Hi all,
~representing my own views here and not those of the full Selectboard or town~
Wanted to let you know that at Tuesday’s board meeting, 6pm at Town Hall, we will hear remarks from the Executive Director of the Vermont Criminal Justice Council. This is the organization that drafted the state boilerplate policy our police adopted, which seems to force local police into cooperating with federal immigration authorities, despite Hartford voters’ wishes in 2020.
While it’s not warned in the agenda, I imagine there’s a chance we’ll hear from the incoming police chief, Constance Kelley, who goes by Connie, on the matter. I’m keen to learn where Chief Kelley lands on this.
The VCJC has previously alluded to their alleged power to not train or certify our officers if we alter their boilerplate. In no uncertain terms, Vermont law states that towns have the right to alter this boilerplate to prohibit cooperation with immigration authorities. I’m interested in hearing what latitude the Executive Director feels he has with jurisdictions that follow the letter and spirit of state law.
Remember that you can also witness/participate in the meeting via Zoom over your dinner, or simply write an email to the board and/or town manager.
Zoom link for meetings:
Email to reach all board members: selectboard@hartford-vt.org
Town Manager: jhaverstock@hartford-vt.org
It doesn’t look like the board will vote on Tuesday, so this will be a question for the new board in March. I, for one, will be recommending the police adopt a policy that follows the Welcoming Hartford Ordinance and not the state boilerplate.
Making immigrants, queer/trans people, and the disabled into unworthy “others” in our society was the start of a much darker time in history past. But let’s be clear: this didn’t start under Donald Trump. Joe Biden’s monthly average deportation was 57,000 humans, every month across his presidency. In his first month, Trump has deported 37,660. So let’s oppose this… but let’s not forget we oppose it no matter who’s doing it. Let’s keep the same keen eye and open critique on a Democratic president if there should be one later.
Sticking out our own necks to protect our neighbors, all our neighbors, is the foundation of a society.
Brandon Smith 