Essex Cinemas to host film on Vt. parental incarceration
Surgical center looks to expand services
“Downstream: The Effects of Parental Incarceration” will be shown at the local theatre on Tuesday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m.
Some local hospitals fear the expansion may steal even more of their patients. Story on page 4
Story on page 3
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Thursday, May 2, 2019
Brown elected village president
Grace O’Neil charts own path By COLIN FLANDERS
Thibeault appointed to empty seat
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By COLIN FLANDERS The board of trustees took full advantage of its annual reorganizational meeting last week, electing a new village president and appointing a new member to fill a vacant seat. Andrew Brown was elected village president, taking over the reins from George Tyler, who nominated him to the post after serving in the role for eight years. In turn, Tyler was elected to serve as Brown’s second-in-command. “I am humbled beyond words,” Brown said of his new title. Tyler, who was first elected to the trustees in 2008 and was appointed its president every year since 2011, said he nominated Brown because he felt it his duty as president to encourage young leaders. “It was time for Andrew to step up,” Tyler said in an email. “I’m sure he’ll do a great job.” The trustees then turned their attention to the vacant seat previously occupied by Elaine Haney. Two weeks prior, residents elected Raj Chawla to fill the seat left by Rep. Lori Houghton, who decided to not seek re-election. Last week’s meeting was Chawla’s first with the board. Haney’s decision to resign from the board following her election as See TRUSTEES, page 3
PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS
Grace O’Neil, daughter of longtime Essex High School coach Bill O’Neil, is in her second year leading the girls varsity lacrosse program.
hen Grace O’Neil became head coach at Essex High School, she joked that she did so with one lofty goal in mind: outlast her father’s tenure. Then she thought about what that meant. “Oh, god,” she said after a practice last week. “That means I have 50 more years.” As the daughter of the longtime, beloved coach Bill O’Neil – who two years ago ended his 44-year coaching career at Essex High School with 24 state championships and nearly 1,300 wins – O’Neil is heir to one of Essex’s most storied sports families, a legacy that has followed her around since the days of wandering high school friends as a toddler. Entering her second year as coach of the girls varsity lacrosse team, O’Neil’s namesake remains an inextricable part of her budding coaching career, a fact she has taken in stride. “It can be intimidating,” she said after a practice last week. “But it’s something to inspire to recreate – in my own way.” O’Neil graduated from Essex High School in 2010 and attended St. Lawrence University, where she played field hockey and earned her teaching degree. She eventually ended up back at EHS to teach science, and after joining the varsity squad as an assistant See O’NEIL, page 3
Celebrate Mother’s Day at Jules on the Green Make reservations now for an Mother’s Day Brunch special. Our regular menu will be available also.
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EssEx REpoRtER | THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019
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Vol. 18 No. 18