Candidates for Ward 3 Burlington City Council respond to F-35 questions
Three of the five candidates call for a halt to the F-35 training flights in a densely populated area
Responses about the F-35 training flights over Burlington were received from four of the candidates running for the Burlington Progressive Party nomination for the open Ward 3 seat on the Burlington City Council. Answers to Yes-No questions and an opportunity for in-their-own-words comment about the F-35 issue were requested in an open letter submitted to all the candidates on June 10.
Two of the candidates, July Sanders and Joe Magee, answered all five questions and provided a comment. Julie Macuga and Ryan Addario just provided comments. Owen Milne did not respond.
Here are the questions and the responses from the candidates:
(a) Do you think F-35 training flights should continue in this densely populated area where the US Air Force said 2,963 households with 6,663 people are exposed to the 115 decibel noise?
July Sanders Yes ___ No __x_
Joe Magee Yes ___ No __x_
(b) Are you concerned that the Air Force also said that low income and minority populations are disproportionately impacted by the F-35?
July Sanders Yes _x__ No ___
Joe Magee Yes _x__ No ___
(c) Do you think city action to protect the public is needed to demand that the state halt the F-35 training flights in any populated area in view of the Air Force also saying that repeated exposure to military jet noise at that level can cause permanent hearing damage and can impair the cognitive development of children?
July Sanders Yes _x__ No ___
Joe Magee Yes _x__ No ___
(d) If elected, will you initiate or support measures to terminate the state's F-35 training operations from the City's airport and in any densely populated area?
July Sanders Yes _x__ No ___
Joe Magee Yes _x__ No ___
(e) During the campaign for city council will you speak out and campaign in favor of halting F-35 training flights from the City's airport?
July Sanders Yes _x__ No ___
Joe Magee Yes _x__ No ___
(f) Please provide any further comments on the F-35 issue.
July Sanders: I was an original supporter of Save Our Skies and worked tirelessly leading up to the original City Council vote on the matter. At the meeting I spoke in opposition to the basing. Now that they are here, the reality is worse. They are a nuisance and disruptive where I live, but down right scary in other areas. Nobody should have to endure that, nobody.
Joe Magee: I voted against the basing of the F-35s at BTV, and have opposed that decision from the start. I think it’s time that the city honor the will of the people as voiced on that ballot question and do everything in our power to halt the F-35 flights in Burlington. We must, as a city, prioritize the health and well-being of residents above all else, especially the marginalized communities most severely impacted by the F-35.
Julie Macuga sent a reply to a posting of the open letter on Facebook: Hey. I'm one of the candidates-- I have spent years on the Steering Committee for Save Our Skies VT and have been working against these nuclear bombers for a long time. I am unflinchingly opposed to the F-35s and the corrupt basing process that brought them here.
Ryan Addario sent this comment via email: I think our focus and political muscle should go toward ensuring that those who are most affected have the resources they need to minimize the noise in their homes and neighborhoods and cope with the associated stress. Our more vulnerable neighbors who are bearing the brunt of the fallout around the F-35 training missions deserve nothing less than being the focus of our energy on this issue, rather than what is sure to be a protracted and complex set of negotiations in the fight for a longer-term solution.
Owen Milne: No response
Contact the five candidates with your questions: Julie Macuga <juliemacuga@gmail.com>, July Sanders <julysanders8@gmail.com>, Joe Magee <jcmagee626@gmail.com>, Owen Milne <owen@communitysailingcenter.org>, Ryan Addario <ward3ryan@gmail.com>
Write or call your public servants:
Governor Phil Scott 802-828-3333 Chief of Staff <Jason.Gibbs@vermont.gov>
Vermont National Guard's Complaint Line: 802-660-5379
Online F-35 Spring-Summer 2021 Report & Complaint Form:https://tinyurl.com/4zjjn39x
Senator Patrick Leahy 800-642-3193 Chief of Staff <john_tracy@leahy.senate.gov>
Senator Bernie Sanders 800-339-9834 <Senator@sanders.senate.gov>
Congressman Peter Welch 888-605-7270 Chief of Staff <patrick.satalin@mail.house.gov>
Burlington City Council <citycouncil@burlingtonvt.gov>
Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger <mayor@burlingtonvt.gov>
Winooski Mayor Kristine Lott <klott@winooskivt.org>
S. Burlington City Council Chair Helen Riehle <hriehle@sburl.com>
Williston Selectboard Chair Terry Macaig <macaig@msn.com>
VT Senate President Becca Balint <bbalint@leg.state.vt.us>
VT House Speaker Jill Krowinski <jkrowinski@leg.state.vt.us>
Attorney General TJ Donavan <DonovanTJ@gmail.com>
States Attorney Sarah George <Sarah.fair.george@gmail.com>
Vermont’s Federal Prosecutor <usavt.contactus1@usdoj.gov>
Adjutant General Brig Gen Gregory C Knight <gregory.c.knight.mil@mail.mil>
Major J Scott Detweiler <john.s.detweiler.mil@mail.mil>
Wing Commander Col David Shevchik <david.w.shevchik@mail.mil>