Vanguard Press Archive 1987
Select articles were re-published in the Seven Days online archive with permission from the owner of Vanguard Press, a free weekly in circulation 1978-1990.
Album: “We Shall Overcome” by Bernie Sanders and 30 Vermont Artists
Advertisement: Bernie Sanders releases a sort-of solo campaign album, featuring himself and other local artists. Listen to his Brooklyn-accented version of “This Land is Your Land” right here.
Media Critic, Media Star
Peter Freyne skewers Sanders for writing “a scathing critique of the media” in the local daily while taking full advantage of the media’s attention. Freyne notes, “God forbid any reporter should dare ask him if he’ll run for Congress in 1988.”
Bernie Woos Environmentalists
Sanders earns rare praise from environmentalists for joining the fight against a proposed “mega-mall” in nearby Williston.
The Return of the Boogey-Man
The Sanders administration goes after landlords with proposals that include unit-by-unit rent disclosure. Landlords see it as a precursor to rent control.
Medical Center Beats Bernie
A judge rules that the Medical Center of Vermont is, in fact, a charitable institution and Mayor Bernie Sanders loses his fight to extract $2.8 million in property taxes from what is now Fletcher Allen Health Care.
City vs. MCHV: Charity on the Line
Sanders and the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont go to court over the hospital’s charitable status. Burlington previously sent a $2.8 million property tax bill to MCHV.
Taking it to the Courts
The Sanders administration’s attempts to find alternatives to the property tax face legal challenges.
Second Wind for the Sanderistas
In what many expected to be a close race for mayor of Burlington, Sanders wins a fourth term with 55 percent of the vote, besting Democratic challenger Paul Lafayette in every ward but one.
A Seven-Letter Word
After four terms as Burlington mayor, what’s next for Bernie Sanders? “Everyone knows that Ol’ Bernardo is a Democrat,” writes Peter Freyne, “everybody except him, that is.”
Bernie Sanders: Independent for Mayor
Advertisement: Published by Sanders for Mayor Committee ad shortly before the 1987 election.
Bye-Bye Bernie? Sanders’ Toughest Test
Mayor Sanders faces a tough challenge from popular Democratic City Councilor Paul Lafayette, who now claims to represent the “change” Burlington needs. Bernie’s response: “Is the issue really, ‘Who is a nice guy?'”
