[T]he Winooski and South Burlington city councils have joined their Burlington counterpart in passing a resolution calling for an alternative mission to the F-35 fighter that are set to arrive at the local airport next year.
The resolution was adopted on a 3-1 vote in South Burlington and unanimously in Winooski, 5-0.
The action Monday night came nearly a month after Burlington’s City Council passed a similar measure, following a Town Meeting Day referendum in which city voters opposed the F-35 basing by 55-45 percent. The council vote was 9-3.
After a period during which Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger said he was studying the issues raised by the public and in a VTDigger investigative series, he announced he was sticking to his earlier position supporting the F-35 and declined to sign the resolution.
Vermont’s three-member congressional delegation has also voiced its continued support of the plan, which calls for the eventual arrival of 18 of the planes at Burlington International Airport beginning in 2019.
In response to a request from VTDigger, Sens. Patrick Leahy, D, and Bernie Sanders, I, and Rep. Peter Welch, D, issued a joint statement:
“The Air Force, after a nationwide review, followed the facts and determined that the Vermont Guard and Burlington were the best unit and location for the F-35A,” they said. “It is incorrect that the Air Force is looking to find a base for the C-130 aircraft. There is no other mission for the Vermont Air National Guard, and we are confident they will excel at this one.”
During consideration of the resolutions by all three councils, opponents complained of potentially dangerous noise levels, safety issues related to a possible crash and the serious impact on quality of life in the communities. Supporters argued the F-35 program was essential to the nation’s defense and helped protect more than 1,100 area jobs.
Former Vermont Rep. George Cross, D-Winooski, who had unsuccessfully sought legislative action delaying the siting of the F-35s while serving as a lawmaker, applauded the Winooski and South Burlington council votes. He said he hoped the move would spark conversations between residents and their elected officials.
“I think that both resolutions are very good,” said Cross said. “It is unfortunate that the congressional delegation and many of Vermont’s political and civic leaders have abandoned the citizens of this great state who are negatively impacted by this military decision.
“The people have spoken, the politicians are not listening,” he said. “Hopefully the Air Force will.”
The resolutions are advisory in nature and carry no legal clout with the Air Force, which has given no indication of a willingness to re-examine its aircraft mission in Vermont.
South Burlington’s Monday night meeting took on an emotional tone when Alison Cossette, the daughter of council member Pat Nowak who died recently, criticized the body’s support for the resolution. Nowak was a longtime supporter for the Vermont Air National Guard and the F-35 program, and a member of the Airport Commission.
The Vermont National Guard’s adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Steven Cray, was out-of-town but sent South Burlington City Council Chairperson Helen Riehle several text messages about the resolutions, which were confirmed by Riehle.
“I’m personally disappointed with the council resolution, but not surprised based on your comments at the Burlington Council meeting,” Cray said. “I’m still hopeful that one day the communities will work together instead of against.”
Cray went on to say, “These resolutions in no way support the Vermont Air Guard. They are professionals and will do their jobs. Please know that the men and women of the Air Guard continue to train and prepare for their current and future mission regardless of these distractions.”
In Winooski, although the council vote was unanimous the views of residents are not.
“I’m against the superpower of military arms,” Sister Irene Duchesneau, a resident of Our Lady of Providence Assisted-Living Facility, said in an interview. “We need to tend to our county, work on the infrastructure and feed the poor.”
However, Winooski native Norma Audette offered a different take. “I see no problem with the F-35s here,” she said. “I’m going to feel safer.”
