As the Air Force gets ready to make a decision on whether to base the F-35 in Burlington, last-minute support campaigns are turning on the afterburners.
Postcards addressed to the Air Force supporting the F-35 basing project are circulating across the state. Nicole Citro, creator of the Green Ribbons for the F-35, launched the campaign Wednesday to give proponents a “quick and easy” way to show their support for the project.
The postcards is designed to help Vermonters show support for the F-35 before the public comment period on the Air Force’s draft Environmental Impact Statement ends July 15, Citro said.
The postcards were distributed to 13 locations in Chittenden County, mailed to supporters and can be requested online. Yesterday afternoon, Citro received 100 requests the mailers. During her brief conversation Thursday morning with VTDigger.org, 20 more people asked for postcards.
Citro refused to disclose how many postcards were circulated. Neither would she say how much money was spent on the pre-paid cards, which are addressed to Nicholas Germanos, the civilian project manager who worked on the Air Force’s environmental impact statement.
The money for her campaign comes from small donations in exchange for a green ribbons and stickers, she said.
“Oh my God, people bring me money all the time,” Citro said. “As significant is the support, is so is the generosity.”
Citro is vice president at the Citro Agency, a South Burlington-based provider of auto, home and life insurance. She said she is the only member of her advocacy organization.
Frank Cioffi, president for the Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation, said that the F-35 for Vermont advocacy organization, which is run by GBIC, supports Citro’s postage campaign, but is not financially involved, currently.
“We’ll make a contribution to her efforts,” Cioffi said.
Citro began the Green Ribbons for the F-35 campaign July last year because she said opponents were drowning out overwhelming support for the F-35.
She said many of her customers and clients in the business community have demonstrated support for the F-35s.
After tying her first green ribbon made from a plastic tablecloth, she has now given out approximately 10,000 ribbons and stickers. Cards can be found at service stations in Essex Junction, Williston, Colchester, Milton, Burlington, Winooski, South Burlington, or requested online.
