FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 8, 2015
Contact:  Mike Kanarick
                 802.735.7962

Mayor Miro Weinberger Statement in Response to Governor Peter Shumlin’s Announcement that He Will Not Seek Reelection

“Governor Shumlin led the state back from the devastation of Hurricane Irene and the economic damage of the great recession.  Vermont is enjoying a time of significant momentum and promise thanks in many ways to the Governor’s leadership.  The Governor has been a loyal friend to Vermont’s increasingly vibrant downtowns and to Lake Champlain and our state’s beautiful natural environment.  The Governor and the energetic and talented team he’s built have been a large part of Burlington’s progress over the last three years, and I am thankful we will have the opportunity to continue our work together for another 18 months.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 4, 2015
Contact:  Gillian Wildfire
                 802-540-0948
                 gwildfire@burlingtontelecom.com                                                     

BURLINGTON TELECOM RECEIVES HIGH MARKS IN CUSTOMER SURVEY,
PLEDGES CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT EFFORTS
85% BT customer satisfaction v. 40% competitor customer satisfaction,
BT increases speeds in response to customer requests in survey
 

BURLINGTON, VT: Burlington Telecom, Burlington’s only 100% fiber-optic network, received high marks in its recent Internet Service Provider (ISP) Customer Satisfaction Survey, a survey for all Burlington residents who pay for home Internet services. The results indicated that 85% of BT customers are satisfied with their Internet service, compared to competitors’ 40% customer satisfaction in Burlington.

"Our goal and our focus is 100% customer satisfaction," said BT’s General Manager Stephen Barraclough. "We are pleased with our efforts to serve customers, and we will continue to challenge ourselves to improve, with an ultimate goal of reaching 100% satisfaction."

According to the recently released 2015 American Consumer Satisfaction Index Telecommunications and Information Report, the average satisfaction for ISP customers is 63%, and this figure is at the bottom of customer satisfaction rankings for over 40 different industries including airlines and health insurance.

Other findings include:

• 87% customer satisfaction with BT’s Customer Service;
• 24% of customers chose BT’s services after being recommended by a friend or family member; and
• General impression of BT by non-BT customers saw a 10% “positive” increase over their 2014 impression.

BT customers also asked for improvements in the ISP Customer Satisfaction Survey, including faster Internet, lower prices, and improvement of technical issues. In response, BT has launched a promotion for new customers with increased Internet speeds at 150 Megabits for $55 a month and 1 Gigabit for as little as $70 a month. Current non-basic customers will see a transition to these Internet speeds over the next 12 months based on their current package. Additionally, BT is in the process of upgrading hardware across the city to ensure the best possible service.

The Burlington-wide survey was launched and completed in April 2015. It was distributed through Front Porch Forum, Facebook, Twitter, and to BT customer emails. A total of 474 ISP customers completed the statistically significant survey, with 366 BT customers and 108 competitors’ customers.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 21, 2015
Contact:  Mike Kanarick
                 802.735.7962

Mayor Miro Weinberger Statement about Sexual Assault Charge

“The sexual assault charge announced last night by the Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations is deeply troubling to me.  My heart goes out to the victim and her family.

In the wake of this terrible event and based on escalating concerns about the City’s taxi system, we must redouble our efforts to reform the system and enhance our enforcement efforts to protect the traveling public. 

Following focused discussions over the past two days, I have directed the following actions: 

• Effective immediately, Chief Michael Schirling will assign Burlington Police Department officers to enhance enforcement of the taxi ordinance for a period of at least 90 days, culminating with a report back to me with recommendations regarding permanent changes to the City’s taxi ordinance enforcement system.
• The Mayor’s budget for FY16, which will be formally submitted to the City Council in early June, will include $60,000 to enable the City to add to taxi enforcement staff if such a permanent enforcement increase is recommended in the Police Department report.
• As previously planned, the Mayor’s budget will include funds to create an additional Assistant City Attorney position in FY16 to increase the City’s capacity to respond rapidly to emerging legal and policy issues, including those surrounding the City’s taxi system.
   

These actions are intended to support and complement the previously planned transfer of the taxi licensing and oversight functions from the Burlington International Airport to City Hall on July 1, 2015.

We appreciate that Uber has cooperated with law enforcement throughout this investigation and provided information helpful to bringing the suspect to justice.  Ensuring that the public is as safe as possible at a time when the City’s taxi system is undergoing substantial review and new transportation technologies are emerging continues to be a priority for the Administration.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 14, 2015
Contact:  Mike Kanarick
                 802.735.7962

Mayor Miro Weinberger Appoints Beth Anderson as City’s First Chief Innovation Officer

Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger today announced the appointment of Beth Anderson as the City’s first-ever Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) to lead the newly-created Innovation & Technology Department.  As CIO, Anderson will be responsible for managing the City’s information technology (IT) operations, as well as coordinating data-driven innovation and using performance metrics to facilitate the City’s continuous improvement efforts.  The Mayor has asked the City Council to approve the appointment at its May 18, 2015 meeting. 

“The City of Burlington will be very fortunate to have a leader of Beth Anderson’s caliber serving as the City’s first Chief Innovation Officer,” said Mayor Weinberger.  “Beth’s service will improve the City’s IT capacities, save taxpayer dollars, and deliver better, data-driven public outcomes.”

Anderson has extensive experience in the areas of innovation, performance metrics, continuous improvement, and IT, as well as excellent communication and relationship-building skills, and an outstanding record of community service.  Anderson, a Burlington resident, joined Vermont Oxford Network (VON) four years ago as Director of Operations, a role that had not existed previously in the organization.  Anderson was tasked with working across the organization to help identify and develop the processes and infrastructure necessary to help position the organization to better serve its members and to support critical strategic growth.  Prior to her work at VON, Anderson served as the Director of Operations at the Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS), where she currently serves as a board member.  Before moving to Vermont, Anderson worked in the financial services industry in New York City.  Both in her past work experiences and through volunteerism, Anderson has demonstrated a deep and continuing commitment to public service, including through her work for the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, where she empowered others through business development and employment opportunities, and through her service as a volunteer with Girls on the Run, where Anderson helps grade school girls realize their potential, gain confidence, develop healthy habits, and have fun. 

“I am excited to be joining the City team and look forward to working with my new colleagues to help the City improve its IT functions and actively engage in a pattern of continuous improvement and innovation to better serve the people of Burlington,” said Anderson.  “I appreciate the Mayor’s confidence in my abilities and welcome the opportunity to serve the great City of Burlington.”

The CIO position, created through City Council resolution on December 1, 2014, will include the following responsibilities:

• Managing the operations of the City’s new Innovation & Technology Department, including supervising and managing IT staff and directing the development of a comprehensive IT vision for the City that supports the City’s people-oriented effort to continuously improve service provision and the quality of life in the City, as well as to identify ways to utilize technology to generate cost savings.
• Coordinating the development of a data-driven innovation strategy for the City, which includes:  leading the City’s efforts to collect, analyze, and disseminate data to the public and across City Departments; facilitating the institutionalization of data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement processes across the City; and promoting transparency through the use of accessible, open data.
• Leading the City’s efforts to establish, benchmark, and track progress on performance metrics across all City Departments with an emphasis on the City’s continuous performance improvement efforts to enhance the delivery of public outcomes, operational efficiencies, and customer service.
   

Please see attached documents, including:

• Memorandum from Mayor Miro Weinberger to City Councilors dated May 14, 2015 requesting approval of appointment of Beth Anderson as Chief Innovation Officer; and
• Curriculum vitae of Beth Anderson.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 1, 2015
Contact:  Mike Kanarick
                  802.735.7962

Mayor Miro Weinberger Statement on Signing of S.141

“I welcome the news that S.141 has become law.  Burlington voters and GunSense Vermont deserve credit for leading this effort to keep guns out of the hands of convicted felons and individuals who may not be able to safely handle them.  S.141 is a step in the right direction.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 30, 2015
Contact:  Mike Kanarick
                  802.735.7962

Mayor Miro Weinberger Encourages Community Participation in Green Up Day Efforts

Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger today encouraged community participation in the City of Burlington’s Green Up Day efforts on Saturday, May 2. This year marks the state’s 45^th annual Green Up Day, during which Vermonters collect litter and debris left behind by the spring snow melts.

“This year and every year, Green Up Day is a great example of how our community rolls up its sleeves and joins together to do important work to keep our City vibrant and clean,” said Mayor Weinberger. 

To participate, City residents and other Burlington community members can pick up collection bags and other clean up supplies on Saturday, May 2 between 8:00 am – 12:00 pm at the following Green Up Day hubs:

• Sustainability Academy – 123 North Street
• Robert E. Miller Community Center – 130 Gosse Court
• Burlington Subaru – 351 Shelburne Road
• Salmon Hole Park – Riverside Avenue before the Winooski Bridge
   

Bags are also available on Thursday, April 30 and Friday, May 1 during regular business hours at the following locations around the City:

• Sustainability Academy – 123 North Street
• Robert E. Miller Community Center – 130 Gosse Court
• Burlington Subaru – 351 Shelburne Road
• Department of Public Works – 645 Pine Street
• ReSOURCE Center – 266 Pine Street
• Burlington City Hall, CEDO Office – 149 Church Street, third floor
   

On Green Up Day, the Departments of Public Works and Parks, Recreation & Waterfront will have trucks circling the City’s major thoroughfares, picking up full, tied bags of collected trash throughout the day. All trash should be collected in the provided Green Up Day trash bags. Scrap metal and tires should be kept separate, not in bags, and placed in a pile at the same drop-off sites; this material will be collected and recycled.

Mayor Weinberger thanks Burlington's Green Up Day partners, including the Chittenden Solid Waste District, Myers Container Service Corp., and Burlington Subaru, as well as the hundreds of volunteers who come out every year to make Burlington's streets and parks clean and green. 

Mayor Weinberger will participate in a pre-Green Up Day effort on Friday, May 1 at 3:30 pm at the Intervale parking area across from the Tommy Thompson Community Garden. The Mayor will be joined by a team of nine Army National Guard members and Reserves from all over the East Coast, currently participating in an advanced leadership program based at Camp Johnson in Colchester. Members of the City AmeriCorps program have been invited to participate.

In addition to Saturday’s Green Up Day event, community members are welcome to join the Mayor at the Intervale on Friday.

Please see the City website for more information about this year’s Green Up Day efforts.

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For immediate release
April 29, 2015

Contact:               Neale Lunderville
                              802.865.7415

BED Celebrates 110^th Birthday with National Award

“ACE” Award Recognizes Burlington’s Commitment to Efficiency and Renewables

Burlington, VT – One hundred and ten years ago today, amid fanfare and fireworks, the Queen City was illuminated with the first lights of its new municipal utility: the Burlington Electric Department (BED) was born. The utility was given the charge to provide its customers with the “brightest light, cheapest light, and cleanest light” possible. In 1905, that meant generating 100% of its electricity from a coal-fired power plant on the shores of Lake Champlain. Today, 110 years later, BED still burns bright, affordable, and clean, but now as one of the first cities in the nation to source 100% of its power from renewable generation.

BED is celebrating its 110^th birthday with the announcement of winning the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) prestigious 2015 Award of Continued Excellence (ACE). The ACE is given by APPA’s Demonstration of Energy & Efficiency Developments (DEED) Program and is awarded to only one of nearly 900 DEED member utilities. ACE is awarded to the public power utility that has demonstrated continued commitment to the DEED program and its ideals: commitment to energy efficiency, use of renewable resources, support of public power, and support of research, development, and demonstration projects.

“BED is one hundred and ten years young and shows no signs of slowing down,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “This award showcases BED’s forward-thinking commitment and recognizes the incredible efforts we’ve made as a community to become more energy efficient and renewable.  We are very fortunate in Burlington to have such a hard-working BED team. I thank them, and their colleagues who came before them, for their collective efforts that have fueled BED for more than a century and led to this impressive award.”

In 2014, BED made national news as one of the nation’s first cities to source 100% of its electricity from renewable generation, including wind, solar, biomass and hydro, a good portion of which is produced inside city limits.

“Even as a supercentenarian, we are continuing to serve our customers with safe, reliable, renewable power at a cost they can afford,” said Neale Lunderville, BED’s General Manager. “We are deeply honored to accept the 2015 Award of Continued Excellence from APPA. This award is the culmination of decades of hard work by BED employees and our Electric Commission. We are grateful for their far-sighted vision and dedicated service to our community.”

“APPA is proud of the DEED program,” said APPA Senior Vice President of Engineering Services Mike Hyland. “But DEED wouldn’t be as successful as it is without committed members like BED. BED serves as a shining example of what it means to be an innovative utility that is committed to renewable and efficient energy."

Tom Buckley, BED’s Manager of Customer and Energy Services and architect of BED’s award-winning efficiency program, will accept the award at an APPA conference in May. “Through BED’s efficiency efforts dating back to the late 1980s, Burlington uses less electricity today than we did in 1989 – an impressive feat,” said Buckley.

Buckley noted that BED has received four DEED grants for projects related to energy efficiency. The most recent DEED grant was in 2014 for BED to test the impact of in-home energy information devices empowered by the smart grid. This project is now underway in collaboration with UVM.

Buckley also noted that BED has also been the two-time recipient of APPA’s Energy Innovator Award: in 1992 for its “Neighbor$ave” program and in 2002 for its “SafeTorch” program.

BED was one of 11 utilities nationwide who were on hand for the original organizational meeting of the APPA in 1940. Since that time, BED has established a continuous record of support for public power as a critical piece of America’s energy infrastructure. BED plans to continue its tradition of publicly driven innovation as we move further into the 21st century.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 28, 2015
Contact:  Mike Kanarick
                 802.735.7962

American Airlines Adding New, Non-Stop Flight from BTV to Charlotte

Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger and Aviation Director Gene Richards, joined by Secretary of Vermont Agency of Transportation Sue Minter, and other airport officials and stakeholders, today welcomed the news that American Airlines will be adding new, non-stop air service from Burlington International Airport (BTV) to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).  The new service between BTV and CLT will launch on Aug. 18, 2015, and flights became available for purchase this past Saturday.  The Charlotte flight will be operated with an American Airlines 80-seat Embraer E-175 aircraft, featuring First Class and Main Cabin seating, as well as in-flight Wi-Fi service.    

“Today’s announcement marks another important step in the right direction for the Burlington International Airport and the region’s economy,” said Mayor Weinberger.  “Burlington, our neighbors, and people all over Vermont are fortunate to have this added opportunity to more easily reach their business or personal travel destinations.  We thank American Airlines for its confidence in Burlington and welcome its Burlington to Charlotte service to our Airport.  I appreciate all that Aviation Director Gene Richards and the Airport team have accomplished over the past three years.”

“We are delighted to announce this new service and confident it will provide Vermonters and our Canadian friends with more travel opportunities and connectivity around the world,” said Aviation Director Richards.  “The BTV team has been working hard to further develop air service, and we are one hub closer to where we want to be.  I strongly encourage our community to use this new service, as well as the others provided at BTV, so we can ensure our ability to retain and grow the exceptional level of air service to which we’re accustomed.”

“VTrans is pleased to be a partner with Burlington International Airport in its expansion of services to new regional transportation hubs,” said Secretary Minter.  “We congratulate the Airport on this success.  Transportation investments that help expand the diversity of travel destinations will increase travel and business options for Vermonters and support regional economic growth.”

Republic Airlines will operate the new, daily service from Burlington to Charlotte, under the US Airways Express brand.  The new flight complements existing flights from BTV to both Philadelphia (PHL) and Washington, DC (DCA).  The first flight on this new route is scheduled to arrive in Burlington at 10:55 p.m. on Aug. 18, 2015, and the first flight on this route leaving Burlington for Charlotte is scheduled to depart at 8:05 a.m. on Aug. 19, 2015. 

Customers flying to Charlotte will have access to convenient connecting opportunities; Charlotte is one of the country’s major hubs and American Airlines’ second largest hub behind Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).  Charlotte is ranked eighth nationwide in passenger traffic according to the Airports Council International (ACI) rankings.  American Airlines is one of the world's largest airlines. American Airlines and US Airways, together with regional partners, operating as American Eagle and US Airways Express, operate an average of nearly 6,700 flights per day to nearly 350 destinations in more than 50 countries.

The addition of the BTV to CLT non-stop flight was welcomed by Tom Torti, President and CEO of the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce, who said:  “The Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce is very pleased with the addition of this non-stop service from Burlington to Charlotte.  Under the Mayor’s and Gene’s leadership, Burlington has made great progress at the Airport to vastly improve the customer experience, to reach out to additional carriers, and to add new routes.  The Airport is a key economic development driver for the region and the state, and the addition of the Charlotte flight opens the door for increased economic opportunity.”

“Today’s announcement celebrates another milestone for our community and our ability to attract business, commerce, and tourism to Burlington, the region, and the State,” said Ward 6 City Councilor Karen Paul, Co-Chair of the Burlington City Council Airport Strategic Planning Committee.  “I am happy to join the Mayor, a former Airport Commissioner and strong BTV supporter, to congratulate Gene and his entire team.  Convincing an airline to establish new jet service to Burlington is no small feat; rather, it is the result of much hard work over many months, requiring a can-do attitude and perseverance, two of Gene’s and his team’s best qualities.  People from near and far rave about their experience at BTV.  Today is another banner day for our amazing Airport.”

Also attending the event were:  Guy Rouelle, Aeronautics Administrator, Vermont Agency of Transportation; Kevin Dorn, South Burlington City Manager; Pat Nowak, South Burlington City Councilor; Jeff Munger, BTV Commission Chair; Nicolas Longo, BTV Director of Planning and Development; and Erin Knapp, BTV Marketing Assistant.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 16, 2015
Contact:  Mike Kanarick
                 802.735.7962

Vermont Mayors Coalition Calls on Senate to Pass Meaningful Education Reform Legislation
Urges Cost Containment, More Rational Governance Structure

Montpelier, VT – The Vermont Mayors Coalition (VMC) today called on the Senate to pass meaningful education reform legislation this year to address the inequities and inefficiencies in Vermont’s education system that are creating unequal opportunities for Vermont students, driving up property taxes, and making Vermont’s education system difficult to administer.  Mayors Bill Benton (Vergennes), John Hollar (Montpelier), Thom Lauzon (Barre), and Miro Weinberger (Burlington), who participated in a news conference in the State Capitol’s Cedar Creek Room on behalf of Vermont’s eight mayors, urged passage of legislation that sets forth specific and meaningful cost containment and a more rational governance structure.

“The Vermont Mayors Coalition applauds the House for responding to the voters and passing a good bill that will increase educational opportunity for our children and make our school system better, more affordable, and governable,” said Vermont’s eight mayors in a joint statement.  “For the last two years, the Vermont Mayors Coalition has been part of a large chorus of Vermonters calling for a bill like H.361.  We appreciate the focus the Senate has been giving this important issue and respectfully call on the Senate to pass strong education reform legislation during this session.”

“Virtually no Vermonters understand our state’s complex education finance system,” said Montpelier Mayor Hollar.  “That complexity has made it impossible for average Vermonters to understand why property taxes are rising much faster than inflation.”

“Moving from today’s incredibly complex governance structure to a system of pre-K to 12^th grade districts will be a game-changer that is good for Vermont’s children, educators, and taxpayers,” said Burlington Mayor Weinberger.  “Giving citizen boards the ability to oversee an entire pre-K to 12^th grade district will lead to expanded learning opportunities and wiser use of public dollars.” 

“Our hundreds of school districts are not able to meet the needs of a diverse student population at a time when we need to prepare them for the complex challenges of today’s workforce,” said Barre Mayor Thom Lauzon.  “We need governance systems that can respond to the needs of all students. In too many parts of the state, those simply don’t exist.” 

Vermont currently has 13 different education governance structures.  On average, school districts serve only 300 students.

“As mayor of a community of 2,500 people, I am confident that this bill will be good for students and educators in Vermont’s smaller cities and towns,” said Vergennes Mayor Benton.  “Some small schools are only sustainable in the context of a larger school district.”

On January 13, 2015, the VMC announced its 2015 legislative session goals and its commitment to collaborate on and advocate for these areas of common interest to their cities and towns.  The VMC’s Legislative Policy Summary for the 2015 legislative session, released that day included a call for education funding reform, stating:

“The Coalition urges the Legislature to adopt education reform legislation based on the following principles:

• Specific and meaningful cost containment.  A variety of proposals have been suggested, including a cap on per pupil spending coupled with a local surcharge for spending that exceeds that amount.  Rather than advocate for a specific approach, the Coalition urges the Legislature to take action to restrain school spending. 
• A more rational governance structure.  There are more than 300 school districts and supervisory unions in Vermont.  As student populations have declined statewide, the large number of districts has made it impossible for many districts to adapt and operate in an efficient manner.  Many small districts also do not have the resources to meet the needs of our diverse student population.  The Coalition encourages the Legislature to reduce the number of school districts.”
   

The Vermont Mayors Coalition was created in 2013 by Vermont’s eight mayors and includes: 

• Bill Benton, Vergennes;
• Liz Gamache, St. Albans;
• John Hollar, Montpelier;
• Thom Lauzon, Barre;
• Seth Leonard, Winooski;
• Chris Louras, Rutland;
• Paul Monette, Newport; and
• Miro Weinberger, Burlington.

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Beginning Wednesday April 15, 2015 through Friday, May 8, 2015 all Entrance Maintenance Lights will be flashing in order to alert you that the City of Burlington will be sweeping soon!

Please watch for the lights to be on in your area.  When the lights are on the cars are gone from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
Any Questions please call 863-9094 between 7:00 am to 4:30 pm, 658-7669 

Streets will be swept on the following dates:

ZONE A - New North End (East- Side) – Wednesday April 29, 2015

ZONE B - New North End (West-Side) – Thursday April 30, 2015

ZONE F - Downtown – Sunday May 3, 2015

ZONE G - Old North End – Monday May 4, 2015

ZONE D - Hill Section – Tuesday May 5, 2015

ZONE E - University Area – Wednesday May 6, 2015

ZONE C - South End – Thursday May 7, 2015

Sweeping will begin at 10:00 p.m. and last until 7:00 a.m.

Please remove any vehicles from the streets on your night!

Your cooperation will make the operation of sweeping the streets go faster and smoother!!!! Any questions please call 863-9094, 658-7669