Town meeting to feature vote on ending Iraq war Arrowsic residents petition for resolution

ARROWSIC – People in this small Sagadahoc County town will vote at town meeting on a resolution calling for an end to the war in Iraq.

Organizers on Friday submitted a petition for the resolution to appear on the town warrant at the June 13 town meeting. The petition included signatures of 57 registered voters, nearly double the 31 that were required to put the matter on the warrant, said Selectman Larry Wilson.

The resolution “urges President George W. Bush and U.S. Congress to act swiftly and decisively to immediately stop all funding for the war in Iraq, end the occupation and bring all U.S. troops safely home.”

It also states that Arrowsic “supports the women and men serving” in the U.S. armed forces and recognizes their sacrifice. It cites the number of people killed and wounded so far in the war.

Paul Schlein, one of the petition drive organizers, said the resolution is modeled after a similar resolution used in Washington state.

“As far as I know, and I did some research, we’re the only town in Maine with such a warrant article,” Schlein said.

Schlein said there were two motivating factors in circulating the petition.

“One was it seemed appropriate, given the news headlines,” he said. “The other was that the cost of this war is being felt directly on our budget. Our taxes go up because the state has less because federal monies are being diverted to the war. The war in Iraq is a local issue now.”