Mulvaney-Stanak Resigning from Council

Emma Mulvaney-Stanak is resigning from the Burlington City Council because she is purchasing a house in Ward Three. Her statement is below the row of stars to follow.

This will leave Democrats holding a majority of the remaining 13 members and only two Progressives, both from Ward Three, until after our next council elections in March.
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Dear Ward 2 neighbors,

I hope all of you had a good holiday last week. As the end of the year approaches, I want to share two important updates as your Ward 2 city councilor.

My first update, which I will elaborate on in a minute, is to regrettably inform you that I need to resign my city council seat as of mid December. I have purchased a home on Front St. which is located in Ward 3 and the moment I move I must resign my seat on the council under the city charter. I am excited to set down more permanent roots in the Old North End, but it is bittersweet given the location.

The city charter requires the council seat to remain open given that we are within three months of the next election (Town Meeting Day). At that time, my term will have one year remaining and will be open for a candidate to be elected to finish the term. My last day in the ward will be December 15.

Again, leaving my seat mid term is not an easy decision—representing Ward 2 has been a great honor and I have learned a tremendous amount about my neighbors from my door-to-door campaign and about city government over the last nine months. I now know how important it is to have strong councilors from the Old North End, who can voice the needs of our neighborhoods within city hall while listening to residents concerns about city affairs. My commitment to the Old North End has only grown from this experience. I have actively been working to encourage other Ward 2 residents to consider running for city council next year, so we can continue to have strong representation on the council.

My second update is to report on some issues moving forward within city government that impact the ONE and working people. These issues include:

#1 Movement with Our ONE Bike Path. Under the leadership of long time and newer local leaders in our neighborhood, we have substantial activity happening with reworking the entrance to the bike path that runs from Manhattan Dr/St Louis St along Rt 127. This effort shows the power of community input and dedication to unite a community vision with city resources to improve our neighborhood. A Community Development Block Grant is being submitted within the next few weeks and great things are on the horizon for this project.

#2 Working People’s Issues. Several resolutions have been advanced by Progressive Councilors from the ONE to support health care for all and real reform within Vermont, to reaffirm and strengthen the city’s livable wage ordinance for city workers and city contractors, and to make sure the Moran Project abides by responsible labor principles such as hiring local labor.

#3 Our Schools. Under the leadership of Edmunds parents and through pure persistence, the city finally applied and received a grant to redesign the crosswalks on Main St. in front of Edmunds. A short term solution is also underway after more parent leaders pushed the council to direct several city departments to coordinate a common sense approach to increased safety until the new plan can be implemented. Also, our two elementary schools were celebrated this fall as they began their new magnet school programs. While we have a lot to still do to address socio-economic divisions in the school, the magnet schools represent a lot of hard work by local parents and educators and a true commitment to our children.

#4 And finally important issues of pedestrian and traffic issues are beginning to be identified and addressed in various pockets of the ONE, most recently traffic calming options for Walnut St where a local child was injured by a passing car.

What these projects show me is the strength of the Old North End, the leadership of neighbors, and the helpfulness of having City Councilors who are strong advocates for our neighborhoods. I have worked hard to make my time on the council help to amplify the voices and existing leadership in our community while helping to get our issues on the table. It has been challenging at times to make progress on important local issues, but also rewarding to start to make headway on some issues I outlined as my priorities during my campaign last winter.

While I am excited to continue to live in the Old North End, I am leaving a great Ward with lots of character and charm in every small neighborhood. Please know I will continue to stay involved in city and local community issues. I am also more than happy to continue to help answer questions and concerns in an unofficial capacity about city or neighborhood issues until a replacement is elected in March. I regret needing to leave my seat, but I know Ward 2 has many dedicated community leaders who will continue to advance issues from our neighborhood on a grassroots level, regardless of who serves as the city councilor. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Happy Holidays and thank you.

Emma Mulvaney-Stanak
Ward 2, City Council