|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
No widespread Town Meeting revolt against school spending
By Guy Page
Burlington voters have overwhelmingly approved a charter change that bans firearms from any establishment that sells liquor throughout the city. The measure passed with more than 8,000 votes in favor, with about 1,200 voting against it, according to unofficial results. In addition, voters backed bonds for infrastructure, drinking water, and sewer/stormwater projects.
In city council elections, Democrats maintained control of the Burlington City Council. Democrat Allie Schachter defeated Progressive candidate Kathy Olwell for the East District seat, while Democrat Buddy Singh won against Progressive Jen Monroe Zakaras in the South District.
Most of the Town Meeting results below were culled from press reports, notably News 5.
Resolution Condemns Israel as ‘Apartheid’ State, Passes in Some Towns
A controversial resolution condemning Israel as an “apartheid” state passed in Thetford, Newfane, Brattleboro, and Winooski. However, the resolution was rejected by voters in Vergennes and Montpelier. Results from Weybridge were unavailable as of Wednesday morning.
Rutland Mayor Re-Elected
Incumbent Rutland Mayor Mike Doenges has successfully defended his seat, defeating Alderman Henry Heck by a margin of 494 votes. The unofficial count shows Doenges secured 1,581 votes to Heck’s 1,087.
Winooski Approves ‘Just Cause’ Eviction Ordinance, Again
Winooski voters have once again approved the “just cause” eviction ordinance, allowing the city council to enact legislation that would require landlords to provide specific reasons for evicting tenants. This is the second time the measure has passed, following a procedural problem with the first vote in 2023.
School Budgets: Some Fail, Others Pass
In education-related votes, the Slate Valley Unified Union School District’s budget was rejected, with 1,107 voting against and 789 in favor, Superintendent Brooke Olsen-Farrell reported on the district’s Facebook page. This district serves areas including Castleton, Fair Haven, Benson, Orwell, and Fair Haven Union High School.
Georgia and Alburgh also rejected school budgets. However, there appears to be no taxpayer revolt as occurred last year, as the following districts approved their budgets, according to News 5/msn.com and other press reports: Barre Unified Union School District, Barstow Unified Union School District, Burlington, Caledonia School District, Champlain Islands Unified Union School District (Grand Isle), Champlain Valley School District, Colchester School District, Enosburg-Richford School District, Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District, Maple Run Unified School District, Milton Town School District, Missisquoi Valley School District, Mountain Views/Windsor Central School District, Otter Valley Unified Union School District, and Rutland City School District, and South Burlington School District.
Hinesburg and Ryegate Reject Cannabis Retailers
Voters in Hinesburg and Ryegate have rejected cannabis retail stores in their towns. In Hinesburg, the proposal was narrowly defeated, with 620 in favor and 626 against, while Ryegate also opted to reject cannabis dispensaries. Vermont allows towns to approve retail cannabis sales, but many are opting out, especially as the Cannabis Control Board has paused issuing new licenses due to market saturation in cities like Burlington.
Brattleboro Approves Safe Injection Site and Public Behavior Guidelines
Brattleboro voters passed several public safety measures, including a proposal to allow the selectboard to establish new guidelines for acceptable public behavior in the downtown area. The proposal passed with more than 57% approval. Additionally, voters approved a safe injection site, with 1,526 votes in favor and 860 against, making Brattleboro the second municipality in Vermont to establish such a facility.
Berlin Rejects Rec Center Proposal
Berlin voters approved the town’s municipal budget and re-elected the incumbent select board members but rejected funding for a new recreation center. The proposal failed by a vote of 263 to 228, according to the Montpelier Bridge.
Windham Transfers School Building to Town for $1
In Windham, voters approved a transfer of the local school building, which has been unused due to asbestos contamination, to the town for just $1. There is hope that the building could be repurposed into a community center, according to Vermont Public Radio.
East Montpelier Approves Resolution on Presidential Power
East Montpelier voters unanimously approved a non-binding resolution addressing what they see as the “overreach of presidential power.” The resolution, put forth by former state representative Andrew Christiansen, was discussed for half an hour before receiving full approval.
Chester affirms friendship with Canada
The Chester Telegraph reports that a day before tariffs were scheduled to begin, Shawn Cunningham of Chester (Telegraph reporter speaking in personal capacity) moved that “As fellow people of the North and fellow lovers of the maples, the people of Chester affirm their friendship with, and their respect for our neighbors, the people of the nation of Canada.” The floor resolution passed without discussion and after much applause.
| Newbury fire station approved |
| In ballot voting yesterday, residents overwhelmingly approved the new Newbury fire station in the village 144-44, the Journal-Opinion reports. |
| BMU, Thetford school budgets approved |
| The Blue Mountain Union budget was approved 183-152 during balloting yesterday in Groton, Ryegate, and Wells River. Overall, turnout was 17%. Groton-19%, Ryegate-16.2%, Wells River-13%. Thetford approved its budget 342-133. Turnout was 20.5%, the JO reports. |
| Bradford Selectboard members elected |
| There were three seats on the ballot yesterday in Bradford. Voters returned two incumbents while electing one new member to fill a vacancy. Turnout was 20.6%. Three-year term, Michael Wright-223, Ralph Messenger-160, the JO reports. One year remaining on a three-year term, Jon Larabee-94 Joshua Allen-275. Two-year term, Carole Taylor-265, Marthanne “Marcey” Carver-140. |
Discover more from Vermont Daily Chronicle
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categories: Town Meeting
Burlington voters have overwhelmingly approved a charter change that bans firearms from any establishment that sells liquor throughout the city, what about the ” pot ” stores on almost every street corner ?? and does that mean that business owner are also suppose to disarm within there own establishments ??, they better have 911 on speed dial.
Apparently the 8,000 that supported this charter, just don’t get it, they don’t realize that with this proposal any law-abiding gun owner will stay away from all these establishments, and they’ll see reduced revenue, Burlington and it crime rates, do these 8,000 really think that all the ” riff-raff ” roaming the streets will obey these changes, now that’s funny, I hope your over taxed business survives on your reduced revenue …………….Good luck with that !!
To the 1,200 that voted against this proposal, to bad common sense didn’t prevail,
but then again, looks what’s running your city, DEI front & center from the top spot down, pretty pathetic but you vote these people in.
I do believe that a charter change has to be approve by the Vt Legislature. Last time they failed to approve it.
Not sure this is a simple matter of a charter change. As I understand the situation, Vermont’s preemption law (also known as the Vermont Sportsmen’s Bill of Rights) gives the state the final say on major gun laws, to avoid a patchwork of restrictions as one travels across the state. This means that local municipalities can only regulate or prohibit the discharge of firearms, not the possession. I can see this vote as the demoprogs’ attempt to undermine the pre-emption law, inviting in the patchwork or to pass an alcohol establishment ban statewide. State law currently only prohibits the presence of firearms in certain locations, including courthouses, hospitals, and school buildings. As the inevitable “next step”, look for an upcoming bill that would add establishments serving alcohol to that list. Fortunately, Gov. Scott has stood firm that we need no FURTHER restrictions on the rights of law-abiding gun owners. We have too many already with the 72 hour waiting period, the magazine capacity limit and “safe storage” requirements currently on the books. Vermont doesn’t have a gun problem, we have a criminal problem.
People don’t consume the product in such stores.
School budgets for the most part went through ok. This is the result of smoke and mirrors and confusing reports to the taxpayers by design. Try to get specific answers to specific questions on the spot or on the floor, even though that is supposedly all spelled out in the Town/City reports. There just are not enough people who pay taxes in this state to support
a public education system and pay all the bills associated with
that plan in place now. Time to get the public schemes turned
over to private enterprise, somehow.
Just wait until the Governor’s reprieve is expiring and see what
happens. We will be in 2024 all over again. It is an unaffordable
nightmare awaiting in the wings.
I think that Burlington will realize that many folks, including those who lawfully carry firearms are VOLUNTARILY banning THEMSELVES from establishments that serve alcohol, as well as any other businesses in their city. By this action , and others, the moonbat voters of Burlington are slowly killing the businesses that provide the city with revenue, and driving up their own taxes. What is really nefarious about this referendum as that is does not just apply to Burlington. Since the city cannot legally impose this restriction without violating Vermont’s statewide firearms pre-emption law, demoprogs know that this can only be accomplished by a repeal of this pre-emption. That will be their next objective in Montpelier in their efforts to restrict the firearms rights of Vermonters.
They would have a difficult time trying to restrict the firearms rights of Vermonters as Article 16 of the Vt Constitution is actually better than the 2nd Amendment.
Unfortunately, so far Article 16 has not prevented LaLonde and Baruth from imposing a magazine capacity limit and 72 hour waiting period, but we look forward to further court action on these…
Well THAT should clean Burlington right up!! 🤣🤣🤣
I know huh? Most are criminals who are not allowed to have guns to begin with. Maybe they will have a drop off box in their kiosks, so the criminals can leave their gun at the kiosk, while they go in for a drink. I think that’s the plan.
Maybe pass another law not allowing criminals to have the guns, maybe if there are two laws against it they will comply?
When they get all the kiosks in the correct places crime will plummet in Burlington.
Moronsn this state is run by Morons
Yeah because Israel is the bad guy, you idiotic bafons.
I have challenged those who recite the “apartheid” slander to provide a single example. None have. Israel is the only country in the region where womwn have full equality under the law.
“A controversial resolution condemning Israel as an “apartheid” state passed in Thetford, Newfane, Brattleboro, and Winooski.” Four towns in which I will NEVER, EVER do business. Join me in not doing business with anti semites.