Priorities & Issues
You are all aware of the issues we face – public safety and housing being the most daunting. I will continue to make these my top priority.
Staffing Our City
We need to continue to do whatever we can to ensure that our police department is properly staffed. Our rebuilding plan is getting stronger, and I actively support those efforts, but we must as a city be creative in how we recruit staff for the BPD and all our departments. As Chair of the Human Resources Policy Committee, I will focus on that. Our city employees are our most valuable assets.
Public Health & Safety
The state and Burlington are being crippled by rampant drug use particularly the deadly effects of the newer synthetic drugs; exacerbated by lack of mental health services. We must find more ways to reach into the community for treatment.
I support more opportunities for mobile and expanded clinics, the addition of an overdose prevention site, outreach staff to support those with substance use disorders, and more options in the region for housing with support services.
Sarah at the Statehouse with Sen. Gulick, Rep. Ode and Rep. Hooper
“Sarah's decades of statewide experience makes her especially effective in getting help for Burlington from Montpelier. Sarah is a thoughtful leader who tirelessly represents the New North End in City Hall.”
State Senator Martine Larocque Gulick, Chittenden Central District & Ward 4 School Commissioner
State Representative Carol Ode, Chittenden 18
State Representative Robert Hooper, Chittenden 18
I want to work on a fully operational Community Advocacy Intervention Program (CAIP) department, better coordinating all Burlington’s community and emergency responses.
Burlington has disproportionately borne the brunt of unsheltered unhoused people coming to our city. This is a national/ statewide/regional problem, and we are not alone. We must tackle this in a coordinated way. The resources for this must come through the state who in Vermont controls human service and housing funds. Houselessness is a problem in many communities, but we have many more in Burlington who have no shelter at all or service options. As a city we will continue our efforts, but we cannot do it alone and must work with neighboring communities.
Housing Crisis
Related to our critical need for more housing I have always been a strong advocate and bring years of experience in the housing field. I am pleased as a member of the Ordinance Committee to have done hard work on the South End Innovation District which over time may produce over 900 units of new housing. I am currently working on the Neighborhood Code zoning changes which will allow much more housing in all districts of the city. We must continue to look at what Burlington can do to promote more housing, including affordable homeownership. I look forward to continuing work with Cambrian Rise and City Place, as well as a stronger housing agreement with UVM.
Quality of Life
Many of you have been plagued by quality-of-life issues. Some of that can be assisted by more personnel, but we need reform of our trespass and theft laws, to get more accountability for those acts. The Ordinance Committee which I serve on will work on that, but we need better coordination between Burlington Police, the State Attorney’s office and established restorative justice programs.
Climate Change
Climate Change must continue as a priority. I strongly support our Net Zero Energy Plan, the programs and ordinances the city has implemented to reduce fossil fuel usage, and the extensive work that Burlington Electric has done on conservation incentives. We must continue to push the FAA and the Air Force for improvements at the airport they control; and work with state advocacy groups to reduce reliance on biofuels over time and increase wind and solar options in Vermont. We must support the recommendations of the Lake Champlain Citizen Advisory Committee and others to ensure the health of our beautiful Lake Champlain.
Advocacy with the Legislature
This next year with my colleagues I plan to have a greater Burlington presence at the legislature. This is something we as citizens must be stronger at; something I did in my 20 years as Executive Director of VHFA. I hope you will join the city in this.
The list is long. As I believe I have been, I promise to be as responsive and transparent as I can as issues arise.
Thank you all for your support.