[Montpelier, Vermont] Council OKs impeachment referendum

By Times Argus

MONTPELIER — Voters in the city will have a chance in November to voice their opinions on the legality of actions taken by President Bush and Vice President Cheney after the City Council agreed Wednesday to place a referendum on the ballot.

The referendum asks city residents to authorize the city to urge the state's representative in Congress to call for investigations into Bush and Cheney and move for impeachment if any criminal wrongdoing is found.

Resident Craig Hill has been pushing the issue and said Wednesday that he has collected the 310 signatures necessary to place the question on the ballot.

City councilors approved the wording and the placement pending Hill's submission of the completed signature sheets by the close of business today.

The referendum is the latest in a nationwide movement by cities, states and counties to call for impeachment. In March, five southern Vermont towns passed similar resolutions, calling on Rep. Bernie Sanders to push for impeachment.

State legislators have also expressed disapproval, and the Democratic State Committee voted in April to urge the U.S. Congress to begin impeachment proceedings against President Bush.

The Democratic Committees of eight Vermont counties have also called for impeachment.