15 people are running for three open seats on the Burlington City Council. The Oct. 10 primary election will narrow the field from 15 to six ahead of the Nov. 7 general election. Tri States Public Radio spoke with the candidates ahead of the primary, including Chance Oliver.
Oliver, who works for Air Choice One, said he is running for the city council so he can work to provide reasons for young people, like himself, to move to Burlington. He said the biggest challenge facing the city is the declining population, and he said the way to reverse that is to reduce crime and improve the local schools.
Oliver said if elected, he would work directly with the school system to improve opportunities for students. He said if students have more opportunities, they are less likely to get in trouble, which could in turn reduce the crime rate in the city.
Oliver said he supports the re-use of the former Apollo School and plans to improve Dankwardt Pool. He also would like to see more storefronts along the riverfront and to see something done to reopen Cascade Bridge.
Early voting is underway in Burlington ahead of the Oct. 10 primary election.
