Even with the University of Massachusetts being on winter break, more than three thousand people filled the Fine Arts Center and an overflow tent on a chilly Saturday afternoon. A Gazette reporter spoke with the founder of the UMass for Bernie Chapter. He thought it was wise that the campaign organized the rally during winter break because otherwise, it would be hard to find a venue large enough to hold the crowds. "It's Bernie city out here," he said.
#SandersOnaPlane
As Bernie becomes better known, passengers in coach are noticing the candidate, using our money sparingly, sitting in the same cramped quarters as they are. Bernie is also willing to take the middle seat. Out come the phones for pics and selfies. [1]
Bernie had been a tight-fisted mayor during his four terms in that office. In 1987, US News and World Report recognized Bernie as one of the country's Top Twenty Mayors. Eliza Webb notes a few of his accomplishments:
As mayor he "encouraged grassroots organizing, adopted local laws to protect the vulnerable, challenged the city's business power brokers," funded training programs for women entrepreneurs, and raised taxes on business.
To foster community organization, Sanders implemented Neighborhood Planning Assemblies ('today, Burlingtonians credit the NPAs with raising the level of resident participation and discussion in local politics') a Youth Office, an Arts Council, and a Women's Council.
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