Jay About Mayor Miro

I was going to do a review of our recent trip down to Stowe for a relaxing post Turkey Day weekend but there is a local news story that is just too interesting to ignore. First off here is the link to the original story http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20121126/NEWS02/311260023/Skinny-Pancake-gets-livable-wage-exemption-airport-contract?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|p

And here is a rebuttal of sorts... http://7d.blogs.com/offmessage/2012/11/battle-lines-drawn-in-skinny-pancake-livable-wage-controversy.html


Now to be fair, I know the Skinny Pancake guys and my issue is not necessarily with them.  When I first heard the news of their move into the airport I thought it was a remarkable coup.  There are no post security booze or food options in the BTV airport and for times when you get through security early (often) or are delayed (sometimes) or maybe are just arriving into town after a long trip and need a beer and crepe... this was huge.  I mean, I can't believe nobody at the airport ever green lit this idea before because it seems like a way to mint money.  It was interesting how a local company could outbid bigger competitors especially with their local produce driven model, but these guys are pretty savvy from what I can tell.

Well, if you believe the Free Press (which I usually do not) the playing field was not exactly level.  Hey, the livable wage is ridiculous and paying somebody $17.71/hr to serve coffee seems excessive and frankly not at all competitive in a global sense.  I appreciate the fact that sourcing local ingredients is more expensive and I think the argument that overall the good that this could do the community was well worth the exemption. 

Here is the problem... Mayor Miro Weinberger did not articulate that argument and frankly can't seem to avoid stepping in shit.  Maybe it seems sexy to act like a big time politician and always be grifting and doing business in shady ways but this community is too small for that crap.  First he tries to give his buddy the, new AG, a big raise.  Maybe the guy deserved it but given that they were friends, the way the story came out, and the fumbling response it was just a mess.  Well lesson learned.  Oh wait, the lesson was not learned?  The mayor did the exact same f*ing stupid thing again less than 1 yr later?!  You are friendly w/ a local businessman and then all of a sudden a related business seemingly gets very favorable treatment?  And on top of that the exemption you allow is to take away $$ from workers in a down economy when this is the most sensitive issue facing politicians across the country.  Are you an idiot?  I am very pro business and have been happy to hear you are trying to fire up what has become somewhat of a stagnant city in that respect.  I am a fan of the Adler's and think they are running a solid business.  Shit, I want a beer once I get through security!!!!  But, who is running PR for the mayor of Burlington?!  Fire that person... today!!! Between the daily coffee breaks and trips for lunch of whatever, the non-stop useless tweets, the wow I can't believe I get front row for Dalai Lama pics, and the political favoritism for friends... I half expect Marion Berry to be our next City Treasurer.

Pull it together.  Maybe pick your spots and think about the impact of decisions you make as they relate to the various thematic elements within the city/state/country.  In any instance where there might be a whiff of impropriety draft out a plan and a clear justification for the choices you have made that are clear, concise, and ready before (not after) you screw up. If you worked at a bank you would be in front of Congress and the SEC... and Bernie would be leading the charge. Seriously, could you imagine if a Republican pulled an exemption for livable wages here in Vermont?  You would have to be buying directly from only VT farmers and pay triple the wholesale food costs to justify that to Welch and Sanders.  Please let this city trust you and respect you.  Bob Kiss may have been a clown but I never saw him as a shyster which is the reputation you are gaining.

And another thing... why do they call it taking a dump when you are clearly leaving it?!?!?

**** here is a follow up letter from the Skinny Pancake.  Worth a read.  Again, my argument is not really with SP. http://skinnypancake.com/2012/11/28/the-truth-about-the-livable-wage-ordinance-exemption/