5150 Mayoral Election III

My name will appear on the ballot in the mayoral election on March 2.  I believe I have the same chance of winning as any of the other challengers, which of course is zero.  Miro's going to win re-election.

I won't be raising or spending any money or trying to "win votes."  I don't care who you vote for, and I won't be campaigning very much.  I've already accepted invitations to go on Kurt Wright's radio show this Friday, and to join the Zoom forum hosted by Seven Days and Channel 17 on February 5, but I may not do much else.  These things already feel like a lot.

I will use the campaign to share some thoughts and ideas.  Here are a few of them.

I would like to see a large project engineered into the hill between Battery Park and Waterfront Park that connects the two by stairways and ramps, with places along the way to sit and watch the sunset from.

I would like Burlington to buy a large kinetic sculpture by the artist Anthony Howe similar to this one in place it at Waterfront Park for the public to enjoy.

I would like to see the steel skeleton of the former Moran Plant glassed-in and turned into a large, multi-level, year round indoor botanical gardens.

I would look for ways to create other large indoor communal space where people can stretch their legs year round.  The mall was more than retail space, it was a place for people to walk around in the winter and we need places for that, whether or not it's related to commerce.

I would like the city to get rid of its parking meters and stop charging money to park on public streets. 

I would encourage a rule that says police can't stop people from filming them.

I would order the return of the old police patch with the Ethan Allen tower on it.  The new one does not present a friendly image.

I would prioritize expanded wastewater capacity, to stop sewage spills in the lake.

I would restore an office in city hall where kids are always welcome.

I would prioritize restoration of Memorial Auditorium and the teen center at 242 Main Street.

I would prioritize creating rail service opportunities for Burlington.

I would prioritize creating a smoother and more uniform online bill paying experience across departments.  Right now it's easy to pay your electric bill, but it's cumbersome to pay your water bill. 

I'd like to work with the owners of the shopping mall parking lots at the mouth of route 7 to allow for GMT park and ride parking. Current park and ride on Lakeside ave is awful for commuting south and more awful on return trip.

The Coalition for a Livable City sent me a candidate questionnaire today,  Once I fill it out, I may use my answers to that for the next post.

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