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Burlington City Council Begins New Term

Standing from left as they are sworn in are Joan Shannon, David Hartnett, Jane Knodell and Richard Deane
Pat Bradley/WAMC
Standing from left as they are sworn in are Joan Shannon, David Hartnett, Jane Knodell and Richard Deane

Monday evening’s meeting of the Burlington City Council was its “Organization Day” — the time when newly elected and re-elected city council members are sworn-in and a council president is selected.
On Town Meeting Day in March, Burlington voters re-elected Democrat Joan Shannon, Independent David Hartnett and Progressive Jane Knodell and chose new councilor Democrat Richard Deane from the city’s East District.  Mayor Miro Weinberger swore them in Monday evening.  “Now this is the first time we have done it this way.  It’s the first time we have had staggered city council terms so the only councilors being sworn-in tonight are the councilors who were just re-elected or elected for the first time. So if the four of you could rise and repeat after me I’d like to administer the oath of office.”  
Four councilors in unison:  “I (Joan Shannon/David Hartnett/Jane Knodell/Richard Deane) do solemnly swear and affirm that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of city council to the best of my judgment and ability according to law under the pains and penalties of perjury.”
Weinberger:  “Congratulations.”

The next order of business was to choose the city council president.  The 12 members unanimously re-elected Jane Knodell to the position.  While the public vote appeared routine, Republican Kurt Wright and Knodell say it took some effort to assure her return as council president.  “Next year we have eight seats up and so me becoming re-elected we had to do some some real politicking to kind of keep the votes because on paper there are now seven….”
(Wright) “Seven either D or caucusing with the D’s.”
(Knodell): “Depending on how you count.  There are six Democrats in the caucus.  So I think there was some felt that, you know, it was their turn, it was their time. Now Kurt and I had the feeling that the people of Burlington like to see divided government. So I think we had a good night because we have someone from a different party that helps the council be independent and not just kind of get sucked into the administration.”
(Wright):  “Divided or balanced government is extremely important.  There was a move, there was some maneuvering going on behind the scenes with one particular councilor who was very upset that she wasn’t going to become the next council president.  But I’m just glad that we prevailed and that we continued with balanced government here.”
(Knodell): “Yeah.”
(Wright): “But next year as President Knodell said we have eight races so we’ll really be focused on a lot of potentially change next year.”

The duo cites a reduction in property tax rates as an example of the importance of preserving an independent council.  “The mayor’s proposal was cutting it by like half a penny and we said can we at least bring it up a full penny? And now I think we’re seeing in terms of where the budget is that we actually could have done more.”
(Wright):  “That’s right. So there again is an example of having balanced representation. How important that is.  You know it’s small but if we’re taking in more money and we’re piling more money into the surplus, the undesignated fund, how much can we give back to taxpayers?  And I think that’s what we also should be looking at in the future too as we go forward.”

The council also elected Kurt Wright, Sharon Busher and Karen Paul to its Board of Finance.
 

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