Press Release: Progressive Party Statement on Burlington City Committee Reorganization

On Sunday evening, as part of the biannual reorganization process required of all Vermont major parties, over fifty Burlington Progressives gathered at the Integrated Arts Academy to elect a new City Committee and Steering Committee to lead the Burlington Progressive Party for the next two years.  In addition to the necessary committee work, those gathered heard rousing speeches from State Auditor Doug Hoffer, activist Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Ben & Jerry’s Chris Miller, Progressive City Councilors, Legislators, and more.

Kyle Silliman-Smith was elected City Chair, Ali Zipparo was elected City Vice Chair, Adam Norton was elected City Secretary, Wendy Coe was elected City Treasurer, and Connie Krosney was elected City Asst. Treasurer.  The following people were elected to represent their wards on the Steering Committee: Ward 1: Barb Nolfi; Ward 2: John Kennedy; Ward 3: July Sanders; Ward 5: Richard Kemp; Ward 6: Kelly Pierpont; Ward 7: Anjou-Marie Whelan. The following At-Large Steering Committee members were also elected: Erhard Mahnke, Steve Marshall, Selene Colburn, Jeetan Khadka, Barb Prine, Phyllis Knight, and Jude Logan DeMers.

Progressive Party State Chair Martha Abbott had this to say:

“I’ve been very excited in recent years to see so many new, younger Progressives step up and take on leadership roles in the Party, especially young women.  It’s no small task; the work involved in leading the strongest, most successful third party in the country is great.  I want to thank outgoing Chair Tiki Archambeau for his years of spectacular service and I very much look forward to working with Kyle, Ali, and all the members of the Burlington Steering Committee as we continue to grow the Progressive Party in Burlington, and beyond.”

New Burlington City Progressive Party Chair Kyle Silliman-Smith had this to say:

“I am honored my fellow Burlington Progressive Party members elected me to lead the City Steering Committee.  I look forward to working together with Ali and the rest of the Committee in the coming years as we continue to expand our party’s presence in Burlington.

“Our numbers on the City Council are the greatest they’ve been in years, but we can, and must, do better.  As the people’s party, we will continue to stand up for a strong livable wage ordinance, for a public, accessible waterfront, for city government that is open and welcoming to all, and for appropriate development that meets the needs all people, across the economic spectrum.  Along with grassroots organizing, one of the best ways to continue to do this effectively is to expand our numbers on the City Council next March, and I fully intend to see that happen.”