Burlington’s new mayor, Miro Mulvaney-Stanak, is facing controversy after her family was signed up to receive meals through Meal Train. The situation came to light after a report by Vermont News First, causing the mayor to break her silence and defend her role. Mulvaney-Stanak explained that the demands of her position as the first woman and mother with small children in the role have been challenging for her family. The meal train organizer, Jessica Oski, a member of the police commission, stated that the meals were meant to provide mutual support during the transition.
The city’s personnel policy manual prohibits employees from accepting gifts from anyone they transact business with, but the city’s attorney’s office clarified it does not intend to prohibit gifts from family and friends. The political parties in Burlington did not respond to requests for comment, but GOP party chair Christopher-Aaron Felker criticized officials accepting gifts on social media.
Mulvaney-Stanak thanked her family, friends, and community for their support through homemade meals while she carries out her mayoral duties. A revised code of ethics will go into effect on January 1 to address similar situations. Despite the controversy, Mulvaney-Stanak’s opponents in the mayoral race, Ben Traverse and Joan Shannon, declined to comment and did not want to make it a political issue. The situation continues to develop as the mayor navigates the expectations of her new role.
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