General Cray has a responsibility to the public to demand accountability and transparency. This incident unreported, placed first responders at risk, and cost taxpayers money. The FAA was contacted, no reason to withhold names of the Airman. Even incidents with death resulting name those involved. This is not credible. VTANG must release name and rank and action to be taken to restore confidence. The cover up as bad as the incident. If no wrong doing, why the secrecy?
There are no coincidences..... Mackenzie's FIRST day as Council Chair 3/11 (www.cctv.org to watch) she appoints friend Lisa Ventriss who serves on VPT Board with Mackenzie) as Chair of a Mackenzie created Blue Ribbon Committee, no discussion at any City Council Meetings about any other options! Shaw & Nowak undaunted this move by a Dictator, no objections or comments?Had the Block of 3 met outside of City Council meetings to agree on changing chairs of committees, and firing the old chairs publicly, appointing Ventriss as Chair of the Blue Ribbon? Seems odd doesn't it, that a Chair would dictate several items at the FIRST meeting she Chaired without discussing with ANYONE? How and why would the Chair believe that ALL 4 of the other Councilors would permit such decisions with NO discussion? She was bold and confidant. Why because the decisions probably HAD been discussed in violation of open meeting law within the "Block of 3".
The public attending, did notice and commented about lack of transparency, the importance of open discussion and considering all options. The comments were ignored, even taking a vote with a woman who did comment that, THIS looks like a "political decision". The "Block of 3" have the mistaken impression that winning the vote last year means they have a voter mandate to make decisions outside of public view and in violation of open meeting law. That's simply wrong.
Re: “SoBu Council Passes Resolution Critical of Airport Home Buyouts”
Sadly, there are those who will try to conflate the South Burlington City Council's concerns with F35 opposition. Everyone wave your flag. Nice try. An airport owned by one City, but located in another should operate transparently and legally. The Airport Commission minutes show in Jan 2016 grants were discussed and again with details- May 2016 when a motion passed for 5 buyouts AND discussion of 30 more home buyouts. Yet, SBCC learned first on 9/12 AFTER the unknown grant had been approved by the FAA. It is clear that the Airport Sponsor with a 74 page grant application and certification that required consultation with SB, the impacted community, could/did not occur in 7 days, as was stated in media. In fact, the Airport Director clearly knew many months that it was in the works, and weeks of preparation for the grant application. Was it the Airport Sponsors arrogance or incompetence? The "under the radar" plan created controversy and heartache for an entire community, placing SBCC in a horrible position. Any city would demand inclusion beforehand in such a major plan. Hard to believe a SB City Councilor on the Airport Commission who suggested perhaps she was late or did not attend the 5/16 Airport Commission Meeting, where she seconded the motion for 5 of the buyouts, then that night attended SB City Council Meeting and didn't mention anything that occurred a few hours earlier? Is this Gas-lighting or Orwellian administration at work? We must be crazy or is black now white? I hope the homeowners are bought out by the proceeds of a $15 million dollar lawsuit against the Airport Sponsor. That would be justice.