Monday, June 30, 2014
Summer camp for the kids at Burlington's Boys and Girls Club began Monday with a series of speeches delivered by men in suits. The campers plucked clover in Roosevelt Park as the politicians and philanthropists offered inspirational advice.
Arguably the best-dressed and indisputably the oldest of the men in suits was 96-year-old Tony Pomerleau, who was there to dole out something more concrete to the Club: $1 million.
To put that in perspective: According to GuideStar, the Club recorded $1.4 million in revenue in 2012— most of which came from grants and donations. The gift, to be paid in installments over the next decade, is the largest in the club's history, according to its executive director, Mary Alice MacKenzie.
"If Tony Pomerleau didn't give one more gift in his life he would go down in history as one of the most generous Vermonters this state has ever seen," MacKenzie said. "But he hasn't stopped and we are very very lucky that he has believed that what we are doing with our education program is worthy of a very very big gift from him."
Arguably the best-dressed and indisputably the oldest of the men in suits was 96-year-old Tony Pomerleau, who was there to dole out something more concrete to the Club: $1 million.
To put that in perspective: According to GuideStar, the Club recorded $1.4 million in revenue in 2012— most of which came from grants and donations. The gift, to be paid in installments over the next decade, is the largest in the club's history, according to its executive director, Mary Alice MacKenzie.
"If Tony Pomerleau didn't give one more gift in his life he would go down in history as one of the most generous Vermonters this state has ever seen," MacKenzie said. "But he hasn't stopped and we are very very lucky that he has believed that what we are doing with our education program is worthy of a very very big gift from him."
Friday, June 27, 2014
The Burlington school board won’t be taking Mayor Miro Weinberger up on his offer of dispatching Bob Rusten, the city’s chief administrative officer, to patch up the district’s finances.
Instead, the finance committee has approved a motion to ink a contract with a financial consultant — Ed Gomeau, according to one its members, Scot Shumksi. Gomeau has previously served as the New Haven Public Schools’ finance director in Connecticut, and as business manager for the Addison Northeast Supervisory Union in Vermont, according to the Addison Independent.
The school board is also looking for a permanent finance director to replace David Larcombe, who is resigning on June 30. It recently appointed an acting superintendent to oversee the schools while it searches for a replacement for Jeanne Collins, who is also stepping down at the end of the month.
Weinberger made his offer on April 28, after the public learned that serious budgeting problems had led to the district’s repeat deficits. The City Council voted 12-1 in favor of the arrangement.
Instead, the finance committee has approved a motion to ink a contract with a financial consultant — Ed Gomeau, according to one its members, Scot Shumksi. Gomeau has previously served as the New Haven Public Schools’ finance director in Connecticut, and as business manager for the Addison Northeast Supervisory Union in Vermont, according to the Addison Independent.
The school board is also looking for a permanent finance director to replace David Larcombe, who is resigning on June 30. It recently appointed an acting superintendent to oversee the schools while it searches for a replacement for Jeanne Collins, who is also stepping down at the end of the month.
Weinberger made his offer on April 28, after the public learned that serious budgeting problems had led to the district’s repeat deficits. The City Council voted 12-1 in favor of the arrangement.
Tags: Miro Weinberger , Burlington School Board , Image , Web Only
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Burlington's buffer zone law — which prevents protesters from coming within 35 feet of reproductive health centers — is in jeopardy after the Supreme Court unanimously struck down a similar law in Massachusetts on Thursday.
Burlington's ordinance, implemented in 2012, has withstood a legal challenge, but that federal court decision is currently under appeal. Both the Burlington and the Massachusetts laws carved out 35- foot buffer zones.
Michael DePrimo, a Connecticut-based lawyer representing the plaintiffs in the Burlington case, was also lead counsel in the McCullen v. Coakley case up until it reached the Supreme Court. Reached Thursday, he said the city would be foolish to continue to defend the ordinance. "If they want to continue fighting, then they are wasting the taxpayer money."
DePrimo expressed confidence that Thursday's ruling spells the end for Burlington's ordinance. "The Supreme Court declared the Massachusetts statute unconstitutional. The Burlington ordinance was patterned on the Massachusetts statute," DePrimo said. "The McCullen case applies directly to the Burlington ordinance, and in my view the Burlington ordinance now cannot stand. It is unconstitutional."
Burlington's ordinance, implemented in 2012, has withstood a legal challenge, but that federal court decision is currently under appeal. Both the Burlington and the Massachusetts laws carved out 35- foot buffer zones.
Michael DePrimo, a Connecticut-based lawyer representing the plaintiffs in the Burlington case, was also lead counsel in the McCullen v. Coakley case up until it reached the Supreme Court. Reached Thursday, he said the city would be foolish to continue to defend the ordinance. "If they want to continue fighting, then they are wasting the taxpayer money."
DePrimo expressed confidence that Thursday's ruling spells the end for Burlington's ordinance. "The Supreme Court declared the Massachusetts statute unconstitutional. The Burlington ordinance was patterned on the Massachusetts statute," DePrimo said. "The McCullen case applies directly to the Burlington ordinance, and in my view the Burlington ordinance now cannot stand. It is unconstitutional."
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
The Burlington City Council has taken one step toward adopting a ban on smoking on the city's cherished promenade.
On Monday evening, all but one councilor voted to send to a proposal to its ordinance committee that would prohibit smoking "strictly on the bricks" of Church Street.
In 2012, Mayor Bob Kiss vetoed a law that would have banned smoking in a larger section of the city's downtown, and several years earlier the council struck down a similar proposal.
"It's not like this is a new idea," said Councilor Karen Paul (D-Ward 6), one of the co-sponsors. But, she added, it has "evolved for the better." Paul and other supporters made the case that it's necessary to protect people from secondhand smoke, and it would promote Burlington's image as a healthy city.
On Monday evening, all but one councilor voted to send to a proposal to its ordinance committee that would prohibit smoking "strictly on the bricks" of Church Street.
In 2012, Mayor Bob Kiss vetoed a law that would have banned smoking in a larger section of the city's downtown, and several years earlier the council struck down a similar proposal.
"It's not like this is a new idea," said Councilor Karen Paul (D-Ward 6), one of the co-sponsors. But, she added, it has "evolved for the better." Paul and other supporters made the case that it's necessary to protect people from secondhand smoke, and it would promote Burlington's image as a healthy city.
Tags: Miro Weinberger , Burlington City Council , Church Street , Image , Web Only
Friday, June 20, 2014
Updated at 5:15 p.m. 5/15/2014 to reflect a clarification from school officials that a search committee will recommend Phillips be voted in as interim superintendent next month.
The Burlington School Board announced Friday that Stephanie Phillips, a longtime educator who's been the district's curriculum director since 2006, will take the helm as acting superintendent.
She'll replace outgoing Supt. Jeanne Collins, whose resignation takes effect June 30.
In mid-May, Collins and the board negotiated her departure after a string of financial problems came to light. Under that agreement, the board agreed to send off Collins, who had two years left in her contract, with $225,000. Before the end of the month, Collins had secured a job as superintendent for the Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union.
In a statement issued by the board, chairman Patrick Halladay describes Phillips as a "quiet but confident leader" who is well-respected by teachers and administrators.
"Having been curriculum director, Stephanie is uniquely positioned to prepare the district for successful implementation of the new federal common core standards this fall.”
The Burlington School Board announced Friday that Stephanie Phillips, a longtime educator who's been the district's curriculum director since 2006, will take the helm as acting superintendent.
She'll replace outgoing Supt. Jeanne Collins, whose resignation takes effect June 30.
In mid-May, Collins and the board negotiated her departure after a string of financial problems came to light. Under that agreement, the board agreed to send off Collins, who had two years left in her contract, with $225,000. Before the end of the month, Collins had secured a job as superintendent for the Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union.
In a statement issued by the board, chairman Patrick Halladay describes Phillips as a "quiet but confident leader" who is well-respected by teachers and administrators.
"Having been curriculum director, Stephanie is uniquely positioned to prepare the district for successful implementation of the new federal common core standards this fall.”
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Alicia Freese
Greg Jenkins, right, at a recent board meeting. At left sits his ward-mate, David Kirk.
Jenkins gave word of his decision without much fanfare. He posted the following to Front Porch Forum, and declined to comment further.
Dear Ward 7
Effective 6/10 I have resigned from our school board for deeply personal, and philosophical differences. It is not in my nature to get gagged, but I was and well $225ish made it not our problem. This goes against the very nature of who I am. There are hopeful signs this board can rally. Please let us come together and fix the problem, and not bicker.
I look forward to doing something else.
Yours,
Greg Jenkins
Monday, June 9, 2014
Councilors sat in rows, two to a table, giving Contois Auditorium an elementary school feel. Their assignment Monday night wouldn’t have stumped a second grader: They were there to count stacks of paper.
More precisely, they were re-counting the 6,450 ballots Burlington residents cast for or against the school budget on June 3.
On the day of the vote, tabulator machines recorded the ballots, and the city-certified outcome was that the budget passed by 68 votes. The slimness of the margin led Dale Tillotson, a Ward 7 voter, to request a recount. He knew the outcome was unlikely to change, but said he viewed it as an opportunity to test Burlington's voting procedures.
More precisely, they were re-counting the 6,450 ballots Burlington residents cast for or against the school budget on June 3.
On the day of the vote, tabulator machines recorded the ballots, and the city-certified outcome was that the budget passed by 68 votes. The slimness of the margin led Dale Tillotson, a Ward 7 voter, to request a recount. He knew the outcome was unlikely to change, but said he viewed it as an opportunity to test Burlington's voting procedures.
Tags: Burlington school board , Image , Web Only
Thursday, June 5, 2014
The Burlington school budget passed by a very close margin Tuesday — too close for the comfort of at least one resident.
Dale Tillotson, a Ward 7 voter who opposed the budget, has asked for a recount, and assistant chief administrative officer, Scott Schrader confirmed today the city will honor his request.
State law lets registered voters request a recount if the vote is within 5 percent. On Tuesday, 6,450 ballots were cast, and the budget passed by 68 votes. That's a margin of 1 percent.
Neither Tillotson nor Schrader expect the outcome to change.
Schrader said the tabulator machines are reliable, and sensitive enough to register votes even if ballots are filled out sloppily. "The tabulators are programmed to pick up a portion of a mark in an oval so even if someone makes a check mark or a cross, it will still calculate that as a vote and if for some reason, there is a stray mark in both ovals, the ballot would be kicked out as invalid, and the person could vote again."
Dale Tillotson, a Ward 7 voter who opposed the budget, has asked for a recount, and assistant chief administrative officer, Scott Schrader confirmed today the city will honor his request.
State law lets registered voters request a recount if the vote is within 5 percent. On Tuesday, 6,450 ballots were cast, and the budget passed by 68 votes. That's a margin of 1 percent.
Neither Tillotson nor Schrader expect the outcome to change.
Schrader said the tabulator machines are reliable, and sensitive enough to register votes even if ballots are filled out sloppily. "The tabulators are programmed to pick up a portion of a mark in an oval so even if someone makes a check mark or a cross, it will still calculate that as a vote and if for some reason, there is a stray mark in both ovals, the ballot would be kicked out as invalid, and the person could vote again."
Tags: Burlington schools , school budgets , recount , Image , Web Only
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
By a very slim margin, Burlington residents approved the $67.4 million school budget proposal Tuesday.
Unofficial results show that the Fiscal Year 2015 school budget proposal passed by 68 votes. Nearly 6,500 people came out to the polls.
Three months ago, by a margin of roughly 700 votes, residents rejected a $66.9 million budget proposal. The budget approved Tuesday is half a million dollars higher.
In March, the budget went down by wide margins in the two New North End wards (4 and 7) and by narrower margins in Wards 5 and 6. Total voter turnout was roughly 7,500.
This time, all wards except 4 and 7 voted in favor of the budget.
Possibly helpful in getting the budget passed was the fact that the tax increase is lower than was forecast in March. That's because the legislature set the statewide rate lower than expected.
The Burlington Friends of Education spent roughly $3,500 to encourage residents to vote for it. An opposition group organized by school board member, Scot Shumski, spent about $500 as of May 27.
Unofficial results show that the Fiscal Year 2015 school budget proposal passed by 68 votes. Nearly 6,500 people came out to the polls.
Three months ago, by a margin of roughly 700 votes, residents rejected a $66.9 million budget proposal. The budget approved Tuesday is half a million dollars higher.
In March, the budget went down by wide margins in the two New North End wards (4 and 7) and by narrower margins in Wards 5 and 6. Total voter turnout was roughly 7,500.
This time, all wards except 4 and 7 voted in favor of the budget.
Possibly helpful in getting the budget passed was the fact that the tax increase is lower than was forecast in March. That's because the legislature set the statewide rate lower than expected.
The Burlington Friends of Education spent roughly $3,500 to encourage residents to vote for it. An opposition group organized by school board member, Scot Shumski, spent about $500 as of May 27.
Tags: Burlington school board , interactive , Image , Web Only
Vermont’s largest hospital has big plans for South Burlington. Fletcher Allen wants to purchase and develop two parcels for a project that would cost $52 million.
The 92-acre lot off Tilley Drive — which includes the Mountain View Business Park, where the hospital already leases space — and 38 adjacent acres would host Fletcher Allen's outpatient center.
Spokesman Mike Noble said the proposed project is part of the hospital’s long-term goal of leasing less and buying more. An analysis by White and Burke Real Estate Investment Advisors lists the drawbacks of renting for Fletcher Allen. Among them: private landlords pass on property tax costs to tenants whereas Fletcher Allen — a nonprofit — wouldn’t have to pay property taxes if it owned the parcels.
Demand for outpatient services has grown nationally, and Fletcher Allen expects that trend to continue. Dave Keelty, director of facilities planning and development, described the Burlington Medical Center Campus as a "very finite resource." In other words, they don't have space to expand to meet that demand. Referencing Burlington's rigorous planning and zoning process, White and Burke noted that the constraints to new construction were "political" in addition to "physical" at the site.
The 92-acre lot off Tilley Drive — which includes the Mountain View Business Park, where the hospital already leases space — and 38 adjacent acres would host Fletcher Allen's outpatient center.
Spokesman Mike Noble said the proposed project is part of the hospital’s long-term goal of leasing less and buying more. An analysis by White and Burke Real Estate Investment Advisors lists the drawbacks of renting for Fletcher Allen. Among them: private landlords pass on property tax costs to tenants whereas Fletcher Allen — a nonprofit — wouldn’t have to pay property taxes if it owned the parcels.
Demand for outpatient services has grown nationally, and Fletcher Allen expects that trend to continue. Dave Keelty, director of facilities planning and development, described the Burlington Medical Center Campus as a "very finite resource." In other words, they don't have space to expand to meet that demand. Referencing Burlington's rigorous planning and zoning process, White and Burke noted that the constraints to new construction were "political" in addition to "physical" at the site.
Tags: Fletcher Allen Health Care , Image , Web Only