One more Burlington politics post

Updated @ 10:59 am and again @ 2:35 pm.

Big story in the Free Press about a possible scandal involving the zoning re-write.

It seems that the consultant who was doing the re-write was being paid $65/hour, totaling more than $200,000 to date. Apparently, this is acceptable for a short-term contract, like her original 90-day one, but for the length of time she has been making this much money, it is way out of step with what city employees make. The mayor only makes in the $80,000-range.

The tabloid angle of this whole snafu is that said planner is alleged to be having an affair with the city employee who authorizes her contract and her paychecks, city attorney Joe McNeil.

Okay, the article doesn't use the word "affair" and I have no specific knowledge, other than that is the official rumor.

The Free Press has the dirt, but their links only work for a week, usually.

UPDATE: The mayor and representatives from City Council will hold a press conference at noon today to talk about the zoning re-write.

The City Councilors are: City Council President Ian Carleton and Councilors Jane Knodell, Ward 2, Andy Montroll, Ward 6, and Kurt Wright, who represents Ward 4.

Update 2: Channel 17 will have complete coverage of the press conference at 7 PM tonight.