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 that values citizen voices and is inspired to improve the quality of its democracy — aligns with the work of Burlington DSA and the CLC,” said James Lockridge. “These organizations demonstrate the need for real people to stand up for fairness, transparency, and each other in the face of a city government that currently resists authentic public input for its biggest decisions. We are all working toward a more democratic and humane society.”

Democratic Socialists believe that both the economy and society should be run democratically to meet human needs, not to make profits for a few. It is a political and activist organization that fights for reforms that empower ordinary people, works to decrease the influence of money in politics, and to restructure gender and cultural relationships to be more equitable.

The Coalition for a Livable City is an alliance of Burlington, Vermont community groups working together to restore threatened public processes in defense of the environment, quality of life, transparency in governance, and democratic participation to our city. 200 individuals comprise member organizations including South End Alliance, Downtown Neighborhood Association, Keep the Park Green, Pine Street Coalition, Save Memorial Auditorium, Save Open Space, and Save Open Skies.

Lockridge is a near-30-year resident of Burlington, living on King Street with his daughter Sophia, 17, and wife Victoria. He leads Big Heavy World, an entrepreneurial nonprofit organization that serves Vermont’s youth, preserves its cultural history, fosters community and economic development, contributes to cultural heritage tourism, and harnesses emerging technology to accomplish these goals. He also directs the Youth Safety Council of Vermont, a nonprofit organization that provides highway safety education programs to student drivers in high schools across the state. He is a member of several community organization boards and has been an active volunteer for more than 20 years.

Contact:
James Lockridge, (802) 373-2890, [email protected]
For CLC, Steve Goodkind, (802) 316-6045 or Tony Redington, (802) 343-6616
For Burlington DSA, [email protected]

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