Bob Kiss
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bob Kiss (born April 1, 1947) was a member of the Vermont House of Representatives from January of 2001 until he stepped down upon assuming office as mayor of Burlington, following his election to that office on March 7, 2006. In the election, he prevailed over opponents Hinda Miller, Democrat, and Kevin Curley, Republican. He is a member of the Progressive Coalition and one of a handful of Progressives who have held seats in the Vermont House of Representatives.
[edit] Biography
Kiss 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.
[edit] Legislative record
Kiss was successfully 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 A Pearson, also a Progressive, to serve the remainder of Kiss's term.[1]
He has made many controversial statements, including making Burlington a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants, after the large immigration protests of 2006. Another time he made statements that seemed to promote banning guns in Burlington, a city in a very gun-friendly state.
Former mayor Peter Clavelle left Kiss with a large pension deficit for city employees. While Kiss did not point fingers upon entering office, he has yet to address the issue either.[citation needed]
[edit] Personal
Kiss lives in a Burlington duplex with his companion of more than 30 years, Jackie Majoros, and next door to his partner's son, Matt Wohl, his partner's son's girlfriend, Angela Smith, and their son, Jacob Wohl. In his free time he enjoys traveling, tennis, basketball, hiking, and snowshoeing.
| Preceded by Peter Clavelle |
Mayor of Burlington 2006– |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
