but impeachment panel recommends Franklin County sheriff resign
by Guy Page
The Vermont House Special Committee on Impeachment Inquiry will not recommend impeachment of Franklin County Sheriff John Grismore, who before his election as sheriff was caught on video kicking (or as he says, pushing) a handcuffed suspect in the groin, House Speaker Jill Krowinski said today.
However, the panel “recommends” that he resign for the good of the people of Franklin County and the Office of Franklin County Sheriff.” It also recommends the Senate approve an amendment to give the Legislature more say over qualifications for holding the office of sheriff.
Proposal 1, which would do just that, has been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee in February but reportedly was not enthusiastically received by the full body of the Senate. It’s now in the Government Operations Committee.
Some lawmakers believe the problems arising from various sheriffs’ departments don’t require a constitutional amendment. As Rep. Gina Galfetti (R-Barre Town) wrote in VDC, “You can kill a mosquito with a sledge hammer. But should you?”
The impeachment panel came under fire for holding many behind-closed-doors meetings and for not addressing beforehand the problem of impeaching an elected official for an offense committed before he was elected.
House Speaker Jill Krowinski issued the following statement today regarding the Special Committee on Impeachment Inquiry decision to not recommend articles of impeachment for Grismore:
“I thank the members of the Special Committee on Impeachment Inquiry, who for months have worked diligently and impartially on these important matters. While the Committee is not recommending articles of impeachment for Sheriff Grismore, they made it clear that Mr. Grismore remaining in office is a detriment to the citizens of Franklin County. The Committee heard from many individuals, and while the report lays out a list of concerning actions that are completely unacceptable of an elected official, it does not meet the high bar for impeachment.
“The Special Committee on Impeachment Inquiry does make final recommendations that I believe are critical to ensure that Sheriff Grismore is held accountable, and we can address similar issues in the future. The Committee recommends that Sheriff Grismore resign for the good of the people of Franklin County and the Office of Franklin County Sheriff. Additionally, the Committee urges the Vermont Senate to adopt a proposed amendment to the Vermont Constitution that would allow for qualifications to be set for the office of Sheriff. This process has highlighted a concerning gap in our laws, and without action by the Senate, we risk being unable to hold individuals accountable in the future.
“An impeachment inquiry is a unique, long, and arduous process, and is a tool that is rarely used by the legislature except in extreme circumstances. I would like to especially thank Representatives Martin LaLonde and Mike McCarthy, Chair and Vice Chair of the committee, for their leadership and perseverance to this investigative process. This work would not be possible without the support from the Office of Legislative Counsel, Downs Rachlin Martin, and the individuals that came forward as witnesses to share their experiences.”
Discover more from Vermont Daily Chronicle
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categories: Local government
Yes, what we need is to have our elected officials, leave the ” Golden Doom ” and spend some time with Vermont’s law enforcement officers and understand what law officials deal with daily.
They are not working with the so-called ” prim & proper ” sitting under the Golden Doom, who turn their noses up with law enforcement, who are mostly dealing with thugs, and criminals on return visits on being arrested, and have no respect for anyone……….and includes the elite in Montpelier…………
Let’s vote, to make sure our elected officials do a month-long ride-along on the night shift and let them handle the situation at hand……I bet they’ll wet themselves……..
Let’s see who stands up, maybe House Speaker Jill Krowinski should be the first !!
Hey Swamp Rats 🐀 🐀 why where you holding many behind-Closed-Doors meeting??? We know Swamp Rats 🐀 🐀 with no response!! Beyond disgusting to say the least Swamp Rats 🐀 🐀 🥸🤡
Why Don’t you play bye the Rules Swamp Rats!! You think you are better than we are!! 😎
Wake up Americans wake up Vermonters!
Vote Red, Red, Red, Red, Red vote Red period folks!! Send Swamp Rats 🐀 🐀 packing period folks!! Down the River with no paddle period!!
WAKE UP PEOPLE !!
i vote the sheriff arrest these sewer rats and parade them in public view/// nothing but a pack of mafia crooks////
Total waste of time &money. They should go after you hat criminal SA in Addison county
The people of Franklin County voted for Sheriff Grismore even having seen the repeated footage on local news programs over and over again. We don’t need help from Montpelier on this, beyond an explanation of why Rep Mike McCarthy of St. Albans is constantly and continuously pursuing what has to be a personal vendetta against Sheriff Grismore. Why Mike, why?
does any of this circus have anything to do with the city and town police contract ///// there is some thing missing and this is not making any sense/// you need to look at rep. mike mccarthy and his connections////
WCAX reported that this inquiry costs the taxpayers of Vermont , “tens of thousands” dollars. I’m sure WCAX knows the exact amount but “tens of thousands sounds better. What a waste of time and money to conclude what was already apparent. There were no grounds for impeachment. I think Sheriff Grismore was treated very unfairly by the media. The kick did not show that the unruly prisoner was spitting on the officers or that Grismore immediately got a spit hood to prevent the spitting. This all happened during the covid epidemic and officers were told to avoid spitting. The only people who benefitted from this inquiry were the inquiry committee. They were not diligent. They wasted our taxpayers money and they did it behind closed doors. I resent the Vermont Legislators trying to void the will of the Franklin County voters. It will not be a detriment to the people of Franklin County if Grismore remains in office. It will show that the people of Franklin County have the courage to fight for justice.
In the post-George Floyd era, where we are compelled to think that he was murdered by police, anything beyond kid-glove handling and Emily Post verbiage is now considered police brutality. As one mentioned above, anyone who is critical of how police handle society’s worst miscreants really do need to walk a mile in their shoes. Law enforcement officers all take an oath to uphold the Constitution. How many of us do that or have to endure being spat upon to earn our living? How many of us go about our day routinely wearing body armor as liberal politicians paint a figurative target on our backs? Not defending “the kick”, but when a police officer politely asks you to sit down, just sit down.
the tel///// lie///// vision/// tonight had our govie wanting our franklin county sheriff to resign from office/// in other words he is trying to over throw an election//// i think there is fear in the vermont state house/// mazza was scotts guiding hand and he is gone/// the scam demic money is all gone and nobody wants higher taxes/// will this be the end of the crime operations in the state house/// oh ,inflation is going up again and this will cause more vermonters pain///
Let the people of Franklin County decide who they want as Sheriff. Why would be the business of an special committee.. If the people feel the Sheriff crossed the line then the people will not vote for him. Stick to your business not ours.