Essex Reporter: May 10, 2018 by Essex Reporter

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May 10, 2018 • The Essex Reporter • 1

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PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS

The selectboard and trustees discuss the status of consolidations between the town and village during a joint meeting April 25. All nine elected officials agreed that a single municipality remains their goal, though they differ on what's the next step.

Boards agree: One municipality the goal By COLIN FLANDERS Merger. Consolidation. Tax equity. Representation. Buzzwords often surface when the trustees and selectboard meet, and their April 25 gathering was no different. But as they chiseled through a discussion older than any of their individual tenures, officials eventually voiced a shared vision: To them, the future of Essex and Essex Jct. is a single municipality. If a merger is the finish line, last month’s meeting was the pre-

marathon meal. Most officials share different views on what decisions must come first, and there’s no telling if residents would even support the move. Memories of the 20067 merger attempt still creep into meetings, though most officials seem uninterested in rehashing decades-old debates. That the village and town have been inching toward a merged community is no secret. Officials have long said one of the biggest takeaways from the failed merger is that a bottom-up approach is

key to approval. The shared services initiative has done just that: consolidating low-hanging fruit and intertwining village and town services like public works, finance and the municipal manager. They’ve done so with bumps in the road (read: recreation district), but the spirit of collaboration on April 25 earned the respect of several in attendance, like resident Jim Bernegger, who said he was encouraged to have finally seen “a single point of view.” Unified manager Evan Teich even suggested more meetings —

a rare stance for a municipal employee. “I don’t mind the idea of extra meetings, because I think this meeting was very good,” he said. “It brought out a lot of good comments and a lot of good suggestions. I would hate for that to dissipate.” But the boards now find themselves facing down two of the biggest obstacles in the way toward a full merger: governance and taxes. And there’s disagreement on which to tackle first. For selectwoman Irene

Wrenner, the first step is to secure buy-in from town-outside-the-village residents by affording them representation equal to the village. Wrenner presented a petition April 25 that called on the selectboard to study “representation imbalances” and work to reform those so town-outside-the-village residents have an independent voice in municipal matters. The petition had 280 signatures at the time. Wrenner further explained See MERGER, page 2

Animal abuse investigated Town says little or nothing By MIKE DONOGHUE For The Essex Reporter Essex officials were tight-lipped – or in the dark – this week about an investigation into a major case of reported animal cruelty in town. The complaint was received about 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 27, but Essex officials didn’t acknowledge the incident until The Essex Reporter asked about a report of dozens of dead and underfed cows on Chapin Road. Essex Police Lt. Rob Hall said he couldn’t confirm the specific address based on orders

from Chief Rick Garey. Garey did not respond to multiple messages by deadline Tuesday. The department has not updated its activity log on the town website since November 2017. Municipal Town Manager Evan Teich also did not respond to messages. “We do not have any comment on an ongoing police matter,” deputy town manager Greg Duggan later offered in an email. The Essex Selectboard was also not briefed on the case, according to at least two members. Selectboard members Elaine Sopchak and Irene Wrenner expressed surprise when learning of the incident and that town officials hadn’t made them aware of it. Sopchak noted nothing was mentioned at See ABUSE, page 2

EHS plans grading scale changes By COLIN FLANDERS For years, parents have urged Essex High School to change how it converts its grading scale over concerns that it disadvantages students who apply for college or scholarships. Their advocacy even led to a pair of petitions earlier this year that garnered hundreds of signatures. And now, it appears EHS leadership has listened. Last week, principal Rob Reardon outlined a new grading scale conversion system that he says better aligns EHS with other Chittenden County schools. For example, instead of receiving a 2.4 GPA for an 85 average, EHS students with that same grade will now earn a 3.0 — like what they’d get at CVU. The new scale also operates off a passing grade of 60, which is 10 points lower than now. Reardon outlined the changes during the May 1 school board meeting and said the new scale will officially roll out at the start of next school year. Parents at the meeting expressed gratitude at the decision. “I just want to thank Mr. Reardon for being so responsive and actually listening to us,” said Erynne Ross, who started the parent petition. “What you captured with the new GPA scale is exactly what people were looking for.” Reardon explained the current system has been in place for many years and previously matched up with most other schools. But those schools have since modified their scales while EHS has maintained its system based on a pre-

PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS

Westford students are informed that the Essex Westford School Board would not be taking action on their request to raise the Black Lives Matter flag at Westford Elementary School. Instead, the board discussed guidelines for future requests.

BLM decision delayed School board will first create guidelines for flagpole requests By COLIN FLANDERS

PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS

Principal Rob Reardon speaks to the school board at a meeting in February. Reardon informed the board late last month that the high school would be implementing a new grading scale next schol year. vailing theme that “we would be lowering our standards,” he said. “I will be the first to admit that what is proposed is certainly not unanimous at the school,” Reardon said, “but I think we've made some good strides.” See GRADING, page 3

The Essex Westford School Board took no action last week on a student request to raise the Black Lives Matter flag at Westford Elementary, instead discussing guidelines that all requests must pass before being considered. The proposal would require all requests include a specific timeframe for a flag to fly and a petition showing support beyond a few students making the request. Requests must adhere to the schools’ values — a stipulation the BLM request passes, superintendent Beth Cobb said, because it falls under the district’s focus on diversity and equity. Members had planned to make a final decision on the student request at their May 1 meeting. But after seeking legal counsel, they shifted their focus toward the guidelines since those will apply to both the BLM request any in the future.

“Obviously, you can’t imagine everything that might come up in the future,” board chairwoman Martha Heath said. “But I think we want to do our best at setting up guidelines that we will be able to live with if and when other requests come.” Heath said the board will likely vote on the rules at its next meeting, and the Westford students will need to follow the final stipulations before members consider their request. “They still have some work to do,” Heath said at the meeting. One question still lingering is whether the district should require a threshold of signatures before considering petitions. Some felt the number doesn’t matter. “Whatever we suggest for petitions, we need to own the final decision and say we on the board support this,” board member Keeley Schell said. “There isn’t a number that I think accurately represents saying See BLM, page 3

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The Essex Reporter • May 10, 2018

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ABUSE from page 1 Monday night’s selectboard meeting. Messages left for Chairman Max Levy and two other board members were not returned as the newspaper went to press. Essex Town Health Officer Jerry Firkey and his deputy, Sharon Kelley, both said they were not asked to evaluate the conditions on the property. Hall did say the Humane Society of Chittenden County, an Essex Town animal control officer and the Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office were involved with police in the case. The humane society said Tuesday afternoon it was no longer involved in the case. Essex animal control officer Stephanie Gingras said she needed to check with the police chief before she could talk about her involvement. Messages left at the prosecutor’s office also were not returned as of deadline.

PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS

Resident Jerry Fox speaks during a public forum hosted by the selectboard and trustees around governance in the town and village.

MERGER from page 1

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her rationale during a selectboard agenda item Monday night. She said the current governance structure disadvantages town-outside-thevillage residents because unlike villagers, they have no elected official whose sole responsibility is to represent their interests. She notes that might not be problematic when the board decides town-wide issues. But some issues only impact the town-outsidethe-village, she said, and equal teams at the negotiating table will be vital as the two municipalities continue toward a merger. Even if the selectboard could represent town-outside-the-village interests, villagers hold a 2-to-1 advantage in joint meeting settings, Wrenner said. She suggested either creating an overlay district that would give town-outside-the-village residents their own representative, or the selectboard could double in size to accommodate five village trustees and five outside-the-village representatives who act separately on “hyperlocal” items. Wrenner found little

support from the board. Selectman Michael Plageman said he’d prefer to see a 10-member board but felt it was a decision that needed to include the trustees. “This is not something that you can do by just flying at the seat of your pants,” he said. “I’m not going to support a temporary, quick fix.” Selectman Andy Watts said Wrenner’s suggestion to create another village-like entity within the town sounds “more like a separation than a unification.” And he reiterated a stance he’s voiced whenever Wrenner raises representation concerns: He resents being told he doesn’t represent all residents equally. Selectwoman and village trustee Elaine Haney Sopchak said the governing bodies are already addressing the issues Wrenner raised. “We would all like to ask you to have some patience,” she said. “Come aboard the boat with the rest of us and do the work that we need to do.” Chairman Max Levy noted Wrenner’s petition wasn’t even necessary: “The selectmen can bring these things up by themselves to the board. You don’t need signatures,” he said. Mona Sheppard challenged this assertion, saying, “You want to hear from us only if we tell you what you want to hear,” she said. “We hear you. We do,” Levy told the crowd. “No you don’t,” came a response from the audience. Wrenner’s arguments, however, did find more backing from some residents in the room. “You need to listen to

what Ms. Wrenner is saying,” resident John Larkin said. “She’s got some very good points. Sometimes I suspect that she’s not being heard.” The two boards will host another joint meeting May 14. They’ve asked individual members to send in comments about a staff work plan and future committees, where they think more expertise is needed, and their first three priorities. They’ll also work to define certain words that will inevitably surface throughout the journey ahead and will share ideas about governance and representation. Not everyone sees those topics as the first step, however, like trustee Lori Houghton, who wants to first address tax equity. Right now, village residents pay taxes to support both the village and town general fund budgets. According to the 2017 village annual report, village residents with an average home value of $280,000 paid $2,266 in municipal taxes — $867 more than town-outside-thevillage residents. Meanwhile, the village shares responsibility with the town to provide services for the entire community, village president George Tyler said. “We’re not being compensated,” he said. “The people in the village are the only ones being taxed to provide our portion of our services.” Houghton said she wants all residents paying the same taxes, which would require town-outside-thevillage residents to take on a bigger share. Until then, it will be difficult to get past

the status quo, she said. Because it’s unclear what efficiencies would result from a merger, it’s difficult to project exactly how that modified tax impact would shake out. But selectman Watts said moving the village’s $3.4 million budget into the town’s budget would mean a 13-cent tax increase for town-outside-the-village residents. Under that scenario, the owner of a $280,000 home would see about a $368 increase, finance director Lauren Morrisseau said. Noting that sizeable increase, Tyler said a phasedin approach would ensure both municipalities support further consolidation efforts. Whichever first step the boards choose, all officials understand the importance of public buy-in. They frequently mentioned the need for outreach, highlighted by a facilitated forum in March that saw several dozen residents offer input. Some called for more representation, others for less government. Some asked for patience, others for haste. And many desired respect from both their elected officials and fellow residents, urging an end to the divisions that have defined the town and village for decades. Among all the details that need to be sorted out, that may be the most difficult of all. "It seems like we have a gaping wound in our community, and it's this merger idea,” resident Lynn Smith said at the March 24 forum. “And right now, we've been trying to put Band-Aids on it. “We need to do surgery.”

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May 10, 2018 • The Essex Reporter • 3

LocaL GRADING from page 1 Back in February, Reardon said the petitions came at a useful time given the requirement for Vermont schools to move to a proficiencybased system by 2020. That transition is about two years from completion and will include a discussion on whether to keep the traditional 100-scale or shift to a new system altogether, perhaps a 1 to 4 scale or a letter-based one, Reardon said at the time. He said these new changes are the result of conversations with faculty, staff and parents. One of those parents was Matt Bryne, who met with Reardon to advocate for the change earlier this year. Bryne said EHS has been inadvertently telling outside institutions that its students are worse off than others under the current system. He acknowledged the fear of lowering standards, but said he believes there’s a difference between that and communicating success. “The message we should be sending is that the Essex students are as good or better than the students in the local area,” he said. Bryne also urged EHS to retroactively update students’ grades under the new system, fearing grades under the old system could

unintentionally weigh down the average on a student’s school record. Other parents at the meeting agreed, like Darcy Broulette, who said she’d like to see her 11th-grade daughter send out applications that include three years of grades under the new system to keep consistency. Board member Kim Gleason questioned why the change wouldn’t take effect until next year, noting students who apply to college early would only have a transcript through the end of their junior year. She said she didn’t want to see another class of students apply to college without the advantage of the new system. “It doesn't strike me as it's compromising the integrity of the grade that the teacher gave, nor is it lowering the standards or any other suggestions,” she said. “It looks to me like straight up math.” There’s no clear agreement on how impactful the GPA conversion system really is to colleges. Some admissions counselors say they review applications within a school system’s context, which is apparent through the school profile submitted for each student. But parents report some schools around the country tell them they take the grade straight from the transcript without converting it through the school pro-

ADL student wins essay contest

file. And with more students applying to college than ever before, evaluators have less time to spend on individual applications. In most cases, the new EHS conversion system will mean grades on the 100-scale will earn students a higher GPA. For some, supporters of the change say, that could mean a better chance at getting into highly competitive colleges and earning scholarships. But the changes will also impact students who hover on the lower rungs of the scale, said Robin Rhodes Astor, a parent and St. Michael’s College admissions counselor who’s long advocated for the change. “I'm curious about what we're going to do about kids who have a 61 to 69,” she said. "Now they technically haven't failed a class, but according to the old grading scale, they had.” Reardon said he wants to think through the consequences — “both intended and unintended” — if the high school retroactively changed grades. He said he would get back to Gleason in the next few weeks. Board chairwoman Martha Heath suggested Reardon reach out to other schools and see how they handled their own transitions. “As a former teacher, I don't see it as a straight mathematical exercise,” she said. “People may not like to hear that, but I don’t.”

Albert D. Lawton sixthgrader Ronja Norstrom recently won Vermont/Upstate New York Barnes & Noble essay contest, an annual contest is open to students in middle school and high school. The topic was "My Favorite Teacher." Ronja decided to write her essay about her homeroom teacher, Peter Gustafson. Her essay was not only selected by the Barnes & Noble store in South Burlington, but her essay advanced to a regional contest that covered New Hampshire, Maine and the greater Boston region. In her essay, Ronja incorporated the ancient Greek rhetorical devices of ethos, logos,and pathos, which she learned at home from her dad in second grade, and pointed out that Mr. G (as he's called at ADL) has a great deal of knowledge about various subjects, including as a coach of track & field, and that he teaches valuable life lessons to his students. She also wrote that Mr. G has a great sense of humor and makes student laugh.

COURTESY PHOTO

ADL sixth-grader Ronja Norstrom is pictured with an award for her acclaimed essay about her favorite teacher, ADL's Peter Gustafon. Barnes & Noble awarded Ronja with a book, gift certificate, pen and certificate for her winning essay Her essay has now advanced to the regional finals with results pending as of The Reporter's deadline. She will advance to nationals if she wins there.

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PHOTO BY COLIN FLANDERS

Essex Jct. resident Ed Daudelin urges the school board to not raise the Black Lives Matter flag because he belives it represents a "terrorist organization."

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the students in our community support this.” She also wondered if raising the flag alone was the most appropriate way to start a conversation around racial inequality. “It's the sort of thing that will share a message of solidarity with people throughout the country who believe the same way, but it is unlikely to have as much of an effect in changing minds within our own community,” she said. Schell said a better first step would be hosting community engagements about the topic. But board member Patrick Murray said that only works well when people want to participate, and opponents simply won’t show up. “The flag being raised itself puts a symbol out there that forces the conversation,” he said. Some of the dozen or so attendees shared mixed reactions to the students’ proposal. Westford resident Becky Roy said she admired the students for starting the conversation but has concerns about BLM as an organization. She said what she’s read has shown her there is a lot of “politics that could go either way.” She wondered if there was a way to still acknowledge that black lives matter with a flag that doesn’t represent the organization itself. Ed Daudelin, an Essex Jct. resident, had a more pointed opinion. He called BLM an anti-police, pro-violence “terrorist organization” that has no place on a flagpole beside the American flag. Fellow village resident Jud Lawrie said he’s a supporter of the BLM flag and challenged any claims the organization is pushing a racist agenda. “Of course all lives mat-

board’s legal counsel and questioned the guidelines’ intent, saying they seem to protect the board from public criticism, not legal action. And Belle Pitcher, one of the three Westford students who made the flag proposal, asked why the board's lawyer suggested a short timeframe. “Is it because [your lawyer] doesn’t want to see too much hate from people?” Belle asked. “Because if that’s the case, I’m willing to read every letter, I’m willing to listen to every call and I’m willing to read every social media post about this from people who either hate or are agreeing with us.” Heath, board chairwoman, said she’s since requested the board’s counsel to share his rationale so the board could outline it before the vote.

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ter,” he said. “Unfortunately, at this time in this country, some lives don’t matter as much, especially for black people and other people of color. Until all lives matter equally, the Black Lives Matter movement will be necessary.” Julia Andrews, a Westford parent, said two children’s friends have reported difficult experiences because of their race. “I hate to think of that happening in our town, but that's the reality of what happens when you don't look like everybody else,” she said. Andrews said raising the BLM flag sends a signal, especially in a predominantly white town like Westford, that the community supports those who now “may feel left out or different.” She also pointed to the lack of specifics from the

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The Essex Reporter • May 10, 2018

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Greening up Essex

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Russ Kinaman and Bill Keithcart help "green up" the entrance to Pinewood Manor on Saturday during the annual Green Up Day event. Green Up Day is the largest statewide volunteer event in Vermont with over 22,000 taking part, and it's the only statewide Green Up Day in the U.S.

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SOUTH BURLINGTON – More than 60 members of an air ambulance unit within the Vermont Army National Guard will be headed into “harm’s way” in Southwest Asia or the Middle East in June. Adjutant Gen. Steven Cray announced the deployment of the Guard’s Charlie Company, Third Battalion 126 Army Aviation unit during a press conference last Friday. “It is a daunting task but one that is met with great resolve,” said Cray, who lives in Essex. First Sgt. Derek Laferriere, the senior enlisted soldier from Colchester, said some unit members are involved in similar health care work outside the guard

through hospitals, ambulances, emergency medical services or as flight nurses. It will be his third deployment. The unit’s special sendoff is tentatively set for June 14, but Cray said he would not reveal the specific location of the basing. The Vermont soldiers could be there for up to a year, officials said. The Vermont Guard will also send six Black Hawk helicopters to help with medical evacuations, officials said at the Army Aviation Hangar in South Burlington. They will be armored and are expected to fly with armed escorts when going after the injured or wounded, the Guard said. Cray said the Guard is deploying in support of “Operation Spartan Shield,” during which Vermont will

support Missouri National Guard's 35th Combat Aviation Brigade. “When a young man or woman decides to join the military and in this case the Vermont National Guard, they do so knowing the day will come when they will need to serve our country overseas in defense of their country,” Cray explained. Unit commander Maj. Jamie Lewandowski said the time has come again for Vermont to serve. “I could not be more proud to lead such a great group of men and women on this deployment,” said Lewandowski, who grew up in Milton and lives in Georgia. “Over the last few months, we have put in a lot of training time and we have pushed ourselves harder than ever. Lewandowski was also

deployed to Iraq in 2010 with the Guard. Names of other Guard members or even a breakdown of their hometowns was not available as of Tuesday. Cray and others did acknowledge the families of the Guard members and civilian employers play a huge role in successful deployments. “We ask the families and employers of service members to frequently answer the call as well, and without your support, none of this is possible,” the general said. This assignment is unrelated to a disclosure the Vermont Guard made last year that it is gearing up for a scheduled major deployment in 2019 or after.

EHS students shine in math talent search Four Essex High School Students were among the top ten winners in the 25th Annual Mathematics Talent Search sponsored by the Vermont State Mathematics Coalition. In a ceremony on May 4 at a Double Tree Emerald Ballroom dinner, witnessed by parents, teachers and Coalition members. St. Michael’s College Mathematics Professor George Ashline praised the student winners in his remarks. Jean McKenny, Coalition Director, presented Jeremy Brennan a Texas Instruments contributed hand-held graphing calculator, Grace Lu and Henry Wu cash awards and Eric Lu Texas Instruments contributed graphing calculator software. Jeremy was tied for fourth, his first year in the top ten, while Grace finished sixth for the second year in a row, Henry seventh, up from tenth, and Eric tenth, his first year in the top ten. Ragulan Sivakumar, a sophomore at South Burlington High School, for the second year in a row placed first which earned Ragulan a cash award. Other winners also received cash awards or contributed Texas Instruments hand-held graphing calculators or Texas Instruments software. Ragulan placed fifth in 2016 as an eighth-grader and tenth in 2015

as a seventh grader. Vergennes UHS Sophomore Kai Williams was the second prize winner. John Graves, a senior at Mill River UHS, was the third prize winner. Kai was third and John fourth last year. Other winners in order of their placement were Evan Kozierok, a junior at Mt. Anthony UHS, his first time in the top ten; Ananth Malladi, a senior at South Burlington HS, who finished eighth last year and Ellery Stahler, a freshman at Burr & Burton Academy, a first time winner. The winners are all invited to be a part of the team representing Vermont in the annual American Region Mathematics League competition at Penn State University on June 1-3 and to attend, tuition-free, the 2018 Governor's Institute in Mathematical Sciences to be held at the University of Vermont June 24-29. Further information on the Talent Search can be found on the Coalition’s web-site, www.vtmathcoalition.org. Kiran MacCormick, Mississiquoi Valley UHS faculty member and Evan Dummit, Post-Doctoral Associate, Arizona State University have prepared the problems this year. Any talented math student is encouraged to try next Fall’s first test.

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opinion & community LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

May 10, 2018 • The Essex Reporter • 5

PERSPECTIVE

Green Up efforts noticed Thank you to everyone who volunteered to pick up trash on Green Up Day, Saturday, May 5. The Village of Essex Jct. greatly appreciates the efforts of the volunteers, including Cub Scout Pack 630, students, families and other concerned citizens. The number of hours put in by volunteers and public works staff is significant. The accumulation of trash is an ongoing problem, and everyone needs to do their part every day. Thanks again to all who participated in Green Up Day 2018. Live the Green Up way every day! Mary Tewarson Essex Jct. Green Up coordinator

What do you think? Email your letter (450 words or fewer) to news@essexreporter.com. Please include your full name, address and phone number for verification, or give us a call at 893-2028 as soon as you email it to confirm submission. Deadline: Fridays at 5 p.m.

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REP. BETSY DUNN As we race to the end of the session, the policy committees are finishing up the bills they still have in committee. The Health Care Committee is no exception. Here are the bills. H.175: This bill allows Vermont to import prescription drugs from Canada and either become a wholesaler, or contract with a Vermont-licensed wholesaler to provide prescription drugs at a savings to Vermonters. This program will determine which drugs will offer the most cost savings and meet all FDA standards. A study group will design the program. We will be working with Utah in developing this plan and both of our states congressional teams will, at the federal level, provide the support needed to implement the plan. H.404 is a bill that will require all carriers providing insurance on the Vermont Health Exchange to determine how to cover the cost of oral and emergency contraceptives without cost sharing, and cover the cost of Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives when the device is inserted immediately after the woman's delivery. S.92: This act is related to interchangeable biologic products. The Senate agreed with the House Health Care amendments and it passed for the governor’s approval. S.203: Systemic improvements to the mental health system. This bill has many aspects to it. Primarily it requires the Vt. Agency of Human Services to submit an evaluation

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of mental health care in Vermont. This will include all stakeholders working toward a common long-term vision for the full integration of mental health services within a comprehensive and holistic health care system. The other aspects of the bill are rates of payments to the designated agencies, and specialized service agencies with long term goals of payment reform. Oversight to the changes needed to psychiatric inpatient capacity. S.224: An act related to chiropractor and physical therapist copayments. This applies to the silver and bronze plans on the exchange. While taking testimony on this bill it became clear to our members that a change was required. We are asking for a third tier between the primary care provider level and the specialist, in order to make the payments reasonable. The bill includes other non-pharmaceutical modalities to be considered as well. S.262 deals with miscellaneous changes to the Medicaid program. It deals with eligibility for workers with disabilities, increasing the threshold for Dr. Dynasuer to 195 percent of the FPL, and consent procedures for eligibility in the programs. Bankers weighed in on this bill due to the burden they have to bare in providing the incomes of the participants. Three bills coming this week: S.260 clean up of the state's waters, H.923 capital bill and H.919 the budget. Question? Contact me at betsydunn7@gmail.com, FB: BetsyDunn for the VT House or 238-4271.

PERSPECTIVE: STATE ISSUES

Why Scott’s message beats the Democrats’ message on spending By EMERSON LYNN It’s true that the Legislature and the executive branch are separate and equal in the eyes of the Republic. But separate and equal have little to do with messaging, and what the public hears or knows about each. The stand-off between House and Senate Democrats and Gov. Phil Scott over property taxes and school spending is a classic illustration. The governor speaks with one voice, the Legislature speaks with many. The only thing the public hears is that the governor will hold firm and not agree to a budget that raises the property taxes Vermonters pay. In a press conference Thursday he made it clear: “There are only two possible outcomes for Vermonters right now: We can work together in Montpelier on a plan to prevent a property tax rate increase while introducing long term stability into the system, or we can burden Vermonters with a $60 million dollar education tax increase.” And the Democrats’s response: The governor’s proposal comes too late in the session. It uses one time money, again. We don’t really know if the governor’s $300 million in savings will materialize. We’d have to undo some of the budget work we’ve done. The Democrats’ message is confused and complicated. The public doesn’t hear it. The only thing the public hears is that the governor wants Vermonters to keep in their pocket the money they have. Voters don’t care if a couple of committees have to stick around to

figure out how to fill the $58 million hole in the education budget. That’s a small price to pay if they can avoid a five cent increase in their property tax bills [seven cents for businesses.] Democratic leaders try to defend themselves by suggesting that voters are okay paying more, as evidenced by their overwhelming support of school budgets on Town Meeting Day. Really? That’s the message they want to take into the November general election? Obviously, the Democrats can’t be too confident that their position trumps that of the governor given the reluctance of any Democrat with statewide name recognition to challenge Mr. Scott in November. And it’s the little things that give us pause. Today WDEV had a “debate” between the two sides with Mr. Scott’s chief of staff, Jason Gibbs, defending the administration and former Speaker of the House Shap Smith defending the Democratic leadership in the House. Why Shap Smith? How thrilled current Speaker of the House Mitzi Johnson must be. Or Senate President Pro Tempore Tim Ashe. A confused message? Just a bit. When Phil Scott prevailed over Democrat Sue Minter to become governor he was portrayed as a political rube; nice, honest, direct, but not someone skilled at the political game, particularly when compared to his predecessor Gov. Peter Shumlin. The chattering class took delight in predicting he would be putty in the hands of those who took their politics more

seriously. Well, this is the second session of the biennium and this is the second time Mr. Scott has held the stronger position. Part of the reason is that he’s governor and he can spend 12 months doing what Legislators have only five months to do. This year Mr. Scott also coopted part of the Democrats’ appeal by leading the effort to pass gun control legislation. But part of it is also the weakness of the Democrats’ message and their inability to connect to those who live and work beyond the walls of the golden dome in Montpelier. Raising the minimum wage to $15 isn’t enough. How do we grow? How do we make ourselves an attractive, affordable place to live? How do we make our educational system better? People are looking for answers that extend beyond the tried and true. They are looking for leaders bold enough to operate outside their zones of political comfort. [As Mr. Scott did with gun control.] In the messaging game, the advantage will always be in the governor’s favor. But the Democrats are ceding more of the advantage to him than they need by keeping the conversation so confined, and so small, and so complicated, and so politically safe. Look where it’s put them. Emerson Lynn is co-publisher of The Essex Reporter and is publisher of the St. Albans Messenger, where this editorial first appeared.

May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

By ABBIE JEFFERIS

ood Allergy Awareness Week is May 13 to 19. According to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), one in every thirteen children has a food allergy. That’s two per classroom. Every three minutes, a food allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency room. My toddler is anaphylactic to peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, sunflower, sesame and legumes (except soy and kidney beans). We’ve experienced our fair share of reactions already. Food allergies impact a lot of people with serious consequences. I’m here to share what is happening in our own community to support Food Allergy Awareness Week and urge you to join. Gov. Phil Scott’s office confirmed there will be a proclamation for Food Allergy Awareness Week. Official proclamations signify a commitment to food allergies at the state level; helping elected officials understand the serious nature. The proclamations highlight the importance of legislation that supports the food allergy community. You can go to www.foodallergy.org to view FARE’s 2018 Food Allergy Awareness Week Proclamations map and see how many states have “turned it teal” for food allergies. At least two local libraries are hosting Food Allergy Awareness Week story times. The two I know of are Essex Free Library on Thursday, May 17 at 10:30 a.m. and Brownell Library on Saturday, May 19 at 10:00 a.m. Each storytime will feature books that introduce food allergies in a fun and relatable way. There will be a conversation about how people eat differently and how to keep friends safe. Children will have the opportunity to color educational bookmarks and activity sheets and earn teal ribbon stickers. These story times are one way to address food allergy bullying. FARE says this impacts at least one in three children with food allergies. The media hasn’t been helping. "Peter Rabbit" made light of food allergy bullying when Tom McGregor experienced anaphylaxis after rabbits threw his allergen at him. This is while a group of teenage girls got in trouble for giving a pineapple tainted high-five to a classmate with a known pineapple allergy, causing an allergic reaction and sending her to the hospital. A 13-year-old British boy had cheese flung into his mouth at school and died despite receiving treatment. This is any parent’s worst nightmare and why Food Allergy Awareness Week is incredibly important to me. We can help combat food allergy bullying by starting a positive conversation at a very early age. Lead discussions of safety and inclusion; call out the media when things like Peter Rabbit come up. Visit www.ollergy.com/food-allergy-awarenessweek-2 to learn about fundraising events to support FARE. According to its website, “FARE is the leading national organization working on behalf of the 15 million Americans who have food allergies ... We work hard to ensure that every dollar raised brings us closer to improving the quality of life, and the health of individuals with food allergies.” Donations give families newly diagnosed patient kits and provide schools with training and educational materials, which I can say from first-hand experience is needed in this community. You can learn more about allergy-friendly food by visiting Healthy Living on Saturday, May 19 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. There will be samples as well as educational material and a continued fundraising effort for FARE. Want to get involved in Food Allergy Awareness Week? If your child is in school or daycare, ask to read a book and lead a discussion. Make sure you wear teal on Thursday, May 17 for #TealTakeover. If you have questions or need help, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m incredibly passionate about spreading food allergy awareness. Abbie Jefferis is the founder of ollergy, a site dedicated to spreading food allergy awareness and helping families raise children with food allergies. She can be reached at ollergy@gmail.com. She was raised in Essex and now lives in Jericho. For more information about food allergies, please visit www.ollergy.com, @ollergy on Instagram and www.facebook.com/ollergy.

THE ESSEX

REPORTER EXECUTIVE EDITOR Courtney A. Lamdin

CO-PUBLISHERS Emerson & Suzanne Lynn

REPORTERS Colin Flanders

GENERAL MANAGER Suzanne Lynn

NEWS & SPORTS CLERK Ben Chiappinelli

ADVERTISING Casey Toof John Kelley

CLASSIFIEDS Gail Wells

69 Main Street P.O. Box 163 Milton, VT 05468

893-2028 news@essexreporter.com www.essexreporter.com

BUSINESS OFFICE St. Albans Messenger 281 North Main Street St. Albans, VT 05478 524-9771 (office), 527-1948 (fax)

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

6•

The Essex Reporter • May 10, 2018

calendar

EssEx ArEA

Religious Directory

may 12

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.; FundamentalIndependent. 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. Brent Devenney, lead pastor. Sunday service: 10:30 a.m., AWANA: Thursdays twice a month, www.daybreakvermont.org; brentdaybreak@gmail.com ESSEX ALLIANCE CHURCH - 37 Old Stage Road, Essex Jct. 878-8213. Sunday services: 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. & 11:30 a.m., www.essexalliance.org. ESSEX CENTER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - 119 Center Rd (Route 15), Essex. 878-8304. Rev. Mitchell Hay, pastor. Service 10:00 a.m. 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 - 1 Church Street, Essex Jct. 878-5745. Rev. Mark Mendes, senior pastor. Rev. Josh Simon, associate pastor. Sunday Worship Services: 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Communion: first Sunday of every month. Faith formation: weekly at 10:15 a.m. Jr. & Sr. high youth groups: every Sunday. Heavenly Food Pantry: second Monday of the month, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. and fourth Thursday, 2 – 6 p.m., except for Nov. & Dec. when it is the third Thursday. Essex Eats Out community dinner: 1st Friday of the month, 5:30 – 7 p.m. Music includes Sanctuary Choir, Finally @ First Band, Joyful Noise, Cherub Music, Handbell Choir, Men’s Acapella & Ladies’ Acapella groups. 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. www.fccej.org; welcome@fccej. org gRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - 130 Maple Street, Essex Jct., 1 mile south of the Five Corners on Maple Street / Route 117. 878-8071. 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. 8784014. Rt. Rev. Thomas C. Ely, Bishop of Vermont. 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.

achive PhoTo

The Colchester Parks and Recreation Department is hosting an introduction to homebrewing class at the 1st Republic Brewing Company in Essex Junction. Join experienced brewer Shawn Trout and learn about the most common methods for brewing beer. After the class, enjoy a complimentary beer on tap! This event will take place on Satuday, May 12. See calendar listing for complete details.

10 Thursday FirsT Wednesday encore: PhysicisTs’ dream oF a Theory oF everyThing

2 - 3 p.m, Brownell Library. Theoretical physicists have long dreamt of a theory of everything that encompasses all particles of matter and their interactions. Dartmouth professor Marcelo Gleiser describes how physics and astronomy obtain knowledge of the natural world and how their limitations preclude us from ever getting to a“final” theory. Recorded at the Ilsley Public Library in Middlebury on Dec. 6, 2017. First Wednesdays are a program sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council.

read To archie

3:15 - 4:15 p.m., Brownell Library. Archie loves to listen to kids read. He is certified by Therapy Dogs of Vermont. Archie's owner is Christine Packard, chair of Brownell Library Trustees.

r.a.d. Women's selF-deFense course

6 - 9 p.m., Essex Police Department, 145 Maple St., Essex Jct. This course is intended for females who wish to learn survival techniques and instincts. It will teach participants what they need to do physically and mentally to make it through an attack by an aggressor. Women only; under the age of 18 may attend with parent permission. $10 resident; $15 non-resident.

essex Players: "The man Who came To dinner"

7:30 p.m. Essex Memorial Hall, Towers Rd., Essex Jct. A pompous celebrity, famous for his acerbic wit, largerthan-life appetites, and hoards of Hollywood friends, slips on the ice and unexpectedly becomes an imperious long-term houseguest of a small-town Ohio family just before Christmas. What could possibly go wrong? Directed by Adam Cunningham, a large cast and impressive set make this play an ambitious theatre romp that harkens back to a time when theatre was spectacle—a special event—larger than life! Tickets and

information can be found at essexplayers. com.

and get to meet Llama Llama! All ages are welcome.

11 Friday

inTro To home BreWing

music WiTh raPh 10 - 10:30 a.m., Brownell Library. Come sing and play with Raph. All ages.

musical sTory Time

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

larP

3 - 5 p.m., Brownell Library. Live Action Role Play is open to all middle and high school students who want to have adventures in a mythical land.

dungeons & dragons

6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Brownell Library. Embark upon imaginary adventures. Dungeon Master serves as this role playing game’s referee and storyteller. For grades 6 and up.

essex Players: "The man Who came To dinner"

7:30 p.m. Essex Memorial Hall, Towers Rd., Essex Jct. (See Thursday, May 10 for details.)

12 saTurday Weekend sTory Time

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

sTory Time

11 a.m., Phoenix Books Essex, 2 Carmichael St., Essex Jct. Each week, we'll choose a new picture book, a classic or a staff favorite to read aloud together. Free; all ages.

neW "llama llama" Book launch

11 a.m., Phoenix Books Burlington, 191 Bank St., Burlington. Join for the launch of Llama Llama's new book! We'll celebrate the release of "Llama Llama Loves to Read," an adventure focused on a love of listening, lettering and of course learning to read. Anna Dewdney's partner and co-author Reed Duncan will read at a "Llama Llama Loves to Read" story time, then we'll do activities

11 a.m. - 4 p.m., 1st Republic Brewing Company, 39 River Rd., Essex Jct. Join experienced brewer Shawn Trout and learn about the process of brewing beer. This class will primarily cover extraction brewing, the most common brewing method for home brewers. We’ll discuss the basics of equipment, steeping, adding extract, boiling, cooling, fermenting, bottling and more, to get you started on making your own beer at home. A demonstration will be performed, and participants will have the opportunity to purchase equipment, ingredients, and/or recipe kits after the program. After the lecture & demo, enjoy a beer and Q&A in the brewery: one pint of any 1st Republic beer on tap is included with your registration. Age 21 and up; $10, Colchester residents, $15 non-residents.

Preschool oPen gym

3 - 4:30 p.m., Building Bright Futures of Essex, 75 Maple St., Essex Jct. Come run around at our open gym, sponsored by the Essex Rotary. Free.

dancing aT The PosT

7 - 10 p.m., VFW Post 6689, 73 Pearl St., Essex Jct. Come dance to the sounds of Contraband. No cover; open to the public.

essex Players: "The man Who came To dinner"

7:30 p.m. Essex Memorial Hall, Towers Rd., Essex Jct. (See Thursday, May 10 for details.)

13 sunday grieF share suPPorT grouP

10 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Alliance Church, 37 Old Stage Rd., Essex Jct. Weekly through May 13. For registration and information, contact Ron Caldwell; ron_caldwell@comcast. net.

essex Players: "The man Who came To dinner"

2 p.m. Essex Memorial Hall, Towers Rd., Essex Jct. (See Thursday, May 10 for details.)

14 monday sTory Time

10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Essex Free Library. Enjoy reading, rhyming and crafts each week! All ages.

Tech helP WiTh cliF

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

lego cluB

3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Essex Free Library. Build awesome creations using our collection of Legos!

musT read mondays

6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Brownell Library. "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry was the first play written by a black woman to be produced on Broadway. Set in south side Chicago, Walter Lee, a black chauffeur, dreams of a better life, and hopes to use his father's life insurance money to open a liquor store. Pick up a copy of this book at the main desk and join us for a casual discussion.

15 Tuesday droP-in kniTTing cluB 6:30 - 8 p.m., Essex Free Library. Bring in your current knitting project or start a new one in the company of fellow knitters!

u.s. Book launch: "TransaTlanTic Traumas"

7 p.m., Phoenix Books Burlington, 191 Bank St., Burlington. Join Stanley R. Sloan to celebrate the U.S. book launch for "Transatlantic Traumas." This book asks how recent developments in transatlantic relations have challenged the interests of the transatlantic allies and examines how they may affect the future of the West. Stanley R. Sloan is a visiting scholar in political science at Middlebury College and a non-resident senior fellow in the Scowcroft Center at the Atlantic Council of the United States. $3, comes with $5 coupon for the featured book. All proceeds from ticket sales go to the Vermont Foodbank.

May 10, 2018 • The Essex Reporter • 7

calendar local meeTings Thursday, may 10 6:30 p.m., Town Planning commission, Town offices, 81 Main St., Essex Jct.

monday, may 14 7 p.m., Joint village Trustees and Town selectboard, Lincoln Hall, 2 Lincoln St., Essex Jct.

Tuesday, may 15 6 p.m., village capital Program review committee, Lincoln Hall, 2 Lincoln St., Essex Jct. 6:30 p.m., school Board, Essex High School Library, 2 Educational Dr., Essex Jct. 7 p.m., Brownell library Trustees, Brownell Library, 6 Lincoln St., Essex Jct.

Thursday, may 17 6:30 p.m., Joint Town Planning commission and village Trustees, Lincoln Hall, 2 Lincoln St., Essex Jct.

16 Wednesday BaBy PlaygrouP

10 - 11:30 a.m., Sunset Studio, 71 Center Rd., Essex Jct. Free.

Tech Time WiTh Traci

10 - 11 a.m., Essex Free Library. Need some tech help? Drop in with your device and your questions.

sTory Time

11 a.m., Phoenix Books Essex, 2 Carmichael St., Essex Jct. Enjoy timeless tales and new adventures with your little ones. Free; all ages.

Tech helP WiTh clif

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

read To daisy, TheraPy dog

7 p.m., Phoenix Books Essex, 2 Carmichael St., Essex Jct. Join Peter Shea for a talk on his new book, "The New Atlas of Vermont Trout Ponds." Angling geographer Peter Shea is co-author of Vermont’s classic trout fishing guides, "Vermont Trout Streams" and "The Atlas of Vermont Trout Ponds." He is also the author of "In the Company of Trout," "Vermont Trout Ponds," "Long Trail Trout," "Vermont’s Trophy Trout Waters" and "Collateral Trout." Free; open to the public.

17 Thursday food allergy aWareness sTory Time 10:30 a.m., Essex Free Library. Join for books, songs and an activity as we learn about food allergies for Food Allergy Awareness Week.

read To archie

3:30 - 4:30 p.m, Brownell Library. Daisy loves to listen to kids read. She is Certified by Therapy Dogs of Vermont. Daisy's owner is Maddie Nash, retired school counselor. For all ages.

3:15 - 4:15 p.m., Brownell Library. Archie loves to listen to kids read. He is certified by Therapy Dogs of Vermont. Archie's owner is Christine Packard, chair of Brownell Library Trustees.

sTandard cPr class

r.a.d. Women's self-defense course

5 - 8 p.m., 81 Main St., Essex Jct. Are you ready to take action if a friend or loved one needs help? Be prepared and take a life-saving CPR & AED course! Great for new parents, grandparents, caregivers, camp counselors and more! Class price includes course book. Two year certification will be from ECSI: Emergency Care and Safety Institute. Instructed by Laurie Singer. Ages 16 and up. $55, resident; $60, non-resident.

classic War films and hisTory

7 - 8:30 p.m., Brownell Library. Local author, St. Michael's English and American Studies professor and Essex Junction resident Bob Niemi examines the historical accuracy of some popular war films ("Braveheart," "Bridge of the River Kwai," "Patton," "American Sniper" and "Dunkirk").

TrouT Pond aTlas PresenTaTion

mounT mansfield scale modelers 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Brownell Library, Essex Jct. An informal gathering of scale model enthusiasts and model builders encompassing all areas of skill level. Show off projects, discuss modeling tips and techniques and gain inspiration from fellow modelers. Call 8790765 after 6 p.m. for more information.

divorce laWyer Book Talk

7 p.m., Phoenix Books Burlington, 191 Bank St., Burlington. Join James J.

Sexton for a discussion of his new book, "If You're In My Office, It's Already Too Late: A Divorce Lawyer's Guide to Staying Together." After dealing with more than a thousand clients whose marriages have dissolved, James Sexton knows all of the whatnot-to-dos for couples who want to build - and consistently work to preserve - a lasting, fulfilling relationship. James is a trial lawyer with two decades of experience negotiating and litigating highconflict divorces. $3, comes with $5 couploon for the featured book. All proceeds from ticket sales go to the Vermont Foodbank.

18 friday essex free liBrary and BroWnell liBrary closed for The vermonT liBrary conference.

19 saTurday milTon yard sale day 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., yard sales all over town, headquarters at Transparent Computers, 204 U.S. Route 7, Milton Be a part of this exciting, annual Milton Yard Sale event, which will be promoted throughout Milton and surrounding areas in hopes of drawing a huge crowd. Be sure to stop by yard sale headquarters to pick up a map. Whether hosting a yard sale or spending the day garage sale-ing, the day will be packed with bargains and fun! Contact Cheryl Persitz at capersitz@ gmail.com. Register at the Milton town clerk's office by May 14.

PracTice acT

9 a.m., Burnham Memorial Library, 898 Main St., Colchestserv. The Burnham YA partners with the Princeton Review to offer you practice tests. Sign up online or call to take a full-length practice test to hone your skills for the real thing. Sign up at least one week prior to the test date. The test generally lasts about four hours so bring snacks. Free; call 2645660 to sign-up.

friendchiPs 5k race for menToring

9:30 a.m., Founders Memorial School, 33 Founders Rd., Essex Jct. Whether you prefer to “run, walk or roll”, this event is for everyone interested in supporting our local youth. Teams of ten or more can participate for $10 a person, students and seniors for $15, and $25 for adults. Participants can register at friendchips5k2018. eventbrite.ca.

food allergy aWareness sTory Time 10 - 10:30 a.m., Brownell Library. Read stories, sing songs and do an activity with food allergies for Food Allergy Awareness Week.

diy fairy door WorkshoP

10 a.m. - noon, Sunset

Studio, 71 Center Rd., Essex Jct. In this very special workshop you'll create your own fairy door house, a magic portal to the fairy world! Starting with a wooden door the perfect size for fairies, our supply of materials will spark your creativity and charm - add moss, pebbles, shells, and other natural materials and add other embellishments. You'll leave with a fairy door to place inside or outside for fairy friends to find. All ages; children under 5 must have adult supervision. $15, resident; $20, non-resident.

Got a news tip? Email our editor at news@essexreporter.com CALL EARLY FOR RESERVATIONS!

Bus Day Trip to

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FREE extras include: $30 Free Slot Play Coffee

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Meet at Milton Park & Ride Off I89 Exit 17 between 6:35am-6:55am Bus Departs: 7:00am Depart the Casino: 4:30pm

Call BARBARA at 802.829.7403

Weekend sTory Time

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

sTory Time

11 a.m., Phoenix Books Essex, 2 Carmichael St., Essex Jct. Each week, we'll choose a new picture book, a classic or a staff favorite to read aloud together. Free; all ages.

single adulTs' volleyBall, game and PoTluck dinner nighT

6 p.m., Essex Alliance Church, 37 Old Stage Rd., Essex Jct. For more information and to RSVP contact Patty at 2382820.

20 sunday eThan allen homesTead museum hisTorical Talk

2 p.m., 1 Ethan Allen Homestead, Burlington. “The Greensboro Blockhouse Project: The Preliminary Results.” The Bayley-Hazen Military Road, from Newbury to Hazen’s Notch, was to provide a speedy conduit for troops to reach southern Canada during the Revolutionary War. Jill Baker and Pat Haslam, authors of "The Greensboro Blockhouse Project. An Historical and Archaeological Investigation in Greensboro, Vermont," will present the results of their preliminary investigations of the site considered to be that of the Revolutionary War period blockhouse in Greensboro.

roland Pigeon memorial concerT

4 - 5:30 p.m., UCW white church, Westford common, Route 128, Westford. In remembrance of, Roland Pigeon, Westford's most beloved musician who passed away one year ago, fellow musicians, friends and family will share their musical talents in celebration of his memory. The special country music concert will feature over 20 musicians, promising great variety and talent. An afternoon of a of country, folk, classical and old time fiddle music awaits. Free. Refreshments will follow the entertainment. For more information call 879-4028

Pets of the Week SCOOTER 10 years old Neutered male Arrival Date: 03/13/2018 Breed: Domestic Short Hair Reason here: My owner had to move to a place where cats can’t be outside Scooter is quite the friendly gentleman. Whether he is purring and chirping around the room or rubbing up on your ankles begging for pets, Scooter is a cat for the people! If you’re like us and you adore black cats with purrsonality, Scooter’s your guy! Come meet him today, he (politely) demands it! My thoughts on: Cats: I would do best with another confident cat Dogs: I have not lived with a dog inside but would run away from the dogs outside Special Consideration: I need to be an indoor/outdoor cat

Humane Society of Chittenden County 802-862-0135

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The Essex Reporter • May 10, 2018

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RENTAL

PETS

FOR SALE W34-30 (5), W34-32, Exercise/Sporting W32-30, W36-30. $10 Equipment R E F R I G E R A T O R , each or $75 for all. Call INLINE SKATES, KENMORE COM- 802-868-3269 morn- SENECA, “Marauder”, P A C T , ings white with pink and 24.5”Wx26”Dx59.5”H, SAFETY SHOES, purple, size 4 girls, like excellent condition. WOMEN’S Wolver- new condition in origiFrost-free, stainless ine, size 8.5. Brand nal box, $20. Call 802steel. 3 years, Sears new, worn 2 weeks, 891-6140 Protection Agreement paid $130. Selling for Furniture to January 2019. $450. $40. Call 80-868-3269 Cash. 802-285-2114 mornings DAYBED, NICE, WITH Books/Reading off white trim brass Collectibles Material trim. Very good condiCOOKBOOK, HARD- ALARM CLOCK, tion with like new Sealy COVER SET (13), POCAHONTAS, Plays twin mattress, $100. Time Life The Good “Colors of the Wind”, Call 802-527-0420 or Cook/Techniques & good condition, $4. Call text 802-393-0467 Recipes. Includes 802-891-6140 Furnishings Meats, Poultry, Bread, Desserts, Preserving Computers/Supplies PHOTO FRAME, DIGIetc. Very good condi- COMPUTER, IVIEW, TAL, Sungale, screen tion, $58 for set. 802- LAPTOP, with Win- display is 4x6”, memory 891-6140 dows X, touch screen. card not included, like Clothing & AccesWell kept and works new. $15. 802-848-3336 sories perfect, Pink/Purplish Health Supplies CARPENTER JEANS, color. $75. 802-393MEN’S Lee, sizes 1288 or 802-524-0788 HEATING PAD, SUNAppliances

Send your event listings to

BEAM Heat and Mas- PUPPIES, CHOCOsage, 12x13”, used LATE LAB, AKC, 8 once, like new. $20. weeks old 5/18/18. 802-848-3336 $850. Call Jonathan M A S S A G E R , 802-309-0906 CONAIR, WITH 4 atPet Supplies tachments. Like new. $20. 802-848-3336 FISH TANK, LARGE 55 gallon, Lawn/Garden 3’Lx12.5”Wx25”H. PRIVACY HEDGES - Comes with heat eleSPRING BLOWOUT ment, colored pebbles, SALE 6FT Arborvitae, and heavy wood stand, reg $179. Now $75. $50. Call 802-524Beautiful, Nursery 9468 Grown, FREE INSTALLATION/FREE delivery, Limited Supply! Order NOW: 518-5361367 www.lowcosttree farm.com Outdoor Furnishings CHAR BROIL GRILL, 3 burner gas grill, good condition, $15. 802527-0036

4062 WOOD BOX, NICE old farmhouse wood box. Ideal for your kindling and small wood. $75. 802-309-4062 Wanted to Buy

BUYING ANTIQUES Complete households, most anything old/of good quality. 45+ years buying! Fair prices paid! Call Ed Lambert 802-528-5651 or Pool/Game Table 802-782-1223 St. Albans PING-PONG TABLE, FREE, fold and roll, FREON R12 WANTpaddles, net. As is, you ED: CERTIFIED BUYmove. 802-868-3631 ER will PAY CA$H for Pellet/Woodstoves/ R12 cylinders or cases Heating of cans. (312)291FUEL TANKS, (2), 9169; www.refrigerant large, with piping and finders.com some fuel. Always been undercover. Asking $100. for all. 802-309-

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updated daily!

ESSEX POLICE REPORTS

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

April 30 - May 6 Arrrests

1 - Driving with a suspended license

MondAy, Apr. 30

12:34 a.m., Traffic Offense on Allen Martin Dr. 12:48 a.m., Medical Assist on Thompson Dr. 1:17 a.m., Threatening on Dalton Dr. 2:40 a.m., Intoxicated Person on Pearl St. 8:12 a.m., Agency Assist on Baker St. 9:54 a.m., Traffic Hazard on Upper Main St. 10:11 a.m., Parking Problem on Park Terr. 11:15 a.m., Citizen Assist on Maplewood Ln. 11:42 a.m., Citizen Assist on Old Colchester Rd. 1:29 p.m., Citizen Assist on Maple St. 1:31 p.m., Suspicious on Susie Wilson Rd. 1:58 p.m., Citizen Assist on Park St. 2:20 p.m., Citizen Assist on Park St. 4:22 p.m., Mental Health Assistance on Iroquois Ave. 4:56 p.m., Littering on Jericho Rd. 6:17 p.m., Vandalism on Discovery Rd. 11:46 p.m., Medical Assist on Old Stage Rd.

tuesdAy, MAy 1

12:05 a.m., Accident on Colchester Rd. 3:25 a.m., Alarm on Old Stage Rd. 6:33 a.m., LSA on Upper Main St. 7:30 a.m., Citizen Assist on Rosewood Ln.

8:41 a.m., Suspicious on Allen Martin Dr. 9:53 a.m., Animal Problem on Ewing Pl. 10 a.m., VIN Inspection on Maple St. 11:56 a.m., Accident on Essex Way 12:38 p.m., Suspicious on Main St. 1:05 p.m., Accident on Pearl St. 6:02 p.m., Intoxicated Person on Central St. 6:24 p.m., Public Speaking on Maple St. 6:34 p.m., Animal Problem on Susie Wilson Rd. 6:55 p.m., Citizen Assist on Franklin St. 7:18 p.m., Suspicious on Maple St. 8:59 p.m., Family Disturbance on Colchester Rd. 10:04 p.m., Welfare Check on Pearl St. 11:03 p.m., Threatening on Frederick Rd.

WednesdAy, MAy 2

6:23 a.m., Noise Disturbance on Pioneer St. 7:43 a.m., Utility Problem on Iroquois Ave. 9:58 a.m., Communications Offense on Carmichael St. 10:56 a.m., Vagrancy on Pearl St. 11:18 a.m., Agency Assist on Main St. 12:34 p.m., Animal Problem on Essex Way 12:39 p.m., Agency Assist on Baker St. 12:54 p.m., Citizen Assist on Fuller Pl. 1:11 p.m., Suspicious on Elm St. 1:47 p.m., Citizen Assist on Partridge Dr. 16 p.m., DA Order Violation non Autumn Pond Way 4:50 p.m., Larceny on Educational Dr. 6:09 p.m., Family Disturbance on Maple St.

7:10 p.m., MV Disturbance on Park St. 7:46 p.m., Citizen Dispute on Brickyard Rd. 9:10 p.m., Family Disturbance on Carmichael St.

thursdAy, MAy 3

7:48 a.m., Animal Problem on Maple St. 9:14 a.m., Welfare Check on Cherry St. Ext 9:51 a.m., Animal Problem on Pearl St. 10:09 a.m., MV Complaint on Upper Main St. 10:49 a.m., Littering on Indian Brook Rd. 11:07 a.m., Citizen Assist on Sawmill Rd. 12:23 p.m., Parking Problem on Roscoe Ct. 1:09 p.m., Communications Offense on Railroad St. 1:28 p.m., MV Complaint on Park St. 1:38 p.m., MV Complaint on S Summit St. 2:54 p.m., Alarm on School St. 3:57 p.m., Agency Assist on Stearns Ave. 4:27 p.m., Public Speaking on Maple St. 4:38 p.m., MV Complaint on East St. 6:06 p.m., Suspicious on Main St. 6:41 p.m., Agency Assist on Franklin St. 7:39 p.m., MV Complaint on East St. 8:25 p.m., MV Complaint on Susie Wilson Rd. 9:54 p.m., Arrest on Warrant on River Rd. 9:57 p.m., Suspicious on Ethan Allen Ave. 10:21 p.m., Accident on Upper Main St.

FridAy, MAy 4

12:07 a.m., Noise Disturbance on Railroad St. 12:20 a.m., Suspicious on Pearl St.

2:08 a.m., Alarm on Pearl St. 2:17 a.m., Found Property on I-289 7:27 a.m., MV Complaint on Old Colchester Rd. 7:28 a.m., 911 Hang Up on Woodside Dr. 8:57 a.m., DUI on Sand Hill Rd. 9:35 a.m., Accident on Jericho Rd. 11:13 a.m., Trespass Violation on Lincoln St. Noon, Welfare Check on Frederick Rd. 12:15 p.m., Agency Assist on Aspen Dr. 12:32 p.m., MV Disturbance on Franklin St. 12:41 p.m., Attempt to Locate on Baker St. 1:20 p.m., Citizen Assist on Essex Way 2:20 p.m., COR Violation on Hiawatha Ave. 3:14 p.m., Suspicious on Pearl St. 4:05 p.m., Citizen Assist on East St. 4:25 p.m., Agency Assist on Maple St. 4:34 p.m., Lost/Found Property on Railroad Ave. 6:14 p.m., DLS on Ira Allen Dr. 9:54 p.m., Larceny on River Rd.

sAturdAy, MAy 5

8:35 a.m., Lost/Found Property on Essex Way 8:46 a.m., Citizen Assist on Susie Wilson Rd. 10:20 a.m., Citizen Assist on Maple St. 11:40 a.m., Larceny on Essex Way 11:41 a.m., Citizen Assist on Sand Hill Rd. 12:57 p.m., MV Complaint on Educational Dr. 12:59 p.m., Animal Problem on Essex Way 1:03 p.m., Alarm on Greenbriar Dr.

1:52 p.m., Animal Problem on Founders Rd. 4:37 p.m., Animal Problem on Lamell Ave. 4:50 p.m., Medical Assist on Pearl St. 5:51 p.m., Suspicious on Gauthier Dr. 5:54 p.m., Medical Assist on Doubleday Ln. 6:42 p.m., Suspicious on Indian Brook Rd. 7:38 p.m., Citizen Assist on Londonderry Ln. 8:41 p.m., Citizen Dispute on Park St. 10:09 p.m., Animal Problem on Rustic Dr. 11:34 p.m., Trespass Violation on Pearl St. 11:46 p.m., DUI on Lincoln St.

sundAy, MAy 6

12:16 a.m., Suspicious on Pearl St. 7:41 a.m., Suspicious on Maple St. 12:07 p.m., Welfare Check on Pinecrest Dr. 12:24 p.m., Citizen Dispute on Susie Wilson Rd. 12:31 p.m., Theft of MV on Grandview Ave. 2:30 p.m., MV Complaint on Logwood Cir 2:47 p.m., Animal Problem on Upland Rd. 4:17 p.m., Intoxicated Person on Park St. 8:33 p.m., Animal Problem on Thomas Ln. 9:21 p.m., Family Disturbance on Pioneer St. 11:21 p.m., Suspicious on Park St.

tickets issued: 24 WArnings issued: 42 Fire/eMs cAlls: 60

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

May 10, 2018 • The Essex Reporter • 9

business directory & Le GALs caRpEntRy H.S.

High Standards, LLC

Dan MenarD

Cleanup & Hauling Services

Carpentry

Remodeling, Rot Repair, Decks, Windows and Doors

concREtE

clEaning sERvicEs

Concrete Construction, Inc.

We Clean Out:

Estates Attics Garages Basements

Drywall, Siding, Finish Work, Pressure Washing

24/7 ON CALL • Free Estimates • Fully Insured (802) 355-8193 Matt Levee • highstandards802@gmail.com

dEntist

“Where Quality Comes First”

Poured Foundations • Poured Floors & slabs residential • Commercial • agricultural Fully InsureD - now HIrIng

For The Best Price On Your Next Concrete Construction Project...

Call 802-868-3876

Call Kevin 343-6144

EnginE REpaiR

EstatE planning

Vermont engine SerVice, inc.

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

Small Engine Repair

Cedric C Pecor D.D.S

Bethany K. Fitzgerald D.D.S

Edward R. Klingebiel D.D.S

Engine Machine Shop

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

16 Krupp Drive, Williston VT 05495

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

http://vermontengine.com

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

863-2326

SaleS and Service Of:

Peace of mind for your family & loved ones 26 Railroad Ave. / Essex Jct., VT (802) 879-7133 / unsworthlaplante.com

landscaping

lEgal

painting

HEHIR LAW OFFICE, PLLC Brian Hehir, Attorney

FULL INTERIOR & EXTERIOR Residential & Commercial

Serving the area for 22 years. Real Estate, including: • Sales and Purchases • Landlord/Tenant • Boundary Disputes • Zoning • Subdivision. Also: Wills, Probate, Injury and Business Matters.

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

• Custom Trim • Custom Carpentry/ Crown Moulding

Living & Working in Essex Junction for over 40 years. Call TJ for your FREE ESTIMATE $100 off any job of $1000.00 or more, $250 off of any job $2000.00 or more. EXCLUDES MATERIALS

802-355-0392

REal EstatE

plumbing

painting

• Cathedral Entries • Sheetrock/Taping • FULLY INSURED

Adam’s Plumbing S E R V I C E 878 - 1002 The Reliable Local Pro! For all your residential plumbing repairs and installations

REstauRant

Roofing

Authentic Mexican Cuisine IN THE HEART OF ESSEX JUNCTION

sEal all

Asphalt Protection Your professional Roofing Contractor

862-1500

Asphalt Roofs Asphalt Roofs Standing SeamMetal Metal Standing Seam Slate Guards Slate & & Snow Snow Guards Low Roofs Low Slope Slope Roofs Skylights & Sun Tunnels Gutters NOW- Seamless

www.BlueSkyRoofingvt.com

4 Park Street, Essex 802.662.4334 www.ElGatoCantina.com

sEaling and paving

Ask about our FREE upgrade

802-730-3019 | drivesealing@gmail.com

SlaytonsSealingandPaving.com

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS

“Protect your Large investment with a smaLL one” commerciaL & residentiaL Seal Coating, Hot Crack Filling, and Line Striping Top QualiTy producTs • Top QualiTy resulTs

Local owner/operator: Andy Lamore

Honest Reliable Service

EssEx - 878-0300 | Milton - 893-4422 FREE QUOTES

tREE sERvicEs • Tree Removals • Tree Trimming • Ornamental/ fruit tree pruning Cabling

FREE Estimates • Fully Insured • We Accept Credit Cards

sEaling and paving

Maxwell Curtiss Certified Arborist

• Stump Grinding • Wood Chip Mulch • Shrub and Hedge Pruning • Tree Planting

(802) 879-4425

Heartwood Landscape and Tree Services LLC

tREE sERvicEs

Living Curiously ProPerty Maintenance Tree Services including stump grinding, 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

maxheartwd@myfairpoint.net / Fully Insured

HERE

802-524-9771

casey.toof@samessenger.com

LeGALs Private Auction Of Storage Unit Contents

Private Auction Of Storage Unit Contents

Jenn Anderson, last known address of 4 Green St Milton, VT 05468 has a past due balance of $463.50 owed to Champlain Valley Self Storage LLC since February 28, 2018. To cover this debt, per our lease dated 2/16/18, the contents of unit #357 will be sold at private auction on May 25, 2018. Auction pre-registration is required. Call 802-871-5787 for auction information.

Tiffany Ouimet, last known address 6108 Halifax Drive Newport Richey, FL 34653 has a past due balance of $524.00 owed to Champlain Valley Self Storage LLC since February 28, 2018. To cover this debt, per our lease dated 9/1/17, the contents of unit #351 will be sold at private auction on May 25, 2018. Auction pre-registration is required. Call 802-871-5787 for auction information.

Private Auction Of Storage Unit Contents

Crystal Tavares, last known address of 3164 Shelburne Road, South Burlington VT 05403 has a past due balance of $508.64 owed to Champlain Valley Self Storage LLC since February 28, 2018. To cover this debt, per our lease dated 1/31/17, the contents of unit #296 will be sold at private auction on May 25, 2018. Auction pre-registration is required. Call 802-871-5787 for auction information.

10 •

The Essex Reporter • May 10, 2018

Mother's Day

Unique Mother’s Day gift ideas

others, stepmothers, grandmothers, and many more remarkable women often work tirelessly and without fanfare to provide for their families. Even though they may deserve to be recognized throughout the year, moms enjoy a special day nestled within the month of May when children, spouses and others celebrate Mother’s Day. Many people give heartfelt gifts on Mother’s Day to express their love for the mothers in their lives. The perfect gift may focus on Mom’s interests and the things that make her truly happy. With that in mind, the following shopping tips can help anyone find the perfect Mother’s Day gift. • Explore spa packages. What mother won’t benefit from some rest and relaxation with a little pampering thrown in? Salons and massage therapists typically put together Mother’s Day packages that cater to mothers. Packages may include massages, facials, hair treatments, manicures, and pedicures. Gift-givers can customize the services depending on their budgets. • Dining out can be a treat. A meal at a favorite restaurant can be a welcome change from kitchen duty. Mother’s Day is a busy day for restaurants, many of which have limited menus to better handle the crowds. As a result, if dining out on Mother’s Day, Mom may not get the full menu she desires. To ensure mothers have full menus at their

disposal, gift givers can cook a meal at home on Mother’s Day and then choose another day of the week to enjoy a meal in an upscale restaurant. • Schedule a paint and sip. A paint and sip session is a unique gift. A session is typically two hours and includes step-by-step instructions. Patrons are encouraged to bring snacks and their favorite beverages. With the right planning, wellintentioned children can turn the evening into a “ladies night out” and encourage other moms to join in the fun. Or the entire family can paint masterpieces together. • Give tickets to a show or sporting event. Whether Mom is a sports fan or she prefers the theater or live music, event tickets can make a wonderful gift. Unique gift ideas include tickets to Cirque du Soleil, Shen Yun or a Broadway play. • Give the gift of wine tasting. Wineries can be found across the country and frequently open their doors to wine tastings and wine pairing events. A Mother’s Day wine tasting can be special for the entire family and support local businesses. Check the vineyard’s rules on guests. Many times those under 21 can attend but will not be permitted to consume wine, though other refreshments may be available. Mother’s Day offers the perfect opportunity to lavish attention on special women. Gifts that cater to Mom’s interests will make the biggest splash.

Tips for dining out this Mother's Day

WE LOVE YOUR MOM TOO! WE HAVE ALL SORTS OF WAYS TO SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION

• hard-to-ﬁnd ingredients for a special meal • ﬂowers & chocolates • humorous gifts • candles • safe body creams & lotions and so much more

COME EXPLORE!

EMBARRASSING WEBSITE? Open Daily 8 to 8 (802) 872-8288 at the Essex Outlets & Cinema www.sweetclovermarket.com

DON’T FORGET

Mother’s Day!

Book early ... very early. To guarantee a reservation at any restaurant, namely your favorite restaurant, you will need to make a reservation well in advance of Mother's Day. It's never too early to put your name on the reservation list. Don't forget Mother's Day is Sunday, May 11, 2014. Expect to wait. Even with a reservation, you're bound to spend some time waiting at the restaurant. Other families may be lingering at their tables, as no one wants to rush Mom out of the door. Plan accordingly for a potentially long wait time. Consider dining out a day before or after. Restaurants are generally packed on Mother's Day, and as a result kitchen and wait staffs might be overtaxed. Take-out is an option. Families can treat Mom to a dinner out, without really having to go out. Many restaurants offer takeout service, so you will not be limited to pizza or Chinese. Even chain restaurants have curbside service, so if Mom is in the mood for a burger or something more elaborate, she'll have that option. Hire a sitter for young kids. Although Mother's Day is a chance for the entire family to spend time together, the main goal is to ensure Mom's comfort and happiness. If very young children are in tow, she may not be able to relax and enjoy her meal. more celebrating.

COME ENJOY OUR

ay, May, 13th Sund

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Kids Eat Free WEDNESDAY

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Hang in there! We’ll set you apart from the competition.

$5 Margaritas THURSDAY

1/2 price Nachos

LOCAL AND NATIONWIDE DELIVERY

CALL: 802-878-8113

10 Lincoln Street, Essex Junction next to Brownell Library www.maplehurstflorist.com

Branding • Marketing Strategy Social Media Management Web Design • Graphic Design Photography • Illustration Print & Binding St. Albans, Vermont MessengerMarketingVT.com

Ready to get started? Give us a shout! Kim Conner, Marketing Maestro 802.524.9771 x 107 kconner@samessenger.com

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 • www.ElGatoCantina.com

May 10, 2018 • The Essex Reporter • 11

proudly supports athletics in our community

Logan PoLLaRd

Softball: Sophomore

ollard led the Hornets past St. Johbnsbury for their fifth straight win without a defeat this spring, throwing four-plus innings in the pitching circle for the win while helping the offense with a 3-for-4 day. Pollard's production included a double and a triple, and she held the Hilltoppers in check with 11 striekouts. Junior Jamie Morin also had a big hit in the win, smacking a home run and driving in four.

Fit 2 Excel Specializing In:

• Team Training • Personal Training

• Sports Psychology • Sports Medicine Rehab

Visit us online: www.Fit2ExcelVT.com 70 Upper Main Street, Essex, VT 05452 or call: 802-871-5423

SPORTS

HEnRy FaRRIngTon

SPINE

PELVIS

POSTURE

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

Track & Field: Sophomore

arrington ran to a pair of victories in the Hornets' home meet May 2, the lone double winner for Essex on the day. He edged Rutland senior Eli Henni in the 1500 meters by just .18 seconds, running a personal-best 4 minutes, 13.98 seconds. In the 800, Farrington again turned in his best time, 2:06.9, taking first place by almost six seconds.