As a resident of Ward 3, I have a couple of questions for David Cain. I generally tend to vote Progressive, but I'm open to listening to what he has to say. Here is what I would like to know:
a) Are you running as an Independent or under a Party Label?
b) What can you bring to the City Council that Tim Ashe can't already address?
c) In light of the recent scandals, such as the Adam Cate investigation, what would you do as a City Councilor in response?
d) Who do you support for Mayor in this coming election?
e) If elected, and in case Kurt Wright is elected Mayor of Burlington, who would you support to be City Council President?
f) Specify one issue that needs to be addressed immediately that affects residents of Ward 3 and what you would do on that topic.

 

Yeah, what is his party affiliation?

 

I think David Cain is a Dem. But I should let him speak for himself.

If we could get an actual candidate on here in a discussion, it would be such a step in the right direction.

David?

 

Thanks so much for the questions Daniel. I hope my answers help you understand me as a candidate.

a) I am running as a Democrat. I approached the Progressive Party about the possibility of running on a fusion ticket but their party bylaws don't allow for me to run with another party label.

b) First, I want to say that I think Tim has done a good job for our ward and our city. Tim hasn't declared whether he is running again or not. I believe that it would be very hard to simultaneously serve both roles of State Senator and City Councilor, especially when the state government is facing its huge budget challenges.
That said, I can be an extremely dedicated representative for our ward and bring a great level of professionalism and compassion to the position. I’m trained as an engineer and as an attorney; my experience in these fields gives me an insight and approach to issues that delivers exceptional and efficient results. I also have seen the ills of society and worked hard to repair them through my work representing abused, neglected, and special needs children. I believe the combination of ability and compassion enables me to adeptly serve our ward and protect the vulnerable members of society.

c) The City Council’s first priority in scandals such as the Adam Cate investigation should be to ferret out the failing policies in place that allowed such reprehensible employee activities to occur. Personnel matters are matters for the mayor’s office, but the mayor’s office cannot withhold information about failing policies that have allowed for abuse. The Cate situation clearly demonstrates that certain accounting, property, and privacy policies are wholly inadequate. While the mayor is entrusted with managing city employees, it is the council’s duty to ensure that these sorts of abuses never happen again.

d) I support Andy Montroll for Mayor. He is an intelligent, dedicated individual who always puts the City first. I was honored to be invited to a caucus of the city council democrats recently, at which Andy Montroll truly impressed me. Not once during the meeting did Andy discuss his campaign or how any upcoming city council vote would affect his chances; the entire focus of the meeting was on the issues and ensuring that the caucus voted in the best interest of the City.

e) I can’t say precisely who I would vote for. There are a number of councilors who would be great and I will mention only a few of those here. Bill Keogh is an extremely bright person, whom I greatly respect and would be excellent at the helm. Also, Jane Knodell has always impressed me as being very innovative and knowledgeable, and while not technically in my party I would certainly consider supporting her.

f) I will briefly discuss two issues affecting Ward 3 that need the immediate attention of the City Council: the economy and our schools. With both issues Burlington needs to invest now to ensure continued success.
I know personally that the failing national economy is hitting us here at home. My wife recently lost her job when her company closed its Burlington branch. Economic expansion will be sparse in this climate and cities will be competing hard to keep local jobs, which is why Burlington needs to create incentives to attract and retain businesses.
As for education, a modest bond is needed to modernize our schools. Good schools attract families, maintain housing prices, and attract employers. Right now Burlington spends the fewest dollars per student in Chittenden County and we are wasting money on heating because our schools are not energy efficient. The previously proposed bond was too high but that should not deter the council from issuing an appropriate bond to support our children.

If you have more questions please feel free to contact me.
Thank you,
David Cain

 

Thank you David Cain for taking the time to answer my questions. It certainly is appreciated and I consider myself better informed so I can decide who to vote for on Town Meeting Day. It certainly is good to be able to have a dialogue with local pols on this blog. Keep up the good work Haik, I consider this website a valuable resource to keep up on local politics.

 

Whoa man (or lady)-
A bit late to the discussion aren't we? This conversation died a MONTH ago! but, of course, it is high up on Google for 'david abair cain' and linked directly from the front page of Mr. Cain's website... I digress.

You seem to have some pretty interesting insider information. It does, however, make one wonder if you live in the ward. Your 'concerns' don't line up with the facts, and that's really not cool.

Seriously, This is a small town, let's not play games. Have you talked to Marrisa about this stuff?

I'm gonna see if she can't come here and address these issues for the voters who may read this.

(Full Disclosure: I live on N. Champlain St. and am volunteering on Marrisa's campaign)

 

First--Thanks, Haik, for offering a forum for conversation in Burlington. I think people being involved is the best way to make our city strong.

I am glad that people are asking questions, though it puzzles me that someone would question my motivation, when my record speaks clearly.

On the school board, I have voted against increases where necessary. I was one of only two commissioners who voted against the recent $226 million bond. Last year, I voted against adding the director of operations position to the administration. I was one of only a few board members who kept an eye on the track and field program, holding the administration accountable for cost overruns.

The school budgets I have voted for have all been passed by voters, overwhelmingly so in Ward 3. Even in tough financial times, I felt that it was necessary to put the budget the schools need in front of the taxpayers. If they feel they cannot afford what is there, then cuts will obviously have to be made. I support looking at administrative cuts, not cuts to programs for our children.

I always have my eye on affordability. I grew up in rural Vermont in a working class home. I know what it is like to live without health insurance. I know what it's like to wonder how to afford the rent. I also know that educating our kids is the most important, and most fundamental thing a society does. It is how we fight poverty, fight crime, build strong communities, keep from repeating mistakes of the past, and so much more.

Regarding the personal attack: my children live part of the time a few blocks away from Champlain Elementary with their dad, are not "varianced" anywhere, and that has absolutely nothing to do with how I will lead as a city councilor nor with any decisions I have made on the school board. As a commissioner I've always worked hard for ward 3, for the whole city, in fact, and I will continue that as a city councilor. Raising non-issues like these anonymously or through whisper campaigns is exactly what keeps so many people from running for local office.

I would be happy to talk with anyone on this blog, or in the city, but especially folks from Ward 3, who have questions or concerns. Please feel free to be in touch.

All the best,

Marrisa Caldwell
578 7325
citycouncil [at] marrisacaldwell.org
marrisacaldwell.org

 

Wow. I'm amazed by this attack against Marrisa. It's actually pretty disturbing. And since when has being a property owner in the city been an indicator of how invested one is in making the community a better place. How short-sighted to believe that.

 

Was posting her phone number an evasion tactic too?

News Flash: We all pay property tax whether it's through our rent or directly with a check. I can't believe you would try to make a point of Marrisa not owning property when so many (most?) residents of the ONE do not own property in Burlington.

Do you think everyone in the Progressive Party should agree? If she's disagreed with the leadership and still earned their endorsements (strong ones at that) I'd see it as a plus.

(Full Disclosure: I live on N. Champlain St. and am volunteering on Marrisa's campaign)

Learn more at: www.marrisacaldwell.org

 

Editor's note: At the request of one of the campaigns, I have deleted a couple of anonymous comments including charges that unnecessarily drag children into this.

There is plenty about policy that merits debate. Analyzing a policy's benefit or cost by trying to reverse engineer its proponent's motivations is a logically fallacious proposition. Even if a policy is personally motivated, that per se doesn't mean it does or does not have merit.

Moreover, it is also not morally upright to point fingers at a candidate's family, and it is even less morally upright to do it from behind a veil of anonymity.

This blog's disclaimer

 

Fellow Ward 3 voters -

Please take a look at the Web site of David Cain's opponent, Marrisa Caldwell. You will see that all Marrisa's ides for Burlington are about spending taxpayer money, with no ideas on how to save taxpayer money. How in the world are we taxpayers supposed to support all Marrisa's ideas during a time of economic crisis? Her platform is a recipe for us to be forced out of our homes. Renters will not be spared either - landlords will raise rents to pass on Marrisa's tax hikes to their tenants.

Yikes!

Here are quotes directly from her Web site, with links.

"I will push for universal health care until we have it."
- http://www.marrisacaldwell.org/healthcare
Where will the money come from for universal health care? Who pays for it? That's a huge expense.

"I will support City programs and policies that make it easier for property owners to rehab and weatherize their buildings and make that housing safety codes are strongly enforced."
- http://www.marrisacaldwell.org/housing
Who pays for this weatherization?

"I will advocate for continued support of the nonprofit housing groups and programs that help people keep their homes and educate people about homeownership before they buy."
- http://www.marrisacaldwell.org/housing
Who pays to help keep other people in their homes?

"Work to create more affordable housing, both rental and owner-occupied"
- http://www.marrisacaldwell.org/issues
Who pays for this?

"support neighborhood schools"
- http://www.marrisacaldwell.org/issues
Who pays to keep these schools open, when consolidation saves money?

 

Whereas, you'd be hard pressed to figure out what Cain supports from his substance-less website.

Ward 3 voters - Check out the debates on channel 17

As to fiscal responsibility, Marrisa was 1 of only 2 School Commissioners to vote against the 226 million dollar proposal. I think that says it all.

 

Fellow Ward 3 Voters-

With an unprecedented number of new members on the City Council, and possibly a new mayor, it is so important that our neighborhood continue to have bold progressive representation on the Council. So, I just wanted to make a quick appeal to folks to vote for Marrisa Caldwell for City Council in Ward 3. Marrisa is equipped with the intelligence, attitude, and experience to be an extraordinaire representative for our voices and our values.

As our School Commissioner over the past 5 years Marrisa has:
- Led the fight, working with the neighborhood, to preserve our neighborhood schools When Barnes and Wheeler were threatened with closure.
- Scrutinized the details, found efficiencies and eliminated wasteful schools spending particularly on projects like the BHS Track & Field Improvement.
- Voted against the $226,000,000 dollar bond which was later found to be unfeasible. She was one of only two commissioners who voted against it.

Marrisa's experience on the school commission says a lot. From talking with Marrisa I'm excited about what she'll be able to do with her experience and our support as a councilor.

Please join me in voting for Marrisa Caldwell For City Council Tomorrow.

- I originally posted this on my FPF

 

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