The Essex Reporter: February 21, 2019 by Essex Reporter

Child care crisis focus of proposed bill

All the chicken, none of the commitment

Bill could expand the childcare assistance program and provide student loan and tax support for educators.

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EHS implements grading changes By AMANDA BROOKS In response to several petitions filed by parents last year, Essex High School (EHS) has implemented a new grading policy with the hopes to level the playing field for seniors applying to colleges. The new grading scale was implemented at the beginning of the school year and lowered the passing grade for students to a 60 from a 70. Students’ GPAs will also be reported on a 0-4.33 scale instead of a 0-100 scale. The parents who created and signed the petition last year had expressed

See GRADING, page 3

PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS

Ken Merritt, left, and Ryan Ferris, co-owners of a new ambulance service aimed at providing transports between hospitals throughout New England, pose for a photo in front of their ambulances.

Proposed bill would break up Chittenden senate district

New EMS service draws concern from local agency By COLIN FLANDERS A new for-profit ambulance service planning to transport patients between medical facilities says it will fill a gap that now leads to backups in critical parts in the chain of hospital care. But some local EMS volunteers believe the company is eying a bigger piece of the market, and have urged the state to consider the consequences of greenlighting

the startup. The new ambulance service, Garnet Transport Medicine, is the brainchild of Vermont paramedic Ryan Ferris, a former member of the University of Vermont Medical Center’s critical transport team. Ferris left that job in November to oversee the rehab of Garnet’s new home – a 7,300-square-foot building on the campus of GlobalFoundries that once housed the fab’s fire

station. He said Garnet will work mainly with UVMMC and hoped his ambulances will hit the road within the next few months, depending on how long it takes to train employees and receive the rest of the equipment. Before picking up patients, however, the company must earn a license from the health department, which must first receive a recom-

By COLIN FLANDERS The leader of Vermont’s senate says a bill proposed to break up Chittenden County’s six-seat district would create a more direct relationship between local voters and their state senators. “The reality is that having the largest senate district in America does not serve the voters well,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Tim Ashe (D/P), who sponsored the bill. The Vermont Senate has 30 members representing districts that mostly correlate to county boundaries. Chitten-

See GARNET, page 2

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2 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019

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GARNET from page 1

mendation from the EMS District 3 board after its review next month. Garnet has yet to submit an application, but the health department already heard at least one critical take on the company’s proposal. In a letter to the department, Essex Rescue volunteer and board president Hillary Danis said licensing Garnet could leave “widespread destabilizing effects” on Vermont’s EMS system. Underlying her argument is the suspicion that Garnet will try to expand into 9-1-1 service, a move she fears will jeopardize the viability of surrounding EMS volunteer agencies. Take Essex Rescue, which boasts the second-lowest per-capita expenses of any Vermont EMS agency thanks to some significant yearly call volumes: nearly 2,000 on average. High demand allows the department to recoup enough money from insurance companies to cover its budget and capital reserve fund, Danis said, while still keeping costs on municipalities low. “If our call volumes were threatened, that could be a threat to the way we operate,” she said, adding the same is true for most volunteer-based agencies around the state. Ferris said fears that Garnet is eying a 9-1-1 takeover are misfounded. He cited one simple reason: “There’s no money to be made in 9-1-1.” Compared to interfacility transport, he said, which are typically pre-authorized by insurance companies or patients who know the out-of-pocket costs upfront, 9-1-1 emergency service is a much less reliable funding source, with no guarantee of payment if the patient isn’t transported. “For us to get into 9-1-1, it would be really in a communi-

PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS

Garnet Medical Transport will operate out of the former fire station on the campus of GlobalFoundries, pictured above.

ty service aspect,” Ferris said. “Most communities are better served by the agencies they have working for them now.” Danis agreed that 9-1-1 calls are indeed less reliable, but she said revenues are higher. And though she sees a need for interfacility services – she’s heard of patients waiting hours for a transport ambulance – she doesn’t believe demand is anywhere near enough to support a new business, especially one that’s already made some significant start-up investments. “On top of all that, they want to be able to turn a profit?” Danis said. “I just don’t see the dollars and cents.” Garnet’s top brass assures both are within reach. “We wouldn’t launch the business otherwise,” said Ken Merritt, a Burlington-based attorney and co-owner of Garnet. Merritt said market

research confirms there’s enough demand to support the new service, noting Garnet would be only the second interfacility transport service in EMS District 3, joining UVMMC’s HealthNet. To Danis, Garnet’s public messaging suggests plans beyond interfacility transport, including its job postings, which ask for requirements typical of 9-1-1 providers. Ferris said that’s because Vermont laws make no distinction between what specific type of service an agency will provide, so Garnet must still comply with all the requirements that pertain to a 9-1-1 service. He said not requiring its employees to know all the necessary duties would be “counterproductive,” as there’s a high likelihood the company will be called upon during mutual aid or mass casualty situations.

Ferris understands why some may be skeptical about for-profit medical agencies, acknowledging such organizations have not done themselves any favors in recent years, with stories of exorbitant rates and debt collectors making headlines. To that end, he said Garnet has a made a decision against the practice of charging patients beyond what their insurance picks up even though its legally allowed to do so. “We’re here to do business in a friendly way and in the best interest of the patients and the people that are utilizing the service,” Ferris said. “We’re not here to make enemies.” Garnet has found some support from other members of the EMS community, like Richard Smith, an Essex Jct. resident and EMT who serves on the local fire department.

Smith said Garnet’s plan to provide more interfacility service is much-needed in Vermont (Smith once worked for the now-defunct TransCare, which provided interfacility transport from Essex until closing in 2013). Though he did expect Garnet will eventually expand into 9-1-1 service, Smith believes the company will focus more on underserved communities, since Essex Rescue already has a long standing relationship with the community here. As long as that lasts, Smith said, “I don’t see them losing out.” Others say a little competition would only benefit the Vermont’s emergency medicine providers. Essex resident Joshua Burleson, who serves as an Advanced EMT in Shelburne, said Garnet’s decision to require qualifications beyond what’s typical not only benefits patients in the area, but pushes other services to keep pace. Plus, if Garnet is going to bill at exorbitantly high rates for interfacility travel, then people won’t choose its service, Burleson said. Ferris and Merritt believe the service will only benefit the EMS community, bringing more than 20 full- and parttime jobs to the area. Still, they aren’t surprised to hear criticisms of their plan. “EMS in Vermont is a very,” Ferris said, pausing for a moment, “interesting industry.” Merritt added that he’s found it “insulated and resistant to change.” Danis countered she’s not against new services in theory. Rather, she worries Garnet has set itself up as a financially unsustainable entity, one that will sweep through the state and leave a void in its wake. Garnet’s owners expect that feeling will fade. “Once it’s clear who we are and what our focus is, a lot of that resistance will frankly go away,” Merritt said.

The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019 | 3

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GRADING from page 1 concerns about the more rigorous grading scale at EHS compared to other Chittenden County high schools. They worried EHS students would appear to be less proficient than their peers, therefore affecting their acceptance rate at colleges and universities and qualification for scholarship money. EHS principal Robert Reardon said the administration will not retroactively change grades for those upperclassmen who now have grades on their transcripts from two different grading scales. However, he said a student’s GPA from years prior to the 2018-2019 school year will be converted to the new scale and weighted based on credit hours, or rigor of the course. This GPA will then be averaged with the new GPA for courses taken during and after the 2018-2019 school year. Reardon said the administration’s main motivation for changing the grading scale was to put EHS students on par with other Chittenden County high schools. He reminds parents, however, that the school profile that EHS sends to colleges and universities when students apply can tell a bigger picture. “There’s a lot more to GPA

than meets the eye,” he said. Director of admission for St. Michael’s College Michael Stefanowicz agreed with Reardon, saying it’s part of the admission officers’ jobs to read that school profile and build a bigger picture of a prospective student, rather than just focusing on the numbers. “If there’s information that’s communicated on that profile as we’re going through transcripts, [we’re] making meaning out of that,” Stefanowicz said. “It’s a really important duty to read that thoroughly and to understand the nuances of the grading scale and how the courses work.” He said admission officers will be able to see when EHS’s grading scale changed, and make informed assessments of students based on that change. Stefanowicz added the St. Mike’s admission office does recalculate GPAs due to the high variability of grading systems they see on students’ transcripts. “When somebody is on a 0-100 scale versus an ABCD scale versus a different scale, it puts all of those on an even playing field,” he said. Stefanowicz said that while recalculating GPA is a standard practice among most colleges and universities around the country, he thinks

the professional standards that all admission counselors have to live up to take precedence. He said all counselors are a part of the National Association of College Admission Counseling, which empahsizes the importance of reading school profiles thoroughly to understand the students and their educational journey more fully. He said these two factors should ease parents and students’ worries about a varying grading scale, but if they have further concerns, they can always write a letter to their admission counselor to explain the change. “We’re always looking for opportunities to interface with students and their families; the process is a richer one when we can make connections with them,” Stefanowicz said. “So if this was an opportunity that led to some face to face conversation with a student, I’d welcome the opportunity to talk with them.”

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Principal Rob Reardon discusses planned changes to Essex High School’s grading scale at a board meeting last year. This school year is the first under the new system.

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Convicted sex offender arrested again By COURTNEY LAMDIN A convicted sex offender pleaded not guilty to two additional counts of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child who is related to his prior victim, court records show. The Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations arrested 61-year-old Daniel J. Beaudoin of Essex Jct. last summer after learning he’d engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with a child who was only 8 or 9 years old at the time, an affidavit from Detective Cpl. Rene Young says. The incidents occurred in 2014, the same year Beaudoin was arrested for lewd and lascivious conduct with this latest victim’s then-14-yearold sibling. This victim had denied being abused by Beaudoin during that first investigation and only just disclosed

the abuse to their parents, four years later, the affidavit says. Beaudoin is currently on probation after being convicted in 2015 on three of four counts of lewd and lascivious behavior. The affidavit says Beaudoin is listed on the Vermont Sex Offender Registry, but he’s not found on the online version because statute doesn’t require that crime to be electronically posted, according to deputy state’s attorney Dana DiSano. The victim told police Beaudoin had exposed himself and inappropriately touched them on two occasions, once at his former Winooski apartment and once at his other residence in Essex, court documents say. The victim provided detailed descriptions of the apartment, which Beaudoin later confirmed when confronted by police. The incident

was markedly similar to Beaudoin’s prior abuse: His first victim reported he frequently exposed himself to children, the Milton Independent reported then.

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SENATE from page 1 den’s district represents a fifth of the body and holds twice as many senators as the next closest county; most rural counties have only one member. The bill, S.11, would cap senatorial district representatives at three members starting with the 2022 election. All six Chittenden senators voiced support during a floor vote earlier this month. Explaining his rationale, Ashe said Chittenden senators represent a combined population of more than 120,000 people, bringing with them thousands of phone calls,

emails and letters every year. And while some state legislators around the country have a staff to help keep up with the onslaught, legislators here are on their own. “One person with no budget can only get spread so far,” Ashe said. It’s not the first time legislators have tried to shake up the district known by some as the “Chittenden six pack,” but Ashe said his bill departs from predecessors by not prescribing how the new district should look. Instead, it puts off the change until the 2022

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election so that the state’s Legislative Apportionment Board has time to craft new political boundaries. That board, which includes two members each from Vermont’s three major parties and a chair appointed by the Vermont Supreme Court’s chief justice, offers a recommendation to the house and senate based on the 2020 census. Ashe said he’s heard no pushback from his fellow senators and expected little resistance from the House, explaining the two bodies don’t usually get involved in the other’s redistricting efforts. Critics of the Chittenden district argue the six-seat behemoth amounts to protection for incumbents, forcing challengers to spend large sums of money to compete; as Seven Days reported earlier this month, it’s been nearly 20 years since the last time a Chittenden senator ran for reelection and lost. So news of the bill’s advancement was welcome news for former Essex Jct. representative Paul Dame, who last year lost a bid for a seat in the Chittenden senate district following a successful write-in campaign during the primary. Dame believes smaller senate districts would encourage more participation in the civic process, pointing to the 2018 campaign of Republican challenger Alex Farrell, who led all fundraising efforts but

was unable to overcome the incumbents. “With smaller districts, it’s easier for people to campaign and connect with their community,” he continued. “That has the effect of encouraging more people to run, and I think that’s always healthy for our electoral process: The more competition leads us to pick a better option.” He said the bill is also good news for Essex, which currently has no direct senatorial representation despite being Vermont’s second-most populous municipality. “Not having somebody who lives here and is acquainted with what makes Essex different, it’s tough for us to be represented,” Dame said. He’s now waiting to see how many districts pop up in Chittenden’s wake, believing the county needs at least three separate districts to ensure voters have a senator who feels close to home. How that all shakes out is also a source of concern for Don Turner, the former Republican lawmaker who served as House minority leader during last redistricting effort a decade ago. He said three of the district’s six senators now live in Burlington, while his town of Milton – historically a more conservative community compared to others in Chittenden County – “really has no say in the senate right now.” “We have very little occurrence where senators even

come to Milton at any time during the year,” Turner said. So while Turner was “pleasantly surprised” to see Ashe’s proposal, he still worries the Democrats could gerrymander two liberal leaning districts to protect their newly acquired supermajority. He sees the fairest way to break up Chittenden is through single-seat districts within the county, giving each senator an equal proportion of the population. That’s similar to a plan legislators shot down during the last redistricting effort, and Turner acknowledged it’s highly unlikely it will ever happen. Still, Ashe said it’s too early to conclude that breaking up the six-pack will inevitably mean just two districts. “We might be talking about completely different numbers of senators when the 2020 census comes in,” he said, suggesting population growth could warrant an additional senator or the shifting of a Chittenden County town into another district outside county lines. As for how his bill might impact the party in power, Ashe said his Chittenden colleagues are more focused on “doing the right thing.” Turner won’t be convinced until he sees a fair redistricting result. Otherwise, he said, the bill “hasn’t changed anything other than making Tim Ashe look like a hero.”

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Police interviewed Beaudoin at his River Rd. apartment on Aug. 10, 2018. He told police he’d completed three years of sex offender therapy that gave him “tools to deal with anything questionable that should come his way,” the affidavit says. Beaudoin at first denied spending time with the victim and said he didn’t recall the incidents the victim described. “Beaudoin acknowledged that he was ‘very sick’ during this time and ‘in a bad place,’ so he was acting out of his character,” Young’s affidavit says. He later admitted he

would never think the victim would lie about what they told police, calling the child “pure and innocent.” Beaudoin pleaded not guilty to the felonies on Aug. 13, 2018 and was released on conditions to avoid contact with the victims’ family and to not have contact with children under 18 without a probation officer’s approval, court documents show. At a January status conference, the parties indicated they’d reached a resolution. Beaudoin is due back in court March 8.

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The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019 | 5

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PHOTO BY KATIE CHAPA

Alanna Freeman, an early educator at Georgia’s Next Generation, interacts with an infant during Let’s Grow Kids childcare networking event with legislators earlier this month.

Childcare crisis focus of bill Student loan relief, tax incentives part of package

By KATIE CHAPA GEORGIA — A new bill aimed at tackling the childcare crisis, could expand the state’s childcare assistance program, while providing student loan and tax support for educators in the field. House Bill 194 was introduced in the Vermont statehouse on February 8, and has the support of 70 cosponsors including Georgia’s representative, Carl Rosenquist. The legislation addresses the crisis in three different ways with a provision to increase family affordability, support childcare providers and incentivize employers to provide childcare assistance to employees. If passed, the bill would increase the number of families who are eligible for childcare assistance, by raising the eligibility cap to 350 percent of the federal poverty level. It currently stands at 300 percent. “This program has been underfunded for decades now. It’s not supporting nearly enough families and the families that are eligible are not receiving enough support,” Sarah Kenney, Senior Director of Policy at Let’s Grow Kids, said. “This year we’ve actually seen underutilization in the program because the level of support offered is still not enough for families to afford childcare, and even if they can, they can’t find it.” Kenney hopes this increase will continue every year, until every family in need has access to no less than 25 percent assistance from the state. The bill would also provide assistance to childcare providers in the field. According to Kenney, the median wage for these workers is

$12.71, which does not qualify as a livable wage. “As we work towards the long term progress of raising these wages, in the short term, we know that one of the biggest obstacles for early educators is paying back student debt,” Kenney said. That’s why, Kenney says, the bill includes a student loan repayment support program. If passed, the legislation would provide repayment to educators that finish their degree and then go and work in the field. The bill would also provide scholarships for early educators interested in pursuing a degree or higher credentials. The third piece of the legislation includes supports for businesses and their employees. H.B. 194 would establish a tax credit to companies who provide scholarships for workers to afford childcare, or who make direct donations to childcare. “This bill is going to have a bit of a price tag to it, it’s actually a big price tag. But we know that in order to make change on behalf of families and children, we need to be investing in this issue,” Kenney told a group of community members at an event held by Let’s Grow Kids in Georgia Monday night. Childcare providers, local legislators of Franklin and Grand Isle counties and concerned community members gathered at Georgia’s Next Generation to show their support for H.B. 194. The event gave concerned constituents a chance to talk to their representatives and voice their own personal hardships with the childcare crisis. Georgia resident, Emily Grimes, was one of these voices. See CHILDCARE, page 11

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Youth on

Board By DaviD voegele Executive director of Essex CHIPS

Henry Wu is a talented musician with a growing reputation. He also happens to be a 16 year old junior at Essex High School. I asked him how he felt about his community. He responded, “I’m proud to call Essex my home because of the supportive community that surrounds me and enables me to give back. Outside of school, I am involved in many different activities aimed at improving our youth and our community, especially through music… As the regional director of Back to BACH, I organize performances at elementary schools to inspire kids to learn music and teach them the value of hard work and passion.” I asked Henry about his activities in school. “Essex High School has plenty of clubs and activities dedicated to nearly any kind of interest one can think of…In school, I enjoy furthering my exploration of learning through Scholars’ Bowl (a fast-paced team academic quiz competition) and Math League. As the head of the Activities Committee in Student Government, I coordinate school events such as Winter Ball that help bring together students and faculty.” As with most of the other youth I have interviewed, I wanted to know his thoughts about how teens can serve their community, given how Quality coverage at competitive rates with superior service ratessuperior with superior coverage at competitive QualityQuality coverage at competitive rates with serviceservice Quality coverage athighest competitive Quality Quality rates coverage coverage with superior at at at competitive competitive service rates rates with with superior superior service service much the schools and comQuality coverage at competitive rates with superior service ...we maintain the standards ofwith quality for all our clients. coverage superior at competitive competitive service rates rates with with superior superior service service Quality coverage at competitive Quality Quality rates rates superior service Quality coverage at competitive of quality for all our clients. Quality coverage at competitive Quality Quality rates coverage coverage with superior atwith at competitive competitive service rates rates with with superior superior service service ...we maintain highest standards Quality coverage atthe competitive rates with superior service ...we maintain the highest standards ofcoverage quality for all our clients. ...we maintain thethe highest ...we standards ...we maintain maintain of quality quality thethe the highest highest for for all standards our standards clients. of of of quality quality forfor for allall all our our clients. clients.munity support them. “It’s ...we maintain the highest standards of quality for all our clients. the highest highest for all standards our standards clients. of quality quality for all our our clients. clients. ...we maintain the highest ...we standards ...we maintain maintain of of all clients. ...we maintain highest standards ...we maintain the highest ...we standards ...we maintain maintain of quality thethe highest highest forquality all standards our standards clients. ofour of quality quality for for allall our our clients. clients. possible to serve the commu...we maintain the highest standards of quality for all our clients. Auto • Home Home • Commercial Commercial and Innovative Innovative • Competitive Competitive Workers Comp. nity through sports, academ• Workers Comp. Auto • • and utoAuto • Auto Home • Commercial and Innovative • Competitive Workers Comp. • Home Home • Commercial Commercial Auto Auto •and and Home •and Home Innovative • Commercial Commercial • Commercial Commercial • Competitive Competitive and and Innovative Innovative Workers • Comp. Comp. Competitive • Competitive Competitive Workers Workers Comp. Comp. • Commercial Home • Auto Commercial Innovative • Competitive Competitive Workers Comp. • and and Innovative Innovative Workers • Competitive • Workers Workers Comp. Comp. ics, education, art, language, • Comp. • • • Home • Home • • • Home • Commercial Innovative to •Auto Home • Auto •Auto and Home •Auto Home Innovative •and Commercial •Innovative Commercial Competitive and and Innovative Innovative Workers •Workers Comp. Competitive • Competitive Workers Workers Comp. Comp. Auto •Auto Home • Commercial and Innovative • Competitive Workers Comp. and more… The activism efforts of youth such as the

HeNRY WU Parkland students are inspiring and heroic…it’s important to remember that we should try to make a difference using what we have and what we love…I care about making a difference in my community using my passions and talents”. Did Henry have any advice for younger students? “I would encourage all students to dedicate themselves to what they believe in, using what they enjoy.” As another example of his own community involvement, Henry told me he is a member of SoundCheck, a social justice band comprised of Vermont high school students. The day after I had asked to interview Henry, I was surprised to see his picture in the Randolph newspaper, regarding his upcoming Vermont Philharmonic performance there. Did I happen mention that Henry Wu is the first Vermonter to receive the Presidential Award for the Arts? Interestingly, although he had referenced his activities in our interview, he had not spoken of this amazing recognition of his talent. I liked that. Henry Wu is an active, thoughtful, accomplished and modest young man. Just another local teen strengthening the fabric of our community.

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Opi ni On Letters to the editor Supporting Irene hearty endorse Irene for another term on the selectboard. Without qualifiers, Irene is totally dedicated, spending the time and effort necessary to do the very best job she can. When proposals were presented, Irene spent the necessary time researching the issue, trying to understand both the advantages and disadvantages, and only then voicing support or concern. I’ve had the opportunity to discuss with Irene, on many occasions, proposals before the board. Although we didn’t always land on the same page, I found Irene had truly studied the issue, and thus could articulate both the perceived advantages, and unexpected consequences. Local taxes were another issue discussed, Irene sharing concern for the insidious creeping-up of taxes, and the impact on residents and business. For Essex to continue to remain financially viable, and a preferred place to live and raise children, we must elect to the selectboard individuals that are truly knowledgeable. Individuals that have an understanding of the basic tenets of governance, the ability to address diverse issues, and a willingness, and dedication to spend the time and effort necessary to do the job with fairness and equity. I feel Irene is such a person. She is truly a public servant. When casting your vote, do consider Irene, it would be most unfortunate not to have her back on the selectboard. We need her knowledge, experience, abilities, dedication, and the willingness and stamina to speak out when the situation so demands.

The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019 | 7

situation in the community, working to keep residents up to date as to what was happening. Knowing Pat’s hard work and dedication to the residents of Essex, and, as the daughter of two former selectboard members, I know the work that is involved. I feel Pat will be an outstanding member of the Essex selectboard. I will be voting for Pat on March 5, and I ask you to join me in casting your vote for Patrick Murray. Robyn Myers Moore Another vote for Irene have known Irene Wrenner for several years. I can honestly say that she is one of the few politicians who understands the ins and of issues in both the Town and the Village. She is known for advocating for Essex residents and their needs and for raising key questions about issues in selectboard discussions. She is very knowledgeable about local politics. When she presents an opinion on an issue, she has already done the research. I will certainly vote for her.

Mary-Ann Parizo, Retired Essex Junction House Representative

Vote for Irene ote for Irene Wrenner on March 5. She has been a strong advocate for Essex residents, and has been willing to take a stand on important issues that have saved taxpayers money. She has a range of experience and depth of understanding of the issues facing the town that will serve all residents going forward. Re-elect her on March 5th.

Supporting Irene for selectboard lease support Irene Wrenner in her run for re-election to the Essex selectboard. I had the pleasure to serve alongside Irene and can share from this first hand experience that Irene is incredibly dedicated, thorough, and passionate in all she does to ensure that the Town of Essex remains the amazing community in which we all choose to live. Irene goes above and beyond in her efforts to engage with all members of our community, and listens conscientiously for all actionable input. She is committed to ensuring that every voice in this community is treated fairly and respectfully. We need her perspective and experience to remain on the selectboard, especially as we embark on the important activities of planning for the future of governance across our community. Please join me in supporting Irene at the polls on Tuesday March 5th.

Niel Christiansen

Sue Cook

Supporting Irene ’ve been a resident of Essex for the past twenty years – not much interested in politics initially until one day this young lady came to my door and asked me to vote. Oh, not just vote for this person but a much longer conversation about many things, things that I considered important. This began for me an interest in politics and a belief that things can be made not just better but also guided and helped to become as best as they could become. That is what I’ve watched and observed in Irene Wrenner over the years; she is an inspiration and guide for things to become as good as they can be. How does she do this? It’s not complex; it’s through tireless, precise, meticulous work on any given project. She has dedicated her life to the Town of Essex for many years in many ways. Most prominently serving on the selectboard for years and guiding it through many difficult and contentious issues. She is a hard worker! She shows up for meetings!!! She is particularly vigilant about proper process, spending much time and effort ensuring that staff and elected officials work for the greater good and not for a faction nor a fraction of the electorate. She listens to the voters; indeed, she seeks out their opinions going door to door asking what people think about issues and requesting their input on how they would vote. She does this not just once but again and again. I accompanied her one time and was amazed at the vast number of people she knew and who knew her just from her going door to door year after year. In this day and age, who does that? She is someone who seeks to keep taxation equitable which is not as simple as it might seem to some and which in the end will leave people on all sides of the issues feeling dissatisfied. But if everyone is to be treated equally, then everyone is going to have to give up something to get something else. She has promoted fair taxation and equitable representation. She has rejected wasteful spending; she has demanded transparency and improved communication between Town government and town-wide taxpayers. Irene ran for office to make a difference and she has; she has been a successful check-and-balance on powerful self-interested parties. She seeks objective truths and demands just outcomes. She doesn’t mince words! Re-elect Wrenner. The next person she will fight for at town hall may just be you!

Another vote for Irene ince joining the Essex Energy Committee in 2016, I have been continuously impressed by Irene Wrenner’s commitment to public service, and her institutional knowledge of the Essex Community. Irene has guided our Energy Committee from relative dormancy to a point where we are now viewed as a model for other Vermont energy committees, having signed up the largest number of participants of any municipality this past year for the Button Up weatherization program. Irene played a pivotal role in Button Up and the committee’s other efforts through her terrific relationships with municipal staff and other community leaders, and her second-to-none understanding of how to make government and quasi-public organizations like Efficiency VT accountable to Essex residents. I count myself fortunate to have witnessed her in action with the selectboard, even more lucky to work with her on the Energy Committee, and most blessed to count her among my friends. Having someone on the Essex selectboard and other committees genuinely dedicated to public service is a true gem; and having bona fide expertise is all the more precious still. With Irene, we have both. Please join me in voting for Irene at the March 2019 town meeting.

Paul Austin, Essex, Vt.

John Sheppard Supporting Patrick Murray t gives me a great deal of pleasure to endorse the candidacy of Patrick Murray for a seat on the Essex selectboard. I have known Pat for about 12 years. We first met during our involvement in a community theater troupe. Pat started out as an actor and eventually become the producer/director for the event that has raised thousands of dollars for non-profit organizations including Essex Chips. I have also been impressed with Pat’s service on the Essex Westford School District Board. He has devoted a significant amount of time working to ensure that the school district board is responsive to the needs of our students. I was very appreciative of the posts Pat made on social media concerning the convoluted busing

Will Dodge Elect Annie Cooper write in support of Annie Cooper for Essex selectboard. Annie’s respect and appreciation for our community runs deep and is evidenced by her engagement with our children and her willingness to take on the thankless task of moderating our online community. I’m ready for Essex to move past the divisive rhetoric that has at times consumed our community dialogue. Annie’s respectful and thoughtful advocacy will serve Essex well.

Corey Wood Supporting Annie Cooper am writing in support of Annie Cooper for the Essex selectboard. I have known Annie for many years through her swim instruction and have always been impressed by her ability to communicate with both kids and adults in a way that makes them both feel heard and valued. She listens and is thoughtful in what she says and how she says it. Annie has spoken about the Essex community and the difference it has made in her life; I believe that is why she is so passionate about serving on the board and giving back to the community. I hope you will join me in giving her that chance. Vote for Annie Cooper on March 5th.

Sheila Porter Supporting Murray, Cooper fter reading candidate profiles in the Essex Reporter and watching Channel 17 Essex Selectboard Candidate Forums, I will be casting my vote for Patrick Murray and Annie Cooper for Essex selectboard. Both are committed to the best interests of Essex now, and towards the future, as we work on becoming one community. I’ve especially appreciated Patrick’s work as EWSD Board communicator and his emphasis on infrastructure improvement in See LETTERS, page 8 our town. We need this voice! Annie Cooper is well

8 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019

LETTERS

known as the cheerleader for our Essex community! She loves our town and will serve it well. I encourage you to join me and vote for Annie and Patrick! Vote early at 81 Main St. or on March 5 from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. at Essex High School (Junction) or Essex Middle School (Town). And… let’s get our voting numbers up! Your vote is your voice. Cast your vote no matter who you support. continued from page 7

Bridget Meyer Cooper, Murray my choices n March 5 I will be voting for Annie Cooper and Patrick Murray for Selectboard. Patrick’s work on the Essex-Westford School District Board highlights his concern for the vibrancy of our community. Having a school board member also serving as a member of the selectboard will build an important bridge between the two major public service institutions in Essex. I am excited to see what this collaboration might produce. Annie Cooper is a gem for Essex. I am continually amazed at the number of people who know Annie as a swimming instructor who has helped their children grow and thrive. I have watched her take on new tasks with energy and enthusiasm – most recently as the moderator of the EssexVT Facebook page, a job no one wanted. Really, who wants to referee a social media website? Now, I’m watching meaning, respectful conversations emerge. I think she can do the same to the conversations at the selectboard level. Please remember to vote on March 5 at the polls, perhaps by voting early by requesting a ballot from the Town Clerk at 81 Main Street.

Greg Morgan Support Murray for selectboard have been working with Pat Murray on the EWSD School board for almost two years. In that time, Pat has demonstrated a deep commitment to our community and the issues that connect and divide us. He is smart, thoughtful, articulate and curious - always asking hard questions about how we can do and be better as a whole. Pat is deeply involved in building an equitable school district and all that entails, including strong working relationships with the Village and the Town outside the Village. Serving on both boards will benefit all entities and allow for our community to be the best it can be. Please join me in supporting Pat Murray for Essex Selectboard.

Liz Subin Supporting Annie Cooper wholeheartedly support Annie Cooper for Essex Selectboard. Annie lives and breathes all things Essex — she possesses an unsurpassed passion for, interest in, and dedication to our community. She is a tireless worker, a selfless individual, and an unwaveringly honest person. Anyone that has met her, even briefly, knows that she is also relentlessly transparent and would bring that quality to the selectboard. Finally, she cares about and solicits a variety of viewpoints and opinions and will thoughtfully consider opposing views before making a decision. What else can I say? Go vote for her— before or on March 5th.

Elizabeth Minadeo Another Murray supporter t was with great pleasure that I signed Patrick Murray’s petition to run for Selectboard. As a fellow school board member and JP, I have watched this member of the communication subcommittee do a great job. I am particularly impressed with his ability to answer questions on EssexVT as the need arises and post the highlights of board meetings in various locations. Many of you may have met him there answering your questions. Patrick fought for both the students and the residents, for example, taking a stand on transportation equity a few months ago. As the lack of CDL drivers is confounding so many of us, he has pushed to get a guarantee of transport for our youngest students. His effort has not gone unnoticed. I believe he will apply

Opi ni On that same effort while serving on the Selectboard. I’m voting for him on March 5. How about you? Diane Clemens Endorsing Annie Cooper support Annie Cooper for the Essex Selectboard. It was about 12 years ago that I met this wonderful and unique swimming instructor at The Edge, while I was working with people from Champlain Community Services. I was enthralled on a daily basis by her enthusiasm, patience and kindness while working with children, and with Annie’s sincere interest and respect towards my clients. After working in Essex Jct. for a number of years, I moved to this wonderful community 10 years ago. As I have become better acquainted with Annie, I have been most impressed by her inquisitiveness and by her moral compass. Whether volunteering extensively, working with Positive Youth Sports Alliance, moderating the Essex Vt. Facebook page, teaching a generation of kids to brave the water, or just generally “showing up” when it counts, Annie has done her homework. You don’t have to always agree with her to have faith that Annie will more than diligently investigate every issue, listening closely to all involved, and work hard to make decisions that will benefit us all.

Jan Morse Viewpoint: Wrenner a divisive force s a co-leader of the Heart & Soul process a few years ago, we had the opportunity to engage with almost 1,000 residents of Essex. During that process we discovered that people across the community (including people in the village and people living in the town outside the village) share a great deal of community pride and love. We also found that people have much in common across boundaries. One of the themes we heard loud and clear is that most community members have little understanding of the squabbles our leaders were having over village vs town outside the village issues. They experienced Essex as one community, and wanted our leaders to behave more like the rest of us...enjoying all that our community (both the more rural and more urban parts) has to offer. People wanted to see more collaboration and alignment across the municipalities. Our community can no longer afford to be represented by a long time selectboard member whose divisive tactics and rhetoric continue to stall progress and strain the civic ties that bind us. Irene Wrenner has been dedicated to her position, and no doubt means well. However, her tenure has been very costly to our community. Her strategy is to wait until a public process has played out almost to the finish line and then come forward with reasons the process is flawed and should be derailed. These tactics are financially costly (especially when they involve holding revotes or failed votes). These tactics also carry a large civic cost. For example, during the recent attempt to join the village and town recreation departments, a large committee of volunteer community members worked with the skilled leaders of both the town and village recreation departments. They studied the issue, engaged with the community, and proposed a plan. It is sad to think that many of those people, who came together in good faith to try to find a creative solution, will think long and hard before participating again in the public life of our community. Their recommendations were attacked and maligned and ultimately rejected by the voters after a strenuous effort led by Irene to discredit their work. The financial, and civic cost of this approach doesn’t include the huge price we pay in opportunity costs, as leaders continue to spend lots of time and money rehashing old issues that could have been solved long ago, rather than being proactive about planning for our future. Irene will argue she is fighting for transparency and that she is willing to stand up and say the truth even when it is unpopular. What I have observed, though, is that our village and town government, while not perfect by any means, is reasonably transparent, and seems to be dedicated to finding solutions that are in the best interest of the whole community.

Asking tough questions of our elected officials and paid staff is important and I support that. However, working to derail the consensus of community entities after they have completed their work and made their recommendations is not in keeping with the spirit of how our local democracy should work. I do not enjoy writing a letter like this. In fact, I have known Irene for a long time. I look forward to seeing her at community events, and appreciate her dedication to the community. However, her tactics are misguided and continue to do damage to the civic fabric of our community. With the upcoming election, it is time to seize the opportunity to move beyond this needlessly divisive and demoralizing approach to local politics. I encourage everyone who cares about the future of our community to vote for Patrick Murray and Annie Cooper for selectboard. These two candidates have a broad network of relationships with community members from all parts of our community. They are thoughtful and fair minded, and will help our community move forward. Susan McCormack

Vote Murray on March 5 am writing today in strong support of Patrick Murray for selectboard. Patrick and I first met while serving on the core leadership for Nightmare and Spookyville Vermont. We initially struggled to find common ground, but over the last few years I am proud to now call him a highly respected friend. In his role at Nightmare he was a key part in the conversation and decisions each year about what local causes would be beneficiaries. Over the years he helped raise over $100,000 for Women Helping Battered Women, Camp Exclamation Point, and several other Rotarian causes. When we moved to the Expo a few years ago, Patrick was a strong vocal advocate for giving some of the money we raised back to our community. He was strong champion for Del’s Ride, which supports a rare disease that a beautiful little girl in Essex is fighting. Patrick has continued to give back as a volunteer on many committees, boards and teams. He has been a strong vocal advocate for every family that lives in the EWSD in his role on the school board, where he consistently advocates for the equity for all students. The level of maturity and respect he brings to his board role has been easy to see from the way he engaged with families on social media during high tension periods due to transportation issues. Patrick has never just represented one part of our community on the school board and I know he will continue to bring that same level of balance and advocacy for all the residents in the Town and Junction on the selectboard. We need people committed to bridging the gap between the Junction and the Town so that our community can move forward together. As a School Board member, Patrick has consistently shown his integrity, passion and dedication to the Essex community. Patrick’s focus on transparency, decency and respect playing a key role in all communication is a large part of why I am looking forward to voting for him on March 5th, and I hope you will too.

Katie Ballard

Supporting Wrenner am writing on behalf of Irene Wrenner, who is running for re-election on the Essex selectboard. I have know Irene and her family for 20+ years. Irene has always worked tirelessly for the public good. She asks the questions that are needed to clarify issues for her constituents. Tough questions, detailed questions, probing questions; these are not necessarily consensus-building questions, but they must be asked, and answered. In these over-busy, over-scheduled times when there is so much news to digest, Irene gets to the point and keeps the public informed. I urge you to vote to return Irene Wrenner to our selectboard.

Deb Stender See LETTERS, page 9

The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019 | 9

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Obituaries Jean M. Gonyea Jean M. Gonyea 72, of Essex, Vt., passed away peacefully on February 9, 2019 at her residence with her family by her side. Jean was born on September 23, 1946 in Saint Albans, Vt., and grew up in Grand Isle. She later built her forever home in Essex Junction, Vt.. Jean was employed at IBM for 25 years doing various tasks. She met many friends including her life partner Raymond. She was also very artistic and crafty; it later became her hobby after leaving IBM. Jean was incredibly inspiring on the work she did whether it was painting, crocheting. or sewing American Girl doll clothing. Her craft shows were her motivation, as her family and friends were. She made several crafting friends while she had her business, Spool and Brush. She will surely be missed by many. She had such a beautiful smile; her heart was always so warming. She was an amazing mother, grandmother, partner, and friend. She touched so many heart and souls. Jean leaves behind her life partner Raymond Elliott of Essex Jct, Vt., and her two sons Todd (Denise) Gonyea of Williston, Vt., and Scott Gonyea of Saint Albans, Vt., and his partner Priscilla Murray. Her grandchildren Kaitlyn LaRock of Shelburne,Vt, and Matthew of Williston, and many others she took under her wing. Everyone called her “Gramma Jean.” Also left is her daughter “she never had” Kathy FitzGerald of West Rutland, Vt.. Her sister Barbara (Robert) Joslin of Bennington, Vt, along with her nieces and nephews. A celebration of Jean’s life will be held on Saturday, March 2, from noon to 2 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 30 Lincoln Street, Essex Junction.

Essex Reporter obituary policy The Essex Reporter prints obituaries for a flat fee of $45 for the first 300 words, plus 39 cents per word thereafter. Obituaries must be prepaid before publication. Contact us at news@ essexreporter. com today to place an obituary or in memoriam.

REP. dyLAN GIAMBATISTA (d)

REP. BOB BANCROFT (R)

lindakmyers@comcast.net, 878-3514

dylan@vtdylan.com, 734-8841

bancroft.vt@gmail.com, 879-7386

REP. MARyBETH REdMONd (d)

REP. LORI HOUGHTON (d)

marybethredmond@comcast.net, 488-0531

houghton.lori@gmail.com, 373-0599

s e By Linda K. Myers . n s you read this, the Vermont Legislature is in its seventh a week of the current session with committees in the House e -and Senate starting to rev up action on bills, hoping to get deciesions before the Legislature takes time off for Town Meeting dweek. As I noted in my last column, I am serving on the House hAppropriations Committee this biennium. While the other sHouse committees work on a variety of bills and issues during tthe session, my committee is focused on the State budget, known las “The Big Bill,” which is based on the budget prepared by the e Governor. n Before we received the Governor’s budget, we started workping on the Budget Adjustment Act (BAA), legislation that takes a -look at the FY2019 budget and, with one half of the fiscal year aldready over, determines what changes need to be made in funding -to keep the State fiscally solvent until June 30. The House voted .unanimously on the House BAA, H.97, and sent it to the Senate. tThe Senate made changes to the House version and my commitetee is seeing if we will come to agreement with the Senate. n However, as soon as the BAA left our committee we started crafting the FY2020 budget. We have been reviewing the narrative and numbers in the Governor’s budget (which totals 1088 pages), interviewing all agencies of the administration. We work

- LeTTers

chittenden 8-3

chittenden 8-2

REP. LINdA MyERS (R)

Cooper a listener am writing in support of Annie Coocontinued from page 7 per for the Essex Selectboard. I have cknown Annie for many years through her swim instruction and have always been impressed by her ability to communicate with yboth kids and adults in a way that makes them both feel heard and valued. She listens and is thoughtful in what she says and how she says it. Annie has spoken about the Essex community and the difference it has made in her life; I believe that is why she -is so passionate about serving on the board and giving back to the community. I hope you will join me in giving her that chance. Vote for Annie Cooper on March 5th. r Sheila Porter

What do you think?

RepoRteR 281 North Main St. St. albans, vt. 05468 EDITORIAL: 893-2028 ADVERTISING: 524-9771 news@essexreporter.com www.essexreporter.com facebook.com/essexreporter twitter: @essexreporter

EditoriaL ExEcutivE Editor Michelle Monroe michelle@essexreporter.com SportS Editor Josh Kaufmann josh@samessenger.com rEportErS Colin Flanders colin@essexreporter.com

MESSAGES FROM MONTPELIER chittenden 8-1

the essex

CHITTENdEN COUNTy SENATORS Tim Ashe (D/P), Phil Baruth (D), Debbie Ingram (D), Ginny Lyons (D), Chris Pearson (D/P), Michael Sirotkin (D) email: firstinitial.lastname@leg.state.vt.us

five full days a week on the numbers and language of the budget, with a deadline of March 22 (crossover) to have the budget ready to move over to the Senate. Money bills that have to pass in this session must move to the other chamber by that date. My main focus in the FY2020 budget is the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD). I am looking at the proposed funding for the administration of the agency as well as state economic development, housing and community development, tourism and marketing, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, the Vermont Council on the Arts, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, the Vermont Historical Society, and the Vermont Humanities Council. I am learning a lot about these departments and the cost of maintaining services to Vermonters, while determining what affect the requests in the budget will have on taxpayers. Serving on Appropriations is a change from my 17 previous years in the Legislature where I worked on policy. I have commented to my fellow legislators that “for many years I worked with words, but now I am working with numbers.” That said, I find the work fascinating. If you have questions about what is happening in Montpelier, call me at 878-3514 and leave a message, or email me at: lmyers@leg.state.vt.us or lindakmyers@comcast.net. I will get back to you as soon as I can.

supporting irene e are writing this letter in support of Irene Wrenner’s candidacy for re-election to the Essex selectboard. She is deeply engaged in governance issues and has served with great integrity and transparency on the selectboard since 2007. She is an excellent communicator and an independent voice for residents in both the Town and the Village. We strongly support Irene Wrenner as an experienced and hard-working candidate.

Madeline Clark madeline@essexreporter.com Amanda Brooks amanda@essexreporter.com NEWS & SportS cLErK aNd caLENdar Ben Chiappinelli ben@essexreporter.com

buSiNESS oFFicE co-pubLiShErS Emerson & Suzanne Lynn emerson@samessenger.com gENEraL MaNagEr Suzanne Lynn suzanne@samessenger.com advErtiSiNg Taylor Walters taylor.walters@essexreporter.com cLaSSiFiEdS & LEgaLS Ben Letourneau ben.letourneau@samessenger.com

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10 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019

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PHOTO BY AMANDA BROOKS

Jillian Turner feeds vegetable scraps to her chickens. She said customers who rent chickens from her business can do the same in addition to feeding them the food provided in the rental package.

Colchester franchise brings rental fowl to Vermont By AMANDA BROOKS

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@essexreporter

There are stores and online retailers for renting almost anything these days: DVDs, tuxes, tents and even textbooks for college courses. Now, chickens have been added to that list. Colchester resident Jillian Turner is making it possible for people in northwestern Vermont to try out taking care of chickens and collecting fresh eggs every morning without the long-term commitment of ownership by renting them instead. Turner started working in December for Rent the Chicken, a Pennsylvania-based company that has over 60 franchises across the U.S. and Canada. She said she provides the chickens, coop, feed and other equipment to customers and Rent the Chicken owners, Phil and Jenn Tompkins, take care of customer service and web design. Customers can choose to rent two or four chickens for the warmer months from May to October. Turner said two

chickens will produce between eight and 14 eggs a week, and double that for four. Turner said she delivers the chickens and all necessary equipment to customers up to 50 miles away for free: after that, it’s a dollar per mile. If renters fall in love with their chickens, there’s an option to buy them from the company, either with or without the coop. Turner and her boyfriend, Sy Reaves, have already started building coops for potential customers, with a design they created themselves. The coops are small, light and mobile: she said even elderly folks or older children shouldn’t have a problem moving it around. While the chickens don’t need a lot of space, they do need fresh grass every day, Turner said, which is why the coops are on wheels. She said customers can even let their chickens free range if they keep a close eye on them. “Let the chickens out of their coop in the afternoon, sit down and have a glass of wine and watch them run around,”

Turner suggested. “It’s actually really fun; we call it ‘chicken T.V.’” Turner said she would recommend renting chickens to people who aren’t sure how to get started, or don’t know if it’s something they can do long term yet. “It’s kinda neat for people who are not sure if they really want to commit, especially this time of year, it’s really hard,” she said, explaining that keeping chickens in the winter time is more difficult with snow covering the ground. “And [if] they don’t really know a whole lot about having chickens and kind of just want to ease into it, it’s a really good way to do that.” She said it’s also convenient for people who travel south for the winter, or a fun activity for kids in the summertime. “Jenn and Phil said a lot of kids don’t even know where eggs come from,” Turner said. “They think they just go to the grocery store, pick them out See CHICKEN, page 11

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CHICKEN from page 10

of the cooler, and that’s where they come from.” Turner said renting chickens can also provide natural pest control for customers’ yards. She said after she contracted lyme disease from a tick bite, she decided to get chickens to help with the problem. “The dogs would come in with ticks on them, the horses had ticks on them, we had ticks on us,” she explained. “But I haven’t found a tick in my yard since the chickens have been here, which is really amazing.” Turner said she has two customers in line for coops already, one of whom, after 15

years, convinced her husband to make the rental a birthday present. Turner hopes to have at least five customers for her first year in business, possibly bumping that number up to 10 if everything goes well. Turner said she also wants to start offering another service from Rent the Chicken called Hatch the Chicken, where customers can watch the hatching process from egg to chick in their very own incubator. She said families with kids, schools, daycares and even senior centers are possible customers. Turner has 26 of her own chickens, as well as eight ducks, two rabbits, two dogs, four horses and several cats, many of which are rescues. She said she’s always loved animals and horses in particular, and actually boarded her childhood horse in the barn at

CHIlDCARE from page 5 Grimes has an 8-year-old and a 4-year-old son. The busy mother of two is also a preschool teacher at Essex Elementary School. She first became concerned with the lack of affordable high quality childcare when she became pregnant with her first child. “My husband and I were just starting out in our careers, and we couldn’t afford to stay home with our son for more than 8-weeks. So we had to take our little guy and find someone to take care of him for 40 hours a week,” Grimes said. Luckily, the young couple found an older woman who was a perfect fit. Nicknamed Mi-Mi, she ended up becoming almost like an extension of the family, Grimes said. “But it stretched our budget. Even giving her everything we could give, we were not paying her what she deserved.” Grimes said. The young couple was paying the woman $4 an hour, with no time off and no included benefits. “To this day it’s hard for me to understand how childcare can be such a financial burden

her current house. While she works full time in the radiology department at the University of Vermont Medical Center, Turner said owning chickens and now participating in Rent the Chicken has been a “fun, creative outlet.” She said it’s a joy to come home from a stressful day at work to a bunch of chickens running up to her, looking for treats. She added the chickens are friendly towards people, and that she always treats them like pets and not livestock. All of her chickens have names, she said. When the rental period ends, she said she and members of her family will take care of the chickens over the winter months: “They’re friends, not food!” she exclaimed. To learn more, visit rentthechicken.com.

for families, and yet we can’t pay our providers nearly what they deserve,” Grimes said. Between her two boys, Grimes has gone through six different childcare payments. At times, she says, the couple’s childcare budget is stretched to be almost as much as their house mortgage. Grimes, herself, working in the field, knows first hand the struggle between paying for childcare and earning the money deserved for childcare. That’s why she’s become a volunteer with Let’s Grow Kids, and is urging legislators to pass H.B. 194. Discussion of the bill begins this week within the House Human Services committee. Kenney says the bill will likely be taken up in the next week or two. In the mean time, Kenney along with other childcare supporters are urging community members passionate about this issue to speak up. “It’s really important for us to be talking to our legislators about how critically important this issue is, and urge their support for this bill,” Kenney said. “Let’s find the resources the state is going to need to be able to do this.”

EWSD investigating smelly playground at Founders By AMANDA BROOKS The Essex Westford School District (EWSD) is investigating a foul odor at the Founders Memorial School playground. A staff member informed principal Wendy Cobb of the smell, which was emanating from portions of the playground last week, said EWSD chief operating officer Brian Donahue. Parents also took to Facebook with reports of their children’s snow gear coming home smelling sour. Cobb sent out an initial email to parents when the odor was first reported, saying the school and the district are investigating the issue. Samples of ice were sent out for testing at Endyne Environmental Laboratories. In an updated email to parents sent out Monday night, Cobb wrote that initial test results showed no unusual coliform or E. coli levels, but the district is still waiting for additional test results. The district was also in contact with the contractor who connected the building to the municipal sewer over the summer and determined that all work was done “according to best practices.” Cobb also wrote that no other schools in the district have reported similar odors, eliminating the possibility of the bad smell coming from wood chips, which were spread out at multiple schools over the summer. She said the district also checked with the wood chip distributor and determined they operated in compliance with company policies. Donahue said he has been in contact with the Bellwether School in Williston, which reported similar foul odors earlier in the month. EWSD also reached out to the Agency of Natural Resources, which is helping the district on remedying the issue. Founders students have had recess indoors for the past week and a half due to the odor, Cobb said, adding that student and staff safety is the primary concern of the district. Recess will be held indoors until the cause and possible remedy of the smell can be determined, but Cobb said they may reopen some areas of the playground that were unaffected by the smell.

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News tip? Email news@essexreporter.com

12 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019

FEB 21 21 Thursday Food shelF

CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH - 61 Main St., Essex Jct., 878-8341. James Gangwer, pastor. Sunday School: 10 a.m., Worship Service: 11 a.m., Sunday evening worship: 6 p.m., Wednesday evening youth groups, Adult Bible study and prayer: 7 p.m.; Fundamental-Independent. CHRIST MEMORIAL CHURCH - Route 2A, Williston, just north of Industrial Ave. 878-7107. Wes Pastor, lead pastor, proclaiming Christ and Him crucified, Sundays: 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., www.cmcvermont.org. COVENANT COMMUNITY CHURCH - 1 Whitcomb Meadows Lane, Essex Jct. 879-4313. Rev. Jeannette Conver, pastor. Adult bible class: 9 a.m., Sunday service: 10 a.m. with fellowship following. Infant through pre-K childcare provided, cccpastorjeannette@gmail.com; Facebook page: bit.ly/2rDz4NE DAYBREAK COMMUNITY CHURCH - 67 Creek Farm Plaza, Colchester. 338-9118. Jesse Mark, lead pastor. Sunday service: 10:30 a.m., www.daybreakvermont.org; brentdaybreak@gmail.com ESSEX ALLIANCE CHURCH - 37 Old Stage Road, Essex Jct. 878-8213. Sunday services: 8:00am, 9:30am & 11:00am, www.essexalliance.org. ESSEX CENTER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - 119 Center Rd (Route 15), Essex. 878-8304. Rev. Mitchell Hay, pastor. Service 10:00 am with Sunday School and childcare provided. We offer a variety of small groups for prayer, Bible study, hands-on ministry, and studying contemporary faith issues. Please join us for worship that combines the best of traditional and contemporary music and spirituality. We are a safe and welcoming space for all people to celebrate, worship, ask questions and plant spiritual roots. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF ESSEX JUNCTION - UCC, an Open and Affirming Congregation, embracing diversity and affirming the dignity and worth of every person, because we are all created by a loving God. 1 Church Street, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Telephone (802) 878-5745; Website: www.fccej.org Email: welcome@fccej.org Senior Pastor, Rev. Mark Mendes, Assoc. Pastor, Rev. Josh Simon. Sunday Worship Services: 8:30 and 10:15 am. Communion: first Sunday of every month. Faith Formation meets weekly at 10:15 am. Jr. & High School Youth Groups on Sundays. Heavenly Food Pantry – second Monday, 5:30-7:30pm; fourth Thursday, 2-6pm, except for Nov & Dec when it is the third Thursday. Essex Eats Out Community Dinner – 1st Friday of the month, 5:30 – 7pm. Music includes Sanctuary Choir, Finally @ First Band, Joyful Noise, Cherub Music, Handbell Choir, Men’s Acapella and Ladies’ Acapella groups. GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - 130 Maple Street, Essex Jct., 1 mile south of the Five Corners on Maple Street / Route 117. 8788071. Worship Sundays: 9:30 a.m., with concurrent church school pre-K to grade 6. Handicapped-accessible facility. Adult choir, praise band, women’s fellowship, missionally active. Korean U.M.C. worship Sundays: 12 p.m., come explore what God might be offering you! HOLY FAMILY - ST. LAWRENCE PARISH - St. Lawrence: 158 West St., Essex Jct. 878.5331. Saturday Vigil: 4:00 p.m.; Sunday Morning: 8:00 a.m. Holy Family: 36 Lincoln St., Essex Jct., Sundays: 11 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. For more information visit www.hfslvt.org. MT. MANSFIELD UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP - 195 Vermont Route 15, Jericho, the red barn across from Packard Road. 899-2558. Services are held 9:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Sunday of each month from September through June. Visit www.mmuuf.org. ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH - 4 St. James Place, Essex Jct., off Rt. 2A at the Fairgrounds Gate F. 878-4014. Rev. Kim Hardy. Holy Eucharist, Sundays: 10 a.m. Visit www.stjamesvt.org; office@stjamesvt. com. ST. PIUS X CHURCH - 20 Jericho Road, Essex. 878-5997. Rev. Charles Ranges, pastor. Masses: Saturday, 4:30 p.m. & Sunday, 9:30 a.m. Confessions: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. or please call 878-5331 for an appointment.

9 - 11 a.m. Thursdays and Saturdays, 6 - 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Aunt Dot’s Place, 51 Center Rd. Essex Jct. Serving the communities of Essex, Westford, Jericho and Underhill. Visit auntdotsplace.com for more information.

Free Tax help

9:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., Brownell Library. For taxpayers w/low and middle incomes. Qualified patrons will need to call 878-6955 or visit the library to make an hour appointment with one of them.

preschool playgroup

9:30 - 11 a.m., Maple Street Recreation Center, 75 Maple St., Essex Jct. Join other caregivers and children for play time. We ask that you bring a drink and indoor shoes.

seaTed yoga

10 - 10:30 a.m., Essex Area Senior Center. Seated yoga is a gentle form of exercise, designed to increase flexibility and balance and help reduce stress. Class is free for EASC members, $2/session for non-members. Please call 876-5087 to register.

seaTed Tai chi

12:30 - 1:30 p.m., EJRP Aspire, 74 Maple St., Essex Jct. Tai chi is a martial art that combines gentle movements, breathing techniques, and stretching. Free to area seniors.

drop-in KniTTing club

1 - 2 p.m., Essex Free Library.

Teen cenTer

2:30 - 5:45 p.m., Essex CHIPS, 2 Lincoln St., Essex Jct. Open to students attending ADL and EMS. Free; open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

lego club

3 - 4 p.m., Essex Free Library.

MounT MansField scale Modelers

6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Brownell Library, Essex Jct. Call 879-0765 after 6 p.m. for more information.

Jules caFe

6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Essex Free Library. Stop by and meet Silvio the owner of Jules on the Green, located right here in Essex.

Community FMs orchesTra concerT

7- 8 p.m., Founder Memorial School, 33 Founders Rd., Essex Jct.

Modern WesTern sTyle square dance

7:30 - 9 p.m., Maple Street Park. Email Wayne or Susan Pierce at sewpie@aol.com.

22 Friday Music WiTh raph

9:30 - 10 a.m., Brownell Library. Come sing, dance and play with Raph. All ages.

Mah Jongg

10 a.m. - noon, Essex Area Senior Ctr. Members play for free. Nonmembers pay $1/visit.

Musical sTory TiMe

10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library.

KniTTing and crocheTing

1 - 2 p.m., Essex Area Senior Ctr.

sTeaM Fridays

3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Brownell Library. This month: Popup cards, Density and UV Light, Taste Exploration and Tie Dye and Collage Animal Marionettes. Call 878-6956 for program details. For grades 1 and up.

essex eaTs ouT

5:30 - 7 p.m., Essex Center United Methodist Church, 119 Center Rd.., Essex Jct. Free community dinners for all! If you need a ride, please email essexeatsout@gmail.com.

dungeons and dragons

6:30 - 9 p.m., Brownell Library. Embark upon imaginary adventures. Grades 6 and up.

grange

7:30 p.m., First Congregational Church, 1 Church St., Essex Jct. The Grange is a family, community organization with its roots in agriculture.

23 saTurday haM-coM radio shoW

8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Holiday Inn, 1068 Williston Rd., S. Burlington. A gathering of electronics hobbyists from all over Vermont. Their interests range from ham radio, technology, building electronics, computer usage and more.

aMnesTy inTernaTional MeeTing

10 a.m. - noon., Brownell Library. All are welcome from any town/city to our monthly Amnesty International local meetings. For additional information please call 802-279-2378

Noon - 1 p.m., Brownell Library. Offering oneon-one technology help. Reservation required. Please call 878-6955 at least 24 hours in advance.

WeeKend sTory TiMe

12:30 - 3:30 p.m, Essex Area Senior Center. New players invited!

10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library. Start off your weekend with books, rhymes and songs!

VT. renaissance Faire

10 a.m. - 6 p.m., CV Expo, 105 Pearl St., Essex Jct. A family-friendly event for all ages, featuring performance troupes including singers, musicians, acrobats and dancers; as well as medieval and Viking demonstrations of life on the battlefields of the old world. $15; kids under 6 free.

sTory TiMe

10:30 - 11 a.m., Brownell Library. Miss teen Vermont, Lizzie Martell, will lead a story time and craft for children ages 3 and up.

24 sunday VT. renaissance Faire

10 a.m. - 6 p.m., CV Expo, 105 Pearl St., Essex Jct.

FaT biKe deMo

11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Saxon Hill, Thompson Rd., Essex Jct. Curious about Fat Bikes? Come to this free demo! We will have bikes from Trek and Borealis!

bridge

lego Fun

3 - 4:30 p.m., Brownell Library. Come build creatively with Legos and see what others build. Children under 8 years old must bring a responsible caregiver.

TWeen cenTer

3 - 5:45 p.m., Essex CHIPS, 2 Lincoln St., Essex Jct. Open to students attending Thomas Fleming School. Free.

checKMaTes square dancing

6 - 9 p.m., Maple Street Park. Advanced and challenge level. Participants must have completed the plus style of Western Style Square Dancing. Call Fred or Betty Smith at 891-9677 for more information.

26 Tuesday Free Tax help

9:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., Brownell Library. For taxpayers w/low and middle incomes. (See Thursday, Feb. 21)

bingo

12:30 - 3:30 p.m., Essex Area Senior Ctr. Every card costs a penny, so if you play 10 cards, each game costs a dime.

25 Monday

seaTed Tai chi

all eWsd schools Will noT be holding classes Through Tuesday, Mar. 5 For WinTer breaK. classes Will resuMe on

yoga WiTh Jonah

Wednesday, Mar. 6

Free Tax help

9:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., Brownell Library. For taxpayers w/low and middle incomes. (See Thursday, Feb. 21)

Mah Jongg

10 a.m. - noon, Essex Area Senior Ctr. Members play for free. Nonmembers pay $1/visit. Newcomers are always welcomed!

sTory TiMe WiTh eMily

10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library. Drop in for stories, songs and a craft.

Tech help WiTh cliF

12:30 - 1:30 p.m., EJRP Aspire, 74 Maple St., Essex Jct.

5:30 - 6:30 p.m., First Congregational Church,1 Church St., Essex Jct. Donations welcome, but not required.

drop-in KniTTing 6:30 - 8 p.m., Essex Free Library.

MaKing learning spaces and WorK places lgbTq incusiVe 6:30 - 8 p.m., Maple Street Park. An open discussion on the importance of using inclusive and non-gendered language in classrooms, on playing fields, and at extracurricular activities.

27 Wednesday Tech TiMe

10 - 11 a.m., Essex Free

yCalendar CLuB

Library. Drop in with your device and your questions!

1 - 2 p.m., Essex Free Library.

BaByTime

heavenLy panTry

10 - 11 a.m., Essex Free Library. For infants through pre-walkers.

seniOr LunCheOn

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Essex Area Senior Center. Bring a dish to share at this birthday program.

TeCh heLp wiTh CLiF

Noon - 1 p.m., Brownell Library. (See Monday, Feb. 11)

rOTary CLuB OF essex Noon - 1:15 p.m., The Essex, 70 Essex Way, Essex Jct. Visitors are always welcome.

mineCraFT CLuB

1 - 2 p.m., Brownell Library. Bring your own device with Minecraft pocket edition downloaded on it. For ages 7-12.

easC meaLsiTe COmmiTTee

1:15 - 2:15 p.m., Essex Area Senior Center.

Larp

3 - 5 p.m., Brownell Library. Live Action Role Play is open to all middle and high school students.

Open sTudiO

3 - 4 p.m., Essex Free Library. The library supplies the materials, you bring the creativity.

LiOns CLuB sOCiaL meeTing

6:30 - 8 p.m., The Essex, Essex Way, Essex Jct. Guests are always welcome!

The middLe easT: regiOnaL disOrder

7 - 9 p.m., Brownell Library. The eight part series continues. As the presidency of Donald J. Trump passes the halfway point, the Middle East remains a region in turmoil.

2 - 6 p.m., First Congregational Church, 39 Main St., Essex Jct. Open to residents of Essex Junction, Essex Town and Westford. Clients will need an ID for each member of the household and a utility bill. Clients may only visit the Pantry once in each calendar month

LegO CLuB

evening BOOk disCussiOn

6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Essex Free Library. This session discuss “Hidden Figures” by Margot Lee Shetterly.

1 Friday BOOk and Bake saLe

9 a.m. - noon, Grace United Methodist Church, 130 Maple St., Essex Jct.

vermOnT FLOwer shOw

10 a.m. - 6 p.m., CV Expo, 105 Pearl St., Essex Jct. For information and tickets, visit greenworksvermont.org.

presChOOL yOga

10 - 10:30 a.m., Brownell LIbrary. Come do simple yoga poses, hear stories, and sing songs with Danielle! Best for children 2 to 5 years old. No registration required.

12:30 - 1:30 p.m., EJRP Aspire, 74 Maple St., Essex Jct.

drOp-in kniTTing

Thursday, FeBruary 28 7 p.m., Town selectboard, Town offices, 81 Main St., Essex Jct.

Tuesday, FeBruary 26

and

6:30 p.m., village Trustees, Lincoln Hall, 2 Lincoln St., Essex Jct.

Thursday, FeBruary 28 6:30 p.m., Town planning Commission, Town offices, 81 Main St., Essex Jct.

Library. Participants will make cheese/apple quesadillas and then sample their culinary works of art. Grades 3 and up.

essex eaTs OuT

5:30 - 7 p.m., First Congregational Church, 1 Church St, Essex Jct.

Fish dinner

6 - 7 p.m., VFW Post 6689, 73 Pearl St., Essex Jct. Open to the public.

Friday kniT nighT

6 - 8 p.m., Brownell Library. For adult knitters and related crafters. Note: this is not an introduction to knitting program.

magiC: The gaThering

6 - 8 p.m., Brownell Library. Grades 6 and up.

The TeLL-TaLe FarCe

kniTTing and CrOCheTing

2 saTurday

musiCaL sTOry Time

Leep

seaTed Tai Chi

CBD wellness products

LOCaL meeTings

10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library. Rock ‘n’ read with Caitlin on Friday mornings with books, songs and instruments. All ages.

10 a.m. - noon, Essex Area Senior Ctr. Members play for free. Nonmembers pay $1/visit.

Free Tax heLp

10 - 10:30 a.m., Essex Area Senior Center.

Now available

7:30 - 11 p.m., Memorial Hall, 5 Towers Rd., Essex Jct. The Tell-Tale Farce is a comedy of errors. Richard Muffinbridge is madly in love with Sarah Dowling, the niece of a wealthy widow, and in his desperate attempt to be with her he pretends to be Edgar Allan Poe. Visit facebook.com/EssexCommunityPlayers for ticket information.

mah JOngg

1 - 2 p.m., Essex Area Senior Ctr.

seaTed yOga

The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019 | 13

3 - 4 p.m., Essex Free Library.

28 Thursday 9:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., Brownell Library. For taxpayers w/low and middle incomes. (See Thursday, Feb. 21)

Mar 3

2:45 - 3:45 p.m., Brownell Library. Welcome in the Year of the Pig with snacks designed to ensure good luck. Learn two science experiments that will be presented to elementary students on the following Friday. All 6-7-8 graders welcome!

sTeam Fridays

3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Brownell Library.

Fun FOOd Friday

4:30 - 5:30 p.m., Brownell

BOOk and Bake saLe

9 a.m. - noon, Grace United Methodist Church, 130 Maple St., Essex Jct.

vermOnT FLOwer shOw

10 a.m. - 6 p.m., CV Expo, 105 Pearl St., Essex Jct. For information and tickets, visit greenworksvermont.org.

essex winTer CarnivaL

10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Albert D. Lawton, 104 Maple St., Essex Jct. A fun day filled with music, performances,

awesome winter activities inside and out, refreshments, and so much more! Food and refreshments will be for sale and don’t forget to check out the Chili Cook Off!

L.D. Oliver Seed Company, Inc. Green Mountain Fertilizer Co. 26 Sunset Ave., Milton, VT • 802 893-4628 Mon-Fri 7:30 -5:30, Sat 8:00-4:00, Closed Sun

weekend sTOry Time

Donate Your...

10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library. Start off your weekend with books, rhymes and songs!

emeraLd ash BOrer seminar

Donate Your...

1:30 p.m., CV Expo, Room A, 105 Pearl St., Essex Jct. Listen to a panel discuss this threat to Vt. native trees. Part of the Vermont Fower Show.

presChOOL Open gym

3 - 4:30 p.m., Maple Street Park Recreation Center. Come run around inside during the cold winter months. There will be a bouncy house, balls, trikes, a play hut, a mini-slide and push toys for ages 5 years and younger.

The TeLL-TaLe FarCe

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7:30 - 11 p.m., Memorial Hall, 5 Towers Rd., Essex Jct. (See Friday, Mar. 2)

3 sunday vermOnT FLOwer shOw

10 a.m. - 4 p.m., CV Expo, 105 Pearl St., Essex Jct. For information and tickets, visit greenworksvermont.org.

The TeLL-TaLe FarCe

2 and 7:30 p.m., Memorial Hall, 5 Towers Rd., Essex Jct. (See Friday, Mar. 2)

wesTFOrd musiC series: mapLe Jam

4 - 5 p.m., Westford White Church, Route 28, Westford. See Vt.’s premier acapella vocal jazz group. Free with donation. Refreshments to follow. Call 879-4028 for information.

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14 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019

l e Ga l s

By JOE Gs weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sport

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PAINTING

Antiques Market Sundays, Feb. 24 March 10 & 24, April 14 The Canadian Club 414 East Montpelier Road (Rt 14), Barre, VT 8:00am -1:00pm Call Don Willis Antiques for info (802)751-6138 www.montpelier antiquesmarket.com Early Buyers $5 (8am) General $2 (9am)

PAINTING For 42 years, Lafayette Painting has provided top quality, fairly priced, painting services for Chittenden County. This winter, schedule your free estimate and see why we were voted the Best Household Painting Company in Vermont. Call 802-863-5397 or visit lafayette paintinginc.com

EMPLOYMENT CARPENTERS Frame & Finish Tired of short work weeks, no overtime and layoffs? Then join our company today. 45+ hours/week, secure employment, opportunity to advance. Call Sweeney & Belisle or 802-355-0836 or email: pfssnb@gmail.com

Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019 | 15 c lawithin ssi f iour e ds & POliCounty ce RePORT Chittenden region and will receiveThe a quarterly incentive and mileage. NSB

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The Community Banker for both positions willtobe responsible for receiving and processing customers’ is and no better time join the positions NSB team! We are looking for bothThere full-time temporary employees. These offer an excellent financial transactions, customers’ needsbank with appropriate products and services, protecting opportunity to workmatching for a premier Vermont mutual savings founded in 1867. We are looking for both full-time and temporary employees. These positions offer an excellent customeropportunity information and maintaining customer confidentiality. Community Banker, Floating (full-time position) to work for a premier Vermont mutual savings bank founded in 1867. We are looking for candidates who will consistently provide outstanding customer service, have ● As a Community Banker, Floating you will have the opportunity to work in multiple branches Community Banker, Floating (full-time position) within our Chittenden County region and will receive a quarterly incentive and mileage. NSB excellent communication skills, and will build rapport andtodevelop relationships with our valued ● As a Community Banker, Floating you will have the opportunity work in multiple offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including medical, dental, branches profit Chittenden County region program, and will receive a quarterly incentiveopportunities, and mileage. NSB customers. within sharing,our matching 401(K) retirement professional development mileage offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including medical, dental, profit and a quarterly incentive.

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and a quarterly incentive. work during school vacations. We offer Temporary a comprehensive Community BankerMay training program toopportunity assist with Summer Community Bankers – generally through August with the to learning The Community Banker for both positions will be responsible for receiving and processing customers’ work during school vacations. financial transactions, matchingwork customers’ needs with appropriate productsby andaservices, of this position and a positive environment supported teamprotecting culture. The Community Bankerand formaintaining both positions will be confidentiality. responsible for receiving and processing customers’ customer information customer financial transactions, matchingwho customers’ needs with appropriate products and services, We are looking for candidates will consistently provide outstanding customer service, protecting have customer information andskills, maintaining confidentiality. excellent communication and willcustomer build rapport and develop relationships with our valued are looking for candidates who will consistently provide outstanding customer service, have We customers. excellent communication skills, and will build rapport and develop relationships with our valued A high school diploma, general education degree (GED) or equivalent is required. customers. Please submit your job application and resume to: We offer a comprehensive Community Banker training to assist with learning the fundamentals A high school diploma, general education degree (GED)program or equivalent is required. Careers@nsbvt.com (Preferred) of this position and a positive work environment supported by a team culture. Or mail: We offer a comprehensive Community Banker training program to assist with learning the fundamentals of this position and a positive work environment supported by a team culture.

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ESSEX POLICE REPORTS February 11 - 17 Monday, February 11

12:24 a.m., Citizen dispute 12:36 a.m., Suicidal subject/suicide attempt; location withheld 1:33 a.m., Suspicious event on Pearl St. 7:57 a.m., Motor vehicle complaint on Center Rd. 8:44 a.m., Suspicious event on Main St. 11:26 a.m., Motor vehicle complaint on Valleyview Dr. 11:45 a.m., Suspicious event on Browns River Rd. 11:50 a.m., Citizen assist on Founders Rd. 12:31 p.m., Suspicious event on Carmichael St. 2:04 p.m., Accident with property damage on Pearl St. 4:38 p.m., Suspicious event on Seneca Ave. 7:06 p.m., Welfare check on Craftsbury Ct. 7:45 p.m., Welfare check on Carmichael St. 9:02 p.m., Motor vehicle complaint on Park St. 10:23 p.m., Motor vehicle complaint on Lincoln St.

Tuesday, February 12

1:04 a.m., Accident with property damage on Carmichael St. 8:24 a.m., Animal problem on Lida Dr. 9:04 a.m., Theft on Center Rd. 10:50 a.m., Motor vehicle complaint on Colchester Rd. 11:43 a.m., Citizen assist on Gauthier Dr. 12:11 p.m., Found/lost property on Park St.

Emergency: 911 • Non-emergency: 878-8331 • 145 Maple St., Essex Jct., VT 05452 • www.epdvt.org

12:42 p.m., Citizen assist on Park St. 1:11 p.m., Accident with property damage on Pearl St. 2:21 p.m., Found/lost property on Main St. 2:29 p.m., Trespassing on Pearl St. 4:03 p.m., Citizen assist on Maple St. 8:43 p.m., Accident with property damage on Susie Wilson Rd. 11:35 p.m., Medical; location withheld

3:56 p.m., Citizen assist on Baker St. 4:20 p.m., Motor vehicle complaint on Fort Pkwy. 5:03 p.m., Animal problem on River Rd. 6:03 p.m., Citizen assist on Ethan Allen Ave. 6:10 p.m., Citizen assist on Carmichael St. 9:44 p.m., Juvenile problem; location withheld

Wednesday, February 13

10:14 a.m., Suspicious event on Pearl St. 10:26 a.m., Conditions of release on Pearl St. 10:58 a.m., Citizen assist on Center Rd. 11:47 a.m., Welfare check on Cedar St. 1:04 p.m., Accident with property damage on Pearl St. 5:28 p.m., Accident with property damage on Weed Rd. 6:47 p.m., Disorderly on Pearl St. 7:04 p.m., Accident with property damage on Pinecrest Dr. 7:14 p.m., Citizen dispute on Baker St. 10:59 p.m., Motor vehicle complaint on Brigham Hill Dr. 11:18 p.m., Welfare check on Carmichael St.

2:37 a.m., Suspicious event on Upper Main St. 4:14 a.m., Domestic disturbance; location withheld 7:24 a.m., Accident with property damage on Center Rd. 9:36 a.m., Threatening on Pearl St. 10:35 a.m., Citizen assist on Maple St. 10:55 a.m., Suspicious event on Maple St. 11:08 a.m., Citizen assist on Dalton Dr. 4:24 a.m., Citizen assist on Lincoln St. 4:52 a.m., Escort on South St. 5:53 a.m., Property damage on Essex Way 8:43 a.m., Citizen assist on Fuller Pl.

Thursday, February 14

12:52 a.m., Suspicious event on Center Rd. 1:27 a.m., Welfare check on Dalton Dr. 1:51 a.m., Accident with property damage on Pearl St. 9:36 a.m., Suspicious event on Susie Wilson Rd. 11:26 a.m., Found/lost property on Beech St. 12:35 p.m., Citizen assist on Baker St.

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Friday, February 15

9:27 p.m., Citizen assist on Baker St. 10:41 p.m., Citizen assist on Maple St. 11:51 p.m., Citizen assist on Lincoln St.

sunday, February 17

8:30 a.m., Animal problem on Jericho Rd. 8:38 a.m., Theft on S. Hill Dr. 1:05 p.m., Theft on Dunbar Dr. 6:14 p.m., Suspicious event on Pearl St. 9:42 p.m., Noise on Chelsea Rd.

ToTal calls: 115

saTurday, February 16

6:06 a.m., Suspicious event on Greenfield Ct. 8:34 a.m., Suspicious event on Cardinal Ln. 10:41 a.m., Theft on Pearl St. 11:40 a.m., Medical; location withheld 6:52 p.m., Domestic disturbance; location withheld 8:28 p.m., Suspicious event on Carmichael St. 9:22 p.m., Medical; location withheld

This log represents a sample of incidents in the date range. For more information, call the non-emergency number: 878-8331

16 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019

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SPORTS

The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019 | 17

Hornets run away with state title The Hornets indoor track and field boys team squeaked by St. Johnsbury to take the title of state champions, while the girls came in second to the Hilltoppers. Overall, Essex had seven individual state champions and one champion relay team.

STATE CHAMPIONS

Hannah Neddo 10 Henry Farrington 10 Jamaal Hankey 10 Jamaal Hankey 10 Lizzie Martell 10 Morgan Marckres 10 Ryan Guerino 10 Boys 4x200 Relay

INDIVIDUAL POINTS

Essex Jamaal Hankey Lizzie Martell Hannah Brisson Hannah Neddo Morgan Marckres Peter Alden Spencer Towle Ryan Guerino Jackson Baker Henry Farrington Jack Hamilton Jeremy Brennan James Boldosser Maria Campo Lily Bulger Brady Martisus Annika Simard Erin Noel Natalie Preston Nejla Hadzic

BOYS

28 18 16 16 16 14 14 13 12 10 8 8 6 5 4 4 1 1 1 1

55 Meter Dash 2 Jamaal Hankey 12 6.76 3 Spencer Towle 12 6.80 4 Ryan Guerino 12 6.81 7 Jackson Baker 12 6.92 300 Meter Dash 1 Jamaal Hankey 12 36.92 2 Spencer Towle 12 36.94 3 James Boldosser 10 37.51 8 Michael Baker 12 39.05 1000 Meter Run 4 Brady Martisus 10 2:54.61 1500 Meter Run 1 Henry Farrington 11 4:19.56 3 Peter Alden 12 4:24.01 7 Brady Martisus 10 4:31.82 8 Jake Wagner 12 4:42.28 9 Connor Goodrich 12 4:43.04 3000 Meter Run 2 Peter Alden 12 9:21.41 9 Connor Goodrich 12 10:38.01 10 Val Laverty 11 10:52.17 55 Meter Hurdles 1 Jamaal Hankey 12 8.02 4x200 Meter Relay 1 Baker,Towle,Boldosser,Guerino 1:34.41 4x400 Meter Relay 2 Hankey, Baker, Guerino, Boldosser 3:40.19 4x800 Meter Relay 2 Martisus, Alden, Wagner, Farrington 8:48.72 High Jump 7 Jackson Baker 12 5-8 9 Nick Rancourt 12 5-2

Long Jump 1 Ryan Guerino 2 Jackson Baker Shot Put 5 Jack Hamilton Weight Throw 2 Jeremy Brennan 3 Jack Hamilton

12 12

21-2 20-4

36-5.5

12 12

37-8.5 37-2.0

TEAM SCORES: 1. Essex 143; 2 St. Johnsbury 142; 3. South Burlington 61; 4. Burlington 39; 5 Mt. Mansfield 25; 6 Mt. Anthony 24; 7. Rutland 20; 8 North Country 1.

GIRLS

55 Meter Dash 6 Nejla Hadzic 11 7.77 10 Annika Simard 9 8.14 300 Meter Dash 2 Lizzie Martell 11 43.51 7 Annika Simard 9 45.53 8 Ella Larson 10 46.14 9 Ellie Reed 10 46.21 600 Meter Run 1 Lizzie Martell 11 1:41.20 12 Elizabeth Tupaj 9 1:59.73 Girls 1500 Meter Run Division I 2 Hannah Brisson 12 5:24.80 3 Morgan Marckres 11 5:29.15 6 Natalie Preston 10 5:38.78 10 Flynn Barcomb 11 6:16.19 3000 Meter Run 1 Morgan Marckres 11 11:46.17 2 Hannah Brisson 12 11:47.83 55 Meter Hurdles 6 Annika Simard 9 9.82 11 Nejla Hadzic 11 11.80 4x200 Meter Relay 2 Essex 1:54.59 (Simard, Hadzic, Reed, Larson) 4x400 Meter Relay 2 Larson, Reed, Tupaj, Martell 4:33.45 4x800 Meter Relay 3 Tupaj, Preston, Brisson, Marckres 11:49.15 High Jump 1 Hannah Neddo 12 5-2 11 Erin Noel 10 4-6 16 Yasmine Nsame 12 4-0 Long Jump 5 Hannah Neddo 12 15-2.75 6 Erin Noel 10 15-2.00 8 Ella Larson 10 15-1.75 Triple Jump 4 Hannah Neddo 12 34-8.75 Shot Put 7 Maria Campo 12 31-01.00 16 Aubrey McKenna 12 26-05.75 18 Toki Tierata 11 25-00.50 Weight Throw 4 Lily Bulger 12 33-8.50 6 Maria Campo 12 32-7.00 10 Aubrey McKenna 12 29-4.50 11 Ashel Dowling 11 27-9.25 TEAM SCORES: 1. St. Johnsbury 176.5; 2 Essex 101; 3 South Burlington 75.5; 4 Mt. Anthony 42.5; 5 North Country 34.5; 6 Rutland 15; 7 Burlington 6.

PHOTO BY JOSH KAUFMANN | ESSEX REPORTER

Ryan Guerino earns the title of DI State Champion in long jump.

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18 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019

SPORTS

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK ESSEx SporT SHorTS ELLA LESny By JOE GONILLO

Junior: Gymnastics

JAmAAL HAnKEy

Lesny’s near upset of defending allaround champion Diana Gregoire of South Burlington H.S. helped the Hornets accomplish their mission, regaining the state crown a year after the program’s 12-year run was ended by CVU. Helped greatly by Lesny’s second to Gregoire in the four-event contest, Essex regained its title with a narrow 137.625136.275 win over the Redhawks, sweating out CVU’s last turn on the floor and a long wait through various awards before breaking into celebration. Lesny had won just one regular-season all-around in four tries, but her 35.100 score in the state final topped her previous best by .800 — 60% of the eventual team winning margin.

Senior: Track & Field Hankey scored 18 points early in the state championships at UVM on Feb. 16, added 10 more late, and led Essex to a dramatic, one-point victory to win the Division crown, 143-142. The senior hurdler and sprinter opened with 8 points while finishing second in the D-I 55-meter dash, won by nonscoring BFA runner Trey Poquette. He got in front quickly in the 55 hurdles and stayed there to earn his first track state championship, running a careerbest 8.02 seconds to win by almost a full second. While Poquette won again, Hankey edged teammate Spencer Towle by a whisker — 2-hundredths of a second — for his second state title, another career-best, and 10 more crucial points. With Essex up two on St. Johnsbury entering the final event of the day, Hankey started the 4x800 team to a championship-clinching second place.

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Can you say vacation. The air smells different as days off are only a couple of school days away. A few state championships are in the book. More upcoming as the winter regular season is winding down. Banners are in order for the boys track and field team and the gymnastics team as each won state titles last weekend. The wrestlers host and compete in the 2019 state championship this weekend while the cheerleaders are competing for a state title down in Vergennes. ADL hosts its annual tourney No. 49 this week. The gymnastics team earned another state championship Saturday edging CVU and St. J. The Hornets performed magically, scoring 137.625 points in the meet held yearly at EHS as our gym is easily the largest in the state. Standings: 1. Essex 137.625; 2. Champlain Valley 136.275; 3. St. Johnsbury 134.200; 4. Montpelier 128.600; 5. South Burlington 112.300. Individual scores: Allaround: 2. Ella Lesny, Essex 35.100; Abigael Gleason, Essex 34.275; 7. Livia Ball, Essex 33.875. Vault: T6. Gabriela Schmida, Essex 8.375; T8. Ella Lesny, Essex; Abigael Gleason, Essex 8.350. Bars: T2. Livia Ball, Essex; 5. Ella Lesny, Essex 8.450; 6. Claire Emery, Essex 8.150; 7. Abigael Gleason, Essex 7.925. Beam: 4. Ella Lesny, Essex 8.975; 5. Emily Moll-Celis, Essex 8.900; 7. Livia Ball, Essex 8.825; 8. Gabriela Schmida, Essex 8.750. Floor: 3. Ella Lesny, Essex 9.325; 4. Abigael Gleason, Essex 9.300. Their 137.625 was the team’s high score of the season and it needed to be. Coaches Krug, Lincoln and Charland were all Hornet gymnasts. Way to keep the tradition going. Congratulations to all! The track and field teams went 1-2 in the 2019 winter state championship Saturday. The boys won the state title, and the girls finished second. Scores in the boys meet went like this – EHS 142 St. J 141. The Hornets notched five first place finishes: Jamaal Hankey 300m, meters, 55 hurdles; Henry Farrington 1,500; Ryan Guerino LJ; and the 4x200 relay. Their 4x800 placed second. Peter Alden added 14 pts with a second in the 3000m and a third in the 1500m. Jackson Baker was second LJ and fourth HJ; Jeremy Brennan second WtTh; Jack Hamilton fourth weight throw, fifth shotput; 1-2-3 in the 300 by speedsters Jamaal Hankey, Spencer Towle, James Boldosser racked up some big points. Towle also placed third 55m; Guerino fifth 55m; Hankey second 55m; Brady Martisus fourth 1000m. The meet came down to the 4x400m with the boys protecting a 3pt lead over St. J. In a hard-fought race Essex ran second to the Hilltoppers and won the meet and the state championship by a mere point! Girls scores: St. J 175.5, Essex 101, SB 61. 3 Hornets took gold: Lizzie Martell in the 600m, Morgan Marckres 3,000m, and Hannah Neddo HJ. Also, Hannah Brisson second 3000m; 4x200m and 4x400m second; 4x800m third; Maria Campo fourth Shot, sixth WtTh; Lily Bulger fourth WtTh; Neddo fourth TJ, fifth LJ; Erin Noel sixth LJ; Annika Simard sixth 55mHH; Nejla Hadzic sixth 55m. Great job by all including coaches White, Lacrosse, and Smith. Congratulations! The wrestlers host their state championship this weekend. The Essex gym will be BUSY from Friday afternoon until Saturday evening. Get your tickets early. The Hornets

have 2 No. 1 seeds in Ben Stewart @ 113lbs and James Danis @ 182 lbs. Good Luck!! Last week the jv Hornets placed second in the Junior Varsity State Tournament down in Barre. 21 schools competed. Top five schools were 1. St. Johnsbury - 178 pts; 2. Essex - 117 pts; 3. Spaulding - 99 pts; 4. CVU - 96 pts; 5. Randolph - 76 pts. Individuals - 106 lbs. William Einhorn 1st; 106 lbs. Elliot Powell second; 126 lbs. Jake Sunderland first; 126 lbs. Rajai Abdo fourth; 132 lbs. Nevin Mack second; 138 lbs. Ben Middleton sixth; 195 lbs. Kameron Cyr third. The girls hockey team is now 15-1 after their 10th win in a row. The Hornets have given up 2 goals in only 1 game this season, their 2-1 loss to BFA. Last week they beat Rutland 7-1 and BCHS 5-0. Against the Raiders Grace Wiggett scored a hat trick, Maddy Young, Sage Amaliksen, Abby Robbins and Molly Bruyns scored as well. OMJ and Frankie Martin handed out 3 assists. Sophie Forcier and Isabelle Seguin stopped 16 shots while EHS peppered 50 on net. In the Seahorse/Laker game Wiggett’s G and A led the scoring. Molly Bruyns banged in a shorthanded goal, OMJ, Hannah Himes, and Ashley Stempek lit the lamp. Forcier made 11 saves. Up next BFA, Rice, and BFA with the latter Saturday home at 4:30 p.m. A win and a tie pushed the boys hockey team’s record to 11-2-2. The Hornets clobbered Rice 8-1 then played a great game vs BFA 0-0. Never saw a game with 0 scores and 0 penalties. GK’er Sam Foster made 13 saves. Essex put 19 shots on the BFA goal. CVU game Monday up next, then Rutland, and SB – home Saturday at 6 p.m. Heard old friend Bill O’Neil is coaching behind the Bobwhite bench. Glad he is back in action. The boys basketball team owns an 8-7 record after a 63-35 loss to MMU. They were behind by 3 at the half and could only put up 10 second-half points. Stephen Astor scored 9 and Robbie Meslin 8. The St. J game was postponed. NC and CHS are next. Our girls basketball team is now 10-8 after a 1-1 week. They fell 51-25 to St. J. Rachel Botala led EHS with 9 points. They bounced back to club BHS 51-39 in their 12th annual Pink Zone Game. A huge third Q put the game away. Botala again led Essex with 13 pts, Noelle Lyon had 12, and Sarah Coulter 11. The Pink Zone game benefits the breast care center at the University of Vermont Medical Center. The jv’s buried St. J 44-17 behind Paige Winter’s 19. On Pink Zone Day they squashed BHS 54-27 as Cindy Sheeran dropped in 12. Rice and CVU are opponents this week. Finally, ADL defeated EMS 24-11 i n the leadoff Pink Zone triple-header tilt. The bowlers completed their regular season and will compete in the Individual Championships Saturday. States next week. Coming off their NVAC championship, the cheerleaders will be competing in Vergennes Saturday for the state title. Start time is 11 a.m. sharp. Get there early for a good seat. SPRING SIGN UPS: All Athletes should fill out their Spring Sports Registration Form before February 28th, 2019. Students are recommended to log via “Sign In with Google” with their @vt.ewsd.org email account credentials. Spring Sports first day is March 18, 2019, but baseball pitchers and catchers begin March 11. If you have a moment, google coach John Scolinos. You will be glad you did!

SPORTS

The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019 | 19

Hornets back on top as state champions

PHOTO BY JOSH KAUFMANN | ESSEX REPORTER

The Essex Hornets Varsity Gymnastics Team was back on top at the end of the season. The perennial powerhouse how garnered a dozen straight state titles going into last year’s competition, where they were barely edged by CVU. This year, the squad came back determined to regain the crown and did so with flying colors this weekend. See full results in Joe Gonillo’s Spot Shorts on page 18.

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20 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019

SPORTS

Farrington named Gatorade Vermont runner of the year CHICAGO — In its 34th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, today announced Henry Farrington of Essex High School as its 201819 Gatorade Vermont Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year. Farrington is the first Gatorade Vermont Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year to be chosen from Essex High School. The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Farrington as Vermont’s best high school boys cross country runner. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year award to be announced in February, Farrington joins an elite alumni association of past state award-winners in 12 sports, including Lukas Verzbicas (2010-11, 2009-10 Carl Sandburg High School, Orland Park High School, Ill.), Donn Cabral (2007-08, Glastonbury High School, Glastonbury, Conn.) and Chris Derrick (2007-08, Neuqua Valley High School, Naperville, Ill.). The 5-foot-10, 145-pound junior raced to the Division 1 individual state championship this past season with a time of 16:35.6, leading the Hornets to the state title as a team. Farrington also posted victories at the Essex Invitational and the NVAC Championship, while placing second at the Woods

Trail Run and third at the Burnt Hills Invitational. He was the state’s top finisher at the New England Cross Country Championships, crossing the line 13th, and took 14th at the Nike Cross Nationals Northeast Regional championships. A member of his school’s student government, Farrington has served as a mentor for younger students and has volunteered locally on behalf of the Essex Fire Department. “Henry wants to be one of the top runners in the Northeast and he’s starting to show that he is,” said Essex coach Eric Langevin. “He really progressed this year and learned from mistakes of the past. He came into the season wanting to be undefeated in Vermont and he did just that.” Farrington has maintained a B average in the classroom. He will begin his senior year of high school this fall. The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. From the 12 national winners, one male and one female athlete are each named Gatorade High School Athlete of the Year. In all, 607 athletes are honored each year.

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