Newport City council candidates push housing, downtown strategy and transparency at forum

Five candidates for Newport City Council presented opening remarks and then answered audience-submitted questions at a public candidate forum in Newport City. Candidates agreed housing and downtown revitalization must be priorities but diverged on how to improve council operations and public trust.

The forum opened with short statements from Rick Uffert Chase, director of Newport City Downtown Development (NCDD); Laurie Grimm, a 17‑year Newport resident; Carl King, a longtime resident and veteran; Andrew Fushette, a local resident and candidate; and incumbent Kevin Charbel. Chase described work that led to the downtown “winter Saturdays” program and said NCDD events regularly draw “100 people plus” (Rick Uffert Chase). Several candidates framed their campaigns around repairing civic trust and improving council teamwork.

Housing, downtown strategy and infrastructure dominated the discussion. Candidates said Newport needs more housing to support local employers and expand the city’s grand list. Andrew Fushette said, “we have to bring more housing to the community…without housing, the jobs aren't gonna be here” (Andrew Fushette). Rick Uffert Chase urged a long-term, strategic plan for underutilized downtown buildings so the city can attract appropriate development; he cited nearby conversions in other Vermont towns as models.

Infrastructure projects also featured prominently. Incumbent Kevin Charbel noted that the city “signed a contract for” a new water tower and argued completing such projects is essential to unlocking development (Kevin Charbel). Candidates also discussed the bandstand, playground remediation at Gardner Park, and water meters as tools to improve billing and system sustainability.

On budget questions, candidates acknowledged an above‑normal budget increase this cycle and urged clearer, earlier budget presentation and more council-level discussion. Multiple candidates urged combining short-term fiscal discipline with long-term investments to grow the tax base through housing and downtown redevelopment.

Candidates closed by reiterating commitments to collaboration. Several said they would work with the mayor and city manager to implement projects while consulting the city attorney on legal and charter matters. The forum ended with closing remarks that returned to community-building themes and specific infrastructure priorities.

The next procedural step for these races is the municipal election; the forum provided voters a side‑by‑side view of priorities and contrasting approaches to governance and downtown strategy.