Resolution Relating to

RESOLUTION________

CALLING ON THE GOVERNOR TO HALT F-35
PRACTICE FLIGHTS AND MOBILIZE THE FULL
VERMONT GUARD TO STOP THE SPREAD OF
THE CORONAVIRUS

Sponsor(s): Councilor Freeman
Introduced: ____________________
Referred to: ____________________
______________________________
Action: ________________________
Date: __________________________
Signed by Mayor: ________________

CITY OF BURLINGTON
In the year Two Thousand Nineteen ………………………………………………………………………
Resolved by the City Council of the City of Burlington, as follows:
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That

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the Vermont National Guard to assist in the response to the coronavirus public health emergency, but that

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more than a quarter of its members are continuing to maintain and fly practice sessions of the F-35; and

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WHEREAS, the City Council is concerned that the Governor has not mobilized all of the members of

WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to call on the Governor to halt these F-35 practice flights and
mobilize the full Vermont Guard to stop the spread of the coronavirus; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council requests that the Clerk/Treasurer’s
Office forward to the Governor the following communication:
“We call on the Governor to halt the F-35 practice flights and mobilize the full Vermont Guard to stop
the spread of coronavirus.

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We are long-time opponents of basing F-35 jets at Burlington’s Airport. But, like many Vermonters,

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we are strong supporters of the men and women in the Guard in their proper role of protecting the people of

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Vermont. Pursuant to that proper role, we ask you, as Governor and as Commander-in-Chief, to order the

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Guard to stop flying practice sessions of the F-35 jets and, instead, to fully mobilize to combat the COVID-19

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pandemic.

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Regarding the pandemic, we welcomed your March 23 order that Vermont Guard members set up

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three overflow medical facilities for low acuity patients. We also welcomed the goal of your March 24

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Executive Order directing Vermonters to stay at home “to preserve the public health and safety, to ensure the

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healthcare delivery system is capable of serving all, and to help protect those at the highest risk and

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vulnerability.”

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Your order did not fully mobilize the Vermont Guard to combat the virus: More than a quarter of its

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4000 members remain dangerously diverted to maintaining and flying practice sessions of the F-35. We urge

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you to mobilize all 4000 members to defeat the virus. Among the additional things a fully mobilized Vermont

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Guard can do are:

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1. Coordination, planning, and logistics.

 Page 2
Resolution Relating to

CALLING ON THE GOVERNOR TO HALT F-35 PRACTICE FLIGHTS
AND MOBILIZE THE FULL VERMONT GUARD TO STOP
THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS

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2. Acquisition, assembly, and delivery of personal protective equipment and ventilators to hospitals

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and medical offices in all 14 counties.

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3. Oversee delivery of food, supplies, and protective materials to the elderly, those with medical

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conditions, and those without cars.

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4. Build decent safe housing for the homeless, such as on the 44 acres of now-vacant land where 200

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affordable homes were torn down across from the Airport because of fighter jet noise.

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5. Continue setting up overflow medical facilities.

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If you focus on actions consistent with your stated goals and mobilize the full Guard in the fight, you

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might be able to halt the spread of the virus, flattening the exponentially growing curve, avoid overflowing

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hospitals, and save many lives.”

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lb/EBlackwod/Resolutions 2020/Call on Governor to Halt F-35 Practice Flights, Mobilize Vt. National Guard re Coronavirus (COVID-19)
4/8/20