90 Days on City Council

Hi everyone,

This is Laura Sánchez-Parkinson, your City Councilor for Ward 3, representing parts of the Old North End and Downtown.

This week marks my first 90 days on the City Council. Serving our community has truly been an honor, and it is a responsibility I hold with deep care.

I wanted to take a moment to share a few reflections on what I have learned so far. My biggest takeaway is simple: relationships and collaboration matter.

CITY DEPARTMENTS – During my first 90 days, one of my goals was to meet with every city department director. I have almost completed that tour, and it has been incredibly helpful. My approach as a City Councilor is to work collaboratively with our city leadership, while also bringing forward the perspectives, questions, and priorities of our community. You can view the list of city departments here:

https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/101/Departments

ELECTED OFFICIALS – It is no secret that there are tensions across political parties in our city, and I was very aware of that coming into this role. My approach has been to engage each person directly, build my own relationships, and look for areas where we can work together in the best interest of our community. I also believe that disagreement and conflict are part of public service. What matters is how we navigate those moments, how we keep listening, and how we continue working toward solutions.

OUR COMMUNITY – The most meaningful part of serving has been connecting with you! Every conversation reminds me why I stepped up to serve. It keeps me grounded, reminds me that this work is not done alone, and helps me better understand what matters most for our community, particularly the most vulnerable.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out, asked questions, shared concerns, offered ideas, or taken the time to connect. Your time, expertise, and lived experience matter to me.

You can usually find me before or after a City Council, committee, or NPA meeting, or you can reach me by email at lsanchezparkinson@burlington.gov.

With gratitude,

Laura