A message from Tom Licata

Wow. My body still hurts. I'm grateful that so far the city hasn't come by with a plow and plugged the hole to my driveway. Anyway- here's something to read for today: A message from Andy Montroll's opponent, Independent Ward Six candidate Tom Licata... (Below the row of stars.)

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HAD ENOUGH?
Elect Tom Licata
City Council, Ward 6

Nobel laureate and economist Milton Friedman gave one of his last
interviews in July of 2006. When asked about his thoughts on a China versus
India comparison, he gave the following response: “China has
maintained political and human collectivism while gradually freeing the
economic market. This has so far been very successful but is heading for a
clash, since economic freedom and political collectivism are not
compatible.” It is this incompatibility of tensions – also defined as
cognitive dissonance - between Vermont’s social-collectivist leanings and
prosperous economic wants that drives our current state-of-confusion.
Meaningful progress as a city - and State - will require us to bridge
this gap of incongruence.

The results of Burlington’s collectivist leanings: a 50% increase in
property and sale taxes in 3 years; millions of dollars in under-funded
pension benefits and unaffordable wages paid to government employees; a
refusal to provide tax relief through an objective study of city
operations; a refusal to unlock the tax revenue relief that a partnership of
public/private developers would consummate in developing our
waterfront; and prized Burlington properties and institutions co-opted to achieve
political ends (City Market, our failed waterfront bus terminal, the
Intervale land sale, Moran Plant). This quiet campaign to leverage city
assets to further an economically-challenged progressive movement has
resulted in enormous opportunity costs in the form of lost tax revenues
and higher taxes.

Together, our two current city councilors have 25 years of longevity.
Continuing to vote these people into office while simultaneously
complaining about the financial fiasco we’re facing is what Einstein
defined as insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting
different results.

An enormous difference exists between the kind of government that
wants to help its citizens, and the kind of government that wants to help
its citizens by having them become beholden to it. Endorsing the former
and witnessing the latter in our current state-of-affairs, seems to
reflect the decision before you. Call me if you have any questions, or
would like a sign for your lawn.

Tom Licata, Independent Candidate
City Council Ward 6
172 Deforest Rd., Burlington, Vt. 05401
(802) 658-8624; tomlicata@verizon.net