 Hey everybody Andrew Champagne here on our monthly Burlington Democrats and beyond our monthly show. Let's see how my sweater is looks okay. Hey, I'd like to I'm sorry last month I I had COVID-like symptoms the day my show was gonna tape and so with the new Pragonum The new protocols. I I didn't make it. We it was actually a slow month. So we have a lot to talk about today I Ain't going to be on for the next 35 minutes. I possibly might have a surprise guest. I hope they come but We got a lot going on in Burlington Since I last spoke to you last Mayor Murrow Weinberger has announced that he is not going to run again for fifth term So he has been mayor for mayor of Burlington. There he is good picture too. He's been mayor of Burlington for 12 years I think the world of him. He has been an outstanding mayor I was fortunate enough that he asked me to swear him in for a second term Which was a thrill kind of nerve-wracking in front of a packed Contoy's auditorium But I think the mayor the mayor's exploring some of their options. He's exploring You know, I personally would like to see him working in the Biden administration He's got a lot of experience working with the federal government. You know, he's a Kennedy Kenny Harvard Kennedy School graduate and also, you know, he's taking a long look at the governor's race We have a Republican governor in a very Democratic state Now governor Scott is a moderate. He is also the most popular governor in Vermont and He's the only governor of Vermont, but he's the most popular governor in America. He has a 76 percent Approval rating there he is We don't want to keep him up there too long because he is on the other side But he's a highly decent honest good man a little too conservative for my taste I'd like to see a little bit more Activism from him since he does have a mandate. He got over 75 percent of the vote We were only get able to get about 20 percent So just to put things in perspective. He's very popular now. He is not your standard politician. He does not Need the limelight. He's kind of a reticent kind of a shy guy and I think sometimes there's Murrow, but we're talking about governor Scott and I think sometimes the trappings and the kind of sometimes the All the stuff that goes with being governor is a little much and he also likes to drive his own car Because he's a race car driver. So we'll see I do think he'll run again, but I think this will be his last term If he runs again, the odds are very strong that he wins he's been called by president Biden his favorite Republican governor and You know, he's kind of stay above the fray, but gov. I need you in Burlington. We just had a triple murder here people executed Shot in the head Right just a few blocks from here We need the number one issue is public safety on this mayoral campaign Any help that the state could do to help us? unfortunately with fentanyl and crack cocaine and All sorts of pills and powders that they come with violence because it's a it's a rough trade and Unfortunately, we see two pretty young people murdered executed just a couple blocks from here and are really Quiet quiet street Decatur Street and wonderful street full of families and cool people old hippies and You know, they must be very frightened so Public safety is going to be an enormous Part of this campaign now the progressives voted to You know, bring down the police force by a third You know, it sounds so crazy when we say that we were going through a pandemic We were going through a pandemic and a epidemic an epidemic of narcotics and a pandemic of a hundred-year magnitude of COVID and somebody got the bright idea That we should eliminate a third of our policemen now Obviously tensions were running high because mr. Floyd was murdered murdered on on television literally by a policeman and That was a terrible terrible thing and that was not that was not right And that was a wrong that has not gone away and we see in American history how African-Americans are often treated differently by the police that is not right that cannot stand and so After his murder there was a reaction, you know against the police and I understand that, you know watch it I couldn't watch more than a second of that that was that man was lynched basically on television on Facebook and so there was a lot of emotions and people felt that the police were the enemy Bad cops are always the enemy Policemen that don't care about people or or trot on their civil rights or Predigital because the color of their skin or their sexuality Or their country of orange and are wrong and don't deserve to be on the force Obviously we need more police that look like our demographic. Okay. I'm still waiting for the first Bosnian policeman I'm still waiting for the first African policeman that can speak Swahili and French the language of the African immigrants I'm still waiting for some LGBTQ to policemen I need the police to represent Who they are helping out and this crazy? Where policemen go from National Guard to the army to prison to being a policeman? It's kind of got to end, you know I think a big job of the police is is being a social worker someone you can talk to so I'm glad chief Murad has been confirmed Hope he can keep his temper and check a little bit. He sometimes gets a little bit emotional But it's a tough job. So I like him chief. Congratulations. You're a good man I'm sorry. Someone's speaking up by the cameras and I can't have that I can't hear. Okay. Thank you My cameraman they're trying to do instructions and it's just too hard to hear and talk at the same time So public safety is Going to be a huge Part of this campaign. We have three Candidates so far in the Democratic side. We have I don't know if we've got any pictures. Maybe we can work on this for next month We have counselor Joan Shannon of the south end. There he is. Hey, that's a nice picture She's a good friend of mine. We serve together on tax appeal her husband or her daughter our wonderful friends She's great. And then also we have council president Karen Paul another awesome person. Hi Karen Looks like you're at a city council meeting there I'm friends with her family her kids her husband and then we have a new Edition just yesterday. We have miss CD. Maxon who joined the race. Good for you CD Cares a lot about people social activists There was rumors that she was going to run as an independent but she has thrown her name in the fray as a Democrat Congratulations CD. I always say anybody can run Anyone watching this can run you can run as an independent you can run as a publicant or Prague You can run on the Green Party. You can run as a Democrat now Also on the progressive side There's a tough challenger someone who's very qualified and a good person and that is that is That is representative Emma Mulvaney Stanek. I don't know if we have her picture She represents the old North End Lives off North Street with her wife and kids former city councilor in wards two and three Very much interested in policy very much a union person very very much a progressive very very liberal Forward-thinking progressive. I don't know if we have Emma's picture up there. Maybe we can find it Kevin Why I asked that I want to say hello to my executive producer Jordan Mitchell. Thank you Jordan I'd also like to congratulate and thank Ms. Megan or work who is now the head of town-meeting television upon the retirement of Just a fantastic person miss Lauren Glendavine in who helped me get this show and has always been a constant source of inspiration. She's just an amazing person and oh, okay, we're changing over in the cameras here and Mr. Vinnie and I wish you luck in retirement. I know you're still involved with the station So why I'm here. I would like to think again Jordan Mitchell my executive producer my My producer mr. Kevin my cameraman Daniel, there you are. I'm confused here. You're doing too many angles on me too many cameras I thought we were staying with this camera and okay. Thank you Okay, we hope yeah, we hope we're having a guest coming on Oh, he's here Adam come on in You can't see anything in the dark with the light Okay Without further ado my great friend my good buddy former city counselor chair of The Democratic Committee in Burlington mr. Adam roof. I called you at 10 after five and you came I love you brother Can you come down and talk a little bit about the caucus you've got coming up and anything else So I said, you know what? Yeah, I haven't been a chance to do this with you in a long time So here I am you call I come running. You know the deal Okay, I cannot hear when there's people speaking behind the camera. Okay. I'm sorry. We can't do this with talk up here. I'm sorry Okay, thank you It's hard with the lights and people are talking I apologize You got me. Okay. I will be honest with you without you. I would not be here. You got me doing this show I think you pawned it off on me. I would knock I wouldn't qualify it as a pawn off But I'm very lucky that that you that you make the time each and every month where the money I get for this show It's just so crazy But now I love it Adam used to do this show a lot when he was on city council and He was a great city counselor. Was it were you worried eight or were you one indie? I was worried. Yeah worried eight That's right two-term city counselor UVM alumni UVM honor society You know member of the executive committee Chair of the Burlington Dems. Okay, my friend. Yes, let's Talk About the caucus the caucus, you know, honestly, it's the first competitive caucus in 12 years 12 years ago. How old were you? 23 24 a little younger actually Yeah, so I mean you think about that's a long time You know what I think about with the morrow is if someone was in first grade They're now Headed towards doing their college applications. Yeah We need to put another picture of more up there because we love him. We think he's been an outstanding mayor and So as I as I spoke about before you were here Adam, I see the mayor doing a couple things He is strongly considering a gubernatorial run We do know that we have a very popular incumbent I've also suggested to him and I I think it's a goal and I'd also like to see you do this, too I'd like to see you work in the White House. I'd like to see you work in administration. I would and You're one of our best so I Talked a little bit about Joan. Yeah Karen and CD Uh Three high-quality people three people have lived in Burlington for many many years who are well known. Sure. Um, I Let's talk. Okay. Let's do brass tacks on the caucus The caucus is and maybe we can is there any way we can type this in? Democratic caucus December 10th Edmunds school 1 30 p.m. I don't know see usually they oh 1 p.m. I'm sorry. I'll tell you when I when I did the show I didn't have such command over the entire the entire studio like you do Andrew well, I to talk a little bit about the car. I got a great crew. I got a great crew here They're amazing. They really are and I love coming down and talking about women talk about the caucus Let's do it man And maybe I could also talk about because we also not just the mayoral Elections coming up. We also have eight city council seats that are open Which the Democratic Party has been working hard on on recruiting candidates. So you guys let's let's okay Let's do that through one through eight. Let's talk about city council. I'm gonna start there. Yes, okay I've been told I don't have this official that counselor Azariah Hightower has decided not to run now everyone has told January 30th to get their petitions in So someone can change their mind if anyone watching this wants to run You can run you have till January 30th. If you want to be part of a party you have to get some signatures I think 30 years it is 50 for city council Well, the the petitions to get on the ballot are 30 signatures regardless of if you're an independent or if you're a member of A party or so you need 30 to run. That's right So in order to run as a as with a party designation, whether it be the progressive or the or the Democratic Party is very helpful Yes, there's advantages to it. Certainly. There is a deadline to You have to participate in the caucus and you have to win the caucus in order to get that party nomination now the deadline for Democratic candidates To inform the party that they want to be considered for nomination at the December 10th caucus is November 30th Okay, so by November 30th if someone wants to run to a little more than two weeks away Well, the two weeks from now if you want to run in the caucus You have to inform the party and if you go to our website BTV Dems org You can easily find all the instructions on how to do this and what the great news is that we we have okay Let's let's please say that again bt BTV Dems, okay BTV. Okay, excuse me Tv Dems org, okay, and you'll find all the information that you'll need if you want to participate in the caucus now in addition to mayor and city council We also have ward clerks and inspectors of election right that we also will be nominating Which we also we can be considered for those positions as well now just one thing before we go There has been some changes in the wards now for example for 20 plus years I was in ward two Because they were trying to move the students around and make it a more equitable block. I am now in ward three I will be running for inspector of elections So a lot of folks are in three are now in two a lot of folks in two are in three I think there was some leadage with eight and Three and then some in the south end is that correct? Yeah, there was so they're a redistricting process Requires that every ten years or so the city goes through And reworks the the lines of each ward so that you can fall into The acceptable number of people that live in each ward it has to do with proportional representation Oh, yes, and so there was some movement and I can see here on the screen the website and if you go We have a little rotating carousel that right there is the information that you'll need. Oh, thank you Thank you so much 2024 so that's helpful. Thank you for the the team to putting that up so quickly Now I want to just tell a story about the caucus 12 years ago It was at Memorial Auditorium it was packed and We had a kind of unknown candidate at that time Morrow Weinberger. I didn't meet him till the caucus I remember thinking who Morrow who and then we had state senator Tim Ash and It was in two good candidates to smart guys both both Kennedy School both both on the ball and It's unbelievable. We had two votes and they tied to the exact vote something like 820 to 820 and we counted again and it was 820 to 820 and It was shocking so we had to come back two weeks later and About two-thirds of the people came back and this is before virtual before zoom and Morrow was able to pull away, but It was a caucus with 1600 people and they tied at them so we see For example Bernie Sanders won his first race for mayor by 11 votes Now you've won close ones. You've lost close ones So it I know it's a cliche like nationally say every vote counts, but in Burlington. Yeah, every vote counts So this caucus will take place at one o'clock at Edmunds Now do people can people if they're registered to vote can they just do they have to sign up beforehand? Can we talk about that? Yeah, absolutely and so I'll talk a little bit about the registration process and also what the caucus will look like because This year like in years past we will be offering both an opportunity to participate and vote in person as well as Virtually, so we coming after the pandemic We found that this is a really effective way to improve access to the ballot And so we do want to have that virtual one of the good the only good things that came out of COVID was zoom one of the few One of the few certainly so the the caucus will kick off at 1 p.m. The in-person option is at at Edmunds Middle School And the we'll have a zoom Presentation as well. We'll also hopefully be streaming it here at town meeting TV as well on their YouTube their YouTube channel now Also, I remember There's always we usually try to have a little bit of a meal there Are we going to do that again try? Yeah, so we get some funding I'd like to get some food there I mean for the potential that there there there might be multiple votes like what was in 2012 So it could be you know Maybe not a long night, but it might be enough time where people might get a little bit hungry So at very least I'll have some snacks and refreshments there for everyone now There the parking is free and it's in the back of Edmunds because that's sometimes difficult Now we're also hoping to have a Translator doing sign. I hope we'll work on that We're also see what's interesting for the virtual for example if you have trouble getting around or you're feeling sick Or you've you got to take care of your kids or you're you got to be somewhere you can be Virtual and your vote counts just the same now for example 12 years ago You had to show so we see how technology is is helping the process So one o'clock at Edmunds on Now what days at December 10th, but what is a Sunday? That's a Sunday. It's a Sunday. I will be there We will have people checking you in it's going to be easy It's going to be fun and then what we will do is we will break into awards to work on council candidates on Specters of election that's right Adam are there in your opinion. It's early Are we gonna what are we gonna have for ballot items on the Brownington ballot? What do you think? It's too early to tell okay We're not sure yet Well, I think the time you know really now towards the end of the year into the new year that'll come more into focus and so Right now the main focus of the Burlington Democratic Party is putting on a an awesome caucus that's accessible and people are gonna be fun and fun And people are gonna have confidence in and then also recruiting candidates and making sure that we have From top to bottom from the mayor's office all the way down the ballot that we have great candidates So folks that want to step up and serve the community. I'll give you an example I am the inspector in Ward 2. I am now in Ward 3 The inspectors in Ward 3 are now in Ward 2. So we're like they're running for my job. I'm running for theirs That's right I do want to take a note because we did let's do it we did touch quickly on redistricting And so this is one thing that we have seen through the registration process that people reach out and say did I get Redistricted into a different and you might have into a different worry and you and you might have and so we did we do have on the Burlington Democratic website and the registration form that you need to fill out to participate in the caucus A place where you can look up you can punch in your address and it will tell you what Ward you're in now It's important to check now the party will also go through a process of checking So if someone we're gonna get a good map there, too We're gonna get a good map and so if someone identifies in Ward 3 and then we realize that they're in Ward 2 We're gonna let people know and that's now. Okay, you know, what's interesting for example North Willard Street, if you're on the odd side you're in 2 if you're on the even side you're in one Yep, you know now The words have to be within ten percent. They all have to have Ten they can't they can't be off by more than ten percent. Is that right basically? So that's why you have to we've had growth like a redstone. Sure. Yeah Yeah, and that's usually what causes a redistricting redistricting actually is a process that is a result of the US census And so after the US census happens in the community every community across the country gets that information back They have to go through a redistricting process And you get the draw the line somewhere and so yeah There are some examples where the yellow line in the middle of the road is the dividing line It's not easy which can be confusing But it's part of parties as well as government to help inform people about where to learn about What word they are in to make sure that they're going to the right polling location That they're participating in the caucus in the right Ward all of those sorts of things now One of the reasons that we we have to do redistricting by law But some of the reasons that were the changes was we've had a lot of housing under Mary Weinberger I think we've built over a thousand units of housing. Yeah, and we have a lot more to come I also see city place. I can see it's going up day by day So we finally got a good tenant there and mr. Farrell and mr. Ireland and So that's why there's redistricting now as I said I was in Ward 2 for 20 something years I'm over in Ward 3 now. So Adam. Let's talk about let's do counsel 1 through 8 and sure and let's break it down in Ward 1 we have Miss high tower who has said she's not running, but you know people can change their mind You know, she's a strong advocate for the prog she and So there'll be pressure from the liberals and progressives to have her run, but she has said she's not running So yeah, my understanding is that councilor high tower has decided not to run again I want to take a moment to thank thank her for her service We work together for a number of years on the city. It's about Rowlington. Yeah, very intelligent. I'm very passionate Yeah, and so my understanding is that that she is is not running and there has been a Candidate that stepped forward on the progressive side and we're currently working through there's a number of interested candidates in Ward 1 That we've been talking to and so we're pretty close We think to to having someone officially announced their their intent to run as a Democrat for Ward 1 Now as a passionate Democrat, I will tell you I've got to tell you the honest truth. I Admire the progressives how they work during town meeting They have their candidates out there six days a week and not just their candidate several people with them and You do that for six weeks, man. Sure. You're cooking with gas. I know well We've done it together for about a decade. I think here. Yeah, you and I you and I ran some good races. We lost it You know Adam Adam took one for the team when when he lost his race It was a tough time in the city. It was a tough time for morrow. He stood up for the mayor and You know, you did a profile in courage, man, and you took one for the team. How do you enjoy? Okay? You you were on the council. That's very much minutiae. How do you enjoy being chair? How do you enjoy all eight words talking to people all the way from North Avenue to Pine Street? You did it you seem to no, I enjoyed I mean, I think it was a good transition for me I sort of got to serve five years on the city council Right and then lost my election in 2020 right before the pandemic which actually ended up being a blessing in disguise for me because it Was a really difficult time for the council to to help the city navigate all of that would have loved to embed Involved with it But it was it was also a nice a nice break after five very long years on the city council taking over the Democratic Party It was like I said a good transition I've been doing a lot of election management across the city. Anyways before passion One of my one of the shared passions that we have But I do I do want to talk more about because we got toward one Okay, we'll go back, but I forgot I forgot to say one thing. Yeah Adam was elected unanimously To his third term as chair. Is that correct? That's right This guy is on the ball this guy cares this guy helps coordinates all the activities the lit drops the phone calls The advertising the the social media thought everyone's gonna laugh the honking waves How many times this guy's called me on a cold night said hey, we're gonna do a honking wave But those little things get you elected. Okay, so you're being too kind. I'm not no I'm a kind person and you say you showed up here. I called you a ten after five. Okay, so I'm gonna edit myself Andrew stay on the ball here one through eight Miss Hightower is not running The progs have a candidate in one we will have a very strong candidate. So that's Ward one Ward one Let's talk about Ward two. I assume that Jean Bergman is gonna run again for a long-time prog Well go on order Jean Bergman has been on the City Council now for his first full term We're like we have an eight Ward strategy So we're always looking to run in every single word the progressives have been very successful in Ward two for a very long Time but that doesn't mean that we're gonna give up on advocating for what we believe Is the best for for Burlington in that ward and we do have at least one person right now The second person on the on the ball on the edge right now who's thinking about about running in Ward two now Ward three much Like counselor Hightower counselor McGee has also indicated that he won't be that they won't be running again And so we want to also be competitive in Ward three We've got also a number of people who are very interested in that I better give a shout out to Joe McGee now He and I disagree on policy, but we worked pretty closely on Peter Welch's campaign He he's an outstanding guy with an unlimited future now I've what I've heard through the grapevine is that he will be Emma's campaign manager. Is that correct? I'm not sure I haven't been tracking now my personal opinion with Joe is I think what he is thinking is If Emma is successful that he would try to try for her legislative seat That's my personal belief Emma is a member of the general assembly And so if she did win usually the protocol is that you resign your seat Okay, so Joe is in three now three has had a radical change in its voting It's gonna have a lot more students. It's gonna be up or I am closer to like Pearl Street Willard Street So we got a shot there. Let's talk about Ward four. We're gonna go up to the new north end now What do we got up there? So in Ward four Councilor Carpenter has let us know that she'll be running again Excellent. Yep. And so in Ward seven across across the street in Ward seven Councilor Dang has has indicated that he won't be running again and there are candidates that are stepping forward Better think Ali is a good man. He cares about people and Just for anyone knows we've we're taking a little break here the council They meet but they also have hours and hours of work sometimes. So they're on the board of finance Sometimes they have constituent needs and their salary is five thousand dollars. So it's it's nothing There's a lot of work that comes to it. So Councilor Jang is not going to run again former mayoral candidate. Good guy cares about people Always watching out for people in the north end So do we have a candidate there or do not just can't quite name that person yet? Actually that that candidate has let me know that we can share their name publicly That's the two of them. There's Evan Evan Litwin as well as Lee Morgan. Oh good excellent And Lee is also indicated that that they'll be looking to earn the progressive nomination as well So that that race is starting to take shape up there and like I like I always make a point to do I want to thank Councilor Dang for his service on the city guy. Well, I got to work with him for a few years as Well, so he calls me the voting man Mr. Democrat to um You know the the new north end votes at the highest percentage and You know, they had leaders up there for many years like mr. Hartnett. Yeah, like mr. Wright and They they'll be a spirited campaign up there. Sure. There might even be an independent up there who's maybe maybe a little bit more conservative Okay, so let's see we did one two three four and seven. So we have five and six the south end Now is forget. Don't forget word eight. Oh, okay, of course. Oh my goodness, Hannah um is is miss Paul Gonna run for council again or is she she what's her situation? So as of right now Council President Paul is seeking the Democratic nomination for mayor Which does open up her her seat which he's long held in Ward 6 and there are a number of people who are interested in that seat as well And I think we're getting close to some public announcements That's for the council seats in Ward 6 that brings us to that brings us to Ben Ben Travers Council Travers. He's in Ward 5. I Expect it. He's going to be running again and he told me is running again. Yeah, he is running again I don't expect there to be any challenges But anyone could step up between now and then to run on the Democratic caucus and he might have someone in the March election Okay, so really really quickly Ward 1 Zariah is retiring. It's going to be a competitive race Ward 2 Gene Bergman is running again. We're hoping to find a good candidate Ward 3 Council McGee is not running. That's going to be a very competitive race Ward 4 Sarah Carboner is going to run and I believe that will be a very easy race for her Ward set Ward 7 Will be a competitive race Ward 5 will be competitive and then we have Ben Travers in 6 and I saved the last the Queen Miss Hannah King. I don't know if we have a picture of her counselor King. I Great friend Adam was her campaign manager and she out there. She is that's a great picture She is so worked so hard Ward 8 is almost exclusively students. So she has had to do a lot of work You know town and gown like you did more day Hannah probably will face a challenge Oh, there she is right outside the library and I I think she'll win. I'll be working hard in her campaign she's one of our bright young faces and a wonderful person working hard and cares about people and You know, she's not just your middle of the road Democrat She she brings a lot of progressive leanings and some of the new Parallels and and and stuff going on. So we have three minutes I'm just going to do my quick COVID rap COVID is not over Please get your shots if you have questions about COVID if you have questions about three squares If you have questions about health connect if you have questions, let's say you're having some troubles You're having some substance abuse. You're having depression. You need a helping hand Please call 2-1-1. That is the state number. We have two minutes left. I am gonna do a symbolic Taking off of the microphone and I'm gonna let you take it out You're a good brother. You got two minutes. I got two minutes. My goodness. Thank you Andrew For everything that you do and how many people have you registered to vote in your career? 1735 That's pretty Doing I don't have a mic on I'm doing a voter regent higher ground tonight for Miss Molly Tuttle a big bluegrass star So if you're watching at home and got nothing to do tonight go and hang out with Andrew at higher ground And bring some friends to register to vote but in the last minute and a half here I just want to again summarize what we've got going on for the Democratic caucus again The date is Sunday December 10th. The caucus will kick off at 1 p.m. The in-person Aspect we're gonna be what we're gonna be having both in-person and virtual voting We do have space constrictions at Edmunds We don't have a Memorial auditorium or a Burlington high school auditorium anymore And so I I do want to encourage people to use the virtual option if there's an accessibility Issue or any other special reason that you need to be in person by all means common will welcome you But we do have a space limitation. So just a note for folks at home might be good to use the virtual option There'll be ways to watch and participate virtually and we've got space for about 400 people in Edmunds Now we're gonna be nominating not just the mayoral candidates But also count council candidates across all eight wards as well as inspector of elections and ward clerks You can register to vote in the caucus online. That's BTV DEMS.org and you can go navigate to the registration page What you'll do is fill out that form We will then confirm your eligibility that you're a registered voter in Burlington You'll get additional information from us leading up until the caucus We already have over 300 people who have registered for the caucus and we're still weeks away I fully anticipate that will be well over a thousand in no time They can't hear me. What if someone doesn't use a computer? What if someone's you know older? What can they do sure? So if you if you don't have a computer or access to internet you can absolutely participate in person You we ask that you register beforehand But we will have same-day registration for those who want to vote in person to vote online your registration timeline Our deadline rather is the night prior December 9th So I think we're at time now. So I'll wrap up. I want to thank you Andrew and the entire team here at town meeting TV It's good to be back. We'll have to do this again sometime real soon and Andrew's pointing at me and waving Alright, thank you everyone at home. Have a good one