Bar Harbor committee rejects anti-war resolution

BAR HARBOR – The warrant committee will recommend that residents reject a resolution condemning a possible war with Iraq when they meet for a special town meeting next week.

The committee, after extended discussion Monday, narrowly voted against the resolution written by the grass-roots group MDI United for Peace.

“A lot of people thought it simply was not something a local governmental body should be voting about,” committee Secretary Gail Leiser said Tuesday. “It’s not a local issue.”

The committee was divided, with seven members opposing the resolution, six voting to endorse it and three abstaining.

The town meeting will be held at 7 p.m. March 4 in the third-floor auditorium at the town office. Copies of the special town meeting warrant, which include the actual resolution to be voted upon, are available from the town clerk.

Committee member David Lind, a retired military officer who worked in both intelligence and diplomatic circles, warned the committee Monday evening that supporting the resolution could undermine U.S. foreign policy and American troops already deployed to the gulf region.

He said officials in other countries would use the resolutions against the United States, although American military officials would merely ignore the resolution when it arrived on their desks.

“This gives them leverage,” Lind said of other countries who oppose U.S. policy on Iraq, “and puts our troops at risk.”

Members of the MDI United for Peace effort attended the meeting but didn’t have much to say. They think the meaningful vote on the issue will be taken during next Tuesday’s special town meeting and declined to get into an argument over the resolution.

The Bar Harbor Town Council authorized a special town meeting to give all residents a chance to vote on the resolution. Councilors were uncomfortable supporting the resolution because they believe the community is divided on the question.

Some warrant committee members clearly did not want to weigh in on the question, but Chairman Robert Jordan Jr. said the town charter requires the panel to make recommendations on all items that come before voters at either special or regular town meetings – with the exception of recommending candidates for office.