Miro Weinberger

Early life

Weinberger was born in Brattleboro, Vermont, and raised in Hartland, in a Jewish family. After graduating from Woodstock Union High School, he attended Yale University, where he graduated with a double major in environmental studies and American studies. Weinberger then worked in Washington, D.C., for Senator Patrick Leahy and on Senator Harris Wofford's reelection campaign. He also worked for Habitat for Humanity in Georgia, Florida, and New York, and completed a master's degree in public policy and urban planning at the Kennedy School of Government.

Professional career

In 2002, Weinberger returned to Vermont and co-founded the Hartland Group in Burlington. In less than nine years, his company built over 200 affordable and market rate homes in Vermont and New Hampshire, consisting of over $40 million of development. His work has won a smart growth and a green building award, LEED certifications, and has involved the clean-up of environmentally contaminated sites.

Weinberger's previous professional work included three and a half years with the Greyston Foundation, a community development organization in southwest Yonkers, and a short stint as a sports writing intern for the Boston Globe.

Mayor of Burlington

Weinberger was elected mayor of Burlington on March 6, 2012. He defeated Tim Ashe by one vote in the Democratic primary. He beat Republican Party nominee Kurt Wright in the general election. Weinberger won reelection in 2021 by less than 1 point against Progressive Party nominee Max Tracy. On September 28, 2023, Weinberger announced that he would not seek a fifth term as mayor.

In office, Weinberger has focused on mitigating Burlington's contributions to climate change, improving early learning opportunities for youth, stewarding the city's financial health, leading initiatives to regulate Burlington's housing market, and combating the opioid epidemic.

Burlington became the nation's first city to source all its energy from renewable generation during Weinberger's tenure as mayor in 2014. Weinberger and his administration have set a goal of becoming a net zero energy city in the next 15 years. In coordination with the City's Electric Department, he has overseen an expansion in solar installations throughout Burlington – from 25 solar arrays pre-2012 to about 160 in 2017 – and in electric vehicle charging stations and electric vehicle purchasing incentives.

In mid-2021, Weinberger ordered the closure of the Sears Lane homeless encampment, displacing at least two residents, who filed an unsuccessful legal challenge to the decision.

As mayor, Weinberger spearheaded an initiative to redevelop Burlington's sole closed-interior mall into a mixed-use project. The original mall was demolished in 2017, but redevelopment stalled for years due to funding issues and myriad lawsuits. Construction resumed in 2022.

Personal life

Weinberger married Stacy Sherwat in 2000, and they have two daughters. Stacy is the Early Education Director at the King Street Center. Weinberger plays catcher for the Burlington Cardinals in an over-35 men's baseball league; former Boston Red Sox pitcher Bill Lee is also on the team.

References

References

1. (February 2018). "Weinberger becomes Burlington's 42nd mayor".
2. Jickling, Katie. (January 31, 2018). "Two Against One: Is Weinberger Vulnerable in Burlington's Mayoral Race?".
3. "Burlington's own Mayor Miro Weinberger {{!}} Nextup Vermont".
4. (September 20, 2011). "Miro Weinberger announces for Burlington mayor".
5. "ABC22: "Your Voice"".
6. (January 25, 2012). "Weinberger releases plan to keep Burlington housing affordable, livable".
7. (February 26, 2018). "Can Carina Driscoll ride an anti-Weinberger wave to City Hall? - VTDigger". VTDigger.
8. (March 6, 2018). "Weinberger wins 3rd term: 'This is what moving forward looks like'". Burlington Free Press.
9. (March 2, 2021). "Weinberger wins another term as Burlington mayor".
10. (2023-09-28). "Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger will not seek reelection".
11. Peters, Adele. (February 6, 2015). "How Burlington, Vermont, Became The First City In The U.S. To Run On 100% Renewable Electricity".
12. "Mayor Weinberger, Community Leaders Announce Launch of the Burlington Early Learning Initiative's First Steps Scholarship Program {{!}} City of Burlington, Vermont".
13. Lamdin, Courtney. (July 29, 2019). "Weinberger Touts Burlington's Improved Credit Rating".
14. "Mayor Miro Weinberger and Community Partners Announce 50 Percent Decline in Opioid-Related Overdose Fatalities in Chittenden County in 2018 {{!}} City of Burlington, Vermont".
15. (February 28, 2018). "Weinberger presents plan for net zero energy city, lake clean-up".
16. "Burlington Electric Launches Solar Shopper Program {{!}} Burlington Electric Department".
17. "Burlington Electric Department {{!}} Customer Service: (802) 865-7300Monday-Friday 8am-5pm").
18. (2021-11-03). "Vermont judge denies effort to stop closure of homeless camp".
19. Lamdin, Courtney. "Parties Resolve Long-Standing Lawsuits Against CityPlace Project".
20. Lamdin, Courtney. "At Long Last, Construction Begins on CityPlace Burlington Site".
21. "Burlington Mayor Weinberger and family welcome baby girl.".
22. (June 2017). "Burlington's new mayor opens up about the transition, his goals and his favorite music".
23. "Miro for Mayor campaign site".
24. "For the Love of the Game".
25. "2016 Burlington Cardinals". Vermont Senior Baseball League inc..