Elect Melo Grant Progressive Candidate for Central District City Council (Wards 2&3)

30 minute conversation with Town Meeting TV/Channel 17. The focus was on the Community Oversight of Police Ballot Question

Town Meeting TV/Channel 17 candidate forum.

  • "Melo understands the needs in our community on a deep level, grounded in her experiences raising her niece and nephew who attended SA, Hunt, and BHS and living here for decades. She knows how to advocate for equity in educational and community settings. Her voice on the police commission has been courageous and indispensable. She has my full support."

    Infinite Culcleasure

  • "Melo has been my neighbor and friend for 20 years. I admire her commitment to her family, her neighborhood, and to the working class people of Burlington. I know she will use her voice to stand up for us."

    Barb Prine

  • "Melo has been an important voice in our community through really difficult conversations about equity and safety. Her expertise is badly needed on Burlington’s city council. I know she’ll work to advocate for us with the same commitment she brings to her public service on the police commission."

    Max Tracy
    Former Ward 2 City Council

  • "Melo Grant will be a great City Councilor. Her commitment to justice, to affordability, to us is exactly what we need."

    Gene Bergman
    Ward 2 City Council

Melo’s Priorities

Community Safety

Address root causes of crime, strengthen collaboration and prevention in schools, provide harm reduction and other supports for people experiencing substance misuse disorder, and explore best practices for using law enforcement, Community Support Liaisons, Community Support Officers, and other positions to respond to community needs.

Affordable Housing

Ensure secure, affordable housing for all. Support zoning changes that allow construction of new units, while requiring the University of Vermont to house students and control the number of students who live off-campus.

Strengthening Connections

Publicize city services and programs so they can be utilized, advocate for individuals who aren’t getting their needs met by the city, and foster community engagement on the important issues facing Burlington.

  • "Melo has a deep understanding of the crises we face as a community. Together, we have advocated for City resources to address houselessness, mental health, and substance use disorders. I’m eager to have Melo join us on the City Council so we can continue this important work."

    Joe Magee
    Ward 3 City Council

  • "Melo has shown up for our city with a dedication grounded in the ‘make life better for all of us’ potential of public service and policy. At this critical moment, we need compassionate, pragmatic leaders like Melo who are committed to building a Burlington that is more livable, just, accessible, and fiscally resilient."

    CD Mattison

  • "As a working parent in the Old North End, I’m excited to have the opportunity to vote for a longtime neighbor who has helped raise kids in our local school system. I know I can trust her to fight for the needs of our working families. I know Melo will be a great partner for our work in the legislature on these issues."

    Emma Mulvaney-Stanak
    State Representative

  • "Government works best when it connects people to resources and elevates our voices in local decision making. I’m excited that Melo will bring this focus to her work on our behalf and am excited to collaborate with her to make sure both city and state policies work for our neighborhoods"

    Kate Logan

About Melo

  • Graduated from the University of Vermont in the 1980s.

  • Longtime community member who has lived in the Old North End’s Central District for over 20 years and works to help Vermonters and others maximize health care benefits.

  • Burlington Police Commissioner, member of the Special Committee to Review Policing Policies, Media Factory (formerly VCAM & RETN) board member.

  • Helped raise niece and nephew in local public schools (Sustainability Academy, Hunt, and Burlington High School).

  • DJ and host of the Cultural Bunker community radio program for over 30 years.

Endorsements

Zoraya Hightower Ward 1 City Council

Vince Brennan Former Ward 3 City Council 

Rachel Siegel Former Ward 3 City Council

Barbie Alsop Ward 3 Inspector of Elections

Kit Andrews Ward 3 Inspector of Elections

Sara Moore Former Ward 3 City Council

Wendy Coe Ward 2 Inspector of Elections

Perri Freeman Central District City Council

Terry Bouricius Former Ward 2 City Council

Jeanne Waltz Ward 2 School Board

Liz Curry Former Ward 3 School Board

Kate Logan State Representative

Brian Cina State Representative

David Zuckerman Lt Governor