City council recognizes Chief Merkel for transformative work

Vergennes Councilors thanked retiring Vergennes Police Chief George Merkel for his 13 years of “dedicated service” to the city.

Not only is Mark a close friend; he is also a valued member of the Vergennes Police Department. 

I found the article covering the City Council meeting of Sept .13 mischaracterized several major aspects of the meeting, starting with the headline “Most …back Chief.”

Most — but not all — of the more than 100 local residents who attended Tuesday’s Vergennes City Council meeting came to support Vergennes Police Chief George Merkel and ask city officials to work things out with Merkel and ask him not to retire. 

Since Chief Merkel announced his retirement, Front Porch Forum in Vergennes has been awash in vague and inflammatory posts about city leadership.

I was momentarily stunned to read that George Merkel has given his notice, but I totally understand why he has.

Vergennes Police Chief George Merkel on Tuesday submitted an unexpected letter of resignation, effective Oct. 31, citing unhappiness with how he and the department he has led for 13 years have been treated, but without offering specifics.

MONTPELIER — Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan on Friday announced his office had cleared Vergennes Police Chief George Merkel of allegations of that he had fraudulently reported overtimes. The investigation was begun by Addison County Sheriff Peter N … (read more)

On behalf of the Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police and the Vermont Police Association, I express both outrage and sadness surrounding the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week. The actions of one maligned officer with his unwarranted use o … (read more)

VERGENNES — At a tense 40-minute personnel discussion at the Vergennes City Council last week, councilors talked at length about a Dec. 11 email sent by Alderman Mark Koenig to Police Chief George Merkel and its aftermath. Later last week Koenig acknowled … (read more)

VERGENNES — On the evening of Monday, Nov. 18, a group of approximately 20 children and almost an equal number of parents came to the Bixby Library to share an evening of reading, laughter and chocolate chip cookies (made by Mrs. Merkel) with Vergennes Po … (read more)