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Essex Junction Becomes a City - Unedited 04/15/2022

Representative Lori Houghton, Ch. 8-2, and Representative Karen Dolan, Ch. 8-2, discuss the process of the Village of Essex Junction becoming the City of Essex Junction through a community vote for charter change and then a legislative process to review, amend and accept that charter change. The bill in the legislature, h.491, was approved and sent to the Governor's desk on April 14, 2022. The Governor signed the bill into law on April 20, 2022. This video contains the unedited recorded proceedings of both the House and Senate as they discuss and deliberate the proposed charter change.

Essex Junction Charter Change: Making the Village the City of Essex Junction 04/15/2022

Representative Lori Houghton, Ch. 8-2, and Representative Karen Dolan, Ch. 8-2, discuss the process of the Village of Essex Junction becoming the City of Essex Junction through a community vote for charter change and then a legislative process to review, amend and accept that charter change. The bill in the legislature, h.491, was approved and sent to the Governor's desk on April 14, 2022. The Governor signed the bill into law on April 20, 2022. This video contains the recorded proceedings of both the House and Senate as they discuss and deliberate the proposed charter change.

Essex Junction Independence Moments - Annie Cooper with Village of Essex Junction Trustee Vice President Raj Chawla 02/16/2022

Annie Cooper interviews Village of Essex Junction Trustee Vice President Raj Chawla about H. 491, an act relating to the creation of the City of Essex Junction and the adoption of the City charter.

From Annie:

"H. 491 - An act relating to the creation of the City of Essex Junction and the adoption of the City charter, passes House Committee on Ways and Means, unanimously! It's such a good feeling to have that work recognized, especially with the unanimous vote. Per our state representatives, Rep. Lori Houghton and Rep. Karen Dolan, H. 491 is, indeed, headed to the House Floor for a full vote this Friday."

Raj Chawla:

"To be able to have the community see that what they asked for, what they've been working for...for so many people have been pushing this through."

"From the get-go on this effort, on this Independence effort, staff produced a very intentional and participatory process that was inclusive. We had great support from the community, largely in the form of Our Village Our Voices to really engage and make sure people were well informed and could offer input."

"We've known for quite some time, I think, who we are as a village and what we want to be. And I don't think that's changed. We just had to look around and say, this is so important to us that we're going to do it, regardless. We're just going to move forward. I think it's exciting."

Essex Junction Independence Moments - Annie Cooper with Essex Junction State Representatives Lori Houghton and Karen Dolan 02/13/2022

Annie Cooper interviews State Representatives Lori Houghton and Karen Dolanabout H. 491, an act relating to the creation of the City of Essex Junction and the adoption of the City charter.

From Annie:

Essex Junction State Representatives Rep. Lori Houghton & Rep. Karen Dolan speak to:

1. Where is the bill at? What's happening with the charter change?
2. What can I do? What can I do to keep the momentum going?

From Lori Houghton:

"It's everyone here today that has got us to this point: It is a total team effort. But there are so many people from the past who took step after step after step. People who are no longer with us, people who have moved out of the community; and I feel like it took every single effort that has happened, to this day, to make this be the right time that this can happen. So I just want to make sure we are appreciative of all the work that has gone in from those before us."

From Karen Dolan:

"Collaboration is the big thing with this charter change. Everybody is ready to come to the table to pitch in and do the work. That's what we're seeing at the state house, too. When we present things folks are like: Wow. This is very thorough. You've thought of all the pieces. You have all the things in place."

Essex Junction Independence Moments - Annie Cooper with Andrew Brown, Village of Essex Junction Trustee President 02/01/2022

Annie Cooper interviews Andrew Brown, City of Essex Junction Trustee President, about H. 491, an act relating to the creation of the City of Essex Junction and the adoption of the City charter.

From Andrew Brown:

"We are now one step closer to the City of Essex Junction being created."

Burlington City Council 01/23/2017

The Burlington City Council meets on Mondays, often three times each month at 7pm. Their meetings air live on Channel 317 (Burlington Telecom) and repeat on Channel 17 at the air times listed below.

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