done. In debates she can sometimes be heard agreeing,under her breath, with Wright’s assessment of the issues.
At the Ward 6 Neighborhood Planning Assembly forum, she went further, running interference for him by accusing Weinberger of “micro-aggression.” Weinberger had pointed out that Wright voted in support of the administration’s policies more than 470 times and calls himself “de facto mayor.”
Wright began February with the good news that he had $13,000 more cash on hand than his closest rival. Campaign finance reports also showed Wright’s backing by a who’s who of regional development including Jeffrey Davis, Gary Farrell, Antonio Pomerleau and Angelo Pizzagalli.
Despite the current financial edge, Wright campaign manager Dave Hartnett went after a Washington, D.C., trip by Weinberger last Monday to raise money, with the aid of Sen. Patrick Leahy and Rep. Peter Welch. A trip to the nation’s capital sends the wrong message, Hartnett argued, noting that Wright won’t accept money from anyone outside Vermont, or the Republican Party.
Wright had many favorable things to say about Hines, however. When asked on Saturday, for example, how he would make sure that city workers become more “multi-culturally competent” he turned to his opponent.
“I think Wanda has as good a chance of winning this race as Miro or I do,” he suggested. “But should I win, Wanda will have a key role in the administration. I think Wanda does a great job now and would want Wanda to be part of the administration.”
Social issues and leadership style
The focus of last Wednesday’s forum in Contois Auditorium at City Hall was supposed to be domestic violence, according to Sandy Baird. She invited the candidates on behalf of the Institute for Civic Engagement at Burlington College and The Caroline Fund, the latter founded by Baird to help women in crisis. Some members of the audience were her students.
Only one question on the night’s chosen topic came from the approximately 60 people who came out, however. Most of the interest centered instead on crime prevention, housing and economic inequality.
In the Democratic caucus fight last fall, Baird endorsed councilor Bram Kranichfeld. Once he was eliminated, she switched to Weinberger. In 2009 she endorsed Wright against Kiss in his re-election bid, and once ran for mayor herself, challenging Peter Clavelle in 1989 as a Green Party candidate.
As forum moderator she remained neutral. Afterward, she had some questions about Weinberger’s out-of-state fundraising and advisers.
When asked what the mayor can do to address income inequality and middle class collapse, Wright said the answer was to bring more business downtown and mentioned his top priority, redeveloping the city’s gateway “superblock” through a public-private partnership. Without more capital, he warned that “the middle class will be squeezed out.”
Wright also said that Burlington “will always be a compassionate city,” which means to him that “people will always be taken care of.” On racial profiling, he acknowledged that some of it does occur, but wants to consult with the Police Department and Police Commission to “make sure it doesn’t happen.”
Weinberger traced many of the underlying problems to affordability and housing, reprising a theme he has stressed since last September. At a Jan. 24 press conference, the housing developer unveiled the details of a plan to create more downtown, working with nonprofits, partnering with colleges, reducing maintenance costs, and improving existing rental housing.
The cost of housing “is causing great strain” for many seniors and families, he said. On the bright side, “People want to live in Burlington’s authentic downtown and traditional neighborhoods. This is a positive trend that bodes well for the city’s future.”
Weinberger added at the forum that active support for education, job creation and affordable housing are all part of the “solution for breaking down income inequality.” Burlington should thank the Occupy movement and “continue to listen,” he said.
Wright also praised Occupy protesters for “bringing good issues forward.” But he insisted that the city still “can’t have a group take over” City Hall Park, a position he shares with his Democratic rival. Neither of them think that another encampment in the park should be allowed if the protesters do return.
In response to a followup, a provocative question predicting that the next mayor may face “conditions of anarchy,” Wright and Weinberger both expressed the willingness to talk with protesters in hopes of avoiding just such a situation. But they also agreed that, as Wright put it, “Anarchy is not the direction we want to go.”
Hines saw it somewhat differently, praising organizer Jonathan Leavitt “for bringing together a community.” As for anarchy, her attitude was “one day at a time.”
When the time came for brief closing statements, Hines took five minutes to read the text of a “six-point plan of action” she had scheduled for release the next day. In addition to detailed sections on improved financial management, job creation and transportation, the document featured her ideas on how to handle social issues and expand opportunities for new Americans.
In his last remarks, Wright tried to appropriate Weinberger’s “Fresh Start” campaign slogan by pointing to his own backing by the local police union. “They chose me as the fresh start they want to see,” he said. He also touted his backing by “some of the best developers.”
Endorsements like those Weinberger has received from congressional leaders and other prominent Democrats are not as important, Wright and his campaign manager argue. They prefer the support of the police union, Vermont developers and citizens across party lines, Harnett explains, rather than taking “a page out of the Washington, D.C., playbook, when the message coming out of there is so negative.”
At a Thursday press briefing, Burlington Free Press reporter Sam Hemingway asked Weinberger to respond. “I’m proud of the support I have earned from Pat Leahy and Peter Welch,” he said. “If they think that’s D.C.-style politics, well, I’ll be teaming up with Welch and Leahy every day.”
Weinberger was also asked how much responsibility for the city’s problems he assigns to his Republican opponent. To that he replied that Wright’s “main argument is that he has been there and done that. So, let’s look at that record. He was in place when the city was heading in the wrong direction.”
Tough talk at the NPA
The format at the Ward 6 Neighborhood Planning Assembly (NPA) Thursday night allowed the candidates to ask each other questions. Hines began by inquiring what the others would do to improve town-gown relationships, a topic of intense interest in the city’s Hill section.
The sparks began to fly, however, when Weinberger noted that Wright has described himself as “de facto mayor.” He pointed out that the GOP candidate, who was board president for two years, has voted with Mayor Kiss 473 times. “How can people be confident that it will be different?” he asked.
Before Wright could reply, Hines stepped in to call the question “off track,” especially since it was her turn to respond first.
“Miro doesn’t understand city government,” Wright shot back when his turn came, and accused his opponent of wanting to “make up the rules.” As for his voting record, Wright said, “It’s easy to pick things out.”
Referring to an article published on VTDigger.org, Wright did acknowledge that “at times I felt like de facto mayor,” but the main example was during the development of new zoning rules.
Hines called Weinberger’s question a form of “micro-aggression” and responded herself by defining the difference between how she, Wright and Kiss would handle things. “I would have asked more questions,” she said. “But I’m glad I wasn’t there.”
In a profile published on Dec. 18, Wright was asked for his opinion on Weinberger, who had just won the Democratic caucus. “We need a mayor who knows the mechanics of city government,” Wright said then. “We need someone who has proved he has the chops. We don’t need someone who is running for the first time and starting a political career. I have led the council, at times almost as the de facto mayor.”
He used the phrase again when asked why he wanted to leave the state Legislature to run for mayor. “Bob Kiss was not the right person to be a chief executive,” Wright explained. “People will see during this campaign who is ready to lead the city. They’ve seen me willing to tackle tough issues. They’ve seen me lead the council, in a way serving as the de facto mayor.”
At the Thursday debate, however, Wright reminded Weinberger that he wasn’t on the City Council when the city negotiated pension benefits “that were too rich” to handle. The city’s pension liability is estimated at $55 million, requiring millions of dollars of general fund support each year.
Chiding Weinberger for “lobbying bombs,” Wright threw one of his own on pension fund liability. “His supporter Peter Clavelle did it,” he charged.
The candidates also honed in on which city departments will see the greatest change. Wright pointed to CEDO, better management of the Parks and Recreation Department, a new CAO, and changes at the Public Works Department. But care will be taken “not to trash everything,”he assured, because there’s also a need to rebuild trust. Weinberger’s departmental change list is similar, as is his pledge not to “clean house.”
In closing remarks, Wright downplayed his opponent’s endorsements and returned to his campaign theme – nonpartisanship. At the same time, he claimed some silent partisan support, explaining that “some progressives won’t say so publicly.”
Aiming again at Weinberger, he scolded that “finger pointing won’t get the job done.”
The next day at noon, the three candidates met again – at least informally – when Wright led a City Council charge to remove tax incremental financing (TIF) from the March ballot. On Dec. 5, the council voted unanimously to ask for voter approval of a new district to subsidize and stimulate promising redevelopment ideas.
But State Auditor Tom Salmon released a critical report on Milton’s TIF on Jan. 19. Some residents claim that an audit of Burlington’s waterfront TIF due out in March will raise new questions. Salmon has also criticized Burlington for failing to respond to requests for information about its management of cash and internal controls.
On Friday, the Council voted 10-0 to remove TIF from the ballot. Wright warned the mayor to “take heed” or see the initiative go “down in flames.” A few hours later, Kiss declined to go along, urging the council to stick with its original decision and educate the public about an important financial tool.
Hines agreed with Wright, preferring to wait and see until success is certain. Until things change, she thinks bringing TIF to the voters would be “a waste of time and resources.”
Weinberger stuck with his earlier position, reiterating that TIF will be “an important tool for bringing down the cost of housing in the city,” at least in the hands of a new mayor. “I understand why the council grappled with their decision,” he said. But he still plans to vote for it.
The economic rescue plan Weinberger has developed for Burlington sees the downtown TIF as a “substantial tool” to promote additional housing. “Often, significant new private investment in the downtown is impossible without complimentary public investment in water and sewer, streetscape and other related public infrastructure investment,” the plan asserts. “If carefully managed by a tough-minded, experienced, prudent mayor, the TIF will make possible such partnerships.”
Diversity takes center stage
The candidates met again on Saturday, their third discussion in four days, at the North End Studios in the city’s Old North End. This time it was a chance to present their experiences and views on cultural diversity to an audience that, for the first time in the campaign, prominently featured people of color and newcomers to the country.
The forum was organized by a coalition of groups, among others the Association of Africans Living in Vermont, the Greater Burlington Cultural Resource Center, Diversity Now and Vermont Racism Action. Before the candidates spoke, everyone heard a 15-minute PowerPoint presentation on Burlington’s changing demographics and the persistence of institutional racism.
Moderator Stacey Miller, director of residential life at the University of Vermont, then questioned the candidates on topics ranging from professional development, housing, and diversity to education and civic engagement. By this time many of the responses covered familiar territory.
Wright acknowledged that he doesn’t have the same experience with diversity issues as Hines, who is African-American and has worked on social equity for years, or Weinberger, who worked for a minority-led development foundation for several years and has adopted an Asian daughter. “I need to continue to learn,” he said.
Housing was a central issue again. Wright talked about reforming the permit system and the need for all types of housing – from affordable to market-priced, while Hines concluded that “the city has a long way to go.” The topic gave Weinberger another chance to explain his downtown plan and mention his qualifications as a developer of green, affordable housing.
Asked what the next mayor can do to help immigrants and others facing barriers to employment, Hines pointed to workforce education and outreach. But the underlying problem is that “decision-making does not reflect the minority population,” she charged.
Next up to speak, Wright began by telling the audience, “I agree with everything Wanda said.” He the mentioned CEDO, the office in which she has worked for more than four years. On cultural, diversity and equity issues “certainly my goal will be to have somebody in City Hall that will be a person of color so that we do have reach out,” Wright said, someone “who understands the issues, who understands them better than I do because I have things to learn on that subject.”
He repeated his admiration for Hines when the discussion turned to civic engagement, multi-cultural competence and, according to Miller, the feeling of many people of color that they don’t have a voice in local affairs. If he wins, Wright said in response, Hines will have “a key role in the administration.”
Minutes later, he hinted at a possible job, a “restructured” role as assistant to the mayor. “I think that is a position that is under-utilized,” Wright explained. But he can see it functioning as a liaison with seniors, “all the women’s organizations in Burlington,” and “the diversity community.”
Despite the overtures, Hines took her next opportunity to confront both of her rivals for insufficient sensitivity to inclusion. “We have to learn not to proceed until we have everybody in the room,” she insisted loudly. “It’s about taking inventory. We don’t look up enough to see who’s not in the room.”
Wright didn’t bite, however, opting to remain positive and soft-spoken on unfamiliar terrain. “We can strive to do better but celebrate the success that we’ve had,” he said in closing. “Burlington is a melting pot and that’s a good thing.”
Weinberger was more comfortable with the issues, and received one of the day’s most enthusiastic reactions when frankly outlining the challenges ahead. In Burlington, “about 10 percent of the adult population is minority population,” he noted. “In the schools that’s up to 25 or 27 percent.”
After visiting neighborhoods as a candidate for five months, he has concluded that Burlington is at the crucial point where cultural and racial tensions can clearly be felt. “I think those tensions are there and they’re real. We’re at a fork in the road,” he said.
“These are difficult conversations to have,” Weinberger added. But the next mayor will have to lead in this area as well, he said, promising that if chosen he would use the office, “as the only citywide elected official, to move that conversation forward.”
