By Michael Donoghue Vermont News First
Gov. Phil Scott issued a welcome to Vice President J.D. Vance and his family on Thursday as they are due to arrive in Vermont on Friday for a get-away ski weekend.
Scott said he hoped Vermonters would be respectful of Vance, his wife and their three children, ages 2 to 7, during the family trip.
The Valley Reporter, which first broke the story of the visit, reported today that the Vances are no longer planning to stay at the Pitcher Inn on Main Street in Warren.
The award-winning inn had been attacked on social media by Vermonters for allowing the Vance family to stay there.
Some Vermonters are unhappy that Vance is visiting the Mad River Valley and have organized protests, including near the Pitcher Inn. There is at least one positive rally event scheduled.
Vice President JD Vance will not be staying at The Pitcher Inn in Warren Village this weekend during a family ski vacation at Sugarbush.
George Dorsey, the inn owner of the inn, said he had been informed that Vance had changed his lodging plan.
Vermont News First has learned the family may be staying at a private residence to avoid disrupting other guests at an inn.
“We have learned that a Saturday protest in Warren is likely. We have plans to put coffee out in front of The Warren Store for those who want a free cup. The Visit of the VP presents a rare opportunity to communicate to him. I hope that happens in a way that is sensitive to his three small children,” the Valley Reporter said Dorsey said in an email.
The Vances are planning to ski at the Sugarbush Resort, where protesters said they might try to join him on the slopes.
Scott did not say if he would be meeting with Vance. The Congressional delegation has not said if any of them plan to welcome the Vance family or visit with the Vice President.
Scott’s statement said:
“I welcome the Vice President and his family to Vermont and hope they enjoy their weekend here. It’s no surprise they chose Vermont, we’ve had a lot of snow this winter, which has been good for our economy. And while we’ve all been doing a lot of shoveling and plowing, Vermonters know it’s part of a rugged and adventurous way of life that makes our winters worthwhile,” Scott said in his statement.
“I hope Vermonters remember the Vice President is here on a family trip with his young children and, while we may not always agree, we should be respectful,” he continued.
“Please join me in welcoming them to Vermont, and hoping they have an opportunity to experience what makes our state, and Vermonters, so special.”
VTGOP Chair, Paul Dame, stated in a press release, “Vermont is a great place to raise a family, and it’s a wonderful place to spend time as a family on vacation. I regret that the Vice President, his wife and his children are facing the kind of opposition that I find inappropriate for such a purely personal visit.
This is why the Vermont Republican Party is launching an online “Welcome Card” that we are asking any Vermonter to sign to show that, whether you like the Vice President or not, he and his family – and every family are welcome in our state. The online “Welcome Card” will be open through Monday, at which point I will print out a copy of the signers and send it along with some Vermont Maple Syrup back to the White House thanking the Vice President for his visit and encouraging him and his family to return to Vermont for future family trips.”
Anyone can sign the petition thanking the Vance family for their visit, and welcoming them to come back to Vermont in the future.
A link to the petition can be found here:
https://www.vtgop.org/welcomevance/