From Mayor Seth Leonard:
Today, my heart is heavy, but it is also very full. Six years ago, I decided to run for City Council to work towards positively impacting our community and the lives of my neighbors in Winooski. Four years ago, the residents of Winooski gave me the additional honor of serving as Mayor of our City. Today, I look back over that time with a great sense of pride for what we have accomplished together as a community and tremendous excitement for our future.
Following the January 28th, 2019 City Council meeting, I will resign as the Mayor of Winooski. In making both civic and professional decisions, I always ask “where can I do the most good and have the most meaningful impact?” In answering that question, I have accepted the position of Managing Director of Community Development at the Vermont Housing Finance Agency. I am passionate about providing affordable housing as the foundation for healthy communities across our state and am looking forward to this new professional challenge. Unfortunately, I am unable to execute my new position and retain my role as Mayor. My resignation will come one year into my second three-year term. This means that on town meeting day in March, Winooski voters will elect a new Mayor to serve out the final two years of the term. Deputy Mayor Nicole Mace will serve in the intervening month between my resignation and Town Meeting Day.
Seth Leonard, center right, listens as Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger speaks at the State House in January 2018. With him are former Barre Mayor Thom Lauzon, left, and former Montpelier Mayor John Hollar. File photo.
Winooski is a special place. Each and every day in this role, I was inspired by the tireless energy and spirit of the people of Winooski. I saw our community rally and embrace our diversity in the face of challenging and divisive national overtones. Together, we built and supported a thriving business community through tenuous post-redevelopment times. We have endured difficult, sad, and tragic personal events, but each has only made our community grow closer and stronger. We invest ourselves back into our neighbors as volunteerism is at an all-time high in our community, with more residents engaged in commissions, boards, and formal volunteer activities aimed at making our community a wonderful place to live. More than any formal or governmental efforts, I am overcome by the way our community cares for each other on a neighbor-to-neighbor basis. This is a beautiful community to be part of. Together, we have moved the needle and we have made a positive difference in the experience of living, working, and visiting Winooski.
Challenges remain ahead and I know our community is capable of dealing with anything that comes our way.
Leaving the city’s government would be much more difficult if I was not so confident the people who wake up each day and go to work for the people of our community. We have built a team of exceptional professionals in the City’s staff ranks, led by City Manager Jessie Baker, who are poised to very capably execute the work ahead. From the Clerk’s Office to the Public Works team and everyone in between, we would accomplish nothing in our community but for the thoughtful and passionate individuals we have working at the city. I cannot thank each of you enough for all that you do.
I am also grateful for each elected official I had the honor to serve alongside. I witnessed individuals make tremendous personal sacrifices to hold Council seats. Each Councilor I have worked with brought a unique perspective to the table in representing their community. I believe we have worked hard to foster a public trust, transparency, and level of accountability that has served Winooski well. In the same vein, I am grateful for those that represent our community at the State and National level.
When I became involved in government, it was never about executing “my vision” for Winooski, it was about making the community’s goals come to fruition. The evolution of Winooski’s direction as a community has always been about what the people who live here want their community to be – the community has driven the vision and I believe its leadership listened. In March, Winooski voters will consider a budget and set of proposals that will turn their vision into action, and I look forward to facilitating that community conversation as we move towards Town Meeting Day. With updated zoning regulations, a newly drafted Master Plan, proposed Main Street Revitalization (including complete infrastructure and streetscape replacement), a proposed new Swimming Pool, further investment in the vibrancy of our downtown, and a new investment plan for residential neighborhood infrastructure improvements, we are giving the people of Winooski the option to move their community vision forward.
I know this is just the beginning of an exciting chapter in Winooski’s history. We have moved forward in a way that has honored our city’s rich history while paving the way for a vibrant future. My heart is full because we did all of this together as a community. I am grateful to the people of Winooski for the opportunity to serve you, and I am so very proud of our community. My heart is heavy, but it is full.
– Seth Leonard, Mayor of Winooski
December 17, 2018