The last several weeks of the campaign season are always the most grueling. Lots of meetings to go to, that I actually really enjoy, but it is tough to be away from the kids and Jen that much. So the schedule for the past few days has been: 2/10 - a meeting sponsored by Vermont Interfaith Action at St. Paul's in support of affordable housing; 2/11 - Channel 17 Debate; 2/12 - UVM Student Senate; 2/13 Ward 1 NPA; and 2/14 Ward 2/3 NPA. Fortunately, I was still able to eat dinner with the family each night which is very important in our house.
Campaigning again in such a short period of time has given me the opportunity to re-affirm some of the issues that I ran on just one year ago. Here is a preview of the piece that I wrote for the Free Press Candidate Statement:
When elected, I ran on a platform consisting of three issues: Family, Environment and Process. I have taken an active role in addressing each of these issues.
In respect to Family, I fought hard and helped organize the community when it became apparent that the School District was going to take educational choice out of the hands of parents. The District was ultimately persuaded to pursue a system of choice and is now exploring magnet schools, rather then forced redistricting.
In respect to Environment, we value the integrity of our neighborhoods. That is why when it appeared that the zoning rewrite process was moving at a pace that would have had a substantial impact on the neighborhoods, I convinced the Council to slow down to allow Burlington residents greater say in the rewrite.
In respect to Process, when it came to the attention of the Council that difficult questions needed to be asked about retroactive pension monies, I sponsored a successful resolution that required the matter be investigated by the City Attorney’s Office. The people of Burlington must feel that their hard earned property taxes are being spent wisely.
Effectuating substantive economic change on the City level is difficult, I do believe that we can take a role and lead on social change, which is why I asked that a consistent system of civil tickets be pursued for both low-level marijuana offenses and for smoking tobacco in a crowned public space.
Best,
Ed
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Starting Campaign 2008
Well today was my fourth day out on the streets of Ward One and I have to say that it feels pretty good getting out there. One of the things that folks most want to discuss is the Moran Plant redevelopment. As I posted on the Front Porch Forum several months ago, while the proposal for the Moran Plant is not exactly what I personally want, it has something for everyone. Of course the biggest concern is whether the 7 million or so the City has to come up with will be able to be obtained through federal grants or through a the taxpayers. In addition, there are concerns as to what will happen if one or more of the Moran users (the businesses/non-profits) leaves or cannot come up with the money. These are good questions, however on March 4th, what we will be deciding is whether we like the concept (or at least parts of the concept) proposed by the Administration. There are still a lot of important details to be worked out with financing and if I am reelected, I will do my best to make sure that the taxpayers do not end up with an albatross on the waterfront.
On another note I have not yet met any of the three folks that are running against me. I know that some of the residents whom I have met with recently have told me that they have met some of my opponents who were gathering signatures for petitions. Although none of my opponents are from one of the three major parties (as defined by state law) I am taking their challenges very seriously and hope to get out in my door to door campaign to as much of the Ward as I usually do. I also look forward to meeting my opponents at the first debate on Channel 17 at 5:25 on February 11th.
Lastly, there have been a number of folks while going door to door who have been very supportive of my request to have the City Council consider placing a marijuana decriminalization question on the Town Meeting Ballot (which failed by a Council vote of 6-7). There have also been a few folks who wanted to let me know that although they have supported some of my other positions (such as that concerning school redistricting, the zoning process and the oversight of past and present city pensions) they were not supporting this issue. I welcome feedback from everyone on this issue, especially since as Chair of the Public Safety Committee, I have been charged by the Council to exploring alternatives to addressing instances of cases concerning small possession (which passed the Council by a vote of 11-2).
Well that is all for now. More to come soon.
Best,
Ed
On another note I have not yet met any of the three folks that are running against me. I know that some of the residents whom I have met with recently have told me that they have met some of my opponents who were gathering signatures for petitions. Although none of my opponents are from one of the three major parties (as defined by state law) I am taking their challenges very seriously and hope to get out in my door to door campaign to as much of the Ward as I usually do. I also look forward to meeting my opponents at the first debate on Channel 17 at 5:25 on February 11th.
Lastly, there have been a number of folks while going door to door who have been very supportive of my request to have the City Council consider placing a marijuana decriminalization question on the Town Meeting Ballot (which failed by a Council vote of 6-7). There have also been a few folks who wanted to let me know that although they have supported some of my other positions (such as that concerning school redistricting, the zoning process and the oversight of past and present city pensions) they were not supporting this issue. I welcome feedback from everyone on this issue, especially since as Chair of the Public Safety Committee, I have been charged by the Council to exploring alternatives to addressing instances of cases concerning small possession (which passed the Council by a vote of 11-2).
Well that is all for now. More to come soon.
Best,
Ed
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