Council refuses request

By Erin O'Connor

Staff Writer

WEST SPRINGFIELD "It is inappropriate for a town council to take on a national issue such as the impeachment of the president," West Springfield city council president Gerard B. Matthews said to Reminder Publications last week.

A regular city council meeting heated up on Aug. 7 when West Springfield resident Susi Davis, during the "citizen's speak out" brought forward a resolution with 200 signatures from West Springfield citizens that asked for the Council to push for the House of Representatives to investigate mentioned activities and call for an impeachment and trial of President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard Cheney.

"No council person has requested this item to be placed on the agenda. All were against sponsoring the resolution," said Matthews.

The resolution was written by Davis who compiled information through other sources and then got in touch with a lawyer in California who edited the document to one page.

The resolution stated that Bush and Cheney appeared to conspire with others to defraud the United States by manipulating prewar intelligence, misleading Congress and the public, promoting torture of prisoners, acting contrary to the intent of the United Nations Convention, unsurping the legislative power of Congress and in all acting in a manner contrary to the trust of a President.

No members of the City Council spoke to sponsor the petition presented by Davis that would allow the resolution to be put on the agenda for discussion in future city council meetings.

"The interest of the City Council would have been necessary in order for the resolution to be put on the agenda," Matthews said.

"I admire her," said Cynthia Romaniak, West Springfield City Council member, in speaking of Davis' "civic participation."

It is such a heartfelt issue that most people had a strong opinion one way of the other. I got a few calls," she said.

In Northampton last week a similar resolution requesting the City to push for an investigation into the president and vice presidents' activities made its way to the House floor and was forwarded on to the House Committee on Rules where it will await discussion.

"The resolution was initially brought forward by a citizen but was then a collaboration of three council members," said Northampton city council member, David Narkewicz.

Narkewicz a formal congressional staffer explained that these city resolutions have been building since legislation was introduced by the ranking Democrat in the House Judiciary Committee, Representative John Conyers, Jr. Matthews said "Difference of personal opinions," was the reason between West Springfield and Northampton in opening up the resolution for discussion.

"It was wonderful to see so many people engaged in what was being brought forward," Romaniak said.

"My goodness... what a fiasco!" Davis said after the Council meeting. Davis commented that outside the Municipal Building were individuals protesting and that some city counselors referred to her as "foolish".

"They said it is up to the Congress but I believe it's up to the grass roots people," Charlie Rogers, a citizen speaking in favor of the Resolution, said, "I will look for a grass roots movement where people with various issues would change what's happening in our country in regards to Bush and this country," he said.

The key individual in opposition to the resolution was James G. Berrelli Jr., who wished to be identified as a private citizen and veteran from West Springfield who gave a speech at the meeting

"I myself don't agree with some of the President Bush's administration policies but his actions do not justify impeachment," Berrelli said in his speech.

"They can certainly bring it to their representatives in Washington," said Romaniak. "Northampton did quite a bit in this area and they worked for three months. We (West Springfield) are just coming off of economic situations and this is not the right venue for it."

"I don't want to stop here," said Davis, "because I believe I am in the right and I represent the strong majority of the citizens of West Springfield." She plans on continuing the collection of signatures and asks interested parties to contact her at amelia.grace@yahoo.com.

Comments can also be addressed to Matthews at 263-3015.

"We applauded her, for her initiative in coming forward, we as elected officials always look to coming forward in the political process," he said.