Mayor Weinberger Announces New Police Chief Position Posting and Releases Public Engagement Report  

Robust Public Engagement Process Informed Ideal Candidate Profile 

Burlington, VT – Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger announced a position posting for Burlington’s next Police Chief Position. In May 2021, Mayor Weinberger announced the Administration would resume the Police Chief search and began the process with a robust public engagement effort to seek community feedback on policing in Burlington, qualifications our community would like to see in the next Police Chief, and the important priorities for our next Police Chief.  

“After hearing from hundreds of Burlingtonians in recent months, it is clear that the community is looking for the next Chief of Police to maintain the high level of public safety we have long-enjoyed while forging a new consensus on the future of policing here and advancing important structural and cultural reforms,” said Mayor Weinberger. “I want to thank the many people who participated in this process and helped create a strong foundation for our effort to find the right next leader of the Burlington Police Department.” 

The public engagement process included a survey, which was available in eight languages and received over 588 responses. Mayor Weinberger and City Councilors and Police Commission members who are serving on the Search Committee held listening sessions with the following groups: LBGTQ+ community, business community, youth, parents and educators, Black community leaders & activists, Police Department staff, and the Burlington Police Officers Association. Feedback from this community process informed the Ideal Candidate Profile developed by the Mayor’s Office, which accompanies the position posting. 

 The Mayor anticipates commencing candidate interviews within a month and hopes to announce an appointee this fall following a rigorous vetting process. 

The Burlington Police Chief position posting and Burlington Police Chief Search Public Engagement Report are available here.  

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Mayor Weinberger Statement Following Release of 2020 Census Population Data 

Burlington, VT – Preliminary findings from the 2020 Census, by the City of Burlington’s analytics team, show the City has experienced a more than 5% population gain since 2010, from 42,417 to 44,743, making this the first census since 1960 which documented two consecutive decades of population growth.  More than 1,500 new homes were built in Burlington after 2010. Mayor Weinberger made the following statement:  

“This long-awaited census data affirms that the aggressive housing agenda pursued by my Administration has begun to create much-needed, new, non-student housing opportunities. The growth in neighboring municipalities shows us there is even more progress to be made in breaking down zoning barriers that are holding the city back and driving up housing costs. And, by building more homes and businesses with a clear commitment to both equity and achieving Net Zero, we can ensure that before the next Census -- Burlington is an even stronger, greener, more just, and prosperous community.” 

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Mayor Weinberger Statement Regarding Burlington City Council Resolution to Raise the Officer Cap 

Burlington, VT - Tonight, the Burlington City Council will be considering a resolution to restore 8 sworn officer positions at the Burlington Police Department, bringing the office cap from 74 to 82 as recommended unanimously by the Burlington Police Commission last Monday. Mayor Weinberger released the following statement prior the start of the Council’s deliberation: 

“In just over a year we have lost nearly 20 of our police officers, and today, we face the very real possibility of losing an equal amount or more in the weeks and months to come,  according to a recent survey completed by the BPOA which revealed that more than 50% of our remaining officers are actively seeking new employment. If that happens, we will cease to have a functional police department in the City of Burlington. 

“Furthermore, the fact that we are reckoning with the consequences of a badly diminished City department at the same time Burlingtonians are feeling the first dollar impacts the reappraisal – is an unwelcome irony not lost on voters.  

“Public safety is the top responsibility of City Government, and we are approaching the point where we can no longer fulfill it.  A Council vote to support tonight’s resolution would not fix this grave situation, but it would send the message to the public and our officers that public safety and maintaining a viable department remain a goals of this Council.  

“While this resolution does not finish our work, it does represent an important start, and delaying this action for further analysis will only make our major challenges even harder.  

“Our City has a long and proud record of early adoption  of transformational police reforms, such as severing our ties to the military, adopting a harm reduction approach to the Opioid Crisis, mandating the use of body cameras, and significantly reducing officer-initiated stops, and, we have much more work to do. 

“A vote against this resolution will seriously jeopardize the legacy of those reforms, our ability to make further advancements, and possibly, even the very viability of the Burlington Police Department.” 

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Mayor Weinberger Statement on New Covid Interventions 

Chittenden County has reached the CDC’s threshold for high transmission, and hospitalizations in the state have increased statewide to 12 with 8 people in the ICU, up from 3 just three days ago.  

Mayor Miro Weinberger made the following statement:  

“The Covid-vaccines are spectacularly effective at preventing serious illness, and by embracing them at an outstanding country-leading rate, Vermonter’s have made this region far safer than it was just a few short months ago.  Nonetheless, the material increase in Covid-related hospitalizations in recent days has made it clear that, despite our very high rate of vaccinations, the contagiousness of the Delta-variant means we cannot yet fully return to our pre-pandemic routines. I am recommending that Burlingtonians and visitors wear masks in public indoor spaces regardless of their vaccination status until Chittenden County returns to a moderate risk of transmission per the CDC.  

“Further, to bring this pandemic to an end, all organizations must do what they can with the tools they have to bring our vaccination rates as high as possible.  I have met twice with the City’s union leaders, presented them with a draft Vaccination Policy, and intend to finalize, in the coming days, a policy that will require City staff to either be fully vaccinated by the end of September or submit to regular Covid testing. 

“Further, I convened a special, urgent meeting of  Burlington’s Senior Care Providers yesterday to discuss my deep concern that not all workers in these vulnerable facilities are vaccinated. While, in this area too, Vermont facilities are doing better than many others around the country, even a single unvaccinated employee can create serious risks for elderly residents. We have lost too many older Vermonters in this pandemic already, and I am gravely concerned about unvaccinated care providers working in our nursing homes. In the coming days, I will continue to work with senior care providers and regulators to see that this issue is quickly resolved.” 

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Mayor Weinberger Statement on New Covid Interventions 

Chittenden County has reached the CDC’s threshold for high transmission, and hospitalizations in the state have increased statewide to 12 with 8 people in the ICU, up from 3 just three days ago.  

Mayor Miro Weinberger made the following statement:  

“The Covid-vaccines are spectacularly effective at preventing serious illness, and by embracing them at an outstanding country-leading rate, Vermonter’s have made this region far safer than it was just a few short months ago.  Nonetheless, the material increase in Covid-related hospitalizations in recent days has made it clear that, despite our very high rate of vaccinations, the contagiousness of the Delta-variant means we cannot yet fully return to our pre-pandemic routines. I am recommending that Burlingtonians and visitors wear masks in public indoor spaces regardless of their vaccination status until Chittenden County returns to a moderate risk of transmission per the CDC.  

“Further, to bring this pandemic to an end, all organizations must do what they can with the tools they have to bring our vaccination rates as high as possible.  I have met twice with the City’s union leaders, presented them with a draft Vaccination Policy, and intend to finalize, in the coming days, a policy that will require City staff to either be fully vaccinated by the end of September or submit to regular Covid testing. 

“Further, I convened a special, urgent meeting of  Burlington’s Senior Care Providers yesterday to discuss my deep concern that not all workers in these vulnerable facilities are vaccinated. While, in this area too, Vermont facilities are doing better than many others around the country, even a single unvaccinated employee can create serious risks for elderly residents. We have lost too many older Vermonters in this pandemic already, and I am gravely concerned about unvaccinated care providers working in our nursing homes. In the coming days, I will continue to work with senior care providers and regulators to see that this issue is quickly resolved.” 

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Mayor Weinberger Announces Deployment of New, Third Ambulance 

Burlington Fire Department Placing into Service Additional Medical Capacity, the new Ambulance will be housed at Station 4 on North Ave  

Burlington, VT – Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger joined Burlington Fire Chief Steven Locke and other local leaders to announce the City has placed into service additional ambulance capacity. The City's third ambulance will be housed at Station 4 on North Ave in Burlington, and will be staffed by a team of two firefighters each day. The City estimates the new ambulance will be deployed to over 1,300 calls for assistance a year.  

“This is a very exciting day for our Fire Department and the whole City team who have been working toward the deployment of this essential new resource. We heard from the community and from our dedicated Firefighters that it was time to expand our medical fleet once again, and I am pleased that with the support of voters we are able to deliver a third ambulance.”  

“Because of ongoing housing development across the City, our aging population, and an increased reliance on prehospital emergency services, we have seen calls increase steadily year over year,” said Chief Locke. “By placing this additional ambulance capacity into service we will ensure that our firefighters can continue to deliver the quick response times and quality care that our neighbors expect and deserve.” 

Total call volume at the fire department has increased steadily over the last decade, from below 7,000 calls a year in 2011 to over 8,000 a year in 2019, and is projected to approach 10,000 calls a year by 2024. In 2018, the fire department relied on mutual aid ambulances to respond to more than 500 emergencies. This heavy reliance on outside agencies burdens the entire County Emergency Medical Services system. Additionally, the when an ambulance is needed from a neighboring community, the time to get the patient to the hospital is lengthened. The addition of the third ambulance will drastically decrease Burlington’s reliance on mutual aid ambulances.  

When the City last ratified a new a contract with Burlington Firefighters Association, it agreed to take a proposal to increase the public safety tax to support an additional ambulance to voters on the March 2020 ballot. Burlingtonians overwhelmingly approved the measure, with 78% voting in favor of the increased tax. 

Ward 4 Burlington City Councilor Sarah Carpenter said, “We have long needed a third ambulance crew in Burlington. I thank the voters for supporting this and am so pleased that we are now able to fully deploy it and enhance the safety of our New North End Residents." 

Ward 7 City Councilor Ali Dieng said, “As a neighborhood, this fully staffed ambulance will provide much needed and timely ambulance services for our schools, seniors home residential care facilities, athletic fields and much more. When it comes to public safety response, every second counts. All the residents of the Neighborhood and beyond will continue to receive higher quality services from the Burlington Fire Department, but now in a rapid and speedy manner whenever it’s needed. I want to thank both Miro Weinberger, Chief Locke and others for their diligence and hard work making this need a reality.” 

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Mayor Weinberger Announces Daniel Richardson as Burlington City Attorney 

Richardson’s Appointment to be Before the City Council for Approval August 9 

Burlington, VT – Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger announced Daniel Richardson as Burlington’s next City Attorney. Richardson brings nearly two decades of legal experience to the City, most recently as Partner at Tarrant Gillies, Richardson & Shems and as an Adjunct Professor at Vermont Law School where he created the school’s first municipal law course. 

“Dan’s wealth of experience makes him the clear best candidate for the critical position of City Attorney,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “His knowledge of municipal law, skills in litigation and mediation, professional integrity and superior work ethic will make him an outstanding leader in the City Attorney’s office. I am pleased to welcome him to the City team and know that Burlingtonians will benefit from his work.”   

“I am immensely grateful to Mayor Weinberger for this opportunity to serve the people of Burlington,” said Richardson. “My career began at the Chittenden Superior Courthouse, and it is an honor to return to the City that shaped me into the lawyer I have become.  I look forward to working with the Mayor, the Council and City Staff to provide legal counsel and advocacy on Burlington’s behalf.” 

Background 

Richardson graduated from Vermont Law School in 2003 with a Juris Doctor (JD), where he was also Editor-in-Chief of the Vermont Law Review.  He clerked for the Honorable Matthew Katz and Honorable Richard Norton in Chittenden Superior Court. Richardson began as an Associate at the firm currently known as Tarrant, Gillies, Richardson & Shems in 2005, becoming a Partner in 2009. There he practiced Civil Litigation, municipal, land use, Act 250, zoning, energy law, and real estate law, representing over 20 municipalities across Vermont.  

Richardson has also held many service positions for the Vermont Superior Court since 2003. He served as Acting Judge of Washington County Small Claims Court from 2011 to Present. Richardson has served in various leadership positions for both the Vermont Bar Association and the Vermont Bar Foundation. He served as the Association President from 2014 to 2015 and the Foundation President from 2016 to 2017. More information about Richardson’s education, professional experience and service can be found in his attached resume. 

Richardson lives in Montpelier with his spouse Britt, their children Emery and Vaughn and family cat Enrique.   

Next Steps 

Mayor Weinberger will bring Richardson’s appointment before the City Council on August 9. If approved, Richardson would begin work in early September. Richardson currently serves as a Montpelier Ward 3 City Councilor and plans to resign upon approval of his appointment. Richardson succeeds former City Attorney Eileen Blackwood who left the position in June after 9 years of service to the City.  

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Mayor Miro Weinberger Statement on Settlement with Opioid Distributers  

Burlington, VT – Yesterday, Attorney General Donovan announced a settlement agreement with three distributors of opioids sued last year by his office – Cardinal, McKesson, and AmerisourceBerge – and Johnson & Johnson. Mayor Miro Weinberger made the following statement regarding the settlement:   

“While we will need to complete a detailed review before formally deciding to join this national settlement, I am encouraged by both the $23 billion size of the agreement, and the sense of urgency driving this week’s announcements. The tragic epidemic of drug overdoses, initially fueled by greed and health policy errors, continues to take the lives of far too many of our loved ones.

“In the wake of the pandemic, we are redoubling our regional efforts to expand access to treatment, break down barriers to long-term treatment, and support successful recovery for people suffering from opioid use disorder.  These efforts will get a major boost if these settlement resources are allocated to existing collaborative local efforts that center the needs and voices of the people harmed by opioids.” 

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Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Announces Nyla Ruiz and Marielle Matthews as the Public Health arm of the Department

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 22, 2021

Contact: Tyeastia Green

                802-503-2513

Burlington, VT – Director Tyeastia Green today announced the addition of two public health professionals in the Department of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (REIB), Nyla Ruiz, the city’s first Public Health and Engagement Manager, and Marielle Matthews, the city’s first Public Health Equity Manager.

“This is exciting as we embark on the work of Racism as a Public Health Emergency, and focusing on social determinants of health,” said Director Green. “The REIB office as a whole will focus on five racial equity domains; economy, education, health, housing, and justice. The addition of Nyla and Marielle will increase our impact city-wide.”

Mayor Miro Weinberger added, “Structural racism has shaped the systems of our nation and community for far too long. Here in Burlington, we have shown through the pandemic that by sharing a vision, and by focusing on data and collaboration, we can forge remarkable progress on even our toughest challenges. With the addition of these two, skilled members of the City team, we will grow our capacity to lead collective, regional action to eliminate stark disparities in health outcomes.”

Nyla Ruiz is a recent graduate from the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill where she earned a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Health Equity, Social Justice, and Human Rights.

Ruiz previously worked as a research assistant at East Carolina University in the Department of Health Promotion and Education, where she assisted in two research projects: (1) identifying barriers to health, specific to Eastern North Carolina and (2) identifying determinants of racial/ethnic disparities in relation to severe maternal morbidity. Additionally, she worked collaboratively with the Orange County Health Department in North Carolina to develop deliverables to advance racial equity within the department.

 Ruiz also brings management experience from her time at UNC Chapel Hill, where the scope of her work included managing program planning processes, program assessment and evaluation, data visualization, and communicating with necessary stakeholders and partners.

Ruiz is enthusiastically looking forward to her new role at the City of Burlington, “I've always been passionate about improving the health of Black and Brown people. I appreciate the current space the country is in right now regarding addressing racism in all forms. In order to create change, we have to acknowledge the country's history, how that history has shaped, and continues to shape our current landscape, and work collaboratively with historically excluded and marginalized groups to imagine and create a more equitable system."

Currently residing in North Carolina, coming to Burlington is a big change, but a welcomed one. “I will be new to Burlington--and Vermont more broadly, but I am really excited about this new experience! I'm looking forward to learning about and engaging with Burlington's BIPOC community. Additionally, I'm looking forward to working with my new team in the REIB office, as well as forming relationships with key collaborators in the city to advance racial equity for Black and Brown folks."

Marielle Matthews began working for the city February 2, 2021 in the Innovation and Technology department, as the Public Health Equity Manager. She moved over to the REIB office July 1, 2021. "I'm very fortunate to have this position shift into the Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (REIB) Office, a department that is squarely focused on anti-racist work. The work of the REIB intertwines with every social determinant of health – it is public health work," said Matthews.

Marielle holds a Master’s in Public Health from UNC Chapel Hill. She is a public health professional who is passionate about health equity, substance use prevention, food systems, and environmental health. “Undoing the effects of racism from a public health lens is my passion; it’s what I’ve focused my professional and personal life on,” said Matthews. She comes to this role with a wealth of knowledge that will greatly impact Racism as a Public Health Emergency.

Marielle previously worked as a Senior Project Director for Counter Tools in North Carolina. There she managed a team of three directors, lead multi-state projects focusing on substance use in military populations, cultivated relationships with public health prevention leaders across the country, and managed statewide tobacco control projects with state departments of health in Maryland, Massachusetts, Virginia, Indiana, and Rhode Island. Marielle also worked on projects related to alcohol, cannabis, and healthy food environments.

 “I’m excited and humbled by this opportunity to work with Burlington communities and the City government to advance public health equity. Public health as an institution has to turn its eye inward for ways that it has created and exacerbated racial health disparities, and this position provides the opportunity to facilitate that conversation. As a white woman, I am conscious of my role in both that exacerbation and obligation in dismantling harmful structures. I'm eager to learn from this community and grow together."

Marielle is also a data steward, well versed in qualitative and quantitative research methods, focuses on data collection methods, creating data displays, building coalitions, and teaching place-based public health approaches to complicated health issues such as diet, exercise, and substance use.    

Marielle Matthews' resume is available here. 

Nyla Ruiz's resume is available here. 

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Marielle Matthews

Nyla Ruiz

Mayor Miro Weinberger Statement on University of Vermont Vaccine Requirement 

Burlington, VT – Mayor Weinberger issued the following statement regarding the UVM Board of Trustees Executive Committee’s unanimous endorsement of the University’s decision to require Covid-19 vaccinations for students: 

“I welcome the announcement that UVM will require all students to be vaccinated to attend classes this fall. Covid vaccines have proven themselves to be extraordinarily safe and effective, including against known variants such as the more transmissible Delta variant, and having the entire student body inoculated will help keep community infection rates at very low levels this upcoming fall and winter. I continue to strongly urge all other unvaccinated Vermonters to protect themselves and the community by getting a shot as soon as possible." 

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