Area News Headlines Through June 29

Ludlow October Planning Fair Postponed

In a meeting held at Town Hall on Monday night June 25^th the Steering Committee for the Together For Tomorrow Planning Fair made a unanimous decision to reschedule the October 13^th event.  Preliminary research steps will be taken in the form of a survey at several upcoming local events.  The results gathered will be reviewed and those results will set the seminar topics for the rescheduled Planning Fair.  Working on the research survey are Alan Isaacson, a former Planning Commissioner for Ludlow and currently President of the Ludlow Community Land Trust, Tom Kennedy, South Windsor County Regional Planning Commission and Jerry Chichester a long time Ludlow Home Owner and volunteer.

Come Home To Cavendish

On June 30th (Saturday), the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) will renew the tradition of “Old Home Day.” Because so many people moved from Vermont, frequently for economic reasons, Old Home Day was a time for family and friends to reconnect with those that still remained in town.  At the entrance to the CHS Museum, there is a poster for the 1901 Old Home Day, which featured “horribles” (people dressed in costumes), floats and lots of speeches. With 2,500 people gathered for this event, The September 1901, issue of “The Vermonter” describes the “Old Home Week” festivities in Cavendish as follows, “The morning parade, headed by the Proctorsville Band, was one of the principal features of the day and was composed of various patriotic and social organizations and floral carriages.” The afternoon featured speeches, with refreshments served at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Halls.

Community Garden Enters 7th Season

The Ludlow Area Community Garden is off to a good start and looks better than it has in several years.  Nearly everyone has planted and, generally, the garden has been kept clean and attractive.  Good job!  One or two plots are still available.  Call Liz Crowley if you want one or know someone that does.  By now, you must have noticed the two new garden carts that recently arrived in the garden.  One is primarily plastic while the other is wooden.  Both have big wheels and are easy to move and control.  The Vermont Garden Network provided us with a grant to cover the cost of these carts.  The Herb Garden has never looked better thanks to the continuing efforts of  UVM Master Gardeners Debbie Trent, John and Rosa Donohue and the interns Christine Quinn,  Michelle Beaulieu, and Cory Rail.   The Herb Garden contains more than two dozen types of herbs, including oregano, lemon thyme, chocolate mint, comfrey, chamomile, peppermint and curly spearmint.

The End of an Era - D & T Spinning Ceases Operations

According to an report in the Rutland Herald, D & T Spinning Co. of Ludlow has stopped operations and is in the process of selling off its equipment.  D & T apparently lost a contract to supply Rawlings Sporting Goods with filler.  This may well represent the last operating mill in the area and close a chapter in the area's history.

Stepping Stones Awarded $25,000 by Turrell Fund

THE TURRELL FUND AWARDS $25,000 TO STEPPING STONES PRESCHOOL OF PROCTORSVILLE

The annual award is in honor of S. Whitney Landon.

Burlington, Vermont  June 27, 2007 … Stepping Stones Preschool of Proctorsville is this year's winner of the Turrell Fund’s S. Whitney Landon Memorial Award for exemplary service to children 12 and under in Vermont. The unrestricted $25,000 gift was presented by Curt Fields, Executive Director of the Turrell Fund yesterday at a luncheon at the Burlington Country Club.

During a pre-luncheon session, Congressman Peter Welch addressed the audience, largely consisting of children’s program service providers from around the state, about policy and funding issues that affect services for children.

"The trustees of the Turrell Fund are delighted to present this year's S. Whitney Landon Memorial Award to Stepping Stones," said Curt Fields, Executive Director of Turrell. "The staff and volunteers at Stepping Stones have created an excellent environment in which preschoolers thrive socially and receive a solid foundation for learning.”

“All of us involved with Stepping Stones are deeply grateful to the Turrell Fund for recognizing our work with this wonderful award,” said Sara Stowell, board member of Stepping Stones Preschool.  “Your contribution has given us something to plan for, and a sense that we are indeed secure.”  

Mount Ascutney Hospital Community Health Foundation and River Arts of Morrisville were semifinalists for the award.  Each of these organizations received $2,500.00 from the Turrell Fund.

Nominees for the award are chosen from prevention programs that that serve children between the ages of birth and twelve. The Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation and the Children and Family Council for Prevention Programs assist the Turrell Fund in the selection process and award luncheon.

From left:  Sara Stowell of Stepping Stones Preschool, Curt Fields, Executive Director, Turrell Fund, Susan Kamp, Executive Director Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation at the S. Whitney Landon Memorial Award Luncheon.

Mt Holly to Host Very Special Wedding

Area News Headlines Through June 23

Ludlow Decides Against Moving Hydrants

 

At a special meeting of the Ludlow Water Commission (LWC) Tuesday, the commission voted 2 to 1 against moving three water hydrants on Main Street further away from the street.  The move would have cost Ludlow between $25-40,000 according to estimates from Gurney Brothers.  In recommending that consideration of the hydrant moving be deferred several years, Town Manager Frank Heald said that a more immediate problem had arisen as a result of the on-going Main Street repaving project.   He noted that five water catch basins (storm drains) on or abutting Main Street were in danger of collapsing.  He pointed out the basins in front of the black river Good Neighbors Thrift Store and that across the street near the American Pie Pizza as particularly dangerous basins that could cause road collapse.   Heald noted that it was critical that the storm drain basins be repaired prior to the final paving of Main  Street by Pike Industries. 

Cavendish Housing Project Ready

By LEO GRAHAM

CAVENDISH – Last Wednesday, Jeff Staudinger, Executive Director of the Rockingham Area Community Land Trust (RACLT) came before the Cavendish Select Board to tell them that all the myriad and complex variables involved in getting an extensive affordable housing project completed for the Town were now in place.  The Land Trust has already purchased the Pollard Block at the corner of Main and Depot Streets in Proctorsville. That Block will be rehabilitated into apartments. The ground floor of the Pollard Block already houses a storefront for Six Loose Ladies (who probably aren’t really all that loose) and the Proctorsville Post Office. The rental price of the apartments will be based on the ability of an individual or family to pay. At an average, affordable housing rental units are priced at about 30 percent of the income of those renting the unit. Thus the units will not have a set rent as such but a rate dependent on ability to pay. That’s the “affordable” part of affordable rental housing.  Diagonally across the Proctorsville Green from the Pollard Block and to the left of the Freeman House (six units of affordable senior housing also managed by RACLT) the Land Trust in partnership with the Town and investors are going to build four condominium units, in units of two townhouse units each. Staudinger said he expects the individual condo units to cost $240,000 each to build but, because of Federal and State grants, the units can be sold for somewhere between $140,000 and $150,000. The people in those units will be owners like any other condo owners but in this case they are able to secure the units for below market price. There are income considerations involved in deciding who is a qualified buyer. On the one hand land speculation is not to be allowed and on the other, the prospective owners have to be able to manage a $140,000 mortgage over a 20 or 30-year period. For the ownership piece, the difference between what the market could command and what the selected owners can in fact pay becomes the “affordable” part of affordable housing.  On June 20, Staudinger said he expects the “financial closing” to take place. This involves State and Federal money, some in the form of grants and some in loans, as well as investments from a consortium of regional financial institutions (who can take advantage of tax free income from debt repayment), the Town of Cavendish and the RACLT.

Black River Museum Seeks DRB Approval

 

At the June 11 meeting of the Ludlow Development Review Board (DRB), Black River Academy Museum (BRAM)  formally petitioned the DRB to approve its proposed elevator tower so that it would comply with both existing ADA and fire regulations.  (See tower addition below.)  BRAM is seeking a variance so that it can build the tower in the rear of the existing structure.  According to Darrah Moore, representing BRAM, the elevator is needed to satisfy ADA access requirements and fire regulations.  BRAM is conducting a major capital improvement fund raising effort, seeking $500,000, to build the elevator.   The DRB indicated it would take the variance request under consideration.   In other DRB business, Bruce Stryhaus sought a setback variance so he could convert an Andover Street property into a three apartment facility.  Abutter Bob Gilmore opposed the request indicating that he thought the building had always been used as a single family dwelling.   Shaws Market sought a change to its conditional use so that it could enlarge the interior of the store and add a new entrance.  Shaws' representative indicated the store wished to add a new fresh fish department.

Black River Alumni Reunion Great Success

Submitted by Pat Pullinen

The Black River Alumni Association completed its three day celebration of the theme, “We Are the Champions”, with a successful parade on Sunday, June 17th.  Even a little rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of parade spectators, as the parade kicked off at 12 noon, on schedule.   The  Ballard Hobart Post 36 American Legion Color Guard lead the Grand Marshals for this years parade which included members from the Class of 1940, Gladys Page Strong, Phyllis Wilmouth Savage and Laura Bennett Potter.  Also in the Grand Marshall caravan were members from the Class of 1942, Bill Jarvi, Etheline Devers and Ruth Potter Harvey.   A total of seven floats passed by the astute and discriminating eyes of the judges, Ann Firkey, Stan Firkey and Don Downs, for review. The youngest class to enter a float was the Class of 2005 – Building Today for the Future of Tomorrow.  Receiving the award for Most Original was the Class of  1957 – Breakfast of Champions.  The Most Creative Award went to the Class of 1972, saluting Champions of World Peace. A salute to Black River High School 2007 Champions entered by the Black River High School Booster Club, which included the girls soccer, snowboard and softball teams and also the M.V.L. Boys Individual X-Country Champion, along with the M.V.L Boys Baseball team took home the top honors of Best All Around.   Five bands, The Upper Valley Community Band, Black River High School Band, Black River Fife & Drum Band, Springfield Community Band and the Brattleboro American Legion Band were responsible for carrying the parade beat through Main St. to the bandstand at Veterans Memorial Park.  Several Shrine Units – Directors Staff, Mini Cars, Ski Mobiles along with the American Legion Motorcycle Unit and a fleet of  Fire trucks and Emergency Vehicles added to the parade viewing.   The weekend began with a pre-reunion celebration hosted by area restaurants.  More than 25 alumni members from 1940 -1960 visited Killarney’s Irish Pub to meet classmates and acquaintances. A large gathering of alumni members from the 1960 – 1980 era attended and danced to music provided by D.J. Rick Davis, of Davis Brothers garage, held at the Pot Belly Pub.  Christopher’s swung into high gear to the music of High Wire as a large crowd from the 1980 – 1990 era reunited with enthusiasm. Tom’s Loft & Tavern was the location for the 1990-2003 crowd and a packed house showed up to celebrate and reminisce old times.   On Saturday, Black River High School gymnasium played host to the annual alumni business meeting following the graduation of the Class of 2007.  A slate of officers was elected for next year.  Bruce Schmidt ‘81 was elected President, Earl Washburn ’62 1st Vice President, Patrick Pullinen ‘72 2nd Vice President, Jean Strong Morrill ‘67 3rd Vice President.  Amy Pickielnok Taylor ‘80 was elected Treasurer and Corresponding Secretary and Kathy Brown Martell ‘83 was elected Recording Secretary.  The Alumni Tent behind the American Legion was host to the alumni dance party Saturday evening.  Over 150 alumni showed up to dance to D.J. Jim Hollis.  Food was provided by members of Ballard Hobart Post 36 American Legion.

Impact Fees, Housing Dominate PC Hearing

At its recent public hearing on a draft capital budget,  the Ludlow Planning Commission (PC) spent as much time discussing impact fees and affordable housing as it did to considering the detailed capital spending program outlined in the proposed 2008-2013 capital budget.  Rose Goings, Ludlow's Zoning Administrator, opened the session by noting that the capital budget process was part of the required planning for Downtown District designation by the state.  Other requirements included the listing of the downtown district on the National Register for Historic Places and the adoption of certain Act 250 criteria by the Development Review Board.  She said that, under a $10,000 grant for the capital budget preparation, David Spitz had been hired as a consultant to work with Frank Heald, Town Manager, in the drafting of the preliminary budget.  She also noted that Paula Sagerman, an architectural historian has conducted the research and nomination preparation that created a historic district that was named to the National Register.  Spitz  advised the PC that the capital budget was a management tool to help the town deal with long term capital acquisitions and projects.  He said the purpose of the hearing was to gather input from the PC as to what they feel should be added to the draft capital budget before it is presented to the Select Board.  On the subject of impact fees PC member Terry Carter asked if impact fees could be used to save Ludlow schools.  Spitz responded that he did not believe they could be used for that purpose.  He compared Ludlow, Stowe, and Randolph.  Stowe has a grand list of $18,867,501, Ludlow $14,534.160, and Randolph $3,484,220.  He noted that Ludlow had about half the population of Randolph.  The main difference between the two towns was the heavy second home ownership in Ludlow which added to the tax base without providing a means for imposing impact fees other than for rescue and police services.

Area Legislators Voting Records, 2006-7 Session

To see a brief synopsis of the voting records of:

• Dennis Devereux
• Ernie Shand
• Alice Nitka

Click HERE.

The Middle East - A Cry for a Rational Policy

The current chaos in Gaza and the West Bank, coupled with the on-going civil strife in Lebanon and Iraq, illustrates the total policy void this nation has with respect to the Middle East.  These conflicts underlie an even more dangerous likelihood that nations such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, and Persian Gulf emirates will themselves experience major internal uprisings as Iran and Syria look on.

All of these events are occurring while this nation essentially ignores the causal factors behind the strife and the long term irrelevance of the United States, specifically, and the West in general.

Washington apparently believes that, in the instance of the Palestinians, now that the Hamas group has unilaterally usurped power in Gaza, effectively splitting the would-be nation in half, it can send dollars to the Fatah faction on the West Bank to offset the Hamas gains.  Washington fails to appreciate the popular support Hamas has gained; it, like its Hezbollah counterparts in Lebanon, remains the only effective source of public welfare that the Palestinians have.

Washington, following the cue of its Israeli partners, believes that it cannot negotiate with Hamas because of its stated intentions of creating an Islamic state that decries the existent of Israel.  This same logic has also been applied to negotiations with Syria and Iran because of their respective support of terrorism.

At the same time, Jordan, already the home of a large Palestinian refugee population, has had to absorb a huge Iraqi refugee population that may seriously impact Jordan's ability to withstand pressure to support Western initiatives. 

Lebanon is experiencing a major battle in Tripoli against terrorists using a Palestinian refugee camp as a base of operations.  This has forced Lebanese troops to break an agreement with the many Palestinian camps around that country not to enter the camps.  This threatens the entry of Hezbollah into the picture with its superior military might.

The nations on the Saudi peninsula, under internal pressures to become more militant in their support of potential Islamic nations such as that envisioned by Hamas and Hezbollah, cannot simply ignore these pressures.

All of these factors need to be considered in developing a rational foreign policy position.  To base a policy simply on the continued unquestioning support of Israel regardless of the support that Hamas and Hezbollah have realized ignores the basic tenet of foreign policy - national self-interest.  Like it or not, we need the oil from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.  If that oil falls under the control of a Hamas or Hezbollah type regime, we will pay a very dear price for it. 

We need a policy that ceases to place moral litmus tests on the political character of those we deal with; we've been supporting dictators around the world elsewhere, so why do we suddenly find it so difficult to deal with extremists at the other end of the spectrum.  This is especially true if we realize that the continued existence of some of the Middle Eastern nations' current governments is questionable.  Either we begin to talk with those we dislike or we will become irrelevant to them should they finally achieve their objectives of overthrowing the existing governments.

We would be wise to recall that the entire structure of the Middle East is the outgrowth of quite selfish partitioning by France and England (the US was there but not decisively) following World War I.   

RWSU Gets New Super; Bus. Mgr To Leave

In a June 9 news release, the Rutland Windsor Supervisory Union (RWSU) announced the appointment of Judith Pullinen of Ludlow as the new Superintendent of RWSU, replacing Frank Perotti who is assuming the same position in the Springfield (VT) system.

According to the release, written by RWSU Chair Diana Chimbolo, Pullinen, currently Principal at Riverside Middle School in Springfield, was formally offered the RWSU slot on May 23 when a special RWSU meeting was held.  Pullinen previously taught at Springfield High School and River Valley Technical Center.

Pullinen will receive a salary of $85,000 plus normal benefits according to Chimbolo.  She will serve as a full time Superintendent.  RWSU, in its earlier budget meetings, had reduced the budgetted amount for the position by approximately 25% in anticipation of Perotti's departure.

Chimbolo said, “We feel that Ms. Pullinen has the combination of those special professional and personal qualities that will exactly fit the needs of the Rutland Windsor Supervisory Union and help us move to the future. Ms. Pullinen lives in our community and knows about our community’s issues.”

Chimbolo noted that the search committee to find a replacement for Perotti consisted on ten individuals representing school boards, school teachers and administrators, and parents.  The search started in April with the assistance of the VT School Board Association.

According to the Vermont Department of Education, Pullinen comes from a school that in 2005-6 had the following profile:

• enrollment of 322 students
• classroom teachers 22.5
• student teacher ratio 11.1
• annual expenditures per pupil $12,895

These will compare to the RWSU profile during the same period of:

	Enrollment	Teacher Ratio	Teachers	Annual Expenditures per pupil
Plymouth	25	8.1	2.47	14,695
Mt Holly	102	10.7	7.51	11,132
Ludlow Elem	119	7.7	11.7	15,667
BRHSMS	235	10.5	19.4	10,468
	481		41.08

Chimbolo indicated that RWSU felt it was necessary to hire a superintendent "in order to explore the governance options we have which includes talking to other SU’s.  Without someone guiding the ship, we didn’t think we could do a proper job of investigation."

Business Manager Resigns

At the same meeting that approved Pullinen as the new RWSU Superintendent, Edie Lou Cole, longtime Business Manager for RWSU announced that she was considering accepting another position.

Subsequently Cole resigned to accept a position with the Windsor Central Supervisory Union.

At the same time, Union 39 announced that Mike Ripley, Assistant Principal at Black River High School, was leaving to accept a position at Falls Mountain in New Hampshire.

Area News Headlines Through June 6

Black River Alumni Host Reunion

The Black River High School Alumni Association has chosen "We are the Champions" as its parade theme for the forthcoming alumni reunion celebration scheduled for Friday, June 15 through Sunday, June 17.  The event will coincide with the June 16 Black River High School Graduation Exercises.  Kicking the program for the reunion will be various class gatherings at area eateries on Friday evening.On Saturday, the High School Graduation will take place at the High School at 10 am.  Following graduation exercises, an alumni business meeting is scheduled for 12 Noon at the High School gym.  That evening, starting at 8 pm, there will be an Alumni Dance Party behind the American Legion Ballard Hobart Post.  The dance will feature D.J. Hollis.  To ensure that the weather is not a factor, the dance will take place under a special tent for the event.   Highlighting the alumni reunion will be a parade on Sunday.  The parade will start at 12 Noon at the Chamber of Commerce Office and travel down Pond Street and Main Street, ending at Veterans Memorial Park.  Following the parade, there will be a barbecue.

Select Board Gets Bike Path Update

Noting that the proposed Cavendish-Ludlow Bike Path "has been stuck in a quagmire for the last three years," Sharon Bixby, long-time advocate for the bike path updated the Ludlow Select  Board on the status of the bike path at its June meeting.  Bixby indicated that she had learned that some of the problems that previously prevented the bike path from being developed may have changed based on her conversations with state officials.  She did indicate that the project, over 15 years under consideration by the state, still had a number of hurdles to overcome.  She asked the board if it believed she should continue in her efforts to pursue the project.  By consensus, they agreed that she should continue her efforts to get the bike path going.

CCC Becomes CCCA in Cavendish

Several years ago, in response to a plan to quarry stone near the center of Cavendish, a group of individuals formed the Concerned Cavendish Citizens.  Now the quarry plan is no longer viable and the organization has begun to pursue other goals.  Because the group now has a broader focus and intends to become more involved in other Cavendish events, the CCC Board of Directors has voted to change its name to better reflect its mission.  It is now the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association (“CCCA”).

Mt Holly and Ludlow Listers and Grievances

The Listers in both Mt Holly and Ludlow are reminding property owners to file any grievances they may have regarding their property appraisals.  As local Select Boards near the time to set next year's tax rates, this is the time to file any disagreements with property valuation before they are assessed at the new tax rate.

Ludlow and Area Hit by Violent Hail Storm

It came without warning and managed to deluge the area in the 15 or 20 minutes that it lasted.  On Tuesday, June 5 around 2:15 pm, the skies literally opened with rain and quarter inch hail.  According to the two "scientific" measuring devices at the Pace residence in Ludlow, 3/4 of an inch of rain fell in a twenty minute period along with the hail, lightning and thunder. 

Above is a photo of the Pace deck while the hail was falling.  Below are several shots of the hail from the front porch.

In the photo immediately above, you can actually see the hail "bouncing up" after hitting the driveway.

If anyone has photos of the storm please send them to [email protected]. 

Free Men's Health Check-Up at Ludlow Medical Center

Free Men's Health Screenings will be offered at the new Ludlow Health Center location at 1 Elm Street, Ludlow, VT (802-228-8867). Saturday, June 16, 2007 from 9 am - 11 am. Offered as a community service, this event includes cholesterol checks, PSA levels, blood pressure and blood sugar checks and prostate exams. No appt necessary - walk ins welcome.  All men are eligible regardless of town of residency.