Brattleboro passes impeachment resolution

BRATTLEBORO — And then there were six.

First, it was Brookfield, Dummerston, Marlboro, Newfane, and Putney. Now, add Brattleboro to the list of towns calling for the impeachment of Pres. George W. Bush.

On Saturday, representatives at Brattleboro's annual town meeting, after roughly six hours of debating municipal and school budgets, spent another hour and a half of intense discussion on the measure.

The impeachment resolution that eventually passed was similar to the ones passed in other Vermont towns, and was introduced by Dora Bouboulis.

Some at the meeting were concerned that the resolution’s language was too inflammatory, and lacked evidence. Others felt that town meeting was not the appropriate time and place to bring it up. One person remarked that, "town meeting reps are elected to pass or reject budget appropriations, etc., not impeachment resolutions.”

Brattleboro’s moderator did allow comments from the gallery and one resident passionately claimed that "this was the right time and place, that the town meeting reps represent the concerns of their districts and this was too important to ignore."

Even though there was not as much teeth in this resolution compared to the ones passed in other Vermont towns, Bouboulis was satisfied with the results.

About 10 people opposed the measure.

"It was an action. It sends an action to Washington and most of all the discussion was respectful, intelligent, thoughtful and that's what town meeting and democracy is all about," said Bouboulis.

The final resolution, as amended at Brattleboro’s town meeting, was: “Be it resolved further by the Town Meeting Representatives of Brattleboro, that our Senators and Representative in the United States Congress be, and they are hereby, requested to cause to be instituted in the Congress of the United States proper proceedings for the investigation of the activities of the President, to see whether that he may be impeached and removed from such office.”

— Christian Avard

UVM names new development, alumni director

BURLINGTON — A higher education professional with an extensive portfolio in fundraising and strategic management will become vice president for development and alumni relations at the University of Vermont.

William A. Neidt, the senior vice president for strategic planning at the University of Colorado Foundation, will begin the job in May.

Neidt’s fundraising career spans more than 21 years at the University of Kansas’ University Endowment Association, the University of California at Davis and the University of Colorado Foundation. Throughout his career, Neidt has planned and directed fundraising campaigns that have cumulatively netted $373 million in private support.

“I feel fortunate to have succeeded in attracting Bill Neidt to UVM at this critically important time,” said UVM Pres. Daniel Fogel. “His demonstrated success in fundraising will give our campaign the final push it needs. Once we have completed our goal, Bill will play a primary leadership role in planning our next comprehensive campaign. Fundraising will remain a strategically important source of revenue as we continue to advance our goal of permanently joining the first rank of American universities.  At the same time, we will continue to strengthen our relationships with alumni, parents, and friends through the auspices of our development and alumni relations efforts.”

Neidt comes to UVM at a time when UVM’s comprehensive $250 million campaign is about 90 percent complete. The campaign runs through June 30, 2007.

“I'm excited to lead the development and alumni division at UVM.  Private funding from donors, coupled with strong alumni support, will make a big difference in the University's future.  Pres. Fogel and his team have created good momentum in carrying out a new plan and vision, and I look forward to joining them in this endeavor,” Neidt said.

Posted March 27, 2006

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