FFICE OF MAYOR-ELECT MIRO WEINBERGER
77 College Street | Burlington, VT 05401 | 802.448.2284
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2012
Contact: Mike Kanarick
802.324.4296
Mayor-elect Miro Weinberger Announces Transition Team
Burlington, VT – Mayor-elect Miro Weinberger today announced a transition team that will assist him in hitting the ground running when he assumes office on the evening of April 2.
“I am eager to hit the ground running and to bring the fresh start to City Hall that the people of Burlington have asked for,” said Weinberger. “Our transition team will be planning for the necessary changes to city government that will allow our community to move forward and thrive. This work includes getting our finances under control, attracting the best people possible to serve in city government, and assessing city departments for improvements.”
Paul Sisson, a local financial consultant and former partner of 26 years with KPMG, and Andrew Savage, a member of AllEarth Renewables’ senior management team and former deputy chief of staff for Rep. Peter Welch, will co-chair the mayor-elect’s Transition Team.
“I am pleased to assist in leading this team to help the Mayor-elect hit the ground running as he takes office. This is an exciting time for our City. Our goal is to tap the excitement, experience, and top talent to help Burlington thrive under our new mayor,” said Savage, who helped lead the transition for Rep. Peter Welch from then-Rep. Bernie Sanders.
“Miro has appropriately identified getting Burlington’s finances in order as his top priority as mayor. As we lead this transition forward, I am eager to continue the work of the budget team to help the mayor-elect manage City finances in a way that Burlington taxpayers deserve,” said Sisson. “Miro has put together a great team that will draw on the community to assist these important efforts.”
The other transition team members include:
- Ian Carleton, attorney at Sheehey Furlong & Behm, former president of the Burlington City Council
- Rep. Joey Donovan, chair of House Education Committee, former teacher for Vermont Adult Learning, former Lund and Spectrum board member
- Carina Driscoll, owner of the Vermont Woodworking School, former state representative, former city councilor, former school board member
- Mike Kanarick, former website development executive, Miro for Mayor communications director
- Deb Lichtenfeld, community events planner, Miro for Mayor events coordinator
- Jessica Nordhaus, founder of Horny Toad Activewear outdoor clothing company, Miro for Mayor campaign manager
- Rep. Kesha Ram, House Ways & Means Committee, legal director at Women Helping Battered Women, University of Vermont and Sudan Development Foundation board member
- Jaafar Rizvi, community organizer, Miro for Mayor field director
- George Thabault, former Burlington City Councilor, former assistant to Mayors Sanders and Clavelle, former Vermont Deputy State Auditor, member of the Program Integrity Unit for the Department of Vermont Health Access (Vermont Medicaid programs)
Weinberger announced the following transition team priorities:
- Begin the top-to-bottom review of City departments. The Mayor-elect and transition team members will meet with department heads and staff to gain an understanding of the strengths and challenges of each.
- Assist in vetting mayoral appointments. The team will establish an appointments process and vet potential qualified candidates.
- Establish action plans for mayoral priorities. These action plans will include Burlington Telecom, the Moran Plant, and the airport.
- Continue budget team work. Weinberger’s previously-established budget team, chaired by Sisson and tasked with advising on City budget issues leading up to June, will continue its work under the transition team. The members of the budget team include: Carina Driscoll, Doug Hoffer, Dawn Moskowitz, Sarah Muyskens, Pat Robins, Paul Sisson, Dan Smith, George Thabault and Frits Verdonk.
Weinberger, noting the short period of time between Town Meeting Day and April 2, said the team will continue to work on elements of the transition beyond April 2.
The transition team will work in a previously vacant office space at 77 College Street and may be reached at info@miroformayor.com, 802.448.2284, or PO Box 533, Burlington, VT 05402. The team will provide updates on www.facebook.com/miroformayor and www.miroformayor.com.