by John Bossange
There is a myth out there that the homeless are coming to Burlington from many states because support services are available. Nothing could be further from the truth. Just ask the police. Most of our homeless and drug dependent individuals are home-grown Vermonters who have drifted into town because that’s where they can more easily buy their drugs, beg for food, steal from the many stores, and live in the parks and streets.
The homeless have come from all parts of our state, slowly making their way to Burlington. Are there support services available? Not many, as evidenced by the behaviors of this growing population. Most are struggling to survive, with little hope or desire for meaningful interventions. But the ability to exist as they do is greater in Burlington than it might be in the NEK, in other rural areas, or in our small cities and towns. We know the Fentanyl and Opioid crisis is just as severe in rural Vermont as it is in Burlington, but Burlington has become the go to place for these individuals and in part, Burlington’s Progressive Council members are responsible for this fiasco.
It has been the senseless Progressive Party ideology that has promoted the wrong type of support for this drug dependent population. The “Defund the Police” initiative, proposals to let the homeless camp in Burlington’s parks, alleyways, and other open areas, and to let them exercise their “right” to beg and live on streets are all examples of the misuse of ideology. It’s been their unrealistic proposals, naïveté, and inexperience that have helped to sully the reputation of Burlington. Interestingly, two Progressive City Councilors are not running for re-election.
The bubble world of current Progressives on the Council has not served the city well. For some reason, this group of Progressive Councilors has not understood how public safety is the first expectation of any tax paid by a business or a homeowner. Moderate Progressives from the past who served on the City Council understood that, and worked with Democrats and Republicans, business leaders, and other officials to put the needs of the City ahead of any ideology. Anyone who is old enough to remember Progressive Mayor Bernie Sanders will also recall his close relationship with Tony Pomerleau, and key business leaders in the City. Somehow, that does not seem possible today.
Let’s hope the residents of Burlington elect an experienced leader for Mayor, and candidates with wisdom to occupy the open Council seats. The City needs adults that will take the Council in a direction far and away from the shortsighted Progressive politics seen in the recent years. With a more balanced and experienced City Council, I would expect Governor Scott to be more willing to assist with funding and other support services to take care of our hurting, homeless Vermonters who ended up in Burlington. My guess is that he is waiting to see the results from the March election before he becomes involved in any partnership to help restore Burlington.
Finally, we must remember that if we don’t pay now, we will all pay more later. It’s easy to say: “You made your bed in Burlington, now lay in it,” or “Why should my hard earned tax dollars be sent to a City that is run by Progressive lefties?” Good questions. But with a new Mayor and new City Council members elected in March, we will have a chance to help our own homeless and drug dependent population, address public safety issues with concrete solutions, enlist the help of the Governor, and make Burlington once again a safe and enjoyable place to work, live, and visit.
However, if we get more Progressive politicians like those from the recent past, then the bed Burlingtonians are laying in now will be their bed of the future, and the most important City in Vermont will continue to erode. Make no mistake about it: Everyone in Chittenden County and Vermont will eventually feel that loss.
The author is a retired educator and South Burlington resident and contributor of several recent commentaries, including “State must help Burlington police, house its homeless,” December 11.