Here's my LTE in today's Burlingon Free Press --
It's a no-brainer. The best you can do is to take decent and principled stands on Burlington as a truly healthy and livable city. The idea of the zoning rewrite as a socially responsible act -- rather than being merely a marketing tool or a grandiose reflection of neo-capitalism -- means doing it with soul and decency.
Zoning can be achieved in many ways other than those sought by the typical developer. But to understand this and deal with it, one must free the debate from the rhetorical grasp of those who see a city's future primarily in economic -- rather than ecological or humanistic -- terms.
Certainly issues of ecology, both natural and human, need to be raised to the same level as present considerations of economics. The hope, and I believe the reality, is that in the long run, a zoning rewrite constructed on integrity and honesty will stand in stark contrast to the Ashe-Decelles-Knodell-Wright amendments -- politics based on windfalls of corporate cash which manipulation, cynicism and dishonesty provide access to.
Councilors Joan Shannon and Russell Ellis, listening to concerns of resident constituents, have introduced amendments that are ecologically and human-sensitive and merit full council support. At minimum, political integrity means standing firm against individuals for whom a pet cause -- a zoning variance benefiting developers, for example -- constitutes a litmus test for their support and being willing to accept the cost in doing so.
JAMES VOS
Burlington
Vos is treasurer of the Green Party of Burlington
It's not the last word on Burlington's zoning "development", by no means -More letters need to be written! I see the folks in Wards 4&7 are concerned, too.
On Thursday, 16 August, Citizens for a Liveable City held a press conference to discuss the on-the-record review and developer bonuses segments of the proposed ordinance. Channel 17 will broadcast it on Sunday, August 19, 2007 at 12:00am, 5:00am, or 11:00am.
I was there as a bloggie activist and took a few snaps of CLC members Devin Colman, Sandy Baird, Maurice Mahoney, and Ed Wynant
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