Garrett Park, MD City Council Votes to Hold Impeachment Referendum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2007
Contacts:
Garrett Park Town Hall: Mayor Carolyn Shawaker (301) 942-0766
MD8Impeach: Lisa Moscatiello (202) 256-1764

Garrett Park, MD City Council Votes to Hold Impeachment Referendum

On Monday, September 10th, the City Council of Garrett Park, Maryland voted to hold a referendum on a resolution to call on the Maryland Congressional delegation to begin impeachment proceedings against President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard B. Cheney. Approximately seventy-five residents attended the meeting with ten speakers addressing the Council, all expressing views in favor of impeachment.

The referendum would replace a resolution that was on the agenda Monday night that would have allowed only the Council members to vote on impeachment. Mayor Carolyn Shawaker said today that the decision was based on the Council’s judgment that a referendum with a secret ballot would encourage wider community participation by including those who might be reluctant to sign a petition. She said that the Council will set a date for the referendum once the city’s legal counsel can determine the amount of lead time that is required by law.

Garrett Park is in Representative Chris Van Hollen’s Congressional District (MD-8). On July 23rd, the City Council of Takoma Park, Maryland, which is also in Congressman Van Hollen’s district, voted unanimously to pass a resolution similar to the one Garrett Park is now considering. Next week a delegation of elected officials and other members of his constituency will be meeting with the Congressman to ask him to consider cosponsoring an existing bill to impeach the Vice President (H Res 333) or to introduce an impeachment bill himself.

Video: Takoma Park, MD citizens organize to Impeach Them!