Nov 3, 2016 — A section

Arts + Leisure

Mr. Chairman

OV ousted

Five friends had an idea to join knitting and yoga under one roof. See what happened in Arts + Leisure.

Lawyer Jake Wheeler takes the helm as Vt. Community Fundation board chair. Page 10B.

The defending D-II champs fell in a semifinal played at Middlebury College. See Sports, Page 1B.

ADDISON COUNTY

Vol. 70 No. 44

INDEPENDENT Middlebury, Vermont

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Thursday, November 3, 2016

Downtown RR bridge plan faces fight

Middlebury group lodges complaint

By JOHN FLOWERS MIDDLEBURY — A group of downtown Middlebury property owners and merchants are asking Vermont Agency of Transportation Secretary Chris Cole to abandon the

current $40-million, 4-year plan to replace the community’s two downtown rail bridges. They want to shift to a more basic project they contend could produce two new spans within around three months for approximately $5 million.

The complainants, in an 18-page submission with related background documents, argued that Middlebury

doesn’t need to adhere to a minimum 21-foot vertical clearance for the new Main Street and Merchants Row bridges, as the community has been told by state and federal authorities. It is this clearance standard — designed to accommodate future double-stack freight cars — that has added considerable time and money to the project scope due to a result-

ing need to excavate the rail bed in downtown Middlebury.

Bristol attorney Jim Dumont, who is representing the downtown merchants and property owners, is asking VTrans, the Federal Highway Administration and the town of Middlebury to not proceed with the current $40 million plan until (See Property owners, Page 20A)

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52 Pages

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Clerks find rush for early ballots as election looms

By JOHN FLOWERS ADDISON COUNTY — Addison County town clerks are bracing for what they believe will be a very healthy turnout for at the Nov. 8 General Election, citing the high-profile race for president,

a collection of well-contested local House and Senate races, open seats for governor and lieutenant governor, and a school governance consolidation referendum that will be fielded in the five-town Addi(See Clerks, Page 14A)

Zuckerman lays out agenda in his bid for Lt. Gov.

Look at that!

YOUNGSTERS GET AN eyeful of candy during the Spooktacular celebration in downtown Middlebury Sunday afternoon. For more photos from the annual event see Page 4B.

Independent photo/Trent Campbell

Statewide races spice up Nov. 8 ballot

By JOHN FLOWERS ADDISON COUNTY — A variety of statewide races and a polarizing presidential contest are expected to amp up excitement at the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

The presidential race includes Democrat Hillary Clinton, Republican Donald Trump, Libertarian Gary Johnson and Green Party candidate

Jill Stein. Clinton and Trump have traded barbs and policy positions during three televised debates and almost daily through social media and an onslaught of negative ads.

Area town clerks indicated interest in this year’s presidential race, as well as many competitive local races (see story on Page 1A) could help push turnout to the record vot-

ing levels of 2008.

Other contested statewide and federal races on this year’s election ballot include: • U.S. Senator Incumbent Democrat Patrick Leahy has held his Senate seat since 1975, making him the longest current Democratic senator. Leahy is the ranking member of the Sen-

ate Judiciary Committee and is the senior-most member of both the Appropriations and the Agriculture committees.

Leahy faces major opposition this year from Pomfret Republican Scott Milne, who in 2014 fell just 2,434 votes shy of unseating incumbent Gov. Peter Shumlin.

(See Statewide races, Page 14A)

By JOHN FLOWERS and understanding the daily chalMIDDLEBURY — Sen. Dave lengers that Vermont farmers rouZuckerman, a Progressive and Dem- tinely face — including the declining ocrat from Hinesburg, is traveling milk prices. throughout the state in his first bid Farmers, by necessity, must aspire for statewide office, and he knows to efficiency, common sense and fruhis way around. While he’s spent gality. the past 18 years representing folks “Being a farmer means being both in Chittenden County, he’s made a a planner and a problem-solver,” habit of logging a lot of miles to bet- Zuckerman said. “Every day on ter pollinate his ideas on marriage the farm something goes awry, and equality, the economy and taxation. you’ve got to figure out how to get “I have kept one through that moment, foot in the building, and then avoid that and another out in the pitfall in the future. state,” Zuckerman There are always said during a visit with more efficiencies to the Addison Indepenbe found, but there dent on Monday. are often not enough Zuckerman, a dollars to do it.”

45-year-old farmer, is It’s a philosophy competing against forthat he said he has mer Franklin County tried to bring to state state Sen. Randy government.

Brock in the race to Zuckerman is now succeed current Lt. in his fourth year in Gov. Phil Scott, who the Vermont Senate, is running for goverwhere he serves as nor. vice chairman of the Zuckerman graduSenate Committee ZUCKERMAN ated from the Union Agriculture. Prior versity of Vermont in to that, he served 1995 with a degree in Environmen- for 14 years in the Vermont House tal Studies. He has been involved in representing the city of Burlington farming since 1994, and spent three in the Chittenden 3-4 district. Duryears (1996-1998) working at Shore- ing that time, he served stints on ham’s Golden Russet Farm, owned the Natural Resources and Energy

by Will and Judy Stevens.

Committee, Agriculture Committee It was in 2008 that Zuckerman and and Ways and Means Committee. his spouse, Rachel Nevitt, founded During his legislative career, ZuckFull Moon Farm, a NOFA-certified, erman has taken a particular interest organic farm in Hinesburg that em- in such issues as renewable energy, ploys up to 14 seasonal workers. affordable housing, livable wages, They also run a farm stand at the cannabis reform, GMO legislation, Burlington Farmers Market. universal health care, progressive Zuckerman believes a career in taxation, marriage equality and agriculture has given him solid per- end-of-life choices, according to his spective on running a small business (See Zuckerman, Page 17A)

Black Lives Matter messenger sparks college crowd By the way Plans are moving forward for replacement of the historic Swamp Road covered bridge that burned Sept. 10. The Cornwall and Salisbury selectboards on Monday awarded a contract to the Wright Construction Company of Mount Holly to remove the remains of the bridge on Swamp Road. Six com(See By the way, Page 17A)

Index Obituaries................................. 6A Classifieds.......................... 6B-9B Service Directory............... 7B-8B Entertainment.........Arts + Leisure Community Calendar......... 8A-9A Arts Calendar.........Arts + Leisure Sports................................. 1B-5B

King challenges young people to fight injustice

By ANDY KIRKALDY residence, introduced King, whose MIDDLEBURY — Journal- appearance came as part of Middleist and Black Lives Matter activist bury’s “Meet the Press” lecture seShaun King told a standing-room- ries, in which journalists are invited only Mead Chapel crowd on Tues- to discuss their work and engage in day evening that America is in a dialogue with the Middlebury comhistoric “dip.” To recover, he said, munity. The college’s Center for will require a major commitment, the Comparative Study of Race and especially from young Ethnicity co-sponsored people like the MiddleKing’s talk. bury College students “Sometimes Halpern described who flocked to see him. people are King, 37, as an “activist King, for the past really great, and social entrepreneur” year the New York Dai- and sometimes as well as a journalist, ly News senior justice there’s Donald and said she has been writer and before then a “struck by the clarity journalist for the Daily Trump.” of his voice and his vi— Shaun King sion,” which is promiKos website, said racism is part of the nation’s nent in social media as DNA. But, through work, change well as in traditional sources. can be made, he added.

Ultra-conservative media outlets “Injustice will always exist, but have tried to discredit King, and he it doesn’t have to be as bad as it is alluded to that effort in greeting the right now,” the King said. “I’m ask- packed house. ing you to make a life-long com“I’m moved because there is a mitment to fight injustice. It’s not a sentiment that only a fringe part of wave. It’s not a fad. I want us to find America cares about justice, and our way out of whatever dip we find this auditorium really says otherourselves in.” wise,” he said. “It’s pretty much like (See Shaun King, Page 19A) Sue Halpern, a college scholar in

JOURNALIST AND ACTIVIST Shaun King told a Middlebury College audience Tuesday that white people need to take more responsibility for changing racist attitudes in this country.

PAGE 2A — Addison Independent, Thursday, November 3, 2016

Go slow through downtown Brandon 15 mph from the Mobil station to the Brandon Inn to increase pedestrian safety. Based on concerns from downtown merchants, four parallel parking spaces were added back beBy LEE J. KAHRS BRANDON — Route 7 motorists tween Gourmet Provence and Blue though Brandon may have noticed a Moon Clothing and Gifts late last month. change downtown.

“So, it’s happening and we have to Work on the Route 7 overflow culvert began in earnest two weeks ago, dig a hole completely across Route creating a new traffic pattern that has 7 and there’s no easy way to do it,” said Town Manager Dave business owners at odds Atherton in an interview. with town officials.

“We’re just “It’s going to affect people The work began on Oct. trying to get downtown. We understand 12 and by the next mornthat this project is going ing, the west side of Cen- the public to ter Street was cordoned off slow down … to inconvenience some with construction fencing The impact is folks.”

BACKGROUND and both lanes of traffic going to be a The project has been were shifted east. Rough- lot of heavy in the works for over ly 10 parking spaces from four years, since Tropical in front of the town office enforcement Storm Irene caused the building to Kennedy Park (of the 15 Neshobe River to flood were removed to make mph speed downtown, causing milroom for the northbound limit).” lane of traffic.

— Brandon lions of dollars in damages But the change has Police Chief and displacing and closing caused distress among Chris Brickell several businesses.

The culvert will run from downtown merchants who the space formerly occusay their business has already dropped off, and a compromise pied by the Brandon House of Pizza, was forged with the town, although next to the Watershed building under Route 7 and empty out downstream on not everyone is happy.

This past Monday night, the Bran- the other side of Green Park. Work bedon selectboard approved a change gan two weeks ago and is expected to in the speed limit from 25 mph to be completed in April 2017.

Culvert work impedes cars, trucks on Route 7

The $2.1 million project is being funded with 75 percent federal money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the town is providing a 25 percent match. The goal is to prevent future flood events through the downtown, which is essentially built directly over the Neshobe River.

COMMUNICATION IS KEY But despite the fact that the culvert has been years in the planning, many business owners were taken by surprise when the downtown traffic pattern and parking changed, prompting a quickly organized meeting by the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce with town officials on Oct. 18.

More than 20 people attended the 90-minute meeting at the Town Hall, and both sides agreed that it opened up productive conversation.

But the four parallel parking spaces do pose a threat to the average driver’s side door. There is not much clearance between a parked car and northbound traffic, and both Brandon Police Chief Chris Brickell and Public Works Superintendent Daryl Burlett said last week that there might be problems.

“I personally don’t like two of those parking spaces,” Burlett told the board. “There’s only 22-inches of clearance into traffic. If someone’s driver’s door gets sheared off, the li(See Route 7, Page 3A)

Fantastick Middlebury

THE MIDDLEBURY COMMUNITY Players’ production of “The Fantasticks” opens at the Town Hall Theater Thursday night and runs through Sunday. The world’s longest running musical features Jim Wright, top left, Cameron Steinmetz, Allison Devery and Richard Isenberg; Lonny Edwards, center; and Edwards, above left, Steinmetz and Glen Eastman.

Independent photos/Trent Campbell

Addison Independent, Thursday, November 3, 2016 — PAGE 3A

ANeSU unification to be decided Lincoln readies efficient new offices Residents of five towns get their say on school governance

By JOHN S. McCRIGHT year. Voters in the Addison-Rutland BRISTOL — Voters in the five Supervisory Union, which includes towns of the Addison Northeast Orwell, reject unification proposals Supervisory Union on Tuesday twice this past spring. will decide whether to unify goverSupporters of the district governance and budgets of the district’s nance unification in Addison Northeight schools. They will also elect east have offered support for their members of the unified plan that echoes some school board, in case of the same themes as The full text of the unification article the others that have the ANeSU Act passes. passed.

46 Study ComThe future of school Allison Sturtevant, governance in the Brisvice chair of the ANeSU mittee Report, tol area has been a hot Act 46 Study CommitMinority Report topic of discussion, tee, laid out reasons to and a sample balas the ANeSU Act 46 back the plan in a letter lot will run with Study Committee this to the editor in today’s this story online summer produced a uniedition (see Page 13A). at addisonindefication plan that was She said it will enhance pendent.com. accepted by the State equity and quality in Board of Education and educational outcomes three members of the committee for all ANeSU students by getting all produced a minority report that sug- stakeholders to work toward a single gested a different path. mission, provide greater equity in The three other supervisory access to resources like technology unions that serve most of the rest of and save around $140,000 a year Addison County — Addison Cen- by reducing redundancies. She also tral, Addison Northwest and Rutland touts the four years of tax breaks that Northeast — all OK’d governance will go to homeowners in Bristol, unification measures earlier this Lincoln, Monkton, New Haven and

Starksboro.

In a letter published a few weeks ago, Lincoln resident Michael Fisher, one of the three No votes on the ANeSU Act 46 Study Committee, said he believed the proposal to consolidate the schools into one organization will do more harm than good.

He said adoption of the unification plan would result in less transparency and accountability, make it more difficult for community members to influence the direction of the schools, increase the power of the central office and superintendent, and weaken the links between the local schools and the people in the communities they serve. He also was not convinced that unification would save money.

If the unification measure passes, the new Addison Northeast Supervisory District will be created and it will be overseen by a 13-member board. Membership of the board was distributed based on population; Bristol will have five members and there will be two members each from Starksboro, Monkton, New Haven and Lincoln.

Ferrisburgh town hall hosts voting

By ANDY KIRKALDY FERRISBURGH — Ferrisburgh officials have taken steps to prepare for the first-ever Presidential election for which balloting will be held in Ferrisburgh’s eight-year old town office building.

They expect a turnout that could be up to 50 percent higher than any previous election held at the town’s Route 7 offices.

In 2012, 71.3 percent of the town’s registered voters (minus about 320 absentee voters), then around 2,100 strong, cast ballots for president in the Ferrisburgh Central School gymnasium, as had been the case for decades.

Now, according to Town Clerk Gloria Warden, the town’s checklist includes 2,169 voters, 433 of whom as of Tuesday had either already voted early or requested absentee ballots.

If turnout is a comparable 70 percent next week, that leaves 1,518 voters to either cast ballots on this coming Tuesday or come in for early voting this week. In 2014, only about 900 Ferrisburgh residents cast ballots in mid-term elections.

Warden said the town has hired two Addison County Sheriff’s Department deputies to handle the traffic flow, while the town has also recently added a third parking lot to

the rear of the building. Ferrisburgh road foreman John Bull estimated the three lots can hold about 60 vehicles. Warden said a few spaces will be also available at the church next door to the town office building — election workers will be taking up room in that small lot.

Warden also noted the new traffic lights at the nearby intersection of Route 7 and Little Chicago Road are now working, although she was not sure if they would have any impact on the traffic flow at the town office building.

As always, voting in Ferrisburgh will run from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

$275,000 in adaptive, safety gear aims to aid athletes SOUTH BURLINGTON — The Kelly Brush Foundation awarded $275,000 for adaptive sports gear and ski racing safety equipment grants and strategic partnerships, Executive Director Zeke Davisson announced. This year’s annual grants marked a milestone for the foundation both in the number of awards and the amount awarded.

“We received more applications than ever before from adaptive athletes seeking to improve the quality of their lives and from organizations focused on making ski racing safer,” Davisson said. “As the Kelly Brush Foundation grows we are able to do more, and we are also seeing demand grow. This encourages and motivates us to do even more to meet our mission.”

The foundation awarded 95 Adaptive Sports Equipment Program grants totaling $175,572 for equipment including handcycles for on-road and off-road, sport chairs for basketball, tennis and rugby, and monoskis and race chairs for skiing.

Route 7 (Continued from Page 2A) ability is on the town because we created those spaces in a construction zone.”

Brandon selectboard Chair Doug Bailey said changes could always be made. “I think we have to try them,” he said, “but if they don’t work ... we don’t want anyone getting hurt.”

And that is the biggest issue for Brickell, who said his officers will enforce the new speed limit.

“We’re just trying to get the public to slow down,” he told the board.

“Our issue is public safety. There are business owners that are parking in the crosswalks. We are going to have issues with pedestrian traffic.

We have sightline issues to deal with.

The impact is going to be a lot of heavy enforcement right at the beginning so we can get people on board.

I don’t want us to be the bad guys in this, but I think that’s the way it will be at first.”

Changing the speed limit in the downtown to 15 mph is effective immediately.

Most of parking spaces are available in the lot behind the Mobil station downtown while the culvert project is under way.

“We have to remember, this is all temporary,” Atherton said.

Brickell agreed.

“The best thing to do is have open communication,” Brickell said. “If there is an issue, let me know, let the town know.”

“My door is always open,” Atherton added.

“I can’t put into words how much this is going to help in my path to reigniting my active and competitive lifestyle. I can’t wait to get started,” said Patrick Flautt, of Norcross, Ga., who received a grant for a handcycle.

A total of 15 ski racing clubs were awarded a total of $54,500 in Ski Racing Safety Grants to purchase safety netting to line training and racing courses. Recipients included the racing program at Mt. Abram in Maine.

“We are grateful to the Kelly Brush Foundation. This grant will help to enable us to net a full trail this winter so we can provide a safe race/training venue,” said Gregg Novick, director, Friends of Mt. Abram.

In addition to the grants for adaptive equipment and ski netting, the foundation allocated $45,000 for Adaptive Sports Partnerships. These funds will support a new initiative called Path 2 Active that creates partnerships with adaptive sports programs and outpatient rehabilitation hospitals to make the path to re-

turning to an active lifestyle as easy and personalized as possible.

The foundation’s fundraising is supported by the foundation’s signature event, the Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations. In September the 11th annual ride drew more than 700 cyclists and 30 handcyclists and raised more than $425,000.

With the ride as its signature fundraising event, the Kelly Brush Foundation has raised more than $3 million, helped purchase nearly 400 pieces of adaptive sports equipment and helped keep thousands of ski racers safe with hundreds of miles of safety netting, trail widening projects and awareness about ski racing safety.

Next year’s ride is set for Sept. 9, 2017, in Middlebury.

The Kelly Brush Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated empowering those with paralysis through ownership of adaptive sports equipment and improving safety in the sport of ski racing.

By GAEN MURPHREE LINCOLN — The new Lincoln town office building is a mere step from completion, according to Selectboard Chairman Bill Finger. What remains to be done are small details like attaching electric plates and polishing the floor.

“Looks like it’ll be done by the end of the week,” said Finger.

Finger said town office personnel plan to wait until after Tuesday’s election and then move in during the week of Nov. 14. The office will probably then close for business for several days before reopening.

The Independent took a sneak preview tour of the new building late last week, at which time there was still a flurry of workmen putting on final touches.

The structure more than doubles the old one’s size, increasing the square footage from 950 to 2,000. The ceilings measure a foot taller as well, at nine feet high, said Finger. Oriented to face south, the building is flooded with light, and although new it is designed to blend into the historic character of the surrounding village.

The new facility offers maple cabinetry, a dyed concrete floor and an automated shade at the town clerk’s desk that can be opened or closed, depending on the clerk’s public hours.

The building is energy efficient and “exceeds Vermont building code standards,” said Finger, employing propane-based radiant heat, heat pumps and a heat-recovery ventilation system. Details like the fiber cement clapboards and two-over-two-look ultra-efficient windows add both a historic touch and 21st-century energy efficiency.

Finger said that one of the most frequent comments he’s gotten is how much folks like the Lincoln Town Office sign outside the building, made by Mountain Signs in Ripton.

Finger said that many have asked why the building faces south instead west toward the parking lot. Finger that in addition to allowing for more natural light, the southern orientation also permits a better traffic flow on its narrow lot.

He was pointed out that the

877-2712

RYAN EMILIO OF Vermont Shade and Blind in Middlebury, above, demonstrates to Lincoln selectboard Chair Bill Finger how to operate the new automatic shade that can raise or lower during town clerk’s hours. Below, workers are finishing up the final details in the new Lincoln town office, which is due for occupancy on Nov. 14.

Independent photos/Gaen Murphree

low grade from parking lot to front door provides wheelchair access through the main entrance, with everyone able to walk up the same sidewalk and enter through the same door.

The finances are also working out.

“We’re doing quite well budgetwise,” Finger said.

After the town passed a $590,000 town office bond in March 2015, the selectboard originally thought that it would renovate and expand town’s 1973 office building. But when the town got only one bid for the project and it was $100,000

over the bond, the selectboard went back to the drawing board.

After conversations with Mill Bridge Construction and architectural firm Keefe and Wesner, both of Middlebury, the town realized it could demolish the old town office and design-build a new one at a better price.

“I think we’ve got a building that’s going to last well over 50 years,” said Finger. “It’s a great community facility. It’ll be a nice place to work and a nice place to visit.”

Reporter Gaen Murphree is at gaenm@addisonindependent.com.

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PAGE 4A — Addison Independent, Thursday, November 3, 2016

A DDIS ON INDE P E NDEN T

Letters

Editorials

to the Editor

Statewide endorsements

Candidate’s past misrepresented

The Addison Independent has a long tradition of endorsing candidates for statewide office for a single reason: we believe informed opinion stimulates the public conversation and challenges all voters to examine their own reasons for supporting the candidates of their choice. While we stand by our choices, the intent is not to suggest we are “right,” but to demonstrate why our reasoning reflects our perspective.

To that end, here are our choices for statewide offices, and the Senate race in Addison County.

SUE MINTER FOR GOVERNOR Two weeks ago in this space, we endorsed Democrat Sue Minter for governor over Republican Phil Scott. We wrote then that while we think both candidates would do a good job as governor, Minter is the better candidate on both the policies she embraces and the skills she brings to the job.

On environmental policy, Minter is more committed to taking action to reduce the state’s carbon footprint and draw attention to the ills of climate change. She believes it to be one of the defining issues of our times, and acknowledges that states must take bold steps sooner than later to switch to renewable energy sources. That won’t happen overnight, but it’s critical — environmentally and as an economic engine of renewable energy jobs — that we continue to make progress and not slide backwards with the next governor.

Continued reform of the state’s health care system is another issue that will require creative, bold and imaginative leadership. It’s big, messy and complicated, defying easy fixes — despite the sound bytes you hear or TV or radio commercials. Getting rid of Vermont Health Connect is not the panacea some Republicans would like to imagine. Before doing anything to upend the current progress, detailed plans need to be devised and critically vetted before making the next move. Minter is a planner, a critical thinker and a student of solving such conundrums (she got her Master’s degree in public planning from Harvard and later a degree from MIT) — good attributes to have when determining how to solve the problem in a way that works well for all sectors of Vermont’s economy.

On economic development: What Minter lacks in practical business experience, she could make up for in her leadership abilities and building a stellar economic team. She has a good idea in creating jobs in the outdoor industry sector by appointing an Outdoors Recreation Director to head up that effort as have states like Colorado to good effect. Her economic growth policies embodied in her InvestVT and InnovateVT initiatives outline and embrace important and specific initiatives. She also has a plan to create good paying jobs by investing in better infrastructure (roads, bridges, rail as well as broadband, cellphone towers and other modern necessities of the digital world.)

She also understands the importance of education — both pre-school and post-secondary — as a means of economic growth for individual Vermonters as well as the state. She has outlined specific programs to make two years of higher education tuition free to help Vermont’s young people in need develop the required skills to get good-paying jobs here in Vermont.

Although it’s not a priority for her, if the Legislature pressing the issue, she would help the state determine how best to legalize marijuana — balancing law enforcement’s concerns without missing out on the economic opportunities it affords the state.

And, as an ardent environmentalist, she is the right candidate to oversee the state’s cleanup efforts of Lake Champlain. Indeed, if Hillary Clinton holds on to win the presidency, Minter’s presence as governor of Vermont (on this issue and on health reform) could pave the way for enhanced federal cooperation, (which is even more likely considering Sen. Bernie Sanders’ influence on the election.

We like Republican Phil Scott, as well. He is driven to succeed, he thrives on competition, he’s reasonable, pragmatic and collaborates well with all sides. But that doesn’t move an 8,000-person operation, which is what the state is. You can’t wing it with that many moving pieces and that many people to manage. You have to have good systems, detailed plans to achieve specific targets, well-conceived strategies. To date, Minter’s plans are far more specific and better defined — and that will hopefully translate into moving the state forward in critical areas, which in turn will directly benefit Vermonters at every income level.

Vote Sue Minter for governor.

DAVID ZUCKERMAN FOR LT. GOVERNOR This race might befuddle many Vermonters. Zuckerman, a Progressive who hones close to Sen. Bernie Sanders’ ideology, ran as a Democrat and beat out favored Democrat and long-time House Speaker Shap Smith in the primary.

It was a surprising win and Zuckerman’s policy goals are not wallflowers.

He embraces legalizing marijuana; phase it in, but let’s get it done — with most of the revenue going to solve the state’s opiate addiction crisis. An environmentalist, he too considers climate change to be the issue of our times and wants to press forward with the growth of renewable energy, albeit with increased consideration of local concerns, but not ones that could stop progress.

He would press aggressively for cleaner water, though would also seek increased aid to those farmers whose land is at the root of much of the problem.

He supports free college tuition, expanding pre-school hours and a phasedin $15 minimum wage. He would not support a carbon tax that calls for an immediate increase of 88-cents per gallon of gasoline, but calls for further study and understanding of the issue (a failed bill as proposed in the House phased in that 88-cent increase over 10 years and also would have reduced sales taxes and other taxes as part of the deal to a near net-neutral status, he says.)

Democrats, in short, are being asked to support a candidate who advocates for increased taxes on the wealthy and who, for the most part, places most societal concerns above the interests of big business, which in Vermont is a relative measure and not all that big.

And, yet, that’s not out of touch. Zuckerman, who runs a small farm grow(See Endorsements, Page 4A)

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Look at that!

YOUNGSTERS GET AN eyeful of candy during the Spooktacular celebration in downtown Middlebury Sunday afternoon. For more photos from the annual event see Page 4B.

Independent photo/Trent Campbell

Trip abroad puts age in pespctive My brother-in-law Steve and I love to joke about how “old” we’re getting. He’ll ask me what it was like to witness the Boston Tea Party, and if I ever forget where I put my musket. I’ll ask him how he was able correspond with friends prior to the Pony Express, and whether he still gets cost-of-living bumps in his Civil War veteran’s pension.

In reality, we are both just a little north of 50. So while we both receive mail from AARP, we can hardly lay claim to being truly grizzled or wise.

After spending nine days traveling around Europe late last month, I realize how truly insignificant 50 years is — when measured against the timeline of civilization “across the pond.”

My wife and I had the good fortune

By John of taking a cruise down the Rhine RivFlowers er, from Amsterdam in the Netherlands through Germany and the Alsace region of France, to Basel, Switzerland.

The Swiss chocolate was almost as sweet as the eye candy, which came in the form of centuries-old cathedrals, castles, churches, farmhouses and palaces that in some cases pre-date the Middle Ages. More impressive still is that these venerable structures miraculously escaped the massive bombing assaults of World War II. Speaking of World War II, I thought of my late grandfather as we toured Amsterdam and Volendam in Holland. My grandfather had spent time convalescing with a family in Holland after his release from a prisoner of war camp, following the Battle of the Bulge. I wondered if he had taken in some of the same scene that I was viewing in Amsterdam — namely, the stately homes lining busy canals, the West Church, the old port, and the home in

which Anne Frank and her family had hidden from the Nazis.

In Cologne, Germany, we marveled at the twin spires of the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Mary’s. I tried to wrap my mind around the construction logistics of this ornate, Gothic edifice that was initiated in 1248 — around 250 years before Columbus set sail for the new world. It was considered the most ambitious building project of the Middle Ages, producing spires that are 157 meters tall.

While 1248 is a considerable step back in time, I learned that Cologne’s organized settlement pattern went back to the Roman era. I strode along stone paths dating back almost 2,000 years, imagining the metallic clank of a centurion’s armor.

That I was able to see anything dating before 1945 was amazing to me. Allied bombers conducted more than 260 raids on Cologne during World War II — primarily by the Royal Air Force — in an effort to weaken the despotic Third Reich. The pilots apparently did a good job avoiding some historical landmarks, though many were rendered to rubble by almost 35,000 tons of bombs.

Those of us who did not venture out of the ship were still able to see a vast amount of history along the shores of the Rhine as we made our way to Switzerland. Medieval castles in various states of disrepair adorned lofty perches on both banks of the famous river. Some seemed plucked from a fairytale, and had been repurposed into luxury hotels or private mansions. Others lay in ruins, still reverberating with the sounds of the military assaults (See Clippings, Page 7A)

Clippings

Key factors affect race for governor Two public polls of the Vermont electorate have been released in the past two weeks. One, conducted by the Castleton Polling Institute for Vermont Public Radio, showed the governor’s race essentially tied, with Republican Phil Scott at 39 percent and Democrat Sue Minter at 38 percent. The second, conducted by Braun Research of Princeton, N.J., for WCAX-TV, showed Scott leading by 47 percent to 40 percent, just outside the margin of error.

Both polls showed that Hillary Clinton and Sen. Patrick Leahy have very large leads among Vermont voters, and that Democratic lieutenant governor candidate David Zuckerman is ahead of Republican Randy Brock by a margin in the low- to mid-teens.

There are several explanations for the different results of the two polls for governor. First, the interviews for the Vermont Public Radio poll were conducted in early October, while the By Eric L. Davis WCAX poll was in the field in midOctober. Campaigns do matter, and Scott might very well have gained a few percentage points between the time the two polls were conducted.

The second difference is methodological, and may explain why Castleton Polling is given a B+ grade in 538. com’s ranking of polling firms, while Braun Research is given a B- grade. Castleton used random digit dialing, to both landline and cellphone numbers, to draw its sample.

Interviewers then asked screening questions to determine which respondents were registered voters and were likely to vote in November.

Braun Research used a voter registration list to draw

Politically Thinking

its sample. There are two difficulties with that approach.

The first is that, according to the Secretary of State’s office, there have been thousands of newly registered voters this fall. The list that Braun used to draw the sample for the WCAX poll was likely out-of-date, and did not include new registrants. If new registrants are disproportionately supporters of one candidate or political party, that could skew the poll results.

The second difficulty is that accurate telephone numbers are generally not part of publicly available voter registration databases. Even privately produced voter registration lists often omit current phone numbers. This poses particular problems in reaching voters who have recently changed phone numbers, have unlisted numbers, or rely primarily on a cellphone with a nonpublic number.

My sense is that both Phil Scott and Sue Minter have a plausible path to victory in the gubernatorial race, with Minter perhaps having somewhat greater momentum in the final weeks, as she did in the last weeks of the Democratic primary campaign.

Scott needs to convince about a quarter of those who will vote for Hillary Clinton for president to split their ticket and vote for him as governor. These voters believe that it is time for a change in Montpelier after six years of a Democratic governor, and that having a Republican governor would be a useful balance to a legislature with large Democratic majorities.

Minter can rely on the strong performance of Demo(See Davis, Page 7A)

As the campaign season is coming to a conclusion, I am reflecting upon the humbling experience that running for State Representative has provided me. I am deeply grateful to all the people of Addison-3 who have opened their doors to me and spoken candidly about the matters that concern them; escalating taxes and health insurance costs, seeing the landscape altered by the rapid proliferation of large solar arrays with no local control, watching their children move to other states for better jobs, and a pervasive feeling that state government is not focused on the things that matter most to them.

Two weeks ago a resident of my district wrote a letter to the editor in which he accused me of failing to disclose the work I did, when I lived in Maine, to establish new nighttime regulations on noise from large industrial wind turbines. The reality is just the opposite, as my successful advocacy on this issue was the subject of the very first sentence of the article that appeared in this paper about me shortly after I announced my candidacy. (Not surprisingly, wind developers testified against the proposal to reduce nighttime noise limits for their projects.)

There was also an intentional omission — the author failed to disclose is that he is the chief operating officer of Patriot Renewables, a wind development company with mountain-top turbine projects in Massachusetts and Maine. Had the author informed your readers of his particular self-interest, they would have been better equipped to judge the unsubstantiated claims made about me.

Given what is happening with the industrialization of our landscapes in Vermont, and the plight of communities trying to exercise some local control of these projects, my experience with regulatory agencies, advocating for citizens and taking on wealthy corporations will be an asset in Montpelier.

Similarly, as healthcare and the All-Payer waiver will be important issues in the next biennium, my background as a medical doctor will also be useful.

If elected, I will help bring to Montpelier the balance strongly needed for a democratic process, push for fiscal restraint and my strong sense of justice and a commitment to put the lives of my fellow citizens ahead of corporations and special interest groups as I have done throughout my life.

Monique Thurston Ferrisburgh

Crosswalks near college are risky We are writing this in support of Dr. Patrick Stine’s letter (of Oct. 27) regarding strobe lights and unsafe crosswalks. College Street from the rotary to the last crosswalk west of the college buildings is an extremely unsafe area in the dark or rainy hours and if the sun is rising or setting low in the horizon.

We have traveled this road for many years and there have been crosswalks added and extended and street lights changed making it increasingly more dangerous. There used to be bright lights and now they are very dull and muted for aesthetic reasons which decreased the safety for students crossing and for vehicle drivers. Some years ago, they put in curbs and extended the crosswalks so now students are in the traveled portion of the road before they are even aware of where they are.

Many (most) of the students are very involved with their devices, earbuds in and not even looking at where they are going. Then there are the bikers who whiz into the crosswalk without even a pause. I believe bikes are supposed to follow the vehicle rules of the roads, not the pedestrian rules.

As Dr. Stine stated, many students have undeserved confidence in the right of crosswalks and aren’t even looking for traffic! We can’t see you but you can see us! Please be sure the vehicle is aware of your presence.

(See Huestis letter, Page 5A)

Letters to the Editor can be found on Pages 4A, 5A, 7A, 11A, 12A, 13A, 15A and 18A.

Addison Independent, Thursday, November 3, 2016 — PAGE 5A

Minter, Scott and old vs. new Vermont

Endorsements (Continued from Page 4A) ing produce, has been a small businessman for years.

He understands what it’s like to struggle as a business.

He understands wage issues, and why it’s difficult for a two-income family to live on less than $15 an hour. He understands the economics of higher wages generating more commerce for everyone, and moreover he believes it’s the right thing to do.

Brock, on the other hand, is a old-school Republican.

He is fiscally conservative and a social moderate. He’s accepting of a woman’s right to choose and gay marriage, though he would not be one to advocate for those issues. As a man who made his money in Wall Street’s financial world, he’s a savvy businessman who qualifies as being in the upper percent. He’s against taxing the wealthy to a greater degree, fearing the flight of capital would do more harm to the state than the gain from increased revenues. In his campaign, unfortunately, he has focused as much on innuendo and false allegations against his opponent as to his issues, which, by in large, suggest that he is more qualified to step in as governor (if needed) by virtue of his business experience.

We support Zuckerman for Lt. Governor for three reasons: • He envisions his role as Lt. Governor as a convener of disparate points of view to tackle the state’s tough issues. He would hold forums, coffees and other meetings throughout the state to discuss and hash out potential solutions. His past as a community organizer of agricultural and environmental issues fits this role well, and it’s an inventive and appropriate role for the times.

• He is right on the key issues: climate change, economic justice (reducing the wage gap), more aid for education, and pursuing health care reform. Do those things right, and job growth will follow. Don’t make them a priority, and the state will falter.

• Most importantly, he understands that while government should strive to operate as cost-effectively as a well-run business, it’s function and purpose is very different. Government’s function is to lay the groundwork for economic opportunity, educational fairness, societal equity, to enhance environmental stewardship and, to the extent possible, help those in need. To run government like a business misses the point of government, Zuckerman says, adding that government is not a bottom-line enterprise. Most of us agree with that assessment, when we think about it, but over the past couple of decades we’ve let the notion take hold that government should be run as a business, when, actually, it should not be.

Zuckerman gets that; Brock does not.

Despite some over-the-top liberal notions, which he is powerless to impose in this post, Zuckerman earns our vote.

PATRICK LEAHY FOR SENATE Democrat Pat Leahy is unquestionably the most qualified candidate to fill this seat in the U.S. Senate. He is running for his eighth six-year term, to the immense benefit of the state. His intelligence, collective knowledge and bipartisan approach to most issues not only serves the state well, but also the nation. And particularly in this time of conflict with nominations to the U.S. Supreme Court, Leahy’s role could be crucial.

Of paramount importance, of course, is the balance of power in the Senate. With Democrats within range of regaining a slight majority, Leahy’s election is a necessity.

Throwing the balance of power in the Senate to the GOP by electing Republican Scott Milne would be a national travesty. It may happen in other races, but it should not occur at the hands of Vermonters.

That aside, Leahy deserves Vermonters’ support for his 42 years worth of excellent representation — all of which can be summarized as representing the state in the finest tradition of a bipartisan, commonsense, pragmatic politician. If the rest of the nation’s senators were in his mold, we wouldn’t be in the mess we are. Vote Leahy to an unprecedented eighth term.

PETER WELCH FOR CONGRESS This race is no-contest. Literally. Rep. Welch, a Democrat, has the support of his party, the Progressives and the Republican Party, and with good reason: no other party could field a candidate who compared to his experience, knowledge of congressional issues, ability to work across the political aisle and familiarity with state issues and Vermonters’ concerns. Liberty Union candidate Erica Clawson is on the ballot, but feel good about voting in Welch for another term.

DONOVAN FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL, CONDOS FOR SEC. OF STATE Democrat D.J. Donovan is no stranger to the Attorney General’s race, vying against incumbent Democrat Bill Sorrell previously, but this year Sorrell is not running creating an open office. Donovan is vying against Republican Deborah Bucknam, a private practice attorney specializing in civil litigation and Liberty Union candidate Rosemarie Jackowski, an educator, writer and activist.

Donovan has the practical experience of being Chittenden County’s State’s Attorney since 2006; that and his knowledge of the issues give him a significant edge and our endorsement.

In the race for Secretary of State, incumbent Secretary Jim Condos is representing Democrats and Republicans.

Only Liberty Union candidate Mary Alice Herbert is challenging him. Condos earned the nod of the state’s three major parties for one reason: he’s done a good job.

Re-elect him with confidence.

CLAIRE AYER AND CHRIS BRAY FOR ADDISON COUNTY’S SENATORS In the four-way race for Addison County’s two senate seats, we endorse incumbent Sens. Claire Ayer and Chris Bray because of their particular focus on key issues: • Ayer has become an advocate for health care reform and has followed the issue as closely as anyone in the Legislature. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health & Welfare, she understands it’s a complex issue that defies easy solutions, despite what partisan politicians may say. While premiums are high and inching higher, health care costs are finally being held in check under Vermont’s Green Mountain Care board, which was one of the provisions under Shumlin’s reform. Vermont also recently received federal permission to move ahead with new efforts that will pay for wellness rather than the current fee-for-service system. It’s the break-through needed to put the brakes on skyrocketing health care costs. Ayer’s role in this issue alone is reason enough to cast your vote for her re-election, but she has also been a key supporter of the Clean Water Act, and is a supporter of most issues within the Democratic Party’s platform without being extreme. She listens well and collaborates well with others — the hallmark of a good legislator.

Bray’s area of expertise has been on environmental issues and land use policy, including renewable energy siting policy. As controversial as health care reform, Bray has been in the thick of it for the past couple of years. His deliberate nature, thorough study and all-inclusive approach to each issue may be too slow for some, but it engenders thoughtful discourse and incremental progress on what are highly politicized issues. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, Bray’s influence has been as insightful and meticulous as it has been fair and nonpartisan. He’s also had a key role in the state’s Clean Water Act, where his knowledge and influence will be crucial in the years ahead as implementation of cleaning up the state’s waterways goes into effect.

On the Republican side, Peter Briggs is an articulate voice for conservatives with a good command of the issues; but it’s a conservative platform we don’t view as good for the state: he is against raising the minimum wage; is against pushing ahead on more renewable energy measures (rather suggesting we maintain our reliance on fossil fuels); is against raising taxes on any segment of the population — preferring instead to decrease spending and to cut government services where possible; and, among other things, is opposed to expanding education aid to post-secondary and pre-K age groups. These are all reasonable conservative positions, with keeping things affordable at the heart of each issue. Reasonable in the short-term, that is, but not positions that set the foundation for a prosperous Vermont for our children.

Vote Claire Ayer and Chris Bray for Senate.

Angelo S. Lynn

Letters to the Editor can be found on Pages 4A, 5A, 7A, 11A, 12A, 13A, 15A and 18A. “I really enjoy teaching people in my own age group!”

Professor John Berninghausen, with student Jo Birnbaum

Take a close look at the governor’s guy, to what looks like will be a photo race this year. You’re looking at two finish against Minter in an otherwise different Vermonts. heavily Democratic state.

Old Vermont is Republican Phil We may not know the winner of Scott, the current lieutenant governor. this race until well into next week.

He’s a state native, longtime legislaScott’s primary foe, Bruce Listor, owner of a construction company man, did a good job of roughing him and the winningest ever race car driv- up in the primary. In particular, Liser at Thunder Road Interman raised the perfectly national SpeedBowl. appropriate question of New Vermont is Demwhether it was ethical ocrat Sue Minter, from — or not — for Scott’s “away” but a longtime construction company to state resident who got her take millions in contracts first Vermont job with the from the state of Vermont Conservation Law Founwhile Scott was first in dation, was a legislator the Legislature and then and later ran VTrans. serving as lieutenant govScott has recently deernor. cided that humans probaScott says it was all bly play a role in causing legit. There’s been no climate change — desmoking gun. But anycades after overwhelmbody who thinks it hurt ing scientific evidence Scott’s construction busimade that obvious. ness for him to be a promMinter, by contrast, inent state official should talks about growing Veroff the rose-colored

by Gregory Dennis take mont’s green economy glasses. and calls climate change Bernie Sanders — “the greatest challenge of our genera- oops, I mean Sue Minter — says tion.” she’ll “put Vermont families first.”

Old Vermont is the way Scott drives She wants to keep our young people a piece of heavy equipment in his TV in state after high school by providing ads. The guy clearly knows his way two years of free technical or comaround an excavator, and he looks munity college education, funded by great in a $5 wool hat pulled low over a new tax on the banks. his ears on a cold morning.

A PAC tied to Planned Parenthood New Vermont is Minter in one of has anted up hundreds of thousands to her TV ads, smartly dressed and stand- support Minter, while Scott is backed ing in the middle of a revitalized Wa- by big money from a PAC underwritterbury. She wants that to be a model ten by the notorious oil-fueled Koch for bringing other Vermont towns and brothers.

Phil Scott opposed requiring most cities into the 21st century. She knows the effects of climate change first- Vermont employers to provide their hand after leading the state’s recovery employees with a minimum of paid sick days. Minter supported that new from Tropical Storm Irene.

Old Vermont is Scott tweeting from law.

Minter wants to raise the Vermont a gun shop.

New Vermont is Minter calling for minimum wage and talks about background checks on all gun pur- achieving equal pay for women.

Scott is against any increase in the chases.

Jim Douglas — oops, I mean Phil Vermont minimum wage — which is Scott — is an old school moderate now $9.60 an hour and in 2018 will Republican of the kind only New rise to the munificent sum of $10.80 England still produces. He says this an hour. $9.60 an hour is less than $20,000 election is about “affordability.” He’s got “a plan” to spur the state economy a year.

You try living on that. Then tell Phil and not raise your taxes.

But as veteran political columnist Scott how you feel about affordabilJon Margolis has noted, it’s not really ity.

And while you’re at it, ask him a plan. Because Scott is short on details and “keeping spending down” is about his vote to raise the state sales tax — the one levy that hits loweran idea, not a plan.

Nonetheless, Scott is riding his income people the hardest — by 20 reputation as a race car driver, enthu- percent. siastic bicyclist, business owner, senNew Vermont Minter has been a sible Republican and all-around nice stalwart supporter of marriage equal-

Between The Lines

ity for gays and lesbians.

Scott voted for marriage equality as a state senator. But when it came time to override then-Gov. Jim Douglas’s veto of marriage equality — well, Scott took a walk. He says now that he had another engagement.

Aside from their policy differences for the state they both love, Minter and Scott seem to bring a very different sensibility to governing.

It’s the Old Vermont way to leave well enough alone. That’s served us well when it comes to traditional ways of life and preserving our worldfamous beauty.

But it seems inevitable that Scott’s ascendancy to the governor’s chair would bring us a period of not doing much. No more bold initiatives on the environment, healthcare, marijuana reform, non-dairy agriculture and a green-economy that has grown so enormously in the past decade.

Take a load off, Vermont. You’ve worked hard lately. Time to back off for awhile. As state Sen. Chris Bray puts it skeptically, “Take one Phil and call me in the morning.” That’s the message from the Scott campaign.

Minter is clearly more willing to innovate and, in the classic words of the marriage equality campaign, take Vermont forward.

It’s anybody’s guess how this race will end. But I’ll stick my neck out and say that I think Minter will squeak out a victory.

It’s a good year to be a Democrat.

And at a time when the Republican presidential nominee has essentially confessed to repeated sexual assault, it’s a good year to be a Democratic woman candidate.

Bernie Sanders has been campaigning hard for Minter and the popular David Zuckerman, the Democratic/ Progressive nominee for lieutenant governor.

Does it matter that Minter and Sanders have spent much of the past two weeks barnstorming the state?

Well, let’s just say that Vermont voters love their Bernie.

Many of us thought Minter was an underdog in the Democratic primary.

Then she creamed Matt Dunne by 13 points and Peter Galbraith by an even larger margin.

Expect another New Vermont surprise on Nov. 8.

Gregory Dennis’s column appears here every other Thursday and is archived on his blog at www.gregdennis.wordpress.com. Email: gregdennisvt@yahoo.com. Twitter: @ greengregdennis.

Huestis letter (Continued from Page 4A) You are usually dressed in dark clothes and walking into the crosswalk without even looking.

Let’s not wait for something tragic and dreadful to happen before this unsafe area is recognized and action taken. There are an estimated 10 crosswalks in this distance and

not one of them is safe. In some weather conditions, the people crossing are not very visible by a vehicle driver.

The lights need to be brighter, the crosswalks more obvious and more importantly, remind the students to pay attention to their surroundings, not their devices

when crossing the roads.

It is as simple as be sure a driver has acknowledged you before stepping into a crosswalk.

We know that many people traveling this road on a regular basis are equally as concerned as we are.

Steve and Sheila Huestis Bridport

PAGE 6A — Addison Independent, Thursday, November 3, 2016

ADDISON COUNTY

Obituaries

Patricia ‘Pat’ Ann Payne Wright, 80, Bridport

Linda Entrott, 69, Addison ADDISON — Linda Entrott of Addison, born May 3, 1947, passed away at home on October 22, 2016.

Linda would want to thank Dr. Claire Verschraegan and her staff in the Oncology Department at the University of Vermont Medical Center. In addition, a special thank you to the

caring professionals from Addison County Home Health & Hospice for their tremendous care and joy they brought to Linda.

It was Linda’s hope that through her decision to continue on after the experimental therapy with additional chemotherapy that her experience

would benefit others and find a cure for this deadly disease.

Linda had many gifts and talents.

She was especially known for her quilting and English Smocking.

Linda is now home with her grandfather and grandmother. ◊

Kenneth Norland, 84, Vergennes VERGENNES — Kenneth Norland passed away on October 30, 2016 after a long illness. He was 84.

He and his wife Norma, originally from Lexington, Mass., moved to Vermont in 2011.

Born in Erie, Pa., Kenneth was a physical chemist, educated at Harvard and Brandeis Universities.

He spent much of his career as a research scientist at Polaroid Corporation in Cambridge, Mass., during that company’s most successful years. His interests ranged widely from astronomy and other sciences to study of the natural world.

An avid fly-fisherman, he also enjoyed hiking, skiing, snowshoeing and cycling. Over the years he traveled widely on many continents: Asia, South America, Europe and

Australia.

Besides his wife, he leaves behind a daughter Christine and family in Bedford, Mass., two step-daughters, Leah McGavern-Goudey of Newburyport, Mass.; and Lesley Huston of Waltham, Vt.; and three sons, Bill Norland of Starksboro, Vt.; Bob Norland of Bakersfield, Vt.; and Luke Norland of Steamboat Springs, Colo.

He also leaves twelve grandchildren, Christopher and Nicholas Donovan of Bedford, Mass.; Sierra, Spencer, Ariel and Connor of Starksboro, all currently attending the University of Vermont; Kelsey Norland of Steamboat Springs; Hans Goudey attending Middlebury College; Olin Goudey of Newburyport; and Carly, Audrey and Ben Huston of Waltham, Vt.◊

KENNETH NORLAND

Ruth S. Miller, 89, Middlebury MIDDLEBURY — Ruth S. Miller, 89, passed away early Monday morning Oct. 31, 2016 at her residence in Middlebury.

She was born Feb. 5, 1927 in Bristol, Vt., the daughter of Clinton and Esther (Lawrence) Steadman.

Ruth was a member of the New Horizon Club and the Robert Frost Society. She enjoyed bingo, traveling, sewing, knitting caps for cancer patients, cards and spending time with her family.

She is survived by her children, Gary Miller and wife Edna of Middlebury; Patricia Martin and husband James of Northboro, Mass.; Laura Gibson and husband Lane of Williston; Ann Wodziak and husband John of Barrington, R.I.; Joseph Miller and wife Mary of Orwell; Paul Miller and wife Hope of Grafton, Mass.; Pamela Morelock and husband Rob of Quakertown,

RUTH MILLER Pa.; brother-in-law Richard Miller and wife Beverly; sister-in-law

Elizabeth Steadman; a very close and special nephew James Sperry; and a close cousin Greta Selleck.

Also by her nineteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband Amos Miller on July 15, 2004, and by her brothers Lewis and Edson Steadman.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 5, at 2 p.m. at the Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home, 117 South Main St., Middlebury. The Rev. William Elwell will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Addison County Home Health & Hospice at P.O. Box 785, Middlebury, VT 05753.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home.

Online condolences can be offered at www.sandersonfuneralservice.com. ◊

BRIDPORT — Patricia “Pat” Ann Payne Wright passed away Oct. 27, 2016 after a long illness. She was born Aug. 13, 1936, to Stanton and Marion Payne and married H. Kent Wright III on Sept. 27, 1953.

She is survived by her husband Kent and their children Suzi Findley and husband Ron; Cindy Myrick and husband Steve; Jerry Wright and wife Yvette; brother Keith Payne and wife Jean; brother Bob Payne; grandchildren Kelley Wright, H. Kent Wright V, Billy Wright, Jason Barringer, Atlee Thurston, Tim Wright, Michael Bushy, Steve Myrick Jr., Cybil Myrick, Silas Myrick, Marla Wright and Cale Wright; nephew Kevin White, whom she raised; and 17 great-grandchildren. The usher was great-grandson Bruce Wright.

She was predeceased by her parents; sister, Linda White; niece, Jackie Jackson; and son, H. Kent Wright IV. Pat raised her children at home before returning to work for Douglas Orchards, superintendent of Addison County Schools, Rother Photography, as a farmerette on the family farm, and 26 years at Shoreham CoOp, before retiring as office manager. She served as a member of the Grange and Order of Eastern Star, secretary of Champlain Valley Fiddler’s Club, and most recently, treasurer of the Bridport Senior Citizens.

Pat was the neighborhood-mom for many children in the area. Her

ELIZABETH GINSBURG PATRICIA WRIGHT favorite hobbies were feeding and watching her beloved hummingbirds, birds nesting on the homestead and caring for her flower gardens.

A funeral was held Nov. 1, 2016 at the Bridport Congregational Church followed by burial at Bridport Cemetery. Pall bearers were her grandsons Tim Wright, Jason Barringer, Kent Wright V, Cale Wright, Steve Myrick Jr., Billy Wright and Silas Myrick. Donations can be made to the Bridport Senior Citizens Inc., Bridport, VT 05734.◊

Brenda Lea Brown ‘Sis,’ Middlebury, 49 MIDDLEBURY — Brenda Lea Brown “Sis,” born June 15, 1967, passed away peacefully at her home in Middlebury on October 31, 2016, with her sister Pam and best friend Linny by her side.

Sis was a lover of nature, if you did not know where she was try the river in Lincoln where she was probably looking for Japser rocks for her collection. She was an artist at heart, she loved weaving on her loom and beading jewelry, every crystal had a different meaning to her. She spent some time traveling the countryside ending in Arizona for some time; we all know she loved to be warm.

Brenda leaves behind her sister and brother-in-law, Pam and Steve Jennings from Bristol; her nephew Kyle and his wife Brianna; her greatniece Taelyn from Starksboro; her sister Kay Brown from Iowa; her niece Krystal Martell and her daughter Jaiden from Essex; her sister-inlaw Hilary and nephew Otter Brown; her niece Brittany from North Carolina; her great-grandmother Brown from Randolph; as well as many other aunts, uncles and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents Keith and Caroline Brown and her brother Keith Brown “Junie.”

The family would like to offer a very special thanks to Linda Clodgo and Angie Brace for all of the care

Elizabeth Ginsburg memorial service BRISTOL — A memorial service for Elizabeth Ginsburg, 76, of Bristol will be held on Sunday morning Nov. 13 in the Walkover Gallery, 15 Main Street, Bristol. People will gather at 9:30 a.m. and the ceremony will start at 10 a.m. Elizabeth passed away on Sept. 29, and the obituary may be found in the Oct. 6 edition of the Addison Independent.

Donald Reedstrom, 81, formerly of Addison County HORSESHOE BEND, Ark. — Donald Reedstrom, 81, of Horseshoe Bend, Ark., was called home on Saturday, October 29, 2016.

Born March 10, 1935 in Mankato, Minn., he married Karen Lindorff on September 5, 1958. Karen survives along with their four sons, ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Don spent 15 years with Co-Operative Insurance Companies in Middlebury, where he retired in 2000.

Don’s faith was a vital part of who he was. It was demonstrated by the enjoyment he found through his involvement in family activities, church, Rotary, Kiwanis and Boy Scouting. Other interests included camping, fishing and traveling.

Polly Squire Quinn, 93, Hinesburg BRENDA BROWN that they offered Brenda, as well as Addison County Home Health and Hospice, Dr. Emily Glick and Annie Schrader.

There will be no burial services.

All donations please send to Addison County Home Health and Hospice, Route 7 North, Middlebury VT 05753.◊

HINESBURG — Polly Squire Quinn of Hinesburg passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the UVM Medical Center on Oct. 27, 2016 at the age of 93. Polly was very active in the Hinesburg Community and raised champion Morgan Horses under Heyday Morgans.

Her son Mike Quinn is a longtime resident of Middlebury.

In lieu of flowers, send donations (in Polly Quinn’s name) to: United Church of Hinesburg, 10570 Route 116, Hinesburg, VT 05461 or UVM Morgan Horse Farm, 74 Battell Drive, Weybridge, VT 05753 or Morgan Horse Heritage Foundation, c/o Anne C. Brown, 1380 Old Stage Rd., Westford, VT 05494.

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Addison Independent, Thursday, November 3, 2016 — PAGE 7A

Letters to the Editor

Silent spring: Act 46 and local democracy

Sheriff backs candidate for position of high bailiff The candidate with the most experience for the position of High Bailiff is incumbent Charles S. Clark, Jr. Charlie has been an Addison County Deputy Sheriff for 33 years. For 28 of those years he has been in a leadership role serving as Chief Deputy under deceased Sheriff Jim Coons and myself.

Charlie holds the rank of Captain and currently has all the powers of

the Sheriff including signing checks in my absence. He is a trusted employee of the Addison County Sheriff’s Department and the State of Vermont.

In the year 2000, Captain Clark was selected as Deputy Sheriff of the Year by the Vermont Sheriff’s Association. In the year 2012, Captain Clark was the recipient of the prestigious Bill Graham Award giv-

en to him by the Vermont Sheriff’s Association for his dedication to the State of Vermont, Vermont Sheriff’s Association and law enforcement.

Please vote for Charles S. Clark Jr., a professional lawman, for the position of High Bailiff.

Donald M. Keeler, Jr. Addison County Sheriff

Avoid fear, practice soothing, enjoy nature’s bounty Fear is a 4 letter word.

Between now and the upcoming election and beyond, I am working on avoiding the trap of fear, “What if . . .?”

Isaac Penington, an English Quaker who lived from 1616 to 1679, once wrote, “Our life is love, and peace, and tenderness; and bearing one with another, and forgiving one another, and not laying accusations one against another; but praying one for another and helping one another up with a tender hand.”

I have placed that statement in my daily prayers. They help guide me and keep my heart open. Here are pieces of my daily prayers: Thou anointest my head with oil.

My cup runneth over; full of grace; forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; we dissolve all negativity from our thoughts, from our actions, from our words, and from our bodies; and may the healing light of love fill the planet and all beings on it.

I also name people and situations that I intend to soothe: People in prisons and families of people in prisons; cities and countries at war and in conflict; our schools and our communities, here and everywhere around the world; children and their families, here and every-

where around the world; all people in mourning; all people who have killed; all children whose parents have died, whose mates have died; all parents whose children have died, whose mates have died; friends and family of all those who have been murdered or died in accidents; friends and family of all those who have done the murdering; all people in physical pain, emotional pain, and/or spiritual pain.

I also name these words since they are important aspects of living a full responsible life: Food. Water.

Hope. Home. Health. Family. Self.

Community. Compassion. Worthwhile work. Education. Joy. Beauty.

Music. Love. Spiritual journey.

Kindness. Respect. Dignity. Courage. Gratitude. Patience. Generosity.

Forgiveness.

Consider doing something kind (another 4 letter word!!) for yourself or your neighbor, your family, your community or even for a stranger.

Then maybe we can heal the anxiety awakened by fear.

I understand how being in nature can also be healing. In my daily prayers I say: All the birds in the air, the fish in the sea, the animals, the plants, the trees, our air, our earth, and our water. I allow myself to realize our interdependence.

The Pulestons are family friends of my husband. Dennis Puleston, the father of the family, witnessed subsequent landings in Normandy after D-Day, 1944. Here is some of his writing 50 years later: “I did get over there and saw the remarkable way in which all the necessary men and equipment were landed on open and often storm-battered beaches. … I remember being up in the dunes, somewhat exhausted, and figuratively catching my breath as the landing took place all around at a feverish pace. In the distance were the sounds of battle, but nearer at hand and directly overhead a skylark was singing in ecstasy.

I was deeply moved by this one element of sanity in the whole mad business of war. That bird made me realize that someday all this would be over and I could enjoy birds again the way I had always wanted to. I have never forgotten that one small bird and the effect it had upon me.” (Dennis Puleston, “The Gull’s Way,” 1995, Vantage Press, New York, page153).

Dennis Puleston had the chance to live a full, rich life. He died when he was 95.

Patricia Heather-Lea Bristol

Charbonneau offers ‘steadfast commitment’ to issues It is with enthusiasm that I endorse Jill Charbonneau for the Vermont House in Addison 1. I have known Jill for many years, and have always appreciated her steadfast commitment to the most important issues that we face. She has been a consistent advocate for single payer health care for many years, and she supports the current efforts to begin with universal publicly-funded pri-

mary care for all Vermonters.

She supports a livable minimum wage of $15 per hour, and a more concerted effort to more quickly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels in favor of an environmentally sustainable infrastructure and future for Vermont. She has been consistent on these and many other issues for many years, and has rightfully earned the endorsement of Bernie

Sanders.

Jill has always been up-front with her positions on the issues. She does not waffle or offer the voters platitudes in lieu of clear and substantive positions and proposals on the issues.

Frank Nicosia Middlebury

Democrats have failed to fix health care, finances There’s an elephant in the room!

Let’s talk about it…the Democrats have had their opportunity to represent the best interests of Addison County for the last six years. During that time of one-party domination, state spending has grown by $779 million, property taxes have increased by $137.4 million, we have a catastrophically failed health care system, and the 2017 budget calls for $48 million dollars in new taxes and fees.

In addition, the Democrats are putting forward the threat of a carbon tax which would result in an 88 cent per gallon tax on gasoline and $1.02 per gallon tax on diesel and home heating oil within the next 10 years! At the most recent candidate forum in Middlebury, the Democrats offered as a solution to energy consumption that they hope to “encourage” more people to

move closer to their jobs, increase public transportation, promote the use of electric vehicles and build more wind and solar farms. We can only imagine the cost of all of this, as well as the oppression of more government control over where we live, what jobs we can take and what type of vehicle we can drive!

In contrast, the Republican candidates have outlined their opposition to the carbon tax, and suggested utilizing the renewable energy of Hydro Quebec available to us at .05 cents per kilowatt hour, supporting solar power, while scrutinizing the real costs of wind power to the environment and our people, as well as tapping into the potential renewable methane power generated by our farms.

Wouldn’t it be more reasonable to use the resources we already have in place, and give our farms a way to

stabilize their incomes than to create more burdens of taxation and regulation for our citizens? The costs for the Democrats’ proposals would be enormous, and we haven’t even tackled their approach to solving the opiate crisis in Vermont! The Democrats’ solution for this challenge is to legalize recreational marijuana and funnel this money to fight opiate use. Their reasoning appears to be that if folks are already using cannabis illegally, why not legalize it so that the state can control the quality of it and reap the financial benefits like they do from the sale of alcohol.

Has anyone else noticed the number and types of Recovery Meetings that are listed weekly in our local newspapers? I counted 18 alcohol recovery notices in the public meetings section of the Independent this (See Scott letter, Page 11A)

Letters to the Editor can be found on Pages 4A, 5A, 7A, 11A, 12A, 13A, 15A and 18A.

Residents in Starksboro, Lin- community.

Key points that have been coln, New Haven, Monkton, and Bristol will be voting Nov. 8 on missed in the consolidation discuswhether to consolidate school gov- sion include the following: ernance under Act 46. It’s a polar1) Size matters. Current district izing issue, at a time when we’ve lines follow town lines, but erasseen enough polarization at the ing these and replacing them with national level to last a lifetime. As regional districts means a dramatic coauthors, we come together from increase in the size of the governed the left and right to urge you to body. What we know from town vote no. We think these communi- meeting research is, the larger the ties can do better, by stepping back town, the lower the per capita parto look at the big picture. ticipation. Citizens understand that For a lesson in big-picture think- in a small body, their participation ing, let’s take a quick counts for much more visit to the environthan in a large one, mental movement. In and they feel more 1962, scientist Racivic responsibility to chel Carson published support the common “Silent Spring,” a This week’s writers good. groundbreaking expo- are Starksboro resi2) Power matters. sé of the over-use of dent Frank Bryan, The current proposal chemical pesticides. Professor Emeritus dramatically reduces One of the first books of Political Science the number of elected to call Americans’ at the University of representatives per attention to environ- Vermont, and Susan citizen. This means mental issues, “Silent Clark, co-author of reduced ability to Spring” revealed the “All Those In Fa- know, understand, link between pesti- vor” (with Frank and communicate cides and cancer.

Bryan) and “Slow with decision makers.

Of course, pesti- Democracy” (with 3) Structure matcides like DDT were Woden Teachout). ters. It is well known applied with good that single-issue inintentions — for instance, to kill terest groups tend to dominate mosquitoes that could carry dis- attendance at single-issue public ease. But Carson showed the grave meetings. But education needs the links between pesticides, health voice and wisdom of the full comproblems, and significant bird die- munity. The structure must be deoffs, hence the book’s poignant ti- signed to invite them in, not turn tle: A spring when no birds would them away. sing.

4) Community matters. VerThe most important revelation mont is the second most rural of “Silent Spring” is that you can state in the U.S. And researchers never do just one thing. In an inter- consistently rank Vermont among connected system, all actions must the highest in “social capital” — be considered with humility, and the trust, neighborliness, and volwithin the context of the whole. unteerism that make our society, Tinkering can have devastating economy and democracy function. unintended consequences.

Social capital is not some magical In 2015, the Vermont Legisla- ingredient in Vermont’s water; it ture passed Act 46, an education is built by having one neighborly law inspired by concerns about conversation, one thoughtful comrising property taxes, declining en- promise, one difficult meeting at rollments, and a growing achieve- a time. Consolidation flies in the ment gap among students. But face of civic research showing that with its incentives to erase town America’s social capital wastelines for school purposes, abolish lands are suburbs, where too often local school boards, and effective- there is not a strong community ly eliminate Town Meeting Day center, and governance happens at deliberation on school issues, Act the regional level.

46 pushes for a massive overhaul Like any natural system, this one not simply of education, but of works as a loop — education supwhat it means to live in a Vermont ports community, community sup-

Community

Forum

ports education. Vermont’s schools may be the single most powerful setting to inspire citizen engagement. Schools are where we spend the majority of our locally collected tax dollars. And here, we entrust what is most precious to us — our children — to a larger system.

In turn, decades of research show that schools function best when the community is involved.

The future of public education depends on communities full of people who are willing to pay for good education — with their time, their wisdom, and their dollars — even though their immediate interests are not at stake. For this, we need robust democratic engagement.

Let’s be clear: Rachel Carson was not pro-malaria, and consolidation opponents are not in favor of bad schools. Carson advocated for biological pest control — a sustainable middle ground. Likewise, we can find a middle ground in school governance reform.

In Act 46, legislators included alternatives to wholesale consolidation. Vermonters should hold them to their offer. After sending back a “no” vote, communities can collaborate to create a new proposal, for instance one that retains elected local boards with key local powers (such as developing budgets and hiring the principal), while also creating a combined board for issues better decided together. This can be a Jeffersonian moment to create something that’s truly better, not to meet a one-sizefits-all mandate.

What makes no sense is the wholesale eradication of effective, responsive local school boards and the erasure of the sense of place that makes our communities function. Vermonters’ experience with self-governance lifts our politics dramatically above the national.

What sets us apart is our humanscale structure, and the intermingled voices of local wisdom.

What kind of world do we want our children to graduate into? And what kind of communities create that world? What will be the impact of a silent spring, with no voices heard on Town Meeting Day? These questions, too, are our responsibility.

Davis (Continued from Page 4A) cratic candidates above her on the ballot — Clinton, Leahy and Peter Welch — as well as her endorsement by, and active support from, Bernie Sanders, currently by far the most popular political figure in Vermont.

Also, President Obama, highly regarded in Vermont, has recorded a radio commercial endorsing Minter.

Minter will benefit from the bet-

ter organizational and financial resources of the Vermont Democratic Party compared to the Vermont Republican Party. These organizational and financial advantages make a big difference when it comes to identifying, mobilizing, and turning out supportive voters. Turnout in this year’s election in Vermont is likely to be high, and high turnout in presidential years generally favors Democratic

candidates.

Whether Scott’s campaign can overcome Minter’s organizational and endorsement advantages in the final week will likely determine who will be the next governor of Vermont.

Eric L. Davis is professor emeritus of political science at Middlebury College.

collage of history for a city that has changed hands multiple times between the French and Germans as a result of military campaigns.

Again, I couldn’t help but be drawn up in the history. Strasbourg Cathedral was a work in progress between 1015 and 1439, and continues to undergo renovations. One building being erected over the course of 420 years. That’s almost twice as long as the United States has been a

country. Older doesn’t mean better, but the timeline makes one realize how “young” we truly are in the U.S. We returned from our trip this past Friday with a lot of memories and new friendships brewed over a glass or two of German beer and fermented with more than a few glasses of wine. And the trip also allowed me to appreciate that age is relative, depending on which continent you call home.

Clippings (Continued from Page 4A) that had put them out of commission centuries ago.

In Strasbourg, France, we were, of course, dazzled by the cathedral of Notre Dame, one of the most celebrated examples of Gothic artwork one can find. Gazing at the cathedral’s 465-foot tower is enough to make you dizzy, while the hundreds of sculptures that stand out from the cathedral’s wall form a beautiful

VOTE

Middlebury Registered Voters Tuesday, Nov 8th General Election

NEW LOCATION! Middlebury Recreation Center / Gymnasium • 154 Creek Road.

Poll hours 7am to 7pm.

Middlebury Town Clerk’s Office CLOSED ALL DAY Monday & Tuesday - Nov 7th & 8th

PAGE 8A — Addison Independent, Thursday, November 3, 2016

67th Annual St. Bernadette’s Turkey Bingo

Wednesday, November 16th at the American Legion in Middlebury, VT

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calendar

Food & Drinks from 5:00PM on Quickies at 6:15pm +

25 regular play for turkeys and cash prizes begins at 7pm Raffle tickets for sale from K of C members and at Turkey Bingo $2 each, 3 for $5 1st PRIZE - $400 gift card at Vermont Field Sports 2nd PRIZE- handmade quilt by Pam Pezzulo 3rd, 4th and 5th PRIZE – fresh Vermont turkeys Drawing : Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at Turkey Bingo

Hosted by the Knights of Columbus

Proceeds benefit our Charitable works.

MIDDLEBURY MAYHEM

MEN’S 30N3

BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT Saturday, Nov 26th at Middlebury Recreation Center $75 for team of four – Sign up by Nov 18th Call Dustin Hunt 802-388-8100 ext 216 or Randy Stockwell 802-989-9715

Christmas rabbits

OPENING RECEPTION FOR “The Spirit of the Season” at Brandon Artists Guild Friday, Nov. 4, from 5-7 p.m., at Brandon Artists Guild. The collection features a variety of styles and media such as original art, jewelry, clay, mixed media and glass, as well as “Christmas Rabbits” by Dolores Fumari.

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FOR A

Celebration ••••IN HONOR OF••••

HERMAN BUZEMAN’S

80

th

RDAY

SATU

BIRTHDAY November 5 • 2 to 4 pm th

New Haven United Reformed Church 1660 Ethan Allen HIghway, New Haven, VT

Keep up to date with all the action, read

Arts + Leisure every Thursday in the Addy Indy!

VOTE

THURSDAY

Monthly senior meal in Bristol. Thursday, Nov. 3, noon, First Baptist Church of Bristol. The menu will feature chicken and biscuits, coleslaw, beets, cranberry sauce and peach upside down cake. Suggested donation $4.

To make a reservation call 453-5276.

Introduction to bridge course in Middlebury.

Thursday, Nov. 3, 5:30-7:45 p.m., Ilsley Public Library. Free weekly bridge classes taught by Gisela Palmer. Suitable for beginners but more experienced players welcome. Classes are free and will follow Audrey Grant’s “Bridge Basics 1: An Introduction.” Seven week session.

Vermont’s Celtic heritage in Bristol. Thursday, Nov. 3, 7 p.m., Lawrence Memorial Library. Irish-American artist and musician Reagh Greenleaf Jr. will offer a presentation on Vermont’s Celtic Heritage, discussing our state’s roots in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The event is hosted by the One World Library Project. Info: 453-2366.

Book discussion in Middlebury. Thursday, Nov. 3, 7 p.m., The Vermont Book Shop, Main St. Discussion featuring Elena Ferrante’s new books, “Frantumaglia,” a collection of letters, essays and interviews, and “The Beach at Night,” a children’s fable.

Part of nationwide FerranteNightFever events.

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FRIDAY

Tai Chi in Middlebury. Friday, Nov. 4, 9:45-10:30 a.m., EastView at Middlebury.

Advanced beginner Tai Chi taught by certified Tai Chi instructor Doreen Peterson. Participants should have knowledge of Tai Chi One. This class will introduce the movements of Tai Chi Two. Puppetry craft workshop in Monkton. Friday, Nov. 4, 10 a.m.-noon, Russell Memorial Library, Monkton. No school? No problem! The librarians will be offering a puppetry craft workshop with three different puppet models available. Info: 453-4471.

Spaghetti dinner in Bristol. Friday, Nov. 4, 5-7 p.m., St. Ambrose Parish Hall. Bristol Knights of Columbus will be serving their Knights in Italy spaghetti dinner. All you can eat spaghetti, bread, salad and dessert. $10 adults; $5 kids; $25 immediate family.

Movie night in Vergennes. Friday, Nov. 4, 6:30 p.m., Bixby Memorial Library. The Bixby’s Friday night movie features “Nebraska,” a black and white comedy/drama directed by Alexander Payne.

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SATURDAY

Green Mountain Club hike in Waltham.

Saturday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m., Buck Mountain, Waltham. This hike is a 2.5-mile round trip trek on Buck Mountain with a few moderately steep ascents, and includes views of the Champlain Valley and Snake Mountain. For information contact leader David Andrews at 388-4894 or vtrevda@yahoo.com. Info: www.gmcbreadloaf.org.

Author reading in Middlebury. Saturday, Nov. 5, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Vermont Book Shop. Vermont author and farmer Eugenie Doyle will read from her new picture book, “Sleep Tight Farm,” which describes what winter means to the farm year and the family that shares its seasons. Book signing to follow.

Turkey supper in Orwell. Saturday, Nov. 5, 5:30 p.m., Orwell Town Hall. Turkey, gravy and all the fixings including homemade rolls and apple crisp.

Adults $10; children under ten $5. Take out orders available by calling 989-3322. Sponsored by the First Congregational Church of Orwell.

Harvest supper in Starksboro. Saturday, Nov. 5, 5:30-7 p.m., Robinson School, 41 Parsonage Road.

Annual harvest supper presented by the Starksboro Conservation Commission. $25 two adults and two children; $10 adults; $5 children age 12 and younger. All proceeds benefit the Four Winds Institute natural science program at Robinson School. Tickets sold at the door.

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SUNDAY

“Steps towards reproductive justice” 5K in Middlebury. Sunday, Nov. 6, 11 a.m., McCullough Lawn, Middlebury College. Come run, walk or even skip your way through a 5K and learn about reproductive health and justice issues along the way. Registration at 10:30 a.m.

Info: go.middlebury.edu/stepstowardsRJ or stepstowardrj@gmail.com.

Turkey dinner in New Haven. Sunday, Nov. 6, 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m., New Haven Congregational Church. Annual turkey dinner with all the fixings including beverage and dessert. $12 adults; $6 children ages 6-12; under 6 free. Reservations recommended by walk-ins welcome. Take out available. Call Betsy for reservations: 453-2724.

Historical society meeting in Addison. Sunday, Nov. 6, 3 p.m., Addison Fire Station. The November meeting of the Addison Historical Society will take a look back at “Old Addison” through slides contributed by Marilla Sorrell in 1991. Bring any old Addison photos you have to share. Refreshments will be served. Free to members. Non-members are asked to leave a donation.

Free community meal in Vergennes. Sunday, Nov. 6, 5-6:30 p.m., St. Peter’s Church. The menu includes Shepard’s pie, pickled beets, rolls and apple crisp with ice cream. Gluten, dairy and sugar free portions available.

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MONDAY

Author reading in Middlebury. Monday, Nov. 7, 6-7 p.m., Ilsley Public Library. Children’s book author Kate Messner will be presenting to families and signing books.

Messner is the author of “The Seventh Wish,” “All the Answers,” “The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z.” and other books. Rosie’s is preparing a special sweet treat for those who attend.

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TUESDAY

Pie, soup and bake sale in Lincoln.

Tuesday, Nov. 8, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Burnham Hall Kitchen, Lincoln. Pie, soup and bake sale to benefit the Lincoln Library. Take out containers will be available for the soup. Buy a pie early and freeze it for the holidays. Info: 453-4786.

Blood drive in Middlebury. Tuesday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., American Legion, 49 Wilson Road. Red Cross blood drive in Middlebury. To make an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.

Brain injury support group in Middlebury. Tuesday, Nov. 8, 6-7:30 p.m., Ilsley Town Library. The Middlebury brain injury support group will discuss “How brain injury can change one’s skill sets: moving forward.” Info: 388-2720.

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WEDNESDAY

Tai Chi in Middlebury. Wednesday, Nov. 9, 9:45-10:30 a.m., EastView at Middlebury. Advanced beginner Tai Chi taught by certified Tai Chi instructor Doreen Peter-

Eugenie Doyle

VERMONT AUTHOR AND farmer Eugenie Doyle will read from her new picture book, “Sleep Tight Farm,” at The Vermont Book Shop on Saturday, Nov. 5, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Book signing to follow.

son. Participants should have knowledge of Tai Chi One. This class will introduce the movements of Tai Chi Two. Book club in Bridport. Wednesday, Nov. 9, 7 p.m., Bridport Highway Department conference room, Crown Point Road at Short Street. Come discuss “The Boys in the Boat,” by Daniel James Brown.

The title for December is “Time and Tide,” by Edna O’Brien. All interested readers are welcome. Info: 758-2858.

“Enigma” program in New Haven. Wednesday, Nov. 9, 7 p.m., New Haven Community Library.

Tom Perera, retired professor of neuroscience, will speak about the code breaking Enigma machines of World War II. All welcome. Info: 453-4015.

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THURSDAY

Introduction to bridge course in Middlebury. Thursday, Nov. 10, 5:307:45 p.m., Ilsley Public Library. Free weekly bridge classes taught by Gisela Palmer. Suitable for beginners but more experienced players welcome. Classes are free and will follow Audrey Grant’s “Bridge Basics 1: An Introduction.” Sevenweek session.

Otter Creek Audubon annual dinner and meeting in Middlebury. Thursday, Nov. 10, 5:30 p.m., American Legion, 49 Wilson Road. A celebration of the work OCAS has done in the past year. Lasagna dinner $18.50 adult; $12.50 youth. Ripton resident Warren King will be presented the Silver Feather Award at 7:15 p.m., followed by a talk by Geoff LeBaron, the National Audubon society’s Christmas bird count director. Visit www.ottercredkaudubon.org for reservation information.

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FRIDAY

Tai Chi in Middlebury. Friday, Nov. 11, 9:45-10:30 a.m., EastView at Middlebury. Advanced beginner Tai Chi taught by certified Tai Chi instructor Doreen Peterson. Participants should have knowledge of Tai Chi One. This class will introduce the movements of Tai Chi Two.

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SATURDAY

Green Mountain Club hike in Middlebury. Saturday, Nov. 12, 9 a.m., Abbey Pond, Middlebury. This is a moderately difficult hike, about 4.5 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 1,160 feet. The trail ends at Abbey Pond, a quiet wilderness pond with an unobstructed view of Robert Frost Mountain. For information contact Ruth Penfield at 388-5407 or ruthpenfield@gmail.com. Info: www.gmcbreadloaf.org.

Bake sale and bazaar in East Middlebury. Saturday, Nov. 12, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., East Middlebury United Methodist Church, junction of Routes 126 and 116. Homemade pies, breads, doughnuts, cookies, baked beans, soups, chowders and chili. Gift ideas, crafts, Rada cutlery and more.

Kids try hockey for free in Middlebury. Saturday, Nov. 12, 9:15-10:30 a.m., Memorial Sports Center.

Middlebury Amateur Hockey Association offers youngsters from age 4 to 9 a free experience to try youth hockey. A limited amount of equipment is available to borrow. MAHA’s top coaches will be on the ice to assist. No previous skating or hockey experience needed. Info: www.middhockey.com.

Craft fair in Bristol. Saturday, Nov. 12, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Mount Abraham Union High School. Start your holiday shopping early! The Mount Abraham Union High School craft fair and silent auction features a wide variety of crafts from wood products, clothing, specialty foods, jewelry, quilts, silk scarves, cards and artwork. Fundraiser for the Class of 2017 Project Graduation. A homemade lunch, bake sale, silent auction and raffle will also take place.

Wildlife expert in Monkton. Saturday, Nov. 12, 1011 a.m., Monkton Ridge Church. Certified Wildlife Expert Helena Nicolay will describe what you should and should not do if you find an injured animal. Learn how to keep yourself and the animal safe in order to rescue it. Info: 453-4471.

Lasagna supper in Vergennes. Saturday, Nov. 12, 5-6:30 p.m., Vergennes United Methodist Church, Main Street. The menu includes lasagna, green beans, Italian bread, dessert and beverage, served buffet style. $9 adults; $5 children. Takeout

Addison Independent, Thursday, November 3, 2016 — PAGE 9A

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FALL OPEN HOUSE & FUNDRAISER FOR ART ON MAIN November 5TH

AND

6TH

Come Take a Class!

Saturday: Spinning, Strength Training, NIA Dance, Interval Mash-up and Pilates Yoga Sunday: Les Mills Body PUMP, Zumba, Yoga Donations to benefit Art On Main encouraged.

Membership Specials all weekend!

Up to 30% off!

Lamb

WHEN AN ETHIOPIAN boy moves in with distant relatives, he takes along his pet sheep, but the upcoming holidays spell danger for his beloved friend. Showing Saturday, Nov. 5, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Dana Auditorium. Sponsored by the Hirschfield International Film Series. Info: www. middlebury.edu/arts or 443-3168. Free.

orders available. Call 877-3150 for more information.

Chicken pie supper in Hancock. Saturday, Nov. 12, 5-6:30 p.m., Hancock Town Hall, 1097 Route 100.

The Community Church of Hancock and Granville is holding their annual chicken pie supper. The menu includes chicken gravy on a biscuit with mashed potatoes, squash, cranberry sauce, coleslaw, beverage and pie for dessert. $10 adults; $5 children ages 12 and under.

King Pede card parties in Ferrisburgh. Saturday, Nov. 12, 6:30 p.m., Ferrisburgh Grange. King Pede parties at the Ferrisburgh Grange begin at 6:30 p.m. with a sandwich supper and include fun and card games.

Lazyman’s lobster dinner and baked ham dinner in Shoreham. Saturday, Nov. 12, 5 p.m. or 6:30 p.m., Shoreham Congregational Church. Lobster dinner: $22 ($20 seniors). Baked ham dinner $12 ($10 seniors). Both dinners include rolls, tossed salad, squash, potato and homemade desserts.

Advance tickets only. Call Judy 349-9957. Drawing for the quilt raffle will take place.

“Love Letters” in Bristol. Saturday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m., Holley Hall. A. R. Gurney’s “Love Letters” will be presented at Holley Hall, sponsored by the Bristol Gateway Players. Donations at the door will benefit “Let’s Hear It for Holley Hall.” Refreshments will be available during intermission of the 90-minute presentation.

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SUNDAY

Parish breakfast in Vergennes. Sunday, Nov. 13, 8-10 a.m., St. Peter’s Church. Come for a delicious breakfast of eggs, omelets (to order), hot cakes, French toast, sausage, bacon and more. $8.50 adults; $7.50 seniors over 60; $6 kids ages 6-12; under age 6 free. Immediate families of five or more $28. Info: 877-2367.

Family photo day in Salisbury. Sunday, Nov. 13, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Salisbury Community School. The Friends of the Salisbury Community School will hold a family photo day at the school.

Warm clothing drive in East Middlebury. Sunday, Nov. 13, 1-3 p.m., East Middlebury United Methodist Church, junction of Routes 125 and 116. Warm clothing drive, will accept clean, warm clothing for adults and children.

“Love Letters” in Bristol. Sunday, Nov. 13, 2 p.m., Holley Hall. A. R. Gurney’s “Love Letters” will be presented at Holley Hall, sponsored by the Bristol Gateway Players. Donations at the door will benefit “Let’s Hear It for Holley Hall.” Refreshments will be available during intermission of the 90-minute presentation.

“A History of the World in Six Boats” in Ferrisburgh. Sunday, Nov. 13, 2-4 p.m., Ferrisburgh Historical Society, corner of Route 7 and Little Chicago Road. Join Mike Smiles of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum for an exploration of the interconnected stories of six boat types that shaped our local and global economies. Bring a list of your own “six ships/boats” to share in a survey. All welcome. Refreshments will be available.

Chicken and biscuit supper in Middlebury. Sunday, Nov. 13, 5-6 p.m., Middlebury United Methodist Church. All you can eat chicken and biscuit supper includes many homemade side dishes and desserts. Suggested donation $8 adult; $5 ages 5-12; under age 5 free. All proceeds go to charity.

Free Thanksgiving dinner in Bristol. Sunday, Nov. 13, 5-6:30 p.m., St. Ambrose Parish Hall.

Thanksgiving ecumenical dinner sponsored by seven area churches. The menu will be turkey with stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, squash, rolls, cranberry sauce, pie and beverages.

All welcome.

bury. Tuesday, Nov. 15, 8 p.m., Mahaney Center for the Arts, Robison Hall. The music of this student ensemble demonstrates the study of many musical Africanisms: complex polyphony, musical conversation, structured improvisation, recurrent patterns, layered ostinati, timbral variety and tonal variations.

Info: www.middlebury.edu/arts or 802-443-3168.

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MONDAY

“Crossing the Himalayas in 1964” slide talk in Middlebury. Monday, Nov. 14, 7-8:30 p.m., Ilsley Public Library. Over 50 years ago when he was a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal, David Rosenberg crossed the Himalayas on foot. Now a Middlebury College professor, he has published an extensively illustrated book that tells the story of his adventures.

Addison right to life meeting in Bristol. Monday, Nov. 14, 7 p.m., Bristol Baptist Church. Visitors are welcome. Info: 388-2898 or L2paquette@aol.com.

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15

TUESDAY

Free foot care clinic in Middlebury.

Tuesday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m.-noon, Middlebury Rec Center, 154 Creek Road. Bring your own basin and towel. Offered by ACHHH. Blood pressure/foot care clinic in Brandon.

Tuesday, Nov. 15, 11 a.m., Conant Square. Blood pressure/foot care clinic sponsored by RAVNAH. $10. No appointment necessary. Call 770-1536 for more information.

Magic with Adam in Middlebury. Tuesday, Nov. 15, 6-8 p.m., 51 Main. Our favorite magician is back!

Adam Fisher’s table side shows are the perfect balance of clever tricks, alluring illusions and witty entertainment for all ages.

African music and dance ensemble in Middle-

THURSDAY

Introduction to bridge course in Middlebury. Thursday, Nov. 17, 5:30-7:45 p.m., Ilsley Public Library. Free weekly bridge classes taught by Gisela Palmer. Suitable for beginners but more experienced players welcome. Classes are free and will follow Audrey Grant’s “Bridge Basics 1: An Introduction.” Sevenweek session.

“Grease” in Vergennes. Thursday, Nov. 17, 7 p.m., Vergennes Union High School. VUHS presents their fall musical “Grease.” Tickets are available at Everywhere for Everybody in Vergennes and the VUHS auditorium lobby Monday-Friday 11 a.m.noon and evenings. $12 adults; $10 students. Info: 877-2938.

“Puss in Boots” in Vergennes. Thursday, Nov. 17, 7 p.m., Vergennes Opera House. Bald Mountain Theater presents their original, all-ages adaptation of “Puss in Boots” or “How to get ahead in the world.”

Suitable for ages six and older. Tickets available at the door. $15 adults; $10 under age 10 or over 65; $40 family of four. Info: www.baldmountaintheater. org or 767-4800.

“Mary Poppins-the Musical” in Bristol. Thursday, Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m., Mount Abraham Union High School. MAUHS presents “Mary Poppins-the Musical” for its fall show. Tickets are available at Martin’s Hardware on West Street in Bristol. All seats are reserved. $12 adults; $8 senior citizens/kids under age 12.

Piano recital in Middlebury. Thursday, Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m., Mahaney Center for the Arts, Robison Hall.

The fall piano concert by Diana Fanning’s students.

Info: www.middlebury.edu/arts or 802-443-3168.

American Sunrise/Sunset in Middlebury. Thursday, Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m., Seeler Studio Theatre. The 24-person company explores the American present through song, story and some gymnastics. Directed by Cheryl Faraone. $12 public; $10 college ID holders; $6 students. On sale Oct. 31. Info: www. middlebury.edu/arts or 802-443-3168.

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Call to sign up! 453-5202 14 School St, Bristol VT • edgevtwellness.com

WEDNESDAY

Painting the Modern Garden: Monet to Matisse in Middlebury. Wednesday, Nov. 16, 11 a.m., Town Hall Theater. Great artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, Matisse, Sorolla and many others feature in an innovative and extensive exhibition from The Royal Academy of Arts, London. Tickets $10/$5 students.

“Puss in Boots” in Bristol. Wednesday, Nov. 16, 7 p.m., Holley Hall, Bristol. Bald Mountain Theater presents their original, all-ages adaptation of “Puss in Boots” or “How to get ahead in the world.” Suitable for ages six and older. Tickets available at the door. $15 adults; $10 under age 10 or over 65; $40 family of four. Info: www.baldmountaintheater.org or 767-4800.

David Torn on guitar in Middlebury. Wednesday, Nov. 16, 8 p.m., Mahaney Center for the Arts, Robison Hall. Experimental guitarist, film composer and former David Bowie sideman David Torn gives a concert of solo electric guitar improvisations. Free.

Info: www.middlebury.edu/arts or 802-443-3168.

nov

ers; $6 students. On sale Oct. 31. Info: www.middlebury.edu/arts or 802-443-3168.

“Migration” in Middlebury. Friday, Nov. 18, 8-10 p.m., Town Hall Theater. “Migration,” an immersive film about the lives of Mongolia’s reindeer herders, will have its East Coast premiere at Town Hall Theater. The evening begins with a reception at 7 p.m. and ends with a Q&A with director Sas Carey. $20.

Info: www.townhalltheater.org or 382-9222.

New Programs: • Les Mills Body PUMP! • NIA Dance • Zumba • Strength Express • Yoga Express

FRIDAY

Ten Thousand Villages craft sale in Middlebury. Friday, Nov. 18, 3-6 p.m., Memorial Baptist Church, 97 South Pleasant St. 25th annual Ten Thousand Villages craft sale featuring gifts, home décor art pieces and accessories handcrafted by fairly paid artisans around the world. Ten Thousand Villages is a nonprofit program of the Mennonite Central Committee. All proceeds are sent back to the program. Handicap accessible. Cash and check sales only.

Table of Grace free meal in Vergennes. Friday, Nov. 18, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Vergennes Congregational Church. Meals are held the fourth Friday of the month. This month’s menu: meatloaf, potatoes, gravy, vegetable and dessert.

“Grease” in Vergennes. Friday, Nov. 18, 7 p.m., Vergennes Union High School. VUHS presents their fall musical “Grease.” Tickets are available at Everywhere for Everybody in Vergennes and the VUHS auditorium lobby Monday-Friday 11 a.m.noon and evenings. $12 adults; $10 students. Info: 877-2938.

“Mary Poppins-the Musical” in Bristol. Friday, Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m., Mount Abraham Union High School.

MAUHS presents “Mary Poppins-the Musical” for its fall show. Tickets available at Martin’s Hardware on West Street in Bristol. All seats are reserved. $12 adults; $8 senior citizens/kids under age 12.

American Sunrise/Sunset in Middlebury. Friday, Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m., Seeler Studio Theatre. The 24-person company explores the American present through song, story and some gymnastics. Directed

by Cheryl Faraone. $12 public; $10 college ID hold-

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SATURDAY

Green Mountain Club hike in Middlebury. Saturday, Nov. 19, 9 a.m., Trail Around Middlebury. An easy/moderate one-way hike or snowshoe on the Trail Around Middlebury starting at South Street, about 5.5 miles total including climbing Chipman Hill. For information contact Kathy Duclos at 453-2149 or kduclos@gmavt.net. Info: www.gmcbreadloaf. org.

Ten Thousand Villages craft sale in Middlebury.

Saturday, Nov. 19, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Memorial Baptist Church, 97 South Pleasant St. 25th annual Ten Thousand Villages craft sale featuring gifts, home décor art pieces and accessories handcrafted by fairly paid artisans around the world.

Ten Thousand Villages is a nonprofit program of the Mennonite Central Committee. All proceeds are sent back to the program. Handicap accessible. Cash and check sales only.

Sister-to-Sister summit in Middlebury. Saturday, Nov. 19, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Kirk Alumni Center, Middlebury College. Sister-to-Sister Summit with workshops such as improv theater, a capella singing, dancing, yoga and cupcake decorating.

All events are free and include breakfast, lunch and snacks. To register or organize transportation contact Karin Hanta 443-5937.

Mental illness and recovery workshop in Brandon. Saturday, Nov. 19, Fellowship Hall, 1 Carver Street. NAMI Vermont will offer a free workshop that discusses mental illness, coping strategies, and other NAMI programming. Registration is required: 800-639-6480.

“Grease” in Vergennes. Friday, Nov. 19, 3 p.m., Vergennes Union High School. VUHS presents their fall musical “Grease.” Tickets are available at Everywhere for Everybody in Vergennes and the VUHS auditorium lobby Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-noon and evenings. $12 adults; $10 students. Info: 877-2938.

Bluegrass gospel project in Vergennes. Saturday, Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m., Vergennes Opera House.

Beautiful voices and unforgettable melodies will once again fill the Vergennes Opera House to the rafters. Info: www.vergennesoperahouse.org.

“Mary Poppins-the Musical” in Bristol. Saturday, Nov. 19, 2 p.m. matinee and 7:30 p.m., Mount Abraham Union High School. MAUHS presents “Mary Poppins-the Musical” for its fall show. Tickets available at Martin’s Hardware on West Street in Bristol. All seats are reserved. $12 adults; $8 senior citizens/kids under age 12.

American Sunrise/Sunset in Middlebury. Saturday, Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m., Seeler Studio Theatre.

The 24-person company explores the American present through song, story and some gymnastics. Directed by Cheryl Faraone. $12 public; $10 college ID holders; $6 students. On sale Oct. 31.

Info: www.middlebury.edu/arts or 802-443-3168.

“Frankenstein” in Middlebury. Saturday, Nov. 19, 7-10 p.m., Town Hall Theater. Due to popular demand, Town Hall Theater is bringing back the National Theater’s production of “Frankenstein” starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Johnny Lee Miller. $17/$10 students. Info: www.townhalltheater.org or 382-9222.

“Right Now, Wrong Then” in Middlebury. Saturday, Nov. 19, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., Dana Auditorium.

A film director arrives in town a day early, meets a fledgling artist, and they start to fall for each other. Then, quite unexpectedly, the story begins again, but things appear different. In Korean with English subtitles. Info: www.middlebury.edu/arts or 802-443-3168.

FARMERSMARKETS Brandon Farmers’ Market. Fridays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., May 27-Oct. 7, Central Park. Vegetables, flowers, plants, Vermont maple syrup, honey, baked goods, organic beef, goat cheese, hand-crafted and tie-dyed items, jewelry, paintings and more.

Middlebury Farmers’ Market. Wednesdays, June 15Oct. 12. Baked goods, organic products, cheese and dairy products, crafts, cut flowers, fresh fruit and vegetables, honey, jam, jellies, preserves, maple syrup, meat and poultry products, wine, bread, plants, pickles, prepared foods, soap and body-care products, eggs, yarn, and cider.

Vergennes Farmers’ Market. Thursdays, 3-6:30 p.m., mid-May through September, Vergennes City Park.

Organic vegetables, berries, breads, desserts, crafts and takeout.

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PAGE 10A — Addison Independent, Thursday, November 3, 2016

Scary times? Advice from the yoga teacher!

Did you know that statistically that Americans are safer than they’ve speaking, most Americans are living ever been, with the knowledge that in the safest place at the safest time one in six women will be victim to in human history? Around the world, rape or attempted rape in her lifelongevity, education and household time? Or the fact that an African wealth are going up, while vio- American is killed every 28 hours by lent crime and extreme poverty are police or security forces in the U.S.? down. According to The Atlantic What about the fact that our nation magazine, 2015 was “the best year incarcerates more of its citizens than in history for the avany other country, erage human being.” even authoritarian So why are we all so regimes like Saudi scared? A survey by Arabia and China?

Chapman University, Certainly no one on American fears, in their right mind found that 70 percent would suggest that of U.S. citizens are there aren’t plenty of afraid of EACH of serious problems in these things: terrorthe world. But if we ism, economic coltake the long, historilapse, cyber-warfare cal view, we can see and government coran expansion of the ruption. This list does circle of compasnot even include the sion that has lead to things I am afraid of: the abolition of slavclimate change, speery, equal rights for cies extinction, police women, disability violence and school rights, gay rights and shootings. much more. Don’t

by Joanna Colwell But scientists who get me wrong, we study the brain make have quite a ways a distinction between to go. But can we actual fear (what you experience engage in our work to make things when you see a rattlesnake) and better from a place of celebration of anxiety (when you are worried you what has been achieved? might see a rattlesnake). “Fear is a Please join me in this little exresponse to an actual, present threat. periment. Close your eyes, and call Anxiety is a more complex, highly to mind a news story you’ve heard manipulable response to something recently, anything at all that caught one anticipates might be a threat in your attention. With your eyes the future. It is a worry about some- closed, recall something you learned thing that hasn’t happened and may from this story. Now observe your never happen,” according to neu- own response to this story. Does roscientist Joseph LeDoux, inter- your chest or belly feel tight? Does viewed in Rolling Stone magazine. your breathing feel fast? Are your Traumatic events that we read teeth clenched? Take a few slow, about in the paper or see on TV, with quiet breaths. If the story involved gory details, sear themselves into someone suffering, imagine your exour brains, and can make us afraid, halation coming out from your heart very afraid. Meanwhile the news toward this person in trouble. Take that people are living longer, health- a few more of these “heart breaths.” ier lives, just isn’t, well… news.

Open your eyes.

But how do we reconcile the fact Is there anything you could do

Ways of Seeing

milestones BIRTHS

• Michelle (Telgen) & Russell Davis, Shoreham, Oct. 25, a son, Cameron Stephen Davis.

• Jodi & Jason Covey, Vergennes, Oct. 27, a son, Bailey James Covey.

• Caitlin (MacIntire) & James McCarrick, Vergennes, Oct. 29, a son, James Owen McCarrick Jr.

to help the situation you were just thinking about? For example, if you are worried about climate change, and its effect on marginalized people around the world, have you donated to 350.org? If you are worried about violence toward people of color, perhaps you would like to join the Middlebury chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice.

If you feel a generalized sense of anxiety, not connected to any particular news event, know that you have a powerful tool at your disposal, every minute of the day. That tool is your own awareness. Here are some of the things that you do every day that can be practiced with awareness: waking up, getting out of bed, using the toilet, brushing your teeth, walking, eating, greeting a friend, the list goes on! Awareness simply means paying attention to what you are doing. Try to simply observe your breath as you do any of these daily activities. Observe your own heart. If it felt tight, take some gently slow breaths. We are all connected to one another. Your heart knows this.

Joanna Colwell is a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher who founded and directs Otter Creek Yoga in Middlebury’s Marble Works. Joanna lives with her family in East Middlebury.

When not practicing or teaching yoga, Joanna enjoys taking walks, reading and cooking. Joanna recently helped start the Middlebury chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice - check us out on Facebook.

Mount Abe silent auction, craft fair set for Nov. 12 BRISTOL — Start your holiday shopping early! The Mount Abraham Union High School Craft Fair and Silent Auction will take place Saturday, Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. As always, folks can count on a wide variety of crafts from wood products, clothing, specialty foods and jewelry, to beautiful quilts, silk scarves, cards and artwork.

This is the only fundraiser for the Class of 2017 Project Graduation, a June tradition that our community has supported for 30 years. A delicious homemade lunch, bake sale, silent auction and raffle will supplement the funds raised through crafter registrations.

scrapbook WEDDINGS

Daciw, Frater GOLDEN, B.C. — Jacob Frater, son of Jay Frater and Michele O’Neill of Monkton, wed Alysia Daciw, daughter of Debra and Dan Daciw of Thunder Bay, Ontario, on the banks of the Blaeberry River near Golden, B.C., Canada, surrounded by majestic snow covered peaks and close family and friends on Oct. 15, 2016.

Jacob, a 2002 graduate of Mount Abraham Union High School and Champlain College, met Alysia at Selkirk College in Nelson, B.C. They are making their home in Golden, B.C.

Ferguson, Fulton

Thornblade, Hewitt

ORWELL, Vt. — Lydia Anne Thornblade, daughter of Nick and Katy Thornblade of Castleton, Vt., and Scott James Hewitt, son of Dwight and Debbie Hewitt of Ira, Vt., were married May 14, 2016, overlooking Lake Champlain at Lake Ledge Farm in Orwell.

The matron of honor was Kacie O’Connell and the bridesmaids were Susan Disorda and Beth Hewitt. The flower girl was Annette Hewitt.

The best man was Tim Hewitt, and the ushers were Chris Dodson and Tim Wilson.

The bride graduated from Houghton College in 2009 and is a case worker at the Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging.

The groom graduated Appalachian Bible College in 2008 and is a farm marketer.

The Rev. Marc Bouton, uncle of the bride from Charleston, S.C., officiated.

A message of encouragement from the Scriptures was delivered by the bride’s pastor, Mathews George, or Middletown Springs community Church.

The couple honeymooned at Yellowstone National Park. They reside in North Clarendon.

FAYSTON — Holly Ferguson, daughter of the late Bob and Molly Dickson of Salisbury, wed Thomas Fulton, son of the late Elmer (Spike) and Effie Fulton of Hanover, N.H., on June 4, 2016 atop Burnt Rock Mountain on the Long Trail in Fayston.

Richard Chalmers, brother-in-law of the bride, officiated at the double ring ceremony.

Louis Gaudreau, brother-in-law of the bride, was the soloist.

The bride was given by her three sons, Sam, Matt and Tim Ferguson.

The bride and groom wore hiking clothes. The bride carried a bouquet of flowers from her and her sister Ann’s gardens.

Laura Ferguson, daughter of the bride, was the maid of honor. Ann Chalmers and Nancy Gaudreau, sisters of the bride, were attendants.

A reception was held June 19, 2016 at Squam Lake in Center Harbor, N.H. The bride is a graduate of MUHS, the University of Vermont and MIT. The bridegroom is a graduate of Hanover High School and Middlebury College.

The couple took a fall trip to the Grand View Resort in New Hampshire, a gift from the groom’s family.

The couple reside in Middlebury and Fairlee, Vt.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION!

An UPDATE ON MIDDLEBURY’S DOWNTOWN BRIDGE/RAIL PROJECT Save the date: Thursday, November 17, 2016 • 7 PM Town Hall Theater, Merchants Row, Middlebury

VTrans will present a significantly modified plan to the community for replacing the deteriorated Main Street and Merchants Row bridges Discussion led by new overall project lead Wayne Symonds, VHB engineer Aaron Guyette and Kubricky contractor Mark Alexander Topics to include: • Scope and sequencing of the project and the project schedule • How the team will minimize the economic and other impacts on our downtown • Plans to protect the environment, including Otter Creek and the safety of our citizens and historic buildings • Improvements to the town’s infrastructure If you have questions or concerns you would like addressed, please send them in advance to Jim Gish, Local Project Liaison, at jgish@townofmiddlebury.org.

10/13

Addison Independent, Thursday, November 3, 2016 — PAGE 11A

ANeSU unification to save schools, upgrade education

One of the many reasons we chose as a family to move to New Haven was the appeal of sending our kids to the very same school where their grandfather attended in the 1950s. There was a sense of stepping back in time to simpler days and holding on to important ideals — community, culture, tradition. Those ideals remain incredibly important, but the students who are attending schools in our communities have 21st century learning needs and problems that are increasingly more difficult to address by a single community.

Unification in our school district isn’t going to diminish these historical fixtures and centers of communities in which we gather for so much more than just the occasional sporting event or play. Voting “no,” however, has dire consequences that are already starting to play out in many of our small schools. Unifying in Addison Northeast (a “yes” vote for Act 46) still means I value the small school in my community, and I am not putting it at risk of closing.

The consolidated school board won’t have any authority to make that change. Closing a school under the new governance structure will still remain in the hands of the voters in our community. A vote “yes”

in some communities does mean that school budgets will be voted for via Australian ballots. To some that might be considered undemocratic and a loss of local control and voter voice.

I would disagree, though — I’ve been at some of those town meetings and wondered about the voters who weren’t there, and therefore couldn’t vote because they themselves are dealing with 21st century problems — barely getting by with two jobs making minimum wage, and unable to afford childcare.

Votes among the few who can afford to spend their Saturday at town meeting voting from the floor isn’t democratic.

More importantly, the arguments against school unification completely mask the complex reasons why school unification is necessary. As a school administrator, I see these problems firsthand, every day — we cannot efficiently address the varied needs of the students we serve by continuing to operate independently.

While we all love the idea of sending our children to schools that look like the schools our parents attended, the truth is that education is very different than it was in the 1950s. We have fewer students in our schools, more complex needs

and greater demands for equity.

Simply put, in today’s reality of operating small schools in isolation, schools are having to make very difficult decisions like cutting key staff or doing without needed curricular materials just to put a budget before the voters that will be acceptable.

That’s not helping our students prepare for a 21st century world. I want my school to maintain cultural values and its unique sense of community, and by voting “yes” I have no doubt that the principal, teachers and those actively involved will ensure that continues. I want more people participating in the democratic process of voting for their school’s budget, and voting “yes” will ensure that all who wish to participate still can.

I want more efficiencies in how our schools operate and are governed, and a vote “yes” means that these won’t be delayed any more than they already have been, and school leaders and staff can get on with the business of the instruction to prepare our 21st century learners.

For all of these reasons, I encourage voters to support Act 46 on Nov. 8 and vote yes.

Susan Bruhl New Haven

Legalizing marijuana will also increase the prevalence of a black market for our teens who cannot buy it legally, and those who can’t or won’t pay the higher price for the dispensary cannabis. Pediatric doctors, counselors (including UVM director of Health and Wellbeing, Dr. John Kevin Porter) and The Vermont Police Association have all come out very strongly against the legalization and proliferation of recreational marijuana.

If anyone should doubt that marijuana use is safer than alcohol use on the highway, please refer to the BFP news article of 6/26/15 entitled, Fatal crash: Teen was on pot.

The article states that the toxicology reports from the accident which killed a 17-year-old driver and took the life of a 47-year old bicyclist showed that the 17 year old had 36 nanograms of THC in his system, and noted that both Colorado and Washington (where recreational cannabis is legal) have set presumptive limits of THC for drivers at 5 nanograms. The estimated speed at the time of the crash was 83-88 miles per hour. How can we as a society encourage the acceptance and use of this destructive drug by legalizing its recreational use?

The local Republican candidates who are on the ballot are stepping up to the plate, not because they de-

sire power and a political career, but because they see how that power is being abused to control and manipulate the working Vermonters who trust their legislators to work for the common good and protection of our citizens. Our Republican candidates have demonstrated the courage and desire to sacrifice their time and energy to work to preserve the values and goals of the people of Addison County and to restore, refresh, and revitalize our state without more taxes and government regulations.

The least we can do is make certain to get out and vote for Phil Scott for Governor, Randy Brock for Lt. Governor, Peter Briggs and Lynn Dike for Senate, and Warren Van Wyck, Monique Thurston, Fred Baser and Valerie Mullin, and Harvey Smith for House. We may not get another chance to stop these destructive policies once they are enacted into law. Please do whatever it takes to vote! Our future depends on it!

Bill and Donna Scott North Ferrisburgh

Scott letter (Continued from Page 7A) week. Clearly, alcohol consumption is not without its own risks and problems, so why should we legalize cannabis when we can already see how addictions can destroy peoples’ lives, health and relationships? Anyone who thinks marijuana is not harmful or addictive had best check out any number of medical resources to educate themselves. At WebMD, they report that “both tobacco and cannabis smoke contain the same cancer-causing carcinogens.

Depending on what part of the plant is smoked, marijuana can contain more of these harmful ingredients… Although the THC in cannabis may modify some of the cancerous effects, the use of marijuana can affect your body in many ways: memory loss, trouble learning and thinking, coordination, slow reaction time, judgment and mood, changes in brain structure, lung problems, increased heart rate, and mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety and psychosis.

And for children and young adults under 25, there is a much higher risk, according to Prof. Kevin Hill, MD at Harvard Medical School.

Among other things, marijuana use can lower IQ, change brain chemistry, cause anxiety and depression, and lead to dropping out of school.”

Letters to the Editor can be found on Pages 4A, 5A, 7A, 11A, 12A, 13A, 15A and 18A.

Letters to the Editor Bristol board sees benefits in ANeSU merger plan Why We Should Vote Yes on Act 46 in ANESU. The Bristol Elementary School Board encourages all registered Bristol voters to vote YES on Article I on Nov. 8, which proposes the creation of a new Unified Supervisory District, the Addison Northeast Supervisory District, which will be composed of the current Bristol, Lincoln, Monkton, New Haven, Starksboro and Mount Abraham Union Middle/ High School Districts.

Article I is the culmination of the intensive work of the Act 46 Study Committee and their subsequent Report. The Article is quite lengthy, so voters are encouraged to read it before voting and attend the information meeting hosted by the Bristol School Board on Nov. 1 at 5:30 p.m. in Holley Hall. The Bristol School Board supports the work of this Act 46 Study Committee and presents the following information to Bristol voters to encourage them to vote Yes. What is Act 46? Act 46, signed into law in June 2015, encourages and eventually requires school districts to merge into larger units (Unified Supervisory Districts) over the next four years in an effort to better serve students and manage costs. Act 46 offers financial incentives, including property tax rate reductions on a four-year sliding scale. Districts that do not

have a voter-approved unification proposal on or before July 1, 2017, will receive none of the financial incentives, including the four years of property tax rate reductions.

What are the benefits of a Unified Supervisory District? A Unified Supervisory District will ensure Bristol students receive equitable learning opportunities and resources at a cost deemed acceptable to our community. We will be better equipped to respond to fluctuations in student enrollment and sizable or unforeseen building maintenance if we are operating our school within a larger Unified Supervisory District.

Unlike the present situation where individual taxpayers do not vote on the Supervisory Union budget, in a Unified Supervisory District all spending would be under a single budget and therefore allow for greater accountability, public input and direct approval by taxpayers.

In addition, the current governance structure of our Supervisory Union is inefficient and often ineffective. Going from seven individual boards to one unified board representing all students in the five towns will promote productivity and transparency with a greater focus on student outcomes, and the consistent implementation of the Vermont Educational Quality Standards and Flexible Pathways learning initiatives.

What will happen if we do not approve unification? If no action is taken by July 2017, the Addison Northeast Supervisory Union can propose an “alternate structure,” but the State Board does not need to accept such a proposal, and can in fact order the creation of a unified district in whatever configuration they deem appropriate with none of the financial incentives, tax rate reductions or support.

Acting now promotes local, control and acting to unify exempts our region from a redistricting plan which will be developed by the State Board of Education in the fall of 2018. For more information, please attend the Act 46 public information meeting on Tuesday, Nov.1 at 5:30 p.m. in Holley Hall.

Representatives of the Act 46 Study Committee and the Bristol School Board will present information about the unification proposal and be available to answer questions.

You are encouraged to read Article I in its entirety before voting on Nov. 8. The Article, the full report of the Act 46 Study Committee and FAQs can be found at www.anesu. org/home/act-46-unification-study.

Thank you.

The Bristol Elementary School Board Elin Melchior, Chris Scrodin, Allison Sturtevant, Colleen Wedge, Krista Siringo

Rep. Sheldon has compiled ‘stellar legislative record’ I am pleased to be casting my vote for House candidate Rep. Amy Sheldon, and hope you will join me. Rep. Sheldon has a stellar legislative record, including a 100 percent environmental voting record in Vermont Conservation Voters’ 2016 Environmental Scorecard.

Rep. Sheldon supports clean, renewable energy and tackling climate change, while balancing local concerns about how and where solar and wind facilities are built.

She also understands that investing in clean water, forest health and safeguards for threatened and endangered species not only im-

proves our environment, but boosts our economy and quality of life.

Rep. Sheldon is a great leader representing Middlebury’s values, and I hope you will join me in voting for her on Election Day, Nov. 8.

R.J. Adler Middlebury

Lincoln principal: Governance structure to be better At first, I did not support Act 46.

I’ve changed my mind. I would have preferred that the Vermont Legislature pass no legislation regarding education for three years and spend the time working on a simpler, more directive piece of legislation to support schools in addressing issues of equity and efficiency.

Instead, we consider Act 46. This is a convoluted piece of legislation that has required hundreds of hours of work by school boards and communities across the state to untangle how they might create larger school districts that satisfy the legislated requirements and, secondarily, may actually benefit children. In the end,

I don’t believe that Act 46 will make or break the educational quality in ANESU or citizen participation in our local schools. In my hopeful moments, I see that Act 46 will enhance collaboration across our five-town school union.

I’m in my 14th year as principal or (See Riley letter, Page 12A)

PAGE 12A — Addison Independent, Thursday, November 3, 2016

ANeSU office workers: Unification means efficiencies

Letters to the Editor Trump’s flaws disqualfy him; Clinton’s do not compare Americans know a lot about both Trump and Clinton. It shouldn’t be hard to make a good choice. This is what we know about Donald Trump.

He was born into wealth and privilege that gave him an edge on nearly everyone else who might pursue power and fame and fortune. He used his position of privilege to bully, lie, cheat, steal, and abuse and demean others.

The evidence is clear — hundreds of lawsuits against him by people he cheated, bankruptcies, insults and putdowns against anyone who disagrees with him, hatred and bigotry toward people who are different, abuse of women, silly false promises one after another (“I’ll fix that” — as though he has any ideas that would be good for this nation). I ask any sensible American, can you imagine how tragic it would be to have a president like that!

But, you may say, Hillary Clinton

would be a disaster, too. I beg to differ. Hillary’s faults, by any measure, do not compare with Trump’s. As one who has been disappointed with Clinton in the past and who believed that Bernie Sanders showed a better way, I know that now all Americans have to think seriously about Clinton. I believe she has done some good things in advocating for health care and education and the rights of women and children and she helped maintain America’s alliances with other nations.

When I have been disappointed with Clinton, I felt that she was being a political opportunist who allowed herself to be pushed this way and that.

Now she knows that she owes a lot to Bernie’s supporters who demand action on environmental issues, issues of economic fairness, and more.

So, now is the time to elect Hillary Clinton and to keep on pushing her

toward ways that serve all the people and save the environment for future generations. We should know that, if Trump is elected, it could very well be game over for any of our hopes and dreams for our world. Here in Vermont I am glad that no Republican who is running for state-wide office has endorsed Donald Trump.

I believe we are very blessed to have candidates of both parties who are of good character and who really want to serve the people. Having said that, I am hoping Sue Minter will be our new governor, David Zuckerman our lieutenant governor, and T.J. Donovan our attorney general. Having listened to them and their opponents, I believe they will do better in working for what citizens in Vermont want and need our government to do for us.

Rev. George Klohck Middlebury

Motorcyclists, bicycle riders safest with extra lights I agree with Dr. Patrick Stine (Addison Independent 10/27 editorial: “Battery-powered strobe lights could save a life”). I’d like to thank all motorcycle drivers for having their lights on day and night, even though the law only requires they be on at night. As a driver, I appreciate that I can more easily see

and avoid you.

If I were driving a motorcycle I, too, would want to be visible, because I know I would be horribly hurt or killed in an accident with a car of truck. Bicyclists are even smaller than a motorcycles on the road. No doubt cyclists would lose big time in an accident with a car

or truck.

I urge all cyclists to have flashing lights on the rear and front of their bicycles to ensure drivers can see and avoid you. I also urge that cyclists ride responsibly and with anticipation. Thank you!

Bob (driver and cyclist) Donnis Bristol

leader who works with educators and community members to create resilient systems on behalf of education for all students.

Because of our clunky governance structure (local boards, Mount Abraham board, ANESU board, and the Executive Committee, needed because the ANESU board is too big to govern effectively), the primary role of the superintendent is one of a glorified administrator, not that of an educational leader. With one board for all of our schools, for all of our children, the superintendent has a good shot at guiding educational transformation in our five towns.

I would submit that the duration of the difficulty we had with the previous superintendent was due, in part, to our current governance structure. The Lincoln board noted problems early on. Given the circuitous way information is passed up from local boards to the ANESU board and then to the Executive Committee where decisions can actually be made, many, many months passed with no action taken to investigate, let alone address, the significant issues with the SU leadership.

Our multilayered structure of governance allowed for easy isolation of individual school boards and towns from one another. One board, with direct oversight of the superintendent and the supervisory union business office, will be clearer and more effective in function and purpose.

Some argue that small towns will lose their influence under Act 46. Small towns are now, and will continue to be, at a disadvantage in terms of proportional representation. I submit that smaller towns (as smaller states, countries and movements have done) will continue to

leverage influence by their citizen’s steadfast and positive engagement.

Finally, Act 46 purports to improve equity for students regardless of which town they live in. This is a noble and worthy goal. Some people in Lincoln worry that we will lose what’s special about the Lincoln Community School. I worry, too.

I’ve worked at the school for 25 years, and it is an undeniably special place.

Over the past few years, some services have been consolidated in the SU, and these have not been wholly positive experiences for Lincoln. The temptation, and I’ve been right in there, is to pull up the draw bridge (or close the road) and hunker down, holding tightly to what we have — because it is pretty great. Instead, I encourage us to open up, reach out and share among our communities.

I want us to take the best of our schools in Starksboro, New Haven, Bristol, Monkton and Lincoln, and grapple, join together and innovate to sustain and invigorate what is remarkable and cherished about all of our schools. I want us to embrace what is great already, examine (briefly) what’s not working and get down to the business of creating learning communities where every student contributes and every student belongs in meaningful, authentic ways.

Act 46 won’t make or break this.

We will. How we all choose to participate in the education of the children in our five-town community is what will determine our collective success. I’m voting “yes” and getting on with focusing on teaching and learning.

Tory Riley Lincoln

Riley letter (Continued from Page 11A) co-principal of the Lincoln Community School. The Lincoln School Board and community are engaged with and supportive of our school. In the years that there has been a paper ballot requested to vote on the school budget at town meeting, about 75 percent vote “yea.” I wish there were more than 100 or so voters at town meetings to weigh in.

In addition, when Lincoln’s school budget vote switches to Australian ballot, I will not miss motions from the floor to cut some arbitrary amount from the school budget. I find this an irresponsible allowance for participation in democracy. Making a motion from the floor of town meeting with maybe 20 percent of the electorate there and touting it as “democracy” seems misguided.

In a process inclusive of the public, we work hard for months to craft responsible budgets. That’s the time to be involved.

As much as I love the community aspects of town meeting, I’d like to have a system of democracy that allows for greater participation. I don’t fear losing the floor vote. I am confident that citizens will always support excellent education, regardless of the mechanism by which they vote. So, I’d like to see us work arduously and together for even better education in our five towns.

To this end, the most exciting aspect of Act 46 is the change in governance structure.

From my perspective, a superintendent, like a principal, can have an extraordinary effect on our school communities. Presently, the superintendent manages six boards, all of whom do similar work. A superintendent ought to be an educational

As employees of the ANESU Office of the Superintendent, we want to make our voices heard in the Act 46 Unification conversation.

Much has been said about how unification will benefit student learning. We’ll leave that up to the educators.

Some have spoken to the minimal cost savings the district will realize by becoming one. That’s for the business office to speak to.

What impacts us most in the Central Office is the efficiencies that will be created by operating as one district instead of seven. Currently, the business office operates seven entirely separate entities. Processes that are completed seven times for seven entities at present could be performed once: budgeting, payment of invoices, processing payroll and preparation of the many government, Agency of Education, and local financial reports, as well as all Human Resource activities and procedures. These processes

occur annually, quarterly, monthly, or biweekly, times seven. Unification will greatly reduce operational redundancies and eliminate administrative inefficiencies in day-to-day operations.

There are eight school boards and several committees and sub-committees within ANESU that all meet at least monthly. The time that it takes to plan and carry out the meetings would be drastically reduced with only one board to support. The board meeting schedule requires the superintendent to attend at least 10 evening meetings every month. At this moment, there are 16 meetings warned to be held in the next two weeks.

We have seen great efficiencies in areas where we have already consolidated, such as Special Ed, Food Service, and IT. If we could expand that to include payroll, accounts payable, licensing, state and federal data reporting, board work, etc., we would be able to devote

Charbonneau would work for Vermont’s wage-earners

It’s not easy to elect a legislature that truly reflects the citizenry of Vermont because most of us do not have the time and resources to serve. Most Vermonters who reach the legislature are lawyers, teachers, brokers, business owners and nonprofit executives. What’s rare are union leaders and other workers.

Jill Charbonneau delivered mail to the people of Middlebury for over thirty years. She has served as president of the AFL-CIO’s Vermont labor council and is president of the state’s letter carrier association.

There are few in Middlebury who know us street by street, and face by face, as well as Jill.

On Nov. 8, Jill is running as a Progressive for Middlebury’s seat in the legislature. Of the two candidates for the opening created by Betty Nuovo’s retirement, Jill will better represent Vermont wageearners. Bipartisanship to grow the economy is wonderful, but that’s what all our legislators say. What we need in Montpelier are representatives who will campaign for specific changes to ease the burdens of ordinary Vermonters, especially working families with children and working retirees.

Jill is committed to raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour.

Some people think that’s too high, but it will restore the minimum wage’s purchasing power fifty years ago, when income was distributed far more equally than today.

Jill also wants to make sure that state labor inspectors have the necessary budget to protect worker rights. One crying need is to stop the independent contractor scam.

Employers who falsely classify their employees as independent contractors may not be paying the minimum wage. They may not be paying overtime and unemployment insurance. They may not be providing legally-required medical leave and safety equipment. Such abuses allow sketchy employers to underbid competitors who obey the law. Such abuses also mean lower revenues for the state and federal governments, as well as for unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation funds.

Jill is also running on the need for a more equitable tax system.

According to the Public Assets Institute, Vermont’s relatively progressive income tax is offset by its regressive sales and property

I recently read Ivan St. George’s letter to the editor regarding questions he posed to candidates for office about where they stand on certain issues. According to Mr. St. George, Sen. Claire Ayer (D-Addison) answered his query regarding a carbon tax and expanded background checks for gun purchases by writing, “I have not seen either of the proposals you mention. Without taking testimony on all sides of an issue, I cannot commit to action one way or another. To do so, would circumvent the legislative process.”

Mr. St. George expressed frustration at the unseemly evasiveness of a slippery politician, and rightly so. But it’s worse than that.

At least on the issue of gun control Senator Ayer flat out lied. She is, in fact, one of just three senators to have sponsored S.31, An act relating to possession and transfer of firearms. This bill calls for the very expansion of background checks Mr. St. George was asking

Rep. Diane Lanpher

her about.

For her to baldly state to a constituent that she had not heard of an issue or formed an opinion about it when she herself sponsored the legislation at the center of its discussion tells me that she does not have the character or the integrity to serve the people of Addison County in an honest and forthright way. An honest question deserves an honest answer. Claire Ayer does not deserve our votes.

Dan Monger New Haven Editor’s note: Given that this letter will appear in the last edition that our subscribers get before the election, we asked Sen. Ayer if she wished to answer the letter writer’s charge. Ayer said that Monger had a point, but she seemed more focused on legislation while Monger seemed more interested in the overall concept. Ayer also included the email thread between herself and Ivan St. George that Monger’s let-

Working for you!!

Vermont State Representative

Addison • Ferrisburgh • Panton • Vergennes • Waltham

Committed to Making a Difference OUR ENVIRONMENT Climate change, lake clean up, invasive plants and more are all issues that require our attention. We must leave a functioning planet for our children and grandchildren.

VERMONTER’S FINANCIAL HEALTH Balancing budgets requires setting priorities. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue to support common sense solutions that work to make economic, social and environmental progress over time.

Working to support our ready-to-retire Vermonters is crucial to our state’s success.

Vermonter’s have a low retirement savings rate and we must work to help increase Vermonter’s retirement readiness. Our collective financial health is as important as our physical health.

Compassionate Committed Hardworking

Diane Lanpher

PO Box 165 Vergennes, VT 05491 (802) 877- 2230

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES Parents and their Employers together are challenged daily by the limited availability of child care. Supporting high quality, affordable child care is essential, if we are to support our working families, our local business owners and the next generation of Vermonters.

– Diane @RepDianeLanpher

taxes. Jill will work for changes that enable wealthy Vermonters to pay the same share of their income as everyone else.

Another of Jill’s specific commitments is for legal regulation of marijuana. Legalizing marijuana will produce tax revenues for treating addictions of all kind. It could even become a cash cow for mental health services. Expanding mental health coverage will not only help addicted Vermonters; it will also reduce the ever-increasing amounts of money we spend on criminal justice.

Last but not least, Jill will work for public financing of primary care for all Vermonters. This is particularly important for families with children, and it can be accomplished with a small increase in the payroll tax. That will reduce copays and deductibles and relieve a major source of pressure on municipal budgets.

If you’re having trouble making ends meet, Jill Charbonneau is the candidate for you. Hard times for Vermont workers are no more inevitable than the people we elect to represent us.

David Stoll Middlebury

Incumbent senator allegedly misleads on legislation

Re-elect

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Representative in Montpelier – to be your Voice.

It is an honor, and I am deeply grateful for your continued support.

significantly more time to improving systems, building a better web presence, becoming more organized and being better prepared to assist teachers and principals to do the best they can for students.

Lastly, Act 46 is mandatory, and if we don’t design our own consolidation process, the state will do it for us, and force us to do it their way. And we will lose any financial incentives that we are eligible for if we do it now.

For these and many other reasons, we fully support Act 46 school unification in Bristol, Lincoln, Monkton, New Haven and Starksboro.

Please vote YES on Nov. 8.

BobbiJo Conner, Human Resources; Cathy Ladd, Fiscal Analyst; Chelsea Smiley, Accounts Payable; Cheryl Hughes, Accountant; Jennifer Willey, Administrative Assistant; Karen Wheeler, Executive Assistant; Kristen LaFlam, Payroll; Valli Audy, Administrative Assistant

Paid for by the Committee to Re-elect Diane Lanpher • Treasurer– Jim Lanpher

Diane & husband Jim

ter refers to. Our reading of it was that St. George wanted a simple yes or no answer to the broad question of does she support a carbon tax and gun control and Ayer wanted to address specific pieces of legislation, not generalities, because any law is based on the actual content of the bill. In a back-and-forth with the Independent, Ayer pointed out that there have been dozens of gun control bills before the Legislature, some of which had good points and some bad points. The fact that she sponsored a gun control bill makes it self-evident that she supports some form of gun control, so why wouldn’t she want to carry the conversation further and address specifics and not the broad concept.

To us, it seemed symptomatic of a society where people want a quick answer to a simplistic question, rather than a conversation about a complex issue where they can learn why the other takes the stands they do. — John McCright, news editor

Letters to the Editor can be found on Pages 4A, 5A, 7A, 11A, 12A, 13A, 15A and 18A.

Addison Independent, Thursday, November 3, 2016 — PAGE 13A

Letters to the Editor Minter a good person and proven, hard working leader I ask you to vote for Sue Minter for governor of Vermont. Sue’s pragmatic, smart and compassionate approach to leadership will greatly benefit our state. She’s focused on issues that are overlooked by many leaders, such as paid family leave, domestic violence prevention, early childhood education and childcare, and workforce and pay equity. This focus will result in a greater opportunities for all Vermonters, and more a vibrant and just economy and society.

Sue has proven that she’s a

hardworking leader with a commonsense approach to energy, transportation, economic development, and public health and safety policies.

She understands that as Vermonters we must do our part to combat global warming, strengthen our infrastructure, and stem the national public health crisis that results in senseless gun violence.

Most importantly, Sue is a good person. She is ethical, thoughtful, and kind — a wonderful role model for our children and representative for our state. Sue is optimistic about

Vermont and its people. Sue knows there are problems to fix, and she’ll work like hell to fix them. But she also knows that most Vermonters are working hard and living meaningful lives. We need a leader who works for all people, and supports and celebrates them.

Vermonters deserve a governor who leads with compassion and wisdom, and hope. Join me in voting for Sue Minter for governor.

Ruth Hardy East Middlebury

Proud to suPPort coMMon sense candidates

Bristol official urges ‘yes’ vote on ANeSU unification I am currently a board member for Bristol Elementary School, Mount Abraham Union Middle/ High School, the Mount Abe board representative to the Hannaford Career and Technical Education Center, and the ANESU Board, and Vice-Chair of the ANESU Act 46 Study Committee.

Speaking as an individual (and parent of three students, one at Mount Abe and two at Bristol), my vote is YES for the New Unified Supervisory District merger recommended by a supermajority of the ANESU Act 46 Study Committee and unanimously approved by the Vermont State Board of Education on Sept. 20, 2016.

I encourage you to also vote YES. Unifying into one supervisory district presents the best opportunity to enhance equity and quality in educational outcomes for all our students by: • Having a single mission, vision and articulated continuous improvement plan across our elementary schools and middle/ high school.

• Capitalizing on the forwardthinking ideas and positive energy felt throughout our supervisory union with the hire of our new

superintendent.

• More efficient administration freeing up valuable time to focus on educational outcomes, including Act 77’s Flexible Pathways, and implementing, meeting and exceeding the State’s Education Quality Standards.

• Flexible use of resources across schools to allow broader and more equitable educational opportunities.

• A single board tasked with ensuring all students receive similar preparation for Mount Abraham MS/HS. • The ability to deploy staff as needed to address changing enrollment or specific needs.

• Greater equity in access to technology and pooled resources to support technology instruction.

• Using one single budget (that includes the central office budget) that allows for greater accountability, public input and direct approval by the taxpayers of the member towns.

• One single board establishing stronger structures for local input and more frequent community engagement.

• Merging under the terms and conditions we desire.

• Cost savings of streamlined governance of ~$140,000/year.

The State’s Act 46 Law Financial Incentives, including: • Homestead property tax rate reductions during the first four years of operation ($.08/$.06/$.04/$.02).

• Existing Small Schools Grant (New Haven’s Beeman Elementary) transformed into Merger Support Grant.

• Continued eligibility for the 3.5 percent hold-harmless provision (New Haven’s Beeman Elementary).

• Transition grant of $150,000.

• Being exempt from mandatory reorganization by the Vermont State Board of Education in 2019.

I am looking forward to this exciting work of enhancing the equity and quality of the educational outcomes for all our students, while also strengthening community connections to local schools. I hope this information helps you to vote YES for unification, and then encourage others to do the same.

We are better together. For me, YES, it truly is as simple as that.

Allison Sturtevant Bristol

Letters to the Editor can be found on Pages 4A, 5A, 7A, 11A, 12A, 13A, 15A and 18A.

Harvey Smith

Fred Baser

Warren Van Wyck

Valerie Mullin

Monique Thurston

Please vote to restore balance in MontPelier on nov. 8.

Paid for by Friends of Don Turner, P.O. Box 487, Milton, VT 05468

Steve Burke, Treasurer

PAGE 14A — Addison Independent, Thursday, November 3, 2016

Statewide races (Continued from Page 1A) • U.S. House Incumbent U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, a Norwich Democrat, is being challenged by Liberty Union candidate Erica Clawson.

A lawyer by profession and a former state legislator, Welch was elected to Congress in 2006. He was re-elected by wide margins in 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014. Welch serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

• Governor Incumbent Lt. Gov. Phil Scott, a Berlin Republican, and former Vermont Agency of Transportation Secretary Sue Minter, a Waterbury Democrat, are vying for the post soon to be vacated by Shumlin.

Scott is co-owner of Dubois Construction in Middlesex, and he is an avid racecar driver. He has served as lieutenant governor since 2011

and represented Washington CounBrock has made a second caty in the state Senate (2001-2011). reer out of politics and public Minter served as Vermont’s service following many years as “Irene Recovery Officer” from Jan- a businessman. He founded and uary 2012 to February subsequently sold (in 2013, and was a Ver1983) Brock Internamont House member tional Security Corp. representing WaterHe then worked as a bury, Duxbury, Hunconsultant for several tington and Buel’s years before joining Gore (2004 to 2010).

Fidelity Investments Former Red Sox as its executive vice pitcher Bill “Spacepresident for risk man” Lee is also on oversight, a job that the ballot as a Liberty took him all over the Union candidate. world.

• Lieutenant He got involved in governor state politics around MINTER Former state Au15 years ago after ditor, Senator and becoming frustrated Middlebury College alum Randy with regional news headlines about Brock — a Swanton Republican — tax increases and various health is competing with state Sen. Dave care and public education policies Zuckerman, a Hinesburg farmer that were not to his liking. who is on the ballot as both a ProBrock served as state auditor gressive and Democratic candidate. (2005-2007) and as a Franklin

County senator (2009-2013).

Other contests on the ballot key Zuckerman is the founder of Full involve: • Secretary of State, with DemoMoon Farm, a NOFA-certified, organic farm in Hinesburg. He was cratic incumbent Jim Condos facing opposition from elected in 2012 to the Liberty Union candiVermont Senate, repdate Mary Alice Herresenting Chittenden bert.

County. He is vice • State Treasurer, chairman of the Senwith incumbent Demate Committee on Agocrat Beth Pearce riculture and clerk of facing opposition the Senate Committee from Progressive Don on Education.

Schramm and LibPrior to that, Zuckerty Union candidate erman served 14 years Murray Ngoima.

(1997-2010) in the • Auditor of AcVermont House repcounts, with incumresenting the city of SCOTT bent Democrat Doug Burlington. This issue Hoffer being opposed of the Independent features a profile of Zuckerman by Republican Dan Feliciano and and his candidacy for lieutenant Liberty Union candidate Marina Brown. governor (see Page 1A).

• Attorney General, featuring a The Independent published a similar article about Brock in its contest between longtime Chittenden County Prosecutor T.J. DonoOct. 17 edition.

van (Democrat), Republican Deborah Bucknam and Liberty Union candidate Rosemarie Jackowski.

Most local polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8. And here’s a special note for Middlebury residents: This Friday, Nov. 4, is the last day available for early voting in Middlebury, noted Town Clerk Ann Webster. Webster’s office at 77 Main St. will be closed both Monday, Nov. 7, and Tuesday, Nov. 8, for the election responsibilities.

Voting in Middlebury will for the first time take place at the town’s new recreation facility on Creek Road. Voting had for many years been held at the municipal gym at 94 Main St., which was recently demolished.

Reporter John Flowers is at johnf@addisonindependent.com.

Town Clerk Jen Stetson. That could Tuesday. The mailboxes have been put the town on target to equal, or particularly clogged in the aforeeclipse, the more than 800 absentee mentioned Addison-3 and Addison-4 ballots cast back in the 2008 presi- House districts. Everyone has been dential election year, she said. receiving multiple flyers urging supMeanwhile, in Middlebury, Town port, or rejection, for gubernatorial Clerk Ann Webster said more than candidates Sue Minter (Democrat) 1,200 residents have voted absentee and Phil Scott (Republican). as of early this week.

“We have a lot of She called that number wonderful candidates Read a longer “a little more active” who are working hard version of this than in the presidential and who deserve to story, with more election of 2012, and win,” said Spence Putinformation on the on track to potentially nam, current secretary equal the more than candidates, online at and past chairman of 1,600 early votes cast addisonindependent. the Addison County com. in 2008.

Democratic CommitFerrisburgh is part tee. of the Addison-3 House district that Putnam believes voter turnout this — like Addison-4 — is featuring a year could be up more than 15 perkeenly observed four-person race for cent compared to the last election two seats. Town Clerk Gloria War- cycle. den on Tuesday reported 428 absenJon Christiano, chairman of the tee ballots cast thus far, compared to Addison County GOP, said there’s a the 330 filed eight years ago. lot to like about the Republican slate Area mailboxes during the past of candidates up and down the ticket. few weeks have been crammed “They’ve been really working with glossy political flyers from hard, and I think that will show in candidates and the state Democrats this election,” Christiano said. and GOP, hoping to influence votWhat follows is a complete runers’ decisions at the ballot box next down of the local House, Senate and

county races that will be in play this Tuesday, Nov. 8. See accompanying story for an overview of the statewide races.

Addison-1 Two Democrats and one Progressive candidate are in the running for the two House seats representing Middlebury, one of which is being vacated by the county’s most senior lawmaker, Democrat Betty Nuovo.

The two Democrats are incumbent Rep. Amy Sheldon, and Addison County Economic Development Corp. (ACEDC) Executive Director Robin Scheu.

Jill Charbonneau finished out of the running in the Addison-1 Democratic primary on Aug. 9, but she remains in the race as a Progressive candidate.

Addison-2 Cornwall Democrat Peter Conlon is the lone taker for the House seat representing Cornwall, Goshen, Hancock, Leicester, Ripton and Salisbury. It is a seat currently held by incumbent Rep. Willem Jewett, D-Ripton, who has decided not to run for re-election after a career that included service as House majority leader.

Addison-3 Four candidates are in the running for the two House seats representing Addison, Ferrisburgh, Panton, Vergennes and Waltham.

In the mix once again are incumbent Reps. Diane Lanpher, D-Vergennes, and Rep. Warren Van Wyck, R-Ferrisburgh. They are facing op-

position this year from Republican Monique Thurston and Democrat Fritz Langrock, both of Ferrisburgh.

Addison-4 Four hopefuls are competing for two seats representing the district that encompasses Bristol, Lincoln, Monkton and Starksboro. They include incumbent Reps. Dave Sharpe, D-Bristol, and Fred Baser, R-Bristol, along with challengers Mari Cordes — a Lincoln Progressive and Democrat — and Monkton Republican Valerie Mullin.

Sharpe has already announced that he will run for House speaker should be re-elected to his Addison-4 post this fall.

Addison-5 Incumbent Rep. Harvey Smith, R-New Haven, is being challenged this year by Democrat Taborri Bruhl, also of New Haven, for the seat representing Bridport, New Haven and Weybridge.

Addison-Rutland Incumbent Rep. Alyson Eastman, I-Orwell, is again unopposed in her run for the seat that represents Benson, Orwell, Shoreham and Whiting.

Born and raised in Orwell, Eastman was first elected to the House in 2014 and served during the past biennium with Smith on the House Agriculture and Forest Products Committee.

State Senate The race for the two state Senate seats representing Addison County, Huntington and Buel’s Gore will involve incumbent Democratic Sens.

Claire Ayer of Addison and Chris Bray of New Haven, along with Re-

publican challengers Peter Briggs of Addison and Lynn Dike of Bristol.

High bailiff Four men are seeking the position of high bailiff, an elected county officer.

In the running are Republican Charles Clark Jr. of Middlebury, Democrat Ron Holmes of Middlebury, and independents Bruce Nason of Bristol and Mark Stacey of Leicester. Regrettably, a story on the high bailiff race that ran in last Thursday’s Addison Independent did not mention Nason and Stacey.

According to state statutes, a high bailiff may serve writs that the county sheriff is unable to serve. If an arrest warrant is issued against the sheriff, the high bailiff may arrest the sheriff. If the sheriff is confined or the office of sheriff is vacant, the high bailiff carries out the duties of the sheriff until the sheriff is released from confinement or one is appointed and sworn into office.

Also of note Most local polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Voting in Middlebury will for the first time take place at the town’s new recreation facility on Creek Road. Voting had for many years been held at the municipal gym, which was torn down this past summer.

Also, this Friday, Nov. 4, is the last day available for early voting in Middlebury, noted Town Clerk Ann Webster. Her office at 77 Main St. will be closed both Monday, Nov. 7, and Tuesday, Nov. 8, for the election responsibilities.

In Bridport, voters will see no Republican Party names on the ballot of Justice of the Peace for the town, because of a missed deadline. There are two names on the ballot as it is printed, and voters may select not more than seven names. Joan Huestis asked her fellow residents to consider writing in the following names: Darwin Pratt, Cory Pratt, Paul Wagner, Clement Gaboriault and Joan Huestis.

Reporter John Flowers is at johnf@addisonindependent.com.

Clerks (Continued from Page 1A) son Northeast Supervisory Union.

A four-person race for “high bailiff” has also captured the attention of many county residents.

Early and absentee voting has been brisk, and could in some towns top the record number of early ballots cast prior to the 2008 presidential election that culminated in the election of Barack Obama.

“It’s definitely busy,” Starksboro Town Clerk Cheryl Estey said of the request for absentee ballots. She said 205 locals have voted early this year, which she said has been high compared to previous years. Starksboro residents will also participate in the ANeSU school governance referendum and an Addison-4 House race that has garnered statewide attention and resources.

“I think the biggest part of it is the presidential (election),” Estey said of the voter feedback she had received.

In Bristol — another ANeSU town that will vote on the four-way race for the two Addison-4 House seats — approximately 400 people had filled out absentee ballots with a week to go before Election Day, according to

Early Voting Has Started!

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8th

Find Us On: For breaking news & updates wherever you are! facebook.com/addisonindependent twitter.com/addyindy Bristol, Lincoln, Monkton & Starksboro State Representative

RE-ELECT

FRED BASER “An independent thinker”

MY PROMISE: • Work Hard • Be Fair and Compassionate • Be Honest in ALL Ways • Use Common Sense

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Addison Independent, Thursday, November 3, 2016 — PAGE 15A

Bruhl would bring ‘good, smart, doable strategies’

Letters to the Editor As Bristol parent and taxpayer, Reen says yes to Act 46 The voters in the five towns of Bristol, Lincoln, Monkton, New Haven and Starksboro have an incredible opportunity on Nov. 8. We have the opportunity to vote yes on Act 46 to support a new design for governing our schools. This new design promises to increase our focus on teaching and learning, strengthen school-family-community partnerships and also happens to save taxpayers money.

As a parent and uncle to children in our school system, a taxpayer in our community and an educational leader I will be voting yes on Act 46 because it makes a great deal of sense to me from each of these perspectives.

• Focus on Teaching and Learning For us to realize our full potential as an organization we need focus, connectedness and a plan of action.

Voting yes on Act 46 supports all of these. I have been talking with teachers, administrators, board members and community members this fall about exciting work that is underway in ANESU with our strategic planning process.

This process is intended to bring our five-town community together

(connectedness) to create a common vision for our schools (focus) and a detailed plan on how to realize that vision (plan of action). Only when our entire organization can focus on this work, rather than the work required of our current overly bureaucratic and complex governance structure, will we be able to realize our full potential. Our current governance structure produces a lot of meetings but too few are truly focused on teaching and learning.

• Strengthen School-FamilyCommunity Partnership Some individuals have shared with me a concern they have about losing “local control” and along with it the relationship each town has with its school. I believe the strength of the connection between each community and its school is measured by the time community members and students spend together, either in our schools or out in the community. It is certainly not best measured by the number of community members in attendance at board meetings (which typically averages less than one).

This school-family-community relationship can be enhanced under Act 46 through the local advisory

councils referenced in the proposed ANESU Act 46 Study Committee Report. These councils would be designed to provide regular opportunities for community members to voice their thoughts, ideas or concerns about their school as well as to hear more about what is happening in their school.

• Save Money Some have argued Act 46 doesn’t save a lot of money. Others would argue that every bit helps. The reality is how large or small the savings are is a matter of perspective. The fact is a yes vote for Act 46 will cost taxpayers less than a no vote on Act 46. With facilities in need of major repairs and renovations I would argue that every bit of tax incentives or savings realized will help.

As you head to the polls on Nov. 8, I hope you will consider the benefits to a simplified governance structure that emphasizes teaching, learning and community at a cost deemed acceptable by voters.

Patrick Reen Bristol

On Election Tuesday, I look forward to casting my vote for Taborri Bruhl. Beyond that, in the coming months and years, I genuinely look forward to having Taborri Bruhl represent me, my neighbors and my district (Addison-5) as state representative.

Along with many other residents of Bridport — and New Haven and Weybridge — I had the privilege of meeting Taborri during his enthusiastic campaign that has involved

knocking on over 1,600 doors. He immediately makes an impression with his willingness to listen, his energy and his ideas. He’s bright, positive and approachable. As a teacher, he’s also done his homework on the issues facing Vermonters and the sustainable solutions to move us forward.

No tap dancing, no rehearsed talking points.

Just good, smart, doable strategies that make sense.

A former Marine Corps officer and current educator, Taborri Bruhl is no stranger to public service. His commitment to a positive future for the young people of this district and this state is absolutely genuine.

Taborri Bruhl is a good man, and a good man to vote for. And I look forward to doing exactly that on Tuesday.

Tom Woodward Bridport

Editor’s note: Bristol resident Patrick Reen began his tenure as ANeSU superintendent this past July.

Vote Van Wyck and Thurston to reject carbon tax As someone who has only lived in Vermont for a few months I was intrigued by the candidates debate your newspaper hosted in Vergennes. As a voter with no historical connection to the state it gave me an opportunity to hear from the candidates directly.

Glossy mailers and campaign sound bites are one thing but a well moderated debate (well done to your news editor) gives us a chance to see what the candidates are really like. My biggest concern is the threat of a new carbon tax and I was especially interested to hear what

our local candidates had to say on it.

I was really surprised that our sitting State Rep. Diane Lanpher said she would not be able to say if she was for or against the carbon tax until she saw the legislation! I think most of us know that adding even more tax to gas and heating bills in the current economic climate is crazy!

This draconian tax will really hit those families who struggle to pay their gas and heating bills as it is.

Couple that with Fritz Langrock, her running mate, saying “Vermont-

ers drive too much.”

I am sure he means well (I respect all the candidates for giving up their time to run for office) but really, sir? Most of us use the car for our commute to work and for transporting our kids to various events, we do live in a rural state after all.

I am pleased that Warren Van Wyck and Monique Thurston were unequivocally against the imposition of the carbon tax on hardworking families in Vermont. They get my vote!

Shane Whaley Ferrisburgh

Scheu’s track record and experience recommend her

I enthusiastically support Robin Scheu for the Vermont House. Having known Robin for nine years through community involvement and the Addison County Economic Development Corporation, I cannot think of a more knowledgeable and experienced candidate to represent Middlebury.

I am a business owner. I had many dealings with Robin through her position as executive director of Addison County Economic Devel-

opment Corporation. Her advice and assistance on financial, operational and employee issues have consistently helped my business. She has always been interested in the success of my business. Over the years Robin has served on and lead many community, county and state boards and committees, to include state Legislative committees and advisory councils.

Robin has also testified several

times at the legislative committees. Her experience has given her a wealth of knowledge on the state and local economic, educational and environmental issues. Robin always works with a collaborative style and is just a nice person! I feel strongly that Robin and Amy Sheldon will be a great team to represent Middlebury in the House.

Dan Brown Middlebury

Fear of change a roadblock to supporting unification To the ANESU voters, I am writing as a long time school board member and voter. I keep reading a lot of scare tactics about the changes that the consolidation of our supervisory union into a unified district that I wanted to speak to. First of all, Act 46 is a law. It is not an option. The committee that was appointed by the supervisory union board was instructed to develop a plan to comply with this new law.

The committee was comprised of board members, community members and administration, including the ex-secretary of education, Armando Vilaseca. And meetings were often attended by a consultant hired to help with the process.

The diligent and exhaustive work done by the committee ended up with a super majority vote to send the plan to the Agency of Education for approval so that a vote could happen during the presidential

Letters to the Editor can be found on Pages 4A, 5A, 7A, 11A, 12A, 13A, 15A and 18A.

election vote so that the most voters possible will have a chance to vote on the plan. They even included the “dissenting view” document (See Bedard lettter, Page 18A)

“Marcelle and I want to thank you for giving me the honor of representing you in the US Senate. We’ve done so much together to make our state great, but there is more to be done.

“We must fill the unprecedented vacancy on the Supreme Court.

We must address our crumbling infrastructure. We must pass comprehensive immigration reform. There is a growing bipartisan consensus that we must get back to work and get these things done.

I have shown that even in the most partisan atmosphere, I can work with Republicans and get things done.

“I would be humbled to have your support and honored to continue representing you in the United States Senate.” ~ Pat Leahy

ES M OL H N RO VOTE

RON HOLMES for High Bailiff of Addison County in the Nov. 8th General Election • Served 25 years as Addison County Deputy Sheriff • Days of Caring volunteer • Sustaining member of the Shoreham Historical Society • Middlebury Garden Club • Proud supporter of the DAV (Disabled American Veterans)

“Honesty does matter” Paid for by Ron Holmes, 18 Court Street, Middlebury

PAT LEAHY FOR SENATE Paid for by Leahy for Senate.

PAGE 16A — Addison Independent, Thursday, November 3, 2016

Addison Independent, Thursday, November 3, 2016 — PAGE 17A

Zuckerman (Continued from Page 1A) significant legislation (like Act 46), way for more renewable energy. campaign website. you try to make the adjustments you “If there are two overarching isDuring a wide-ranging interview need to make, learn the hurdles and sues of our time, one is economic inon Monday, Zuckerman vowed to problems and let it go for a couple justice and the other is our climate,” continue working on those issues if of years.”

Zuckerman said. “We have created elected lieutenant governor.

Vermont’s schools, Zuckerman this (climate change) problem over “As lieutenant governor, there’s said, could open their doors to other 150 years … We have to be better a real opportunity to visit with dif- services to benefit students. than carbon-neutral; we have to be ferent agencies and state employees “Our teachers are being asked in putting less carbon out there.” and ask them, ‘What’s this day and age to That means ramping up green enworking and not work- “When you also be social work- ergy projects in the state, according ing, and how can we pass significant ers,” Zuckerman said, to Zuckerman. He believes the remake things better noting the result is newable energy industry and comlegislation (like for the consumer?’ — that mounting social munity planners can work together which is every con- Act 46), you services-related costs to mitigate the visual impacts of sostituent in Vermont,” try to make the for children are being lar arrays and wind turbines. But in Zuckerman said. adjustments you paid through the prop- the meantime, Zuckerman said deSCHOOL erty tax (schools), as velopers must work within the “reneed to make, UNIFICATION learn the hurdles opposed to general alities” of siting these projects as afHe believes Act 46, fund taxes. This pre- fordably as possible. And that often which prompts school and problems sented a bigger finan- means near roads where three-phase districts to consoli- and let it go for a cial burden for local power connections are available, he date governance, will couple of years.” property owners, he said. make things better for The Vermont Public Service — Sen. Dave said.

Vermonters. Zucker“I have been really Board current presides over permit Zuckerman man supported the hammering on how to review for renewable energy projbill, which directs break down the silos ects, though the panel (thanks to a supervisory unions throughout the between human services agencies, new state law) must give “substanstate to merge their governance the contracts with independent agen- tial deference” to the siting concerns structures as a way of promot- cies, and our schools,” Zuckerman of towns with state-certified energy ing more efficiencies and resource said. plans that dovetail with the Versharing among individual schools.

With that in mind, Zuckerman mont’s renewable energy objectives.

Locally, the Addison Central, Ad- wants state government to consider “When I see turbines or solar dison Northwest and Rutland moving some of its regional human fields, they don’t aesthetically disNortheast supervisory unions have services officials into area schools please me,” Zuckerman said. approved governance mergers. Ad- to more conveniently deliver ser“You can’t make everyone happy.” dison Northeast voters in Bristol, vices to students and PROPERTY TAX Lincoln, Monkton, New Haven and families, thereby reREFORM Starksboro will consider such a ref- lieving teachers of “If there are Zuckerman superendum on Nov. 8. this responsibility. He two overarching ports a bill filed this Zuckerman believes Act 46 will noted many Vermont issues of our past session by Sen. help smaller schools stay open in schools have surplus time, one is Anthony Pollina, Pthis era of declining enrollment, as space due to declining economic injustice Washington County, the new education districts could enrollment, so creatthat would base one’s transform individual schools into ing some office space and the other is school property taxes special learning academies. But he for human services of- our climate.” on income. Right now, — Sen. Dave state law allows a acknowledged some Vermonters’ ficials shouldn’t be a Zuckerman property owner earnconcerns that having one board gov- problem, he said. ern multiple schools (as opposed to “We can get seniors ing less than $90,000 separate boards) might reduce local involved as mentors, and use the to either pay a tax based on the value control. He also noted the impact dining facilities to help people get of their homestead (house and two that Act 46 will have on towns with healthier meals,” he added. acres), or approximately 3 percent school choice, where students will SOLAR SITING of their income — whichever is less. now be assigned a district.

Zuckerman said he’s a big supHaving all property taxpayers pay Zuckerman contends the Legisla- porter of renewable energy projects based on income would yield an adture will be able to make changes to as a way of reducing Vermont’s car- ditional $82 million for the state’s Act 46 to assuage the local control bon footprint and its dependency education fund and provide relief for and school choice concerns. on fossil fuels. While he believes those currently struggling to afford “I don’t think we should throw towns should have a bigger say in their tax bills, according to supportout Act 46, but we do have to make how solar arrays and other projects ers. adjustments so districts can maintain are sited, Zuckerman argued that it is The Legislature put together a choice,” he said. “When you pass in society’s best interest to pave the study committee to better evaluate

By the way (Continued from Page 1A) panies submitted bids, and Wright won with a bid of $93,506. Wright will begin work next Monday, Nov. 7, with the goal of completing the job in two weeks. The company has been tasked with removing all the bridge debris, including portions that fell into Otter Creek. Following the removal of the debris, the two towns will install a temporary bridge that will be rented from the state.

Sarah Rougier has resigned her position on the Monkton School board and the remaining four members are seeking a replacement. Candidates must be Monkton residents. The school board will appoint a qualified person to fill this vacancy until an election at a special meeting, or at the next annual town meeting. Monkton residents are invited to submit a letter of interest by Monday, Nov. 21.

Email letters to kwheeler@anesu. org, or mail them to Monkton School Board, 72 Munsill Ave., Suite 601, Bristol, VT 05443. The board will meet with interested candidates on Tuesday, Nov. 22, at 8 p.m. at Robinson Elementary School in Starksboro to appoint the new member.

Yes, that’s right, the Monkton board happens to be meeting in Starksboro

this month.

The Addison County Community Trust is inviting people to tour a new affordable housing project at 1 McKnight Lane in Waltham beginning on Friday, Nov. 11, at 9 a.m. Developed jointly by ACCT and Cathedral Square, the McKnight Lane development near the Otter Creek is made up of 14 highperformance, energy-efficient “VerMod” homes incorporating universal design principles. It is Vermont’s first net-zero energy affordable housing development, according to ACCT officials. Representatives from Efficiency Vermont will lead tours on Friday, Nov. 11, and Monday, Nov. 14, both from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ACCT is currently accepting applications for occupancy at McKnight Lane, with applications available at the open house. For more information, contact Melissa Nelson at the ACCT at 877-2626, ext. 107.

Several locals were named to Vermont Business Magazine’s “Rising Stars” class of 2016, an award that honors 40 of Vermont’s most accomplished young leaders. Award recipients were selected by a panel of judges for their commitment to

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business growth, professional excellence and their communities. Rising Stars that will be recognized next Thursday in a ceremony in Burlington include Matt Birong, co-owner of 3 Squares Cafe in Vergennes, and Kaitlyn Armstrong, a Vermont State Police trooper who is stationed in Rutland but formerly worked out of New Haven.

the bill (S.175), and more details should be known by this January, according to Zuckerman.

“The data will reveal whether we can create that tax shift so working people aren’t as burdened by the education costs as they are now,” Zuckerman said.

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION Zuckerman supports the legaliza-

tion of marijuana, as a home-grown, regulated substance that he believes could generate additional revenues for drug treatment programs, education, law enforcement, higher education and various capital projects throughout the state — such as broadband infrastructure. A statecommissioned report suggested the sale of legalized marijuana could net

$25 million to $75 million in annual revenues, according to Zuckerman.

“From both a health and youthaccess perspective, I think it’s the right idea to bring it above-board and regulate it,” Zuckerman said.

“My bill would bring 80 percent of the underground, above-ground.”

Reporter John Flowers is at johnf@addisonindependent.com.

Bruce

NASON for High Bailiff 22 Years Law Enforcement Experience.

Currently; Patrol Sergeant with Addison County Sheriff’s Department.

Retired Chief of Police from Saranac Lake NY Police Department.

bnason@roadrunner.com 802-377-0443

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Bruce Nason 731 South 116, Bristol, VT

PAGE 18A — Addison Independent, Thursday, November 3, 2016

Scheu is best qualified to serve Middlebury in House

Letters to the Editor Smith has shown good judgment, deserves re-election

Please join me in re-electing Harvey Smith as our state representative.

Harvey Smith has been very active in our community for many years as a farmer and business owner. He is a justice of the peace.

He is moderator, deacon and a trustee of the New Haven Congregational Church. He represents New Haven on the Addison County

Regional Planning Commission and is currently our state representative in Montpelier.

Over the years Harvey Smith has proven to be a man with common sense and vision with the courage to make tough decisions on our behalf.

Harvey Smith is always willing to listen to our concerns, hear what we have to say and answer our questions, even on short notice.

Harvey Smith’s focus is on programs and services most essential to our needs. He has the judgment to make tough decisions necessary to restrain state spending at a rate we can afford.

Please join me by voting to reelect Harvey Smith on Nov. 8.

Charlie Roy New Haven

Cunningham grateful for Brush award nomination

I would like to thank my fellow employees at Addison County Transit Resources for nominating me, and the Addison County Chamber of Commerce and its members for selecting me as the Buster Brush Citizen of the year. Growing up in Middlebury, I knew Buster’s commitment, dedication and passion for making the community a better

place to grow up and live.

Buster was a friend, so being selected for an award that honors his commitment to giving back, makes this award so very special. There are many committed volunteers in Addison County for which we are very fortunate. An award like the Buster Brush Citizen of the Year honors all volunteers and their commitment to

our communities.

I would ask that we all consider giving back by volunteering or joining any of the many grand organizations that work so hard to make Addison County a special place to live.

Bill Cunningham Middlebury

Letters to the Editor can be found on Pages 4A, 5A, 7A, 11A, 12A, 13A, 15A and 18A.

Robin Scheu is the best-qualified candidate for the Vermont House based on her work style, experience and commitment to service.

She is a strategic thinker that has demonstrated an approach of listening carefully and working together with diverse groups to find the best solutions. It is this collaborative approach that will allow her to be a highly effective legislator. She understands that problems are never as simple as the sound bites we hear in the news and that real solutions

require a thoughtful deliberative approach where many opinions and ideas are heard.

Robin has a breadth of experience across a wide range of issues. From economic development to education to the environment and education, she has demonstrated her broad perspective. These are the very issues that require the attention of the Vermont legislature if we are to build more sustainable and prosperous opportunities for all Vermonters.

Importantly, Robin has a very

strong commitment to serving the boarder community. She has been a volunteer board member and held numerous leadership roles at both the local and state level. We are lucky to have someone like Robin running to serve as one of our representatives to the Vermont House. I urge everyone to mark your ballots to make sure Robin Scheu will represent us.

Ben Anderson-Ray Middlebury

Baser is proven leader and has earned a second term What makes someone a good state representative? A person that listens, thinks, uses common sense, asks questions and works collaboratively with other members. Fred Baser possesses those traits. During Fred’s first term in the Legislature he put forward a meaningful bill that would advance construction of workforce housing that is badly needed in our region and it gained bipartisan support.

As a co-founder of the Addison County Economic Development

Corporation, Fred knows the importance of growing our tax base by creating jobs, as well as creating a healthy business atmosphere.

Over the past 30 years Fred has been a leader in Bristol and Addison County serving on numerous local and county school, hospital, United Way, Habitat for Humanity board, plus filling several civic and St. Ambrose Catholic Church leadership positions.

As a longtime financial planner in Vermont, Fred knows the challenges

of families and small businesses.

This gives him a unique perspective when evaluating legislative initiatives that impact our people.

With all of the above traits and experiences Fred Baser bring a lot to the legislative table in continuing to make Vermont a great state in which to live and work. We need to re-elect Fred to the Vermont House of Representatives.

Joe Devall Bristol

Meals on Wheels volunteers do more than deliver food Everyone knows someone who’s been touched by Meals on Wheels.

They are our parents, our neighbors and our friends; the people who taught us, kept us safe and gave back to our communities.

Today, they are many of the people who face the challenges of limited mobility and isolation, there are currently 40,000 Vermonters living in isolation and 20,000 facing hunger.

We all know what it feels like to be lonely — and to be hungry not just for a meal, but also for a personal connection. Addison County is currently facing a shortage of Meals on Wheels volunteers and we

hope you can help.

Meals on Wheels makes sure that the people who took care of us aren’t left behind, forgotten or hungry — and instead are able to thrive independently while feeling nourished and connected to their community. Due to high demand and a volunteer shortage, particularly in Vergennes, we are facing the serious threat of having to close routes and reduce the number of clients receiving Meals on Wheels.

By becoming a volunteer, you’ll deliver a meal, provide a friendly visit and offer a safety check to seniors who may not have contact

with another person all day. Age Well seeks volunteer drivers weekdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

The amount of time that volunteers choose to deliver is flexible, whether it’s once a week or all month long — we appreciate any time that can be spared to help seniors in need. We also partner with businesses that encourage employees to volunteer during their lunch hour. Contact Erica Marks at emarks@agewellvt.org or 802-6625249 for more information.

Sara Wool, Director of Development and Communication Age Well, Burlington

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RE-ELECT

Charles S. Clark, Jr

BRUHL for STATE REP.

BRIDPORT • WEYBRIDGE • NEW HAVEN

(Continued from Page 15A) prepared by the three nay voters on the committee.

I did not serve on this committee because I had a clear prejudice before it would have met and wanted the process to be as without preconceived views as possible. I am confident that the committee considered every aspect of the plan in detail and worked through concerns and issues of each member of the committee.

The fear of change has been a roadblock to the necessary change in our education system for the entire 15-plus years I have served as a school board member. It bleeds over into virtually every decision made about education. From removing programs that are duplicated within our system, to teachers contracts, we

Prepare for winter with Button Up WEYBRIDGE — The Weybridge Town Energy Committee is encouraging its residents to participate in the Button Up Day of Action on Saturday, Nov. 12, to prepare for the winter seaBristol, Lincoln, Monkton & Starksboro State Representative

RE-ELECT

FRED BASER

For High Bailiff of Addison County

“An independent thinker”

Charles is:

• Work Hard

 Experienced

 Trust-worthy

 A strong leader  Dedicated Charles has:

 33 years of experience

 A full-time law enforcement professional, having served 29 years under Sheriff Coons and 4 years under Sheriff Keeler

 Been named Chief Deputy Sheriff as of 2000  Experience serving as high bailiff

Together we’ll put the strongest leader forward.

Paid for by the campaign for Charles S Clark, Jr. 35 Court St., Middlebury

MY PROMISE: • Be Fair and Compassionate

Taborri’s main priorities • Strengthen our economy • Support farmers and small businesses • Protect the environment • Improve educational access • Get money out of politics

You can vote NOW, from your home.

Ask your town clerk about Early Voting

www.bruhlforvt.org • www.facebook.com/addisonfive/

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Taborri Bruhl, PO Box 81, New Haven, VT 05472 Karen Nawn-Fahey, Treasurer

FRITZ LANGROCK for VT House Addison-3 Addison – Ferrisburgh – Panton Vergennes – Waltham

Diligence, Passion, Perspective www.FritzLangrock.com @FritzforHouse Paid for by The Committee to Elect Fritz Langrock– Andrew Fritz, Treasurer • 668 Old Hollow Rd., N. Ferrisburgh, VT 05473

have been frozen in place in so many ways. This change is supported by our educational leaders here in our supervisory union, and Mr. Vilaseca wrote an op-ed supporting the plan that has been approved by the Agency of Education.

To be clear, whether to do this at all is not a question. We are required by law to do it. The question for this vote is do we vote yes and enjoy the financial incentives offered by the state for doing this before the required date or do we drag our feet for fear of change and have the Agency of Education develop the plan for our five towns?

I always feel that we should lead instead of get dragged kicking and screaming over the finish line.

Bonita Bedard Starksboro

• Be Honest in ALL Ways • Use Common Sense

BaserForHouse.org Paid for by Fred Baser for VT House

son by reducing the energy costs and improving the comfort of their homes.

On Nov. 12, Button Up Day events and activities will take place across the state to provide Vermonters with the information and resources they need to save energy and money. Thousands of Vermonters are expected to participate in some way, either by attending an event, or by taking an energy-saving action on their own.

In Weybridge, members of the Energy Committee will be at the Recycling Center to offer tips on buttoning up your home, getting a home energy audit and participating in an energy pledge raffle. The raffle prize is a free home energy audit from Neighborworks HeatSquad. Every participant will receive a free LED bulb or another energy saving device while supplies last.

Those who aren’t able to attend a community event on that day are still encouraged to “Button Up” by taking advantage of the many resources available on the Button Up Vermont website. These include informational videos and an energy-saving action checklist. Visit www.buttonupvermont.org for these resources and a full list of events and activities taking place across Vermont.

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Addison Independent, Thursday, November 3, 2016 — PAGE 19A

Shaun King (Continued from Page 1A) ship, the back of a slave who had this everywhere I speak, and it’s been whipped, skulls from the not because of me as much as it is Rwandan genocide, and the Holothe time we’re in, where so many caust in Nazi Germany. of us are so bothered and disturbed “If human beings are getting betby so much injustice that we see, ter, how do we explain the transthat people are looking for answers Atlantic slave trade?” he said. and insights and hope.”

“How do we explain this picture of ‘SOMEWHERE IN A DIP’ the Holocaust?”

The central thesis of King’s talk He pivoted to the United States, was based on his study of history, saying that police killed 102 “fully his major at Morehouse College unarmed African-American men, and now his doctoral pursuit. women and children” last year.

He cited 19th-century German King also noted the U.S. state historian Leopold von Ranke, and federal prison population rethe first to create a timeline of all mained steady at about 200,000 known history, King said. from 1925 to 1974, then grew to What von Ranke discovered was about 1.5 million now even with not what people bea lower crime rate. lieved then and many That is by far the still believe — that the “I imagined, largest per capita figquality of humanity wow, this must ure in the world at alhas improved along be how the most 700 inmates per with its technology, average white 100,000 residents, King said. compared to less than In King’s words, folk feel who 100 per 100,000 for Von Ranke learned are told that many countries with that “sometimes peo- they are acting similar crime rates. ple are getting better, “If human beings a certain kind and sometimes people in this country are are getting worse,” of way and steadily getting betthat cycles of relative they just don’t ter, how do you expeace and harmony know.” plain a 1,000 per cent alternate with those of — Shaun King increase in America’s discord and injustice. prison population?”

“Sometimes people King said. are really great, and sometimes That increase is intentional, King there’s Donald Trump,” King said. believes.

“People are collaborative and ar“What many of us realize, paintistic and peaceful and wonderful, fully, is this system is not broken. and sometimes they aren’t. What It is functioning exactly the way he found was people commonly it was designed and mastered to misinterpreted the steady improve- function,” he said. ment of technology with the steady King also showed videos of unimprovement of humanity.” provoked police attacks on AfAnd current times, King said, do rican-American youths at a pool not represent humanity at its best. party and in a classroom, and of “We’re somewhere in a dip, in a unpunished and unprovoked asdecline,” he said. saults on African-Americans at As evidence, he offered pictures, Donald Trump rallies. including of a diagram of a slave “If human beings are steadily

Winter Market Starts Nov. 5th he ome to t

id

arMers ury F ’ Ma b e r dl

questions from Middlebury stu- boycott before Congress passed the Civil Rights Act. dents.

He said the movement needs “to Asked what’s next for Black Lives Matter, King said much has pivot from awareness to change,” but has gotten off to a good start in been done, but more is needed.

“I’ve come to really believe that creating “mass awareness.”

“If you put two our organization to fix years of this movethe problems we’re ment against two so very frustrated by “When you look years of any other is far outpaced by at young people movement, we’ve our outrage,” he said. en masse, they achieved a lot,” he “That’s not to say be look at injustice said. “We’re growing. less outraged, but the very differently We’re getting better.” quality of our orgaOne Africannization has to come than their elders.”

American student up.”

— Shaun King wondered how to get Taking steps locally some of his peers to would be a good start, King said. For example there is understand and support minority little the federal government can issues — and to be more sensitive do about the nation’s 20,000 local to their casual, most often unintenpolice departments, but working tional, racism.

King answered by describing locally could create change.

“We’re talking about 20,000 one of his failings, when in 2008 smaller problems that can be at- at the age of 30 he was serving tacked and faced problem by prob- as a pastor of an Atlanta church.

A woman he trusted asked if he lem,” he said.

In response to another question, knew that he interrupted women in King defended the health of Black church meetings, but not men, and Lives Matter, noting that it was a offered a series of examples, telldecade after the Montgomery bus ing him she knew, “It doesn’t rep-

resent your heart.” King realized she was right. “(She was) saying you have an exaggerated view of how progressive you really are,” he said. “I realized I had a problem. I realized we all bring our own privilege and bias to the table. Even as students at Middlebury you are privileged compared to other people no matter what type of student you are, no matter what type of ethnicity, no matter what your financial aid package is.”

King added, “I imagined, wow, this must be how the average white folk feel who are told that they are acting a certain kind of way and they just don’t know.”

Then he said it was up to people with conscious or unconscious racist tendencies to look in the mirror.

“The hard work of addressing racism has been left to the wrong people,” King said. “It cannot and should not be left to AfricanAmericans to fix racism. Because it is not African-Americans who are advancing it. You, white staff and students at the college, have to own it and fix it yourselves.”

Middlebury - Addison 1

Robin Scheu

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Mari Cordes

Amy Sheldon

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Diane Lanpher

David Sharpe

Senators

Claire Ayer

Fritz Langrock

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getting better,” King asked, “how do we explain a young girl at a pool party being assaulted by police?”

King offered hope, including in the “huge ideas” of Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders.

“In the past, when we’ve been in a dip, we’ve always found our way out,” he said. “These dips can be short-term or long-term, depending on how hard we fight to get out.

What I know, and this is good, we have barely scratched the solutions to the problems we have.”

King also cited an HBO study of NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s national anthem protest that discovered white Americans under the age 30 approved of Kaepernick’s actions “almost at the exact same rate as all African-Americans, something he called very hopeful.

“When you look at young people en masse, they look at injustice very differently than their elders,” he said. “As we find our way out of this, it’s not going to be me that leads us out. It’s going to be your efforts, your commitment.”

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS King also addressed a series of

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Since first elected, I have worked to: Make health care more affordable

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PAGE 20A — Addison Independent, Thursday, November 3, 2016

Property owners downtown businesses.

“The latest plans call for total closure of downtown for at least 10 weeks,” Dumont wrote to Cole. “No business owner will have any customers during most of that summer.

Many are concerned they will go out of business. One can hardly call this a temporary traffic delay.”

Dumont argued that the potential disruption caused by the detours, noise, dust, traffic and parking headaches during construction should trigger federal reviews of the current project.

“The latest, allegedly least disruptive, construction schedule calls for 10 weeks total closure of Merchants Row and Main Street and at least four years of temporary construction delay,” he wrote. “By law, the Categorical Exclusion does not apply; an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement must be prepared.”

Dumont said his clients share the common goals of: • Seeing the bridges repaired as soon as possible using a less-expensive and quicker approach.

Dumont presented an estimate from Matthew LaFiandra, a local structural engineer and vice president of development for Edgewater Holdings LLC, asserting the bridges could be replaced, one at a time, at a cost of around $5 million over the course of around three months.

Edgewater is owned by local businessman George Dorsey, who is one of the group represented by Dumont.

• Having a discussion about the alternatives to the project.

“The process should result in a reasonable examination of alternatives that hasn’t happened yet,” Dumont said.

The town and VTrans, early in the planning process, determined that building a rail bypass around downtown Middlebury would be financially and logistically untenable.

“The study of the alternatives that has occurred so far has been deeply

(Continued from Page 1A) the project has undergone federal environmental, historic preservation and Endangered Species Act reviews. The project had been granted a “categorical exclusion” from such a comprehensive review.

“The FHWA regulation governing Categorical Exclusions prohibit use of CEs where projects involve ‘Construction of temporary access, or the closure of existing road, bridge, or ramps, that would result in major traffic disruptions,’” Dumont wrote to Cole in a letter dated this past Monday. “No reasonable person would argue that the plans under consideration in 2013 or at present did not and do not involve closure of existing roads and bridges that would result in major traffic disruption.”

FOUR-YEAR PLAN VTrans officials last month outlined a project timetable that calls for work to span four years, but confines the most disruptive, detourladen construction to a 10-week period from June to August of 2019.

Work is currently slated to begin next spring, with installation of extensive drainage infrastructure into the former Lazarus building site off Main Street, construction of a temporary access road from Water Street to eventually tie into the parking area behind the Battell Block in anticipation of the Merchants Row rail bridge coming down, and undergrounding utilities behind the Battell Block and the National Bank of Middlebury.

Ensuing work will include excavation of the downtown rail corridor in 2018 and replacement of the bridges in 2019, culminating in final alignment of the downtown rail line — and landscaping — in August of 2020.

Dumont and his client argue that the current project timetable will be unnecessarily disruptive and potentially deal a fatal blow to some

flawed,” Dumont said. “Not many people have been given the information that’s been needed. For one reason or another, the public was not given the complete story.”

It’s a story — and project — that has thus far been shaped by a long history of incomplete information and oversights by project planners, according to Dumont.

BRIDGE CLEARANCE One of the most significant oversights, according to Dumont, has been a minimum bridge clearance threshold that VTrans officials have said must be applied to the Middlebury rail bridges project to allow the eventual passage of double-stack cars along the state’s western rail corridor. The bridges currently provide a vertical clearance of 17 feet, 9 inches.

Middlebury officials this past February successfully applied to the Vermont Transportation Board for a clearance waiver of 21 feet, which was projected to cut some of the time and expense of the project. Financed primarily with federal money, the project is still expected to cost upwards of $40 million.

But Dumont said his research of “hundreds and hundreds of pages” of state and federal documents obtained by Public Records Act and Freedom of Information Act reveal that the town is under no obligation to rebuild the bridges with a minimum clearance of 21 feet. He noted the federal standard upon which the minimum clearance threshold is derived from the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-ofWay Association (AREMA). AREMA is a North American railway industry group that publishes recommended practices for the design, construction and maintenance of railway infrastructure.

“AREMA standards do not require 23-foot or 21-foot clearance for this project; the purpose of the project is to protect public safety by repairing two hazardous bridges, and AREMA

and state law allow for that repair so long as no reduction in clearance results,” Dumont wrote in his complaint to Cole.

Cole on Tuesday acknowledged receiving the correspondence from Dumont. He said he and his staff need more time to review it.

“We are reviewing Mr. Dumont’s 18-page letter with the town of Middlebury, VTrans staff and consultants, as well as the Federal Highway Administration’s Vermont office,” Cole said. “We expect this review to take a minimum of several weeks.”

Middlebury selectboard Chairman Brian Carpenter on Tuesday was also poring over the material submitted by Dumont.

“We have all along encouraged townspeople to ask the hard questions and certainly the Local Project Management Team and the selectboard have asked tough questions and worked very hard to minimize

Final stretch

BRIDPORT CENTRAL SCHOOL kindergartner Isidore Malzac approaches the finish line of the school’s Fun Run recently. The event promoted the importance and fun of fitness.

Independent photo/ Trent Campbell

JILL CHARBONNEAU FOR VERMONT HOUSE ADDISON 1 - MIDDLEBURY

Vermonters face many important issues. We need an economy that works for all Vermonter.

I support: 1. $15 per hour minimum wage 2. Universal publicly financed primary care as the first step to single payer 3. A fairer tax system -- currently the top 1% of Vermonters do not pay their fair share of taxes, depriving the state of needed funds. (Vermont ranks only 46th in tax fairness in the nation).

4. Ensuring we make up our current shortfalls in mental health budgets – better to address issues early, otherwise we end up paying later through the criminal justice system.

5. Investing in an environmentally sustainable infrastructure for the state.

Paid for by Jill Charbonneau for Vermont House Treasurer Andrew Pezzulo PO Box 952 Middlebury, Vt 05753

AN EVENT?

Email it to: news@addisonindependent.com

Paid for by Friends of Valerie Mullin for VT House, 425-3768, 91 Dart Hill, N. Ferrisburg (Monkton), VT 05473 – Eric Carter-Financial Agent.

the impact on our town,” Carpenter said.

MOUNTING DELAYS But he is worried about seeing another delay in the beginning of a project that was to have gotten under way in 2013. Meanwhile, the two 1920s-era bridges continue to deteriorate. VTrans has set aside two temporary bridges to install on Main Street and Merchants Row in case the current spans are suddenly deemed unsafe for the many tons of vehicles they are asked to support each day.

“The town needs to have the bridges replaced — we’re all in agreement on that,” Carpenter said.

“But I think the last thing at this time that the project needs, given the state of our bridges and the time it takes to replace them, is to suspend work and planning, which appears to be what Mr. Dumont is asking for.

“I know the state is working hard

to digest this and provide answers and work with Mr. Dumont to sure everything is done appropriately, but I’d like to see us get beyond a decade-long battle and work in partnership to get it done,” he added. “It’s high time we had movement on the project.”

Carpenter is banking on a thorough discussion of the rail bridges project — including the complaint filed by Dumont — at a Nov. 17 public forum slated for 7 p.m. in Middlebury’s Town Hall Theater. He is optimistic VTrans officials will have had enough time by Nov. 17 to answer at least some of the concerns in Dumont’s complaint.

Dumont raised the prospect of legal action if VTrans does not address his clients’ concerns.

“If that does happen, then I will advise my clients to consider whether they should file suit (in U.S. District Court).”