The Tyranny of Custom: Democracy’s Wardrobe Malfunction
Image: General George Washington Resigning His Commission, John Trumbull, oil on canvas, commissioned 1817, public domain. Burlington’s government has roots that auger downward through history to touch a bedrock of first principles. These are the organizing thoughts that define fairness in human experience where individuals have chosen to live together as a commonwealth. From those […]
Public Bulletin Boards: Lanterns of Civilization
Burlington has been doing a lot of downtown planning — redesigning City Hall Park; creating a unified design template for downtown amenities; creating a new look and feel for transportation throughout the city core with Great Streets BTV and redevelopment of the Cherry & Bank streetscapes. The planning is a prelude to a large investment […]
The Save 242 Main Petition: 1,800+ Signatures and An Update
The work to save 242 Main is important for a long list of reasons, including what it means to everyone who went there, and as a symbol of the City of Burlington respecting its young people. That’s a message that’s being carried forward by all of us with this petition: A gracious reminder to city […]
Debugging Democracy: City Leaders Are Qualified. Are They Motivated?
Our daily routines — no matter how personal, joyful, or mundane — happen in the context of a local government that affects the quality of our lives. We elect our friends, neighbors, and wise or energized community voices with a simple faith in their ability and willingness to steer government forward toward more fairness in […]
Thank You for Your Support
Sending heartfelt thanks out to everyone who voted for me in this election. Every vote was an affirmation. I have the gift of your encouragement, if not a city council seat, and you’ve inspired me. Sending special thanks out to those who supported the campaign itself — financially or with the treasure of your time […]
Campaign Attracts Prominent Activist Endorsements: Burlington Democratic Socialists of America; Coalition for a Livable City; 05401 PLUS (Press Release)
Community groups highlight need for improved citizen participation; Ward 3 candidate champions change BURLINGTON February 22, 2018 The Burlington Ward 3 City Council campaign of James Lockridge, Independent, announces endorsement by the Burlington Democratic Socialists of America and the Coalition for a Livable City. “My fight for human dignity in Burlington — for a government […]
CCTV Ch. 17 Live Town Meeting Forum: Q&A With the Ward 3 Candidates (Video)
Tonight, I answered questions about policy and issues with my Ward 3 City Council opponents Lizzie Haskell and Brian Pine at the Channel 17 Live Town Meeting Forum for Ward 3 candidates. Morgan True of VTDigger moderated the live TV broadcast, produced by Kim Villemaire. The CCTV crew was kind enough to send the questions in […]
Ward 2/3 NPA Candidate Forum (Video)
With thanks to producer Charlie Giannoni and CCTV, video of the February 8 Wards 2 & 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly Candidate Forum can be viewed online. It was a genuine pleasure to answer questions alongside my opponents Brian Pine and Lizzie Haskell. The conversation with Ward 3 residents reinforced our need for a City Council […]
Town Meeting Day: Meet Your Burlington City Council Candidates
The Burlington Free Press kindly published a guide to Burlington City Council candidates, providing responses that were edited for space. Unedited questions and answers are below. 1. What concrete step can the City Council take to make housing more affordable for Vermonters? Please specify an actual action item. We need to live up to our […]
Preserving Democracy and the People’s Voice
City Councilors Wright, Hartnett and Knodell proposed a resolution that would alter the language of a March ballot item in support of which citizens gathered more than 1,780 validated signatures on their petition. I spoke in opposition to this suppression of the public voice at the City Council meeting last night. Councilors voted to preserve the […]
One People One Wall: Remove the ‘Everybody Loves A Parade’ Mural
Update 8/17/2018: Seven Days reported on the release of the Mural Task Force recommendations this week.
City Council Opponents Encourage Civic Engagement with Joint Video
I hope this short video — a project that my political opponent and I produced collaboratively — is a happy reminder of the quality of our local democracy. Happy New Year to all as we enter the adventure of 2018 together, making our city an even better place to live and grow! Press Release City […]
Public Restrooms Would Resolve Ordinance Indignity
The city council has been doing ordinance housekeeping relating to quality of life issues downtown — refining or removing some that relate to public drunkenness, cat-calling, public urination, and others. Up from this process, with credit due to Stephen Marshall, an advocate for the homeless (see his blog), came the realization that the city is criminalizing […]
WCAX Reports: Mayor Weinberger to Restore Memorial Auditorium; Building to Remain Public
A heavy debt of respect and gratitude is due to the people of Burlington who raised their voice to save Memorial Auditorium. That voice is noble and growing in power. WCAX reports tonight that Mayor Weinberger is committed to restoring Memorial Auditorium and keeping it in the public domain, “A plan to modernize Memorial Auditorium […]
Youth Safety Council Director Lockridge Receives Award
Thank you, Vermont Business Magazine, for sharing this news. The Governor’s Highway Safety Program recently presented its annual ‘Lifesaver of the Year’ award to James Lockridge, Executive Director of the Youth Safety Council of Vermont. The award was presented by Governor Phil Scott, Chief of the Vermont Governor’s Highway Safety Program Keith Flynn, Vermont Motor […]
VTDigger: Pine, Lockridge to Compete for Open Burlington Council Seat
Sending a respectful welcome and congratulations to colleague Brian Pine for announcing his bid as an opponent for the Ward 3 City Council seat. It’s a pleasure to be a part of demonstrating how much commitment our Ward has to upholding progressive ideals at City Hall. Thank you for voting for me in March. See the VTDigger […]
Rights & Democracy’s Movement Politics Training
Kiah Morris VT State Representative, Diana Gonzalez, and Debbie Ingram shared practical campaign knowledge and personal insights at the Rights & Democracy Political Revolution Burlington Movement Politics Training! on Saturday. I’m entering politics with humility, grateful for the lift. Thank you Shay Totten and Isaac Grimm for the schooling.
Energize Democracy at Vermont Law School
Sending thanks out to Vermont Law School and the team that organized the ‘Energize Democracy’ workshop yesterday. I’m entering the city council campaign as a citizen who’s ‘energized’ to move Burlington toward a fairer, more inclusive and empowering city government. Thanks to Kathleen Falk, former Gov. Madeleine Kunin, Randy Brock, Sen. Joe Benning, Ruth Hardy, VLS Professor […]
Preservation Burlington: The Fate of Memorial Auditorium
Liisa Reimann Rivera and Ron Wanamaker of Preservation Burlington were kind to converse with me on their CCTV show about the “challenges and opportunities associated with preserving this nearly century-old landmark.” Find the video here https://www.cctv.org/watch-tv/programs/fate-memorial-auditorium
Seven Days: Burlingtonians Speak Out to Save Memorial Auditorium
Katie Jickling of Seven Days writes about how “Burlington residents came out en masse Tuesday night to advocate for the preservation of Memorial Auditorium.” Seven Days photo by Matthew Thorsen.
