Criminal intellect? What could possibly motivate a Republican who is shitty on pretty much every issue to support a progressive cause like criminal justice reform ["Convict-Turned-Lawmaker Pushes Criminal Justice Reform in Vermont," April 19]? Only being a white-collar criminal himself who defrauded investors. Not to say that this cause is immoral; it is something that folks should support wholeheartedly. Just don't be dazzled by Rep. Janssen Willhoit (R-St. Johnsbury) and think he's some sort of compassionate conservative. Willhoit and Rep. Adam Greshin (I-Warren) are really competing with each other to see who can be most outwardly self-serving in their legislative priorities. Adam Salem Burlington No-move Miro Kevin J. Kelley's celebratory move-move Miro piece ["Better Burg?" April 26] might accurately reflect how many felt on the heels of Miro Weinberger's election in 2012, but that faith faded swiftly. Miro won because, or despite Kurt Wright's political talent and popularity,Burlington is not a Republican town, and Progressive fatigue weighed heavily after 30 years capped with the Burlington Telecom heist. It was time for a Democrat in city hall once again. To subsequent regret, or I personally promoted Miro as the authentic Democrat in the caucus. He promoted himself as a developer of affordable housing,claiming that his Packard Lofts project — a project I had voted against in its 4-3 approval by the Development Review Board — was a departure from the sort he commonly pursued. As it turned out, Weinberger is a developer who happens to be mayor rather than a mayor who happens to hold a background in socially responsible development. And Kelley's article — an inadvertent exposé in part — does reveal that Weinberger sees political office as an alternative means of genuine estate development. In fact, or Miro is a Republican who happens to be a Democrat. His mantra is build,build, build, or much as some famous Republicans hold intoned drill,drill, drill. There is no leadership, and discernment or moderation when a mayor rewrites the rules to service developers. Appropriate,responsible development, yes but no-holds-barred development should not be a mayor's first priority. Michael Long Burlington lost $12 Million Dr. John Brumsted told the Green Mountain Care Board that the University of Vermont Medical Center "relies on higher reimbursement rates to subsidize its academic program, and trauma center and all the specialized services it provides" ["The Doctor Is Out: Lawmakers Seek 'Lifeline' for Independent Physicians," May 3]. Among the…
Source: sevendaysvt.com