Vermont Business Magazine Today, Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak issued the following statement regarding harmful and divisive actions by multiple parties following the May 19 City Council meeting and the adoption of Resolution 8.1 related to Support of Local Businesses and a Vibrant, Welcoming, Safe Downtown, which she has not yet signed:
“It is my hope that the City Council will reconsider Resolution 8.1 at their meeting on June 2 and work collaboratively with colleagues and the administration to craft a resolution that begins to heal the division in our community, recognizes the value of mutual aid, and puts forward tangible actions for supporting small businesses in the downtown.
“The wellbeing of our local businesses is critical, especially in an environment where shifting consumer patterns, tariffs, and hostility by the federal administration toward Canada are negatively impacting our local economy. The City is also addressing chronic issues of health and safety, while navigating a prolonged infrastructure project on Main Street. The impacts are real, and my administration continues to look for immediate solutions where possible.
“At the same time, mutual aid should be celebrated – not met with hostility. In this moment, when housing and food insecurity are at unprecedented levels and economic inequality continues to worsen, mutual aid plays a crucial role in mitigating the most harmful outcomes.
“I want to be clear, I fully support our locally owned small businesses, and I also fully support mutual aid for those in need. I do not believe that these two things are mutually exclusive. Burlington is a City where everyone deserves to exist with dignity.
“I am deeply disappointed that some in our community have taken harmful actions, deepening a conflict between mutual aid providers and our downtown small business owners. I am also concerned that someone decided to share a fake letter containing harmful language attributed to business owners, and I am equally concerned that someone else chose to share a fake press release from my office containing false information and mocking food distribution efforts in our City. This kind of polarization and harmful escalation is the last thing our City needs at this moment.
“As Mayor, I firmly believe that mutual aid, especially to address food insecurity, is part of what makes our community livable. I also believe small businesses are vital to the vibrancy of our City, especially in the downtown. However, if we are to make meaningful progress in our city, harmful and divisive words and actions must stop and concrete collaboration must begin. We have an opportunity to unite around our shared goals—to have a safe, thriving, inclusive community where all are valued.”
On Thursday, May 29, the Mayor’s Office is hosting our fifth Public Forum on Community Safety – we will have a panel discussion on homelessness and mental health, and we will discuss concerns related to the downtown. The event will be held at the Fletcher Free Library, beginning at 5:30 PM.
5.27.2025. BURLINGTON, Vt – Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak
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