First, the increases in the school budget have far outpaced increases in the municipal budget. Second, the residents of Burlington are really at their taxable limit. You can't continue to try to get more money out of the same people. So if you want more money, for either the schools or city, the only real way to do that is with an increase to the tax base (grand list). That is what this project does. It dramatically increases the grand list. So if you want more tax revenue, without increasing taxes this is the way to do it and the argument that you have to increase the school budget to build the mall is illogical. If you don't want the development, that's understandable, but if you want more money for schools and city, than you need this project (or an alternative project) to pay the bill.
"It's an elitist attitude," said Komline, who serves with Clarkson on the House Ways and Means Committee. "There are a lot of people that, without the voucher, wouldn't have the opportunity to send their kids to those schools." I think giving Dorset kids the opportunity to go to elite schools out of state, when Winooski, Barre and Burlington kids can't do the same is elitist. Keeping the money in Vermont schools will benefit Vermont schools and Vermont students.
Resident in Lake Forest condos posted on FPF that she saw moose this morning headed toward Flynn Ave.
Re: “Burlington Councilors Consider a Pay Raise for Themselves”
To the guy lacking the courage to put a real name on his/her comment, in fact the people do decide what Councilors get paid. The proposal for an increase requires a vote. The council does not have the authority to increase their own pay.
Nate Orshan's analysis is spot on.