Mayors of Main Street
Welcome to Mayors of Main Street—the podcast that delves into the heart of American communities by exploring the experiences and insights of some of the longest-serving mayors in the country. Hosted by Mayor Kristine Lott, this podcast brings you compelling stories of public service, community challenges, and the triumphs that define local leadership.
Mayor Kristine Lott, the first woman to hold the mayoral office in Winooski, Vermont, is no stranger to community engagement and leadership. Her journey into local politics began in 2017 when she was appointed to the Housing Commission for Winooski. In 2018, she took a bold step by running for a City Council seat, which she won and served with distinction. By January 2019, the incumbent mayor's resignation paved the way for her to run for mayor, and she was elected on March 5, 2019, with a platform centered on financial sustainability, housing affordability, and active community involvement. Since then, she has been re-elected and continues to serve her community with vigor and vision.
Throughout her tenure, Mayor Lott has made significant strides in formalizing and expanding community engagement, improving local ordinances to boost voting participation and housing affordability, and steering through key infrastructure projects despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Notable projects under her leadership include the revitalization of Main Street, the rehabilitation of a community pool, and the development of a municipal parking garage, hotel, and workforce housing.
Born in Southwest Michigan, Mayor Lott earned a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University. In 2009, she moved to Vermont, where she now resides with her husband, a lifelong Winooski resident. Balancing her mayoral duties with her role as Director of Operations for an education non-profit, she embodies dedication and resilience.
Join Mayor Kristine Lott on Mayors of Main Street as she interviews fellow mayors delving into their personal journeys, the issues they face, and the impactful decisions they make every day. Each episode provides an in-depth look at the unique challenges and rewards of leading a community, offering herself and listeners valuable insights and inspiration from the frontlines of local governance.
Mayors of Main Street
Mayor Dean Mazzarella
Joining me today is Mayor Dean Mazzarella of Leominster, MA. Mayor Mazzarella entered office in 1994, and has 30 years of service in the role. During his terms in office, he helped the city of Leominster strengthen its financial position, increase accountability, and community engagement. We discuss the successes, changes, and challenges he's seen over his terms, and Leominster's best spots to eat!
In this candid and wide-ranging interview, Mayor Kristine Lott talks to Mayor Dean Mazzarella of Leominster, Massachusetts, who shares his remarkable three-decade journey of transformative community leadership. Mayor Mazzarella entered office in 1994 and he shares with Mayor Lott his successes, changes, and challenges he's seen over his terms along with his favorite spots to eat!
Growing up in a working-class neighborhood and transitioning from police officer to long-serving mayor, Mazzarella describes his approach of building trust, fostering community engagement, and strategic development. He highlights key achievements like controlling urban growth through open space development and preservation, creating inclusive parks, improving community safety, and maintaining affordable, family-friendly events. Mazzarella's leadership philosophy centers on collaboration, patience, and extracting talent from community members, emphasizing that progress takes time and requires bringing people together across political and socioeconomic divides. He tells Mayor Lott that his experience as a resident, a business owner and a police officer helped him understand the different needs of the community. Mayor Mazzarella's passion for public service is clear and 30 years in office hasn't slowed him down. He continues to be energized and talks about remaining committed to Leominster's changing needs and balancing the town's growth, development and rising prices.