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Will Burlington's next mayor inherit some old problems?

Burlington, Vermont - January 6, 2012

Decades after Peter Clavelle took office as Burlington's mayor; the candidates looking to fill the seat today are tasked with cleaning up financial troubles rooted in his watch.

Reporter Keith McGilvery: You pushed for the creation of Burlington Telecom. Many taxpayers think that's been a disaster. Where did things go wrong and do you have any responsibility?

Former Mayor Peter Clavelle, P-Burlington: I continue to think that Burlington Telecom is an asset to this community.

Clavelle may see it as an asset, but opponents say it was mismanaged and propped up by taxpayers.

"I think they way out is a fairly obvious one that the candidates have talked about and that is to embrace a partner who will work with the city of Burlington to make sure that this is a viable enterprise but not contingent on public support," Clavelle said.

The seven-term mayor also pushed increases in benefits for city workers when the economy was booming.

"It appeared at that time that this was affordable, that we could make Burlington an even better place to work, allowing us to retain qualified employees without placing and additional burden on the taxpayer," Clavelle said.

But when the economy tanked, it left the city with a deficit in its pension plan of more than $49 million.

Clavelle: Knowing what I know today I wouldn't have made the changes 15 years ago... to the pension fund.

McGilvery: We know no one is a mind reader, but we do know that the economy is cyclical. Were we prepared for this?

Clavelle: Were we prepared? No, I don't think we were prepared for the results that anticipated, but since then changes have been made.

Democratic candidate for mayor, Miro Weinberger, touted Clavelle's endorsement at City Hall Friday.

McGilvery: Do you see pension issues and Burlington Telecom issues as problems you need to clean up from his administration or do you attribute those issues elsewhere?

Miro Weinberger: No, Peter has not been in the mayor's office for six years. That's a long time. And the problems that the mayor is facing, the next mayor is facing, need to be laid, in large part, at the current administration's feet.

Clavelle points to improving the waterfront and downtown while expanding affordable housing as major accomplishments during his time in charge. He says despite the ups and downs, he loved the job.

"I got out of bed every day and I said, 'I'm excited about going to work.' And I came to work, did the best that I could, I'd take a brief break for supper and I would come back," Clavelle said.

It does not sound like we will see Clavelle and Weinberger campaigning much together. The former mayor says his job regularly takes him away from the city.

Asked for his reaction to the endorsement, Republican mayoral candidate Kurt Wright said it was not big news and the election will be decided by ordinary citizens.

Wanda Hines, an independent who announced her candidacy Friday night, seemed unphased by the news.