The City of Rutland’s 132nd Annual Report has come under scrutiny due to an unauthorized alteration of the city seal on its cover. The seal features a Latin inscription reading “Quidquid amici optimi mei sunt Musulmani,” which translates to “Whatever my best friends are, they are Muslims.” This deviation from the official city seal has raised questions about oversight and adherence to municipal protocols.

The discrepancy was first noticed by a Rutland resident who, upon reviewing the printed report, alerted Alderman Henry Heck to the issue. This prompted further examination of the report’s distribution and online availability.

Two Versions of the Report Identified

Investigations have revealed the existence of two versions of the annual report:

1. Printed and Google-Indexed Version: This version, accessible at Rutland-Annual-Report-2024-v2.pdf, includes the altered city seal on its cover. It appears to be the version that was printed and distributed to residents on Town Meeting Day.
2. Website-Linked Version Without Cover: A second version, available at Rutland-Annual-Report-2024-v2.2.pdf, lacks the cover page and, consequently, the city seal. This edition is currently linked on the city’s official reports page.

The presence of these two versions suggests that the city may have become aware of the alteration and attempted to address it by replacing the online version without issuing a formal public statement or correction.

Official City Seal Description

According to the City of Rutland’s municipal code, the official city seal is described as:

“The seal of the City of Rutland shall be circular in form, with a rope border, and having in the margin, in capital letters and figures, the following inscription: ‘Seal of the City of Rutland, Vermont, Incorporated November 18, 1892.’”

The inclusion of a Latin phrase is inconsistent with this official description, indicating a deviation from the legally defined city seal.

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Constitutional and Oversight Implications

The unauthorized modification of the city seal raises concerns on multiple fronts:

• Constitutional Considerations: The altered seal’s reference to a specific religion could be interpreted as a government endorsement, potentially violating the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits government actions that unduly favor one religion over another.
• Municipal Oversight: The incident highlights potential lapses in the city’s document review and approval processes. The lack of a formal public acknowledgment or explanation further underscores concerns about transparency and accountability within municipal operations.

Community Response and Next Steps

Residents and officials are calling for a thorough investigation into how the alteration occurred and why it was not detected prior to the report’s distribution. There is also an expectation for the city to issue a public statement clarifying the situation and outlining steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

This situation serves as a reminder of the importance of diligent oversight in municipal communications and the need for transparency when discrepancies arise.

This article will be updated as more information becomes available or if city officials provide further comments.

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Dave Soulia | FYIVT

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