Unseating City Councilor Sharon Bushor would qualify as one of the biggest upsets in Burlington’s recent political history. But some civic activists in Ward 1 insist that Democratic challenger Tom Derenthal just might be able to prevent Bushor, an independent, from winning an unprecedented 13th term on the council.
In her 26 years of service, Bushor has built a reputation for diligence, responsiveness to her constituents and long-windedness. Having acquired the status of an institution, she has faced only token or write-in opposition in recent re-election bids. But Bushor did have to battle an aggressive Democratic opponent in 2005 when the hard-charging Ed Adrian came within 41 votes of ending her tenure.
Eight years later, there’s talk of “Sharon fatigue” on the part of some voters. Bushor, 65, hears that herself as she makes the campaign rounds. “People say you’ve been around a while, but that doesn’t mean you’re devoid of new ideas,” she said in an interview five days prior to the March 5 council election.
Peg Boyle Single, a Democrat and member of the Ward 1 Neighborhood Planning Assembly steering committee, expresses the time-for-a-change sentiment. “Sharon has been on the council quite a while and some of the issues facing the ward have persisted during that time,” Single says. Derenthal, she adds, “is bringing a new perspective on those issues.”
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I remember vividly when Tom abruptly left the Ward 1 Neighborhood Planning Assembly steering committee, leaving his fellow committee members in so severe of a bind that the npa almost folded (and goodness knows it certainly didn’t grow under his leadership) while Sharon has steadfastly attended every community meeting possible. Why on earth would we elect Tom?
Kevin. I’ve just been told by the folks at FPF that Sharon did in fact post 5 times in 2007. Just wanted to make sure that was clear for the record. -Ed Adrian
Bushor knew about the over spending by Leopold and Kiss on Burlington Telecom she covered it up. She has a loose tongue when drinking and confessed to this transgression its time for her to go.