Our Vermont Constitution is very fair and inclusive. And Molly Gray is clearly capable, well-spoken, very ambitious, smart, with the full backing of the establishment in power. All great things for a Lt. Governor. But does she meet the qualification to hold the office?
We’d like to thank Neil Johnson for this Op-Ed. If you have an Op-Ed or LTE
you would like us to consider please submit it to Skip@GraniteGrok or Steve@GraniteGrok.com.
I heard on the campaign trail that she is a citizen of Vermont and is qualified. If Molly has lived in Vermont 4 years preceding the election and is a citizen of Vermont, then she is qualified. She has said this would hold up in court. But would it?
Does she meet the most basic standard as outlined by the document upon which this Republic is governed?
23. Residence of Governor and Lieutenant-Governor
No person shall be eligible to the office of Governor or Lieutenant-Governor until the person shall have resided in this state four years next preceding the day of election.
By her own admission, Molly Gray did not live in Vermont the 4 preceding years to the day of election.
From March 2017 to June 2018, Gray said she paid rent at an apartment in Geneva — where she also paid taxes to the Swiss government
But our constitution is very, very fair. Look at what is needed to run for our State Senate or House of representatives.
15. Residence of representatives and senators
No person shall be elected a Representative or a Senator until the person has resided in the State two years, the last year of which shall be in the legislative district for which the person is elected.
All you have to do is be a “citizen” and reside in the state for two years and at least one year in the district for which you choose to run.
How could we be more welcoming and open to new people looking to get involved with our government? This is extremely open and fair.
Yet here we are, with a candidate-elect who does not meet even these most basic requirements.
The press and those in government have run-cover on this topic.
People across the state are not allowed to comment over at our most popular non-profit “press,” Vermont Digger.
Nobody seems to want to pick up or discuss it. Vermont in its traditional way of working within small towns doesn’t want to rock the boat, but this is how people get away with corruption.
Somebody must call the question. Molly Gray does not meet the very, very generous standard to hold office as Lt. Governor as outlined in our constitution. She can not be our Lt. Governor as outlined by our constitution.
Who will stand up for what is right, just, and fair?
