Come speak at the public forum Monday night no matter which side of Downtown Development debate you sit on. The process allows for everyone to have a voice, to be heard, and to participate, despite what some of the critics/opponents say.

It's hypocritical to fight this development process, but then in the next sentence bemoan the state of Burlington's finances, our schools, our lack of economic development, high taxes, etc.. they are 100% connected and mutually beneficial. You can not have it both ways. NIMBY'ism is real, and it's costly. Check out this article that supports the argument)

To quote from an excellent article (headline is amazing: "NIMBY Nation, The HIgh Cost to America of Saying No To Everything")

"From subways to bridges to power lines and pipelines, the nation’s land, water and key infrastructure is increasingly being held hostage by a growing thicket of regulation, sophisticated opposition and a me-first philosophy that regards development, no matter the public good, as a potential assault on the sacred." The opposition to this project is dong exactly that: holding it up and slowing down progress, progression, innovation, and a better Burlington.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherhelman/2015/07/30/nimby-nation-the-high-cost-to-ameri[...]945

Here's an example of that going on just today, one town over in Shelburne: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2016/09/10/u-haul-signs-offend-eyes-neighbors/[...]18/

Let's look at some recent contentious development projects, that were also held up, and are now built, and ask ourselves if we're a better City and Community now that they are done and built:

- Church Street. Fought by many, derided by criitics, hated by some of the existin businesses on the street when proposed. Now, it's one of the most successful downtown revitalization projects in America. Barely any vacancy, high rents, millions of visitors, lots of tax dollars being collected and deposited into Burlington's coffers. Massive zoning change was needed and acquired for this project - Waterfront park and Burlington Community Boathouse. Abandoned, disgusting industrial zone, re-zoned and redeveloped. Now beloved by all.

I doubt there is a single person who hates that area today.

- Packard Lofts. Blown out, abandoned industrial building. Now home to 24 nice families, kids, dogs, taxpayers, and a great local coffee shop. Love it or hate it, it's an improvement over the previous iteration.

- North Street. Money poured into it, power lines taken down, sidewalks added, traffic lights improved. Practically no great businesses on it before. Now, home to some amazing new local businesses, buildings have been improved and spruced up, kids walking around, it's an improvement and only getting better.

- Old Battery Street Jeans building. Redeveloped about two years ago.

Winner of a local design competition. Now home to housing, offices, and two great local businesses.

and on and on..

Monday is a chance to be part of this process. Be there, speak, have your voice heard. But beware of hypocrisy, and saying 'no' to a project this City needs, wants, and deserves.