Goodkind tried to visit Redington in the hospital last week but learned he was in the intensive care unit and unable to receive visitors. Deciding to drop by Redington’s apartment, Goodkind learned from one of his sons that he was in the hospital for what appeared to be a reaction to his chemotherapy treatment. Goodkind said that he realized something was wrong with Redington’s health when he did not receive any emails for about three weeks. Goodkind described Redington as a “one man workhorse.” Redington was a prolific writer of emails, detailing different data driven problems in missives to policymakers, members of the media and others.Įven while undergoing chemotherapy, Redington would only take a day or two off from emailing, Goodkind said. One of Redington’s most notable traits, according to many who worked with him, was his work ethic. “The Pine Street Coalition will meet and discuss plans for the continuation of our case once we have had time to mourn the loss of our friend.” ‘One man workhorse’Īlthough Redington was known for his strong opinions and independence, colleagues described him as a leader who brought people together and listened. “Right now we are all addressing our grief,” Cindy Ellen Hill, the lawyer for the Pine Street Coalition, wrote in an email.

It is unclear whether Redington’s death will impact the future of the lawsuit. Redington also pushed for protected bike lanes and sidewalks along the parkway. “Walking along busy streets makes one constantly aware of being a second class citizen when it comes to transportation,” he wrote in a commentary for VTDigger in 2020. Redington expressed concern that the parkway would make it more difficult for residents of the South Meadow neighborhood to reach businesses on Shelburne Road, including the Hannaford supermarket. In a lawsuit filed by the Pine Street Coalition, opponents argued the proposed route through Burlington’s South End would disproportionately impact people of color and low-income individuals. Redington was also active in the legal battle over the completion of the Champlain Parkway. Pine said that Redington saw roundabouts as a “multipurpose remedy for a lot of the ills of society” because of their ability to reduce car crashes and lower carbon emissions. “My dad was a huge proponent of the first one that got implemented in northeastern Montpelier.” “Having the last name Redington goes with roundabouts because of him,” said JJ Redington. Redington was known as a relentless advocate for roundabouts, helping pave the way for the creation of some in Vermont. “I knew him to be someone that, despite my very strong advocacy, always pushed me to do better and to consider how my positions might impact people I wasn't thinking of at that moment,” Siegel said. Redington also founded and led the Pine Street Coalition, a grassroots organization that filed a lawsuit against Burlington to stop the construction of the long-planned Champlain Parkway road project.īrenda Siegel, the Democratic nominee for governor, said Redington supported her when she first ran for office in 2018, and they worked together at the Community of Vermont Elders, where she is a board member. Tony Redington and his three sons in June 2022. Before that, he worked at the New Hampshire Department of Transportation and served as the executive director of the New Hampshire Housing Commission. Prior to his advocacy work, Redington worked in transportation development and research at the Vermont Agency of Transportation for 17 years. Redington’s role in those conversations “will be sorely missed in the city,” they said. “Most people you talk to who have worked either in city government or in advocacy work have a story about Tony's steadfast commitment to making our streets safer,” said City Councilor Joe Magee, P-Ward 3. Pine said that Redington was a “force of nature” in his “zeal for righting society’s wrongs.” “The car makes us all move too quickly, and if we ride our bike or we walk to where we need to go, we’re going to have a much stronger connection to each other and to the planet,” Pine said.

“Tony just really fundamentally wanted things to slow down a bit,” said Brian Pine, director of Burlington’s Community Economic Development Office. Redington did not own a car and drew notice for biking around Burlington throughout winter, she said. “That shows just the passion and drive he had for what he did.” “I've never seen someone after they retire work harder than they did before they retired,” she said. “He wanted to make sure people were safe,” said his daughter-in-law, Joy Redington.

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