The Essex Reporter: February 28, 2019

‘Trout in the Classroom’ makes a splash in VT schools

EHS freshman wins Sanders’ esssay contest Firdaus Muhammadis the first freshman to win Sanders’s contest in its nineyear history.

ADL joins growing number of schools adopting new fish program

Story on page 6

Story on page 2

the essex

RepoRteR

Prsrt Std ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 266 Burlington, VT 05401 Postal Patron-Residential

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Backstage Pub loses trial, must vacate building

Nonprofit eyes tree farm for indoor soccer facility

By COLIN FLANDERS Owners of the Post Office Square Shopping Center can legally evict the Backstage Pub because the local bar violated the terms of its lease agreement, a judge ruled last month.

The plaintiff, Pearl Street Partners LLC, had accused the bar’s owner, Vincent Dober Sr., of failing to maintain the required insurance coverage. Dober refuted the allegation and in a counterclaim argued the landlords violated the lease by forcing him to pay nearly $15,000 in repairs to the building.

The two parties argued their positions dur-

See BACKSTAGE, page 19

PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS

A sign welcomes visitors to the Essex Tree Farm recreational facility. Municipal manager Evan Teich confirmed a nonprofit organization has approached the village about building a indoor soccer facility here.

By COLIN FLANDERS A nonprofit organization has approached the village with conceptual plans to build an indoor soccer facility at the Essex Tree Farm, municipal manager Evan Teich confirmed last week, though he declined to name the interested party.

Teich said the village doesn’t typically publicize potential real estate transactions until there’s a formal proposal to “respect the confidentiality of other parties.”

But when asked about the plans last week, Teich confirmed the

village offered minimal conditions under which any formalized plan would be “seriously considered,” including that the facility be open to other users.

“We’re really in the beginning stages of a conversation,” he said.

While the tree farm has hosted many different sporting events over the last dozen years, the complex is best known as home to the Nordic Soccer Club, which fills its fields during the spring and summer months before jumping over to the Champlain Valley Exposition for the indoor season.

Officials for the soccer club

did not return multiple requests for comment, and neither the board nor village staff have discussed the plans publicly, though one recent trustee meeting ended with a discussion on unspecified real estate matters.

Teich said staff asked the village attorney to develop a leasing contract so that the nonprofit could approach a bank about financing. He said the village has updated the town on what’s been asked and stressed the municipalities would “absolutely” confer with the Tree Farm Management

Essex gymnastics returns to the promise land

By LAUREN READ For the Essex Reporter ESSEX — At the start of the 2019 Vermont high school state championships on Saturday, Essex found itself in unfamiliar territory. After 12 straight years as the state champion, the Hornets were dethroned last season. Then the Hornets reminded everyone exactly why they are the preeminent program in the state.

Essex beat rival and No. 1 seed Champlain Valley by just over a point (137.625 to 136.275), avenging last year’s finals loss, to win the state championship.

“The girls went into the state meet wanting to create a new ending to our story,” said Essex coach Mary Krug. “They were determined to be successful and they all had the same goal: to be state champions.”

See TREE FARM, page 4

See CHAMPS, page 12

Let Jules cater your next Event

& Visit our Essex Jct. | (802) 857-5994 www.julesvt.com

maple room! essexreporter.com

EssEx REpoRtER | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

Vol. 18 No. 09

2 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019

Loca L

‘Trout in the Classroom’ makes a splash in VT schools

By MADELINE CLARK Schools around Vermont are taking class pets one step further by raising the state fish, Brook Trout, in their classrooms. Through the Trout in the Classroom (TIC) program, students from St. Albans to Rutland are partaking in a science project that brings activism, art, conservation and mathematics to life.

“It’s a great program,” said Bob Wible, the central Vermont TIC coordinator. “All I see is happy teachers and happy students.”

Wible has led the Central Vermont chapter of the Trout Unlimited organized project for the past five years.

Although the program has existed nationally for about 25 years, it entered the Green Mountain State in 2014.

TIC helps schools obtain 55-gallon tanks, fish food and about 100 state-donated trout eggs each. While the tanks run about $1,100, program funding is often covered by state and local organizations, Wible said. TIC also includes regional advisors who support teachers in creating a handson experience for students from hatchery to classroom to stream.

“We don’t tell the teachers how to use these [fish] in their educational programs,” Wible said. Instead, educators use the program in conjunction with their unique curricula.

Indeed he’s seen students from Kindergarten to 12th grade raise the fish as part of their art class for sketching models, in science for tracking water quality or studying fish biology and using mathematics to measure a hatching timeline.

This year several classes are adding a civic engagement component to their TIC lessons by writing Gov. Phil Scott in response to a proposal that would see the Salisbury Fish Culture Station -- a large

broodstock station-- closed.

Such action would effectively halt the TIC program statewide as it would render trout eggs largely unobtainable, Wible said.

At Albert D. Lawton School (ADL) in Essex teachers Rachel Harris and Brian Neufeld are leading their class in TIC for the first time. The duo heard about the program through TIC promotional emails and their colleagues at Essex Middle School and Essex High School who have participated in years past.

Harris and Neufeld have used the trout to teach their students about water chemistry and the nitrogen cycle. They’ve also touched on the unique biology of the state-supplied trout, each of which carries a chromosomal abnormality making them sterile to prevent interference with naturally occurring trout populations.

“It’s kind of just an incredible thing to be able to see real trout and what they look like and how they behave,”

PHOTOS BY MADELINE CLARK

ABOVE: Rachel Harris and her students monitor tank conditions, last Friday.

RIGHT: The Alevin, or immature brook trout, will soon grow and require regular feedings leading up to their May release.

Harris said. “There’s countless applications and we’re looking forward to expanding, incorporating this into our curriculum next year.”

The program runs from fall to spring with a statewide new-teacher training session in October and tanks delivered to classrooms by December.

The Department of Fish and

Wildlife sends fish eggs to schools in early January. From there, classes monitor water temperature–around 40-52 degrees Fahrenheit--and wait about two to three weeks for the Alevinor, or immature fish, to hatch.

The Alevin feed on egg sacks for another month.

Afterwards, students feed the

fish about three times each day until the end of May, when the trout are ready for introduction into local streams, Wible said.

A lot of classes make a day of the release, he added. The children will split into groups and look at local flora, birds and examine water ecology.

Wible, a retired IBM engineer, even gets to do a little teaching at some release events.

“I always pose the question of what student is going to come here and feed these fish everyday once we throw them in the stream,” he said, adding he usually gets numerous eager volunteers. But the joke segues into a conversation about brook trout’s diet and giving kids a taste of the food chain.

The class at ADL has kept its tank around 41 degrees to delay the trout’s growth and simulate natural conditions.

They intend to increase the temperature gradually to prep the fish for release in May, Harris said.

Neufeld said he’s hopeful the project will give students a better appreciation of the natural world.

“If they can see months and months and months of development maybe they’ll start to appreciate a little more about the slow processes of change out in our world,” he said.

According to Wible, the important thing is for Vermont’s students to learn about clean water, conservation and how fish are indicators of water conditions. He added there is no other benefit to the state; the program’s goal isn’t to increase brook trout population.

“I always wish I had this when I was a kid,” Wible said.

“It’s a great way for kids to make sense of what they’re doing in school to Mother Nature, the outside world of the streams.”

Loca L

Valentine’s dinner takes a sweet twist

The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb.28, 2019 | 3

You know what would look great here? Your ad!

Taylor Walters, 524-9771 ext. 105 taylor.walters@samessenger.com

Does someone with special needs depend on you?

Will you be able to be there for them?

Let me help you navigate Special Needs Planning, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts, Probate Matters

Holly K. Lemieux, Esq., PLLC Attorney at Law

PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS

Jules on the Green owner Silvio Mazzella shows a Facebook post detailing how customers started “paying it forward” during a Valentine’s Day dinner, totalling about $1,000 spent on others’ meals.

Jules on the Green customers pay it forward

By AMANDA BROOKS A romantic dinner out on the town with that special someone is already a perfect way to spend a Valentine’s Day evening. But for Jules on the Green diners this past holiday, dinner got just a bit sweeter when customers started “paying it forward.”

Jules owner Silvio Mazzella said the good deeds started occurring at the beginning of the dinner time crowd, at around 4:30 p.m., when an older couple was seated next to a family with young children. He said the two parties started up a conversation mid-way through the meal, and when the family got up to pay for their dinner, they asked to pay for the couple’s as well.

When the couple went to pay, the server told them their meal had already been taken care of.

“They pretty much almost started to cry, they could not believe it,” Mazzella said.

The couple felt they couldn’t leave the restaurant without paying, so they decided to “pay it forward” and buy the dinner for the table across from them. Mazzella said the bill for that table was more than their original check, but they wanted to pay for it anyway.

Mazella said the trend continued for nine more tables, all the way up to closing time at the restaurant. He said the final customer who had their check paid for in advance was in

disbelief, and wanted to pay it forward again.

He picked a random table out of the final few to pay for, but upon hearing their check was less than half of his table’s, he decided to pay for the rest of the diners in the restaurant, Mazella said.

“It was so beautiful and so nice, something you never see,” Mazzella said. He added that when he owned a Dunkin’ Donuts franchise, he would see customers from time to time pay for the car behind them, but he’s never seen it happen on such a large scale.

“Some people were paying $250, $300 checks and they were like, ‘nope, happy to do it, it’s special,’” Mazzella said. “And we were just blown away.”

He said the gifts totalled up to about $1,000 at the end of the night.

Musician Jerome Monachino was playing a set at the restaurant during the Valentine’s Day dinner and said he didn’t hear about the good deeds until the end of the night, but said he could tell something was going on while he was performing.

“It was extra enjoyable to be there, but I didn’t know why,” he said. “I think that generosity was somehow palpable in the room, I could feel it.”

Monachino said it was “a beautiful thing” to witness and he was grateful to have been playing at the restaurant when customers started paying it forward.

“It confirms to us that we’re in such a wonderful area and how amazing Essex and the surrounding towns [are],” Mazzella said. “Quite frankly, we were just so proud that it was something that happened in our restaurant.”

802-871-5410 21 Carmichael St., Ste. 201 Essex Jct., VT Holly@Lemieux-Law.com www.plantogetherlaw.com

4 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019

Loca L

TREE FARM from page 1

Group, which manages the complex, and any other stakeholders prior to any approvals.

“Doing otherwise would be inexcusable,” he said.

But the management group’s president, Mike Lampron, isn’t so sure. He said seeing discussions advance this far without any involvement from his group leads him to question the village’s sincerity.

“What if the Tree Management Group said, ‘Absolutely no way.’ Then what?” Lampron asked. “Either they care about our opinion or they don’t.”

The tree farm management group, formed as a nonprofit in 2000, is volunteer-run and operates independently from the municipalities, relying on rental fees instead of local taxes to pay for mainte-

COMING SOON...

Green Mountain

Clippers

Formerly Garry’s Barber Shop Please welcome your staff Lori Hammond-Smith, Robin Yates, Garry Montague

38 Park Street, Essex Junction, VT ALSO SELLING MAPLE SYRUP

PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS

The president of the Tree Farm Management Group, which serves as stewards of the Essex Tree Farm recreational facility, pictured above, says village officials haven’t asked for their feedback on a potential deal to allow a nonprofit organization to build an indoor facility here. nance to the fields, entry road and parking lot.

“As the stewards of the facility, I would have thought somebody would have come to ask us,” Lampron said.

Teich sympathized with his concerns, acknowledging the “process isn’t perfect.” But it has to start somewhere, he said.

“It was always our intention to come back to their

group, as well as others, and it would become public and those discussions would occur,” Teich said. “But some people asked for confidentiality up front, so it doesn’t end up being something before it even starts.”

Still, if the village or the nonprofit had checked in with the management group, they would have learned its president is likely against

SWITCHING CAN BE HARD. LET US MAKE IT WORTH YOUR WHILE.

REWARD CHECKING BONUS RATES

when qualifications are met*

BASE RATE

3.00% 0.55% 0.10% APY*

On balances up to $25,000

APY*

On amounts over $25,000

APY*

If requirements are not met

To qualify each month you must: Receive monthly e-statement Login to online banking Post & clear at least 1 payment or direct deposit Post & clear 12 or more debit card transactions

See where better banking takes you.

Insured by NCUA.

*3.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) paid on balances between $0.01 and $25,000 and 0.55% APY paid on any amount above $25,000 each qualification cycle when the minimum requirements are met. If you do not meet the requirements per cycle, your Reward Checking account will earn the base rate 0.10% APY. $25 Share deposit required for Credit Union membership, though no minimum balance necessary to earn rewards. Available for personal accounts only. The daily method is utilized to determine which rate will be applied. Dividends are compounded daily and will be credited to your account on the last day of each monthly statement cycle. If you close your account before dividends are credited, you will not receive the accrued dividend. Rates subject to change without notice and are accurate as of December 1, 2018. Nationwide ATM fee refunds up to $25 per qualification cycle. Individual ATM fees of $5.00 or more will be reimbursed into your Reward Checking account upon presentation of the ATM receipt. If you do not meet the requirements per cycle, you will not receive ATM fee refunds for that qualification cycle.

any new facilities at the tree farm. That’s because Lampron wonders what rules would be in place when other organizations come asking to build other facilities at the complex.

Teich said the village is working to decide parameters in case that happens, starting with whether it contributes to the “public good.”

“Is it a facility or an activity that we don’t currently offer that can improve outdoor recreation or recreation in general?” he asked.

The town and village will also need to seek approval from the state prior to any new development based on the deed requirements from their 2006 purchase of the tree farm.

The deed says the municipalities must maintain the complex as open space or use it for recreational purposes.

Teich expected the soccer facility proposal would align with those requirements.

But Lampron believes there’s roughly a “kazillion” other questions that need answers, too, many of which would impact the way his organization manages the complex. Who will be around to hash out those questions is unclear: If any deal does go through, the management group may need to that out under a new president.

“If somebody is going to be making a dollar off of this, I’m not going to volunteer anymore,” Lampron said.

The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb.28, 2019 | 5

Loca L

View our papers on our new and improved websites...

Youth on

Board

By DaviD voegele Executive director of Essex CHIPS

Shea Andrews is 13 years old, and in the 7th grade.

When two community members separately suggested last week that I interview Shea, I was curious as to what S impressed them about this , young woman. I reached out to n her, and it turns out they have good reason to be impressed.

As a middle school student, Shea is interested in the humanities, reading, singing, playing goalie in soccer, drawing, and designing. She is also passionate about her community, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ issues. Her commitment to the Essex-Westford area has led to her taking on leadership roles to help strengthen our community.

Shea told me, “I started doing the A World Of Difference (AWOD) program through my school this year and got

asked to facilitate at a Voices For Education summit for the betterment of Essex and Westford. I was a student facilitator at the summit…I got asked to join the QYD committee, a board of youth and community members whose goal it is to make Essex and Westford a Quality Youth Development community. To achieve this Essex and Westford need to meet 10 benchmarks, like an elected youth council and signs in downtown businesses that say ‘Youth are Welcome’.” It turns out that Shea is not just a member of the newly formed Essex-Westford QYD Steering Committee - she was selected to be a Co-Chair of the group!

In what ways do the schools encourage youth involvement in their community? Shea commented, “EHS students having the option to be involved with Essex CHIPS and other programs at the high school…and Westford, ADL and other middle school

SHea aNDReWS

students having the option to join AWOD and some other groups, is really helpful for youth to get involved with the community and have their voices heard…especially with regards to matters concerning the school…a lot of conversations and decisions that only adults participate in now affect kids more than they affect adults, and often the issues are important to us.”

So what is in Shea’s future? “I want to go to college for theater, and I want to travel.” Well, I for one am glad to know she is only 13, and in the 7th grade. That means the Essex-Westford community can continue to benefit from her passion, her activism, and her leadership skills for a few more years. Perhaps after college and a bit of travel, Shea Andrews will be back in Vermont, and will resume her contributions to our community well-being.

Three positions on school board open; one incumbent stepping down By aMaNDa BRooKS The Essex Westford School District board has three open positions up for election this year. The open spots are all three year-positions, and include two in the town and one in the village.

Vice chair Kim Gleason said she is re-running for her town spot because she is excited to continue working on the promise of merger.

“I’m very committed to seeing us through this transition to help us lead and realize the opportunities for this merger,” she said.

Board member Al Bombardier is also running for re-election to his town spot,

citing recent stable tax rates resulting from diligent budget work as an important achievement of the board.

Board clerk Marla Durham will not be re-running for her village spot on the board, said school board chair Martha Heath. The Reporter was not able to reach Durham before the press deadline for a comment.

Petitions to run for the school board can be picked up at the town clerk’s office during the week. Completed petitions are due by Monday, March 5.

The Reporter will do a full story on all candidates before the election on Tuesday, April 9.

FILE PHOTO

Marla Durham, a longtime school board member from Essex Jct., will not seek re-election to the EWSD school board this year.

It’s always free!

ESSEXREPORTER.COM COLCHESTERSUN.COM MILTONINDEPENDENT.COM

WILLS–TRUSTS–ESTATE PLANNING–MEDICAID–ELDER LAW–PROBATE

Peace of mind for your family & loved ones Register for one of our free seminars at www.unsworthlaplante.com

26 Railroad Ave./ Essex Jct., VT (802) 879-7133 / unsworthlaplante.com

6 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019

Loca L

EHS freshman wins Sanders essay contest Firdaus Muhammad discusses struggles with Islamophobia

By AMANDA BROOKS

When Firdaus Muhammad started to think about her entry for Sen. Bernie Sanders’s state of the union essay contest, she decided to write about a topic close to home: Islamophobia.

“I wanted to make it very personal,” she said. “The other topics like climate change, abortion rights, they’re all important issues, but I can’t really relate to them.”

The 15-year-old Essex High School student is the first freshman to win Sanders’s contest in its nine-year history. She took the top spot over almost 600 other entrants.

After the results were announced, Firdaus was able to meet the senator at a roundtable discussion where the finalists shared their essay topics. She said it was “eye-opening” to learn about some current issues from the other students, who were mostly juniors and seniors, and to propose her own thoughts.

For her essay, Firdaus said she wanted to write about her “life story” to better explain the issue of racism towards Muslims. She began her story by discussing how Sept. 11, 2001 changed her life, despite it being three years before she was even born.

When Firdaus was nine years old, she decided one morning to start wearing her hijab to school, inspired by a fellow classmate who had done the same just a few days prior. She said she asked her teacher if she could talk about her new head covering at morning meeting and answer any questions her classmates had.

“I’m happy I did it at such a young age because all those kids have grown up with me wearing the hijab,” she said. “It’s much COURTESY PHOTO more accepting, it’s a lot easier [now].”

Essex High School freshman Firdaus Muhammad poses in front of the Vermont Statehouse with a plaque honoring her While Firdaus said her Vermont classmates and community win in Sen. Bernie Sanders’ annual essay contest. Muhammad’s award-winning essay about Islamophobia made her were very accepting and open-minded when she started publicly the first freshman to win the contest in its nine-year history. wearing her hijab, she acknowledged the continued struggle of other Muslims around the country and world.

In her essay, Firdaus recalled a more recent memory of watching the news with her father as President Trump signed an executive order “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry,” often referenced as the “travel ban” or “Muslim ban.”

“Being an eleven year old Muslim girl, I couldn’t comprehend how people could be so rude and racist to one another,” she wrote. “Why were people suddenly so scared of Muslims? Didn’t they know that Islam was a religion founded on peace and justice? How can we live in ‘The Land of the Free’ when Muslims are afraid of being targeted based solely on their religion?”

Firdaus said being able to wear her hijab at school and in public allows her to show her personality and overcome negative stereotypes by being a positive symbol for her religion.

On a national level, however, Firdaus thinks the country still has a ways to go in overcoming all forms of racism, but recent progress has left her positive for the future.

34 Park St Essex Junction || 802-871-5295 || lazyfarmervt.com “I think we should keep on moving forward and not letting certain people influence our beliefs on other people,” she said.

“We’re all human, we’re all here on planet earth, so we just have 34 Park St Essex Junction || 802-871-5295 || lazyfarmervt.com to be accepting of one another.”

D n

Restaurant & Catering Fri & Sat 4:30-8:30 Restaurant & Catering Fri & Sat 4:30-8:30

Loca L

The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb.28, 2019 | 7

Essex Jct. man accused of raping UVM student

By COLIN FLANDERS A convicted sex offender living in Essex Jct. stands accused of raping a University of Vermont student last weekend after gaining access to her dormitory.

Tyson Cyphers, 37, pleaded not guilty Monday morning to charges of repeated aggravated sexual assault, stalking and grand larceny. If convicted, he faces a possible sentence of life in prison.

Cyphers was active on the Vermont Sex Offender Registry from a 2004 conviction on two counts of lewd and lascivious conduct. He was listed as non-compliant with registry rules but designated “not high risk,” a Department of Corrections determination suggesting he doesn’t pose a high risk of re-offending.

Prosecutors requested Cyphers be held without bail for the entirety of his court proceedings. A judge will determine whether to set bail at a hearing March 6.

The alleged victim told detectives with the Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations that Cyphers, whom she knew, somehow accessed her dormitory Saturday afternoon and, when she didn’t answer the door, threatened to “cut his wrists” if she didn’t let him inside.

When the woman allowed him to enter her room, Cyphers said he planned to “make her hate him,” the affidavit reads. He then locked the bedroom door, carried her over to her bed and forced her to have vaginal and oral sex, court records show. In both instances, she either said she did not want to have sex or attempted to push him away, court records show.

At one point, the woman told police, Cyphers put his hand around her neck, causing her to feel lightheaded.

Cyphers stopped assaulting the woman when her roommate tried to open the locked door. The woman told police she then began yelling at Cyphers, telling him he had to leave, at which time he told her to report him to

Demonstrators protest Trump’s national emergency order

PHOTOS BY COLIN FLANDERS

More than 50 demonstrators filled the Five Corners’ on Presidents’ Day to protest President Trump’s national emergency order. Organizers for Essx Resists, an advocacy group former in the wake of the 2016 election, estimated it was the 15th time they have held such a demonstration.

the police. He then took several valuable items and attempted to take the woman’s cell phone, but she was able to get it back before he left, court records show.

After he left, Cyphers emailed the woman and said she could get her belongings at his home, providing her a door code to get in, court record show.

The woman’s roommate told police the alleged victim was trying to cut ties with Cyphers but felt obligated to keep speaking to him because he threatened self-harm whenever she did, court records show.

Several days before the assault, Cyphers waited for the woman outside of one her classes without her invitation to do so, court records show. She told police when she tried to walk away, he threatened to kill himself.

And the day of the alleged rape, Essex Police had issued a “be on the lookout” alert for Cyphers after his father reported his son had made comments of suicidal thoughts, court records show.

Following their initial interview with the alleged victim, detectives drove to the Essex police station, where EPD officers confirmed that Cyphers’ white Toyota Rav-4 was parked outside of his Lincoln Street residence. A woman called EPD around that time and told dispatchers that Cyphers had just initiated a video phone call with her showing he was drinking alcohol and taking pills.

Based on this information, detectives and EPD officers conducted a welfare check on Cyphers, suspecting that he may be overdosing on medication, court records show. Using the door code provided by the alleged victim, police gained entry to his apartment and found his bedroom door closed.

When Cyphers didn’t come out, officers breached the door and found him lying on his bed holding a flask and bottle of soda. Court records described him as lethargic but responsive to verbal commands when police took him into custody.

See OFFENDER, page 18

8 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019

Opi ni On

Letters to the editor Shaming, blaming should stop To clarify public efforts I took part in over 2015-16 now issues in the upcoming elections, I want to review these events.

In 2015-16, Trustees and Select Board formed the first group to work on the new Heart & Soul of Essex Thoughtful Growth in Action goal – TGIA. The group was made up of 24 Town and Village residents and Community Development staff. We were charged with finding a way to consolidate the planning commissions.

After six months of meetings, homework between meetings, two paid facilitators, $10,000 or more in tax funds spent, we recommended one Development Review board and two separate Planning Commissions.

Group members developers Dousevitcz and Weaver favored the recommendation.

Over a year later, after much work

by Community Development staff, in July 2017, I opened my Essex Reporter to a headline saying that the Trustees had voted unanimously to pull out of the process - the consolidation effort was dead.

Irene Wrenner was a group member attending the meetings as a citizen as well as a selectboard member. She and the selectboard learned of the Trustee action from the Essex Reporter. As Sue McCormack wrote, I will think long and hard before I join such a group again, because of how our elected Village officials chose to behave.

In 2016, both Wrenner and selectboard member Sue Cook questioned the proposed independent 501©3 municipality with a separate taxing power for the rec departments. Cook wanted numbers – she asked for a matrix in September 2016, showing projected costs. The reply was, ‘We’re working on it.’

At that time the working group was six months into the project, nowhere near the last minute, the vote in December. Cook later stated she could not vote yes.

Then a month before the December vote, the two Park Department heads used the Town public email server to send emails lobbying for a yes vote to residents signed up with Park and Rec. After several Village and Town residents went public in the Essex Reporter, according to Pat Scheidel, 320 people withdrew their emails from Park and Rec. Why the focus on one selectboard member’s opposition when three members voted against the proposal, the third one voting no privately in the election? And an unethical action by Park and Rec staff ? Assigning responsibility for public actions is not the same as assigning blame. Blaming and shaming do not belong in Essex elections. It needs to stop.

Paula DeMichele Essex

Applauding health care efforts Five years after most of the provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) came into effect, the healthcare law is still a political hot button issue that has been embroiled in legal challenges since President Obama signed it into law in 2010. Republicans have tried multiple times – unsuccessfully – to repeal the law. The US Supreme Court has upheld the ACA in two previous challenges, and it now appears to be headed for a third review, with Vermont joining a multi-state coalition seeking to uphold the law’s constitutionality. In the meanwhile, the Vermont house has introduced legislation (H.129) calling for universal primary healthcare in Vermont by 2023.

Despite impressive gains in health care access since the ACA’s implementation, the law did not go far enough, as it did not achieve universal, equitable healthcare coverage. From a public health perspective, we should build on the successes of the ACA by moving toward Medicare for All in order to finally achieve universal, equitable coverage.

Paying for such a system is always contentious, and that is a hurdle facing H.129. However, as the bill’s lead sponsor noted, “By investing in universal primary care, we can improve population health… save lives and save money.” Numerous studies have shown that this could happen at the federal level also.

I applaud our Progressive Vermont legislators for renewing the call for universal primary health care in our State. Perhaps this time around we can provide a model for the rest of the nation to follow.

Audree Frey Support for Murray Please consider supporting Patrick Murray in the selectboard election.

Patrick is a native Vermonter with a huge amount of enthusiasm for serving our community. I’ve had the chance to work closely with Patrick on the unified school board for the last couple years. He stands out for his dedication to listening to constituents and ensuring their voices are heard at the table.

Patrick is also extremely honest and straightforward. He says exactly what he really means. When he disagrees with someone, it is respectful and doesn’t get personal. He would be a great addition to the selectboard team.

I moved to Vermont in 2011 and it wasn’t easy to figure out which elections I was eligible to vote in. So, a friendly reminder that selectboard represents the whole Town, including the Village. You can vote already at 81 Main Street. I hope we see a good turnout so we can know the result is representative of what the whole community wants from our leadership!

And then come back the next month

to vote the school budget and board members!

Keeley Schell Anybody but Wrenner As this year’s election approaches, I go back to the previous year’s election where the funding of the Essex and Essex Jct. recreation departments was brought forth to be done by a “Special Taxation District.” Of which, I, on election day observed as others surely did Irene Wrenner standing outside the voting area saying we don’t need “STDs” and waving and or passing out condoms. That somehow we should equate the funding of the recreation department with a “Sexually Transmitted Disease”! This kind of negative branding has been used very successfully by our current president whose racist and sexist conduct has been nothing but divisive to our country and destructive to the country’s growth to become a tolerant and respectful society.

The “Special Taxation District” recommendation was brought forth by a group of Essex residents who volunteered their time to look at the best way to fund the combined recreation department. Whether I or any other resident agreed with their conclusion or recommendations is irrelevant, what matters here is that we have a thoughtful and respectful dialogue of the issue. The people that volunteered their time and did the best job they could deserved to be heard and treated respectfully and not have a selectboard member wave a condom in their faces and yell we don’t need STDs. Let’s all remember these people are our friends and neighbors and we should be able to have this debate in a civil manner. In the age of “Me Too,” isn’t one of the messages that people need to be treated with respect and dignity? Irene’s grandstanding, theatrical, degrading display was a crass assault on the sensibilities and fabric of the entire community and a direct insult to the community members that worked on this proposal. As I mentioned earlier we see this kind of name calling at the national level and like many of my neighbors, we are sick and tired of this.

If we are going to start correcting this sorry state we need to fix it at the local level first. For myself and I hope many of you as well on election day can say no to this type of degrading behavior by voting for Patrick Murray and Annie Cooper.

Craig H. Smith Opposing Wrenner’s re-election After moving here in beginning of 2016, I enjoyed getting to know Irene Wrenner because she acted focused on giving the Town residents a voice on public safety using public lands and roads. I offered to run around Essex Junction and distribute fliers to vote no on the Recreation merger, and stood

with her in front of Essex High School with signage hanging over me on voting day. Many times I defended her at selectboard meetings when she was attacked by other female selectboard members. But, after hiring a personal attorney to help me speak at the October 15 firearm Ordinance Meeting stating statues that make the Town liable if passive exerciser gets shot by a stray bullet on a public road in conservation area, Irene proposed the hunting season be extended from March to December! I was flabbergasted!!

All that talk of transparency giving a voice of public safety was just, “all talk!” I’m extremely disappointed in her being on the selectboard and believe it’s time to get more forward thinking candidates on the board who truly are for the safety of the residents who move here because of the parks and recreation destination areas here in Essex and Essex Junction. I will vote Patrick Murray and Annie Cooper.

One of many Hillside Circle residents using Saxon Hill Road and trails.

Patty Davis

Essex Rescue committed to highquality care The article on Garnet Transport Medicine in last week’s edition (Feb. 21) highlighted a few of the concerns held by a number of members of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) community. These concerns were developed in response to Garnet’s public information and the manner in which it was released. Essex Rescue has been an integral part of the community and the local EMS district for almost 50 years. We continue to work to ensure the health and safety of our community through direct service and by monitoring changes in the local system.

All new EMS services in the district must go through a standard application process with the state Department of Health and district board. Essex Rescue and other area services will watch this process closely and engage where appropriate to support the shortand long-term stability of the medical response system for our community and our partner agencies. In the meantime, our community members can rest assured that we will continue to provide high-quality, affordable, and community-oriented medical care, as always. Thank you to the community and our elected officials for your support!

Hillary Danis Essex Rescue

What do you think?

Email your letter to news@essexreporter.com. Please include your full name and address.

Deadline: Mondays at 9 a.m.

Opi ni On

The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb.28, 2019 | 9

MESSAGES FROM MONTPELIER chittenden 8-3

chittenden 8-1

chittenden 8-2

REP. LINdA MyERS (R)

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

By Rep. Dylan GiamBatista Top issues are taking shape as we near the Vermont General Assembly’s annual Town Meeting break. Because the 2019 session didn’t start until January 9th, we’ve had fewer legislative days to consider and advance bills than last year. As of this past Friday, 400 individual House bills had been introduced

by Representatives. Just 15 of these bills had been voted through the body and onto the Senate.

Two of the four pieces of legislation I’m cosponsoring have advanced through the House. H.3, An act relating to ethnic and social equity studies standards for public schools, was my first bill to advance through both chambers. H.3 will create an education working group to review if Vermont’s education standards and curriculum can be updated to better reflect people and groups who have been underrepresented or marginalized. I was proud to usher the bill through committee and onto the floor of the House, where it passed by a unanimous vote of 140-0 on February 1st. The Senate is scheduled to debate the bill this week.

I expect the Governor will sign H.3 before we set the clocks forward in March.

Our annual Town Meeting break will be followed by the first legislative deadline of the year, what we call the “crossover”

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

deadline. Crossover is the date by which policy bills must move out of their committee of origin to be considered for passage by the House and the Senate this year. The 2019 crossover date is March 15th. After crossover, the House will take up the FY2020 State budget and other must-pass money bills. Look for updates on money bills in our March and April legislative updates.

With so many bills in play, I invite you to attend one of our monthly community coffee meetings. Our January and February meetings were well attended and generated valuable feedback. Thanks to everyone who has come out to chat with your local House members! Our next forum will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, March 17 at Nest Bakery (17 Main Street). Please join us.

A reminder that Essex’s Town Meeting will be held at Essex High School at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 4th. Municipal elections will occur on Tuesday, March 5th. Make sure to vote! While I can’t make this year’s Town Meeting in person due to a family commitment, I’ll be at the Village Meeting on Wednesday, April 3rd.

It’s an honor to serve Essex Junction. Please email me at dgiambatista@leg.state.vt.us if you have any topics you’d like to discuss. I hope to see you around town as the days get longer and winter thaws out!

Obituary

paul HenRy FRoBose In Memory and Celebration of Life On January 30, 2019 Paul Henry Frobose of Essex Junction lost his courageous and determined seven year battle with cancer. As my best friend and husband for nearly forty years I would like to honor Paul with this brief memorial and share with friends, especially those in our old neighborhood and at Saint James Episcopal Church where we had many good times and memories.

Paul lived all of his life in California, until we moved to Vermont in the summer of 2004. Paul was born in 1945 and grew up on a ranch in Modesto, in California’s great Central Valley. The region always had a special place in his heart and was where we lived when I taught at California State University. In his

that he wanted to return to his beloved California. In 1996 he earned a Master’s Degree in History from California State University, Sacramento. He had a deep and abiding passion for the history of silent film and the importance of his research and publishing is recognized by other academics in the field. Sadly, due to increasing complications from illness, by 2008 Paul could not continue with his academic work.

Great joys in Paul’s life were our many road trips around the American West, holidays in New England and Florida, and many visits to our beloved California Redwoods, Monterey, and Big Sur. Trips to my homeland, England, where he was greatly loved by family, always involved adventures into history. If he had a favorite place there, it was the Roman ruins which fascinated him to no end. We shared a passion for history, travel, nature, and animals, especially adopted dogs and cats of which there were always many in our house. Paul was a deeply compassionate man who ten years ago cared for my father in our Essex Junction home during his last months until cancer took his life. That compassion also extended

281 North Main St. St. albans, vt. 05468 EDITORIAL: 893-2028 ADVERTISING: 524-9771

See tRee FaRm, page 4

youth Paul was active in 4-H, a member of the school track and swimming teams, and was very proud of the position he was awarded on the school debate team. He excelled in academics and loved school as many of his friends from that era remember well. Paul was an only child, adopted by Daisy and Henry Frobose in 1945. By the 1970s, with the loving support of his aging widowed father Henry, Paul began looking for his birth mother. In 1980 I had the great privilege of sharing with him the first meeting with his birth mother, Ruth. The welcoming reception and outpouring of love he received from his “new” family was central in Paul’s life and having been raised as an only child, he was overjoyed to find that he had a younger sister and brother with whom he formed close bonds. Paul is survived by his brother Alan of Washington State but his sister Sally Ann died in 2017.

Paul excelled at academics and after graduating from Oakdale High School in 1963, he attended Raymond College at the University of the Pacific, California. After a brief time in graduate school at Brandeis University in Massachusetts he realized

RepoRteR

especially to animals and had ever since his childhood. Long is the list of my memories of our rescuing injured animals and getting them to rehab.

The other Paul was the guy who had been true to his San Francisco Giants since childhood when his father used to make the four hour drive from the Valley to San Francisco, his home town, to stay with family and go to baseball games. That passion continued to adulthood and although not initially a baseball fan, I found myself caught up in Paul’s unbounded enthusiasm at the many San Francisco Giants and Oakland A’s games we attended in California. His rich knowledge of the game, excitement, and joy even converted my mother to baseball and he delighted in taking her to games and watching her get involved.

Paul you enriched many lives and during the course of your life were loved by many.

Now I wish you peace as you are with both your mothers Ruth and Daisy and your father Henry and your sister Sally. And of course, all the many dogs and cats that we rescued and cherished who have crossed the rainbow bridge long ago have finally come to see you again.

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 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

dEadLiNES Fridays at 5 p.m.

Published Thursdays Circulation: 8,800 The Essex Reporter is owned by Vermont Publishing Corp Inc. and is a member of the Champlain Valley News Group.

10 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019

PHOTO BY JOSH KAUFMANN

Essex’s Jamaal Hankey breaks ahead of his competition during the indoor track and field championships at Gutterson Fieldhouse.

Indoor track wins second-straight title

SPORTS

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK JAmES dAniS Junior: Wrestling

By JOSH KAUFMANN SOUTH BURLINGTON — In the end, second was good for first.

St. Johnsbury Academy picked up two points on Essex in the boys 4x400-meter relay to close the indoor track and field state championships. Fortunately for the Hornets, they started the race up by three, and the second-place run by double individual champ Jamaal Hankey, 4x200 titlist Michael Baker, long jump champ Ryan Guerino, and sophomore James Boldosser clinched the trophy.

By one point.

With 143 points to the Hilltoppers’ 142, the Essex boys had followed their outdoor title last spring with their first indoor crown since 2013, and the program’s ninth indoors.

The Hornets began the day at Gutterson Fieldhouse with second place in the 4x800, and Hankey followed with 18 quick points and the first of seven individual state championships for Essex athletes, taking first in the 55-meter hurdles and then second in the Division I 55-meter dash.

See TRACK, page 12

PHOTO BY CASSANDRA SAMROV, BeNNiNgTON BANNeR

mAdELinE young

A second-round pin gave Danis his second straight state wrestling title, at 182 lbs. in the Vermont state championships Feb. 23 at Essex H.S. Danis, who reached the finals for the third time in as many seasons, won 47 matches this winter against just two losses, with a career mark of 145-16. Before taking state honors, this winter Danis also picked up titles in the Nashua North (N.H.) Invitational and Essex’s Michael J. Baker Classic, leading the Hornets to first place in both.

Senior: Hockey The senior forward is among the most-explosive players in the state, forcing defenses to pay close attention wherever she is on the ice. In Essex’s Feb. 23 bid to beat rival BFASt. Albans after a pair of 2-1 losses to the Comets, Young provided the perfect start when she finished off an Olivia Miller-Johnson assist with just 22 seconds gone in what would be a 1-1 tie. Entering Essex’s final regularseason game, Young had 13 goals and 17 assists for 27 points this winter and career totals of 41 goals and 53 assists, needing just 6 more points in potentially four remaining games to hit the 100-point mark.

Jules on the green is a proud sponsor of athletes in our community.

EssEx sport shorts

SPORTS

The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb.28, 2019 | 11

By JOE GONILLO

scored as well. Max Line had 2 assists while gk Paul Gordon made 13 saves. They defeated SB 4-1 behind Sport Shorts goals from Janaro (2), Cram, and Line. Assists to Janaro, Weigand and Millette. They have 2 road While you are enjoygames remaining with SB and MIDD. ing vacation, most high The boys basketball team is 10-7 after winning 3 school teams and all midof their last 4 games. The Hornets defense stepped dle school regular seasons up big in the 48-27 W over the CHS Lakers. Robbie have ended. Playoffs begin Meslin drained 17 points and Stephen Astor added next week, so check the EHS athletic website for 11 in the win. CVU, St.J, and SHS are opponents next schedules and postseason matchups The wrestlers week. The jv’s got by the Lakers 48-37 and are 14-3 and the cheerleaders competed in their state cham- with those same 3 teams to play. pionships last weekend. The 50th ADL tourney is in Our girls basketball team, 10-10, is ranked 9th the books as well. Relax but whether you skied, went heading into the playoffs. Losses to Rice and CVU somewhere warm, worked out, read for enjoyment, closed out the regular season dropped them a place or slept till noon, see you back in school next week. or two. They look to be playing MAU in Bennington The wrestlers finished second in states last weekin round 1. Rice got by the Hornets 43-35 in a tightly end. The Hornets racked up points to trail only 30-plus contested game. Sarah Coulter scored 15 and Rachel time state titleist MAU. Their valiant effort was led Botala 10. They lost their season finale to CVU as by three individual state champions: Ben Stewart at the Red Hawks raced out to a big lead early. Mary 113 pounds, Calvin Leo at 132 pounds, and James Finnegan scored 6 points as they couldn’t seem to Danis at 182 pounds.Gill Stawinski at 152 pounds get their offense and Jack Carney in gear. The jv’s at 182 pounds completed a earned silver for magical season their second place at 18-1 winning finishes. their last two The cheerleadregular season ers finished secgames, 50-31 ond in their state over Rice and championship 49-28 over CVU. competition. Solid The win marked performances all the final game around. in the impresCMS boys sive coaching defeated the ADL career of Jessie Chargers to win Hammond. More the ADL tourney on her next week.

Saturday eveThe bowlning. The hosts ers rolled in defeated EMS the Individual in their opening Championships round, dropped Saturday. I don’t CHMS in the Final think any of the Four, then fell to Hornets made Colchester in the it past the inifinals. In the girls tial round of the tourney tourney. States The girls hocknext week in ey team is now Barre.

16-2-1 after a 2-1 S p r i n g week. An openTraining report: ing-week 2-1 OT Saw the Yanks loss to BFA, a 6-1 practice last blistering of Rice, week. Torres and and a 1-1 OT tie Andujar consiswith the Comets tently drilled HRs kept them busy. to LF in batting Olivia Millerpractice. Headed PHOTO BY CASSANDRA SAMROV, BENNINgTON BANNER Johnson and Abby back there Robbins played a Monday to see little give-and-go for the lone Essex goal in game 1.

NY host Toronto. Will also catch Red Sox vs Rays in GK Sophia Forcier made 22 saves. In the win vs the Port Charlotte this week.

Green Knights Frankie Martin scored twice, Maddy SPRING SIGN UPS: All Athletes should fill out their Young and Molly Bruyns chalked up a goal and an Spring Sports Registration Form before February assist, while Grace Wiggett and OMJ scored as well.

28th, 2019. Students are recommended to log via Forcier stopped 16 shots. On Saturday in the BFA “Sign In with Google” with their @vt.ewsd.org email rematch, a late Comet goal tied the game and sent it account credentials. Spring Sports first day is March to OT. Young score the lone Essex goal in the opening 18th, 2019, but baseball P and C begin 3/11. seconds of the game. This defensive struggle could Happy Birthday Mason Smith, Timmel Albertson, just be a preview of the state championship game.

Ben Ferris, Luis Severino, Justin Verlander, Charlie Last regular season game vs SB Wednesday.

Vile, Ally Vile, Dawn Place Stevens, Leah Smith, The boys hockey team’s record is 14-2-2. Essex Emma Sopchak, Marisa Vannacourt, Emily Danis, clubbed Rutland 6-3. Sam Gibbs lit the lamp 3 times, Amber Drabble, Rollie Noel, Sarah Tallman, Sara Jonah Janaro (A), Tyler Millette, and Grady Cram Perkins Dahl, and Lexie O’Sullivan.

PHOTOS BY COLIN FLANDERS

An Essex skiier races ahead during the Hornets’ meet on February 16.

Nordic skiing results Varsity Boys 5 Charles Martell/Patrick Herrin 14 Nathan Wu/Ethan Boutin 27 Drew Marcotte/Samson Schultz 29 Nick Mendes/Nolan Boerger Varsity Girls 17 August Spagnuolo-Chawla/ Riley Fitzgerald 18 Abigail Monahan/Emma Brott 26 Adeline Deming/Regan Parent JV Boys 5 Walker Stapleton/Caleb Brott 7 Jack Giuliani/Caleb Roylance 10 Mason Lepine/Aiden Philbrick JV Girls 1 Maddie Moino/Fiona Legg 6 Grace Hsiang/Maegan Beckage 7 Olivia Doty/Katie Macesker 8 Rachel Chan/Isabella Harris 10 Scarlett Wagner/Naomi Walters 16 Iza Logan/Molly Fay

Shutterbug?

Send your sports photos to ben@ essexreporter. com

20:46 22:59 26:09 26:27 28:37 28:41 32:14 26:46 30:01 32:05 29:29 32:23 32:33 32:48 34:07 37:42

COME ENJOY OUR

Weekly Specials!

MONDAY

Kids Eat Free WEDNESDAY

$5 Margaritas THURSDAY

1/2 price Nachos

authentic mexican cuisine

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FOR LUNCH & DINNER

4 Park Street • Essex • 802.662.4334 169 Church St. • Burlington • 802.540.3095 ElGatoCantina.com

12 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019

SPORTS

CHAMPS from page 1 It was an overall team effort for the Hornets, who had three gymnasts finish in the top eight in the all-around competition but did not win any of the four events. Livia Ball, on the bars, was the team’s only apparatus runner-up, but an array of good scores and places throughout the competition did the job.

Ella Lesney led the way for Essex, coming in second in the all-around.

Lesney finished third on the floor exercise, fourth on the beam, fifth on the uneven bars, and tied for eighth place on the vault.

“I’m very proud of Ella Lesney, who had the meet of her life,” Krug said. “She performed to the best of her ability on every event.

“Ella is known for her grace and her clean lines. She was a strong vault, beam, and floor competitor for us last year. This year we added bars to her repertoire. She learned three new skills on bars, which helped put her less than 0.2 points away from being a state champion in the all-around. She has shown tremendous growth since her freshman year on the team and I’m excited to coach her for one more year.”

Senior Abigail Gleason, who tied for fifth in all-around, finished eighth

PHOTO BY JOSH KAUFMANN

The Hornets react as Champlain Valley Union is announced as the runner-up Saturday, leaving Essex back on top with its 13th crown in the past 14 years. on the vault, seventh on the bars, and fourth on floor exercise to help the Hornets recapture the crown.

“We couldn’t have had the success we did without the strong leadership from our captains Abbey Gleason and Kiki Keenan,” Krug said. “They led the team all season with their hard work, dedication, commitment, and love for their teammates.

“Abbey Gleason is the core of our team. Her consistency, leadership and calm presence kept our team focused and composed on Saturday.”

Ball ended up seventh in allaround, thanks to her runner-up effort and a seventh on the beam. And

sophomore Abby Brooks finished off her four-event day with a flourish, picking up the meet’s artistic performance award for her floor performance.

“Abby Brooks is the spirit of the team,” Krug said. “She had consistent performances in the all-around and motivated her teammates with her support and humor.”

Krug cited another trio for providing the depth that paid off so well Saturday: Emily Moll-Celis, fifth on beam; Gabriela Schmida, eighth on beam and sixth on vault; and Claire Emery, sixth on bars.

“Claire Emery has been a strong competitor on bars fnd Floor all season

but she had the best bar routine of her life yesterday, scoring an 8.15,” Krug said Sunday. “She has shown a lot of growth this season.

“Gabby Schmida has always been a strong vault competitor, but in the past couple weeks she has really been working on cleaning up her form in her front handspring vault. That paid off yesterday; she was the top vaulter for our team with an 8.375, just higher than Ella Lesny and Abbey Gleason.

Gabby also had a great beam routine. scoring an 8.75.

“Freshman Emily Moll-Celis competed in vault and beam. She was our first competitor on beam and she was chosen for that spot because of her consistency and ability to perform well under pressure. She played a crucial role in our success on beam when she led the team with a stuck beam routine and a score of 8.9.

“From there we were able to cruise through beam with no nerves, wobbles, or doubt.“ That calm start led 2 1/2 hours later to the excitement that was missing a year earlier, and another firstplace trophy.

“I knew we’d have to have our best day to edge out CVU so we prepared to have a confident, clean meet,” Krug said. “The girls did just that.”

TRACK from page 10

ESSEXPLAYERS.COM

THE TELL-TALE FARCE

By DON ZOLIDIS

ble What unspeaka aits aw ry he uc ba de ber behind this cham door?

One Way to cu t an engagem ent (and fiancé) shor t

nty

Chaos and shenanigans aple Let’s do some shenanigans

Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com)

Playing Poe is hard, especially when your mustache keeps falling off!

March 1-16, 2019

Fri & Sat 7:30pm • Sun 2pm Essex Memorial Hall Tickets & info: essexplayers.com

Hankey added his second individual crown late in the meet and finished his day on the runner-up 4x400 squad. His 36.92-second time in an early 300-meter heat was good for second overall behind double-winner Trey Poquette of BFA-St. Albans but first in D-I by just 2-hundredths of a second over teammate Spencer Towle. The two had similar results in the 55, with Hankey second by .04 over Towle.

Guerino captured his first state title, five weeks after setting the Vermont indoor record in the long jump at 22 feet, 7 inches, in the Dartmouth Relays on Jan. 12. He also anchored the 4x200 relay team, which left St. Johnsbury five seconds back to win the title, and ran in the second-place 4x400 effort.

Henry Farrington celebrated his recent Gatorade Cross Country award with a win in the 1500 meters after anchoring the 4x800 quartet to second place.

Morgan Marckres, Hannah Neddo, and Lizzie Martell captured state championships for the Essex girls.

Marckres followed two Champlain Valley runners competing as non-scoring individuals to win the Division I title in the 3000 meters and was third in the 1500. Hannah Brisson took second in the D-I 1500 and 3000. Martell won the 600 meters and was second in the 300, while Neddo captured the high jump crown, and was fourth in the triple jump and fifth in long jump.

Brisson, Neddo, and Marckres each scored 16 points individually to account for 48 of the Hornets’ 61 individual points. The Essex girls finished second, 75.5 points behind St. Johnsbury and 25 in front of South Burlington.

PHOTO BY JOSH KAUFMANN

Essex runners reach for the finish line during a race at the indoor track and field state championships. See more photos at essexreporter.com.

SPORTS

Essex ties BFA-St. Albans in girls hockey showdown

By ANTHONY LABOR JR. Messenger Sports

ESSEX — Round three between girls hockey heavyweights BFA-St. Albans and Essex girls hockey was a no-decision Saturday, after neither could find a knockout punch to win their second meeting of the week, a 1-1 tie.

The Comets had won the first two meetings by 2-1 scores, including an overtime winner Monday in St. Albans. r Saturday’s draw clinched the No. 1 seed for BFA, with Essex assured of the No. 2 slot behind the defending champions.

“It wasn’t our best all-around game out there today, but we did enough to earn a hard-fought tie,” said BFA coach Luke Cioffi. “Essex did a good job winning the foot races out there today, but I thought it was just another battle between these two teams.”

It appeared early that Saturday’s game might go in Essex’s favor after the Hornets tallied a goal less than 30 seconds in and sustained pressure through the first half of the opening period.

“A lot of our game is mental and knowing we can score, so getting a

d

d

The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb.28, 2019 | 13

PHOTO BY JOSH KAUFMANN

Sophomore goalie Sophia Forier defends the net during the Hornets’ game against BFA-St. Albans last Saturday. Forcier finished with 17 saves during the contest.

goal 22 seconds into the game was a big lift for us,” said Essex coach John Maddalena. “I thought it helped us the rest of the first period getting a lot of pressure and playing confidently right out of the gate, but unfortunately we couldn’t find a way to get that second goal in.”

Essex came out firing on all cylinders and needed just 22 seconds to get in front. As Olivia Miller-Johnson sent a pass across the slot from the right

circle, BFA goalie Maddie Hungerford shifted over in the crease to follow the puck. But the pass was redirected back to3ward the right, onto the stick of Madeline Young, who fired into the open net.

Essex continued the pressure in BFA’s zone but the Comets answered midway through the first period to regain momentum. Meghan Connor sent a pass into the Essex zone to a streaking Lizzie Hill, who skated the puck

into the slot unchallenged and sent a wrist shot under the crossbar to even the score at one.

The Hornets controlled the puck for the majority of the game, outshooting BFA 36-19 but not finding anther way past Hungerford through three periods and overtime.

The Comets’ junior goalie made 35 saves, while Sophia Forcier had 17 stops for Essex. Both goalies came up with big stops in the final two periods of regulation. In the second period with the Comets on the power play, they turned the puck over deep in their zone in the slot, but Hungerford was there to bail them out with a big save.

Forcier had a huge stop late in the third when BFA’s McKenna Remillard sent a nice pass from behind the Hornets’ net to a wide-open Connor in the slot.

“Sophia came up huge for us making that save point-blank,” said Maddalena. “This game was such a hard-fought and close game like it usually is between our two teams, and it could have gone either way. So that was clutch for us with her coming up with that save.”

POLI CE LOG

ESSEX POLICE REPORTS February 18 - 24 Arrests

1 Domestic Assault

MondAy, FebruAry 18

12:34 a.m., Citizen assist on Freeman Woods 8:15 a.m., Citizen assist on Abnaki Ave. 5:39 p.m., Found/lost property on Essex Way 5:54 p.m., Motor vehicle complaint on Joseph Ln. 7:14 p.m., Domestic disturbance; location withheld 8:55 p.m., Intoxication on Owaissa Ave.

tuesdAy, FebruAry 19

12:11 a.m., Noise on Sand Hill Dr. 12:54 p.m., Citizen assist on Educational Dr. 1:19 p.m., Found/lost property on Main St. 1:45 p.m., Motor vehicle complaint on Main St. 3:49 p.m., Suspicious event on Pearl St. 6:20 p.m., Motor vehicle complaint on I-289

WednesdAy, FebruAry 20

3:40 a.m., Suspicious event on Central St. 11:37 a.m., Suspicious event on Educational Dr. 3:24 p.m., Domestic disturbance; location withheld 4:44 p.m., Motor vehicle complaint on Ira Allen Dr.

4:47 p.m., Accident with property damage on Susie Wilson Rd. 7:13 p.m., Suspicious event on Main St. 8:17 p.m., Citizen assist on Railroad St. 9:24 p.m., Suspicious event on Butternut Ct. 10:10 p.m., Suspicious event on Susie Wilson Rd. 11:18 p.m., Accident with property damage on Park St.

thursdAy, FebruAry 21

10:24 a.m., Suspicious event on Lincoln St. 11:36 a.m., Suspicious event on Grove St. 3:16 p.m., Accident with property damage on Pinecrest Dr. 5:35 p.m., Threatening on Autumn Pond Way 5:56 p.m., Suspicious event on Maple St. 11:22 p.m., Domestic disturbance; location withheld

FridAy, FebruAry 22

5:53 a.m., Accident with property damage on Fort Pkwy.

10:27 a.m., Welfare check on Lincoln St. 10:31 a.m., Suspicious event on Founders Rd. 12:12 p.m, Welfare check on Colchester Rd. 12:50 p.m, Accident with property damage on

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

Landfill Ln. 2:59 p.m, Found/lost property on Pearl St. 3:33 p.m, Juvenile problem; location withheld 4:26 p.m, Fraud on Essex Way 4:31 p.m, Citizen assist on Central St. 5:04 p.m, Intoxication on Main St. 6:40 p.m, Citizen dispute on Iris St. 7:01 p.m, Citizen assist on Main St. 8:48 p.m, Citizen assist on Pearl St. 9:09 p.m, DLS on Lincoln St. 10:58 p.m, Suspicious event on Central St. 11:14 p.m, Suspicious event on Pinecrest Dr.

11:32 a.m., Citizen assist on Brickyard Rd. 2:07 p.m., Accident with personal injury Pearl St. 6:57 p.m., Noise on Ethan Allen Ave. 7:28 p.m., Motor vehicle complaint on Towers Rd. 8:20 p.m., Suspicious event on Autumn Pond Way 10:11 p.m., Citizen dispute on Central St.

totAl cAlls: 99

sAturdAy, FebruAry 23

2:18 a.m, Suspicious event on Kellogg Rd. 9:29 a.m, Citizen assist on Pearl St. 10:52 a.m, Citizen assist on Carmichael St. 2:02 p.m., Animal problem on Jericho Rd. 4:09 p.m., Welfare check on Lincoln St. 5:07 p.m., Citizen assist on Mansfield Ave. 6:53 p.m., Theft on Pearl St. 9:53 p.m., Citizen assist on Main St.

sundAy, FebruAry 24

11:07 a.m., Accident with property damage on Susie Wilson Rd.

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

cla ssi f i e ds & J oB se e ke r s

14 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019

FOR SALE Appliances READY SET GO, Express, 4 pans, spatula, and recipe book. In good shape. $15 OBO. Call 802-782-5790 Building Materials SINKS FOR SALE: stainless steel double kitchen sink and 2 bathroom vanity sinks; one marble 19x25, one pink porcelain 22x25, in great condition. Asking $25 each. 802-2852092 Clothing & Accessories HUNTER BOOTS, SIZE 6, navy, great condition. Asking $40.

Call 802-524-3763

with plugs, ear phones, case, and jacks. In great condition. Call 802-393-5635 Equipment/ Machinery MASTER CRAFT 7500 watt generator for sale.

Uses propane or gasoline. Still in box, never used. Asking $900 OBO. Call 802-9334570 Firearms,Bows, Etc GUN CABINET, HOLDS 12 guns, plus storage, lighted stained glass doors. $150. Call 802-524-5070 Furnishings

GOTHIC WALL CLOCK, blue and black SKI JACKET, BUR- color, silver numbers, in TON, size medium, like good condition. Asking new. Ski boots, Tec- $15. Call 802-393-5635 nica, size 27.0, (8), like BUNNIES (3), 2 young new. $125, seems to be females, 1 older male. appreciated. Package Free! Call or text for deal! Call for details. more information. 802802-524-1139 782-7827 Electronics/ Vacuum/Carpet Cameras/Etc. Cleaners NINTENDO WII, VACUUM CLEANER, COME with 8 games, KIRBY, comes with atalso comes with pad- tachments and bags, dles. Asking $75. Call cleans rug. In good 802-868-6790 condition. $200. Call PORTABLE DVD 802-524-0788 PLAYER, RCA, comes

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

PAINTING SERVICES

Showcase of Homes To advertise your listings contact your ad rep today!

802-524-9771

AUCTION Open to the Public!

Taylor Walters x 105 taylor.walters@essexreporter.com

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

Sat., Mar. 2 @ 9AM (Register from 7:30AM) 298 J. Brown Dr., Williston, VT Online Bidding on Lane 3

IT’S ALL ABOUT STYLE! This custom built colonial is located at the Lang Farm in Essex. Open floor plan with three floors of living space, perfect for everyday living.

Hardwood floors, chef’s kitchen, fireplace in family room, first floor office, 4 to 5 bedrooms, and freshly painted. Landscaped yard with amazing gardens. Offered at $545,000.

The Lipkin Audette Team, 802-846-8800, www.lipkinaudette.com team@lipkinaudette.com

’10 Ford Fusion ’09 Chevy Aveo ’08 Saturn Aura ’08 VW Jetta ’07 Chevy Cobalt ’07 Chevy HHR ’07 Ford Focus

’07 Ford Fusion ’07 Nissan Xterra ’07 Subaru Outback ’06 Chevy Silverado ’06 Honda Odyssey AND MORE Subject to Change

Thomas Hirchak Company THCAuction.com • 802-878-9200

Senior Community Banker Williston – Taft Corners

Northfield Savings Bank, founded in 1867 is the largest banking institution headquartered in Vermont.

We are looking for a professional to join our team as a Senior Community Banker at our Taft Corners branch, located at 60 Wright Avenue in Williston. This position offers a strong opportunity to work for a growing premier Vermont mutual savings bank.

A thorough knowledge of banking and technology which enables customers to conduct financial transactions and the ability to build customer relationships, earn trust and maintain confidentiality is essential. Exceptional customer service, opening and maintaining customers’ accounts and services, as well as guiding customers through the consumer loan process in accordance with established policies and procedures are requirements of this position.

The Senior Community Banker must possess excellent communication and customer service skills for both internal and external customers. Requirements include 3-5 years of bank experience. A Bachelor’s degree is preferred.

Find out what NSB can offer you NSB offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including medical, dental, profit sharing, matching 401(K) retirement program, professional development opportunities, and a positive work environment supported by a team culture.

The sTory conTinues

online!

Don't forget to check our website weekly for: • • • • •

Photos from community events Bonus sports photos Breaking news colchester Police reports Legals and Classifieds

it is all at the essexreporter.com!

NSB offers ten paid holidays. Northfield Savings Bank hours of operation are Monday – Thursday, generally 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

There is no better time to join the NSB team!

Please send your application along with your resume in confidence to: Careers@nsbvt.com (Preferred) Or mail: Northfield Savings Bank

Human Resources P.O. Box 7180 Barre, VT 05641-7180 Equal Opportunity Employer/Member FDIC

B u s i ne ss di r e ctory & cLA ssi F i e ds

BaSement ServICeS

Carpentry H.S.

High Standards, LLC Carpentry

Basement & Foundation Specialists

BASEMENT WATERPROOFING | CRAWL SPACE REPAIR FOUNDATION REPAIR

FREE 866-622-8480

ESTIMATES

VTbasements.com

Remodeling, Rot Repair, Decks, Windows and Doors

Drywall, Siding, Finish Work, Pressure Washing

24/7 ON CALL • Free Estimates • Fully Insured

(802) 355-8193

The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb.28, 2019 | 15

Carpentry

PLude PLude

Providing all forms of residential

Providing all forms of residential carpentry from frame to finish. carpentry from frame to finish.

BuILdING & ReNOVATION, LLC

BuILdING & ReNOVATION, LLC

(802) 752-9114

(802) pludebuildingvermont@gmail.com 752-9114 pludebuildingvermont@gmail.com

FRee eSTIMATeS ~ FuLLY INSuRed

Serving the Champlain Valley and surrounding areas.

FRee eSTIMATeS ~ FuLLY INSuRed

Matt Levee • highstandards802@gmail.com

Serving the Champlain Valley and surrounding areas.

ContraCtIng

DentISt

eState plannIng Wills–Trusts–Estate Planning–Medicaid–Elder Law–Probate

Over 22 Years of Satisfied Customers

Call Ryan at (802) 316-6658 For a Free Estimate!

• • • • • •

New Construction Remodeling Excavation Roofing Septic Systems Snow/ Ice Removal

Cedric C Pecor D.D.S

Bethany K. Fitzgerald D.D.S

(Residential & Commercial) Edward R. Klingebiel D.D.S

Serving the community for over 33 years with the best dental care.

Schedule a dental check-up today to maintain that beautiful smile!

Most insurance plans accepted. Accepting new patients. miltonfamilydentistryvermont.com 157 River St., Milton • 893-4734

legal

FULL INTERIOR & EXTERIOR Residential & Commercial

• Custom Trim • Custom Carpentry/ Crown Moulding

Plumbing

Adam’s Plumbing S E R V I C E 878 - 1002

Serving the area for 22 years.

Also: Wills, Probate, Injury and Business Matters.

26 Railroad Ave. / Essex Jct., VT (802) 879-7133 / unsworthlaplante.com

Painting

HEHIR LAW OFFICE, PLLC Brian Hehir, Attorney Real Estate, including: • Sales and Purchases • Landlord/Tenant • Boundary Disputes • Zoning • Subdivision.

Peace of mind for your family & loved ones

• Cathedral Entries • Sheetrock/Taping • FULLY INSURED

239 South Union St., Burlington 802-862-2006 • www.hehirlaw.com

Living & Working in Essex Junction for over 40 years.

Call TJ for your FREE ESTIMATE 802-355-0392 $100 off any job of $1000.00 or more, $250 off of any job $2000.00 or more. EXCLUDES MATERIALS

Real estate

RestauRant

The Reliable Local Pro! For all your residential plumbing repairs and installations

snowPlowing

Authentic Mexican Cuisine IN THE HEART OF ESSEX JUNCTION 4 Park Street, Essex 802.662.4334 www.ElGatoCantina.com

Send your event for the Community Calendar to

calendar@essexreporter.com

highstandards802@gmail.com

suRvey & Design

tax seRvices

Button Professional Land Surveyors, PC 20 Kimball Avenue, Suite 102 S. Burlington, VT 05403 802.863.1812/ 800.570.0685 / www.bapls.com

25 Wentworth Drive, Williston, VT 05495 (802) 662-1214 ext. 304 • (802) 662-1215 fax rsinkewicz@gmcsusa.com

tree ServICeS

Living Curiously ProPerty Maintenance Tree Services including stump grinding,

DeaDline: FriDay, 5 p.m.

chipping, trimming and complete tree removal • Property Cleanups • Foreclosure and Rental Cleanups • Landscaping

802-752-5850

Free Estimates • Fully Insured

Military, First Responders and Seniors receive a 10% discount Accepting all major credit cards

tree ServICeS Winter Discounts

• Tree Removals • Tree Trimming • Ornamental/ fruit tree pruning • Cabling Stump Grinding

Maxwell Curtiss Certified Arborist

• Wood Chip Mulch • Shrub and Hedge Pruning • Tree Planting • Snow Removal • Lot Clearing Lot management

(802) 893-7371

Heartwood Landscape and Tree Services LLC

maxheartwd@myfairpoint.net / Fully Insured

16 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019

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.

FEB 28

Community

28 Thursday

Methodist Church, 130 Maple St., Essex Jct.

Shop when cleaning closets and basements.

visit. Newcomers are always welcomed!

Food shelF 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.

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

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

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

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.

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!

Free Tax help 9 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. heavenly panTry 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 evening booK discussion 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Essex Free Library. This session discuss “Hidden Figures” by Margot Lee Shetterly.

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

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

KniTTing and crocheTing 1 - 2 p.m., Essex Area Senior Ctr. Fun Food Friday 4:30 - 5:30 p.m., Brownell 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. Free community dinners for all!

If you need a ride, please email essexeatsout@gmail. com.

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. Your deck of cards represents weapons, spells and creatures you can summon to fight for you. Grades 6 and up.

The Tell-Tale Farce 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 essexplayers.com/tickets for ticket information.

WinTer hiKe 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Indian Brook, Essex Jct. Borrow a pair of snowshoes or bring your own! Refreshments will be supplied on the hike.

Pre-registration is required at essex.org/parks_and_recreation.

WeeKend sTory TiMe 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library. Start off your weekend with books, rhymes and songs! eMerald ash borer seMinar 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 7:30 - 11 p.m., Memorial Hall, 5 Towers Rd., Essex Jct. (See Friday, Mar. 1)

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 p.m., Memorial Hall, 5 Towers Rd., Essex Jct. (See Friday, Mar. 1) 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.

2 saTurday

4 Monday

discover girl scouTs 6 - 7 p.m., Essex Elementary School, 1 Bixby Hill Rd., Essex Jct.

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

all eWsd schools closed For WinTer breaK.

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

heavenly cenTs ThriFT shop 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., 3 Main St., Essex Jct. Items Needed for the Shop: jewelry, warm socks, night wear, Easter decorations and gently used towels. Spring and summer donations are being accepted. Think of the Thrift

1 Friday booK and baKe sale 9 a.m. - noon, Grace United

Free Tax help 9:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., Brownell Library. For taxpayers w/low and middle incomes. (See Thursday, Feb. 28) Mah Jongg 10 a.m. - noon, Essex Area Senior Ctr. Members play for free. Non-members pay $1/

Tech help WiTh cliF Noon - 1 p.m., Brownell Library. Offering one-on-one technology help. Reservation required. Please call 878-6955 at least 24 hours in advance. bridge 12:30 - 3:30 p.m, Essex Area Senior Center. New players invited! hoW To WriTe an ebooK 2 - 3 p.m., Brownell Library.

The objective of this sixty minute session is to acquaint you with the basics of producing an ebook.

Reservations are required for this session, please call the library 24 hours in advance at 878-6955. read WiTh pugsley 3:15 - 4:45 p.m., Brownell Library. Practice reading with our new therapy dog and friend, Pugsly. 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.

Mops evening MeeTing 6:30 - 8:45 p.m., Essex Alliance Church, 37 Old Stage Rd., Essex Jct. Mothers of Preschoolers share a similar desire to be the very best moms they can be! verMonT asTronoMical socieTy 7:30 - 9 p.m., Brownell Library. This month’s presentation will be “Astro-Image Processing with PixInsight” by Mike Stadtmauer.

5 Tuesday ToWn MeeTing day polls 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Residents of the Village of Essex Junction vote at Essex High School, 2 Educational Drive, Essex Jct. Residents of the Town outside of the Village of Essex Junction vote at Essex Middle School, 58 Founders Drive, Essex Jct. all eWsd schools closed For ToWn MeeTing day.

Mops Morning MeeTing 9 - 11:15 a.m., Essex Alliance Church, 37 Old Stage Rd., Essex Jct. (See Monday, Mar. 4)

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

minecraft cluB 1 - 2 p.m., Brownell Library.

Bring your own device with Minecraft pocket edition downloaded on it. For ages 7-12.

preSchool playgroup 9:30 - 11 a.m., Maple Street Recreation Center, 75 Maple St., Essex Jct.

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

Story time 10 - 10:45 a.m., Brownell Library. Picture books, sign language, songs, rhymes, flannel stories and early math activities.

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.

Seated tai chi 12:30 - 1:30 p.m., EJRP Aspire, 74 Maple St., Essex Jct. teen adviSory Board 2 - 3:30 p.m., Brownell Library. TAB and their book loving friends will add to “To Read or not to Read” recommendations. Observance of Ides of March and a game of trivia in anticipation of sending a team to May 3 event.

JellyBean conStruction 2:45 - 3:45, Brownell Library. Construct buildings, bridges and other geometric structures with toothpicks and jellybeans. ronald mcdonald houSe charitieS Bingo 4 p.m., Champlain Valley Exposition, 105 Pearl St., Essex Jct. Early bird games start at 6:30 p.m.

read to daiSy 3:15 - 4:15 p.m., Brownell Library. Daisy loves to listen to kids read. She is Certified by Therapy Dogs of Vermont. For all ages. firSt wedneSday: arguing aBout civility 7 - 8:30 p.m., Brownell Library. Middlebury political scientist Sarah Stroup asks: What topics are suitable for public discussion? And how can we facilitate productive disagreements? She explores how to deliberate hot topics in ways that are respectful and ultimately helpful. 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. “a doll’S houSe” 7 p.m., St. Michael’s College McCarthy Theater. Enjoy this presentation of Henrik Ibsen’s classic drama; this year’s Spring Mainstage theater production. Free admission through Eventrbrite at dollsmc.eventbrite.com.

7 thurSday

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

eSSex art league 9 - 11 a.m., First Congregational Church, 1 Church St., Essex Jct. Support the appreciation and creation of art among artists and within Chittenden county.

hiawatha pto 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Hiawatha School, 34 Hiawatha Ave., Essex Jct.

aarp tax-aide 9 a.m. - noon, EJRP, 75 Maple St., Essex Jct. For more information about these sessions and to make an appointment, please contact the EJRP at 878-1375.

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

6 wedneSday Story time 10 - 10:45 a.m., Brownell Library. Picture books, sign language, songs, rhymes, flannel stories and early math activities.

free tax help 9:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., Brownell Library. For taxpayers w/low and middle incomes. (See Thursday, Feb. 28) Seated yoga 10 - 10:30 a.m., Essex Area Senior Center.

tech time 10 - 11 a.m., Essex Free Library. Drop in with your device and your questions!

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

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

drop-in knitting cluB 1 - 2 p.m., Essex Free Library.

tech help with clif Noon - 1 p.m., Brownell Library. (See Monday, Mar. 4) rotary cluB of eSSex Noon - 1:15 p.m., The Essex, 70 Essex Way, Essex Jct. Visitors are always welcome.

author Skype viSit 2 - 2:30 p.m., Fleming School, 21 Prospect St., Essex Jct. Skype call with author, Terry Lynn Johnson about Dorothy’s List’s nominee “Falcon Wild.” lego cluB 3 - 4 p.m., Essex Free Library.

Mar 10

The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb.28, 2019 | 17

local meetingS

L.D. Oliver Seed Co.

Chick Day 2019!

thurSday, feBruary 28 6:30 p.m., town planning commission, Town offices, 81 Main St., Essex Jct.

monday, march 4

der Pre-Or !

Now

tueSday, march 5

Meat Birds, Ducks, Guineas Hens, Turkeys

7:30 p.m., town meeting, Essex High School, 2 Educational Dr., Essex Jct. 6 p.m., capital committee, Lincoln Hall, 2 Lincoln St., Essex Jct.

Arrival dates for Layers is the week of April 15

wedneSday, march 6 6:30 p.m., School Board, Essex High School Library, 2 Educational Dr., Essex Jct.

Many Varieties To Choose From!

L.D. Oliver Seed Company, Inc. Green Mountain Fertilizer Co.

thurSday, march 7 6 p.m., town Zoning Board, Town offices, 81 Main St., Essex Jct.

26 Sunset Ave., Milton, VT • 802 893-4628 community Soup and Bread Supper 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., Covenant Community Church, 1 Whitcomb Meadows Ln., Essex Jct. A quick, easy, and delicious meal to enjoy with friends or to pick up to take home. Choose from a variety of hearty soups and breads and a sweet dessert.

Donations are welcome, but not expected. Call Pastor Jeannette Conver at the church, 879-4313, for more information. la leche league 6:30 - 8 p.m., Essex Free Library. Connect with other nursing mothers. “a doll’S houSe” 7 p.m., St. Michael’s College McCarthy Theater.

(See Wednesday, Mar. 6)

8 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. Non-members 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. Call 878-6956 for program details. For grades 1 and up. eSSex eatS out 5:30 - 7 p.m., Holy Family Church, 36 Lincoln St., Essex Jct. dungeonS & dragonS 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., Brownell Library.

Mon-Fri 7:30 -5:30, Sat 8:00-4:00, Closed Sun

potluck and legiSlative night 6:30 p.m., First Congregational Church, Main St., Essex Jct. Invitees include the Six Chittenden County State Senators and Representatives from Essex, Essex Jct., Westford, Williston, Grand Isle and Burlington for an evening of questions, information and dining together.

Donate Your...

Donate Your...

Car, Boat, Car, Boat, Trailer/Camper

Trailer/Camper

“a doll’S houSe” 7 p.m., St. Michael’s College McCarthy Theater.

(See Wednesday, Mar. 6)

...and homes! ...and helphelp buildbuild homes!

the tell-tale farce 7:30 - 11 p.m., Memorial Hall, 5 Towers Rd., Essex Jct. (See Friday, Mar. 1)

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

VERMONTHABITAT.ORG

the tell-tale farce 7:30 - 11 p.m., Memorial Hall, 5 Towers Rd., Essex Jct. (See Friday, Mar. 1)

10 Sunday the tell-tale farce 2 p.m., Memorial Hall, 5 Towers Rd., Essex Jct. (See Friday, Mar. 1) reed Brown’S 1841 Journey 2 p.m., Brownell Library.

Richard Allen introduces his new book and takes the audience through mid-19th century travel adventures based on Reed Brown’s journal. Refreshments served following the presentation.

WILLISTON • 872-8726 528 Essex Road (Rt. 2A)

Open W-F 10-6. Sat. &WILLISTON Sun 10-5 MILTON 414 Route 7 South Essex Road (Rt. 2A) FURNITURE • APPLIANCES • ARTOpen •528 HOUSEWARES • RUGS • TOOLS • BUILDING MATERIALS Open W-F 10-6. Sat. & Sun 10-5 M-F 10-6. Sat. & Sun 10-5 857-5296

872-8726

FURNITURE • APPLIANCES • ART • HOUSEWARES • RUGS • TOOLS • BUILDING MATERIALS

vfw dance 7 - 11 p.m., VFW Post 6689, 73 Pearl St., Essex Jct. Dance to the sounds of “Contraband.” Open to the public “a doll’S houSe” 7 p.m., St. Michael’s College McCarthy Theater.

(See Wednesday, Mar. 6)

MILTON • 857-5296 414 Route 7 South

Green Mountain

Pet of the Week SWEETIE

~ 5 years old Spayed female ~ Breed: Domestic shorthair Arrival Date: 12/5/2018

Reason here: I was not a good fit for my previous home

Meet Sweetie! If you have ever heard the expression: slow and steady wins the race, you would know this rings true for this adorable girl. True to her name, this sensitive lady has rewarded her closest friends here at HSCC with sweet purrs and head boops. She is looking for a home that will give her a little extra TLC and a family who is willing to take the time to get to know her and let her blossom! Sometimes we need little reminders in life to stop and smell the flowers, to slow down and enjoy life one day at a time. Is Sweetie just the gal you need to slow down and enjoy life’s little treasures? We think so!

Cats & Dogs: I have no history living with dogs or other cats Children: No thank you! I need a quiet home without children.

Humane Society of Chittenden County 802-862-0135 chittendenhumane.org

18 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019

LOCA L

THE NEWS NEVER STOPS AT

essexreporter.com

DONATIONS OF NEW & USED*: • • • •

Appliances Furniture Tools Kitchen Cabinets

• Home Decor Items • Cars & Trucks • Even the Kitchen Sink!

MILTON

WILLISTON

414 Route 7 South Open W-F 10-6.

Sat. & Sun 10-5 891-9829

528 Essex Road (Rt. 2A) Open M-F 10-6.

Sat. & Sun 10-5 857-5296

FREE PICKUP • 857-5296 • vermonthabitat.org

Lumber

Superior Quality Great Prices

Mill Direct

Kiln Dried 6-8%

As projects move indoors....

HARDWOOD FLOORING 3/4” finished thickness. Random length 4’ - 12’ (some longer)tongue and groove, recessed back (not end matched). MAPLE, CHERRY, OAK, BIRCH Price & availability can vary. Call ahead to confirm.

HARDWOODS ROUGH Hard & Soft MAPLE, CHERRY, Red & White OAK, ASH, BASSWOOD MAHOGANY, WALNUT & YELLOW POPLAR. No quantity too small.

ALMOST WHOLESALE 500’ BF pkgs of lumber - Hard Maple, Yellow Birch, Cherry & Red Oak. Select & better. Ask Ken for details.

E N PI

BEADED SHIPLAP FLOORING V-JOINT PIPWICK DRESSED 4 SIDE

Cash & Volume Discounts Great Specials • Friendly Service

The A . Johnson C o.

WHOLES ALE • RETAIL

L U M B E R

All Pine is Kiln Dried Pitch set @ 170°

995 South 116 RD Bristol, VT 05443 802-453-4884 7am - 4pm Mon-Fri

MESSAGES from page 9 VERMONT SENATE UPDATE

By SEN. PRO TEMPORE TIM ASHE I’d like to briefly update you on three important issues before the Vermont Senate.

First, we voted to fund testing for lead in the drinking water at every school and child care facility in Vermont within the year. A recent Department of Health pilot program found that every one of the sixteen schools tested for lead in drinking water tested positive, sometimes at alarmingly high levels. The corrective action is usually very inexpensive, so we also voted to provide financial support to fix the problem faucets. Getting the lead out of Vermont kids’ water is an important public health measure.

Second, the Senate passed a bill to break up the six seat Chittenden Senate district during the next redistricting process. The district is the only Senate district in the United States with more than three members! I’ve proudly served Chittenden County for a decade in the

Senate, but I believe the district is just too big for each senator to do the best job possible, and that is a disservice to the people who matter most - the voters. This change will be in place for the 2022 elections when all districts are redrawn with new census figures.

Third, the Senate will be debating an increase to the minimum wage this week. A Senate committee has recommended an increase of about $4.50 over a five year period. This is a more aggressive schedule than current law, which raises the wage by annual inflation. Contrary to popular myth, most low-wage workers are not part timers or teenagers. In fact, 55% of all Vermont workers earning less than $12.50/ hr earn more than half of their family’s income, and 65% of these workers are older than 30. The problem of income inequality affects all other areas of public life, and this bill helps those left behind by the national economy.

As always, feel free to contact me at timashe@burlingtontelecom.net with any ideas or questions.

OFFENDER from page 1 A detective then accompanied Essex Rescue as it transported Cyphers to the UVM Medical Center Emergency Department, where he was eventually cleared and taken to the South Burlington police station for processing.

While there, police say Cyphers exhibited “concerning behavior,” banging his head against the cement walls of his holding cell.

On Sunday, the day after Cyphers’ arrest, police executed a search warrant on his apartment and found the alleged victim’s belongings.

They left a copy of the warrant and an inventory list on his bed.

Detectives also spoke with Cyphers’ mother, who advised she was concerned about her son’s behavior. She shared text messages with detectives from a conversation with Cyphers on Saturday evening, in which he admitted he “did something really bad.”

“I went to see [the woman] and forced

myself on her,” Cyphers wrote, according to a transcript included in court records. “She didn’t fight back but I knew she doesn’t love me anymore actually she hates me. I made her hate me so I can do this and not feel bad about doing what I need to do.”

Cyphers then said he was not going to jail and sent his mother a photograph of a bottle of pills, court records show. As she pleaded through texts that he not give up, Cyphers continued to threaten suicide and expressed anger at her for calling the police.

As EMS personnel evaluated Cyphers during his arrest, he said his friends would want him to tell police he sexually assaulted the woman, the police affidavit says.

“Prior to being transported,” the affidavit adds, “Cyphers made another comment to the effect of, ‘Whatever you do, you won’t be able to stop this. This will happen again.’”

‘Let’s Go Fishing’ Program seeks instructors Training workshop set for April 13 ESSEX – The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is seeking volunteers to become ‘Let’s Go Fishing’ instructors to pass on Vermont’s fishing tradition. The department will be hosting a one-day training workshop for new instructors on Saturday, April 13 at the Essex District Office at 111 West Street, Essex Jct. Instructors in the ‘Let’s Go Fishing’ program organize and instruct clinics in their communities for Vermonters of all ages. Participants in the training workshop will learn how to teach a basic fishing clinic, as well as learn about fishing ethics, aquatic ecology, fisheries management, habitat conservation and tackle craft. They will also be introduced to conduct-

ing specialized fishing clinics, including clinics on ice fishing and species-specific fishing. The class is informal and it is not necessary to have a high level of fishing expertise to become an instructor.

New this year, the department is partnering with Castleton College to offer one graduate-level credit for participants. For those seeking to earn a credit for the course, there is a $125 fee to cover the cost of the credit. Training is free for those not seeking college credit.

All curriculum materials and lunch will be provided. The workshop runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required, and you must be 18 years of age to participate and pass a background check. Those interested can register through April 10 at www.vtfishandwildlife. com.

The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb.28, 2019 | 19

LOCA L

BACKSTAGE from page 1 ing a Jan. 16 trial focused on whether the shopping center has a right to evict Dober. In a written ruling two weeks later, judge Helen M. Toor sided in favor of the landlords, calling the case a “relatively straightforward commercial eviction.”

“Tenant breached the lease by not providing the required insurance coverage, and when given the requisite period to cure, failed to do so,” Toor wrote.

Under his lease, Dober was required to maintain several types of insurance, including general liability, personal injury, property damage and what’s known as “dram shop” coverage, or protection for bar owners against accidents caused by intoxicated customers.

Dober’s landlord hadn’t looked carefully at the coverage during the first five years of his 10-year lease, Toor wrote. But that changed after a story published in The Reporter last April noted the state liquor control had issued a three-day license suspension as punishment for Dober

being found intoxicated while working at the bar.

Concerned about potential future liability, the landlords reviewed the insurance coverage and found the policies didn’t satisfy the lease requirements. So they wrote a letter, dated May 1, 2018, Dober asking that he upgrade and retroactively adjust the coverage.

Dober provided the letter to his insurance agent but didn’t tell the landlords he had done so and never followed up to make sure the problem was addressed within the 15-day cure period under the lease.

Around that time, problems continued to mount for Dober. He faced another complaint from a separate incident alleging he was impaired on the job, records showed, and the liquor control board obtained evidence showing he pleaded guilty in New York in 2017 to misdemeanor charges of criminally possessing a weapon and unlawfully possessing a large capacity ammunition feeding device. State records showed there also was a civil finding against Dober for driving while his ability was impaired by alcohol.

Meanwhile, Dober failed

to make the insurance changes within a 60-day grace period detailed in his lease, prompting the landlords to terminate his lease in early July.

Dober finally provided the revised insurance certificates the following day, but none of the changes fully cured the flaws of the previous coverage, Toor wrote.

Dober’s attorney argued eviction was not equitable punishment for the insurance lapses, especially given his client had already put thousands of dollars into improving the bar, expecting that he would be there for at least five more years. Repairs included $12,000 on building’s plumbing and more than $2,000 for a new fire exit, records showed.

The judge was unpersuaded. “Insurance coverage is never minor, and especially not for a bar,” Toor wrote. She went on to say Dober created the problem in the first place by failing to act reasonably when he received the initial letter.

“A business that does not take a notice of violation of its lease seriously enough to follow up and ensure the violation has been remedied in the alloted time is not in a position

PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS

Owners of the Post Office Square Shopping Center can legally evict Backstage Pub after its owner failed to maintain the correct insurance coverage, a judge ruled last week. to argue it is being unfairly treated,” she wrote.

Following the ruling, Dober’s attorney, Norman Blais, requested a stay on the eviction, arguing that it will irreparably harm Dober by destroying his business before he even has a chance to appeal.

Toor denied the request last week. She explained the first criterion for a stay is a strong chance the requestor will succeed on appeal.

“While it is true that

asking a judge to predict that her own ruling will likely be reversed is a hard argument,” she wrote, “there are cases in which a judge knows the case could easily go either way, and in which the court would therefore err on the side of allowing a stay.”

“This is not one of those cases,” she wrote.

Reached last week, Blais said he plans to speak to Dober about a potential appeal to the Vermont Supreme Court.

Better banking starts with better checking.

NBT Checking accounts have all the digital and money management features your lifestyle demands. Plus, we make it easy to compare accounts online in minutes to find the one that works for you.

Get started with NBT Bank today and see for yourself why we’re top rated in overall customer satisfaction.

• No monthly fees on select accounts • Convenient Saturday hours • Mobile Banking & Deposits • Apple Pay,® Samsung Pay® & Google Pay • Great people and great service!

Open an account in minutes at nbtbank.com/checking or visit your nearest branch to get started.

Robert Provost

Branch Manager 2 Commonwealth Avenue Essex Junction, VT 802.878.7202 rprovost@nbtbank.com

MONEY® is a registered trademark of Time Inc. and is used under license.

MONEY® and Time Inc. are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of, NBT Bank.

Member FDIC

20 | The Essex Reporter | Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019

Don’t settle for Consolidated.

Only Xfinity delivers the best experience.

It’s time to make the switch. Xfinity is committed to delivering the fastest Internet, best WiFi experience and 24/7 customer support. We take pride in providing the best experience possible, so you can do more and enjoy more of what you love.

Features

Xfinity

Consolidated

Video, Internet & phone – all from one provider

YES

NO

Faster Internet

YES

NO

Best in-home WiFi experience

YES

NO

Millions of WiFi hotspots available nationwide with Internet service

YES

NO

Readable voicemail and text messaging at no extra cost

YES

NO

Universal caller ID to your home phone, TV and smartphones

YES

NO

Guaranteed two-hour appointment windows

YES

NO

Flexible appointment windows 7 days a week

YES

NO

$20 late appointment credit

YES

NO

Call 1-800-xfinity, visit xfinity.com or check out your local retail store to switch today.

Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. Internet: Compares fastest available download speed for Xfinity and Consolidated Communications. Actual speeds vary. Xfinity WiFi hotspots included with Performance Internet and above.

Performance Starter and below not eligible. Available in select areas. Voice: If there is a power outage or network issue, calling, including calls to 911, may be unavailable. Starz® and related channels and service marks are the property of Starz Entertainment, LLC. Visit starz.com for airdates/times. Starz® subscription required. Outlander © 2018 Sony Pictures Television, Inc. All Rights Reserved. HBO® requires a subscription. HBO® and related channels and service marks are the property of Home Box Office, Inc. © 2018 Comcast. All rights reserved.

NED-WNE-4-CONCOM-NEW-A1-V6

Corp Req_180169-MISC-ConsolidatedComm-Refresh-Ad-Cust_Service_Msg-FNL_Colchester_Essex_10x12.indd 1

12/17/18 5:50 PM