Charlotte News
The
Charlotte’s award-winning community newspaper
Volume lVIII Number 12
The VoIce of The TowN
Thursday, JaNuary 14, 2016
Scratching the surface on a New Year CCS Budget and Act 46 1 Farewell, O’Brien and Dunsmore 1 & 2 Water Woes in West Charlotte 4 Charlotters Around the World 10-11
The CharlottenewsVt.org
Vol. 58, no. 12 January 14, 2016
Charlotte News Vermont’s oldest nonprofit community newspaper, bringing you local news and views since 1958
hear ye! hear ye! On behalf Of the bOard Of directOrs and the staff Of the charlOtte news, Thank you tO everyOne whO respOnded tO Our end-Of-the-year because Of generOus cOntributiOns frOm Our readers thrOughOut the year, the news finished 2015 with bills and staff paid and enOugh in the bank tO carry us intO the new year. but dOn’t fOrget abOut us in 2016! tO keep this paper chugging intO 60 years, we’ll need yOur cOntinued suppOrt. We WiSh you a happy and healThy neW year and hOpe yOu cOntinue tO enjOy the stOries that entertain and infOrm, celebrating the tOwn we call hOme and the peOple whO live here. Onward!
fundraising request.
Selectboard round up
SaluTing The colorS
Budget talks and Town Plan debate heat up as Town Meeting nears John Hammer THE CHARLOTTE NEWS
While others have been celebrating the holidays that come around this time of the year, the Charlotte Selectboard has been hard at work. Budgetary reviews have eaten up the majority of their time, but issues surrounding the reorganization of the Planning and Zoning Office and the discussion of amendments to the Town Plan and Land Use Regulations have held their attention as well. Members of the Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services pause for a reverent moment before the dinner, dancing, drinks and fun begin at the Sixth Annual Fire & Ice Winter Ball on Saturday, Jan. 9, at the Old Lantern Inn and Barn. PHOTO: COURTESY
Rounding the bend Concerns arise about Act 46, CCS proposed budget moves toward Town Meeting Day Geeda Searfoorce THE CHARLOTTE NEWS
On Tuesday, Jan. 5, CCS administration, staff, board members, parents and community members gathered for the last of the three meetings devoted to honing a proposed budget for the 2015-2016 school year. The task of crafting a workable budget, which is usually a Herculean effort regardless of circumstance, is acutely challenging this year in Charlotte because of declining enrollment, the state imposed budget spending limit, healthcare premium increases for staffing, and
The end of an era
Tom O’Brien steps down from The Charlotte News Board after 10 years Geeda Searfoorce THE CHARLOTTE NEWS
Business leader, community organizer and owner of The Wallet Pen, Tom O’Brien is stepping down from The Charlotte News’ Board of Directors after a decade of service. O’Brien, who, in 2006, joined the stalwart community members responsible for informing and connecting the community via the nearly 60-year-old nonprofit newspaper, is ready to pass the baton to the next generation of service-oriented Vermonters. During a recent conversation, O’Brien
the broader implications of consolidation under Act 46. At its Dec. 15 meeting the board requested that the administration present a proposal for the total amount needed to stay within the cap minus $250,000, the amount the board was considering from the fund balance. Based on the original number to cut from the budget, including a $42,400 decrease in Supervisory Union assessments, the administration was asked to find and present $462,154 in reductions to move ahead for voter approval. Principal Barbara Anne KomonsMontroll and her administrative team prepared a proposed budget that meets the board’s request while preserving the overall quality of educational programs and services as they see fit. Reductions have deployed his inimitable humility and humor to assess his time with The News. “Oh, I didn’t do anything!” he said. “Really, I just happened to be there.” Evidence to the contrary. Colleagues and fellow board members wax lyrical about Tom’s contributions, which have impacted Vermont, Charlotte and The News immeasurably. O’Brien is eager to turn attention to others, however. “I am eternally grateful for the indefatigable Nancy Wood, a real mentor to me in many ways, and Linda Williamson, and so many others from behind the scenes who have put in thousands of hours of work for this community newspaper.” Wood, the founder and longtime editor of The News, and Williamson, a dynamo who wore many hats—from production manager to ad sales representative—are invariably hailed as being integral to ensuring the ongoing health of the paper. O’Brien has spent over 30 years “making good” in Charlotte. “My dad
been made in CY assessment, fuel costs, legal services, supplies and equipment and summer programs and staffing. The staffing line item has been the hot-button topic in this process. Board member Clyde Baldwin, Budget Buddy AJ Haigney, and members of the community, among others, have been vocal about their view that eliminating an elementary school teaching position now might alleviate future challenging decisions as the 2017-18 budget talks begin. But KomonsMontroll has remained staunch in her view that creative cuts in a wide swath of areas are a better alternative to what might be considered a slash-and-burn approach. The $321,000 in staffing reductions in this proposed budget include eliminating the receptionist position and one cross-country coach, and shaving time from positions such as nurse, CY student see School BudgeT, page 6
was a retailer,” O’Brien said. “We moved around a lot and I went to a lot of different schools.” But eventually Vermont captured his heart. “I went to UVM and never left.” O’Brien moved to Charlotte’s “Gold Coast” in 1983, after living in Lincoln and practicing commercial woodworking and carpentry through his first business, Lincoln Works, for a number of years. He and his wife, Bethany
ToWn plan and land uSe regulaTionS The Charlotte Selectboard began a three-session week on Monday, Dec. 21 with a light agenda and a public hearing session with the Planning Commission to finalize amendments in preparation for a second public hearing on the Town Plan and Land Use Regulations. A second public hearing, held on Jan. 11 resulted in good public input and some changes that will be voted by Australian ballot in March. The amendments, which were for the most part accepted as discussed, may be found at bit.ly/1RJduv8. Some discussion arose on water use (see page 4 and 5) but a decision was not made about how to deal with it. The most heated topic centered on addition of a definition for “Retail, Age Specific.” This arose from the concern that has arisen with the establishment of a body art and design studio in Charlotte. The definition was not inserted in the Land Use Regulations.
planning and Zoning office The principal issue facing the Planning see SelecTBoard, page 3
Myrick—the two met when they were students at UVM—just celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary. They have two sons, ages 26 and 29, both of whom live and work in the area. O’Brien’s first foray into community service was born out of necessity. He and other craftspeople, artists and business owners working on the Pine Street see Tom o’Brien, page 6
Tom O’Brien circa 1969. PHOTO: SUE BURPEE
2 • January 14, 2016 • The CharloTTe news
Voices
Alex Bunten EDITOR IN CHIEF
A single orbit, many thank yous Governor Shumlin’s State of the State speech last week has inspired me to take a wee retrospective on the past year at The News. Well, mainly to talk about what went well, to thank a bunch of people (there will be a lot of applause) and what’s to come. I don’t have a fancy gold-domed soapbox in “Montpeculiar” to give this speech from, so this humble corner of the paper will have to suffice. Also, it’s nearly 7 p.m. on production day, so you’ll excuse me if my words aren’t crafted to the usual English major standard (i.e. after days of drafting, self-loathing and later mild acceptance).
Goodbye, Vermont Barrie Dunsmore CONTRIBUTOR
Having spent most of my adult life as a foreign correspondent—traveling, working and residing all over the world—I have actually lived in Charlotte, Vermont, longer than any other place. And as I take my leave, I do so with a sense of gratitude for what turned out to be 18 very significant years of my life. My desire to take early retirement in Vermont was to get off the treadmill on which I had been living for more than 30 years. Instead of constantly getting on and off planes, living in the best and worst hotels and occasionally being shot at, I wanted the time to ski, to play tennis and to share my life with my wife, Whitney, and our young daughter Campbell. As things turned out, Vermont became a life-shaping experience for all three of us. When we lived in London, Whitney became a British barrister, sometimes wearing her gown and wig in the Old Bailey. In order to qualify to practice law in this country, she clerked for Federal Judge William Sessions and later for Chittenden Country Chief Public Defender Jerry Schwarz. After passing the American and Vermont Bar exams she opted to become a public defender, where she spent 10 years working among many of Vermont’s neediest and helpless residents. Five years ago she changed career paths by taking a job at Fletcher Allen Hospital (now the University of Vermont Medical Center.) There, under Charlie Miceli’s guidance, she helped set up the hospital’s now nationally recognized Supply Chain system. Campbell attended Charlotte Central School grades 2-8, where she learned and grew a lot. She was in several Lyric Theater productions, and, along with Francesca Blanchard, was the star of
This issue marks one complete circle around the sun for me at the helm of this historic community paper. “Where to begin…” was the cover headline to start the year. It wasn’t a question. It was more an exasperated statement. As a fresh face back in town, eager to start a career in publishing in Vermont, taking the helm of The News, our hometown paper, was challenging. Life had just thrown me for a lemony-loop and there were more than a few dark days in 2015. The staff and board were very understanding of my situation and put up with a lot. I’d like all the staff and board to stand and be recognized, not only for dealing with my sometimes Russianesque gruffness (giving me wisdom, kindness, guidance and mentorship in return—big thanks to James, Vince and Tom for the latter) but more importantly for working so hard to keep this paper going like the dickens. All that said, “Scratching the surface,” this year’s first headline, still describes the learning curve well. For what some might perceive to be such a simple town and a simple job, “there’s a lot of ins and out and whathaveyous.” But with the stalwart support of the community and the day-to-day Herculean efforts of the staff and board, we make it happen and usually make it look a bit too easy. I like to think it’s because we love it so much. Similar to what Shumlin said in his speech, it probably doesn’t surprise you, but I love being an editor. Every day working with good-hearted locals, making words
line up right, and doing our best to capture the stories that matter to the community. In an effort to do all that better we got a lot accomplishedoverthepastyear.Wegotanew (basic) website up, freshened the format of the paper (with the help of a new TCN Style Guide—thanks Vince and Beth!), tried a few new columns, got a few new writers (Geeda, Jorden, Carrie, Gay, Courage), got a couple projects off the ground (Writers’ workshop, Outwater internship) and generally had a good laugh. (knowing applause) Jeez. Who said nothing happens at small town newspapers? Big thanks to Brett Sigurdson for instilling such a love for the job in me during our eight months together and huge shout out to Geeda Searfoorce for keeping us all upbeat going into the New Year (wild applause). I’m lucky to have part of that wider community be my family. They don’t live in Charlotte anymore, but hell, it’s nice to know they are close. Ma, Will, Craig, stand up and take a bow (humble applause). I’d never have been able to do this job without you around here. I think of dad everyday. He lives on in all of us and in the people of the community that knew him. Last, but far from least, is a thank you to the woman who humors my silliness and keeps life in perspective, who I love dearly, Miss Marissa Lueders (standing ovation). Stay you. Meep. Jane is pretty cool, too. In closing, I look forward to the year ahead and I wish you, dear reader, all the happiness you care to endure. Onward.
a couple of CCS’s notable musicals. In Champlain Valley Union high school, they would stand out, along with Tyler Weith, as among the leads in the CVU production of “Rent” (which was a shocker at the time). Also at CVU, Campbell took a remarkable AP course in U.S. government from Vince Crockenberg. He made it a vibrant, truly college-level course that enhanced her academic status once she got to NYU. Campbell and Tyler learned to ride and jump horses at Mindy Hinsdale’s place on Hinesburg Road. And for a decade they competed in horse shows throughout the
contact with some of my old news sources and friends in the business, while putting me in touch with Vermonters of all stripes. In Charlotte I’ve made many good friends, especially at the Charlotte Congregational Church. Former Pastor Will Burhans and Associate Pastor Susan Cooke-Kittredge tolerated my lifetime of religious ambivalence and made me feel more comfortable in church than I had since I was a boy. I developed a coterie of friends and acquaintances at the Old Brick Store, where I got my morning coffee, and often had spirited chats with locals Dick Weed, John Hammer, Steve Mack or some other good neighbors, nearly every day for 18 years. I shall definitely miss this ritual. Likewise, I shall miss my periodic lunches with Bob Botjer. As a career international banker, Bob has a unique perspective on hot spots like the Middle East. He and his wife, Leslie, have been kind and generous next-door neighbors. Finally, my situation in Vermont allowed me to be a stay-at-home-dad for Campbell for all of her formative years. This, upon reflection, was the most important and satisfying job I have ever had. Like all of my moves, this latest one back to the D.C. area, is career related. But for the first time, my wife, Whitney, and I are not moving because of my career, but hers. She was offered and accepted the position of VP in charge of Supply Chain of a large hospital group in Virginia. I plan to continue to write and to see more of my children and grandchildren who are nearby. All that is good. But I will never forget, my and my family’s time in Vermont—nor those lovely Green Hills and the many Vermonters who welcomed and nurtured us.
Northeast—character building for both riders and parents. Initially I did get a lot of skiing and tennis in, but as various systems began to break down, I turned more to lecturing and teaching at UVM, Middlebury and St. Michael’s. For a decade I’ve done a column for the Rutland Herald/Barre Times Argus and commentaries for Vermont Public Radio. I also served a term on the board of the Charlotte News, one of the gems of this community. These were all positive experiences. They gave me a purpose—to keep up with world affairs, to continue
Editor’s note: Barrie Dunsmore has been an asset to the Town of Charlotte and The Charlotte News. We will miss him dearly and wish him and his family all the best in their next chapter of travels.
The Charlotte News The Charlotte News is a nonprofit communitybased newspaper dedicated to informing townspeople of current events and issues. It serves as a forum for the free exchange of views of town residents and celebrates the people, places and happenings that make the Town of Charlotte unique. Contributions in the form of articles, press releases and photographs pertaining to Charlotte-related people and events are accepted and encouraged. For submission guidelines and deadlines, please visit our website or contact the editor at news@thecharlottenews.org. The Charlotte News is published in Charlotte by The Charlotte News, Inc., a Vermont domestic 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation. Distribution is made every other Thursday to all households and businesses in Charlotte and to more than 50 outlets in Shelburne, Hinesburg, North Ferrisburgh, Ferrisburgh, Vergennes and Burlington. The Charlotte News relies on the generous financial contributions of its readers, subscriptions and advertising revenue to sustain its operations.
Editorial Staff news@thecharlottenews.org / 425-4949 Editor in chief: Alex Bunten Assistant editor: Geeda Searfoorce Contributing editors: Edd Merritt, Ruah Swennerfelt, Carrie Fenn, Jorden Blucher, John Hammer Copy editors: Beth Merritt, Leslie Botjer, Vince Crockenberg, Carol Hanley Outwater interns: Kali Adams, Madison Hakey
Business Staff ads@thecharlottenews.org / 802-343-0279 Business manager: Shanley Hinge Ad manager: Monica Marshall Circulation group: Valerie Lebensohn
Board Members Co-presidents: Tom O’Brien & Vince Crockenberg Secretary: John Hammer Treasurer: Patrice Machavern Board members: Bob Bloch, Carol Hanley, Michael Haulenbeek, Gay Regan, Louisa Schibli
Contributors Carrie Fenn, Mike Yantachka, Barry Dunsmore, James Hyde, Alice D. Outwater, Margaret Woodruff, Mary Recchia, Bradley Carleton, Georgia Edwards, Lia Cravedi, Kim Schmitt, Susan Grasso
On the Cover CCS students presented a variety of scratch art at the eighth annual Celebrate the Arts Night at CVU. The event featured over 450 visual art pieces and performances by student musicians from around the region. Photo: Madison Hakey
Next Issue Deadlines Next publication date: Thursday, Jan. 28 Contributions deadline: Mon., Jan. 18 by 5 p.m. Advertising deadline: Friday, Jan. 22 by 5 p.m. Letters due: Monday, Jan. 25 by 10 a.m.
Subscription Information The Charlotte News is delivered at no cost to all Charlotte residences. Personal or out-of-town subscriptions are available for $20 per year (bulk mail) or $40 per year (first class). Please send a check or money order to the address below.
Postmaster Send address changes to: The Charlotte News P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445 Telephone: 425-4949 Circulation: 3,000 copies per issue Copyright © 2015 The Charlotte News, Inc. Printed by Upper Valley Press
The CharloTTe News • JaNuary 14, 2016 • 3
Voices
Legislative Report by Representative Mike Yantachka
Reflections on the state of the State The first week of a legislative session features a joint session of the House and Senate called to hear the governor address the state of the State. Amid the formal ceremony in the chamber of the House, where the members of the Senate sat in their special seats near the podium, distinguished guests sat in additional chairs in the center of the well of the House, and other special guests sat among the members of the House and in the balcony, Governor Shumlin gave the last state of the State address of his six year tenure. He made note of many accomplishments, including a renewable energy policy that has grown thousands of new jobs while holding down electric rates, a strong and successful response to tropical storm Irene, getting 16,000 Vermonters health insurance they didn’t have before, refocusing the criminal justice system from incarceration to rehabilitation, and expanding access to higher education for Vermont students. On a lighter note, he touted the successes of the micro-brew, cheese and local food movements. Looking to the future he focused mainly on the economy, education and marijuana legalization. He said he is looking forward to signing the Paid Sick Leave bill, which passed the House last year and is expected to pass the Senate early this session. He announced a $1 million grant from the Enterprise Fund to Global Foundries to make 100 temporary jobs permanent. And he called for quickly postponing or repealing the caps on education spending enacted in Act 46 last year. This approach is in contrast to the direction proposed by members of the House to raise the cap by 0.9%. I was pleased to see that the governor stipulated five criteria before he would sign any legislation legalizing recreational marijuana: 1) the market must keep it out of the hands of kids, 2) it must be taxed low enough to prevent a black market, 3)
sElEctBoArd
continued from page 1
and Zoning Office was the end-of-year departure of the Administrative Assistant that precipitated the need for reorganization. A decision was made at the Dec. 21 meeting, followed by meetings on the 23 and Jan. 5 to reorganize the office to include a Zoning Administrator, Administrative Assistant and a Planning Officer. The first two positions are now being advertised while the third will be posted internally.
BudgEt rEviEw By far the bulk of the meetings on Dec. 21 and Jan. 11 concerned review of the budget, which must be finalized by Jan. 25. Most contentious in these and many meetings in the past has been the budget review for the Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services (CVFRS). Their operational budget request had been passed earlier in December. However, the budget for the capital reserve fund became tied up when an earlier cost estimate to replace the 1980 pumper rose from $400,000 to $550,000. The question arose as to how to best raise funds for the purchase in the 2017-18 budget. At issue are whether to
revenues must be used to expand addiction programs, 4) there must be a way to detect driving under the influence, and 4) it should include a ban on the sale of edible marijuana products. These criteria are necessary, but in my opinion there should also be a detailed analysis of the experiences of Colorado and Washington regarding the increased usage, especially by teenagers, and the additional costs to society as a result of DUI, marijuana tourism and the use of other drugs accompanying marijuana use. The governor’s focus on addressing the opiate crisis remains unabated. He harshly criticized the FDA for approving stronger painkillers and the use of OxyContin for children and denounced the pharmaceutical industry for transforming “compassionate pain management” into “pain for profit.” He proposed limiting prescriptions for opiate pain medications after minor procedures to 10 doses at a time, increasing the periodic drug take-back events and expanding the use of the prescription-drug monitoring database to physicians and pharmacies in nearby states to reduce cross-border abuse. Finally, I am proud that he continues to support accepting refugees from the civil war in Syria who pass an extensive and lengthy background check by UNHCR and our own State Department. As this past Sunday’s Doonesbury strip noted, why should a potential terrorist go the refugee route when it is easier to just get a tourist visa? Our country must continue to show compassion to those genuinely seeking shelter from terrorists rather than creating a fortress mentality. After all, we are “the land of the free and the home of the BRAVE,” are we not? I welcome your thoughts and can be reached by phone (802-233-5238) or by email (myantachka.dfa@gmail.com). You can find this article and past articles at MikeYantachka.com. raise the funds by a tax increase or to wait and bond for it. The question still has not been answered and will be discussed at a special Selectboard meeting on Jan. 19. Heated discussions ensued about the need for such expensive service and equipment. Some oppose the high budget numbers, claiming Charlotte has more expensive equipment and costs than those of neighboring towns, while others believe the town enjoys fine volunteer services, the equipment is reliable and costs shouldn’t be cut. Cemetery Commissioner Stephen Brooks’ comprehensive presentation on Dec. 21, outlined his request for more funds to address shortfalls resulting from years of neglect to the cemeteries. Despite his heavy reliance on volunteer and in-kind donations, Brooks was unable to secure supplemental funds. The Charlotte Land Trust’s Francis Foster appeared before the board on Jan. 11 to address a reduction in their request for the Conservation Trust Fund from 1¢ to ½¢ on the tax rate. She agreed with the cut but pointed out that there was one property currently in review by the Housing and Conservation Trust authorities that stands a good chance of requiring $80,000 this
Turning point? Editor: As a recent (almost three years) transplant to Charlotte I’m excited by the recent efforts by the town and our neighbors to undertake zoning, infrastructure and regulatory changes that promise to revitalize the town and our community. I appreciate the effort to incorporate checks and reviews in the process to ensure that any impact on our town will be positive and in the best interests of the entire community. It’s also great to see the different groups that make up the town share in the dialogue and work together to make these changes happen. We’ve seen how this combination of cooperation and commitment has benefited some of the towns around us. Now it’s Charlotte’s turn! Matt Zucker Charlotte
Let Charlotte’s little light shine Editor: Changes to our Land Use Regulations are in the works. One such change reflects our desires as revealed in recent questionnaires about the future of Charlotte. It truly reflects the vitality and spark we citizens bring to Charlotte and want to perpetuate. The Planning Commission has heard us. Its response is in these proposed changes to Land Use Regulations. The Planning Commission’s proposal is to require some land uses (such as a restaurant) to secure a permitted use permit instead of a conditional use permit. All land use proposals are required to participate in a permitting process. Right now to bring a restaurant to West Charlotte Village, a conditional permit is required. This process works for many
coming fiscal year. In its general review of the budget, the Selectboard reaffirmed its intent to use the new pay grid from the personnel policy with the addition of a cost of living increase. There was considerable discussion on the use of miscellaneous lines in the budget. Most selectpersons expressed the need for better reviews of past costs in generating budget requests. These should be accompanied by scopes of anticipated work. If contracts are anticipated, these should also be predicted as well. A final budget review, including a more comprehensive discussion on the CVFRS capital reserve fund and changes to general wages and benefits arising from cost of living adjustments, will be held at the meeting on Jan. 19.
AdministrAtivE Actions A number of administrative items arose, including approval for Green Mountain Power to install a 40’ pole near the McNeil Cove ferry dock to correct insufficient power problems at the landing. A short discussion ended with approval of a letter for inclusion in the Town Report addressing the town contract auditor’s findings of internal control deficiencies. Much of the discussion focused how the elected board of auditors plays a part in the internal review of warrants and general journal entries. The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) asked the Selectboard if it was interested in a road erosion inventory. The request further asked if the town was interested in support
proposed uses, but when a proposed use such as a restaurant already is an accepted use in Charlotte’s West Village District, it is unnecessary to use the conditional use permit process. The conditional use process is complex, expensive and can expose the applicant to uncomfortable subjectivity. It is used when a proposed land use is unusual. The subjectivity plus a $500 application fee can be a turn off for many who want bring a restaurant to Charlotte. You see, restaurants are already allowed in West Charlotte Village. Why the struggle to prove, it seems once again, they should be in that zone. Permitted use permits can offer a permitting process in which the proposed use (think restaurant) is allowed by zoning, thus carries with it a few assurances that a project might be accepted. A public hearing about these Land Use Regulations will be held with the Selectboard soon. Please come and voice your ideas. Martha Perkins Charlotte
Thanks from the Senior Center Editor: Hi, newspaper people! We at the Charlotte Senior Center would like to thank you for your help in getting the blood drive information out. The Senior Center was told that it is one of the highest producers they have. A lot of that comes from your assistance with space in your publications. Thanks again from all the volunteers at the Center.
Frank Califano Shelburne
from CCRPC. The latter was turned down, as selectman Tegatz and the Road Commissioner felt the town’s inventory task and decisions need to be protected from influence from other towns that don’t have the same conditions due to Charlotte’s proximity to Lake Champlain. At the Jan. 11 meeting, John and Lisa Hauenstein received a license agreement to locate utility lines within the right of way at 6373 Spear Street. In another action, the board opened three bids for an addition to the Senior Center. These bids will be forwarded to the project architect for analysis and recommendation. The addition will be financially supported by contributions to The Friends of the Senior Center and will represent no cost to the Town. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2016. Britney Tenney, former town Zoning Assistant, was appointed to fill the vacancy on the Board of Listers, effective Jan. 1 and expiring in March 2016. Lastly, the contract to provide engineering services to the Thompson’s Point wastewater operator was renewed for 2016 with Civil Engineering Associates. Cost estimates remain the same as last year. The next regular Selectboard meeting will be on Jan. 25. There will also be a special meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 19 for a final look at the 2016-17 budget. The Town Meeting Warnings, containing amendments to the Town Plan and Land Use Regulations, will also be finalized at this meeting.
4 • January 14, 2016 • The CharloTTe news
Commentary
The West Village – thirsty and lacking critical infrastructure The residents of the West Village today continue to live with village infrastructure problems that can no longer be ignored by the Selectboard. West Village problems include, but are not limited to, traffic, wastewater disposal and quantity of available groundwater. The groundwater supply problem in the West Village is so well known, and so long standing, that it is recorded in the Town Plan. But apparently West Villagers are too vocal for the Selectboard when development in the West Village is being considered under the current conditional land use regulations—development that can only intensify existing infrastructure problems. The Selectboard is considering a change in land use regulations in the West Village from “conditional uses,” which gives Charlotte residents a voice in development of the West Village, to “permitted uses,” which would not. The change from conditional to permitted uses is intended to muffle the voices of Charlotte residents living in the village. According to this “plan” the West Village would be more attractive to developers. So, we ask fellow Charlotte residents: Is it wise, rational, fair or even democratic to muffle the voices of West Village residents, Charlotters, who are the most experienced, most knowledgeable, most concerned, most vocal and most likely to suffer the consequences of the “develop first and plan second” proposal concerning the West Village? We think not. Preservation of groundwater quantity, along with the many other commendable conservation efforts by residents of Charlotte, is a goal expressed in the Charlotte Town Plan (2.1.1.2 and 2.1.4.2). And it should be. Tostatetheobvious,withoutgroundwater, preservation of wildlife, wetlands, forests, natural communities and life in Charlotte as we know it today will simply not be possible. Unfortunately for the West Village, the groundwater recharge potential is low, that is, the replenishment of withdrawn groundwater is slow and, accordingly, will not keep up with accelerated groundwater withdrawal. (Geology and Hydrogeology
Map of Charlotte, Vt., State Department of Environmental Conservation). Such low groundwater recharge areas include Ferry Road and Greenbush Road, including the Four Corners—areas of the town that are currently targeted for development under the proposed land use change from conditional uses to permitted. Groundwater issues in the West Village are not news to Charlotte. Charlotte’s Town Plan expressly states that groundwater supplies are limited in some areas, “such as portions of West Charlotte Village” (page 53). Anecdotally, many households from the north end to the south end of Greenbush Road in the West Village have abandoned wells, fracked wells or lowered well pumps because the flow is inadequate for household needs. Other households in the West Village simply put up with no water on days when the flow from their wells is insufficient for basic household needs. The rate of groundwater (quantity) withdrawal, the source from which groundwater is extracted, the rate of replenishment and the impact of extraction on neighboring groundwater sources by new wells is not regulated by the town. Vermont’s Act 199 encourages, aids and authorizes towns to develop their own groundwater regulations (see, “Municipal Planning for Groundwater Protection: Act 199 and Local Options for Groundwater Management,” Vermont Natural Resources Council, May 2012). But state groundwater withdrawal permit regulations under Act 199 apply only to groundwater extracted at a rate exceeding 67,500 gallons per day or to bulk groundwater withdrawal by, for example, bottling companies—situations which are highly unlikely to apply to commercial interests or residents who would be interested in developing in the West Village. In other words, Charlotte residents cannot look to the current town or state regulations to ensure that their current groundwater sources won’t be compromised by new wells that inevitably will be required with new development in the West Village or in rural areas of Charlotte.
Advance permitting requiring the party drilling a new well to reveal the anticipated rate of groundwater withdrawal and to determine the rate of its replenishment and the impact of its withdrawal on neighboring groundwater sources is non-existent. A neighbor whose current well is adversely impacted by a new well has no recourse other than to take legal action after the offending new well is operational. Legal action is complicated and expensive, requiring adequate financial resources of the offended well owner to gather evidence to mount the appropriate legal offense. We believe that such regulations of groundwater source, withdrawal rate, replenishment and impact on neighboring existing groundwater supplies in the West Village—and by extension to the East Village and rural areas of Charlotte— should be in place first, before development is encouraged in the town. The rationale for changing conditional uses in the West Village to permitted uses, according to the Planning Commission, is to advance commercial development in the West Village Commercial District. Apparently would-be developers are discouraged by cranky West Village residents who take advantage of their right under conditional use regulations to raise their voices concerning the lack of critical West Village infrastructure. Under current conditional use regulations, the very same Charlotte residents who for decades have experienced the declining groundwater availability in the West Village may raise their concerns. Changing land use regulations from conditional to permitted uses mutes those voices that have been instrumental in bringing the challenges of uncontrolled groundwater withdrawal to the attention of appropriate Charlotte boards and commissions and to the potential developer. Cicero said that “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others.” So, thank you, residents of the West Village for bringing groundwater depletion time and time again to the town’s attention. Sorry to say, but for your shared insights, experience and efforts, according
to the Selectboard, your reward should be a muzzle. Revitalization of the villages is important and needed but not so important that Charlotte should not first consider groundwater issues; not with global warming; not with hydrogeology maps prepared for Charlotte showing that groundwater source and replenishment rate in the West Village is poor. And certainly not when taking the time today to responsibly address important infrastructure questions in the West Village may avoid tomorrow’s unregulated grab for critical groundwater sources in the West Village. Before attracting more development in the West Village we need to know, at a minimum, what rate of ground water withdrawal is sustainable by the rate of ground water replenishment in order to ensure that current residents and businesses, as well as the Charlotte municipal offices, the Charlotte Library, the Charlotte Post Office and the Charlotte Senior Center have sufficient water today and for the future. Without careful, thoughtful, responsible deliberation and planning, rash decisions made today will have a negative effect on future generations of Charlotters that will last for decades. The objective of the Planning Commission appears to be to advance commercial interests and increase density in the West Village at any cost. Even if the concept were laudable, muting Charlotters—the West Village in particular—as if these voices had absolutely nothing worthy to contribute to the development of the West Village, is disrespectful and undemocratic. The mandate of the Planning Commission is to plan, not to contrive a quick, gimmicky fix that undermines any responsible planning that would lay the foundation for thoughtful development in the West Village or elsewhere in the town. The voices of the West Village that would be muzzled by this proposed change in land use regulations have been and are to this day stewards of groundwater preservation in the West Village—a key preservation objective of the Town Plan. To date, Charlotte has simply ignored groundwater preservation. It appears as of this writing that the Selectboard is prepared to make a critical error in advancing development in the West Village without first addressing in a rigorous way its serious underlying problems. We urge the Selectboard to take a common-sense approach and table the proposed change in uses and density in the West Village at least until groundwater is rightly preserved in Charlotte, as required by the Town Plan and encouraged by Vermont Act 199. Ronda Moore Luke Adler King Milne Laurie Moser Mark Moser
The CharloTTe News • JaNuary 14, 2016 • 5
Commentary Proposed zoning amendments for village commercial district – “permitted” use versus “conditional” use In March, Charlotte voters will be asked to vote on many items by Australian ballot. As a group dedicated to responsible revitalization of Charlotte’s villages, we would like to focus attention on what we believe to be an important proposed change to Charlotte’s Land Use Regulations that has been misunderstood or mischaracterized by some well-meaning village residents. The change will allow the permitting and development of some businesses in the village without the extra hurdle, called “conditional review,” required by the existing regulations. It is important to understand that this change does not open the floodgates to development. Rather, it reforms our regulations to be consistent with our Town Plan. As Town Planner Jeannine McCrumb wrote in her memo presenting the Planning Commission’s proposal to the Selectboard, this change “would reduce the uncertainties associated with conditional use review for uses believed to be compatible with the purposes of a zoning district. For example, retail, restaurant and cultural facilities of an appropriate scale seem to be uses congruent with what we envision in our village commercial district; these would become permitted uses rather than conditional uses in that district. Permitted commercial uses will still be subject to site plan review by the Planning Commission.” Surveys have shown that most Charlotters would like to see a few new businesses in town to provide certain basic services. Among those commonly mentioned are a small restaurant or café and a gas station at the intersection of
Dear Courage Dear Courage,
I am sad. I got a new doll for Christmas from Santa. She is an American Girl doll named Caroline. Her hair is beautiful. I took her to do errands with my mom. I also took my stuffie named Panda who has been with me as long as I can remember. He has sweet eyes and a piece of plastic bamboo in his paws. I never want him to get a bath he smells so good. Well, I lost Panda because I was playing with and telling stories to Caroline. I must have dropped him. We looked everywhere but nobody in the stores saw him. My mom hugged me
Route 7 and Ferry Road. These types of businesses—which are ordinary and normal in small towns—are classified in Charlotte’s zoning bylaws as “conditional” uses, even in the Village Commercial District. This means that an applicant for such a use must meet certain criteria that are normally reserved only for unusual types of businesses. Among these is the criterion that the business fit with the “character of the area.” Because this is a highly subjective standard, even if the Charlotte Zoning Board of Adjustment approves such an application and even if our Town Plan encourages the proposed business, such an approval could be appealed to the highest court in the state, at great cost to the applicant. This is the uncertainty that the Planning Commission’s proposal is intended to eliminate. Being classified as a “permitted” use doesn’t mean that a business will be automatically allowed to open. It only means that the type of business in question is acceptable in our commercial districts and can’t be challenged on the ground that it doesn’t fit the character of the area. The applicant would still have to obtain other local and state approvals to ensure that the project meets the environmental and aesthetic standards of Charlotte and that it doesn’t adversely affect the important property and privacy interests of its neighbors. For instance, the project will be subject to site-plan review by the Planning Commission to ensure (among other requirements) that its design and appearance comport with the character of the
Grandmother, retired nurse, and unshakable champion of the human spirit, Courage Turner Jones “Be brave, Beloveds, and somehow we’ll all make it!” and said Panda will come back. I know she loves me but I think it’s not true. What am I going to do without him?
Signed, Sad Dear Sad,
It is a very hard thing in life to lose a friend and wish he wasn’t gone. Most of us feel sad about losing someone special to us at some point in our lives. I tell you this so you know that when you feel sad, you are not alone.
area, that traffic circulation and parking will be adequate and that surface water runoff is properly controlled. And if the business will use more water than what the property previously used, the applicant must show that the proposed additional water use will not adversely affect the water supply of others in the vicinity. If the project satisfies this requirement, as well as the other requirements of the state Wastewater and Water Supply Rules, it will receive a “Water Wastewater” (“WW”) permit, issued by the Town of Charlotte. A new commercial use will also require an Act 250 permit and possibly a stormwater discharge permit. In all of these proceedings, adjacent landowners and other interested persons can participate in the permitting process in order to protect their interests. A group of West Village property owners objects to the change in the regulations, claiming it will hinder their ability to protect the supply of groundwater for their wells. They point out that groundwater in the area of the West Village is limited and ask that the existing list of conditional uses remain in place in order to prevent any project that might adversely affect the level of potable water currently supplied to their homes. This confuses two separate issues. As stated above, conditional use review addresses unusual projects that may not be appropriate for the neighborhood. The Wastewater and Water Supply Permit addresses the adequacy of the aquifer to handle the additional water requirements of any proposed development, be it commercial or residential. It You can keep looking for Panda while still doing all the other things you love to do. Play with and tell stories to Caroline, spend time with your mom, and maybe even draw pictures that imagine all of the wonderful things Panda might be doing on his own. You could even write him a letter, imagining him reading it someday not too far in the future. You could tell him, “Dear Panda, I am sorry you were lost but I am glad you are safe and sound now. After you get some rest, I hope you’ll tell me about your adventures as a bear alone in the world. I am thankful you’re here and want to hug you a thousand million times.” Even if Panda doesn’t make his way back to you, you will have your pictures and letter to remember him and help you heal your heart, which is broken right now
appears to be a case of asking the town to continue imposing unneeded restrictions on changes desired by the rest of the town to protect the concerns of a few. These are the important points to keep in mind when considering the Planning Commission’s proposal: 1. The purpose of conditional use review is to ensure that an unusual type of business will be appropriate for the town and is not meant to apply to the kinds of businesses that are clearly appropriate for our commercial districts. 2. Other regulations in place ensure that a new business will not adversely affect the current level of water supply available in the West Village: the Wastewater and Water Supply Permit; and in Charlotte applications for such permits are submitted and reviewed locally, providing an easy and inexpensive way for affected parties to participate in the process and ensure that the existing regulations are applied. 3. Single-family dwellings are not subject to conditional use review, yet a new or expanded residence could adversely affect the present supply of water to the homes already existing there, just as much or more than a new business. Keeping desired businesses in the “conditional use” category may not achieve the objective of protecting groundwater supplies; working directly on a solution to the groundwater issue will. Bill Kiendl Charles Russell Dana Hanley David Marshall Howard Seaver John Higgins Karen Frost Martha Perkins Mike Russell Nancy Wood but won’t be forever. In this way, you will know that life is worth living, even when you feel scared or sad, because feelings change and unexpected gifts arrive all the time.
Signed, Courage
Need Courage? People ages five to 500 are encouraged to send their questions via email to dearcourage@thecharlottenews.org or via good old fashioned post to: Dear Courage c/o The Charlotte News, P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445.
6 • January 14, 2016 • The CharloTTe news
Tom o’Brien
continued from page 1
corridor in Burlington had trouble finding quality, affordable childcare. Eventually they coalesced to form the Pine Street Arts and Business Association, the precursor to today’s South End Arts and Business Association or SEABA. O’Brien became the organization’s president.
School BudgeT
continued from page 1
assistance counselor, behavior systems and response coordinator, technology education integrationist and regular para-educators. The shift in para-educator positions is part of a service delivery model change that is aligned with CSSU Guiding Principles for Instruction and Intervention, which involves reassigning the elementary teaching position that is without a class at CCS to become a K-8 intervention specialist. The responsibilities of eliminated or reduced staff members will be absorbed by a combination of other staff.
Working with Bruce Seifer, who is now with the Community Economic and Development Organization, CEDO, and Bill Mares, writer and, at the time, state representative for Burlington, the group went to the Chamber of Commerce for help. Finding none, they planned, garnered support and developed funding for a childcare center, which flourished for years in the south end near the southern connector. The Howard Center now occupies the location, but O’Brien and his cohorts learned firsthand how to work together to change their community for the better. O’Brien eventually served on the governor’s childcare council because he felt so strongly about the issue’s importance as pivotal to quality of life in Vermont. Eventually, O’Brien sold Lincoln Works and purchased, with a business partner, the A& W in Middlebury, which he helped run for 10 years. “We worked 25 weeks in the spring, summer and fall,” O’Brien says. That left his winters free for volunteering at CCS, spending time with his family and skiing. “Skiing is church for me,” he says. In 2004 he bought The Wallet Pen and several properties in Middlebury, where he and Myrick eventually plan to retire. By serving on the board of The News, O’Brien was doing what came naturally to him—giving back to Charlotte. “The paper, back then, was an outgrowth of the school,” he said. “After our kids went through, we wanted to pitch in and work on something to build our community.” But times have changed. “We used to have Looking ahead, many question some of the finer points of Act 46 legislation, which will have far-reaching effects on the budget CCS ultimately passes this year. Kris Gerson, second grade teacher, read a letter on behalf of the Chittenden South Education Association. The letter, which acknowledged the work the board, staff and community budget buddies have done to craft and refine the CCS budget for the 2015-16 school year, goes on to caution that with the passage of Act 46 there will be additional challenges ahead, specifically arising from the potential impact of the allowable growth percentage. “Health care premium increases alone account for a majority of the AGP,” the letter reads.
eight to 10 people get together every editorial meeting, people from the community who could help out with The News,” he remembers. “But things are different now,” citing economic factors that have put changing demands on families and societal structures that don’t allow for civic volunteerism to be people’s top priority. “I want to see more folks engaged in making this place in which we live really special.” Tom will forever shine the light on
“His good humored encouragement, wise counsel and willingness to pitch in whenever needed have helped The News grow and thrive for the last 10 years.” – Nancy Wood, founder of TCN
ways the heart and soul of the board during the 10 years he served on it, including several years as co-president. He was always the first person I called when I needed help thinking through an issue that we had to deal with on the board. I knew I would always come away from conversations with him reassured that the enterprise we were engaged in was a worthy one and that, together with the staff, other board members and all the volunteers who contribute their time and energy to the paper, we would continue to make The Charlotte News work well for everyone in town.” Tom may be retired from the board, Vince said, “but I know where he lives and I have all his phone numbers.” As he moves on from The News board, it’s evident that O’Brien will never abandon his deep appreciation for all the tremendous potential for Charlotte’s future as the community in which everyone pitches in and celebrates the life we are lucky to have here. “Living in the country, looking at the stars at night, spending time with our families—we all have these important things in common. We’re all so grateful to be here, to have this time on earth. We can choose to use our time to make what we want. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but I believe in our ability to do it.”
someone else, a testament to his belief in the merits of collaborative engagement. “I think my real contribution, in most situations, is my willingness. I don’t have many special talents but I can talk to anybody. I’ll call ‘em up,” he says. “You’ve got to ask for what you want and build the community you want to live in. And sometimes the most important part of that is bringing Contact: geeda@thecharlottenews.org people together.” Vince Crockenberg, who served with Tom as co-president of the board for the past two years, agrees. “Tom was in many “Fifty-nine percent of the allowable growth statewide will be consumed by health care increases,” a fact that raises concerns about higher tax rates linked to Act 46. A moderated view of the law’s benefits does not preclude the major red flag attached to the AGP. “We agree that the positive elements of this law related to school consolidation should be allowed to progress first,” Gerson read, “without the additional challenges of meeting the AGP…Please consider giving final approval to a budget to the voters that reflects the true needs of our school, even if that means going above the Allowable Growth Percentage.” Gerson has a cautiously optimistic view of the changes ahead. “Barbara Ann and Stephanie have been very creative with
their budget cuts. I was pleased that the board has decided to add a little more money to help salvage some programs and still have no taxes raised,” she said. “I am hopeful that the law will be changed but I am doubtful that it will change in time.” Gerson knows that community engagement is essential for change, however. “I would encourage everyone to learn more about the consolidation section of Act 46,” she said. On Jan. 19, the public can attend the meeting during which the board will sign the proposed budget to move ahead toward Town Meeting Day. More information about Act 46 can be found at act46.cssu. org. Contact: geeda@thecharlottenews.org
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The CharloTTe News • JaNuary 14, 2016 • 7
Sports
five ties. The men’s hockey team seems to have some trouble scoring goals. Certainly in their last game against NFL star John LeClair’s alma mater, BFA-St. Albans, they came out on the downside of a 3-0 shutout. And they only managed one goal in the two games prior to that. Defense in their own zone and coverage of the net has kept them generally equal with their opponents. Hosting Spaulding at the beginning of January, the one Redhawk goal stood up for a 1-0 victory after the game against Essex at the end of December ended in a 0-0 tie. Playing for the CSB Cup just before Christmas, CVU and South Burlington tied at 3 goals apiece, probably appropriate for the former camaraderie among players on both sides of the face-off circle.
The seniors of the CVU girls basketball team. PHOTO: COURTESY
CVU is sports central for the past year According to the Burlington Free Press on New Year’s Day, in which it named its top-ten Vermont sports stories for 2015, “Champlain Valley Union High School appeared at the center of many moments.” Redhawk pitcher, Rayne Supple was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 38th round, the first Vermont baseball player drafted in the last 13 years. He pitched his team to the Division I state final last year and will attend Wake Forest University in the fall. CVU’s women basketball players kept their winning streak alive by taking the state championship and their third straight perfect season, led by Charlotters Sadie Otley and Laurel Jaunich and coached by Sadie’s mom, Ute. Fall saw the Redhawk’s women soccer players win their fifth straight state title, topping Burr and Burton which was until then undefeated. Not mentioned by the Free Press among its top-ten picks, but to be noted in CSSU and throughout the state, is the CVU women’s tennis team, the Division I state champs and undefeated for the season, giving them six state titles in the last eight years. The team is coached by Charlotte couple, Amy and Ian deGroot.
Nordic skiers found little in the way of snow, but trails nonetheless It was a bit hard to determine whether it was June or January last week as the Nordic skiers from nine high schools lined up at Cochran’s course for the first race of the year. On the men’s side of the ledger, the Redhawks had 21 racers. Charlotte senior Peter Unger was the top finisher for CVU, placing fourth. Jack Koskinen, Elias Sturim, Ben Hyams, Max Gorman, Mathew and Andrew Silverman, and Jack Boynton also finished among the top 80 individuals. Ten CVU women, led by four from Charlotte, were all near the front of the pack with Tatum Braun coming in fourth followed closely by Meara Heininger in sixth, Carly Alpert in 14th and Amelia Pflaster in 37th. Both men and women’s teams finished second, the men behind Mount Mansfield, the women behind U-32.
Women’s basketball comes close to losing to St. Jay, but no cookies Eighty straight wins were on the line as CVU traveled to the Kingdom to face St. Johnsbury. And face them they did. The Hilltoppers led by nine at the end of the first quarter, a lead that CVU narrowed to two at halftime, finishing the game with a 39-35 Redhawk win. Once again, Charlotte
Edd Merritt Sports Roundup
Hockey sisters top Stowe The Mount Mansfield Cougar/Hawks split their scoring evenly between MMU and CVU players as they topped Stowe 7-5 on January 9. CVU’s Lydia Maitland scored twice with her schoolmates Lauren Hanley and Katie Peck contributing a goal apiece. Contact: Edd@thecharlottenews.org
Redhawk wrestling continues to shine
Johnsbury and Mount Abraham. Later that week, the team traveled to Londonderry, NH, to compete against 14 other teams at Londonderry High School. The team took third overall, thanks to first-place wins by seniors Ethan Fuller (160 lbs.) and Kienan Kittredge (195 lbs.). Second-place podium positions went to senior Cooper Bolduc (152 lbs.) and junior Jacob Griggs (182 lbs.), who lost a nail-biter in overtime. Freshman Lucas Brown also took home a second-place medal—this tiny but tough 106 pounder from Williston is one to watch. Senior Brandon Young (145 lbs.) and junior Jarrett Legg (132 lbs.) each took third. Sophomore Wyatt Sanderson overcame some tough competition to place fourth. While other CVU students enjoyed their holiday vacation, the varsity wrestlers were off to Lowell, Mass., to compete in the Lowell Holiday Tournament. This annual event hosts over 70 teams on 15 mats. Over the course of the grueling two-day tournament, the Redhawks placed 11th overall, an exceptional accomplishment in this difficult and talented field of teams. Kittredge took the highest placement at 4th, and Jacob Griggs walked away with a 6th-place finish. On January 5, the team scored a resounding win at Lake Region, in Orleans, Vermont, with most of the boys scoring first-period falls. The Redhawks have another five weeks of the season before the state championships at Mill River on February 26 and 27. Be sure to check out the schedule at goo. gl/98XMes. You can also find the team on Facebook at “CVUWrestling.”
basketball played a major role in the comeback as Laurel Jaunich led her team Carrie Fenn with 11 points, while Annabella Pugliese CONTRIBUTOR sunk eight. CVU may have been resting a bit on its laurels after having won its three The CVU Redhawk wrestlers are previous games by no less than twenty-one showing their mettle and collecting medals points, one a blowout, 80-30 over Mount throughout New England. In a dual meet Contact: Carrie@thecharlottenews.org Mansfield shortly before Christmas. at CVU on Dec. 16, local fans were treated to Redhawk team wins against rivals St.
Men’s basketball progresses with the year It took the CVU men three quarters to get going against BFA-St. Albans, but they did hit their stride in the final quarter, outscoring the Bobwhites 20-12 to gain their sixth straight win. Three juniors led the way. Josh Bliss scored a game-high 20 points followed by Walker Storey at 12 and Colin Monsey at 11. The victory gives the Redhawks an 8-win, 3-loss record at this midway point in the season, their last defeat coming at the hands of a strong Burlington High School squad in mid December.
Kienan Kittredge gets the better of his opponent. PHOTO: CAROL KITTREDGE
Hockey men are even-Steven Four wins, four losses and an incredible
Re-up your pup Dog licenses for 2016 are now available at the Town Clerk’s Office. Registration is due each year by April 1. The fees this year are $9 for neutered and spayed animals and $13 for intact males and females. To register your dog, you will need to have an up-to-date rabies certificate, which we may already have in our system. Feel free to call our office at 425-3071 to check the status of your dog’s vaccination record. Registration is always available by mail. Just call us first and we will be able to tell you exactly what we need to complete the process.
8 • January 14, 2016 • The CharloTTe news
OutTakes Commentary by Olive
It was a brown dog Christmas We came for the money, we came for the fun Remember your mother, stay out of the sun Living the life ‘cause that’s what we came for There’s a brown dog barking at the back door, brown barking at the back door “Brown Dog� by the Young Dubliners Hello folks. I’m Olive, and I came up from Providence, Rhode Island, to spend Christmas in Vermont with my family and grandparents, Grammy and Squid. Squid normally writes this column, but I wore him out over the holidays, so he granted me the honor of filling in. I’m a young golden retriever (like the “barking brownie� in the song), so I’m still learning many of the tricks of the trade, especially the fun one can have around the house in small-town Charlotte. Although I wasn’t born at the time, I do
know that Squid’s neighbor dog, Murphy, helped him out similarly a few years ago. We retrievers are perceptive, you know. Not many neighborhood high jinks pass us unnoticed. People tend to think we chase our tails a lot. To be honest, that circular racing gives us an eye on the world that those without tails never get. Let me share an example—scooping the leaves for dead animals in the backyard. Do you happen to know the wealth of enticing odors that comes from their remains? I do, from rolling through the leavings every time I head out the back door. And talk about a sure way of gaining attention when you come back in the house. You can guarantee no more than 10 seconds before you’re back out the door, under the hose and being cleansed with the finest soap and brushes, attention being paid to all the nooks and crannies around the ears and under the chin. It’s better than a massage parlor. Oh, and there’s the scrap life under the dining room table. Granted, breakfast and lunch leave something to be desired because the entire human clan never eats these meals simultaneously. However, dinner is another story. It’s always good to hang out in the kitchen while the food is being prepared. Pre-tastes are not burdensome, and you learn what to look for later on. With grandkids seated at either end of the table, you may, in fact, find the variety of droppings quite tasty and of many flavors as you move chair to chair. You must, however, recognize the tablesitters’ feet and position yourself by the “Big Dropper� (no musical pun intended).
Fortunately, Grammy’s dining room table is long and wide enough to allow me easy movement underneath, and if feet happen to be covering the scrap, a simple tickle of the tail will allow me to grab quickly with my teeth before heading down the line. Let me then move from dining table to beds. These come in two varieties with three sizes—kid and adult beds and sitting-room couches. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. Kid beds tend to become occupied at night a little earlier than adult beds. But that needn’t be a problem if you can position yourself to share the pillow before the young occupant arrives. With parents beds, it is important to gain space between the people. Sometimes this requires what they call snuggling. I call it “gaining complete warmth.� Couches are things I generally have all to myself after the people have bedded down for the evening. My favorite couch at Grammy’s happens to be white, so I have to give her some strong eye contact before climbing up on it. She was kind enough to lay a sheet over the cushions, and I grandly stretched out, shifting my position only when it looked as though a person might want to share the seat with me. I learned also that the time required between rolling in dead animals and sleeping on the couch approached a minimum of six hours. Did I mention dog food? I discovered that hanging out in the front seat of Squid’s truck while he bought newspapers at
WHERE’D YA SEE THAT AD, STEVE? IN THE CHARLOTTE NEWS! Snow birds like words, too!
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Spear’s Store guarantees a dog bone on his way out. I actually prefer these to the dry pellets they feed me to shut me up at mealtime. Don’t get me wrong. The pellets are not tasteless, but they don’t carry the savoir fare of a bone-shaped treat served on a plate accompanied by a bowl of water and followed by a chewable slice of rawhide. Served to me as a dinner setting makes me feel like I’m in New York City at Zabar’s Delicatessen. Finally, while some get to the nuts of the matter, I get to its balls—rubber and colorful and chewable. I try to get people to join me in their pleasure. Drop them on the floor at the person’s feet and then look up with that “dare ya to take it� gaze. When the person’s hand begins its reach, my teeth go into action and the ball sits safely in my mouth behind fangs of glory. But, hey, this is a game. It’s vacation and time is not of the essence, so I drop it over and over until one of us (usually the person) gets bored. When it’s time to get back in the car and head home, I feel it necessary to protest a little. I would not be the good guest I am if I didn’t. While the grandsons fit their car seats in, I find time for a last tour of the front yard and a seat outside the car, not to be moved until it is absolutely necessary. Then it’s stretch out in the “way-back� and catch shuteye until the rest stop. Food, drink and on to Providence—hasta la vista Charlotte!
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The CharloTTe News • JaNuary 14, 2016 • 9
Harm reduction Politics, piety and promise James Hyde CONTRIBUTOR
The Vermont Senate is about to consider a bill (Senate S241) that would legalize the growing and possession of marijuana, a drug that, while widely used, has been illegal under federal law since 1937. Were such a law to pass, Vermont would join four other states (Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska) and the District of Columbia that have legalized the drug for general use. How can it be that we have reached the point at which, as a matter of policy, a state sanctions the possession and use of a drug that it currently defines as illegal? Ignoring all the politics and likely moralizing for a moment, let’s step back and look at this proposed legislation from a public health perspective. Life is complicated. Anyone who has ever tried to change a personal behavior
Taking Care Collectors or controlled hoarders? Alice D. Outwater CONTRIBUTOR
Collecting is more refined than hoarding. It assumes a certain body of knowledge: the style of the artist or maker; the provenance; whether it is from the early, middle or late period; what was happening in the culture at that time; plus a sketch of the background and history of the artist. My friend Sally and I spent part of a summer in northern Scandinavia hiking in the tundra with reindeer in the background. Several years later she and her husband bought two of Edvard Munch’s paintings before they became popular. Soon her collection grew. She hung pieces in the entryway of her Washington, D.C., house, adorned the living room walls and even the bedrooms. Fortunately the calmer landscapes went into the children’s area. The paintings climbed the stairs to the second floor and were even in the bathrooms and kitchen. The collection increased, as did their value. Next she needed to insure them. Soon the whole house was wired against theft. One evening at a party a guest leaned against the patio door and set off the alarm
knows how difficult it can be. Behavioral patterns that are further reinforced by addictive substances, such as heroin, nicotine, alcohol or even caffeine, increase exponentially the difficulties of breaking the cycle of addiction. For example, eating ice cream is a behavioral addiction many of us share—the stuff just really tastes good. Add a little maple syrup and it’s hard to resist. Changing a behavioral pattern in which the reinforcement mechanism is taste, texture and temperature is trivial compared with what’s involved in changing a behavior that not only makes you feel “good” but is reinforced by a powerful physiologic addiction. Let’s look at nicotine, a drug no less addictive than heroin. Anyone who has ever tried to quit smoking has an intimate understanding of the power of this addiction. In spite of this, in the last 25 years we have made incredible progress in reducing the prevalence of adult smoking, as well as in addressing the initiation of smoking by children and youth. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence of adult smokers fell from 37 percent to 17 percent between 1970 and 2014. We owe this success to a broad range of programs and policies that made cessation services more broadly available to smokers, that “de-normalized” smoking by making it less acceptable in the workplace and public spaces, and that severely restrict how tobacco is marketed—especially to kids. But what do we do about the last 17, 10 or even 5 percent of the adult population that continues to smoke? Will there ever be a time when at least some percentage of the population doesn’t smoke cigarettes? While eliminating a harmful behavior—whether it involves the use of alcohol,
marijuana, injection drugs, food or sex—is usually the best course, it is not always possible. So we look for “harm reduction” strategies in the hopes they will mitigate the harmful effects of a behavior. In the case of smoking this maybe the e-cigarette, which, if you believe the industry that manufactures and promotes it, delivers the drug nicotine with all of the oral satisfaction and other “delights” of the real thing. These claims of “safety” and reward, however, have yet to be proven, even as the FDA is considering whether and how these devices need to be regulated. The logic of harm reduction is pretty simple: If a behavior such as pot smoking continues to defy our prevention efforts, then we should search for other ways to lessen its impact. Clearly the regular use of marijuana can have serious long-term impacts on both the individual user and society. Some of these impacts are physiologic and psychological. Many, however, are simply and directly a consequence of the criminalization of the production, possession and use of the drug. If we can decriminalize (and regulate) these activities then perhaps it will be easier to get users into treatment, free up limited law enforcement resources for purposes other than marijuana interdiction, and reduce the damage to individuals who are criminally convicted and to families with members in prison. As you might imagine, an approach in which public policy implicitly accepts a behavior once frowned upon, or even illegal, is going to be highly controversial. Consider for a moment the needle exchange programs used around the country to reduce HIV and hepatitis-C transmission among injection drug users, the use and distribution of Narcan to prevent deaths from opioid overdose or
even the legalization of prostitution in places such as Nevada. Strategies such as these have been shown to have a real impact on premature death and illness with few adverse outcomes. Even though they are pragmatists, many public health people also balk at these approaches; there are risks associated with any harm reduction strategy, and marijuana will be no different. There is the implicit message sanctioning and normalizing drug use, the potential that easier access to the drug may result in greater acceptance and an increase in the number of users, the chance that more intense use of the drug may be a bridge to more destructive behaviors, the risk that legalization may divert resources from prevention services, and the potential for serious collateral personal injury due to falls or to traffic, pedestrian, skiing and hunting accidents. Sadly, but unsurprisingly, politics and piety often get in the way in considering harm reduction strategies that might otherwise offer great promise. Although we increasingly appear to be living in a “post fact” world, public health policies should be evidence-based. The Vermont Senate should be applauded for considering these strategies. Hopefully, senators will act after carefully weighing the evidence and will build in sun-setting and other provisions that will allow them to revise the strategy should unintended adverse consequences materialize.
system. Police in squad cars came screaming up the driveway thinking there had been a robbery. The guests were stopped in their tracks, both amused and anxious. The following week Sally declared, “It’s spooky, but Edvard Munch has taken over my life. His paintings have this dark, gloomy side and I feel stifled. I’ve got to review this. I’ll keep a small number, give some to my college museum and the majority to the National Gallery—if they’ll take them. Then I’ll visit the paintings at leisure, and at the same time hundreds of others can enjoy them.” She followed through with her plan and felt greatly lightened. An unexpected surprise came when King Olaf of Norway summoned her and presented her with a medal. Top museums accept only the best in a category. The items can range from musical instruments, such as Stradivarius violins, to swords or butterfly collections. The W.A. Fleming collection of 8,723 butterflies of Western Malaysia and Singapore resides in the Natural History Museum in Singapore. It seems curious to me that individuals spend half of their lives accumulating great art and then reverse the process by selling it or presenting it to museums. Another friend who lived in Japan for years fell in love with netsukes—small sculptural objects carved of ivory. He even learned the language so he could read the names of the engraver on each little ivory figurine. During a weekend visit he brought out four wooden boxes and cautiously lifted out each netsuke. “I’m always trying to
upgrade my collection, and I’ll buy one of more value, then sell one of less. This collection represents my life savings. It may seem odd that I decided to put my assets into netsukes instead of the stock market. I suppose it’s no different than investing in land or real estate.” A more modest collector may inherit items from their great-grandmother and wonder what to do with them. The local historical society might be delighted to have clothing—dresses, hats or even high-buttoned shoes. These vividly depict the character of the time and can make fascinating displays. Squirrels seem to fit into two categories: the controlled hoarder and also the
collector. Nuts are essential to their diet. They may gather about 2,000 of them in the warm weather and bury them in caches in their territory. First they bite each nut to see if it’s firm. If it doesn’t measure up, they eat it on the spot. This puts them in the collectors category, choosing nuts of a special kind and top quality. But they are also hoarders with their large caches to carry them through the winter. The takeaway here is that you should be aware when you get grabbed by material things—you could easily become a hoarder…or a collector. And before you realize it, you’re in big trouble.
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James Hyde lives in Charlotte and is emeritus associate professor of public health at the Tufts University School of Medicine.
10 • January 14, 2016 • The CharloTTe news
B
eyond the borders
Jude Daniel Blanchette getting snappy in China.
It’s tough being an empty nester, but what’s it like being a flourishing fledgling flown from the nest? Alex Bunten reached out to a few CCS grads to see what kind of impression Charlotters are making on the world.
Making it happen in Beijing with Jude Daniel Blanchette The Charlotte News: First, straight to the point, when did you graduate from CCS? Jude Blanchette: 1994. I think. TCN: Next, most important, where the heck did you go? JB: As of now, I’m in Beijing. I’ve been living in China on and off for about 7 years. TCN: What brought you there? Love, money, weather, lower taxes, sidewalks, better cheese, better lake views? Tell us about it! JB: I did a year abroad in China during university and got hooked. I remember having my face smashed against the car window staring out at Beijing on my very first drive in from the airport in 2001. I’ve never lost that feeling since. China is the most interesting country on the planet— for its sheer size, for its complex history, for its, um, unique political system, etc. In terms of satisfying intellectual curiosity, it never fails to deliver. You can read headlines about rapid economic growth, but it’s another thing to see it unfold, with all its good and bad side-effects. TCN: What do you do for gainful employment? And do you enjoy it? What’s the most difficult thing about it? JB: I work at The Conference Board’s China Center for Business and Economics, which is sort of like a think tank for
multinational corporations operating in China. I’ve only been in this position for one month (35 days, technically), but so far, so good. Right now the most difficult thing is getting up to speed on what political and economic challenges are facing our member companies. Editor’s note: Jude forgot to mention that he recently finished a post-grad course at Oxford in Chinese politics. Smart fella, to be sure… TCN: Since that fateful day you flew from the nest, what’s the strangest place you’ve been to? JB: Washington D.C. for sure. I think a visiting Martian could understand the workings of, say, Shanghai or Montreal. But I’m sure it wouldn’t know what to make of our capital city. TCN: Better yet, where is the oddest place you have bumped into a Charlotter unexpectedly? (If not a Charlotter, a Vermonter…) JB: A few years ago I was visiting a tiny, hidden bar in Beijing. No sign on the door and 20 seats maximum. The bartender was wearing a Higher Ground T-shirt. Turns out he was a student at UVM and knew several of my CVU friends. So not a Charlotter, but pretty close. TCN: When you tell your new fandangled foreign friends about where you are from, how do you explain your Charlotte upbringing in 50 words or fewer? (And don’t tell us, you say you are from the “Boston area” because no one knows where Charlotte, let alone Vermont, is…)
JB: I never really get to the part about Charlotte. It usually zaps my energy just explaining what/where Vermont is. TCN: Do you have a quintessential Vermont expression that you tell these new fine- feathered folks? JB: I made a list of Vermont expressions a few years ago with a high school friend (shout out to Dave Parsons), and I think we agreed that “banching”—a verb meaning to take our vehicle off road—was our favorite. I now try to work that into at least a few sentences a day. With varying success. TCN: When you think of your alma mater, “Where there’s no better place to learn,” who’s the first person that comes to mind? Why? JB: There’s way too many great teachers
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for me to answer this. We had a deep bench when I was there—Mr. Tiplady, Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Nappi, Mr. Cronin, Madame Pierson. Well, OK, I guess the teacher I learned the most from was Mrs. LaFayette. A stern teacher, but with a healthy sprinkling of love for her students. TCN: If you could give current CCS kids a piece of advice about their future as cultural attachés of Charlotte, what would it be? JB: I would have absolutely nothing interesting/important to say to a 10-year-old. Anyhow, whatever I say will be completely disregarded as I’m sure I now seem thoroughly uncool and old. TCN: Do any of your parents/relatives still live in town? If so, have they bought you a subscription to your hometown paper yet? (If not, have a word.) JB: Thankfully, yes. My parents are still holding down the fort. It’s always great to know that I can come back to Charlotte to see them. TCN: What do you think Charlotte will be like in 20 years? JB: It will be a suburb of Williston. Just kidding. Honestly, I have no idea. I hope essentially the same in spirit, but you know, I do think we could use a few more businesses. TCN: Would you ever consider moving back? JB: If my parents are reading this, then yes, of course.
The CharloTTe News • JaNuary 14, 2016 • 11 Zena Jacobsen with her two young ones.
Californication From Lake Road to the hills of L.A. – Zena Jacobsen The Charlotte News: First, straight to the point, when did you graduate from CCS? Zena Jacobsen: Oh gosh, it must have been 1996. TCN: Next most important, where the heck did you go? ZJ: Los Angeles! By way of Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Berkeley, New York and then Los Angeles. TCN: What brought you there? Love, money, weather, lower taxes, sidewalks, better cheese, better lake views? Tell us about it! ZJ: I never considered making a life in LA until several years ago, when during a winter visit here from New York I started rethinking our (my husband, Jesse, and my) plan to eventually live in northern
California (where we met). My husband and I both have family nearby, the weather is way better (than New York and the Bay Area), and we were thinking about having kids and suspected that being close to some grandparents had some benefits that differed from being close to our friends. TCN: What do you do for gainful employment? And do you enjoy it? What’s the most difficult thing about it? ZJ: I am a litigation attorney at Quinn Emanuel (a litigation-only firm based in Los Angeles). I spent a summer in the San Francisco office, nearly five years at the New York office, and now have been in the Los Angeles office more than three years. Mainly I have worked on structured finance litigation cases (suing big banks and mortgage originators), but have also worked on antitrust and more general commercial litigation cases. I enjoy my work. My colleagues are super-smart and driven, and our cases are often very complex and interesting. Most difficult thing about work is that it can be very consuming and demand loads of hours… so balance is difficult? We have a threeyear-old and a three-month-old, so life is crazy these days! TCN: Since that fateful day you flew from the nest, what’s the strangest place you’ve been to? ZJ: The most remote place I’ve been is to a little island called Biopeba in Brazil. It took a plane, taxi, ferry boat, bus and then water taxi to get there. It was so lovely.
TCN: Better yet, where is the oddest place you have bumped into a Charlotter unexpectedly? (If not a Charlotter, a Vermonter…) ZJ: If memory serves, I believe the cabin and restaurant owner in Biopeba was a Vermonter, or maybe his brother lived in Vermont? Anyway, I once bumped into a childhood friend from Essex in a tiny town in Costa Rica—that was wild and super fun! TCN: When you tell your new fandangled foreign friends about where you are from, how do you explain your Charlotte upbringing in 50 words or fewer? (And don’t tell us, you say you are from the “Boston Area” because no one knows where Charlotte, let alone Vermont, is…) ZJ: First people are thrown off by the pronunciation of “Charlotte,” as fellow Charlotters you all should know what I mean. Then I try to explain the rural-ness of the place –lack of grocery stores, shops, restaurants and then I find the laminated postcard that my mom sent me while I was in college…the postcard where you can make out our barns overlooking the lake. TCN: Do you have a quintessential Vermont expression that you tell these new fine- feathered folks? ZJ: Not really an expression per se but I make known my preference for Vermont maple syrup. TCN: When you think of your alma mater, “Where there’s no better place to learn,” who’s the first person that comes to mind? Why? Oh gosh, mainly my friends! Laura McBride! Rachel Gill! Emily Silman! If you could give current CCS kids a piece
of advice about their future as cultural attachés of Charlotte, what would it be? ZJ: You live in a beautiful, wonderful, green, peaceful place, be prepared to love this town forever. TCN: Do any of your parents/relatives still live in town? If so, have they bought you a subscription to your hometown paper yet? (If not, have a word.) ZJ: Oh yes, my mother, stepfather and several siblings (from time to time). And oh yes, I believe they do subscribe to the paper. TCN: What do you think Charlotte will be like in 20 years? ZJ: Hopefully very similar to how it is now. TCN: Would you ever consider moving back? ZJ: I do, almost every time that I visit during the summer.
The Charlotte News 2016 Publication Schedule & Writers’ Deadlines January 28 (deadline: January 18) February 11 (deadline: February 1) February 25 (deadline: February 15)
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12 • January 14, 2016 • The CharloTTe news
News From CVU
2016-2017 CVU budget discussions The holidays marked the beginning of budget season for our local towns and schools in the CSSU, including CVU. In November, we began our budget discussions informally, gathering information from district-level administrators. In addition, we identified members of our various communities who were willing to serve as budget buddies for this year’s round of meetings. To continue to keep the community informed, the CVU Communications Committee respectfully submits this article focused on the nature of our budget discussions. The article, organized as a Q & A, addresses the issues we are grappling with as we balance our commitment to providing high-quality learning experiences while considering the needs of our community partners. Please note that, given the submission timelines of our local newspapers, this article reflects our work to date, including three formal meetings; we plan to finalize our budget recommendations on January 19, 2016.
Celebrate the Arts Night Madison Hakey THE CHARLOTTE NEWS
CVU’s eighth annual Celebrate the Arts Night welcomed students, staff and families to a night of brush strokes, singing, robots and much more. Over 450 pieces were on display from students enrolled in arts courses, with CVU’s Jazz Ensemble, Men’s Chorus, Women’s Chorus and Madrigal Singers all in attendance. With a nod to the younger artists of the region, this year marked the first time that local middle schools were included in the
Erin Bundock, an AP art student works on a lifesize self portrait. PHOTO: MADISON HAKEY
What are the particular fiscal challenges associated with this year’s budget? The 2016-2017 baseline budget (the budget needed to continue all of this year’s programs into next year), after accounting for increases in inflation rates for ongoing goods and services, is showing a modest increase of just over three percent from the previous year’s budget. This growth is due primarily to already-committed increases in salaries and benefits, which account for more than 75 percent of the CVU budget, including a projected 7.9 percent increase in health insurance costs and a previously negotiated agreement with the teachers’ union that includes an average 3.25 percent salary increase. Additional challenges to the budgeting process this year include addressing state-mandated requirements to implement Personalized Learning Plans and the provisions of Act 46, a state legislative act passed last year to contain state education costs. How does Act 46 impact this year’s budget work? Act 46 is first and foremost a bill that encourages the merger of local school districts, which is expected to result eventually in lowering education costs statewide. As the work of consolidation will take several years, however, the Legislature addressed the public’s immediate concern evening. Allen Brook, Williston Central, Charlotte Central, Hinesburg Community and Shelburne Community schools all had about 20 pieces on display. Allen Brook, Williston Central, and Shelburne Community presented an array of artwork while Hinesburg Community displayed sculpted masks and Charlotte Central presented a variety of scratch art. Some crowd favorites were the showcased photography, the AP Art students who were working on life-size portraits, and the performances put on by the band, which drew a large crowd because it played in the auditorium and at the main entrance of the school. The music caught the guests’ ears as they meandered past. For some AP Art students, the experience of being observed during their work was a bit strange. Anna Georgsdottir, a senior from Shelburne, said, “Usually I’m in my room when I’m drawing with no one around. It’s a lot different having people see me.” On the flip side, senior Becca DeCamp from Williston, said, “I usually have people watching me during free block, so it’s not much different for me.” Some guests were curious enough to ask questions, while others just stood back and
with escalating property taxes by including in Act 46 an additional provision that adds new penalties for community taxpayers if they approve school budgets that exceed an “allowable growth percentage” (AGP) on spending per equalized pupil that is specific to each district. (The AGP is back-computed by limiting the increase in statewide education costs to 2 percent.) The AGP for the CVU School District is 2.39 percent. (For reference, the actual growth percentage in spending per equalized pupil at CVU for the last two years was 1.7 and 3.3 percent.) Complicating matters, however, is a recent decline in student population at CVU, a trend that has been occurring statewide. While current projections indicate an eventual leveling off of enrollment at CVU, in order to avoid the tax penalty during this budget round, CVU’s budget can grow no more than 1 percent next year (in contrast to the
This means that the 2016-2017 baseline budget must be reduced by at least $577,000. 3 percent needed to maintain all current programming). This means that the 20162017 baseline budget must be reduced by at least $577,000. What options are being considered to address these challenges? To achieve this necessary reduction, the board is considering downsizing teaching staff in English, Wellness and World Languages (including the elimination of Chinese) by increasing class sizes and re-assigning teaching responsibilities, eliminating support for the gymnastics program, and reducing non-teaching staff in guidance, library and administration.
In addition, the board is anticipating some savings associated with retirements. CVU administrators have identified ways in which state-mandated Personalized Learning Plans can be implemented without additional resources through the modification of existing programs. What would you hope the take-away message of this article to be? CVU is considered to be one of the best high schools in the State of Vermont, having strong educational outcomes and high graduation rates. At the same time, CVU has kept spending per equalized pupil below the state average. A tension exists, however, between reducing staff while simultaneously increasing staff responsibilities. And while a decline in student population certainly provides opportunities for tightening our collective belt, it doesn’t easily translate into equivalent staff reductions, which is the heart of our school. The challenge in this year’s budget is to understand where we cross over from penny wise to pound foolish as we consider dismantling programs through reductions needed to meet a spending target set by Montpelier.
CVU SChool Board CommUniCationS Committee Lia Cravedi, school board director, Hinesburg, lcravedi@uvm.edu Susan Grasso, community member, Shelburne, malbec@comcast.net Kim Schmitt, school board director, Shelburne, kschmitt@cssu.org
What do you think about this story and others? Send us a letter: news@thecharlottenews.org
watched. Erin Bundock, another senior from Shelburne, said “It’s interesting to see people’s reactions while I work. I’m trying to figure out how to work and talk at the same time.” In addition to the challenge of working and discussing simultaneously, the students had difficulty drawing on dark-beige paper with colored pencils—not as easy as it seems. Bundock and DeCamp said that the skin tone is extremely hard to do because of the background color. Georgsdottir CVU robot performs tricks for a crowd said that her biggest challenge is having to of students and their families before the work with colored pencils, as she is used band concert begins. PHOTO: MADISON HAKEY to charcoal or paint. Even with the challenges these students faced, their artwork was impressive. For all in attendance, it was a great way to end the semester.
The CharloTTe News • JaNuary 14, 2016 • 13
Another bomb threat in Hinesburg evokes chaos Madison Hakey THE CHARLOTTE NEWS
What will you do in those crucial moments when everything around you has gone to complete chaos? We cannot really answer this question until we are in such a situation. On Tuesday, Dec. 15, students and faculty of CVU were put into one of these scenarios because of a bomb threat to the building. At approximately 11 a.m., the threat was found in a boys bathroom. Students were evacuated within 20 minutes of the threat and loaded onto buses within an hour. Upon late arrival at school, I heard conjecture about what was happening as my classmates were milling about outside the school. One freshman stated he heard it was a gunman, another said it was a bomb threat or a fire. Each idea made me more anxious, each one seeming worse than the next. If it was a bomb, why would we be standing less than 20 feet from the building? If it was a gunman, why were we not having a simple lock down drill as would be expected? If it was a fire, where were the fire trucks? The only emergency personnel I could see were state troopers. As we were grouped together and herded away from the building, I grabbed my friend’s hand. I realized that no matter what was about to happen, I didn’t want to lose her in the crowd of approximately 1,200 students. We looked like lost cattle. Every so often someone would stray from the herd and a teacher would have to bring him back in. My phone rang. It was my best friend. “Where are you?” I asked him. He was in his car in the junior lot and wanted to pick me up. My temper abruptly spiked. He was allowed to take his car and I was not, because my car had been closer to the building. I tried very hard to remain calm. Realizing that I had no idea where we were going and seeing that the people in front of me were turning away from the school, I told him to go home without me. I wanted him to be safe and far away from the situation. I located my friend whom I had clung to earlier. She was begging anyone who would listen to let her go find her brother. Another friend began hurling sarcastic comments and called her mother to inform her as to what was going on. I called my mother and left the AntoineWilliamsAd2012_4x5_Layout cheeriest voicemail I could to keep her1
from worrying, even though I knew she still would. I overheard we were heading towards the post office in the center of Hinesburg, and I called my best friend again. I wanted to run away from everything. I wanted my car. I wanted my best friend. I wanted to go home. As childish as it felt, I just wanted to go home. Upon arriving at the post office, it became clear that we would all be getting onto buses and leaving. As we had done an evacuation drill once before, I realized that I should have expected this. I had no clue what bus I rode, as I had been driving to school for the past two years. The smell of exhaust hit us like a wave as we walked down the line of buses. My friend and I sat on a bus and watched the confusion outside. Students were spread
“We looked like lost cattle… every so often someone would stray from the herd and a teacher would have to bring him back in.” out all around, yelling to friends or staff to see what bus they were supposed to take. Faculty ran from person to person trying to direct them to the right bus. People were standing around waiting for siblings and friends. Teachers distributed themselves among the buses and attempted to take attendance. My hands were so soaked with stress sweat that I left a mark on the seat I was holding onto. My ears were ringing. I lost my temper when I started to rant about the situation. I’ve never lost control of my emotions so quickly and I didn’t like it. I wanted to believe that in a situation like this I would be calm and helpful, not angry and annoying. I couldn’t stop my rant until my phone rang. My best friend was coming back to get me. I got off the bus. The fresh air felt good. The relief was unbelievable. When I got in his car we discussed the fact that it was a bomb threat just like the one last winter, which had been much more hurried and less drawn out. When the threat was found, the faculty called in the buses at once and called for an early dismissal from the building. All juniors and seniors with cars were allowed to leave, and everyone else needed to 6/27/12 AM Page 1 arrange10:48 transport or take the bus. It makes
Students loading onto buses in the center of Hinesburg during the bomb scare on Dec. 15. PHOTO: MADISON HAKEY
more sense to me in a state of emergency to release students immediately and clear out the building. Why keep us there, agonizing over the situation and fretting over everything, when we could leave the unsafe premises and do our worrying away from the danger? This year’s evacuation felt much more terrifying. In retrospect, the faculty did an outstanding job. Every staff member I spoke to was calm and collected throughout the evacuation. Let us hope that students and faculty at CVU will never have to be put in such a situation again, and if we are, let us hope that it is, again, just a hoax. Addendum: On Wednesday Jan. 6, another bomb threat was found inside CVU after school let out. Parents throughout Champlain Valley received a
phone call from Principal Adam Bunting explaining the few known details of the threat. It was disclosed that there was a specific time and general location for the bomb. No student has come forward as of yet. Hopefully someone will come forward soon, as Principal Bunting has requested an extension of the school year if these threats continue to occur. Students and staff have become progressively irritated with the recent threats, hoping that someone will surface with information soon. On the bright side, students and faculty did not have to endure another evacuation of the building. Instead, there was a two-hour delay the following morning.
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The CharloTTe News • JaNuary 14, 2016 • 15
From the Archives
Puzzles “wasI re-invented my image so many times that I’m in denial that I originally an overweight Korean woman. —David Bowie (1947-2016)
Cover page illustration by: Charlie lotz
Welcome to tHe cHarlotte neWs’ arcHiVes! We’Ve started to Work on making our History accessible to all cHarlotters. sloWly, We’re deVeloping a pdF arcHiVe tHat Will eVentually be searcHable and We Hope to sHare tHat WitH you soon. We’re lucky enougH to HaVe nearly 60 years oF publications to Work WitH, but tHat does leaVe mucH to be cataloged. many oF our publications HaVe no digital presence WHatsoeVer, so We’re HaVing to Find Ways to make tHem tecHnologically aVailable. tHougH tHis proJect Has barely begun and We HaVe a long Way to go, We’ll be giVing you a taste oF WHat’s to come rigHt Here in print as regularly as possible.
Puzzles have been underwritten by
reprinted arcHiVe compiled by: kali adams & madison Hakey
PO Box 101, Charlotte, VT | 870-3481
Volume 34, no. 11 January 16, 1992
Dear Parents, Happy New Year! On behalf of the entire staff of Charlotte Central School, I wish a year of good health and peace for all of your families. I am able to share some very good news with you today. Two parents, who wish to remain anonymous, have donated $5,000 to our school for the purchase of science materials for grades three through five. Our teachers at those grade levels collaborated and identified materials dealing with topics such as space, electricity, the environment, magnetism, rocks, sound, the food chain, the human body, photography, and whales that would be beneficial to our children. These materials will not exhaust the $5,000 fund. We have order these materials and anxiously await their arrival. In March, teachers representing each of the grade levels will attend a National Science Convention to be held in Boston. A grant from the Eisenhower fund will help pay for their attendance at this wonderful convention. Upon their return, we will set aside inservice time for these teachers to share what they learned at the convention with
the rest of the staff. We will then Volume 43, no. 11 discuss what additional resources January 25, 2001 or materials we could purchase with the remaining funds in order Please Stop Calling to enhance our science program. We are extremely grateful to in the Middle of these parents, as we are to all our the Night! from the parents and community members Town Clerk’s Office who donate their time, talents, and resources to make Charlotte Dale Knowles serves as our Central such a wonderful school. town Animal Control Officer. Charlotte is fortunate to have a Sincerely, local man available almost all of the time to help solve neighMonica J. Smith borhood problems related to Principal “nuisance animals.” Dale works as a dairy man, Volume 43, no. 10 getting up early to milk his herd at January 11, 2001 5 a.m. He is also the proud father of two little girls, one of whom is just 30-days-old. Recently, town Trapped Fox residents have called him in the Update- What to do middle of the night to complain Less than a month ago, I saw about a neighbor’s barking dog. a small fox with a long, fluffy, These complaints should be made beautifully healthy coat. He was during working hours. Town without his left hind foot below officers do not need to be called the “elbow,” a victim, no doubt, of unless there is a true emergency. a leghold trap. A nearby resident If you wake up at 3 a.m. with called after the article appeared in a rabid raccoon in your bedroom, the December 21 Charlotte News call 911. Otherwise, wait until to say he thought that one of the waking/working hours to make foxes around his home may have your complaint. Thank you. been the same one, but his coat was all matted and he did not look well. Perhaps “my” little fox has had a hard time surviving... Iris Muggenthaler
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16 • January 14, 2016 • The CharloTTe news
Senior Center News Step Aerobics with Pam Lord resumes on Friday mornings from 9:15–10. Dates: Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26. “Step aerobics” was created in 1989 as a way to get a high-intensity, yet low-impact workout. With a portable platform (provided), you will do choreographed exercise routines up, onto, down and around the step for great cardio fitness, as well as exceptional training to shape the lower body, strengthen and tone muscle groups and improve coordination. Set to music, this low-impact class uses cardio work to produce an easy-to-learn and effective workout. The aerobic benefits are equally effective if you choose to do the workout without the step. Pam was previously certified with the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and will show you how to perform the moves safely with the correct technique and have you stepping like a pro in no time! Registration required. Fee: $7/class. Challenge your brain! With an eye toward speaking and understanding the language better, our French Conversation Group members come together to “chat” about the week’s activities or interests with a goal of improving their fluency through listening and speaking. A fun, no-pressure way to meet some new folks, sharpen your mind, and practice your French every Wednesday morning from 10:30–11:30. No fee. If Spanish is your passion instead, join Maria Acosta and Friends for Spanish Conversation on Tuesday mornings from 11 to noon. Ongoing. No fee.
Mary Recchia CONTRIBUTOR
Snow Days! If there is ever a question whether the Senior Center is closed due to weather, know that we will follow the CSSU school closings that are posted on local TV and radio stations as well as at cssu.org. Please note that the blood Pressure clinic scheduled for feb. 3 has been rescheduled for feb. 10 beginning at 11:30 a.m. Would you like to learn how to create your own greeting cards? On Tuesday afternoon Jan. 19 from 1–3 this small, hands-on Card Making Class with Janice Bauch will have you creating two cards— one for Valentine’s Day and one other seasonal card that will be a surprise! This is like scrapbooking (same materials used) but, of course, much smaller. All materials will be supplied for this first class, and if there is continued interest an ongoing offering for the spring will be discussed. Registration required. Limit 8. No fee. Yes, you can learn the true Yang Family style of Tai Chi famous for its myriad benefits to health and wellbeing. John Creech has been studying and practicing a collection of lectures, tai chi for 10 years and invites you to come Performances and sPecial learn and practice together on Thursday events showcasing the diverse mornings from 10–11. The flowing moveinterests of our community ments and postures will increase flexibility, improve balance and strengthen core muscles. Practitioners cultivate a deeper Wednesday afternoons beginning at 1 sense of relaxation, increased energy level o’clock. No registration or fee. and a real sense of confidence and presence. Registration necessary. Fee: $42 for Jan. 20: macha Picchu and the high six classes. Plains of Peru, with Jim hyde
SCHIP’s Winter Grant Deadline Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016 Projects must serve residents of Shelburne, Charlotte and/or Hinesburg. Grants range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Grants may not exceed $3,000 per request, and only one grant can be received within a year by any one entity. Since SCHIP began making grants, many nonprofits have used their awarded funds to continue their missions to improve the lives of our neighbors and strengthen our communities. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or submit the application through such an organization. Funds may not be applied to annual
operating budgets or permanent staffing. One application per organization per calendar year. Grants deadlines are Jan. 31, May 31 and Sept. 30. To obtain an application email schipgrant@myfairpoint.net or stop by the shop at 5404 Shelburne Road, Shelburne—the distinctive yellow house!
Jim will provide an overview of a trip that he and his wife, Susan, took last June to Macha Pichu and the high plains of Peru. In addition to Cuzco and the Sacred Valley, they also spent several days at Lake Titicaca on the Peruvian/Bolovian border. Jan. 27: central american highwith carl and carlanne
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Perchin’ on the Point Bradley Carleton CONTRIBUTOR
I am feeling challenged to write about one of my loves. By this time of year, we are normally actively courting one another in a dance of piscatorial bliss. But alas, thus far this season we have been estranged. Before I take this metaphorical reference any further I should come clean and confess that this love of mine is for the denizens of the deep waters of Lake Champlain and my love of fried perch. Under normal circumstances, I spend three to four mornings a week sitting on a pickle bucket, either inside or outside of a shanty, jigging happily to the perch or smelt below the surface of the hard water. My favorite ice rod in hand, I sit just off the bottom of Thompson’s Point or in Kingsland Bay with a fresh maggot on a colorful bibbit. I revel in the game. The cold north wind bites at my feet from under the curtain of the shanty. The propane heater whistles along. I sit content and alert to the minutest
tug on the end of my rod. Sometimes I sing to them. They seem to like country music most—old stuff, like Willie Nelson’s “Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rainâ€? or Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.â€? Sometimes my partners just tell me to “shut up and fish.â€? At times we drift off into a Zen-like state of meditation, all our energy focused on the movement below. At other times, it is “bail ‘em as fast as you can and get that bait back down there.â€? This scenario is usually punctuated with men giggling like boys. If you’ve never heard my friend Dale Knowles laugh, you are in for a treat. For a grown man to elicit such sheer joy at being the first to catch a yellowbelly‌ well, it’s just inexplicable. Pure unadulterated joy. My other fishing buddy, Chris Thayer, whom we call “Dot Com,â€? gets annoyed and focuses even more fervently on his technique because he can’t stand to be behind in the fish count. He fixes his eyes in an almost cross-eyed concentration, and the grin becomes a furrowed brow of intense competition. He will not be beaten! As for me, I calmly and quietly pursue my passionate desire to catch something, anything, just to “get on the board.â€? When I reel up a pair of seven-inch yellow perch, Chris shouts, “Those don’t count! Nothing among the 1,403 households in Charlotte yields 31.9 items per household. If we’re going to live up to the fivethirtyeight.com prediction, we all need a few more books around the house. So, stop on by and fill up your bag with books.
News from the Charlotte Library Margaret Woodruff CONTRIBUTOR
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Anyone familiar with the FiveThirtyEight website (fivethirtyeight.com) knows how many numbers are tucked away inside the news. Here’s one that caught the eyes of Charlotte librarians. “1.5 extra years. Having a bunch of books in your home can be huge for kids: A study of 15-year-olds in 42 countries found that—outside of gross national product—the number of books in a home was the best predictor of reading proficiency. ‘The greatest effect was seen in libraries of about 100 books, which resulted in approximately 1.5 extra years of grade-level reading performance.’ � (The New York Times) While we can’t furnish everyone with 100 books permanently, we hope that you’ll take this news as motivation to fill your library bags with books when you visit us. According to our latest report to the Department of Libraries, last year Charlotters took out 44,813 items from the library—that’s 11.71 items per person. And those Charlotte borrowers made up 61.3 percent of our population. Continuing our math lesson, those 44,813 items divided
UPCOMING @ THE LIBRARY On display at the library: Watercolors by Katra Kindar Wednesdays 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.: Coding Club Afterschool Program. Join the Coding Club to make your own cool video games on the computer: races, mazes, you name it! 4th grade and up. Registration required. Monday, Jan. 11 and Jan. 18, 1 p.m.: Connecting with Your Grandchildren. Baffled by digital connections? Figure out the best ways to keep in touch with your grandchildren with personalized help from tech librarian Susanna Kahn. Sign up at Charlotte Senior Center. TUESDAYS: IT’S TIME FOR STORY TIME! Preschool Lunch Bunch, Tuesdays 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Please bring a packed lunch. For children ages 3 to 5 who can enjoy story time with or without a guardian. Early Elementary Story Time (Kindergarten and 1st Grade), Tuesdays 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Extend the school day enjoying books, songs, poems and crafts. Students ride the blue bus to
under nine inches counts.� “Rubbish,� I say. “These will fry up just fine!� After an hour of picking up fresh spunky 7- to 8-inchers, my bucket is filling up. Chris is still throwing back everything under his self-imposed slot limit and has but a half dozen slab perch in the bottom of his bucket. Dale joins me in ribbing him about the numbers in our buckets and the number in his. It’s all in good nature, but Dot Com grows tepid and begins cussing under his breath. Dale and I start to laugh. Before long, the shadows of the pine trees begin to stretch across the bay as the January sun settles over the Adirondacks. We pick up and head back to the trucks, Dale and I quietly snickering about our success and Dot Com’s few slabbers.
Back at home we host a filleting party and then fry up some fresh-as-can-be perch in a beer batter and serve them with a thick, hearty tartar sauce. If you’ve never tried ice fishing but are curious about this traditional but oft-overlooked winter sport, you may wish to join my crew and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department on Lake Elmore on Saturday, Jan. 30, for Free Ice Fishing Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. No license needed for this day only! More info: goo.gl/sHNV2Y. Bradley Carleton is executive director of Sacred Hunter.org, a nonprofit that seeks to educate the public on the spiritual connection of man to nature and raises funds for Traditions Outdoor Mentoring. org, which mentors at-risk young men in outdoor pursuits.
library. Registration required for both sessions. OTHER LIBRARY HAPPENINGS Thursday, Jan. 21, 7:30 p.m.: Library Book Group: LP Brideshead PROCEEDS HE SUPPORT Revisited. lunteer Continuing Hospice Vo AND our reading of Services Wisdom 20th century Women of classics. Copies available to check out at circulation Whether you’re moving or simply desk. Tuesday, REDECORATING , please consider donating Jan. 26, 7 p.m.: to Sweet Charity Book Signing: Upon Us Falls a Burden, by All donations matter! We love... Dan Cole. Join us to celebrate ...dishes, artwork, bookcases, books, the publication of Dan Cole’s lamps, glassware, furniture, tables, book about rugs, decorations... what have you?! Charlotte and the Civil War. Copies will be available for www.sweetcharityvt.com purchase.
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18 • January 14, 2016 • The CharloTTe news
Community Events do yoU Have a cHarlotte event or an event close by tHat featUres a
in meditation series. No experience necessary and experienced meditators are always welcome. 120 Graham Way, Shelburne. Contact Charlie with any questions at cnardozzi124@gmail.com or yogarootsvt.com.
cHarlotter? send description, date, time and costs to rUaH swennerfelt at calendar@tHecHarlottenews.org. don’t be sHy if it’s aboUt yoU, a friend or someone in yoUr family. if it’s a pUblic event, be bold and sHare wHat’s THURSDAY, JANUARY 21 Happening witH yoUr neigHbors. Exhibit: Opening 6:30–8 p.m.: The Art and History of Handwoven Textiles. FRIDAY, JANUARY 15 A group show curated by Jerusha Concert: The fifth annual All Shook Fox featuring work by members of Up Variety Show at the FlynnSpace in the Marshfield School of Weaving. Burlington. A family-friendly evening of Exhibit runs Jan. 18 – Feb. 29. Weekly entertainment while raising scholarships demonstrations and Feb. 13 Children’s to send children with special needs weaving activity. Frog Hollow Vermont to Partners In Adventure Camp. Free State Craft Center, 85 Church Street, refreshments during intermission. Burlington. Free and open to the public. Tickets: $30 / $10 with a student ID at the Flynn Box Office or: flynntix.org. Workshop: VSAC to offer financial 7:00–9:30 p.m. aid forms workshop. Champlain Valley Union High School. Two sessions: 5:30 SATURDAY, JANUARY 16 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. To reserve space, call Event: Celtic Winter Gathering at 802-482-7100 All Souls Interfaith Gathering. 291 Bostwick Farm Road, Shelburne. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22 Reservations: eventbrite.com/e/celticBlood Donation: Ferrisburgh Town Hall, winter-gathering-tickets-13848827215. 3279 Route 7. Appointment: download (Handling fees may be applied). Day the free Red Cross blood donor app, visit Dance Competition: $5. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733Evening Druid Ceremony: $10. Under 2767. 2 – 7 p.m. 10: free. 6:30 p.m. Info: facebook.com/ CelticWinterGathering/. Kids Project Making: Drop-in Saturdays SATURDAY, JANUARY 23 Kids Project Making: Drop-in Saturdays at Shelburne Crafts School. Different at Shelburne Crafts School. Different project each week. This week is “Soup project each week. This week is Bowls and Spoons.” Children must “Valentine hearts flower vases.” Children be accompanied by an adult, who must be accompanied by an adult, who may choose to participate or not. No may choose to participate or not. No preregistration necessary. $10. 10 – 11 preregistration necessary. $10. 10 – 11 a.m. a.m. Opera: Les Pêcheurs de Perles streamed Concert: Sally Olson (see Jan. 16) will live from the Met. Tickets are $24/ $10 appear in concert for the reprise of part students: townhalltheater.org, 802-382one (“A Song For You”) with Timothy 9222 or in person Mon-Sat noon to 5 or an hour before show time at the THT Box Guiles (piano and back-up vocals) on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, at 7 p.m. Office. 1 p.m., with a 12:15 pre-show at the Unitarian Universalist Church talk in the Byers Studio. in Middlebury (a benefit concert for Concert: Singer Sally Olson and her Charter House Coalition). Tickets $15. band at Spotlight Vermont in South Info: sallyolson@billreedvoicestudio. Burlington (a fundraiser for the Bill Reed com, carpenterstributeconcert.com or Musical Theatre Summer Intensive). billreedvoicestudio.com Presented by Bill Reed Voice Studio, this show is part two (“Yesterday Once TUESDAY, JANUARY 26 More”) of Sally Olson’s Carpenters Meditation: See Tuesday, Jan. 19. Tribute Concert. Tickets: $20 for adults, $10 for children under 12 and seniors. Info: sallyolson@billreedvoicestudio. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27 com, carpenterstributeconcert.com or Film: Cathedrals of Culture: Salk billreedvoicestudio.com. 7:30 p.m. Institute, Oslo Opera House, Centre Pompidou. Directed by Robert Redford, Margreth Olin, and Karim Ainouz. MONDAY, JANUARY 18 2013. Germany, 82 minutes, Contois Discussion: What does it mean to be a Auditorium, City Hall, Burlington. Vermonter? “Finding Home: Vermont’s Doors open/reception begins at 6 p.m., Historic and Growing Diversity” will be films begin at 6:30. Charlotte sponsors the topic for discussion at the Vermont Historical Society’s annual Martin Luther include Vermont Eco-Floors and Artisan Engineering. Info: adfilmseries.org. King Jr. Day program. Amanda Gustin at (802) 828-2180 for more information or check online: vermonthistory.org/ THURSDAY, JANUARY 28 calendar. Free. Vermont History Museum, Talk: Green Mountain Audubon Society 109 State Street, Montpelier. Museum presents “Bird Basics: Wonders of the open from noon to 4 p.m. with activities Natural World,” with Allan Strong, for sharing through writing or drawing— professor of ornithology, University of for young and old—about what it Vermont. Pierson Library, Shelburne. means to be a Vermonter. Greg Sharrow Info: 878-4132. Free. 6:30 p.m. speaks about “Finding Home” at 1:30 p.m., followed by a lively community conversation. TUESDAY, JANUARY 19 Meditation: Join Charlie Nardozzi at Yoga Roots in Shelburne, drop-
Book Review boys in tHe trees: a memoir, by carly simon Georgia Edwards CONTRIBUTOR
I’m home again in my old narrow bed Where I grew tall and my feet hung over the end The low beam room with the window looking out On the soft summer garden Where the boys grew in the trees It is hard to imagine that Carly Simon, a multiple award-winning singer and songwriter, grappled with performance anxiety, low self-esteem and depression for much of her life. Voted the music industry’s Best New Artist for 1972, she went on to write and perform songs that defined the 70s. In this intelligent and rich memoir, Simon writes movingly of the tumult that dogged her first 38 years of life: family problems, stormy relationships with men and depression, which she refers to as “The Beast.” She chronicles her awkward childhood in Greenwich Village and Connecticut through her troubled 10-year marriage to fellow singer-songwriter James Taylor. Simon’s outwardly privileged life belied the struggles within her family. The third daughter of Richard Simon, co-founder of Simon & Schuster, she ached to receive love and attention from a father who fought his own depression demons. Her mother, Andrea, turned a blind eye to Simon’s sexual abuse by a family friend and, later, invited her son’s 19-year-old tutor to live in the family home as her lover. Simon does not disguise her fury about her mother’s infidelity; she developed a stutter that derailed her academic studies and caused panic attacks.
Upcoming pUblic meetings Selectboard: Jan. 19, 6 p.m., Jan. 25, 7 p.m. Planning Commission: None CCS School Board: Jan. 19, 7 p.m. CVU School Board: Jan. 19, 7 p.m. CSSU Board: Jan. 19, 5 p.m. Zoning Board: None Conservation Commission: Jan. 26, 7 p.m. Meeting times are subject to change. Check the town website for more info: charlottevt.org
Have yoUr say | Selectboard MeMberS | Chair, Lane Morrison, 425-2495 Matthew Krasnow, 922-2153 Carrie Spear, 425-4444 Jacob Spell, 425-6548 Fritz Tegatz, 425-5564 Selectboard Regular Meetings are usually at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. If you would like to bring an issue to the attention of the Selectboard, contact the board chair or administrator Dean Bloch at 425-3071, ext. 205.
| ccS School board | Chair, Mark McDermott, 425-4860 Vice Chair Erik Beal, 425-2140 Kristin Wright, 425-5105 Clyde Baldwin, 425-3366 Susan Nostrand, 425-4999
| cVU School board-charlotte | Lorna Jimerson, ljimerso@wcvt.com Lynne Jaunich, lmjau@gmavt.net
| Planning coMMiSSion | Administrator, Jeannine McCrumb, 425-3071; jeannine@townofcharlotte.com Chair, Jeffrey McDonald, 425-4429 Vice Chair, Peter Joslin Members: Gerald Bouchard, Paul Landler, Charlie Pughe, Donna Stearns, Marty Illick
| Vt goVernMent |
An older Simon experienced the sexual freedom of the 60s and early 70s. The portions of the book about the men in her life read like a dishy, yet tasteful, Who’s Who of famous men: Warren Beatty (her inspiration for “You’re So Vain”), Michael Crichton, Mick Jagger, Kris Kristofferson, Cat Stevens and Jack Nicholson, who once asked, “Do you ever drink coffee in your bedroom?” Her relationship with James Taylor comprises the last third of the memoir. After seeing him on the cover of Time Magazine, she told her sister, “I’m going to marry him.” They were wed after a short engagement in 1972. Despite Taylor’s drug problems, mood swings and affairs, Simon’s love for him was unfailing and bordered on adoration. She writes, “James was my muse, my Orpheus, my sleeping darling, my ‘good night, sweet prince, my something-in-the-way-he-moves.’” She is frank, however, about the not-so-honeyed side of Sweet Baby James. Disappointingly, Simon gives her writing and recording career—arguably more creative than Taylor’s—little mention in the book. Whole albums are briefly cited or glossed over. She did not want to “… overshadow the man I loved,” a contradictory
vt senate (cHittenden district) Tim Ashe, D/P-Burlington, 318-0903, tashe@leg.state.vt Philip Baruth, D-Burlington, 503-5266, pbaruth@leg.state.vt.us Virginia “Ginny” Lyons, D-Williston, 863-6129, vvlyons@leg.state.vt.us Michael Sirotkin, D-South Burlington, 999-4360, msirotkin@leg.state.vt.us David Zuckerman, P/D/W-Hinesburg, 598-1986, dzuckerman@leg.state.vt.us vermont HoUse Mike Yantachka, D-Charlotte, 425-3960, myantachka.dfa@gmail.com
| U.S. goVernMent | U.s. senators Patrick Leahy, 863-2525, leahy.senate.gov Bernie Sanders, 862-0697, sanders.senate.gov Us congressman Peter Welch, 652-2450, welch.house.gov
statement from a woman seen by many as a feminist icon. The lyrics and songs that she does share with the reader are thoughtful and poetic. Boys in the Trees is written by one of pop music’s more erudite songwriters. Simon writes beautifully and movingly, chronicling her life with fearlessness, candor and wisdom.
The CharloTTe News • JaNuary 14, 2016 • 19
Around Town
Classifieds
Winter hunkers doWn at the Charlotte BeaCh Reach your friends and neighbors for only $7 per issue. (Payment must be sent before issue date.) Please limit your ad to 35 words or fewer and send it to The Charlotte News Classifieds, P.O. Box 251, Charlotte, VT 05445 or email ads@thecharlottenews.org. ExpEriEncEd carpEntEr looking to fill in winter season. Painting, repairs, doors, windows, skylights, bathrooms, kitchens, interior and exterior, siding, drywall, doors, floors and trim. Many great references. Sean 922-2143 [58-14] Flat rock FurniturE—Solid hickory dining table w/oak top 40” x 77” and six chairs w/cushions...$1000. Can email photos. joelamiller@gmavt.net 759-3246. PHOTO: GEEDA SEARFOORCE
Congratulations to Bob Bloch who was featured for his work in entrepreneurial innovation through Champlain College in the winter edition of Destination Vermont. After starting a program called BYOBiz at Champlain in 2005, the college president hired Bob as a full-time director to help budding entrepreneurial students develop their own businesses. Bloch has written two books about his students’ ideas— Outside the Box and My Own CEO. to Kyle and Laurel Jaunich, seniors at Champlain Valley Union High School, who were nominated to attend the U.S. Naval Academy by Senators Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders and Congressman Peter Welch. The Jaunichs have been accepted at Annapolis and will join their older brother Christian (a junior) there in June. Kyle and Laurel’s parents are Scott and Lynne Jaunich of Charlotte. to Kristina Roomet Brines who was named a Director at Paul Frank + Collins P.C. Kristina joined the company in 2008 as an associate attorney handling litigation and consulting matters for the firm’s Employment + Labor team clients, working with businesses and nonprofits. She received her J.D. from Northeastern Law School following a B.A. from Colgate University. to Leith Tonino whose essay titled “A Party at the Bottom of the World” was featured in the winter reading section of Seven Days’ December 23 issue. Leith spent winter several years ago in Antarctica where “even extremophile bacteria can’t survive and katabatic winds rush over sastrugi wastelands.” He got there by taking a job shoveling snow through the U.S. Antarctic Program, leading to 60-hour weeks. He says that this year, however, he stayed in Vermont and skied Addison County with a “rising moon filling in for his dropping mirror ball and rising sun.” to Chennah Sharpe, a junior at Providence College in Rhode Island who earned placement on the Dean’s List for the fall semester 2015. Majoring in Global Studies, Chennah is the daughter of Peggy and Jim Sharpe of Charlotte. to the following University of Vermont students from Charlotte who earned placement on the fall 2015 Dean’s List: Shawn Roberts, a nutrition and food sciences major in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Jordan
Weith, a psychology major in the College of Arts and Sciences; Lindsey Mick, a history major in the College of Arts and Sciences; Rachel Baginski, undeclared major in the College of Arts and Sciences; Kathleen Bedell, a secondary education major in the College of Education and Social Sciences; Elizabeth Richards, a civil engineering major in the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences; Aryn Hall, a professional nursing major in the College of Medicine and Nursding Sciences; Benjamin Comai, an environmental studies major in the Rubenstein School of Environmental and Natural Resources. to Francesca Blanchard whose recording deux visions was named one of the top 10 local recordings for 2015 by another former Charlotter, Dan Bolles, in the Dec. 30 Seven Days. to 11-year-old Broadway actor Oscar Williams for his work in the play Fun Home, in which he plays the lead actress’s younger brother. The play won a Tony Award as best musical of the season in June and is up for a Grammy as the Best Musical Theater Album.
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to Erin Zubarik whose poem titled “What I Left Behind” appeared in the December 18 “Young Writers Project” in the Burlington Free Press. Writing about “things” one has to bring when she moves, Erin says she thought, not about what she would bring, but what she would leave behind. In her case it was flames. Shoes and socks came along, but flames stayed behind. to Circus Smirkus Executive Director Ed LeClair and the award-winning youth circus which earned the second annual “Community Impact Award” presented by Circus Now and the Big Apple Circus in Lincoln Center, New York City. Circus Smirkus was recognized for “harnessing and demonstrating the power of the circus arts for community engagement and social good, and in bringing diverse audiences together through quality programming.” to Ted Castle whose opinion piece was featured in the “my turn” section of the January 8 Burlington Free Press. Based
on his years as CEO of Rhino Foods where he has worked with a number of refugees, he argues that their contributions to the company and to the Vermont culture have been plentiful and positive. He would hate to see immigration automatically limited; he agrees that the threat of terrorism should be reduced, but that requires focusing on areas with the highest probability of it occurring.
Sympathy is extended to family and friends of Willam deGroot who passed away Dec. 26. An architect, deGroot founded the firm of deGroot Cullins in Burlington, which later merged to create Alexander, Truex, deGroot and Cullins. He is survived by his son Ian, Ian’s wife, Amy, and their children Tabor and Kylie, all of Charlotte. The family asks that those wishing to make contributions in remembrance of him consider doing so to VNA Cares/Vermont Hospice or to the Vermont chapter of Habitat for Humanity. is extended to family and friends of Donald Jacques of Charlotte who passed away Dec. 27 at the age of 82. Prior to working for Engineers Construction for 35 years, Jacques worked on the Webb Farm in Charlotte. His surviving family includes a son, Greg, of Charlotte. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Charlotte Senior Center, P.O. Box 207, Charlotte 05445 or to the Chittenden County Humane Society, 142 Kindness Ct., South Burlington, VT 05403. is extended to family and friends of Roy Therrien of Burlington who passed away Dec. 27 at the age of 52. Prior to moving to Burlington, he lived in Charlotte. His surviving family includes his brother Donald and Donald’s wife, Darlene, of Charlotte. is extended to family and friends of Baird Drake Wallis of Charlotte who passed away Jan. 4 at the age of 65. His wife,Joanne, survives him. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name to his favorite car club, Cars and Coffee of Vermont, 307 Stockbridge Rd., Charlotte, VT 05445. is extended to family and friends of Frances (Frankie) Birdsall of Hinesburg who passed away Jan. 1 at the age of 90. Her surviving family includes her daughter, Ellen Bosworth, and grandchildren Molly and Tom Williams..
Mt. philo inn—A unique hotel situated at the base of Mt. Philo State Park with stunning panoramic views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. Spacious 3 bedroom suites with 2 bathrooms and a complete kitchen. Thoughtfully designed for casual elegance. Privacy, space, tranquility. Bigger on the inside. MtPhiloInn.com, 425-3335. [58-12] Want a great start to 2016? Have laFayEttE painting give your home a beautiful, refreshed look. We can transform a room in a day! Call 8635397 or visit LafayettePaintingInc. com and have a Happy New Year! [5814] MaxiM outdoor Wood pEllEt FurnacE by Central Boiler adapts to existing heating systems & heats with renewable wood pellets. Boivin Farm Supply 802475-4007 [58-14] coordinator oF VoluntEErs, charlottE sEnior cEntEr. Parttime, 15 hours/week, flexible schedule between 9 a.m.–4 p.m. varying weekdays. Responsibilities: recruiting, training and scheduling volunteers critical to operation of active center. Must enjoy working with seniors, be organized, flexible, outgoing, have basic computer skills. Job description at charlottevt.org, click on Senior Center. Send cover letter and resume by Feb. 1 to srctrvol@gmavt.net or to Charlotte Senior Center Board, P. O. Box 207, Charlotte, VT 05445. [58-13]
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Easement with Vermont Land Trust, Charlotte Land Trust, Lake Champlain Land Trust, VRC, or VHCB Town Conservation Agreement Conservation easements with VLT and the Town Town owned land with VLT easement VLT owned land
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Conserved and Public Land Charlotte, Vermont September 2015
0 Sources: Parcel Boundary - Robert Turner, 2014 Conserved Land and Open Space Agreement dataset updated by CCRPC in 2015 with guidance from Town. Map created by P. Brangan using ArcGIS. All data is in State Plane Coordinate System, NAD 1983.
Disclaimer: The accuracy of information presented is determined by its sources. Errors and omissions may exist. The Chittenden County RPC is not responsible for these. Questions of on-the-ground location can be resolved by site inspections and/or surveys by registered surveyor. This map is not sufficient for delineation of features on-the-ground. This map identifies the presence of features, and may indicate relationships between features, but is not a replacement for surveyed information or engineering studies.
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Whether it’s meandering with your mutt, observing a few ornithological oddities, or having a ponderous wander, there are plenty of places to explore in Charlotte. We hope this new map of conserved and public lands from the Charlotte Land Trust might give you a few new ideas for the New Year.
“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.”
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