Burlington City Council votes on resolution against F-35’s

By: Courtney Adelman, Aug. 13, 2019

BURLINGTON, VT – On Monday night the Burlington City Council approved a resolution against basing nuclear capable aircrafts at Burlington International Airport.

The resolution calls on officials like Mayor Weinberger and Gov. Phil Scott to tell the United States Department of Defense that f-35’s are not welcome in the Queen City.

Military officials have maintained that wasn’t in the plans.

State Public Affairs Officer for Vermont National Guard, Capt. Mikel Arcovitch said, ” At this point Vermont does not have a nuclear mission and there are no nuclear plans for the future..”

Some Vermonters say having the F-35’s in Burlington could still make the area a target.

“Regardless we are going to be a target as soon as they get here because they have a capability of holding nuclear weapons,” said Julie Macuga of Save Our Skies Vermont.

“The airport is surrounded by three cities and four towns. So, if takeoff has a problem and crashes into Winooski, that will be such a disaster,” said activist James Marc Leas.

Leas also says the noise from the F-35’s, would be dangerous for children and adults.

“There are hundreds of people living in a particularly high noise zone that the air force says in a place like that you can expect to get hearing damage,” said Leas.

An amendment added by the city council president acknowledges the council recognizes the planes are coming and the resolution wouldn’t stop it.

Those in favor of the fighter jets say it will bring in a lot of money.

“The f-35 brings in 30 ish new positions that bring in over a million dollars annually for Vermonters, “said Capt. Arcovitch.

According to Leas and others, they will keep fighting.