Bob Kiss (born April 1, 1947) is an American politician and former mayor of Burlington, Vermont. Kiss was a member of the Vermont House of Representatives from January 2001 until he stepped down to assume office as mayor of Burlington, following his election to that office in March 2006. He is a member of the Vermont Progressive Party. Kiss won re-election in 2009, and was endorsed by Vermont's Independent U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders.[1] In November 2011, Kiss announced that he would not seek re-election in the 2012 Burlington mayoral election.[2]
Bob Kiss | |
|---|---|
 Kiss in 2010 | |
| 41st Mayor of Burlington, Vermont | |
| In office April 1, 2006 – April 1, 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Peter Clavelle |
| Succeeded by | Miro Weinberger |
| Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from the Chittenden-3-4 district | |
| In office January 2001 – April 1, 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Dean Corren |
| Succeeded by | Christopher A. Pearson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 1, 1947 Kenosha, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Political party | Progressive |
| Spouse | Jackie Majoros |
| Children | Matt Wohl |
| Alma mater | Knox College |
Biography
editKiss has blue-collar roots, having grown up as the son of a union worker in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He was a high school basketball player and captain of the tennis team. After having graduated with a B.A. in political science from Knox College in 1969, he joined the Peace Corps, where he trained in Malaysia for 14 weeks. Although called up by a draft board for military service, he was granted conscientious objector status and performed alternative service at a hospital in Boston.
Since 1971, when he moved to Burlington, he has been working in the human services field. In 1981, Kiss was hired as director of the Community Action program for Chittenden County, a low-income advocacy group. Six years later, he became head of Community Action's umbrella organization, the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity. Kiss remained head of the CVOEO until 1999. He also served on the boards of the Burlington Housing authority and the committee on temporary shelter during this time.
Political life
editLegislative record
editKiss was elected to a seat in the Vermont House of Representatives in 2000 as the standard-bearer of the Progressive Party. He quickly earned the respect of his colleagues and was subsequently anointed leader of the Progressive Party Caucus. He sponsored legislation on whistle blower protection for health care workers, rental housing health and safety, and outdoor lighting.
Kiss represented the Chittenden 3-4 House district. He stepped down from the legislature on April 1, 2006, after being elected mayor of Burlington. Governor James Douglas appointed Christopher Pearson, also a Progressive, to serve the remainder of Kiss's term.[citation needed]
Mayor of Burlington
edit
Kiss was elected mayor of Burlington on March 7, 2006. In the election, he prevailed over opponents Hinda Miller, Democrat, and Kevin Curley, Republican. With his election Kiss became the second Vermont Progressive to be elected to the office (Peter Clavelle was the first). Bernie Sanders, who is associated with the party but not a member, had been elected to this office prior to Clavelle. Kiss won re-election in 2009 to a second term as Burlington mayor by edging Republican City Council President Kurt Wright in the third round of instant-runoff voting after receiving 29% of the first round votes.[3]
During his re-election campaign Kiss was endorsed by Vermont's Independent U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders. After re-election Mayor Kiss and the City of Burlington faced significant challenges related to Burlington Telecom, a city-owned and operated fiber-to-the-home telecommunications enterprise. Burlington Telecom is currently in proceedings at the Vermont Public Service Board for being out of compliance with its Certificate of Public Good because of its use of the City's pooled cash account. Also related to the use of pooled cash, the City defended a taxpayer lawsuit in Chittenden County Superior Court, which was dismissed in October 2012.[4] In addition, Burlington was sued in federal court by Citibank, related to the lease-purchase agreement for Burlington Telecom. The city owes Citibank over $33 million.[5] Over this period the City of Burlington's credit rating has been downgraded by Moody's, reflecting the financial challenges posed by Burlington Telecom.[6] Throughout this time, the telecom entity has continued to provide its fiber-to-the-home services to Burlington residents and businesses.[7]
Vermont Senate candidacy
editKiss announced in May 2012 he would run as an independent for the Vermont Senate.[8] Kiss finished eighth of 14 candidates running for six seats.[9]
Affiliations
editAs mayor, Kiss was a member of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition,[10] a bi-partisan group with a stated goal of "making the public safer by getting illegal guns off the streets." The Coalition was co-chaired by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Personal
editBob lives in a Burlington duplex with his companion of more than 30 years, Jackie Majoros.[citation needed]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Endorsement Quotes". Re-elect Bob Kiss, the best choice for mayor. WordPress. February 12, 2009. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
- ^ Steimle, Susie (November 30, 2011). "Burlington Mayor Kiss won't seek re-election". www.wcax.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2011. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ Slota, Bianca (March 3, 2009). "Kiss Wins in Instant Runoff Voting". www.wcax.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ "Judge Throws Out Burlington Telecom Suit". Vermont Public Radio. September 26, 2012. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ Totten, Shay (September 2, 2011). "Citibank Sues Burlington, Seeks Repossession of Burlington Telecom". Seven Days. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ Midura, Kyle (June 20, 2012). "Burlington's credit rating drops again". www.wcax.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2016. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ "Burlington Telecom". www.burlingtontelecom.net. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ Bromage, Andy (May 24, 2012). "Bob Kiss: I'm Running for State Senate as an Independent". Seven Days. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ Machado, Tyler (November 7, 2012). "More Election Results: Statehouse Races and Burlington Ballot Items". Seven Days. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ "Mayors Against Illegal Guns: Coalition Members". Archived from the original on January 6, 2007.