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Becca's Priorities

Burlingtonians across the city are united in our expectations and top priority for city government: improving public safety. We’ve all been watching our city - and our fellow citizens - suffer. We all have stories about it - both frightening and sad. 

 

If I have the opportunity to serve as City Councilor, my commitment to improving safety and reducing drug use and crime - and doing it humanely and equitably -  will be top priority. I refuse to believe our future is anything but bright and will work hard to ensure that belief becomes a reality. 

 

A few more specifics: 

 

Policing
 

Our police force needs to be fully staffed and we need to support police leadership in doing so. I support rebuilding the department as well as the crime units we need to tackle our safety challenges. Once the force has the recommended number of officers, we need to continue working to ensure they have what they need to do their jobs well. 

 

Along with this, we as community members also need our trust and faith in our police force to be restored. The all-too-frequent instances of urgent citizen calls that don’t get returned, dispatchers telling callers their hands are tied, and more, need to end. I will work to restore these relationships and build back trust, accountability, and reliability. 

 

State + Federal Resources
 

Many of these tough problems have roots nationwide. Though this doesn’t change our need for decisive action, we cannot do it alone. We must call in state and federal dollars and resources to the fullest extent possible. This will be critical for supporting addiction recovery and combating drug violence.  

 

Data + Community Communication

​

I am a numbers person and a communications expert. We need more of both in our solutions and our dialogue with Burlingtonians. Here are a few numbers I’ll be keeping an eye on and seeking to reduce: 

  • Gun violence incidents

  • Number of unhoused people in Burlington

  • Number of needles recovered 

  • Drug-related 911 calls

  • Number of overdose deaths

  • Domestic violence-related 911 calls 

  • And more


We need decisive action. We need results. And, we must take an empathetic, equitable approach. This is not a choice between one or the other. We are living in an era of both/and. Our leadership must reflect this. 
 

Together, and with compassion, let's build a safer Burlington.  I know we can empower our community and create positive, lasting change.

Public Safety

For years, I have been waiting for our political leaders to speak out and encourage the kind of climate action that we really need to make a difference. The lack of bold leadership on climate is a primary driver for my own candidacy.  After two decades working with sustainable businesses I have seen proof that climate solutions can go hand-in-hand with positive impacts to the economy. 

 

I also believe that we are living in a time where we all need to accept some level of climate responsibility, and even inconvenience in our own lives if we are to have a livable planet for our children. That said, Burlington is just one city and we can’t solve a global issue on our own. 

 

As a City Councilor, I will look for smart, impactful solutions that have a direct positive benefit on our local community whenever possible. Areas I am interested in exploring are: increasing bike- and walk-ability, increasing access to public transit, shifting more of our heat sources to renewable energy and incentivizing businesses and individuals to lower their carbon footprint. 

Climate Action

Burlington’s housing crisis is inextricably linked to our public safety challenges as well as our opportunity to build a thriving economy, staff private sector and municipal roles, and build our tax base. I will look to expand housing opportunities for the missing middle, fight for a strong MOU with UVM, and work to make sure the changes coming to the Neighborhood Code have the intended results and provide the opportunities that we are hoping for. 

 

I’m interested in hearing from you about any opportunities or concerns you have with the Neighborhood Code in particular. We need to balance solutions to the housing crisis with maintaining the character of our beautiful neighborhoods around the city. Beloved neighborhoods lead to strong communities and I am committed to maintaining that. 

Housing

As I’ve learned about our taxation system over the past few months, it has been sobering to see the high costs and need for increased services that will make it nearly impossible to avoid raising taxes for us all. 

 

My preference would be to say here that I will commit to no new taxes for Burlington residents, however, I think that would be a very difficult promise to keep, and believe it’s important to be honest and transparent. 

 

What I will commit to is looking at ways to raise revenues in innovative ways that do not impact our individual tax bills. There is opportunity to revise our assessment protocols with large entities of many kinds throughout the city.  I will also commit to starting any new program by looking at available state, federal, or grant funds before creating a new line item for the city budget. 

Taxation

I have watched in horror as wave after wave of anti-LGBTQ+  legislation has been introduced around the country in recent years. Acts of race-based hate and the boldness of white supremacy groups are also on the rise.  In my role as Councilor, I will be a fierce advocate for the rights and viewpoints of the LGBTQ and the BIPOC communities here in Burlington. 

 

And while I’m an ally to both communities, I also recognize I’m not directly a part of either one, so am committed to decentering my own lived experiences, listening to LGBTQ and BIPOC voices, and making sure their views are heard and needs are met. 

 

Vermont is known for being an open-minded and inclusive community, something that I and my family are very proud of. But that reputation is not something we can take for granted, and there is much room for improvement.  Supporting our marginalized groups is something that must be done continuously and proactively. 

Standing up for marginalized communities 

If elected, I will be the only mom on City Council with kids in the Burlington School District. Representing this point of view will be a responsibility I take very seriously.  

 

My husband and I are proud to send our kids to public school in this city and adore the community we have there. However, teachers and children of all ages are feeling the impacts of the serious challenges of the homelessness and substance abuse disorder crises we have across the city. We need to keep schools at the front of our minds when putting forth solutions to those challenges and support the safety and mental health of students, teachers, and staff.

Schools

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