Letters to the Editor (10/30/24)

Stay Informed and Vote

Just after Town Meeting Day, Alison Novak reported on the unusually large number of school budgets that didn’t pass muster with the voters [“Vermont Voters Reject School Budgets in 29 Districts,” March 6]. This, as we all know, was driven by another unusually large number: the increase in property tax rates, which was largely driven by school budgets.

Shortly thereafter, a small group of longtime school board members — most former, one current — decided to start a grassroots effort to clear up some of the misinformation, and lack of information, surrounding use of tax dollars for education in Vermont. We call ourselves Friends of Vermont Public Education, and our mission statement is clear — that any institutions using public monies must comply with the Vermont Constitution and be transparent about how those tax dollars are spent.

Friends sent a three-question survey to Vermont candidates for legislature regarding the use of public funds for private schools. You can find candidate responses at savevtpubliced.org.

See where your candidates stand, or if they didn’t respond to our survey, ask them why not.

Late in the last session, our legislature drafted a statute to form the Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont to look at how we could provide education, and how we could fund it, differently. We at Friends have been following the work of this commission and will continue to do so. The early focus is on property tax relief, but that can and must go hand in hand with student achievement in the long haul.

Please stay informed, and vote.

Ken Fredette

Wallingford

Pro Police

Disappointed to see Seven Days‘ take on the police oversight board [“Déjà Vote: Burlington’s Police Oversight Proposal Gets Support From Councilors — and Pushback From Cops,” October 16]. It’s not only the police department, as your article suggests, but many people who oppose this proposal. To use Burlington City Council President Ben Traverse’s analogy, it’s like putting all of your effort, time and money into putting snow tires on a car in Virginia when the AC is broken and the engine won’t start.

Our police department needs us to demonstrate our support. Whether the independent oversight board is rarely used is not the issue; it’s the statement it makes about how our community feels about policing. Coming on the heels of the city council’s disastrous decision to defund the police, it sends the wrong message at a critical time, when we are trying to rebuild our police force.

Carolyn Hanson

Burlington

Safe Trip

[Re “Vermont’s Studying Psychedelic Therapy, but Approval Would Take Time,” October 2]: I commend Vermont’s legislature for its thoughtful, cautious approach toward considering psilocybin for therapeutic use. However, in light of the recent controversy surrounding the death of actor Matthew Perry, I feel compelled to voice deep concerns.

One of the central issues that must be addressed is the irrational exuberance about and widespread appropriation and misuse of spiritual practices by Western facilitators who lack the training, cultural grounding and understanding to safely integrate these traditions and practices. More problematically, these substances produce great susceptibility and vulnerability to ideas, emotions and epiphanic experiences. Too many people are being exploited in various harmful ways simply because they are literally “under the influence” during treatment. In other words, we need better screening of so-called “psychedelic coaches and guides.” These substances are, by nature, unpredictable, leaving vulnerable clients susceptible to coercion or cultic behaviors.

My personal concern, rooted in decades of spiritual practice and significant familiarity with ayahuasca, is the undeniable rise of monied opportunism in these settings. When practitioners allow money to cloud their judgment, they put both their clients and their professional integrity at risk.

I urge lawmakers and practitioners alike to prioritize not only scientific research but also ethical and cultural safeguards.

L. Roen LoPresti

Walden

‘Path to Restoration’

[Re “Racial Reckoning: A Black Former Burlington Department Head Says the City Owes Her Millions for a Long List of Indignities,” October 1]: In response to the recent coverage of the mistreatment inflicted upon Tyeastia Green by Burlington city officials, wouldn’t paying her be the actual “restorative practice” or “restorative process” counteroffered by the current administration? Tyeastia experienced, and continues to experience, great harms caused by municipal government leaders. She has asked for what she is owed. Wouldn’t answering her call be the path to restoration, rather than this city-issued co-optation?

Em O’Hara

South Burlington

Green Misled the City

Objective reporting was missing from the Seven Days article about Tyeastia Green’s lawsuit against the City of Burlington [“Racial Reckoning: A Black Former Burlington Department Head Says the City Owes Her Millions for a Long List of Indignities,” October 1]. Only her supporters’ descriptions of the critical audit were used. In sections V, VI and VII, the 18-page document makes it brutally clear that Green and some of her staff knowingly misled the City of Burlington. There were over $100,000 in cost overruns due to their willful deception. They also failed to follow the basic financial procedures that were part of their jobs. The fact that it was not financial fraud to benefit themselves but deception so the city would support their plans does not make it any better. As far as many of the other charges in the article, it is hard to read the document and see Green as someone who worries about getting her facts right.

Carl Wermer

Essex Junction

‘Green Has Been Harmed’

[Re “Racial Reckoning: A Black Former Burlington Department Head Says the City Owes Her Millions for a Long List of Indignities,” October 1]: Racist treatment of Burlington’s former racial equity, inclusion and belonging director Tyeastia Green continues as the mayor’s office is challenged to apologize and make amends. Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak inherited this grievance, and she is the one to make it right. I’m counting on her now to bring enlightened leadership to the table.

When $16.9 million in taxpayer dollars went missing from the general fund, Mayor Miro Weinberger blocked an audit by refusing to release the records. But when Green’s financial management in her next job came under scrutiny, he jumped right in to order an investigation of a past REIB-sponsored Juneteenth celebration. The only objective was to smear Green’s name.

Large city events routinely have cost overruns and accounting errors. Burlington City Arts experiences this with the many events it sponsors to keep Church Street hopping. The difference is: The city treasurer and BCA are protected, errors are quietly corrected, and missing money is replaced with little or no fanfare.

Green has been harmed, and the city has to make this right. Grievances presented to the city by Green in a 14-page letter deserve a full airing. The press has to do a better job of reporting the facts, starting with release of Green’s letter.

Press reports on issues surrounding Green’s resignation, and later when REIB finances were questioned, left the impression of wrongdoing. I’m sorry that Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak has inherited this, but I’m depending on her to make it right. The city’s response can be a turning point in racial equity.

Leanora Terhune

Burlington

Make Mayor Accountable

I noted that several commenters in [“Readers Weigh in on ‘Bad News Burlington,’” September 4] wrote something like, “Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak cannot solve this problem alone.” I also noted that Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak herself said recently: “There are no single fixes; otherwise they would have been tried already.”

Is our standard for elected officials really so low? Aren’t ideas and accountability for solving city problems the whole point of electing a mayor with a bully pulpit and executive powers?

Voters and media (looking at you, Seven Days!) must hold the mayor accountable for action and, yes, results. Ask tough questions, demand concrete action and don’t accept vague answers. If the mayor prefers to blame others or circumstances for failure to solve Burlington’s problems, then she is unworthy of the office.

Chris Harvey

Essex Town

How to Help

In [From the Publisher: “Bad News Burlington,” August 28], you asked, “What can we do as a community?” to fix things.

Back in the ’80s, I became engaged with the faith-based Burlington Emergency Shelter, involving my church community in providing weeks of evening meals for the residents there. Eventually, more than 10 years ago, the shelter was rebranded ANEW Place. The executive director at the time, Valerie Brosseau, led the board in asking what could be done differently to help people move out of homelessness and into permanent housing. My husband and I became reengaged in this place.

Under then-executive director Kevin Pounds, I began volunteering one evening a week, and then I became a board member. I continue in these capacities. I love that ANEW works with people who are ready for a change, in a sober environment, and that when a guest moves into permanent housing, he or she is followed for two years. It is hard work and, at times, discouraging. But last month, three of our guests moved out of our shelter into permanent housing. It’s one person at a time, one day at a time, one small success at a time.

How has this changed me? I care more deeply and love more inclusively. I see our common humanity and need for encouragement and support.

Get involved. If you can’t offer time, offer financial help. There are numerous groups working hard: COTS, Cathedral Square, Spectrum Youth & Family Services, Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, and housing authorities, just to name a few. ANEW Place has given me an opportunity to be involved and to offer hope.

Bobbe Pennington

South Burlington

Retired Cop on Burlington

[Re “Readers Weigh In on ‘Bad News Burlington,'” September 4]: I grew up in Connecticut. Burlington was always known to me as a nice destination city and safe college town. I just retired after a 25-year law enforcement career in southwest Florida and decided to relax for two months in northern Vermont, one of my favorite states.

During two recent daytime visits, I had four negative encounters with street people. These types of encounters, as well as locals who tell me they will not go downtown at night, indicate there is a problem that needs fixing or risks worsening crime and stores closing due to lack of people willing to spend time and money downtown. I personally have no plans on visiting again for a while due to these encounters, which I have retired from dealing with, or so I thought.

I am a huge police supporter, but it starts with more cops on foot patrol downtown, day and night. This puts visitors at ease, is a visual deterrent to these types of people and allows for near-immediate response to problems. It is known as community-oriented policing. I saw zero police presence during my two visits. I realize recruitment, staffing and retention are huge issues around the country, so good pay, benefits and community support are crucial in keeping these staffing issues from becoming dire.

Jail is not the final solution, but it usually is the first step in public safety. Then the courts, probation officers, and various mental health and drug counselors can chart a course to help these people … after the law-abiding public is kept safe first.

Doug Marshall

Naples, FL

‘Out-of-the-Box’ Housing

[Re “Cities and Towns Plead for State Help in Handling Homelessness,” September 18]: Here is an alternative to the $400-per-square-foot so-called “affordable housing”: Modify climate-controlled storage buildings by swapping out the roll-up-type door with a swing door that includes a window. These modular units can meet the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Single Room Occupancy guidelines and be built in as little as two weeks. And they can be attractive.

Climate-controlled storage typically rents for approximately $1 a square foot. The units are heated, with humidity and fire monitoring, and typically rent for $150 for a 10-by-15-foot space.

Vermont can shelter 3,000 people affordably and quickly before winter using municipal or privately owned land or empty retail spaces. Multistory storage units can increase capacity. Combine HUD SRO modified climate-controlled storage with portable facilities for kitchen, shower and bath in mobile facilities.

Here are some other out-of-the-box ideas:

1) Since COVID-19, thousands of primary residences have been lost to the second-home and short-term rental markets. Vermont has no policies for a sustainable source of income to promote affordable housing — only a new one-time property transfer tax. Let’s promote homeownership with sustainable policies.

2) Sixty years ago, Singapore made a commitment to mixed-income affordable housing. The World Bank and International Monetary Fund castigated it. Singapore is now considered the most successful program out there for affordable housing.

We can do this.

Lori Barg

Colchester

Grid Lock

[Nest: “Weathering the Storm: Experts Offer Tips for Making Your Home More Resilient to Vermont’s Changing Climate,” October 1] covered a lot of ground in a small space. But it lacked important information. For instance, author Ken Picard explained the program that Green Mountain Power has begun in offering to install grid-tied batteries in homes, and these could provide backup power during an electric outage. That is an appealing idea, and the price is fairly reasonable. But it’s an even better deal for GMP, because these batteries are mainly for it to use to help run the grid.

I’ve lived off the grid, using a system I installed myself, for 10 years. I would not describe myself as an expert in solar technology, which is constantly evolving.

Vermont has its own barriers to solar expansion. In Vermont, if it is not tied to the grid, it simply does not exist. I have to buy the components I need from a business in Massachusetts because I can’t find anyone who sells such things in Vermont. Considering the cost of buying and running a generator, or installing a system for GMP, a simple stand-alone system with batteries could well be cheaper if the equipment were available here. In short, Vermonters are not close to being properly informed about the realities of solar power. It won’t be enough to leave the future to a number of big projects that we can only access through a problematic grid system.

Brian Carter

Salisbury

Don’t Blame Poor People

How anyone can read [“Canaries in a Hospital: Some UVM Medical Center Workers Say They Can’t Afford Its Health Insurance Coverage,” August 21] and think to blame the poorest and most vulnerable people in our society is hard to fathom [Feedback: “Middle-Class Lament,” October 9]. The unraveling of our health care system is not a result of immigrants, who make up less than 4 percent of the U.S. population. It is a result of the unrivaled greed at the heart of capitalism.

The current number of undocumented people in the U.S. is not even at an all-time high. An insurance system that is supposed to use market systems to keep costs low only serves to funnel the profits to a select few. Corporate overlords seek to eke out every drop of profit, squeezing the people lower down the line.

We all live on the same planet, borders are imaginary, and, until we stop blaming immigrant people for our woes, we will never be able to fix the problem. You don’t blame poorer people for your problems; you blame rich people. At the heart of capitalism is greed and a significantly smaller percentage of our population who have unimaginable wealth and use it to mold the world to their benefit. They try to convince as many people as possible that they are not the problem but instead the problem is people who have so little and come from such a hard place that they are willing to risk their lives to cross an imaginary border into a country that doesn’t even want them.

James Guerriero

Underhill

‘Value of Participation’

Jack Scully’s concerns about legal Burlington residents who aren’t citizens voting on local ballot items stuck me as odd in couple of ways [Feedback: “Who’s Voting?” October 23]. First off, the fact they want to vote shows me that they are concerned about local issues that affect them as well as citizen-residents.

Secondly, the thought process that considers those folks uninformed simply because English isn’t their first language is flat-out idiotic. Consider the citizen-voters who vote in every election and only use Fox “News” as their go-to for “information.” That’s willful ignorance.

I value everyone who wants to cast a vote in the community they live in. Those noncitizens show me they know the value of participation even though it’s more difficult for them to understand some issues because of the language barrier. Those noncitizens are probably more cognizant of the privilege of being able to be heard. It’s a birthright the “natives” here abuse and disregard regularly.

If Scully is worried about uninformed voters, perhaps he could help out the clerk’s office or the local election official in assisting those folks. Or at least crack a book and learn some American history about why these rights were created to benefit the current occupants of the U.S.

Christopher Maloney

Washington

Adieu, Buxton’s Store

Gary Margolis

Cornwall

Related Stories

Vermont Voters Reject School Budgets in 29 Districts

Ballot Item Asks Burlington Voters to Bolster Police Oversight

Vermont’s Studying Psychedelic Therapy, but Approval Would Take Time

Tyeastia Green, Burlington’s Former Racial Equity Director, Demands $7.5 Million From City

Readers Weigh In on ‘Bad News Burlington’

From the Publisher: Bad News Burlington

Cities and Towns Plead for State Help in Handling Homelessness

Tips for Making Your Home More Resilient to Climate Change

UVM Medical Center Employees Say They Can’t Afford Health Insurance, and Some Are in Debt to Their Employer.

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This article appears in Oct 30 – Nov 5, 2024.

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