According to the Newport’s city clerk’s office, Linda Joy Sullivan will be the city’s next mayor.The certified tally sheet sent to NBC5 shows Sullivan got 388 of a possible 566 votes in Tuesday’s special election to select a new mayor. Rodrick Owens finished second with 130 votes, Carl King came in third place with 47 votes and there was one write-in vote. In May, former Mayor Beth Barnes resigned after serving just 75 days, citing bullying and intimidation by unnamed members of the city council.Sullivan will fill the position for the remaining 19 months of the two-year term until the annual city meeting in March 2025.All those seeking the seat said similar things: Everyone in the town needs to get along even when they disagree on issues.“I think everyone wants to have a collective good, and that’s how Vermont will prosper,” said Linda Joy Sullivan. “If cities are working collectively together, that’s what we bring to get a good healthy Vermont.”The other candidates said they’re aware of the severity of the accusations but feel it’s important to run and participate in city government.“I’m not worried about bullying,” said Carl King, another Newport mayoral candidate. “I certainly know going in that there will be differences of opinion. Certainly, knowing is half the battle. But I have no agenda. My agenda is to serve Newport.”Roderick Owens, another Newport mayoral candidate, echoed the statement.“I’m almost 50 years old,” he said. “I’ve been in Vermont my entire adult life. I know what it’s like to be bullied and have to stand for what you believe in. I’m not going to cave. It’s a public position. So, you have to expect that not everybody is going to agree with you.”Voter Stephen Laurie told NBC5 what happened to the last mayor left a bad taste in his mouth. He’s hopeful that with this vote, the community will be able to put this behind them and learn from what happened.“It’s important that all voices are heard,” Laurie said. “It’s important that the city council hears all voices. The mayor represents more than one point of view but the totality of what the community thinks is important.”Bronson Lizares, who works at a popular local restaurant in town called The Warehouse, said he’s hopeful that Sullivan can capitalize on Newport’s potential as a tourist destination.“You definitely need engagement with your townspeople and local businesses,” Lizares said. “In order to thrive, especially if you go for that position as well, you have to engage. You have to be in with the business. You have to be with the people. Bottom line is, ‘What is your concern?’ ‘How can you make the town better? ‘How can we make Newport vibrant?’”
According to the Newport’s city clerk’s office, Linda Joy Sullivan will be the city’s next mayor.
The certified tally sheet sent to NBC5 shows Sullivan got 388 of a possible 566 votes in Tuesday’s special election to select a new mayor. Rodrick Owens finished second with 130 votes, Carl King came in third place with 47 votes and there was one write-in vote.
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In May, former Mayor Beth Barnes resigned after serving just 75 days, citing bullying and intimidation by unnamed members of the city council.
Sullivan will fill the position for the remaining 19 months of the two-year term until the annual city meeting in March 2025.
All those seeking the seat said similar things: Everyone in the town needs to get along even when they disagree on issues.
“I think everyone wants to have a collective good, and that’s how Vermont will prosper,” said Linda Joy Sullivan. “If cities are working collectively together, that’s what we bring to get a good healthy Vermont.”
The other candidates said they’re aware of the severity of the accusations but feel it’s important to run and participate in city government.
“I’m not worried about bullying,” said Carl King, another Newport mayoral candidate. “I certainly know going in that there will be differences of opinion. Certainly, knowing is half the battle. But I have no agenda. My agenda is to serve Newport.”
Roderick Owens, another Newport mayoral candidate, echoed the statement.
“I’m almost 50 years old,” he said. “I’ve been in Vermont my entire adult life. I know what it’s like to be bullied and have to stand for what you believe in. I’m not going to cave. It’s a public position. So, you have to expect that not everybody is going to agree with you.”
Voter Stephen Laurie told NBC5 what happened to the last mayor left a bad taste in his mouth. He’s hopeful that with this vote, the community will be able to put this behind them and learn from what happened.
“It’s important that all voices are heard,” Laurie said. “It’s important that the city council hears all voices. The mayor represents more than one point of view but the totality of what the community thinks is important.”
Bronson Lizares, who works at a popular local restaurant in town called The Warehouse, said he’s hopeful that Sullivan can capitalize on Newport’s potential as a tourist destination.
“You definitely need engagement with your townspeople and local businesses,” Lizares said. “In order to thrive, especially if you go for that position as well, you have to engage. You have to be in with the business. You have to be with the people. Bottom line is, ‘What is your concern?’ ‘How can you make the town better? ‘How can we make Newport vibrant?’”
