[VTJP] The Burlington City Council votes to put referendum saying "bring the troops home now" on ballot

[James M Leas]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE contact James Marc Leas 802 864-1575   The Burlington City Council votes to put referendum on ballot saying bring troops home now   The Burlington City Council voted 12 to 1 to put an advisory referendum on the ballot saying that that "Burlington and its citizens strongly support the men and women serving in the United States Armed Forces in Iraq and believe that the best way to support them is to bring them home now" The vote will be held March 1, 2005. Supporters of the resolution were elated, chief among them the mother of a soldier currently serving in Iraq, Colleen McClaughlin. She can be reached at 802 865-2102.   The resolution was originally put forward by members of the Burlington Anti-War Coalition at the city council meeting two weeks ago. A subcommittee of the city council revised and shortened the resolution and presented it for the vote tonight. The coalition had also been petitioning to get the longer version on the ballot but is very pleased with the resolution adopted by the council.   The resolution was initially sponsored by city council member Jane Knodell who is also Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Vermont. Joining her in sponsoring the shorter version were council members Carleton and Ashe.   "We are delighted that the city council voted 12-1 to place this referendum on the ballot for a vote by Burlington voters. We are thrilled that it also enjoys the support of Burlington Mayor Peter Clavelle," said James Marc Leas. "Vermont has by far the most citizens killed in Iraq proportionate to population of any state. We are looking forward to Burlington voters sending a strong message to Congress and President Bush."   The text of the resolution follows:   MARCH 1, 2005 ANNUAL CITY MEETING-- ADVISORY REFERENDUM CONCERNING WITHDRAWAL OF AMERICAN TROOPS FROM IRAQ    In the year Two Thousand Five……………………………………………………………….. Resolved by the City Council of the City of Burlington, as follows:   That the following question be placed upon the ballot of the Annual City Meeting to be held March 1, 2005:             “Shall the voters of the City of Burlington advise the President and Congress that Burlington and its citizens strongly support the men and women serving in the United States Armed Forces in Iraq and believe that the best way to support them is to bring them home now?”   Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VTJP/   To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]   Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

Advisory Referendum re War in Iraq REVISED * Withdrawal of American Troops (3-1-05).doc
Description: MS-Word document