MARIJUANA MEASURE FAILS IN COUNCIL

The Burlington City Council narrowly defeated a watered-down ballot
question on decriminalization of marijuana that would have asked the
governor and Legislature "to explore an alternative to the criminal
system for dealing with small quantities of marijuana."

The measure, sponsored by Ed Adrian, D-Ward 1, and Tim Ashe, P-Ward
3, failed 7-6 in a vote late Tuesday night.

Those supporting the resolution were: Adrian; Ashe; Clarence Davis,
P-Ward 3; Russ Ellis, D-Ward 4; Joan Shannon, D-Ward 5; and Andy
Montroll, D-Ward 6.

Opposed were: Sharon Bushor, I-Ward 1; Jane Knodell, P-Ward 2; Kurt
Wright, R-Ward 4; Bill Keogh, D-Ward 5; Barbara Perry, I-Ward 6; and
Paul Decelles and Craig Gutchell, Ward 7 Republicans.

Cheryl McDonough, P-Ward 2, was absent.

The resolution originally called for the mayor and City Council to
explore decriminalization locally, as well as asking state
government to take a look at the issue.

The local portion reappeared Tuesday as a separate resolution, but
not as a ballot item. It passed 11-2, with Bushor and Decelles
voting against it.

In its modified version, the local marijuana resolution gives the
council's Public Safety Committee the assignment to "explore
creating another option of handling small quantities of marijuana."
The phrase "within the city of Burlington" was pulled from
the resolution during council debate.

Adrian, the committee chairman, said the committee will listen to
"perspectives from all sides" of the marijuana debate. He added: "I
was disappointed that it wasn't put on the ballot so the people
could weigh in on this, but that's the way the democratic process works."

In other business, the council unanimously voted to put a bond
authorization for Burlington Electric Department on the March 4
ballot. BED is asking for authority to issue bonds of $39.6 million
for capital improvements.