Lambertville officials say the wording was more of a "diplomacy resolution."
By: Linda Seida
LAMBERTVILLE Whatever you do, don’t call the resolution passed by City Council March 17 an "anti-war resolution."
That’s not what it is, the mayor and some council members say, and they’ll be quick to correct you.
It’s more of a "diplomacy resolution," they said, and they don’t think they’d be getting as much flak for their actions if people knew that.
And no, they don’t think it’s splitting hairs, they said. They don’t think "anti-war" and "pro-peace" are simply two sides of the same semantic coin.
"I just don’t believe that people know what we wrote. Not one paper printed the resolution," said Councilman Steven Stegman. "People don’t know what we passed. It’s not the same one introduced."
He added, "I think I would have just preferred for newspapers to print the resolution with the story. The general public has not been able to access what we voted on"
Mr. Stegman pointed out the council did not pass the original resolution presented by the Lambertville Coalition for Peace, an anti-war group who also presented a petition against the war signed by more than 800 people, about 500 of whom are city residents, according to the group. Instead the council took out all references to Iraq and the phrase "opposition to war" from the resolution that eventually passed, Mr. Stegman said. Also removed was a reference to the monetary cost of war in light of the heavier cost of human life.
"It was pro-diplomacy, and it acknowledged the contribution of everyone who fought," Mr. Stegman said.
It read:
WHEREAS the people of Lambertville, N.J., recognize the long and proud history of current and former residents of Lambertville in defending our nation during times of war and crisis;
WHEREAS the people of Lambertville honor the bravery and sacrifice of the men and women now serving in the United States armed forces;
WHEREAS military action would risk the lives of thousands of United States military personnel and non-combatants;
WHEREAS in the event of war, we hereby declare our support for our military;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council of the City of Lambertville urge the President of the United States to continue working through diplomatic channels.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution, duly adopted, shall be sent to President George W. Bush, United States Senators Frank Lautenberg and Jon Corzine and U.S. Representative Rush Holt.
There is a big difference between what the coalition asked the council to pass and what it ended up passing, according to Mr. Stegman.
"It’s the way you approach a situation or conflict that says who you are, no matter what your point of view is," he said. "I think we approached this in a very positive and caring way that I know the citizens of Lambertville would agree with if they had the chance to read the resolution."
He also pointed out that at the time the resolution was passed, the United States had not yet gone to war. The council, however, was aware of the looming possibility and took pains to say the city would "support our troops if and when we went to war," Mr. Stegman said.
"It was to seek a diplomatic solution for we were not at war yet and acknowledge the brave men and women from the city and our area who have given their lives for peace," he explained.
Councilwoman Marie Warford also does not like the term "anti-war resolution."
"I don’t like to hear it called that. I’d rather hear the word peace in it somewhere," she said.
Among those who disagree with the passage of the resolution is Mrs. Warford’s son. She said he asked her, "Mom, why did you ever vote that way?"
The members of her family, she said, "have a right to the way they feel, but I have a right to the way I feel. We’re a family who says what we think. We always do. We don’t always get along, but we always say what we think. That’s what America is you have a right to express your feelings."
She said she did not feel pressured to pass the resolution, despite the fact the meeting room in City Hall was packed with people in favor of the resolution on the night council voted. She would have preferred, however, that those who opposed the resolution had come out and voiced their opinions at the meeting and let council members know where they stand rather than wait until afterward. The night the Coalition for Peace filled the meeting room, only a handful in attendance spoke against the resolution.
"I think we all have every right to the way we feel," Mrs. Warford said. "But if you’re going to make such criticisms, and you’re not going to be there to make your viewpoint, then I think the criticisms are too hard."
She said she also has heard related criticism of council members for the city’s hosting of Zora Day, the event held Saturday to honor former resident Zora Andrich, who became famous on the reality television show "Joe Millionaire."
"That has nothing to do with council. Council didn’t approve that at all," Mrs. Warford said.
She noted proceeds from the event are going to local charities, including the Lambertville-New Hope Ambulance and Rescue Squad. As of press time, the amount raised was unknown although coordinator Elizabeth Dilts felt the goal of $500 had been reached.
Mayor David Del Vecchio said he’s received both positive and negative reactions to the resolution from residents.
"People say to me, ‘Thanks for doing that,’" the mayor said.
Others, however, tell him, "You’re a ‘blank’ for doing that," he said, with "blank" being a word not fit for polite company.
Did he feel pressured by the large turnout of people who filled City Hall to get their resolution passed?
"Well, we didn’t do it. We didn’t pass what was presented. We didn’t even get it introduced," Mayor Del Vecchio said.
Like Mr. Stegman, he pointed out the resolution the council passed was modified from the one the coalition presented.
If he had it to do over, would he handle it any differently?
"What we might have done is oppose the initial resolution and make our own resolution," he said. "Which we did anyway, but it kind of got lost. What we said was basically, we think we should have further diplomatic efforts, but if we go to war, we support the war effort."
It’s time to move on, he asserted.
"I think way too much is being made of this," he said. "It’s a symbolic resolution. In terms of the city, there is a lot more stuff we have to do. We have to do the budget. We have to finish the court," he said, referring to the construction of the new municipal complex on the site of the old Acme building.
He also noted the city is trying to address its traffic problems.
"There’s a whole range of things," Mayor Del Vecchio said.
He pointed out a list of things the council already has managed to accomplish for Lambertville, including applying for and receiving numerous grants, fixing the streets, a drainage project on Connaught Hill and the removal of abandoned cars there as well as the construction of a new recreation field for the city’s youth.
"We support our troops and want them to come back alive, like everybody else, with a victory," the mayor said.
The council now prefaces each public meeting with a moment of silence in honor of the troops, and the front door of City Hall is adorned with a large yellow ribbon.
The mayor defended his position and the council from a recent protest led by Donald "Tex" Huggins.
Mr. Huggins circulated a petition opposing the resolution and encouraged members of the Union Fire Company to boycott the Zora Day parade.
As a result, there were no firetrucks in the parade.
"I’ve tried to work for the city," said the mayor, who has announced he is running for a fifth consecutive term. "I’ve tried to help this city. I don’t take any pay. Just like Tex, I’m a volunteer. People are blowing some things out of proportion."