Vermont Primary Election May Be in August

By Terri Hallenbeck, Burlington Free Press Staff Writer• October 30, 2009

 

A new federal law will force Vermont lawmakers to consider changing the date of next year's primary at a time when that primary is expected to be a hot one.

 

Congress passed a law last week that requires states to send absentee ballots out to overseas voters at least 45 days before the election. With Vermont's primary scheduled for Sept. 14 next year and the general election for Nov. 2, the state would not have enough time to certify the primary vote and print ballots to meet the federal timeframe.

 

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Burlington, VT Jumps to #2 in Foreclosure Rates

From CNNMoney.com

 

Foreclosure rate: One in 4,436 homes

Percent increase: 400%

Burlington, Vt., has seen a real reversal of fortune. The city went from having one of the country's lowest foreclosure rates in 2008 to posting the second-highest quarterly increase in the third quarter of 2009.

"From what I've seen, Vermont tends to lag the rest of the country in a lot of these economic indicators," said area realtor Christopher Hurd. "We were surviving in a bubble for a while, but it popped."

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WWII vet seeks home for military collection

By Josh O'Gorman, Rutland Herald Staff Writer - Published: October 30, 2009

For the past three years, 90-year-old World War II veteran Pat Valente has led the Maj. Gen. Leonard F. Wing Veterans Association and has maintained a collection of military memorabilia at the Ludlow Armory.

Now, Valente's declining health and depleted funds, and the town's plans to purchase the armory, have left the future location of the collection up in the air.

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Armory Bond Vote Set for Town Meeting

At its Thursday, Oct. 29 meeting, the Ludlow Armory Committee decided to recommend to the Select Board that the vote on the proposed $1.2 million bond to cover renovation of the armory facilities be held as part of the anniual Town Meeting in early March, 2010.  The committee believed this would draw the largest voter turnout.

Much of the meeting revolved around impressions of the recent joint meeting between the Union 39, Ludlow Elementary, and Select Board representatives.  In general, the attending committee members believed that that session produced positive results.  It was noted that LES Chairperson, Susan Barton, expressed concerns over the cost of the proposed bond and the adequacy of the proposed layout of the main armory building.

RWSU Superintendent Judith Pullinen advised the committee that, following the joint meeting, the Union 39 had unanimously approved the armory plans with "two thumbs up".  The LES board will meet next week to consider the armory proposals.

Pullinen also addressed concerns about separating school facilities from those used by non-school persons indicating that minor changes to the proposed main building layout could be implemented to ensure that students were at all times separated from any non-school activities.

The next meeting of the committee is set for Thursday, Nov. 19 at 4 pm at Ludlow Town Hall.

Holiday Packaging, Silversmithing and Mini Albums at Fletcher Farm School

Submitted by Laurie Marechaux

If you watch DIY television or HGTV and love the content of their programs we have the same caliber instructors as their program hosts and guests right here at Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts!

On Nov. 14, 2009 Join Erika Martin to explore, Creative Holiday Packaging, Gift Cards, Tags and more! Erika is a © Stampin' Up, representative. With the holidays around the corner, we all want our packaging as well thought out as the gifts that we're giving. This course will walk you through making your own gift bags, boxes, tags and cards. You'll be using rubber stamps, patterned papers, punches, die cuts, cardstock, ribbons and more. 

On Nov.15 Let’s make a Mini Albums again with Erika! Mini albums are not only fun to carry around, to add to your collection or to give as gifts, but they're also fun to make. During this course, you'll make 4 unique mini albums in which to showcase your photos, and they're just in time for gift-giving for the upcoming holiday season. We'll be using rubber stamps, inks, fun tools, ribbon, papers and more. 

On Nov. 14 & 15 get started in Silversmithing class: Jewelry: Focus on Stone Setting & Bezels with master silversmith Harold Bosco, this course is designed to teach the basic methods of bezel and prong setting in sterling silver. Wrapping, soldering and filing are the procedures used to create bezels. Beginners are welcome.

Weekend class times are Sat., 9:00am-4:00pm, Sun., 9:00am-3:00pm. Please call for tuition pricing. View our website at http://www.fletcherfarm.orgfor more information. One-on-one instruction is always emphasized in all of our classes. Fletcher Farm School is one of the countries leading Arts and Crafts Schools. If you are a Ludlow, Cavendish or Proctorsville resident (age 7 & up) you are entitled to 50% off one class per calendar year. Register online or for a copy of our fall flyer call 802-228-8770.

Ludlow Board OKs blight ordinance

By Josh O'Gorman RUTLAND HERALD STAFF WRITER - Published: October 27, 2009

LUDLOW — Owners of vacant and dangerous buildings take notice — if you don't maintain your property, it could cost you.

At its most recent meeting, the Village Board of Trustees adopted an ordinance addressing those buildings, residential and commercial, that are perceived to be a blight upon the village.

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Black River First Ladies end season with 2 wins, begin defense of State Title

By Staff/Photo by Betsey Caldwell

The Black River First Ladies Varsity Soccer team ended the 2009 campaign with 2 wins at Dorsey Park to finish at 11 – 1 -2 and are poised for a run in the playoffs and another appearance in the Division IV soccer Finals.

On Monday 10/19, the Lady Presidents met the West Rutland Golden Horde at Dorsey Park.  BR began the scoring early with Angi Valente connecting off a rebound from Gabriel Macklin to make the score 1-0 at the 8 minute mark.  The goals continued in the first half with Emily Hammond getting a head ball off a corner kick from Hannah Josselyn. Hannah then helped the situation on her own when she ripped a 30 yard left footed shot into the upper left corner and then converted a pass from Angi Valente to complete the scoring at 4-0. Zoe Trimboli had two saves in notching the shut out.  The strong presence of Gabe Macklin on the front line and continued support of midfielders Kate MacPherson, Alyssa Collins and Tina Valente kept West Rutland on the run.

Thursday 10/22 saw the Poultney Blue Devils come to Ludlow to play under the lights on Senior night.  Black River recognized the 7 seniors for their contributions to the team. Seniors Recognized: Katie O’Neil (Capt.), Amanda Chambers, Kaitelynd Palmer, Hannah Josselyn (Capt.), Kristen Corbin, Tina Valente (Capt.), Zoe Trimboli (Capt.). After the ceremonies, the girls took it upon themselves to dominate play and scored 4 unanswerd goals.  Hannah Josselyn scored first unassisted, Tina Valente had the second goal with an assist from Josselyn. Hannah continued the scoring with an unassisted goal to make the score 3-0 and Katie McPhearson scored the final goal with an assist from Angi Valente.  In talking about the win, Coach Pat Pullinen was happy with the attitude as they head into the post-season “This was an overall team effort win for us. We played a dominating game,” he said.  Also playing well coming off the bench were Rachael Brozza, Alexis Palmer, Tiffany Norton & Holly Cloutier.  BR also got another solid game from Sarah Hawkins, Katie O’Neil & Amanda Chambers in preserving the win.

In this photo – Hannah Josselyn, Emily Hammond battling for the ball at Midfield.

BR begins post season play during the last week of October. 

Letter to the Editor

(Note:  The BRT Editor has requested comment on this from the Windsor County Senators and Representative Ernie Shand)
 
COMMITTEE OF 44 PROPOSED TO CONTROL COUNTY BUDGET
By William Boardman, Assistant Judge

A committee of 44 people would be set up to control the Windsor County Budget, if a proposal from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) were to become law.

VLCT executive director Steven Jeffrey made the proposal recently to the Vermont Commission on Judicial Operations, the 15 member panel considering ways to reorganize some aspects of the Vermont judicial branch.  The Commission has not made any public response to the VLCT, which Jeffrey made in early October.  

The VLCT proposal was offered as draft legislation, with an explanatory memo, based on projected reductions of county property taxes under a draft recommendation presented by a Commission subcommittee in September.  The Commission has not yet published or acted on any final proposals. 

The VLCT plan calls for each county to have “a budget committee comprised of the state senators and representatives of each county and delegates from each town and city in the county.”  The VLCT offers no calculations, but the plan suggests that Windsor County would have a committee of 44 to control the county budget: 3 senators, 17 representatives, and 24 town reps. 

The plan does not say how representatives in two-county districts will be apportioned, but it does provide for weighted voting for the town reps.  The 20 legislators would have one vote each, as would the rep from the county’s smallest town.  The rest of the town reps would have proportionally more votes, based on their town’s population.  The plan does not address fractional votes that might result.  

According to 2000 census figures, the smallest town in Windsor County is Baltimore, with a population of 250, earning it one vote.  Andover, the next largest town with 496 people would get almost two votes, and so on, up to the largest towns, Springfield and Hartford.  Springfield, with a population of 9,078, would have 36.3 votes and Hartford population of 10,367 would give it 41.5 votes on the county budget committee. 

The committee’s 44 members would have a grand total of 249.7 votes.  Based on a county population of 57,418, the towns would have a weighted vote total of 229.7, to which would be added the 20 votes of the 20 legislators.  

The two Assistant Judges, charged with creating, proposing, and writing a report on the county budget, would have no votes. 

In Windsor County, the current county budget for fiscal year 2009-2010 is $875,361, which adds less than a penny to the local property tax rate.  The VLCT plan would cap the tax rate in most counties at one cent.  Currently it is capped by statute at five cents.  

The VLCT bases its proposal on the assumption “of the $1.5 million state wide that the Commission projects can be saved with its recommendations.”  Although there are no formal recommendations yet, there is a draft recommendation consistent with this assumption of savings, although it would require sweeping changes to be made before  those savings could be achieved.  

Those changes would include adding $2.3 million to the state budget to take over county employees as part of a fundamental reduction of county government.  Another change would be stripping Assistant Judges of their judicial duties.  

The VLCT’s stated public policy for more than 20 years has been to eliminate county government.  

The Vermont Supreme Court has been trying to eliminate Assistant Judges since the late 1800s.

From Streetscapes With Love!

Submitted by Liz Crowley

“The sense of community here in Ludlow this last week by not only our committee, but all of the silent auction donors, neighbors, business owners, friends and my family is mind boggling.  This renewed sense of community and pride is a direct result of Ludlow Streetscapes’ accomplishments.”  Truer words could not have been spoken by Ludlow Streetscapes President Liz Crowly at the “Throwdown at the Charity Hoedown” event which took place Saturday, October 10th.  Our gratitude for the support of the community in assisting us to make such a wonderful night of auction, food and dancing fun could not be more sincere.  We want to thank again the generosity of the event sponsors and artisans.  Sponsorship contributions have allowed us to offset our event costs and we hope in return provided your businesses with greater visibility in and around the village this summer.  The creativity of the Custom Bench and Milking Stool artists delighted so many.  We could not have been more pleased with these beautiful pieces of art.  Many thanks to our silent auction Donors comprised of local shops, businesses, Chamber members and individuals, your generously is what made the silent auction of Unique Vermont Experiences so successful!  Without everyone’s talent, sponsorship, donations, cooperation and support our raffle and auctions could not have shined.
 
We appreciate the local restaurants as well as our committee members, SideHill Cronchers and friends of Streetscapes who donated their food and time to help us feed our guests.  We are pleased to announce the results of the two contestants who enthusiastically “Threwdown” for our rib competition; Squeels on Wheels won the Peoples Choice award and Curtis Bar-B Q won the Celebrity Choice award.  A special thanks to Senator Alice Nitka, Representative Dennis Devereaux and Randall Smather’s of the Rutland Herald for taking the time out the busiest weekend in this region to attend our event and participate as judges.  As well as auctioneer, Kathy Kingston who worked tirelessly to entertain while fundraising for the evening and the boot stompin’ sounds of Run Mountain with caller Laussane Allen.  Last but not least, to the Pot Belly Restaurant and all of the volunteers, without whom we could not have succeeded and whose patience and hard work helped the members of Streetscapes create this fantastic community building fundraiser!
To all of our patrons, donors and supporters, you are what enable Streetscapes to continue our good works.  We were so heartened and excited by the attendance and enthusiasm of our guests at the event itself. Thank you for attending our event! This is the prime example of “It takes a community to build the community!” as spoken by Liz Crowley.

We anxiously look forward to the continuation of our beautification projects which will make Ludlow a better place to live, work and play to our community.  For more information on Ludlow Streetscapes, go to www.ludlowstreetscapes.org  or e-mail [email protected].

BRHS Presidents finish Regular Season with a win and tie

By Staff

The BRHS Presidents played two games to end the regular season and head into the Division IV Tournament.  BR played a talented Twin Valley team in a real barn burner.  Before the game, Black River honored the seniors who are on the team with recognition and flowers for their families. The BR Seniors are: Josh Bickford, Benjamin Farrow, Jake Goraj, James Greenwood (Capt.), Chris Kowalski (Capt.), Kippie Turco (Capt.)  Black River came out quite against the Wildcats and saw themselves down 1-0 after a penalty kick was converted in the 28th minute.  After some back and forth and strong hustle and play from the defense including Victor Cuccullo, Justin Cuccullo and James Greenwood, BR knotted the score 3 minutes into the 2nd half at 1-1 when Kippy Turco snuck a shot in the upper corner between the post and the Twin Valley Goalie. Twin Valley came back on a set play from half field and the ball was sent into the penalty box and Goalie Chris Kowalski tried in vain to punch the ball but the subsequent collision with the Twin Valley players, resulted in a goal.  The Presidents got their 2nd and final goal on a Penalty Kick when a hand ball was called in the box.  Kippy Turco converted the kick with a hard strike to his right. The hand ball was ruled denying a goal scoring opportunity and thus Twin Valley played with a man down after the Red  Card.  In the overtime, Mithias Philipsen, Jake Covell and Noah Schmidt all had good chances but the Presidents were destined for a tie. Goalie Chris Kowalski had 6 saves. In commenting after the game, Coach Tony Valente thought his team played well, and at times outplayed them. “How many point-blank chanced did we miss?” He said.  “The boys kept coming back and the hard work will pay off down the road, said Valente.

In the above photo goalie Chris Kowalski (yellow), Noah Schmidt -7 Jake Covell – 17 James Greenwood (on the ground) unidentified Twin Valley players.

The boys traveled to Windsor for their final game of the season on Friday 10/23 and came home with a 3-2 win.  BR scored the 1st two goals when Mathias Philipsen tallied unassisted at the 24-minute mark and Kippie Turco added another unassisted goal 3 minutes later.  Windsor came back and tied the game with 2 unanswered goals which set the stage for Jake Covell’s goal with 16 minutes remaining to lift the Presidents to victory.  Goalie Chris Kowalski stopped 4 shots for the Prexies.  Black River finishes the season at  10 – 3 – 1.