A second member of the Coalition for a Livable City, which opposed the Burlington Town Center redevelopment plan, has stepped forward to challenge Burlington City Council President Jane Knodell. On Tuesday, Genese Grill announced that she will run as an independent for the Central District council seat, which represents the Old North End.*
Fellow CLC member Tony Redington came up short in his effort to unseat Knodell during the Progressive caucus in mid-December. Now Grill, a 51-year-old artist and German scholar, will take a crack at running to represent Wards 2 and 3, the only two in the city that voted “no” on the mall redevelopment-related ballot measures in November.
Knodell, a Progressive, broke with some members of her party when she voiced her support for the downtown mall redevelopment. That’s put a target on her back for members of the CLC.
Grill, in a statement announcing her candidacy, did not mention the Coalition. But she’s been an outspoken member of the group for much of the last year and plans to run on similar issues.
“Recent initiatives of the administration have pushed private profit agendas upon residents,” Grill said. “This is a campaign for real neighborhood power and real political, ecological, and economic change, not just politics-as-usual, backroom deal-making, token public input, or compromises with powerful private interests.”
Grill, who shares studio space in the South End, contributed artwork and broadsides to CLC’s “vote no” campaign before the November election.
In her campaign announcement, Grill vowed that she would “advocate for use of city money for community needs such as schools, community centers, sidewalks, parks, and public spaces, rather than dubious public-private partnerships (like the marina) that profit only a few.”
Grill’s fellow CLC member Charles Simpson will run as a Progressive in the South District against incumbent Democratic Councilor Joan Shannon, an outspoken supporter of the mall redevelopment.
The deadline to register with the city as a candidate for the March 7 election is January 30. Democrats are scheduled to hold their nominating caucus on Thursday.
*Correction, January 11, 2017: This post has been updated to clarify the relationship between the Coalition for a Livable City and Grill’s campaign.
Related Stories
Got something to say?
Send a letter to the editor and we'll publish your feedback in print!
Genese Grill is a perfect example of the democracy in action that President Obama referenced tonight when he said “change only happens when ordinary people get involved, and they get engaged, and they come together to demand it.” The incumbent and the administration she serves govern from the top down. If they didn’t call themselves Progressives and Democrats, they’d be easily mistaken for Republicans. Genese will empower the Neighborhood by being the voice of her neighbors. It’s time for more true democracy on the City Council. Genese is the change to make that happen.
Hi. The Progressive Coalition, with Bernie Sanders at its apex was a major, if not the major factor in my moving to Burlington in the early 80’s. What I learned from them during those early years informs my commitment to Genese Grill now. Genese has the marrow-deep integrity that made our city hall an example for all the nation. Then.
Genese was my partner Jen’s advisor at Burlington College. She brought out the best of Jen’s qualities in coaching her through her graduating project, synthesizing everything she ever learned. Nothing less than the best was going to be acceptable.
Others will be able to tell you that Genese is uncommonly articulate, consistent, knowledgeable about her city, and sincere in saying what she means, and meaning what she says. I can tell you at length how she connected with my Jen and helped her create something that she could be proud of.
I’m glad Jane’s done good work in the past, but I haven’t been seeing it this year. I’m don’t want the F-35 or skyscrapers here, and I don’t think those ideas are Progressive. It’s time for a change – it’s become obvious that Jane and a group of her constituents no longer think alike. I’m voting for Genese. And whoever Stellquarta is, making fun of her name is insidiously low. Cute wordplay can’t run for office. Let’s make some real progress.
Too often when people serve in any elected position too long, they become members of the club and no longer identify with (or represent) the people who elected them. Look at how they vote. Sharon Bushor is a rare exception. Genese Grill’s opponent is not.
Genese will bring a resident’s petspective to City Council. She will be faithful to the values of the Central District, and will work well with Councilor Tracy. She will bring energy and independence to a council that tpday acts like the mayor’s private club.
Genese is not timid. She will fight for the people in her district and for all who want a council that serves as a balance to over-reaching power. People all over the city are counting on Wards 2 and 3 to send Genese’ strong, independent voice to the council table.
Jane Knodell, a faux Progressive who puts the profits of Lockheed-Martin and their F-35 fighter jet over the health and home values of her own constituents. That’s the kind of economy that Knodell the economics professor supports. A transfer of wealth from the least vulnerable whose homes and health are all they have to the already rich and military industrialists.
It’s even worse because Knodell campaigned on a promise to oppose the planes. This liar then repeatedly broke her campaign pledge once she was safely reelected. She should be ashamed of herself. Not sure how she looks a single constituent in the eye. No different than most every other politician who talks the talk but doesn’t give a hoot about anyone but themselves. The people of Wards 2 and 3 would do well to elect someone else.
I’m with Jane! I’ve had the opportunity to see Jane in action in our community a number of times over the past few years, and really admire her drive for change, and her empathy.
She’s always out there talking to people, and she really listens. I email her last year about frustration with some city processes (permitting, etc.) and she made an effort to personally come to my house and listen. I saw her in action during our Old North End clean-up event last year – She & Sara organized a very successful junk removal event with big dumpster and ReSource trucks, and she was walking the neighborhood helping people participate, clearly energized by our neighborhood. A couple of weeks ago, she came to a neighborhood safety meeting at Nunyuns, and Jane was there listening, facilitating, taking notes, and making sure our police officers felt comfortable in the group.
I think she’s not only passionate about Burlington, but has a strong understanding of a wide range of people’s needs and interests in the city based on years of listening and making connections. She’s willing to consider all sides of things and long-term consequences, which makes her a strong legislator and fair representative. Looking forward to voting for Jane for another term!
Good luck to those of you who represent the 99%.
Hey, Burlingtonobserver! Jane Knodell has:
-shilled and voted for the 14-story Mall benefitting a Wall Street multi-millionaire Don Sinex
-voted for the basing of the costly and unnecessary weapon of US imperialism the F-35
-voted for management over the striking bus drivers
-voted for militarized policing and Chief del Pozo who has brutally murdered two residents in just one year
-voted for the 1%’s entire gentrification agenda serving white-gated communities
-voted against the democratic and inclusive planBTV
Is this the “progressive ideology” you refer too?
To know Knodell is to NO Knodell. Vote her out in March!
Jane Knodell will always have my support. She knows how to turn progressive ideology into tangible environmental, social, and economic results.
Love the Genese Grill. Great hamburgers, prompt service.