sarahby Ginny Callan
East Montpelier voters discussed and unanimously approved a non-binding resolution “Relating to the Overreach of Presidential Power” at Tuesday’s Town Meeting, March 4. The resolution was introduced by East Montpelier resident Andrew Christiansen at the end of Town Meeting, under other business.
After reading a personal statement followed by the resolution. Christiansen received a standing ovation by meeting attendees.
East Montpelier voters discussed the proposal for about half an hour. Many residents spoke emotionally about the politically challenging times that we are now living in and how the vulnerable portion of the population is truly at risk. A voice vote was unanimous followed by more applause by the meeting attendees.
East Montpelier joins at least two other Vermont towns that passed the same resolution, Westminster and Guilford, according to reports on mynbc5.com.
The Resolution Relating to the Overreach of Presidential Power reads as follows:
WHEREAS the Town of East Montpelier is the final resting place for 35 Revolutionary War soldiers who fought against an authoritarian English king, is a town that fought against racism by sending 136 soldiers to fight in the Union Army in the Civil War, and is a town that went to war against fascism during World War II, and
WHEREAS, federal programs support East Montpelier agriculture and forestry projects, assist town road maintenance and flood recovery, and all these funds are in jeopardy because of a President violating laws passed by Congress; and
WHEREAS, Vermont nonprofits and other businesses are being closed, increasing the number of newly unemployed Vermonters as a direct result of illegal Executive Orders and DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) activities; and
WHEREAS, many of the sitting President’s actions suggest similarities with the rise of Hitler in the 1930’s, by pursuing total executive power, repeating Hitler’s rhetoric, and by threatening allies and neighboring nations; and
WHEREAS, the President supports the Russian dictator, Vladimir Putin, echoes Russian propaganda, and is working against Ukraine while undermining our alliance with Europe and NATO;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the town of East Montpelier condemns these moves towards authoritarianism and fascism by the federal government of the United States of America and calls upon Congress to resist any effort to give exclusive power to the Executive branch in setting budgets or assisting fascist regimes elsewhere in the world; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the town of East Montpelier calls upon our local and state leaders to resist all Presidential Executive Orders or acts which violate the Constitution of the United States; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be sent to our Congressional Delegation; to the Vermont Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House; the chair of the Vermont Republican and Democratic Parties and the leaders of the National Republican and Democratic Committees.
