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  34. <title>Olive Elizabeth Sedon</title>
  35. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/olive-elizabeth-sedon/</link>
  37. <dc:creator><![CDATA[VTD Obituaries]]></dc:creator>
  38. <pubDate>Sat, 25 May 2024 00:50:03 +0000</pubDate>
  39. <category><![CDATA[Obituaries]]></category>
  40. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582565</guid>
  41.  
  42. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="630" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-1024x630.jpeg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A young person with long, straight blonde hair stands in front of a stained glass window featuring green and amber geometric patterns." decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-1024x630.jpeg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-300x184.jpeg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-1200x738.jpeg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-125x77.jpeg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-768x472.jpeg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-1536x944.jpeg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-2048x1259.jpeg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-1568x964.jpeg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-2000x1230.jpeg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-400x246.jpeg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-706x434.jpeg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582568" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/olive-elizabeth-sedon/olive-obit-photo-2/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-scaled.jpeg" data-orig-size="2560,1574" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS REBEL T3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1400260999&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;55&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Olive obit photo 2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-300x184.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-1200x738.jpeg" /></figure>
  43. <p>She had a special compassion for people at the margins of life and people who suffered. </p>
  44. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/olive-elizabeth-sedon/">Olive Elizabeth Sedon</a>.</p>
  45. ]]></description>
  46. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="630" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-1024x630.jpeg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A young person with long, straight blonde hair stands in front of a stained glass window featuring green and amber geometric patterns." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-1024x630.jpeg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-300x184.jpeg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-1200x738.jpeg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-125x77.jpeg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-768x472.jpeg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-1536x944.jpeg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-2048x1259.jpeg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-1568x964.jpeg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-2000x1230.jpeg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-400x246.jpeg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-706x434.jpeg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582568" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/olive-elizabeth-sedon/olive-obit-photo-2/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-scaled.jpeg" data-orig-size="2560,1574" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS REBEL T3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1400260999&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;55&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Olive obit photo 2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-300x184.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Olive-obit-photo-2-1200x738.jpeg" /></figure><div class="wp-block-image">
  47. <figure class="alignright size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="1800" data-attachment-id="582566" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/olive-obit-photo/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-obit-photo--scaled.jpeg" data-orig-size="1707,2560" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS REBEL T3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1400260999&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;55&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Olive Elizabeth Sedon" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-obit-photo--200x300.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-obit-photo--1200x1800.jpeg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-obit-photo--1200x1800.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-582566" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-obit-photo--1200x1800.jpeg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-obit-photo--200x300.jpeg 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-obit-photo--83x125.jpeg 83w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-obit-photo--768x1152.jpeg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-obit-photo--1024x1536.jpeg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-obit-photo--1365x2048.jpeg 1365w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-obit-photo--683x1024.jpeg 683w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-obit-photo--1568x2352.jpeg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-obit-photo--2000x3000.jpeg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-obit-photo--400x600.jpeg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-obit-photo--706x1059.jpeg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-obit-photo--scaled.jpeg 1707w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></figure></div>
  48.  
  49.  
  50. <p><strong>Born</strong> Jan. 6, 2002 </p>
  51.  
  52.  
  53.  
  54. <p>Tunbridge, Vermont</p>
  55.  
  56.  
  57.  
  58. <p><strong>Died</strong> May 16, 2024</p>
  59.  
  60.  
  61.  
  62. <p>Bradford, Vermont</p>
  63.  
  64.  
  65.  
  66. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
  67.  
  68.  
  69.  
  70. <p>Olive Elizabeth Sedon died on May 16th in Bradford, Vermont, after finally succumbing to a long and protracted illness.</p>
  71.  
  72.  
  73.  
  74. <p>Olive burst like a comet into her family’s life when she was born on January 6th, 2002. Even as a baby, Olive had a fully developed personality that was by turns dramatic, hilarious, stunningly precocious and heartbreakingly sweet. Very particular in her tastes and preferences, many mornings Olive loved to lay in bed with her parents and look at books of flower photos while drinking a blueberry smoothie. Before she was a year old, she walked and talked, and she had a lot to say. She would challenge (and sometimes confound) her parents to explain things like how the universe could possibly be limitless or why animals so often had to suffer.</p>
  75.  
  76.  
  77.  
  78. <p>Olive grew up at her family’s home on Dickerman Hill in Tunbridge. She loved to roam the gardens, fields and forests, delighting in the insects and animals she would encounter. Olive had a strong affinity and empathy for animals her entire life. She bonded with her pet mice and dogs, but also baby birds that had fallen from their nests. With a brave, adventurous spirit, and a limitless imagination, she led her little brother Metro on many quests and arduous journeys to discover the dragons and other strange creatures that inhabited distant woods and pastures. This spirit never left her and whether it was living on a sailboat in the North Atlantic, climbing a challenging peak, or completing an epic mountain bike ride, Olive almost never said no to an adventure. A natural athlete, Olive easily mastered difficult skills and especially enjoyed snowboarding, surfing and mountain biking.</p>
  79.  
  80.  
  81. <div class="wp-block-image">
  82. <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="1800" data-attachment-id="582567" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/olive-photo-2/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-photo-2-scaled.jpeg" data-orig-size="1707,2560" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS REBEL T3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1372595797&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;70&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.001&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Olive Elizabeth Sedon" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-photo-2-200x300.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-photo-2-1200x1800.jpeg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-photo-2-1200x1800.jpeg" alt="Girl holding a small bird on her hand in a grassy field with a wooden fence post in the background. She’s holding a clear plastic container in her other hand." class="wp-image-582567" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-photo-2-1200x1800.jpeg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-photo-2-200x300.jpeg 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-photo-2-83x125.jpeg 83w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-photo-2-768x1152.jpeg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-photo-2-1024x1536.jpeg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-photo-2-1365x2048.jpeg 1365w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-photo-2-683x1024.jpeg 683w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-photo-2-1568x2352.jpeg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-photo-2-2000x3000.jpeg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-photo-2-400x600.jpeg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-photo-2-706x1059.jpeg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Olive-photo-2-scaled.jpeg 1707w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></figure></div>
  83.  
  84.  
  85. <p>Her great physical beauty belied a fierce determination and inner strength that could, at times, lead her into and out of peril. This, combined with her intellectual and emotional intelligence and sharp wit, made Olive a unique and unforgettable person to everyone who met her. She loved street art and loud, fast, rock &amp; roll. She loved fashion. She loved spicy food. She loved to drive. She had a special compassion for people at the margins of life and people who suffered. Olive had a full heart.</p>
  86.  
  87.  
  88.  
  89. <p>In recent years, Olive struggled with a debilitating and progressive mental illness that she and her family tried so hard to overcome. Olive lived with a great deal of pain from this. In the last months of her life, she mounted a strong effort to get better, eliminating any kind of self- medication, practicing yoga and walking, and re-engaging with her formal education. She faced her challenges bravely until the very end.</p>
  90.  
  91.  
  92.  
  93. <p>Olive is survived by her mom, Allison Ericson, her dad, Daniel Sedon, and her brothers Jon Maxwell Wright and Metro Jackson Sedon. Olive will be buried in the Vermont Forest Cemetery in Roxbury. A remembrance of life ceremony will be held to honor Olive later this summer.</p>
  94. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/olive-elizabeth-sedon/">Olive Elizabeth Sedon</a>.</p>
  95. ]]></content:encoded>
  99. <dc:modified>Sat, 25 May 2024 00:50:10 +0000</dc:modified>
  100. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582565</post-id> </item>
  101. <item>
  102. <title>Vermont Supreme Court denies request for relief in Panton farm runoff case</title>
  103. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/vermont-supreme-court-denies-request-for-relief-in-panton-farm-runoff-case/</link>
  105. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Emma Cotton]]></dc:creator>
  106. <pubDate>Fri, 24 May 2024 21:53:30 +0000</pubDate>
  107. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  108. <category><![CDATA[EPA]]></category>
  109. <category><![CDATA[Karen Carroll]]></category>
  110. <category><![CDATA[Lake Champlain]]></category>
  111. <category><![CDATA[Mary Teachout]]></category>
  112. <category><![CDATA[Panton]]></category>
  113. <category><![CDATA[Vermont Supreme Court]]></category>
  114. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582553</guid>
  115.  
  116. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="682" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-1024x682.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="An aerial photo of farmland in winter." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-768x512.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-1568x1045.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-400x267.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-706x471.jpg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="567910" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/vorsteveld-farm-panton/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton.jpg" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;An aerial photograph, used as an exhibit in a six-day trial in Dec. 2021 and Jan. 2022, shows a section of the Vorsteveld Farm in Panton. Photo courtesy of the Addison Unit of the Vermont Superior Court&lt;/p&gt;
  117. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;An aerial photograph, used as an exhibit in a six-day trial in Dec. 2021 and Jan. 2022, shows a section of the Vorsteveld Farm in Panton. Photo courtesy of the Addison Unit of the Vermont Superior Court&lt;/p&gt;
  118. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-1200x800.jpg" /></figure>
  119. <p>In the high-profile case, a dairy farming family is pitted against neighbors who say runoff from the farm channels through their land and into Lake Champlain.</p>
  120. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/vermont-supreme-court-denies-request-for-relief-in-panton-farm-runoff-case/">Vermont Supreme Court denies request for relief in Panton farm runoff case</a>.</p>
  121. ]]></description>
  122. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="682" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-1024x682.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="An aerial photo of farmland in winter." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-768x512.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-1568x1045.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-400x267.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-706x471.jpg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="567910" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/vorsteveld-farm-panton/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton.jpg" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;An aerial photograph, used as an exhibit in a six-day trial in Dec. 2021 and Jan. 2022, shows a section of the Vorsteveld Farm in Panton. Photo courtesy of the Addison Unit of the Vermont Superior Court&lt;/p&gt;
  123. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;An aerial photograph, used as an exhibit in a six-day trial in Dec. 2021 and Jan. 2022, shows a section of the Vorsteveld Farm in Panton. Photo courtesy of the Addison Unit of the Vermont Superior Court&lt;/p&gt;
  124. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-1200x800.jpg" /></figure><div class="wp-block-image">
  125. <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="800" data-attachment-id="567910" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/vorsteveld-farm-panton/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton.jpg" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;An aerial photograph, used as an exhibit in a six-day trial in Dec. 2021 and Jan. 2022, shows a section of the Vorsteveld Farm in Panton. Photo courtesy of the Addison Unit of the Vermont Superior Court&lt;/p&gt;
  126. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;An aerial photograph, used as an exhibit in a six-day trial in Dec. 2021 and Jan. 2022, shows a section of the Vorsteveld Farm in Panton. Photo courtesy of the Addison Unit of the Vermont Superior Court&lt;/p&gt;
  127. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-1200x800.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-1200x800.jpg" alt="An aerial photo of farmland in winter." class="wp-image-567910" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-768x512.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-1568x1045.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-400x267.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton-706x471.jpg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vorsteveld-Farm-Panton.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An aerial photograph, used as an exhibit in a six-day trial in Dec. 2021 and Jan. 2022, shows a section of the Vorsteveld Farm in Panton. Photo courtesy of the Addison Unit of the Vermont Superior Court</figcaption></figure></div>
  128.  
  129.  
  130. <p>The Vermont Supreme Court has denied a request from the owners of a Panton dairy farm that would have alleviated the burden of a <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2022/03/28/in-panton-farm-case-judge-orders-vorstevelds-to-stop-runoff-but-doesnt-specify-a-remedy/">court order issued in March 2022</a>, which requires the farm to make expensive changes in order to stop runoff from flowing across a neighbors’ land and into Lake Champlain. </p>
  131.  
  132.  
  133.  
  134. <p>The decision stemmed from a six-day <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2022/01/11/farm-management-or-climate-change-vorsteveld-trial-wraps-up-in-addison-county/">trial</a> that played out in an Addison County courtroom in December 2021 and January 2022.  The high-profile case prompted closer scrutiny of the state’s regulatory system and moved lawmakers to consider <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2022/02/06/proposed-change-in-right-to-farm-law-would-limit-nuisance-suits-against-vermont-farms/">strengthening the state’s right to farm law</a>, which protects farmers from nuisance cases.</p>
  135.  
  136.  
  137.  
  138. <p>“The facts remain unchanged in the record before us, and they do not justify, as the trial court stated, ‘modification or elimination’” of the 2022 order, Supreme Court Justice Karen Carroll wrote in the <a href="https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/sites/default/files/documents/op23-326.pdf">decision</a> issued Friday..</p>
  139.  
  140.  
  141.  
  142. <p>The Hoppers, a family that owns land on the shore of Lake Champlain, brought the case against farmers Hans, Gerard and Rudy Vorsteveld in April 2020, alleging that the farmers were channeling a large amount of runoff through their land and into the lake.&nbsp;</p>
  143.  
  144.  
  145.  
  146. <p>During the jury trial, the Vorstevelds explained that the runoff was coming from their tile drains, perforated pipes that are buried three-feet deep in the soil and empty into common discharge points, which then direct the water over the Hoppers’ land and into the lake. Farmers use tile drains as a tool to improve soil quality and encourage crop growth by draining water from the soil, which is rich in clay in Addison County.&nbsp;</p>
  147.  
  148.  
  149.  
  150. <p>“Sediment and particles carried by the water have increased phosphorus and E. coli concentrations in Aerie Point&#8217;s farm pond and have caused algae blooms in the lake,” Carroll wrote in her decision.</p>
  151.  
  152.  
  153.  
  154. <p>To stop the runoff, the Vorstevelds would likely need to remove the drainage infrastructure, a process that could damage the land and cost millions of dollars, according to court documents. </p>
  155.  
  156.  
  157.  
  158. <p>Addison Superior Court Judge Mary Teachout issued the 2022 decision stating that the farmers needed to find a way to stop the runoff. Then, the Vorstevelds <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2023/04/19/vorstevelds-miss-deadline-to-appeal-lower-court-decision-with-big-implications-for-panton-farm/">missed a deadline</a> to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.&nbsp;</p>
  159.  
  160.  
  161.  
  162. <p>The Supreme Court’s decision issued on Friday came in response to a request the farmers filed in August 2023, asking for relief from Teachout’s 2022 order. Among several arguments, the Vorstevelds said “any measure (the farm) could take to prevent water runoff would be expensive, impractical, and unsustainable,” Carroll wrote in a summary of the Vorsteveld’s request.&nbsp;</p>
  163.  
  164.  
  165.  
  166. <p>The Vorstevelds also argued that an Environmental Protection Agency investigation regarding filled wetlands on the farm prevented the farmers from complying with court orders. Another argument the farmers presented was that the Hoppers could no longer claim that they suffered harm from the runoff because they no longer grazed animals on the affected land. Also, some areas on the Hoppers’ land that had previously seen erosion had been resolved, they argued, according to the description within the Supreme Court’s order.</p>
  167.  
  168.  
  169.  
  170. <p>Finally, the Vorstevelds argued that a change to Vermont&#8217;s right to farm law, which took place in 2022 after the judgment was issued, meant that they were being held “to a higher standard of farming practices than other Vermont farms.”</p>
  171.  
  172.  
  173.  
  174. <p>Carroll wrote that the Vorstevelds seek to “relitigate issues relating to the injunction that were decided at trial and in posttrial proceedings and (have) not demonstrated that there is a significant&nbsp; change” in circumstances that arose after the 2022 order.</p>
  175.  
  176.  
  177.  
  178. <p>Separately, Teachout, the Addison Superior Court judge, ruled earlier this year that the farmers were in <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/01/10/panton-dairy-farmers-held-in-contempt-of-court-say-affordable-runoff-solutions-are-challenging/">contempt of court</a> because they had not made efforts to solve the runoff problem. While they had been “considering costly and logistically complex solutions,” Teachout wrote at the time, the farmers “did not begin to develop compliance plans” until the contempt hearing “was imminent.”</p>
  179.  
  180.  
  181.  
  182. <p>When Teachout issued the contempt order, she gave the Hoppers and the Vorstevelds four months to engage in mediation and to form a plan for the farm. The discussions have ended without an agreement, according to Merrill Bent, attorney for the Hoppers, who said she filed a motion earlier this week for additional contempt sanctions as a result.&nbsp;</p>
  183.  
  184.  
  185.  
  186. <p>“The ecological damage caused by the farm’s discharges has continued this whole time,” Bent said in an email. “It is time for the Farm to stop making excuses and comply with the law and the court’s orders.”</p>
  187.  
  188.  
  189.  
  190. <p>Claudine Safar, attorney for the Vorstevelds, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</p>
  191. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/vermont-supreme-court-denies-request-for-relief-in-panton-farm-runoff-case/">Vermont Supreme Court denies request for relief in Panton farm runoff case</a>.</p>
  192. ]]></content:encoded>
  196. <dc:modified>Fri, 24 May 2024 21:53:36 +0000</dc:modified>
  197. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582553</post-id> </item>
  198. <item>
  199. <title>Fewer Vermont weddings expected this year after boom in 2022</title>
  200. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/fewer-vermont-weddings-expected-this-year-after-boom-in-2022/</link>
  202. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tiffany Tan]]></dc:creator>
  203. <pubDate>Fri, 24 May 2024 20:42:11 +0000</pubDate>
  204. <category><![CDATA[Life & Culture]]></category>
  205. <category><![CDATA[COVID-19]]></category>
  206. <category><![CDATA[Hildene]]></category>
  207. <category><![CDATA[pandemic]]></category>
  208. <category><![CDATA[weddings]]></category>
  209. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582525</guid>
  210.  
  211. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="676" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-1024x676.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A large white building with multiple columns and green shutters, featuring a green awning over the entrance. Pink and white flowers are in the foreground." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-1024x676.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-300x198.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-1200x792.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-768x507.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-1536x1014.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-2048x1352.jpg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-1568x1035.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-2000x1320.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-400x264.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-706x466.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582027" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/equinox-resort-6-20240515/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715785932&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;equinox-resort-6 20240515&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="equinox-resort-6 20240515" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  212. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-1200x792.jpg" /></figure>
  213. <p>With more competition for clients, some venues in Manchester look to the winter for an edge.  </p>
  214. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/fewer-vermont-weddings-expected-this-year-after-boom-in-2022/">Fewer Vermont weddings expected this year after boom in 2022</a>.</p>
  215. ]]></description>
  216. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="676" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-1024x676.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A large white building with multiple columns and green shutters, featuring a green awning over the entrance. Pink and white flowers are in the foreground." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-1024x676.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-300x198.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-1200x792.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-768x507.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-1536x1014.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-2048x1352.jpg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-1568x1035.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-2000x1320.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-400x264.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-706x466.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582027" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/equinox-resort-6-20240515/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715785932&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;equinox-resort-6 20240515&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="equinox-resort-6 20240515" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  217. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-1200x792.jpg" /></figure>
  218. <figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="792" data-attachment-id="582027" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/equinox-resort-6-20240515/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715785932&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;equinox-resort-6 20240515&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="equinox-resort-6 20240515" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  219. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-1200x792.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-1200x792.jpg" alt="A large white building with multiple columns and green shutters, featuring a green awning over the entrance. Pink and white flowers are in the foreground." class="wp-image-582027" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-1200x792.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-300x198.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-768x507.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-1536x1014.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-2048x1352.jpg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-1024x676.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-1568x1035.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-2000x1320.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-400x264.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-6-20240515-706x466.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger</figcaption></figure>
  220.  
  221.  
  222.  
  223. <p>MANCHESTER — One afternoon in February, a woman in a strapless white gown rendezvoused with a man in a tux on the grounds of The Equinox resort. They held hands, hugged and kissed before the woman disappeared into one of the buildings.  </p>
  224.  
  225.  
  226.  
  227. <p>That evening, under trees strung with fairy lights, Hannah Beaulieu and Liam Noonan again met outdoors — this time to pose for photos as newlyweds — while their family and friends celebrated in a resort ballroom.</p>
  228.  
  229.  
  230.  
  231. <figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="800" data-attachment-id="582527" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/wedding-photo/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/wedding-photo-scaled.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1707" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="wedding-photo" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Liam Noonan and Hannah Beaulieu held a wintertime wedding at the Equinox resort in Manchester on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. Photo courtesy of Sixpence Studios&lt;/p&gt;
  232. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/wedding-photo-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/wedding-photo-1200x800.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/wedding-photo-1200x800.jpg" alt="A couple in formal attire stands close together outside, holding hands, in front of a warmly lit building at night." class="wp-image-582527" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/wedding-photo-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/wedding-photo-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/wedding-photo-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/wedding-photo-768x512.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/wedding-photo-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/wedding-photo-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/wedding-photo-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/wedding-photo-1568x1045.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/wedding-photo-2000x1333.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/wedding-photo-400x267.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/wedding-photo-706x471.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Liam Noonan and Hannah Beaulieu held a wintertime wedding at the Equinox resort in Manchester on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. Photo courtesy of Sixpence Studios</figcaption></figure>
  233.  
  234.  
  235.  
  236. <p>Beaulieu and Noonan are among six couples who’ve held “winter” weddings at the Equinox so far this year, with three more booked in November. The resort has hosted 11 cold-season weddings since 2023, a couple of years into marketing itself as a year-round wedding venue, especially among couples looking for a destination wedding.</p>
  237.  
  238.  
  239.  
  240. <p>“Instead of always showing summer and fall weddings in all of your advertising, I make sure that we have winter weddings that are in there as well,” said Rob Booth, director of sales and marketing at The Equinox. “You want to show all seasons.”</p>
  241.  
  242.  
  243.  
  244. <p>Such a marketing strategy is what the<a href="https://vawp.com/"> Vermont Association of Wedding Professionals</a> advises wedding vendors to undertake as the industry foresees a slower year, following a boom in 2022. That year, according to the association, the United States as well as Vermont recorded the biggest number of marriages since 1984, partly because couples postponed their nuptials during the early years of the Covid-19 pandemic.</p>
  245.  
  246.  
  247.  
  248. <p>In 2022, two years after the<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/museum/timeline/covid19.html#:~:text=January%2020%2C%202020,respond%20to%20the%20emerging%20outbreak."> pandemic reached the U.S.</a>, 2.4 million marriages took place nationwide and 6,105 in Vermont, said association board member Talena Companion, citing data from the trade group <a href="https://wedding.report/">Wedding Report</a>. (The numbers run the gamut, from “smaller elopements to multimillion-dollar weddings.”)</p>
  249.  
  250.  
  251.  
  252. <p>Last year’s marriage figures, she said, dipped to 2.05 million nationwide and 4,994 statewide. Wedding industry insiders expect this year’s count to further fall as an effect of pandemic disruptions to the usual dating patterns.</p>
  253.  
  254.  
  255.  
  256. <div data-carousel-extra='{"blog_id":1,"permalink":"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/2024\/05\/24\/fewer-vermont-weddings-expected-this-year-after-boom-in-2022\/"}'  class="wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery alignwide is-style-rectangular"><div class=""><div class="tiled-gallery__gallery"><div class="tiled-gallery__row"><div class="tiled-gallery__col" style="flex-basis:66.57557%"><figure class="tiled-gallery__item"><img decoding="async" data-attachment-id="582026" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/equinox-resort-5-20240515/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-5-20240515.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1663" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715786380&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;equinox-resort-5 20240515&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="equinox-resort-5 20240515" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  257. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-5-20240515-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-5-20240515-1200x798.jpg" data-attachment-id="582026" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/equinox-resort-5-20240515/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-5-20240515.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1663" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715786380&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;equinox-resort-5 20240515&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="equinox-resort-5 20240515" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  258. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-5-20240515-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-5-20240515-1200x798.jpg" srcset="https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-5-20240515-1200x798.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-5-20240515-1200x798.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-5-20240515-1200x798.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-5-20240515-1200x798.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1500&#038;ssl=1 1500w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-5-20240515-1200x798.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1800&#038;ssl=1 1800w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-5-20240515-1200x798.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=2000&#038;ssl=1 2000w" alt="A large white building with multiple windows, columns, and American flags, framed by green tree branches in the foreground. The building has a sign reading &quot;Equinox.&quot; It appears to be a hotel or resort." data-height="1663" data-id="582026" data-link="https://vtdigger.org/equinox-resort-5-20240515/" data-url="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-5-20240515-1200x798.jpg" data-width="2500" src="https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-5-20240515-1200x798.jpg?ssl=1" data-amp-layout="responsive"/></figure></div><div class="tiled-gallery__col" style="flex-basis:33.42443%"><figure class="tiled-gallery__item"><img decoding="async" data-attachment-id="582028" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/equinox-resort-7-20240515/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-7-20240515.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715785880&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;equinox-resort-7 20240515&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="equinox-resort-7 20240515" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  259. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-7-20240515-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-7-20240515-1200x792.jpg" data-attachment-id="582028" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/equinox-resort-7-20240515/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-7-20240515.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715785880&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;equinox-resort-7 20240515&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="equinox-resort-7 20240515" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  260. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-7-20240515-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-7-20240515-1200x792.jpg" srcset="https://i2.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-7-20240515-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https://i2.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-7-20240515-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https://i2.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-7-20240515-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w,https://i2.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-7-20240515-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1500&#038;ssl=1 1500w,https://i2.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-7-20240515-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1800&#038;ssl=1 1800w,https://i2.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-7-20240515-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=2000&#038;ssl=1 2000w" alt="A bed of blooming tulips with red and white petals in front of a white building with large pillars and green rocking chairs on a porch." data-height="1650" data-id="582028" data-link="https://vtdigger.org/equinox-resort-7-20240515/" data-url="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-7-20240515-1200x792.jpg" data-width="2500" src="https://i2.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-7-20240515-1200x792.jpg?ssl=1" data-amp-layout="responsive"/></figure><figure class="tiled-gallery__item"><img decoding="async" data-attachment-id="582025" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/equinox-resort-4-20240515/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-4-20240515.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715790246&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;150&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;equinox-resort-4 20240515&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="equinox-resort-4 20240515" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  261. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-4-20240515-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-4-20240515-1200x792.jpg" data-attachment-id="582025" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/equinox-resort-4-20240515/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-4-20240515.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715790246&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;150&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;equinox-resort-4 20240515&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="equinox-resort-4 20240515" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  262. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-4-20240515-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-4-20240515-1200x792.jpg" srcset="https://i2.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-4-20240515-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https://i2.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-4-20240515-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https://i2.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-4-20240515-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w,https://i2.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-4-20240515-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1500&#038;ssl=1 1500w,https://i2.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-4-20240515-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1800&#038;ssl=1 1800w,https://i2.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-4-20240515-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=2000&#038;ssl=1 2000w" alt="A white building with tall columns and green shutters has an entrance with a green canopy." data-height="1650" data-id="582025" data-link="https://vtdigger.org/equinox-resort-4-20240515/" data-url="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-4-20240515-1200x792.jpg" data-width="2500" src="https://i2.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-4-20240515-1200x792.jpg?ssl=1" data-amp-layout="responsive"/></figure></div></div><div class="tiled-gallery__row"><div class="tiled-gallery__col" style="flex-basis:33.42009%"><figure class="tiled-gallery__item"><img decoding="async" data-attachment-id="582024" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/equinox-resort-3-20240515/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-3-20240515.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715790578&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;165&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;equinox-resort-3 20240515&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="equinox-resort-3 20240515" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  263. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-3-20240515-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-3-20240515-1200x792.jpg" data-attachment-id="582024" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/equinox-resort-3-20240515/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-3-20240515.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715790578&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;165&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;equinox-resort-3 20240515&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="equinox-resort-3 20240515" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  264. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-3-20240515-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-3-20240515-1200x792.jpg" srcset="https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-3-20240515-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-3-20240515-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-3-20240515-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-3-20240515-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1500&#038;ssl=1 1500w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-3-20240515-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1800&#038;ssl=1 1800w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-3-20240515-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=2000&#038;ssl=1 2000w" alt="Front entrance of Equinox hotel with a green awning, white columns, and black shutters. Two rocking chairs on the porch, and colorful flowers in the garden." data-height="1650" data-id="582024" data-link="https://vtdigger.org/equinox-resort-3-20240515/" data-url="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-3-20240515-1200x792.jpg" data-width="2500" src="https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-3-20240515-1200x792.jpg?ssl=1" data-amp-layout="responsive"/></figure></div><div class="tiled-gallery__col" style="flex-basis:33.15981%"><figure class="tiled-gallery__item"><img decoding="async" data-attachment-id="582023" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/equinox-resort-2-20240515/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-2-20240515.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1663" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715791173&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;155&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0015625&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;equinox-resort-2 20240515&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="equinox-resort-2 20240515" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  265. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-2-20240515-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-2-20240515-1200x798.jpg" data-attachment-id="582023" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/equinox-resort-2-20240515/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-2-20240515.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1663" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715791173&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;155&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0015625&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;equinox-resort-2 20240515&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="equinox-resort-2 20240515" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  266. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-2-20240515-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-2-20240515-1200x798.jpg" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-2-20240515-1200x798.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https://i0.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-2-20240515-1200x798.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https://i0.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-2-20240515-1200x798.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w,https://i0.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-2-20240515-1200x798.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1500&#038;ssl=1 1500w,https://i0.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-2-20240515-1200x798.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1800&#038;ssl=1 1800w,https://i0.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-2-20240515-1200x798.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=2000&#038;ssl=1 2000w" alt="View through white columns of a building with white siding and a sign above wooden double doors. White patio chairs are visible outside the entrance." data-height="1663" data-id="582023" data-link="https://vtdigger.org/equinox-resort-2-20240515/" data-url="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-2-20240515-1200x798.jpg" data-width="2500" src="https://i0.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-2-20240515-1200x798.jpg?ssl=1" data-amp-layout="responsive"/></figure></div><div class="tiled-gallery__col" style="flex-basis:33.42009%"><figure class="tiled-gallery__item"><img decoding="async" data-attachment-id="582022" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/equinox-resort-1-20240515/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-1-20240515.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715791713&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;125&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.002&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;equinox-resort-1 20240515&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="equinox-resort-1 20240515" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  267. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-1-20240515-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-1-20240515-1200x792.jpg" data-attachment-id="582022" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/equinox-resort-1-20240515/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-1-20240515.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715791713&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;125&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.002&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;equinox-resort-1 20240515&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="equinox-resort-1 20240515" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa in Manchester on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  268. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-1-20240515-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-1-20240515-1200x792.jpg" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-1-20240515-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https://i0.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-1-20240515-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https://i0.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-1-20240515-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w,https://i0.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-1-20240515-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1500&#038;ssl=1 1500w,https://i0.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-1-20240515-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1800&#038;ssl=1 1800w,https://i0.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-1-20240515-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=2000&#038;ssl=1 2000w" alt="A spa entrance with blurred red and orange flowers in the foreground." data-height="1650" data-id="582022" data-link="https://vtdigger.org/equinox-resort-1-20240515/" data-url="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-1-20240515-1200x792.jpg" data-width="2500" src="https://i0.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/equinox-resort-1-20240515-1200x792.jpg?ssl=1" data-amp-layout="responsive"/></figure></div></div></div></div></div>
  269.  
  270.  
  271.  
  272. <p>Due to social distancing in 2020 and 2021, Companion said, not as many romantic relationships started or blossomed during this period. She said this resulted in fewer couples getting engaged one-and-a-half to three years later — the customary dating period before marriage — and thus fewer couples holding weddings after nine to 18 months of preparations.</p>
  273.  
  274.  
  275.  
  276. <p>“That puts us in this time frame right here,” Companion said. “We’re seeing that (wedding) curve come down.”</p>
  277.  
  278.  
  279.  
  280. <p>On top of the slide in demand, she said, the competition among providers of wedding services and products has become fiercer because of an increase in vendors during the 2022 wedding boom. There are now more vendors trying to win over a smaller number of engaged couples.</p>
  281.  
  282.  
  283.  
  284. <p>Industry analysts expect to see the wedding numbers rebound to the yearly average in 2025. In the meantime, to stay competitive, the Vermont Association of Wedding Professionals is advising vendors to better understand the needs of their target clientele and improve their sales and marketing strategies.</p>
  285.  
  286.  
  287.  
  288. <p>“Are they nailing their marketing? Do they have something new and unique to offer?” Companion said.</p>
  289.  
  290.  
  291.  
  292. <p>Higher-end vendors, meanwhile, are expected to better weather the headwinds since they’ve achieved a certain reputation due to their industry experience and performance over time. Nevertheless, some have made investments that further strengthen their position in the market. </p>
  293.  
  294.  
  295.  
  296. <figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="900" data-attachment-id="582532" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/img_9813/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_9813-scaled.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1920" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Lincoln-Hall" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Lincoln Hall, as seen here on Friday, May 10, is scheduled to open this summer. Photo by Tiffany Tan/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  297. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_9813-300x225.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_9813-1200x900.jpg?crop=1" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_9813-1200x900.jpg?crop=1" alt="A large, open room with a wooden vaulted ceiling and exposed beams. Construction materials and equipment are scattered around, indicating ongoing renovation or construction work." class="wp-image-582532" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_9813-1200x900.jpg?crop=1 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_9813-300x225.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_9813-125x94.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_9813-768x576.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_9813-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_9813-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_9813-800x600.jpg?crop=1 800w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_9813-600x450.jpg?crop=1 600w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_9813-400x300.jpg?crop=1 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_9813-200x150.jpg?crop=1 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_9813-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_9813-1568x1176.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_9813-2000x1500.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_9813-706x530.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Lincoln Hall, as seen here on Friday, May 10, is scheduled to open this summer. Photo by Tiffany Tan/VTDigger</figcaption></figure>
  298.  
  299.  
  300.  
  301. <p>Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, is another Manchester wedding venue that’s in the luxury market category. Wedding basics such as the venue fee, food and drinks, flowers and live band usually bring the cost to a minimum of $100,000 for a party of 200, said Carmine Cole, HIldene’s director of private functions.</p>
  302.  
  303.  
  304.  
  305. <p>After doing only a handful of weddings last year while constructing a new event venue, the<a href="https://hildene.org/sustaining/lincoln_hall"> Lincoln Hall</a>, Hildene will be returning to its regular wedding programming when the building opens in June. Lincoln Hall will allow Hildene to hold weddings<strong> </strong>and other events<strong> </strong>year-round<strong>. </strong>Before it was constructed, wedding receptions at the historic property were held under a tent between May and October.</p>
  306.  
  307.  
  308.  
  309. <figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="800" data-attachment-id="582528" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/hildene-tent-in-summer-2021-contributed/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hildene-Tent-in-summer-2021-contributed-scaled.jpeg" data-orig-size="2560,1707" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Hildene Tent in summer 2021" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Wedding receptions at Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home in Manchester, were held under a tent, as seen in here in the summer of 2021. Photo courtesy of Bill Messenetti&lt;/p&gt;
  310. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hildene-Tent-in-summer-2021-contributed-300x200.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hildene-Tent-in-summer-2021-contributed-1200x800.jpeg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hildene-Tent-in-summer-2021-contributed-1200x800.jpeg" alt="A large white tent illuminated with pink lights stands on a grassy field under a twilight sky with clouds and distant mountains in the background." class="wp-image-582528" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hildene-Tent-in-summer-2021-contributed-1200x800.jpeg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hildene-Tent-in-summer-2021-contributed-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hildene-Tent-in-summer-2021-contributed-125x83.jpeg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hildene-Tent-in-summer-2021-contributed-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hildene-Tent-in-summer-2021-contributed-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hildene-Tent-in-summer-2021-contributed-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hildene-Tent-in-summer-2021-contributed-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hildene-Tent-in-summer-2021-contributed-1568x1045.jpeg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hildene-Tent-in-summer-2021-contributed-2000x1333.jpeg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hildene-Tent-in-summer-2021-contributed-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Hildene-Tent-in-summer-2021-contributed-706x471.jpeg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wedding receptions at Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home in Manchester, were held under a tent, as seen in here in the summer of 2021. Photo courtesy of Bill Messenetti</figcaption></figure>
  311.  
  312.  
  313.  
  314. <p>“The tent, obviously, was seasonal,” Cole said. “It’s something that can’t be offered in the wintertime because of the weight of the snow, the wind.”</p>
  315.  
  316.  
  317.  
  318. <p>This year, he said, Hildene has 33 weddings scheduled just from July to October, compared with 40 during their longer wedding season in 2022. The site has 26 weddings already booked for 2025 and just received confirmation for one in the summer of 2026.</p>
  319.  
  320.  
  321. <div class="wp-block-image">
  322. <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="900" data-attachment-id="582531" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/lincoln-hall/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lincoln-Hall-scaled.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1920" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Lincoln-Hall" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;An artist’s rendering of Hildene’s new events venue, the Lincoln Hall, which is slated to open this summer. Photo by Tiffany Tan/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  323. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lincoln-Hall-300x225.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lincoln-Hall-1200x900.jpg?crop=1" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lincoln-Hall-1200x900.jpg?crop=1" alt="A detailed architectural drawing of a large, two-story building with a prominent glass atrium at the center and surrounded by trees. A smaller house is visible in the background." class="wp-image-582531" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lincoln-Hall-1200x900.jpg?crop=1 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lincoln-Hall-300x225.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lincoln-Hall-125x94.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lincoln-Hall-768x576.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lincoln-Hall-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lincoln-Hall-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lincoln-Hall-800x600.jpg?crop=1 800w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lincoln-Hall-600x450.jpg?crop=1 600w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lincoln-Hall-400x300.jpg?crop=1 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lincoln-Hall-200x150.jpg?crop=1 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lincoln-Hall-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lincoln-Hall-1568x1176.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lincoln-Hall-2000x1500.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lincoln-Hall-706x530.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An artist’s rendering of Hildene’s new events venue, the Lincoln Hall, which is slated to open this summer. Photo by Tiffany Tan/VTDigger</figcaption></figure></div>
  324.  
  325.  
  326. <p>Social media&nbsp; is fueling the popularity of destination weddings by raising people’s awareness of faraway venues and giving couples a platform to put a spotlight on their special day, according to Cole.</p>
  327.  
  328.  
  329.  
  330. <p>Most couples who marry in the area come from East Coast states, such as Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, according to multiple wedding venue organizers. And many of these couples have some sort of emotional connection to Vermont, such as a childhood home, school or ski trips.</p>
  331.  
  332.  
  333.  
  334. <figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="801" data-attachment-id="582530" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/cocktail-hour-in-the-formal-gardens-jesse-schloff-2/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cocktail-hour-in-the-Formal-Gardens-Jesse-Schloff-1-scaled.jpeg" data-orig-size="2560,1709" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Cocktail hour in the Formal Gardens &#8211; Jesse Schloff" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Wedding cocktails are held at the formal gardens of Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home in Manchester. Photo courtesy of Jesse Schloff&lt;/p&gt;
  335. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cocktail-hour-in-the-Formal-Gardens-Jesse-Schloff-1-300x200.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cocktail-hour-in-the-Formal-Gardens-Jesse-Schloff-1-1200x801.jpeg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cocktail-hour-in-the-Formal-Gardens-Jesse-Schloff-1-1200x801.jpeg" alt="A gathering is taking place outside a large house with green shutters and red chimneys, surrounded by landscaped gardens and mountain views in the background." class="wp-image-582530" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cocktail-hour-in-the-Formal-Gardens-Jesse-Schloff-1-1200x801.jpeg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cocktail-hour-in-the-Formal-Gardens-Jesse-Schloff-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cocktail-hour-in-the-Formal-Gardens-Jesse-Schloff-1-125x83.jpeg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cocktail-hour-in-the-Formal-Gardens-Jesse-Schloff-1-768x513.jpeg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cocktail-hour-in-the-Formal-Gardens-Jesse-Schloff-1-1536x1025.jpeg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cocktail-hour-in-the-Formal-Gardens-Jesse-Schloff-1-2048x1367.jpeg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cocktail-hour-in-the-Formal-Gardens-Jesse-Schloff-1-1024x684.jpeg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cocktail-hour-in-the-Formal-Gardens-Jesse-Schloff-1-1568x1047.jpeg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cocktail-hour-in-the-Formal-Gardens-Jesse-Schloff-1-2000x1335.jpeg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cocktail-hour-in-the-Formal-Gardens-Jesse-Schloff-1-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cocktail-hour-in-the-Formal-Gardens-Jesse-Schloff-1-706x471.jpeg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Wedding cocktails are held at the formal gardens of Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home in Manchester. Photo courtesy of Jesse Schloff</figcaption></figure>
  336.  
  337.  
  338.  
  339. <p>“They have very happy memories associated with the area. This is their happy place,” said Tajlei Levis, director of events at The Wilburton, a Manchester property that has hosted weddings for decades. “They want to celebrate and make more memories here.”</p>
  340.  
  341.  
  342.  
  343. <p>Boston-based newlyweds Beaulieu and Noonan chose Vermont for their wedding because both had fond memories of the state from vacations with family and friends. Beaulieu said in an email that she was inspired to have a “true winter wedding,” with pine trees and snow on the ground, after seeing photos of her parents’ February wedding three decades ago.&nbsp;</p>
  344.  
  345.  
  346.  
  347. <p>She wanted to recreate that magical, wintery scene. “Of course we were surprised when our day turned out to be 60 (degrees) and rainy,” she said, “but that’s New England for ya!”&nbsp;</p>
  348. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/fewer-vermont-weddings-expected-this-year-after-boom-in-2022/">Fewer Vermont weddings expected this year after boom in 2022</a>.</p>
  349. ]]></content:encoded>
  353. <dc:modified>Fri, 24 May 2024 20:42:25 +0000</dc:modified>
  354. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582525</post-id> </item>
  355. <item>
  356. <title>Former Democratic lawmaker John Rodgers to run for lieutenant governor as a Republican</title>
  357. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/former-democratic-lawmaker-john-rodgers-to-run-for-lieutenant-governor-as-a-republican/</link>
  359. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ethan Weinstein]]></dc:creator>
  360. <pubDate>Fri, 24 May 2024 19:36:12 +0000</pubDate>
  361. <category><![CDATA[Government & Politics]]></category>
  362. <category><![CDATA[Bobby Starr]]></category>
  363. <category><![CDATA[David Zuckerman]]></category>
  364. <category><![CDATA[Gregory Thayer]]></category>
  365. <category><![CDATA[John Rodgers]]></category>
  366. <category><![CDATA[S.258]]></category>
  367. <category><![CDATA[Thomas Renner]]></category>
  368. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582520</guid>
  369.  
  370. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="683" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="John Rodgers" decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1.jpg 4262w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1-610x407.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="507062" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/2018/03/30/updated-governor-sign-historic-gun-bill-passage-senate/img_6233-6-2/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1.jpg" data-orig-size="4262,2841" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="John Rodgers" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;Sen. John Rodgers opposes S.55. Photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  371. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Sen. John Rodgers opposes S.55 on the Senate floor in March. File photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  372. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1-610x407.jpg" /></figure>
  373. <p>“I feel closer to Phil Scott than I do the leadership in the Legislature, and that’s what really made me say, ‘Maybe it’s time to just try something different,'” Rodgers said. </p>
  374. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/former-democratic-lawmaker-john-rodgers-to-run-for-lieutenant-governor-as-a-republican/">Former Democratic lawmaker John Rodgers to run for lieutenant governor as a Republican</a>.</p>
  375. ]]></description>
  376. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="683" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="John Rodgers" decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1.jpg 4262w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1-610x407.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="507062" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/2018/03/30/updated-governor-sign-historic-gun-bill-passage-senate/img_6233-6-2/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1.jpg" data-orig-size="4262,2841" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="John Rodgers" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;Sen. John Rodgers opposes S.55. Photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  377. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Sen. John Rodgers opposes S.55 on the Senate floor in March. File photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  378. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1-610x407.jpg" /></figure><div class="wp-block-image">
  379. <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="610" height="407" data-attachment-id="507062" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/2018/03/30/updated-governor-sign-historic-gun-bill-passage-senate/img_6233-6-2/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1.jpg" data-orig-size="4262,2841" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="John Rodgers" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;Sen. John Rodgers opposes S.55. Photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  380. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Sen. John Rodgers opposes S.55 on the Senate floor in March. File photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  381. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1-610x407.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1-610x407.jpg" alt="John Rodgers" class="wp-image-507062" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1-610x407.jpg 610w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_6233-6-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">John Rodgers on the Senate floor at the Statehouse in Montpelier. File photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger</figcaption></figure></div>
  382.  
  383.  
  384. <p>John Rodgers, a former Vermont House and Senate Democrat from Glover, is running for lieutenant governor as a Republican.&nbsp;</p>
  385.  
  386.  
  387.  
  388. <p>“I don’t feel like I left the party. I feel like the party left me,” Rodgers said in an interview Friday, describing himself as a moderate. “I feel closer to Phil Scott than I do the leadership in the Legislature, and that’s what really made me say, ‘Maybe it’s time to just try something different.&#8217;”</p>
  389.  
  390.  
  391.  
  392. <p>Rodgers runs a stonework and excavation business, and a hemp and cannabis farm. He served in the Vermont House from 2003 to 2011 and in the Senate from 2013 to 2021. A staunch supporter of gun rights with a reputation for speaking his mind, Rodgers never feared crossing party lines while in the Statehouse.&nbsp;</p>
  393.  
  394.  
  395.  
  396. <p>He’s seeking statewide office six years after <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2018/07/03/margolis-anything-can-happen/">a low-key write-in campaign for governor</a> in 2018, this time hoping to unseat incumbent Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, a Progressive and Democrat who <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/02/david-zuckerman-is-seeking-reelection-to-lieutenant-governors-office/">announced his reelection campaign</a> earlier this month. But first, Rodgers will face former lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Gregory Thayer, a Rutland accountant active in Vermont’s conservative political scene. Zuckerman also faces a primary challenger, <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/16/winooski-deputy-mayor-announces-bid-for-lieutenant-governor/">Winooski Deputy Mayor Thomas Renner</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  397.  
  398.  
  399.  
  400. <p>Rodgers said he hasn’t yet filed paperwork for his candidacy but plans to do so next week. The deadline is May 30.</p>
  401.  
  402.  
  403.  
  404. <p>Despite not currently holding state-level office, the Glover resident made himself heard in Montpelier this year, helping to <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/09/final-reading-citizen-group-rallies-at-statehouse-against-democratic-supermajoritys-agenda/">lead Statehouse rallies alongside a grassroots group of Vermonters</a> concerned about the Democratic supermajority and what they described as overtaxation and attacks on Vermont’s traditions of fishing, hunting and trapping.&nbsp;</p>
  405.  
  406.  
  407.  
  408. <p>“The decision to actually run has been one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make in my life,” he said. “I love being on my farm, so I did not take lightly leaving the farm … but somebody needs to step up and speak up, and I didn’t see anybody else doing it.”</p>
  409.  
  410.  
  411.  
  412. <p>Fueling his decision to run, Rodgers said, was what he described as Vermont’s affordability crisis.</p>
  413.  
  414.  
  415.  
  416. <p>“It’s the massive cost-of-living increase: fuel and electricity, taxes, fees, all growing far in excess of people’s incomes. And it’s also the fish and wildlife bill,” he said, referring to <a href="https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2024/S.258">S.258</a>, a failed bill that would have, among other things, <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/19/there-was-no-right-vote-why-a-controversial-wildlife-bill-died-in-the-vermont-house/">changed the composition and duties</a> of the Vermont Fish &amp; Wildlife Board. “I have grandkids now, and I want those grandkids to be able to make a living here.”</p>
  417.  
  418.  
  419.  
  420. <p>Asked why he chose to run for lieutenant governor — a position often viewed as more ceremonial than powerful — rather than seek the Senate seat opened up by the retirement of Sen. Bobby Starr, D-Orleans, Rodgers said he could be an “advocate and a voice” for Vermonters who feel they’ve been “left out” of the political process.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  421.  
  422.  
  423.  
  424. <p>“I plan on using the position differently,” he said, by “lobbying the Senate for sensible legislation that helps working-class Vermonters.”</p>
  425.  
  426.  
  427.  
  428. <p>Rodgers said he also wants to take aim at the “broken primary system” that he said bolsters the candidacies of hard-right and hard-left politicians.&nbsp;</p>
  429.  
  430.  
  431.  
  432. <p>He pointed to the 2022 Democratic primary between now-Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman and former state representative Kitty Toll.&nbsp;</p>
  433.  
  434.  
  435.  
  436. <p>Zuckerman, a Progressive/Democrat, galvanized the political left in a contested primary election, Rodgers said, ultimately defeating the more moderate Toll.&nbsp;</p>
  437.  
  438.  
  439.  
  440. <p>“I guarantee if the two of them ran head-to-head in November, Kitty would win,” he said.&nbsp;</p>
  441.  
  442.  
  443.  
  444. <p>That same phenomenon could impact Rodgers’ chance of winning a primary. He doesn’t support former President Donald Trump — though he said he understands people frustrated with establishment politics. And he acknowledged that his opponent, Thayer, is further to the right than he is, calling it “somewhat of a concern.”</p>
  445.  
  446.  
  447.  
  448. <p>But his own moderate politics, Rodgers asserted, give him a better chance in the general election.</p>
  449.  
  450.  
  451.  
  452. <p>“I can win in November,” he said, adding that, in his opinion, Thayer’s more extreme views gave him “no chance” of beating a Democrat.&nbsp;</p>
  453.  
  454.  
  455.  
  456. <p>Vermont’s most notable self-described moderate, Republican Gov. Phil Scott, has this year repeatedly called for more people in the political middle to run for office. But Rodgers said his decision did not come at the behest of the governor.&nbsp;</p>
  457.  
  458.  
  459.  
  460. <p>Serving a two-year term, a lieutenant governor’s most vital task — taking over for an incapacitated or deceased governor — is a rare occurrence. The day-to-day role of the position is largely ceremonial and has been used by some in the past as a stepping stone to higher office.</p>
  461.  
  462.  
  463.  
  464. <p>During the legislative session, the lieutenant governor presides over the Vermont Senate, casting votes to break ties. The position also sits on the Committee on Committees, which decides which senators serve on and run which committees.&nbsp;</p>
  465.  
  466.  
  467.  
  468. <p>Though he once dipped his toe into a run for governor, Rodgers considers himself new to statewide politics. He’s also new to the Republican ticket, and he has a message for those voters.</p>
  469.  
  470.  
  471.  
  472. <p>“I would like to convince them that my policies are a lot closer to their policies than David Zuckerman’s are,” he said, “and I am the candidate that can win.”</p>
  473. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/former-democratic-lawmaker-john-rodgers-to-run-for-lieutenant-governor-as-a-republican/">Former Democratic lawmaker John Rodgers to run for lieutenant governor as a Republican</a>.</p>
  474. ]]></content:encoded>
  478. <dc:modified>Fri, 24 May 2024 19:53:55 +0000</dc:modified>
  479. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582520</post-id> </item>
  480. <item>
  481. <title>Hinesburg moves to pull out of Green Mountain Transit as service reductions loom</title>
  482. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/hinesburg-moves-to-pull-out-of-green-mountain-transit-as-service-reductions-loom/</link>
  484. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Corey McDonald]]></dc:creator>
  485. <pubDate>Fri, 24 May 2024 18:52:44 +0000</pubDate>
  486. <category><![CDATA[Government & Politics]]></category>
  487. <category><![CDATA[Clayton Clark]]></category>
  488. <category><![CDATA[FedEx]]></category>
  489. <category><![CDATA[Green Mountain Transit]]></category>
  490. <category><![CDATA[pandemic]]></category>
  491. <category><![CDATA[Thomas Chittenden]]></category>
  492. <category><![CDATA[Todd Odit]]></category>
  493. <category><![CDATA[UPS]]></category>
  494. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582515</guid>
  495.  
  496. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="681" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-1024x681.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Three city buses are parked on a street. The front bus displays &quot;Out of Service&quot; on its destination sign. Trees are visible in the background." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-1200x798.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-768x511.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-2048x1362.jpg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-1568x1043.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-2000x1330.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-400x266.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-706x470.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="581789" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/buses-1-20240514/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1663" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Green Mountain Transit buses drive down Main Street in Burlington on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715709026&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;buses-1 20240514&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="buses-1 20240514" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Green Mountain Transit buses drive down Main Street in Burlington on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  497. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-1200x798.jpg" /></figure>
  498. <p>Lawmakers expect to explore new funding models for the state's transit systems during next year's legislative session.</p>
  499. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/hinesburg-moves-to-pull-out-of-green-mountain-transit-as-service-reductions-loom/">Hinesburg moves to pull out of Green Mountain Transit as service reductions loom</a>.</p>
  500. ]]></description>
  501. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="681" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-1024x681.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Three city buses are parked on a street. The front bus displays &quot;Out of Service&quot; on its destination sign. Trees are visible in the background." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-1200x798.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-768x511.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-2048x1362.jpg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-1568x1043.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-2000x1330.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-400x266.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-706x470.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="581789" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/buses-1-20240514/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1663" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Green Mountain Transit buses drive down Main Street in Burlington on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715709026&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;buses-1 20240514&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="buses-1 20240514" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Green Mountain Transit buses drive down Main Street in Burlington on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  502. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-1200x798.jpg" /></figure><div class="wp-block-image">
  503. <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="798" data-attachment-id="581789" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/buses-1-20240514/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1663" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Green Mountain Transit buses drive down Main Street in Burlington on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715709026&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;buses-1 20240514&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="buses-1 20240514" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Green Mountain Transit buses drive down Main Street in Burlington on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  504. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-1200x798.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-1200x798.jpg" alt="Three city buses are parked on a street. The front bus displays &quot;Out of Service&quot; on its destination sign. Trees are visible in the background." class="wp-image-581789" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-1200x798.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-768x511.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-2048x1362.jpg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-1568x1043.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-2000x1330.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-400x266.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/buses-1-20240514-706x470.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Green Mountain Transit buses drive down Main Street in Burlington on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger</figcaption></figure></div>
  505.  
  506.  
  507. <p>Hinesburg, one of nine municipalities that pay an annual fee to help fund Green Mountain Transit, is beginning the process of pulling out of the Chittenden County-based transit system.</p>
  508.  
  509.  
  510.  
  511. <p>The town, which had for months <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2023/10/30/hinesburg-questions-bus-service-contribution/">questioned the fairness</a> of its roughly $53,000 contribution, has just one Green Mountain Transit bus route, which runs between its village area and Burlington.</p>
  512.  
  513.  
  514.  
  515. <p>The route is partly managed by Tri-Valley Transit, and the nonprofit transit agency has told Hinesburg it would be willing to take over full operation of the system later this year, according to Town Manager Todd Odit. Town officials opted to pursue that option at a May 15 meeting.</p>
  516.  
  517.  
  518.  
  519. <p>&#8220;The future of the route looks more stable by transitioning completely to Tri-Valley Transit than by staying with Green Mountain Transit,&#8221; Odit said at last week’s meeting. Tri-Valley Transit’s board of directors is expected to vote on the matter at a June 4 meeting</p>
  520.  
  521.  
  522.  
  523. <p>The anticipated change comes as Green Mountain Transit faces an uncertain financial future. With one-time pandemic relief money ending next year, a more than $2 million budget gap forecasted for fiscal year 2026 is forcing the agency to reconsider the routes it offers.&nbsp; The agency’s general manager, Clayton Clark, anticipates a 20 to 30% reduction in its service next year as a result.</p>
  524.  
  525.  
  526.  
  527. <p>Green Mountain Transit restarted <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2023/12/29/green-mountain-transit-delays-charging-bus-fares-until-march/">fares</a> this week, after pausing them during the Covid-19 pandemic. But it still faces increasing fuel and labor costs amid declining ridership and stagnant revenue.</p>
  528.  
  529.  
  530.  
  531. <p>Clark, however, suggested in an interview Wednesday that Hinesburg’s departure from Green Mountain Transit — the state’s only public transit organization that functions as a municipality —&nbsp; wouldn’t hurt the agency’s bottom line. In fact, because some of Green Mountain Transit&#8217;s federal funding is allocated based on ridership per mile, he said that it could be a net financial gain.</p>
  532.  
  533.  
  534.  
  535. <p>The Hinesburg route costs roughly the same to operate as other lines but only moves roughly 5,000 passengers a year. The agency’s two most-traveled lines — the most popular line between Burlington and Williston and the second most popular line between Burlington and Essex — both serve 400,000 riders annually, according to Clark.</p>
  536.  
  537.  
  538.  
  539. <p>Also, the town’s contribution was smaller compared to other member municipalities. Burlington pays roughly $2 million into the system annually, while Williston pays about $280,000.&nbsp;</p>
  540.  
  541.  
  542.  
  543. <p>Odit, at the May 15 selectboard meeting, suggested leaving the regional transit agency would put Hinesburg in a better position if Green Mountain Transit were to eliminate the route. &#8220;Depending on the future of (GMT), if Hinesburg didn&#8217;t make this change, there would be a possibility that we would lose the service or have a reduction in service but still be a contributing member,&#8221; he said. &#8220;This seems to be kind of a win-win solution all around.&#8221;</p>
  544.  
  545.  
  546.  
  547. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Trouble ahead</h2>
  548.  
  549.  
  550.  
  551. <p>Clark is upfront about the fact that Green Mountain Transit is indeed contemplating cuts. &#8220;The service two years from now is likely to be significantly less than it is at this moment,&#8221; he said.&nbsp;</p>
  552.  
  553.  
  554.  
  555. <p>Reductions to routes, he continued, could begin by June 2025. The agency is exploring transferring some bus routes in Franklin, Grand Isle and Lamoille counties to other nonprofit transit agencies.</p>
  556.  
  557.  
  558.  
  559. <p>Clark added that the agency is going to “need to be focusing on where the ridership is higher, so that the cost per ride is much more reasonable.&#8221;</p>
  560.  
  561.  
  562.  
  563. <p>Ridership on Green Mountain Transit buses has rebounded a bit in recent years, reaching 85% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023. And leaders expect the fare collections that began this week will bolster the budget.</p>
  564.  
  565.  
  566.  
  567. <p>But pre-pandemic fare collections only accounted for about 20% of the agency&#8217;s revenue, while state, federal and municipal contributions made up the bulk of its funding. And anxiety remains among GMT leadership over the agency’s dependency on municipal assessments.&nbsp;</p>
  568.  
  569.  
  570.  
  571. <p>&#8220;We have pretty good coverage for an area of our population,&#8221; Clark said. &#8220;And essentially, that&#8217;s what&#8217;s going to have to be corrected, is that we are providing a bit more service than our population can probably afford. Unless the state and municipalities are willing to provide those additional funds, then that&#8217;s why the cuts will be necessary.&#8221;</p>
  572.  
  573.  
  574.  
  575. <p>If a larger municipal contributor to the agency, such as South Burlington or Winooski, chose to pull out, it would mean a &#8220;death spiral&#8221; for the agency, Clark said. &#8220;If we lost a partner that was more central to our service, I could see Green Mountain Transit collapsing.&#8221;</p>
  576.  
  577.  
  578.  
  579. <p>&#8220;When we go over this fiscal cliff, we&#8217;re going to be asking these communities to be paying the same for less service,&#8221; Clark said, referring to the $2 million budget gap in 2026. &#8220;I suspect that some of these communities are going to have a problem with that because they have their own fiscal challenges.&#8221;</p>
  580.  
  581.  
  582.  
  583. <p>Green Mountain Transit is not alone in facing a severe financial shortfall&nbsp;</p>
  584.  
  585.  
  586.  
  587. <p>&#8220;They are a perpetually under-resourced entity, which is the case with all public transit,&#8221; said Sen. Thomas Chittenden, D-Chittenden-Southeast, who serves on the Senate Transportation Committee. &#8220;I think they&#8217;re under a stressful time where the costs are going up, ridership down, and they need to somehow balance the books.&#8221;</p>
  588.  
  589.  
  590.  
  591. <p>Vermont legislators began the 2024 session by looking at <a href="https://www.vtcng.com/thecitizenvt/news/local_news_hinesburg/gmta-state-seek-funding-sources/article_c72f9a1e-bbae-11ee-88b0-2f6506949182.html">alternative funding sources</a> for statewide transit agencies. In January they received a report that analyzed several new revenue sources that transit agencies could draw on.</p>
  592.  
  593.  
  594.  
  595. <p>Options, none of which lawmakers ultimately pursued, included a fee on rental cars, a new tax on electric vehicle charging, or a tax on delivery companies such as UPS or FedEx, according to Chittenden.</p>
  596.  
  597.  
  598.  
  599. <p>While measures for creating a sustainable source of revenue for public transit is on lawmakers’ minds, there seemed to be little appetite in passing new funding mechanisms this past legislative session.</p>
  600.  
  601.  
  602.  
  603. <p>Phil Pouech, Hinesburg&#8217;s state representative and a member of the House Transportation Committee, pointed to an increase in <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2023/03/28/final-reading-vermont-house-considers-increasing-dmv-fees/">DMV charges</a> last year as influencing the lack of political will to pursue new fees to fund public transit. And while lawmakers acknowledge the financial stress local transit systems are under, some have also suggested that the transit system needs to readjust.</p>
  604.  
  605.  
  606.  
  607. <p>&#8220;We need to realize that there are not as many people using the buses and we have to align our service schedule to what the actual demand is,&#8221; Chittenden said.</p>
  608.  
  609.  
  610.  
  611. <p>Chittenden pushed for a $1 million cash infusion for Green Mountain Transit in this year&#8217;s transportation bill, which was whittled down to $630,000. He said he expects the conversation about additional funding models will continue into the next session.</p>
  612.  
  613.  
  614.  
  615. <p>&#8220;I expect it will be looked at closely next year,&#8221; Pouech agreed. Not only will Green Mountain Transit&#8217;s financial problems be coming to a head, he said, but &#8220;the other rural ones also will be running into problems.&#8221;</p>
  616.  
  617.  
  618.  
  619. <p>Clark said he has continued to lobby for additional state funding for Green Mountain Transit, and hopes the discussion will gain momentum during next year&#8217;s legislative session.</p>
  620.  
  621.  
  622.  
  623. <p>&#8220;I think that they may feel a little differently about supporting GMT,&#8221; he said, referring to state lawmakers. &#8220;At that point in time, they&#8217;ll be able to see, this is all the service that will be cut if action is not taken.&#8221;</p>
  624. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/hinesburg-moves-to-pull-out-of-green-mountain-transit-as-service-reductions-loom/">Hinesburg moves to pull out of Green Mountain Transit as service reductions loom</a>.</p>
  625. ]]></content:encoded>
  629. <dc:modified>Fri, 24 May 2024 18:52:51 +0000</dc:modified>
  630. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582515</post-id> </item>
  631. <item>
  632. <title>Strafford man out of prison after pleading guilty to burning down cabin</title>
  633. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/strafford-man-out-of-prison-after-pleading-guilty-to-burning-down-cabin/</link>
  635. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Valley News]]></dc:creator>
  636. <pubDate>Fri, 24 May 2024 16:42:28 +0000</pubDate>
  637. <category><![CDATA[Central Vermont]]></category>
  638. <category><![CDATA[Orange County]]></category>
  639. <category><![CDATA[Public Safety]]></category>
  640. <category><![CDATA[public safety]]></category>
  641. <category><![CDATA[Strafford]]></category>
  642. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582506</guid>
  643.  
  644. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="749" height="500" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson.jpeg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Two men stand next to a burned husk of a bus and debris, near a pickup truck and trailer, in a rural area with a dirt road and greenery in the background." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson.jpeg 749w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson-125x83.jpeg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson-706x471.jpeg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582508" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/strafford-man-out-of-prison-after-pleading-guilty-to-burning-down-cabin/strafford-vermont-arson/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson.jpeg" data-orig-size="749,500" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Valley News - James M. Patterson&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D750&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;John Blakeney, left, and Nick Howe, right, of Howe Enterprises, look over the site of a fire in Strafford, Vt., on Monday, Sept. 11., 2023, that destroyed a cabin early on Saturday, and speculate on how one of their portable toilets, partially melted from the heat, ended up in a nearby brook. Edward Gallagher III was arrested Saturday morning, September 9, 2023, for allegedly burning down his home, a camp with no running water in Strafford, Vt., and arraigned on a charge of first degree arson via Webex from the Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield, Vt., on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1694455520&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Copyright \u00a92023 Valley News, All Rights Reserved&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;56&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.01&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Strafford-Vermont-Arson" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;John Blakeney, left, and Nick Howe, right, of Howe Enterprises, look over the site of a fire in Strafford, Vt., on Monday, Sept. 11., 2023, that destroyed a cabin early on Saturday, and speculate on how one of their portable toilets, partially melted from the heat, ended up in a nearby brook. Edward Gallagher III was arrested Saturday morning, September 9, 2023, for allegedly burning down his home, a camp with no running water in Strafford, Vt., and arraigned on a charge of first degree arson via Webex from the Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield, Vt., on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. (Valley News &#8211; James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.&lt;/p&gt;
  645. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;John Blakeney, left, and Nick Howe, right, of Howe Enterprises, look over the site of a fire in Strafford, on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, that destroyed a cabin early on Saturday, and speculate on how one of their portable toilets, partially melted from the heat, ended up in a nearby brook. Edward Gallagher III was arrested Saturday morning, Sept. 9, 2023, for allegedly burning down his home, a camp with no running water in Strafford, and arraigned on a charge of first degree arson via Webex from the Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield, on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. Photo by James M. Patterson/Valley News&lt;/p&gt;
  646. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson-300x200.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson.jpeg" /></figure>
  647. <p>Edward Gallagher was arrested and charged in September after he showed up in South Strafford the morning after he set fire to the cabin in which he had been living on Taylor Valley Road.</p>
  648. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/strafford-man-out-of-prison-after-pleading-guilty-to-burning-down-cabin/">Strafford man out of prison after pleading guilty to burning down cabin</a>.</p>
  649. ]]></description>
  650. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="749" height="500" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson.jpeg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Two men stand next to a burned husk of a bus and debris, near a pickup truck and trailer, in a rural area with a dirt road and greenery in the background." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson.jpeg 749w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson-125x83.jpeg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson-706x471.jpeg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582508" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/strafford-man-out-of-prison-after-pleading-guilty-to-burning-down-cabin/strafford-vermont-arson/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson.jpeg" data-orig-size="749,500" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Valley News - James M. Patterson&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D750&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;John Blakeney, left, and Nick Howe, right, of Howe Enterprises, look over the site of a fire in Strafford, Vt., on Monday, Sept. 11., 2023, that destroyed a cabin early on Saturday, and speculate on how one of their portable toilets, partially melted from the heat, ended up in a nearby brook. Edward Gallagher III was arrested Saturday morning, September 9, 2023, for allegedly burning down his home, a camp with no running water in Strafford, Vt., and arraigned on a charge of first degree arson via Webex from the Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield, Vt., on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1694455520&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Copyright \u00a92023 Valley News, All Rights Reserved&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;56&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.01&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Strafford-Vermont-Arson" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;John Blakeney, left, and Nick Howe, right, of Howe Enterprises, look over the site of a fire in Strafford, Vt., on Monday, Sept. 11., 2023, that destroyed a cabin early on Saturday, and speculate on how one of their portable toilets, partially melted from the heat, ended up in a nearby brook. Edward Gallagher III was arrested Saturday morning, September 9, 2023, for allegedly burning down his home, a camp with no running water in Strafford, Vt., and arraigned on a charge of first degree arson via Webex from the Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield, Vt., on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. (Valley News &#8211; James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.&lt;/p&gt;
  651. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;John Blakeney, left, and Nick Howe, right, of Howe Enterprises, look over the site of a fire in Strafford, on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, that destroyed a cabin early on Saturday, and speculate on how one of their portable toilets, partially melted from the heat, ended up in a nearby brook. Edward Gallagher III was arrested Saturday morning, Sept. 9, 2023, for allegedly burning down his home, a camp with no running water in Strafford, and arraigned on a charge of first degree arson via Webex from the Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield, on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. Photo by James M. Patterson/Valley News&lt;/p&gt;
  652. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson-300x200.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson.jpeg" /></figure><div class="wp-block-image">
  653. <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="749" height="500" data-attachment-id="582508" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/strafford-man-out-of-prison-after-pleading-guilty-to-burning-down-cabin/strafford-vermont-arson/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson.jpeg" data-orig-size="749,500" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Valley News - James M. Patterson&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D750&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;John Blakeney, left, and Nick Howe, right, of Howe Enterprises, look over the site of a fire in Strafford, Vt., on Monday, Sept. 11., 2023, that destroyed a cabin early on Saturday, and speculate on how one of their portable toilets, partially melted from the heat, ended up in a nearby brook. Edward Gallagher III was arrested Saturday morning, September 9, 2023, for allegedly burning down his home, a camp with no running water in Strafford, Vt., and arraigned on a charge of first degree arson via Webex from the Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield, Vt., on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1694455520&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Copyright \u00a92023 Valley News, All Rights Reserved&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;56&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.01&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Strafford-Vermont-Arson" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;John Blakeney, left, and Nick Howe, right, of Howe Enterprises, look over the site of a fire in Strafford, Vt., on Monday, Sept. 11., 2023, that destroyed a cabin early on Saturday, and speculate on how one of their portable toilets, partially melted from the heat, ended up in a nearby brook. Edward Gallagher III was arrested Saturday morning, September 9, 2023, for allegedly burning down his home, a camp with no running water in Strafford, Vt., and arraigned on a charge of first degree arson via Webex from the Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield, Vt., on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. (Valley News &#8211; James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.&lt;/p&gt;
  654. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;John Blakeney, left, and Nick Howe, right, of Howe Enterprises, look over the site of a fire in Strafford, on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, that destroyed a cabin early on Saturday, and speculate on how one of their portable toilets, partially melted from the heat, ended up in a nearby brook. Edward Gallagher III was arrested Saturday morning, Sept. 9, 2023, for allegedly burning down his home, a camp with no running water in Strafford, and arraigned on a charge of first degree arson via Webex from the Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield, on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. Photo by James M. Patterson/Valley News&lt;/p&gt;
  655. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson-300x200.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson.jpeg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-582508" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson.jpeg 749w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson-125x83.jpeg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Strafford-Vermont-Arson-706x471.jpeg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 749px) 100vw, 749px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">John Blakeney, left, and Nick Howe, right, of Howe Enterprises, look over the site of a fire in Strafford, on Monday, Sept. 11, that destroyed a cabin early on Saturday, and speculate on how one of their portable toilets, partially melted from the heat, ended up in a nearby brook.  Photo by James M. Patterson/Valley News</figcaption></figure></div>
  656.  
  657.  
  658. <p><em>This story by John Lippman </em><a href="https://www.vnews.com/Strafford-man-pleads-guilty-to-reduced-arson-charge-55223378"><em>was first published</em></a><em> by the Valley News on May 22.</em></p>
  659.  
  660.  
  661.  
  662. <p>CHELSEA — A Strafford man who set the cabin where he was living ablaze after police failed to respond to his repeated calls of distress is free and received a fully suspended prison sentence as part of a plea deal on a reduced arson charge.</p>
  663.  
  664.  
  665.  
  666. <p>Edward Gallagher pleaded guilty to a felony charge of second-degree arson and was sentenced to one to five years in prison, all suspended, and probation for four years in Orange County Superior Court on May 8, according to court records.</p>
  667.  
  668.  
  669.  
  670. <p>Gallagher, 38, <a href="https://archive.vnews.com/Court-determines-Strafford-man-competent-to-stand-trial-on-arson-charge-53966430">was arrested and charged in September</a> after he showed up in South Strafford the morning after he set fire to the cabin in which he had been living on Taylor Valley Road. Prior to the fire, he made dozens of phone calls to police reporting that he was being “held hostage” and threatening to torch his home.</p>
  671.  
  672.  
  673.  
  674. <p>Originally from the St. Johnsbury area, Gallagher had been living at the cabin owned by his father since late 2021. Concerned Strafford residents, worried about him as he was living by himself in the back road cabin without his own transportation, took it upon themselves <a href="https://www.vnews.com/How-a-town-came-to-rescue-Eddie-Gallagher-52451587">to help Gallagher get groceries and to check on his welfare</a>.</p>
  675.  
  676.  
  677.  
  678. <p>Although the <a href="https://www.vnews.com/Strafford-man-faces-arson-charge-for-allegedly-burning-down-own-home-52259733">court ruled that Gallagher was competent to stand trial</a>, Colin Seaman, Orange County state’s attorney, said that the reduced charge and suspended sentence was crafted to take into account Gallagher’s struggles with mental health issues, as those issues would not be remedied simply with further prison time. Gallagher risks prison time only if he violates probation.</p>
  679.  
  680.  
  681.  
  682. <p>But by reducing the charge to second-degree arson, Gallagher avoids serving a two-year minimum under a first-degree arson conviction that could be imposed if “there’s another violation or mental health collapse,” Seaman said.</p>
  683.  
  684.  
  685.  
  686. <p>Seaman said that reports indicate that Gallagher — who was incarcerated for 240 days — has made “good progress,” and “I didn’t think a two-year minimum on a probated sentence would have served anybody’s interest in justice.”</p>
  687.  
  688.  
  689.  
  690. <p>Gallagher’s sentence also includes numerous probationary conditions, including adhering to prescribed medications, submitting to mental health and substance abuse screenings and any treatment ordered, and completing a restorative justice program.</p>
  691.  
  692.  
  693.  
  694. <p>William Stocker, Gallagher’s defense attorney, said via email on Wednesday that he was unable to reach Gallagher by deadline to comment specifically on the disposition of his client’s case.</p>
  695.  
  696.  
  697.  
  698. <p>But Stocker offered generally that “too often it seems that Vermonters (who) need our help the most are being offered prison instead of treatment.”</p>
  699.  
  700.  
  701.  
  702. <p>Gallagher’s legal troubles are not entirely resolved, however.</p>
  703.  
  704.  
  705.  
  706. <p>He still has pending multiple misdemeanor charges of disturbing the peace by phone in Caledonia County Superior Court alleging that the day before he burned down his cabin in Strafford he made numerous calls to both the Northeast Correctional Complex and Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury. Court documents allege he made “many offensive, outlandish and even homicidal comments” to staff.</p>
  707.  
  708.  
  709.  
  710. <p>Gallagher’s current place of residence since his release from prison on May 8 could not be learned on Wednesday.</p>
  711. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/strafford-man-out-of-prison-after-pleading-guilty-to-burning-down-cabin/">Strafford man out of prison after pleading guilty to burning down cabin</a>.</p>
  712. ]]></content:encoded>
  716. <dc:modified>Fri, 24 May 2024 16:42:34 +0000</dc:modified>
  717. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582506</post-id> </item>
  718. <item>
  719. <title>Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky: Does Gov. Scott see himself as beholden to the Vermont Constitution?</title>
  720. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/sen-tanya-vyhovsky-does-gov-scott-see-himself-as-beholden-to-the-vermont-constitution/</link>
  722. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Opinion]]></dc:creator>
  723. <pubDate>Fri, 24 May 2024 11:01:00 +0000</pubDate>
  724. <category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
  725. <category><![CDATA[Commentaries]]></category>
  726. <category><![CDATA[Phil Scott]]></category>
  727. <category><![CDATA[Tanya Vyhovsky]]></category>
  728. <category><![CDATA[Zoie Saunders]]></category>
  729. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582478</guid>
  730.  
  731. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="768" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-1024x768.png" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Commentaries: opinion pieces by community members." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-1024x768.png 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-300x225.png 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-125x94.png 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-768x576.png 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-800x600.png?crop=1 800w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-600x450.png?crop=1 600w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-400x300.png?crop=1 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-200x150.png?crop=1 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-706x530.png 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="574028" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/commentaries_1200x900/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png" data-orig-size="1200,900" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Commentaries_1200x900" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Commentaries logo for featured image&lt;/p&gt;
  732. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-300x225.png" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png" /></figure>
  733. <p>If not, what are we going to do about it? </p>
  734. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/sen-tanya-vyhovsky-does-gov-scott-see-himself-as-beholden-to-the-vermont-constitution/">Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky: Does Gov. Scott see himself as beholden to the Vermont Constitution?</a>.</p>
  735. ]]></description>
  736. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="768" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-1024x768.png" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Commentaries: opinion pieces by community members." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-1024x768.png 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-300x225.png 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-125x94.png 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-768x576.png 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-800x600.png?crop=1 800w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-600x450.png?crop=1 600w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-400x300.png?crop=1 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-200x150.png?crop=1 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-706x530.png 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="574028" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/commentaries_1200x900/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png" data-orig-size="1200,900" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Commentaries_1200x900" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Commentaries logo for featured image&lt;/p&gt;
  737. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-300x225.png" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png" /></figure>
  738. <p><em>This commentary is by Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky, P/D-Chittenden Central. </em></p>
  739.  
  740.  
  741. <div class="wp-block-image">
  742. <figure class="alignright size-medium"><a href="https://vtdigger.org/tag/commentaries/"><img decoding="async" width="300" height="67" data-attachment-id="570577" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/?attachment_id=570577" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1.png" data-orig-size="512,114" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Commentaries_vtd" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-300x67.png" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1.png" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-300x67.png" alt="" class="wp-image-570577" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-300x67.png 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-125x28.png 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-400x89.png 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1.png 512w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></figure></div>
  743.  
  744.  
  745. <p>Much has been made lately about the appointment of Zoie Saunders as interim secretary of education. Saunders’ nomination for Vermont’s highest executive educational position raised eyebrows among senators given she only had three months of public school experience while actively pursuing the top education job in another state. After an outpouring of grassroots messages from parents, teachers and concerned Vermonters about her qualifications, the Senate rejected Zoie Saunders’ confirmation by a wide margin of 19-9, fulfilling the Senate’s statutory obligation for our governor’s cabinet nominee — appointees serve at the pleasure of the governor with “the advice and CONSENT OF THE SENATE”. Our governor decided to disregard our Senate’s rejection, in a clear violation of separation of powers, by appointing Ms. Saunders interim secretary of education anyway. He also indicated he may well appoint Saunders in a permanent capacity after the session. </p>
  746.  
  747.  
  748.  
  749. <p>Gove. Scott had several opportunities to work with our Senate — by including them in the candidate search, listening to the concerns of the overwhelming majority of our body or selecting a new candidate — and instead, he simply installed his chosen candidate, disregarding the Senate’s lack of consent and the separation of powers. The majority of our Senate&nbsp; — elected by a majority of Vermonters — chose to reject his nominee. Many Vermont voters split their ticket when voting precisely because of our system of checks and balances — Gov. Scott’s actions fly in the face of that.&nbsp;</p>
  750.  
  751.  
  752.  
  753. <p>Gov. Scott’s choice here is dangerous. His reasoning is based on a dubious interpretation of our Vermont Statute directly dealing with the appointment of a secretary of education. <a href="https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/03/049/02702">Vermont State title 3 § 2702</a> says that “With the advice and consent of the Senate, the Governor shall appoint a Secretary of Education from among no fewer than three candidates proposed by the State Board of Education. The Secretary shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.”&nbsp;</p>
  754.  
  755.  
  756.  
  757. <p>While our Senate overwhelmingly voted against this appointment, our governor has taken neither the advice nor the consent of our Senate. One of the core components of our Vermont Constitution, and democracy, is the system of checks and balances — where each branch has the ability to check overreach from another branch. In this instance, Gov. Scott has effectively trampled the intent and wisdom of our checks and balances — refusing to listen to our Senate’s reasoning for his nominee’s rejection and installing his appointee regardless, not only a clear violation of our statute, but also of the way that our Vermont political process works, and of our constitutional separation of powers.&nbsp;</p>
  758.  
  759.  
  760.  
  761. <p>Does Gov. Scott believe that this should be the precedent — that any governor should be enabled to ignore the Constitution whenever they desire? Scott has often prided himself on being “a different type of Republican,” but the Trump-ian attitude toward ignoring the Constitution is unfortunately not different at all — it’s straight out of the D.C. GOP playbook of ignoring the intent of law and the will of the majority. This is a dangerous precedent to set, and one that places our Senate at a crossroads. </p>
  762.  
  763.  
  764.  
  765. <p>Our regular legislative session has come to an end. This is an arbitrary date set by Senate leadership and we can return anytime before June 17. By refusing to extend the session or return early for a veto session, we implicitly condone the governor’s executive overreach. To avoid a constitutional crisis, we cannot allow it to become precedent that the governor’s whims can functionally override his constitutional limits, rendering the Senate’s constitutional check redundant and irrelevant.&nbsp;</p>
  766.  
  767.  
  768.  
  769. <p>Members of the Senate must pursue every possible avenue to cure this issue. In the face of this threat to the democratic process, we must uphold our oath of office to protect and defend the Vermont constitutional requirement of separate but equal branches of government. Gov. Scott likes to set himself apart from the national attacks on democracy, but this is an affront to the rule of law and our Vermont Constitution. While nationally our democracy is under attack, Vermonters deserve to know that their state elected officials will uphold and protect the state Constitution. Where should executive authority end before it pushes the Constitution to its breaking point?&nbsp;</p>
  770. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/sen-tanya-vyhovsky-does-gov-scott-see-himself-as-beholden-to-the-vermont-constitution/">Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky: Does Gov. Scott see himself as beholden to the Vermont Constitution?</a>.</p>
  771. ]]></content:encoded>
  775. <dc:modified>Thu, 23 May 2024 23:17:09 +0000</dc:modified>
  776. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582478</post-id> </item>
  777. <item>
  778. <title>Phil Scott and Vermont legislators found at least some common ground on crime bills this year</title>
  779. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/phil-scott-and-vermont-legislators-found-at-least-some-common-ground-on-crime-bills-this-year/</link>
  781. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Shaun Robinson]]></dc:creator>
  782. <pubDate>Fri, 24 May 2024 10:01:00 +0000</pubDate>
  783. <category><![CDATA[Government & Politics]]></category>
  784. <category><![CDATA[American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont]]></category>
  785. <category><![CDATA[Chris Winters]]></category>
  786. <category><![CDATA[Dick Sears]]></category>
  787. <category><![CDATA[FBI]]></category>
  788. <category><![CDATA[H.72]]></category>
  789. <category><![CDATA[Martin LaLonde]]></category>
  790. <category><![CDATA[Phil Scott]]></category>
  791. <category><![CDATA[S.285]]></category>
  792. <category><![CDATA[s.58]]></category>
  793. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582489</guid>
  794.  
  795. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="681" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-1024x681.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Senior man in a hat sitting at a table during a discussion with standing individuals in a formal room." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-1200x799.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-768x511.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-1568x1044.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-400x266.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-706x470.jpg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="574666" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/dick-sears-1-20240320/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320.jpg" data-orig-size="2000,1331" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Sen. Dick Sears, D-Bennington, listens to other senators chat during a brief recess on the floor of the Senate at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1710959115&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;75&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;7200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.004&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;dick-sears-1 20240320&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="dick-sears-1 20240320" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Sen. Dick Sears, D-Bennington, listens to other senators chat during a brief recess on the floor of the Senate at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  796. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-1200x799.jpg" /></figure>
  797. <p>“I think that’s one of the bright spots of this session,” the governor said. He is still reviewing the full slate of criminal justice legislation that made it to his desk.</p>
  798. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/phil-scott-and-vermont-legislators-found-at-least-some-common-ground-on-crime-bills-this-year/">Phil Scott and Vermont legislators found at least some common ground on crime bills this year</a>.</p>
  799. ]]></description>
  800. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="681" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-1024x681.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Senior man in a hat sitting at a table during a discussion with standing individuals in a formal room." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-1200x799.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-768x511.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-1568x1044.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-400x266.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-706x470.jpg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="574666" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/dick-sears-1-20240320/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320.jpg" data-orig-size="2000,1331" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Sen. Dick Sears, D-Bennington, listens to other senators chat during a brief recess on the floor of the Senate at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1710959115&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;75&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;7200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.004&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;dick-sears-1 20240320&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="dick-sears-1 20240320" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Sen. Dick Sears, D-Bennington, listens to other senators chat during a brief recess on the floor of the Senate at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  801. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-1200x799.jpg" /></figure><div class="wp-block-image">
  802. <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="799" data-attachment-id="574666" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/dick-sears-1-20240320/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320.jpg" data-orig-size="2000,1331" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Sen. Dick Sears, D-Bennington, listens to other senators chat during a brief recess on the floor of the Senate at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1710959115&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;75&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;7200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.004&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;dick-sears-1 20240320&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="dick-sears-1 20240320" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Sen. Dick Sears, D-Bennington, listens to other senators chat during a brief recess on the floor of the Senate at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  803. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-1200x799.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-1200x799.jpg" alt="Senior man in a hat sitting at a table during a discussion with standing individuals in a formal room." class="wp-image-574666" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-1200x799.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-768x511.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-1568x1044.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-400x266.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320-706x470.jpg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dick-sears-1-20240320.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sen. Dick Sears, D-Bennington, listens to other senators chat during a brief recess on the floor of the Senate at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger</figcaption></figure></div>
  804.  
  805.  
  806. <p>In a session that was <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/11/vermont-legislature-adjourns-after-a-contentious-2024-session/">marked by contentiousness</a> between Republican Gov. Phil Scott and the Democratic supermajority in the Legislature, there was one area, at least, where Vermont leaders seemed to find some common ground: crime policy.</p>
  807.  
  808.  
  809.  
  810. <p>“I think that’s one of the bright spots of this session,” Scott said at a press conference last week, noting that lawmakers passed many, though not all, of his proposals.&nbsp;</p>
  811.  
  812.  
  813.  
  814. <p>In <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/01/23/in-budget-address-scott-beats-familiar-drum-of-maintaining-not-raising-taxes-and-fees/">his annual budget address</a> in January, the governor urged the Legislature to toughen existing drug penalties and, in some cases, create new ones. He called for a delay to an initiative meant to keep more teenagers out of criminal court, and for adding to the list of serious crimes that allow a juvenile’s case to start in adult courts.&nbsp;</p>
  815.  
  816.  
  817.  
  818. <p>Scott also called for repealing <a href="https://www.acluvt.org/en/legislation/2018-end-session-review">a past change to the state’s bail laws</a> and for “increasing accountability” for those who violate conditions of pretrial release, he said in the address.</p>
  819.  
  820.  
  821.  
  822. <p>Across several different bills, lawmakers tackled all of those issues this year. In doing so, leaders in the House and Senate have said in recent weeks, they responded to a widespread perception that Vermont is less safe than it has been in the past.&nbsp;</p>
  823.  
  824.  
  825.  
  826. <p><a href="https://cde.ucr.cjis.gov/LATEST/webapp/#/pages/explorer/crime/crime-trend">Crime data</a> compiled by the FBI from Vermont law enforcement agencies shows that property crime, such as retail and vehicle theft, has increased over the past several years but remains less frequent than it was a decade ago. Meanwhile, that data — which is the most updated available, through 2022 — shows that violent crime, which has also ticked up in recent years, is more prevalent than it was 10 years ago.</p>
  827.  
  828.  
  829.  
  830. <p>Both categories of crime still fall below the national average, the data shows.</p>
  831.  
  832.  
  833.  
  834. <p>Should Scott sign off on bills that lawmakers passed, “we will have accomplished a great deal in terms of public safety,” said Sen. Dick Sears, a Bennington Democrat who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, on the Senate floor earlier this month.</p>
  835.  
  836.  
  837.  
  838. <p>At the time, he was speaking in support of <a href="https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2024/S.58">S.58</a>, which became a vehicle for proposals impacting how teenagers interact with the criminal justice system and creates new drug penalties; <a href="https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2024/S.195">S.195</a>, which creates a new supervision program for people released from state custody while awaiting trial; and <a href="https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2024/H.534">H.534</a>, which creates new retail theft crimes.</p>
  839.  
  840.  
  841.  
  842. <p>In almost the same breath, though, Sears acknowledged that the bills lawmakers passed were controversial. “I will tell you that each of those bills contain elements that somebody likes, and somebody dislikes,” he told his colleagues.</p>
  843.  
  844.  
  845.  
  846. <p>Those bills have faced criticism this year from outside advocacy groups, such as the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont, and from certain offices in state government, such as those supporting racial equity as well as children, youth and families.&nbsp;</p>
  847.  
  848.  
  849.  
  850. <p>“When it came to criminal justice, legislators this year passed some really bad policy,” said James Lyall, executive director of the state’s ACLU branch, in an interview. “And these bills really set us back from the progress that we had been making … to create a smarter justice system and to create safer, more resilient communities.”</p>
  851.  
  852.  
  853.  
  854. <p>It remains to be seen, too, whether the resources teed up for the judicial system in next year’s state budget will have the impact that lawmakers intended to address a key hurdle: Vermont’s stubborn backlog of thousands of unresolved court cases. Officials have said that the backlog delays accountability for many offenders, harming public safety.&nbsp;</p>
  855.  
  856.  
  857.  
  858. <p>Scott <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/more-good-than-harm-phil-scott-signs-8-6-billion-state-budget-into-law/">signed the state budget</a> into law on Thursday. It includes funding for new superior court judges, judicial assistants, county prosecutors and court technology workers, among other positions — almost none of which were included in the governor’s original recommended budget.</p>
  859.  
  860.  
  861. <div class="wp-block-image">
  862. <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="799" data-attachment-id="569253" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/martin-lalonde-1-20240124/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/martin-lalonde-1-20240124.jpg" data-orig-size="2000,1331" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Rep. Martin Lalonde, D-South Burlington, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, speaks as the committee considers a bill on judicial nominations at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1706111376&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;105&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;2800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;martin-lalonde-1 20240124&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="martin-lalonde-1 20240124" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;slug: judicial nomination&lt;/p&gt;
  863. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Rep. Martin LaLonde, D-South Burlington, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, speaks as the committee considers a bill on judicial nominations at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  864. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/martin-lalonde-1-20240124-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/martin-lalonde-1-20240124-1200x799.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/martin-lalonde-1-20240124-1200x799.jpg" alt="A man in a suit and bow tie is talking to another man." class="wp-image-569253" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/martin-lalonde-1-20240124-1200x799.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/martin-lalonde-1-20240124-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/martin-lalonde-1-20240124-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/martin-lalonde-1-20240124-768x511.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/martin-lalonde-1-20240124-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/martin-lalonde-1-20240124-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/martin-lalonde-1-20240124-1568x1044.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/martin-lalonde-1-20240124-400x266.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/martin-lalonde-1-20240124-706x470.jpg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/martin-lalonde-1-20240124.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rep. Martin LaLonde, D-South Burlington, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, speaks as the committee considers a bill on judicial nominations at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger</figcaption></figure></div>
  865.  
  866.  
  867. <p>Legislative leaders also said that they passed bills beyond the scope of Scott’s proposals, drawing a distinction between their work and what they’ve called the administration&#8217;s “tough on crime” approach. That includes a bill aimed at expanding access to restorative justice programs statewide, <a href="https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2024/H.645">H.645</a>, and another, <a href="https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2024/H.72">H.72</a>, to fund the state’s first overdose prevention center, in Burlington.</p>
  868.  
  869.  
  870.  
  871. <p>“I think we went into it with a more balanced approach,” said Rep. Martin LaLonde, D-South Burlington, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, in an interview, labeling his colleagues’ thinking “sensible on crime.”</p>
  872.  
  873.  
  874.  
  875. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">What did the Legislature pass?</h2>
  876.  
  877.  
  878.  
  879. <p>In both chambers this year, lawmakers spent significant time debating and tacking additional proposals onto S.58.&nbsp;</p>
  880.  
  881.  
  882.  
  883. <p>The sweeping bill, which Sears sponsored, creates new drug penalties for illegally dispensing or selling xylazine, a sedative originally developed for use in animals, and makes it harder for offenders to claim they didn’t know that certain products they sold contained a deadly substance.</p>
  884.  
  885.  
  886.  
  887. <p>S.58 also requires that a person who’s charged with selling or dispensing an illicit drug at someone else’s home be arraigned in court the following business day. It also allows judges to prevent the person from returning to that home if they’re released from state custody before their trial.</p>
  888.  
  889.  
  890.  
  891. <p>Lawmakers said these measures were a response to the realities of illicit drug use today — including in large housing communities, such as <a href="https://www.sevendaysvt.com/news/the-fight-for-decker-towers-drug-users-and-homeless-people-have-overrun-a-low-income-high-rise-residents-are-gearing-up-to-evict-them-40200776">Decker Towers in Burlington</a> — and would help curb opioid overdoses.</p>
  892.  
  893.  
  894.  
  895. <p>The bill goes on to add three new crimes, including drug trafficking, to the list of those deemed serious enough to warrant charging an offender in adult court even if they are young enough to enter the juvenile system for most other offenses. And it delays, for the third time, imposing the next stage of a law to increase the age at which offenders are referred to family court instead of criminal court for nonviolent offenses.</p>
  896.  
  897.  
  898.  
  899. <p>Vermont was slated to “raise the age” of juvenile jurisdiction to include 19-year-olds in July — but S.58 pushes that change back to April 2025. (The first stage of the law, which included raising the age to include 18-year-olds, went into effect in 2020.)</p>
  900.  
  901.  
  902.  
  903. <p>Leaders of the state’s Department of Children and Families — including Chris Winters, its commissioner — testified repeatedly that the department did not have enough resources to bring additional youthful offenders into its programs. But the delay <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/02/07/senators-push-back-on-continued-pause-for-vermonts-raise-the-age-effort/">nevertheless proved unpopular with lawmakers</a> in both chambers, especially after they received a report showing that the first stage of the initiative had positive impacts on the state’s criminal justice system.</p>
  904.  
  905.  
  906.  
  907. <p>At the same time, Matthew Bernstein — head of the Vermont Office of the Child, Youth and Family Advocate — criticized parts of S.58, telling lawmakers that the bill would harm young people by sending more of them to prison. He also pushed back on adding drug trafficking to the list of crimes that could start in criminal court for juveniles, saying that many young people who transport drugs are likely crime victims themselves.</p>
  908.  
  909.  
  910.  
  911. <p>In other testimony, Jay Greene — policy analyst for the state’s Office of Racial Equity — told legislators that the new drug penalties in the bill, among other measures, would exacerbate racial disparities across the board in the state’s prison system.</p>
  912.  
  913.  
  914. <div class="wp-block-image">
  915. <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="799" data-attachment-id="567692" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/shawn-burke-1-20240105/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shawn-burke-1-20240105.jpg" data-orig-size="2000,1331" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;South Burlington Police Chief Shawn Burke testifies before the House Judiciary Committee at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Friday, January 5, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1704465584&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;50&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;900&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.004&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;shawn-burke-1 20240105&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="shawn-burke-1 20240105" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;slug: retail theft&lt;/p&gt;
  916. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;South Burlington Police Chief Shawn Burke testifies before the House Judiciary Committee at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Friday, January 5, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  917. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shawn-burke-1-20240105-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shawn-burke-1-20240105-1200x799.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shawn-burke-1-20240105-1200x799.jpg" alt="A police officer sits at a table with a group of people." class="wp-image-567692" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shawn-burke-1-20240105-1200x799.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shawn-burke-1-20240105-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shawn-burke-1-20240105-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shawn-burke-1-20240105-768x511.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shawn-burke-1-20240105-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shawn-burke-1-20240105-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shawn-burke-1-20240105-1568x1044.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shawn-burke-1-20240105-400x266.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shawn-burke-1-20240105-706x470.jpg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shawn-burke-1-20240105.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">South Burlington Police Chief Shawn Burke testifies before the House Judiciary Committee at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Friday, January 5, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger</figcaption></figure></div>
  918.  
  919.  
  920. <p>Lyall, of the ACLU, said that the Legislature focused disproportionately on creating and enforcing crimes this year. He said lawmakers missed chances to pass further reforms to law enforcement standards, questioning lawmakers’ appetite for such changes four years after the police murder of George Floyd sparked policy changes nationwide.</p>
  921.  
  922.  
  923.  
  924. <p>He pointed to <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/02/02/after-sheriffs-lobbying-push-proposal-to-set-qualifications-for-elected-county-officials-loses-momentum/">the Senate’s decision to scrap</a> a proposed constitutional amendment that would have set qualifications and accountability measures for county sheriffs. And he also highlighted <a href="https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2024/S.285">S.285</a>, a bill that would have compelled Vermont police departments to adopt a policy preventing officers from using deception during many interrogations.&nbsp;</p>
  925.  
  926.  
  927.  
  928. <p>The latter passed the Senate but did not make it out of House Judiciary. Asked about the bill, LaLonde said his committee didn’t have enough time to take it up this year.</p>
  929.  
  930.  
  931.  
  932. <p>“We&#8217;re a few years after (when) ‘Black Lives Matter’ was painted on State Street in front of the state Legislature,” Lyall said, referring to the stretch of road in front of the capitol in Montpelier — “and that now seems like a very long time ago, indeed.”</p>
  933.  
  934.  
  935.  
  936. <p>LaLonde said that while advocates may have been unhappy with S.58, he thinks that lawmakers did incorporate their feedback into another major bill — S.195, which <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/08/vermont-lawmakers-advance-bill-to-increase-supervision-of-people-accused-of-crimes/">creates a new “pretrial supervision program”</a> for certain alleged offenders in the state.</p>
  937.  
  938.  
  939.  
  940. <p>Proponents of the bill said the state is doing an inadequate job supervising many defendants. That means courts may not know if someone is committing additional crimes, they said, or if that person is getting important pretrial social services.&nbsp;</p>
  941.  
  942.  
  943.  
  944. <p>As it passed the Senate, the bill also called for an expansion of a state Department of Corrections program that monitors alleged offenders with electronic technology such as ankle bracelets. But both chambers settled on a House proposal that calls for the technology to be used when offenders pose significant public safety threats.</p>
  945.  
  946.  
  947.  
  948. <p>That was in response to concerns from the racial equity office, LaLonde said, that an increase in electronic monitoring would disproportionately impact Black and brown communities.</p>
  949.  
  950.  
  951.  
  952. <p>The bill also requires a judge to consider if a defendant has any existing violations of pretrial release conditions when determining whether to hold that person in custody in a subsequent case. And it states that the $200 cap on bail for certain minor crimes — a measure that was enacted in 2018 — will not apply if an offense was committed while a person was on pretrial release for another offense.</p>
  953.  
  954.  
  955. <div class="wp-block-image">
  956. <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="792" data-attachment-id="578355" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/phil-scott-2-20240417/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240417.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Gov. Phil Scott waits for the start of his weekly press conference at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1713369570&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;2500&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.003125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;phil-scott-2 20240417&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="phil-scott-2 20240417" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Gov. Phil Scott waits for the start of his weekly press conference at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  957. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240417-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240417-1200x792.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240417-1200x792.jpg" alt="An elderly man in a suit sits on a red sofa, looking thoughtful among blurred figures in the foreground." class="wp-image-578355" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240417-1200x792.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240417-300x198.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240417-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240417-768x507.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240417-1536x1014.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240417-2048x1352.jpg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240417-1024x676.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240417-1568x1035.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240417-2000x1320.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240417-400x264.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240417-706x466.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Gov. Phil Scott waits for the start of his weekly press conference at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger</figcaption></figure></div>
  958.  
  959.  
  960. <p>That’s one area where Scott and lawmakers have some daylight, according to Amanda Wheeler, a spokesperson for his office. Wheeler said in an email that Scott wanted the cap on bail to be lifted entirely, not just in certain circumstances.</p>
  961.  
  962.  
  963.  
  964. <p>Still, the governor is broadly supportive of S.195, he said at a press conference on Wednesday. He told reporters he expects to sign both that bill and S.58, the omnibus crime legislation.</p>
  965.  
  966.  
  967.  
  968. <p>Scott said his team still needs to review the full slate of criminal justice bills that lawmakers passed this year. That also includes H.534, which creates a new escalating structure of penalties for repeated retail thefts within a two-year window; and <a href="https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2024/H.563">H.563</a>, which makes it a crime to “trespass” in someone else’s vehicle.</p>
  969.  
  970.  
  971.  
  972. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">New judicial positions</h2>
  973.  
  974.  
  975.  
  976. <p>One area of disagreement between lawmakers and the administration this year was over how much funding to allocate for the state’s judicial system. Scott’s camp had pushed for policy changes — what administration officials called additional “tools in the toolbox” — but said repeatedly that it didn’t support any major new investments.&nbsp;</p>
  977.  
  978.  
  979.  
  980. <p>In fact, Scott’s proposed 2025 budget would have forced the Vermont Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/02/15/critics-say-phil-scotts-budget-proposal-which-would-force-cuts-to-prosecutors-undermines-public-safety-agenda/">to cut up to nine prosecutor positions</a> — a possibility that drew heavy criticism from prosecutors and legislative leaders in both chambers.</p>
  981.  
  982.  
  983.  
  984. <p>Ultimately, the budget Scott signed includes funding for about 40 new positions across the judicial system — down from the roughly 70 that were included in an earlier version passed by the House. (The House had also proposed to <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/04/11/lawmakers-weigh-funding-new-judicial-positions-with-higher-corporate-taxes-and-fees/">fund the positions with higher corporate taxes and fees</a>, a measure that did not pass this year.) Most of the roles are limited-service positions, which are generally expected to be funded for three years.</p>
  985.  
  986.  
  987.  
  988. <p>The approved budget includes three new superior court judges (a provision Scott did support) as well as 21 new judicial officers and assistants, seven new deputy state’s attorneys, one victim advocate and several new court technology specialists.</p>
  989.  
  990.  
  991.  
  992. <p>In an email, John Campbell, executive director of the Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs, said his office was grateful for those positions — but suggested that the court system would continue to struggle under the weight of the case backlog.&nbsp;</p>
  993.  
  994.  
  995.  
  996. <p>“While we would have preferred permanent positions, we will do our best with the resources that we have been provided,” he said, adding that the department is “at more-than-full capacity, and without permanent staffing increases we cannot adequately address the court caseload backlog or provide any measure of work-life balance for our staff.”</p>
  997.  
  998.  
  999.  
  1000. <p>LaLonde agreed that, in terms of positions, the House didn’t get everything it wanted.<br><br>But in terms of policy, the chair added, “I think we&#8217;ve accomplished most of what we really wanted to get done this session.”</p>
  1001. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/phil-scott-and-vermont-legislators-found-at-least-some-common-ground-on-crime-bills-this-year/">Phil Scott and Vermont legislators found at least some common ground on crime bills this year</a>.</p>
  1002. ]]></content:encoded>
  1006. <dc:modified>Fri, 24 May 2024 15:18:37 +0000</dc:modified>
  1007. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582489</post-id> </item>
  1008. <item>
  1009. <title>Chellie Nayar and Dr. David Rand: We support the Climate Superfund Act</title>
  1010. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/chellie-nayar-and-dr-david-rand-we-support-the-climate-superfund-act/</link>
  1012. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Opinion]]></dc:creator>
  1013. <pubDate>Fri, 24 May 2024 10:01:00 +0000</pubDate>
  1014. <category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
  1015. <category><![CDATA[Commentaries]]></category>
  1016. <category><![CDATA[ExxonMobil]]></category>
  1017. <category><![CDATA[Phil Scott]]></category>
  1018. <category><![CDATA[Shell]]></category>
  1019. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582476</guid>
  1020.  
  1021. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="768" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-1024x768.png" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Commentaries: opinion pieces by community members." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-1024x768.png 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-300x225.png 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-125x94.png 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-768x576.png 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-800x600.png?crop=1 800w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-600x450.png?crop=1 600w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-400x300.png?crop=1 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-200x150.png?crop=1 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-706x530.png 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="574028" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/commentaries_1200x900/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png" data-orig-size="1200,900" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Commentaries_1200x900" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Commentaries logo for featured image&lt;/p&gt;
  1022. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-300x225.png" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png" /></figure>
  1023. <p>As clinicians, we can offer medical treatment but those impacted by climate change need so much more. </p>
  1024. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/chellie-nayar-and-dr-david-rand-we-support-the-climate-superfund-act/">Chellie Nayar and Dr. David Rand: We support the Climate Superfund Act</a>.</p>
  1025. ]]></description>
  1026. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="768" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-1024x768.png" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Commentaries: opinion pieces by community members." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-1024x768.png 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-300x225.png 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-125x94.png 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-768x576.png 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-800x600.png?crop=1 800w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-600x450.png?crop=1 600w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-400x300.png?crop=1 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-200x150.png?crop=1 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-706x530.png 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="574028" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/commentaries_1200x900/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png" data-orig-size="1200,900" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Commentaries_1200x900" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Commentaries logo for featured image&lt;/p&gt;
  1027. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-300x225.png" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png" /></figure>
  1028. <p><em>This commentary is by Chellie Nayar, a rising fourth-year medical student and a member of the Vermont Climate and Health Alliance, and Dr. David Rand, an internal medicine physician on the steering committee of the Vermont Climate and Health Alliance. </em></p>
  1029.  
  1030.  
  1031. <div class="wp-block-image">
  1032. <figure class="alignright size-medium"><a href="https://vtdigger.org/tag/commentaries/"><img decoding="async" width="300" height="67" data-attachment-id="570577" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/?attachment_id=570577" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1.png" data-orig-size="512,114" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Commentaries_vtd" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-300x67.png" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1.png" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-300x67.png" alt="" class="wp-image-570577" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-300x67.png 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-125x28.png 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-400x89.png 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1.png 512w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></figure></div>
  1033.  
  1034.  
  1035. <p>One of us is a 27-year-old approaching her final year of medical school; the other is 45-year-old internal medicine physician and father of a young child. Despite these differences, we feel a shared sense of horror and urgency as we watch our patients’ lives be dramatically and painfully altered by the catastrophic impact of climate change.&nbsp;</p>
  1036.  
  1037.  
  1038.  
  1039. <p>During the floods and the wildfire smoke of last summer, the more junior of us remembers a patient she met while rotating through the emergency department treating patients with psychiatric crises. This patient’s struggles began with the flooding of her apartment. She couldn’t find alternative housing and was forced to stay put as her home became overrun with mold and infested with insects. Previously active in the community, her neighbors noted with alarm dramatic changes including weight loss and disabling mental health problems. After a thorough workup, it became clear that the extreme stress of losing her home caused her health problems.&nbsp;</p>
  1040.  
  1041.  
  1042.  
  1043. <p>During the same period, the more senior of us remembers the elderly woman admitted to the intensive care unit in shock. The flooding destroyed her home, and she was forced to move from motel to motel. Separated from her belongings and the neighbors who supported and anchored her, she became unable to care for her complex medical conditions and landed in the emergency room. Thanks to the ICU team she survived, but remained completely unmoored.&nbsp;</p>
  1044.  
  1045.  
  1046.  
  1047. <p>These cases are not unique. In Vermont and across the country, we and our colleagues are seeing more and more patients whose lives have been upended by flooding, heat, fires and myriad other environmental and social problems caused by climate change. For some, their problems began when businesses they worked for, or businesses they ran, were forced to shut down. For many, as their living and/or work situations deteriorated, their ability to cope succumbed to the enormity of their challenges. Others have suffered significant kidney, heart and lung damage from the heat and smoke. As clinicians, we can offer medical treatment but those impacted by climate change need so much more.&nbsp;</p>
  1048.  
  1049.  
  1050.  
  1051. <p>Meanwhile, as countless court cases are demonstrating, <a href="https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/us-cities-states-sue-big-oil-climate-change-lawsuits/">fossil fuel companies and their scientists have been accurately predicting for decades</a> that their products would cause the climate to change, ultimately leading to exactly this sort of devastating harm. Despite their own dire predictions, the fossil fuel industry misled the public, denied the realities of climate change, and obstructed efforts to decrease its impact. At the same time, fossil fuel companies <a href="https://blog.ucsusa.org/shaina-sadai/fossil-fuel-companies-make-billions-in-profit-as-we-suffer-billions-in-losses-2024-edition/">continue to bring in record profits</a>. In 2023, the profits of ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell and BP exceeded $100 billion. The CEO of Chevron noted that, “In 2023, we returned more cash to shareholders and produced more oil and natural gas than any year in the company’s history.”&nbsp;</p>
  1052.  
  1053.  
  1054.  
  1055. <p>The economic burden of climate change is staggering and growing rapidly. According to Gov. Scott’s office, last summer’s flooding left behind a billion dollars in “response, recovery, and social costs”. <a href="https://www.solavida.org/state-climate-spending-analysis/">A study published in 2020</a> found that the Vermont state government was running more than 110 programs and projects created to respond to climate change. No one has tallied up all the costs to Vermont taxpayers, but common sense says that the numbers will be very significant. While we are still treating the casualties of last summer’s flooding, we need to act urgently to decrease harms that will come from future weather-related catastrophes. We must focus on efforts to adapt to climate change, which, for example, include helping farmers respond when their fields flood, installing energy efficient cooling and air filtration systems in schools to mitigate the impacts of extreme heat and wildfire smoke or moving homes away from flood plains.&nbsp;</p>
  1056.  
  1057.  
  1058.  
  1059. <p>Our Legislature just passed the Climate Superfund Act which is designed to fund climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts by holding large fossil fuel companies financially responsible for the massive damage they have knowingly wrought. The bill won’t solve all the issues we will face from climate change, but it will help. Those Vermonters who will suffer the most from climate change — the elderly, the young, underrepresented groups and those with limited financial resources — deserve better. Our children and grandchildren deserve better. All Vermonters deserve better.&nbsp;</p>
  1060.  
  1061.  
  1062.  
  1063. <p>We, along with many of our colleagues in Vermont’s medical and health community, urge Gov. Phil Scott to sign this bill into law. And if he chooses to veto it, we urge the General Assembly to override that veto.&nbsp;</p>
  1064. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/24/chellie-nayar-and-dr-david-rand-we-support-the-climate-superfund-act/">Chellie Nayar and Dr. David Rand: We support the Climate Superfund Act</a>.</p>
  1065. ]]></content:encoded>
  1069. <dc:modified>Thu, 23 May 2024 23:11:36 +0000</dc:modified>
  1070. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582476</post-id> </item>
  1071. <item>
  1072. <title>Matthew John Lomasney</title>
  1073. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/matthew-john-lomasney/</link>
  1075. <dc:creator><![CDATA[VTD Obituaries]]></dc:creator>
  1076. <pubDate>Fri, 24 May 2024 01:03:42 +0000</pubDate>
  1077. <category><![CDATA[Obituaries]]></category>
  1078. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582485</guid>
  1079.  
  1080. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="957" height="480" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Matthew-John-Lomasney-2.jpeg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Matthew-John-Lomasney-2.jpeg 957w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Matthew-John-Lomasney-2-300x150.jpeg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Matthew-John-Lomasney-2-125x63.jpeg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Matthew-John-Lomasney-2-768x385.jpeg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Matthew-John-Lomasney-2-400x201.jpeg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Matthew-John-Lomasney-2-706x354.jpeg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582487" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/matthew-john-lomasney/matthew-john-lomasney-2/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Matthew-John-Lomasney-2.jpeg" data-orig-size="957,480" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Matthew-John-Lomasney 2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Matthew-John-Lomasney-2-300x150.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Matthew-John-Lomasney-2.jpeg" /></figure>
  1081. <p>Matthew was a gentle soul with a huge, kind heart. He was eager to help anyone in need. </p>
  1082. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/matthew-john-lomasney/">Matthew John Lomasney</a>.</p>
  1083. ]]></description>
  1084. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="957" height="480" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Matthew-John-Lomasney-2.jpeg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Matthew-John-Lomasney-2.jpeg 957w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Matthew-John-Lomasney-2-300x150.jpeg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Matthew-John-Lomasney-2-125x63.jpeg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Matthew-John-Lomasney-2-768x385.jpeg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Matthew-John-Lomasney-2-400x201.jpeg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Matthew-John-Lomasney-2-706x354.jpeg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582487" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/matthew-john-lomasney/matthew-john-lomasney-2/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Matthew-John-Lomasney-2.jpeg" data-orig-size="957,480" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Matthew-John-Lomasney 2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Matthew-John-Lomasney-2-300x150.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Matthew-John-Lomasney-2.jpeg" /></figure><div class="wp-block-image">
  1085. <figure class="alignright size-full"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" data-attachment-id="582486" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/matthew-john-lomasney/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Matthew-John-Lomasney.jpeg" data-orig-size="1024,768" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Matthew-John-Lomasney" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Matthew-John-Lomasney-300x225.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Matthew-John-Lomasney.jpeg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Matthew-John-Lomasney.jpeg" alt="A person stands on a rocky mountaintop with arms outstretched, wearing a black jacket and carrying a backpack. The sky is partly cloudy with a view of mountains and valleys in the background." class="wp-image-582486" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Matthew-John-Lomasney.jpeg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Matthew-John-Lomasney-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Matthew-John-Lomasney-125x94.jpeg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Matthew-John-Lomasney-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Matthew-John-Lomasney-800x600.jpeg?crop=1 800w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Matthew-John-Lomasney-600x450.jpeg?crop=1 600w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Matthew-John-Lomasney-400x300.jpeg?crop=1 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Matthew-John-Lomasney-200x150.jpeg?crop=1 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Matthew-John-Lomasney-706x530.jpeg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>
  1086.  
  1087.  
  1088. <p><strong>Born</strong> April 29, 1977 </p>
  1089.  
  1090.  
  1091.  
  1092. <p>Barre, Vermont</p>
  1093.  
  1094.  
  1095.  
  1096. <p><strong>Died</strong> May 13, 2024 </p>
  1097.  
  1098.  
  1099.  
  1100. <p>St. Johnsbury, Vermont</p>
  1101.  
  1102.  
  1103.  
  1104. <p><strong>Details of services</strong></p>
  1105.  
  1106.  
  1107.  
  1108. <p>No public services are planned at the time. Donations in Matthew’s honor may be made to Long Trail Canine Rescue in Wilder, VT or Kingdom Recovery Center, St. Johnsbury, VT or plant a tree in memory of Matthew. He was especially fond of Cedar and Hemlock trees. Matthew loved trees. He will never be forgotten. May he rest in eternal peace.</p>
  1109.  
  1110.  
  1111.  
  1112. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
  1113.  
  1114.  
  1115.  
  1116. <p>“Fare you well, fare you well, I love you more than words can tell. Listen to the river sing sweet songs to rock my soul.” – Jerry Garcia &amp; Robert Hunter</p>
  1117.  
  1118.  
  1119.  
  1120. <p>Matthew Lomasney, beloved father, son, brother, and friend was taken from us far too soon on May 13, 2024. He will forever live on in our hearts. Matthew was born in Barre, VT on 4/29/1977 to Patty Desrochers and Marty Lomasney. He grew up in Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. He is predeceased by his father Marty Lomasney of Bloomfield, VT, his stepfather Tom Desrochers of Waterford, VT, and his uncle Peter Piotrowski of Scotia, NY. Matthew is survived by his son Jakob Lomasney, his mother Patty Desrochers, his brother Ben Lomasney, his nephew Killian Lomasney-Bourque, his stepmother Linda Norcross-Lomasney, his uncle Jim Desrochers (Karen), best friend and love of his life Renee Weeks and many cousins.</p>
  1121.  
  1122.  
  1123.  
  1124. <p>Matthew was a gentle soul with a huge, kind heart. He was eager to help anyone in need. He spent time volunteering at Upper Valley Haven a few years ago and always volunteered on Green Up Vermont Day. He enjoyed working with his hands outside and held jobs in roofing, construction, farming, and landscaping. Most recently he was a machinist at Momentum Manufacturing Group. He loved to play backgammon and Scrabble and was very competitive. He and his father would play backgammon all the time. Matthew taught his son Jakob how to play backgammon and to appreciate all living things in nature. They enjoyed making bonfires together.</p>
  1125.  
  1126.  
  1127.  
  1128. <p>He lived an adventurous life and loved to do anything outdoors. He was an avid hiker, snowboarder, fisherman, weightlifter, horseback rider and wood worker. He enjoyed traveling and had spent time in Maine, the Outer Banks and St. Croix where he snorkeled and kayaked in the ocean. Matthew had completed hiking the 48 4000 foot or higher mountains in NH and was a member of the Appalachian Mountain 4000-footer club. He hiked many mountain peaks in his short lifetime. He was creative and artistic and could figure out how to do anything when he put his mind to it. He took after his Dad and loved the music of the 60’s. His favorite bands were the Doors and Grateful Dead. Matthew had eclectic interests and loved to joke and have fun. Anyone who knew Matthew knew his sense of humor and enjoyed being in his company.</p>
  1129.  
  1130.  
  1131.  
  1132. <p>Matthew was a friend to anyone he met, but he cherished and loved his family above all else.</p>
  1133. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/matthew-john-lomasney/">Matthew John Lomasney</a>.</p>
  1134. ]]></content:encoded>
  1138. <dc:modified>Fri, 24 May 2024 01:03:47 +0000</dc:modified>
  1139. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582485</post-id> </item>
  1140. <item>
  1141. <title>Plan for 240 apartments in White River Junction completes planning and zoning review</title>
  1142. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/plan-for-240-apartments-in-white-river-junction-completes-planning-and-zoning-review/</link>
  1144. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Valley News]]></dc:creator>
  1145. <pubDate>Thu, 23 May 2024 22:48:53 +0000</pubDate>
  1146. <category><![CDATA[Economy]]></category>
  1147. <category><![CDATA[Regional]]></category>
  1148. <category><![CDATA[Southern Vermont]]></category>
  1149. <category><![CDATA[Windsor County]]></category>
  1150. <category><![CDATA[Hartford]]></category>
  1151. <category><![CDATA[Hartford Planning Commission]]></category>
  1152. <category><![CDATA[Vermont housing]]></category>
  1153. <category><![CDATA[White River Junction]]></category>
  1154. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582456</guid>
  1155.  
  1156. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="888" height="500" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A rendering of a modern three-story apartment building with large windows and contemporary design. Several parked cars in the foreground and people walking on the sidewalk. Trees and plants surround the building." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering.jpg 888w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering-300x169.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering-125x70.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering-768x432.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering-400x225.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering-706x398.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582460" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/white-river-junction-apartment-rendering/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering.jpg" data-orig-size="888,500" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;An artist&#039;s rendering of one of four market-rate apartment buildings proposed in a planned development on a 25-acre lot on Sykes Mountain Avenue in White River Junction, Vt. (Courtesy Town of Hartford)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;An artist&#8217;s rendering of one of four market-rate apartment buildings proposed in a planned development on a 25-acre lot on Sykes Mountain Avenue in White River Junction, Vt. (Courtesy Town of Hartford)&lt;/p&gt;
  1157. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;An artist&#8217;s rendering of one of four market-rate apartment buildings proposed in a planned development on a 25-acre lot on Sykes Mountain Avenue in White River Junction. Photo courtesy of the Town of Hartford&lt;/p&gt;
  1158. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering-300x169.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering.jpg" /></figure>
  1159. <p>On Monday, the Hartford Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the proposed planned development, which is slated to go between Hickory Ridge and Lily Pond Roads.</p>
  1160. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/plan-for-240-apartments-in-white-river-junction-completes-planning-and-zoning-review/">Plan for 240 apartments in White River Junction completes planning and zoning review</a>.</p>
  1161. ]]></description>
  1162. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="888" height="500" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A rendering of a modern three-story apartment building with large windows and contemporary design. Several parked cars in the foreground and people walking on the sidewalk. Trees and plants surround the building." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering.jpg 888w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering-300x169.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering-125x70.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering-768x432.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering-400x225.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering-706x398.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582460" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/white-river-junction-apartment-rendering/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering.jpg" data-orig-size="888,500" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;An artist&#039;s rendering of one of four market-rate apartment buildings proposed in a planned development on a 25-acre lot on Sykes Mountain Avenue in White River Junction, Vt. (Courtesy Town of Hartford)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;An artist&#8217;s rendering of one of four market-rate apartment buildings proposed in a planned development on a 25-acre lot on Sykes Mountain Avenue in White River Junction, Vt. (Courtesy Town of Hartford)&lt;/p&gt;
  1163. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;An artist&#8217;s rendering of one of four market-rate apartment buildings proposed in a planned development on a 25-acre lot on Sykes Mountain Avenue in White River Junction. Photo courtesy of the Town of Hartford&lt;/p&gt;
  1164. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering-300x169.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering.jpg" /></figure><div class="wp-block-image">
  1165. <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="888" height="500" data-attachment-id="582460" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/white-river-junction-apartment-rendering/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering.jpg" data-orig-size="888,500" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;An artist&#039;s rendering of one of four market-rate apartment buildings proposed in a planned development on a 25-acre lot on Sykes Mountain Avenue in White River Junction, Vt. (Courtesy Town of Hartford)&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;An artist&#8217;s rendering of one of four market-rate apartment buildings proposed in a planned development on a 25-acre lot on Sykes Mountain Avenue in White River Junction, Vt. (Courtesy Town of Hartford)&lt;/p&gt;
  1166. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;An artist&#8217;s rendering of one of four market-rate apartment buildings proposed in a planned development on a 25-acre lot on Sykes Mountain Avenue in White River Junction. Photo courtesy of the Town of Hartford&lt;/p&gt;
  1167. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering-300x169.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering.jpg" alt="A rendering of a modern three-story apartment building with large windows and contemporary design. Several parked cars in the foreground and people walking on the sidewalk. Trees and plants surround the building." class="wp-image-582460" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering.jpg 888w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering-300x169.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering-125x70.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering-768x432.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering-400x225.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/White-River-Junction-Apartment-Rendering-706x398.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 888px) 100vw, 888px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An artist&#8217;s rendering of one of four market-rate apartment buildings proposed in a planned development on a 25-acre lot on Sykes Mountain Avenue in White River Junction. Image courtesy of the Town of Hartford</figcaption></figure></div>
  1168.  
  1169.  
  1170. <p><em>This story by Patrick Adrian </em><a href="https://www.vnews.com/Planning-Commission-renders-decision-on-Sykes-Mountain-Avenue-housing-complex-55214658"><em>was first published</em></a><em> by The Valley News on May 22.</em></p>
  1171.  
  1172.  
  1173.  
  1174. <p>WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Planning and zoning officials have approved a plan to build more than 200 apartments off Sykes Mountain Avenue.</p>
  1175.  
  1176.  
  1177.  
  1178. <p>A partnership of White River Junction-based Simpson Development Corp. and the Venezuela-based Pering Group has proposed four buildings containing 192 market rate apartments on one lot and, on a smaller lot, a single building with 48 apartments for people with moderate to low incomes.</p>
  1179.  
  1180.  
  1181.  
  1182. <p>On Monday, the Hartford Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the proposed planned development, which is slated to go between Hickory Ridge and Lily Pond Roads.</p>
  1183.  
  1184.  
  1185.  
  1186. <p>The commission also approved, in separate unanimous votes, the site plans for the four-building complex and for the affordable apartment project, and a boundary line adjustment.</p>
  1187.  
  1188.  
  1189.  
  1190. <p>“There were several milestones that we had to (reach) to get to this point,” Dennis Marquise, of Simpson Development, said at Monday’s meeting.</p>
  1191.  
  1192.  
  1193.  
  1194. <p>The process included several meetings with town departments, such as fire and public works, to plan the project’s use of public streets and utilities.</p>
  1195.  
  1196.  
  1197.  
  1198. <p>“From our perspective, we think (our plan) is there,” Marquise told the commissioners.</p>
  1199.  
  1200.  
  1201.  
  1202. <p>The Planning Commission’s approval comes following the Zoning Board of Adjustment’s thumbs up for a permit last week, also by a unanimous vote, to allow the project in a zone where planned developments are a conditional use, according to minutes from the board’s May 15 meeting.</p>
  1203.  
  1204.  
  1205.  
  1206. <p>The commission’s approval on Monday marks the end of a planning and zoning process that began in April 2023, when the developers presented a conceptual project design to the planning commissioners.</p>
  1207.  
  1208.  
  1209.  
  1210. <p>Real estate developer Earl Simpson, of Wilder, has been trying to develop the 25-acre parcel for several years, he said at the initial meeting. In 2015, Simpson sought to build a $6.4 million, 88-unit residential project on 11 acres of the property. Though the Planning Commission approved the site plan, Simpson said he abandoned the project due to concerns about its financing.</p>
  1211.  
  1212.  
  1213.  
  1214. <p>“Their team worked hard to put this (new project) together and they worked very well with the town department,” Hartford Zoning Administrator Jo-Ann Ells said in an interview.</p>
  1215.  
  1216.  
  1217.  
  1218. <p>The size of the project requires coordination between the town and the developers, particularly in regard to the utilities, roads and other infrastructure, Ells said.</p>
  1219.  
  1220.  
  1221.  
  1222. <p>In the current proposal, the developers submitted four separate planning applications, including a request to divide the 25-acre property into separate lots — which the commissioners approved on Dec. 4.</p>
  1223.  
  1224.  
  1225.  
  1226. <p>Separating the standalone building from the complex enables the developers to transfer ownership of affordable housing project to an organization that specializes in affordable housing projects, Marquise told the Planning Commission last year.</p>
  1227.  
  1228.  
  1229.  
  1230. <p>The four-building complex would be constructed on an 18-acre lot and would include 36 studio, 29 junior one-bedroom, 81 one-bedroom, 23 larger one-bedroom and 23 two-bedroom apartments.</p>
  1231.  
  1232.  
  1233.  
  1234. <p>The apartment building set aside for people earning 80% or less of the area median income — which in Windsor County is $100,500 for a family of four — will be on a 4-acre lot and will provide nine studio, seven junior one-bedroom, 20 one-bedroom, six larger one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments.</p>
  1235.  
  1236.  
  1237.  
  1238. <p>The developers must now meet with the Selectboard to receive approval of a street realignment near the intersection of Hickory Ridge Road and Sykes Mountain Avenue. The realignment is needed to create a safe entrance into the planned development, Ells said on Tuesday.</p>
  1239.  
  1240.  
  1241.  
  1242. <p>The developers are proposing to close Hickory Ridge Road at the intersection and replace it with a direct entry into the new development. Residents on Hickory Ridge Road could then access Sykes Mountain Avenue from Lower Hyde Park, a nearby street in their neighborhood.</p>
  1243.  
  1244.  
  1245.  
  1246. <p>Neighbors on Hickory Ridge Road asked the Planning Commission last year to consider closing Hickory Ridge to through traffic, saying that too many drivers use the street as a thruway to avoid traffic lights on the main roads.</p>
  1247.  
  1248.  
  1249.  
  1250. <p>The developers will also need the Selectboard to agree to an on-site pump station to draw water from municipal lines to the residential buildings, which will be located atop a steep elevation.</p>
  1251.  
  1252.  
  1253.  
  1254. <p>Marquise and Irwin Peret Jr., of the Pering Group, could not be reached for comment.</p>
  1255. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/plan-for-240-apartments-in-white-river-junction-completes-planning-and-zoning-review/">Plan for 240 apartments in White River Junction completes planning and zoning review</a>.</p>
  1256. ]]></content:encoded>
  1260. <dc:modified>Thu, 23 May 2024 22:48:58 +0000</dc:modified>
  1261. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582456</post-id> </item>
  1262. <item>
  1263. <title>‘More good than harm’: Phil Scott signs $8.6 billion state budget into law</title>
  1264. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/more-good-than-harm-phil-scott-signs-8-6-billion-state-budget-into-law/</link>
  1266. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sarah Mearhoff]]></dc:creator>
  1267. <pubDate>Thu, 23 May 2024 22:06:20 +0000</pubDate>
  1268. <category><![CDATA[Government & Politics]]></category>
  1269. <category><![CDATA[Department of Financial Regulation]]></category>
  1270. <category><![CDATA[H.883]]></category>
  1271. <category><![CDATA[pandemic]]></category>
  1272. <category><![CDATA[Phil Scott]]></category>
  1273. <category><![CDATA[Vermont Legislature]]></category>
  1274. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582471</guid>
  1275.  
  1276. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="681" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-1024x681.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A man in a suit and tie stands at a podium." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-1200x799.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-768x511.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-1568x1044.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-400x266.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-706x470.jpg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="568751" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/phil-scott-vermont-governor/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor.jpg" data-orig-size="2000,1331" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;Gov. Phil Scott speaks during a press conference at the Statehouse on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. Photo by Natalie Williams/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1277. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Gov. Phil Scott speaks during a press conference at the Statehouse on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. Photo by Natalie Williams/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1278. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-1200x799.jpg" /></figure>
  1279. <p>The Republican governor on Thursday nevertheless urged legislators to live within the state’s means.</p>
  1280. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/more-good-than-harm-phil-scott-signs-8-6-billion-state-budget-into-law/">‘More good than harm’: Phil Scott signs $8.6 billion state budget into law</a>.</p>
  1281. ]]></description>
  1282. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="681" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-1024x681.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A man in a suit and tie stands at a podium." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-1200x799.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-768x511.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-1568x1044.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-400x266.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-706x470.jpg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="568751" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/phil-scott-vermont-governor/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor.jpg" data-orig-size="2000,1331" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;Gov. Phil Scott speaks during a press conference at the Statehouse on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. Photo by Natalie Williams/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1283. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Gov. Phil Scott speaks during a press conference at the Statehouse on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. Photo by Natalie Williams/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1284. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-1200x799.jpg" /></figure><div class="wp-block-image">
  1285. <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="799" data-attachment-id="568751" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/phil-scott-vermont-governor/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor.jpg" data-orig-size="2000,1331" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;Gov. Phil Scott speaks during a press conference at the Statehouse on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. Photo by Natalie Williams/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1286. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Gov. Phil Scott speaks during a press conference at the Statehouse on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. Photo by Natalie Williams/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1287. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-1200x799.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-1200x799.jpg" alt="A man in a suit and tie stands at a podium." class="wp-image-568751" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-1200x799.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-768x511.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-1568x1044.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-400x266.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor-706x470.jpg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Phil-Scott-Vermont-Governor.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Gov. Phil Scott speaks during a press conference at the Statehouse on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. Photo by Natalie Williams/VTDigger</figcaption></figure></div>
  1288.  
  1289.  
  1290. <p>Republican Gov. Phil Scott on Thursday signed <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/08/legislative-panel-finalizes-8-6b-state-budget-gov-phil-scott-signals-willingness-to-sign/">Vermont’s $8.6 billion budget</a> into law, funding state government for the fiscal year starting July 1. </p>
  1291.  
  1292.  
  1293.  
  1294. <p>Negotiations over the state budget, <a href="https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2024/H.883">H.883</a>, were notably more amicable this legislative session than last, when it became a proxy war over the fate of the state’s emergency motel housing program. Last year’s battle resulted in <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2023/05/27/phil-scott-vetoes-vermonts-8-5b-state-budget/">a rare budget veto</a>, followed by an override just weeks before the start of the fiscal year.</p>
  1295.  
  1296.  
  1297.  
  1298. <p>This year, there was no such showdown. State budget writers largely stayed <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/03/29/as-vermont-house-passes-budget-republicans-pan-spending-plans/">within the confines</a> of the budget that Scott <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/01/23/in-budget-address-scott-beats-familiar-drum-of-maintaining-not-raising-taxes-and-fees/">proposed to lawmakers</a> in January, only exceeding his bottom line by roughly a <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/08/legislative-panel-finalizes-8-6b-state-budget-gov-phil-scott-signals-willingness-to-sign/">quarter of a percentage point</a>.</p>
  1299.  
  1300.  
  1301.  
  1302. <p>In a letter to legislators accompanying his signature on Thursday afternoon, Scott commended them for this year’s negotiations, saying that the budget process “shows that when we work together — and both sides are willing to give a little — we can craft a budget that meets the needs of Vermonters without adding to their tax burden.”</p>
  1303.  
  1304.  
  1305.  
  1306. <p>Scott said the budget invested in key priorities, such as housing, economic development and public safety. “Importantly, it does not rely on new or higher taxes, achieving balance without adding to the significant tax load Vermonters already carry,” he wrote.</p>
  1307.  
  1308.  
  1309.  
  1310. <p>That doesn’t mean the bill is perfect in Scott’s eyes. “Compromise,” he wrote, “means accepting some things that I don’t support.”</p>
  1311.  
  1312.  
  1313.  
  1314. <p>The governor raised alarm bells over the bill’s increases to insurance, registration and securities fees levied by the Department of Financial Regulation, warning that they “may dissuade financial institutions from increasing their presence in this state.”</p>
  1315.  
  1316.  
  1317.  
  1318. <p>He also said he was “concerned about the substantial increase in base spending, which may not be sustainable under a more modest — and typical — revenue environment.”</p>
  1319.  
  1320.  
  1321.  
  1322. <p>This year’s budget process marked somewhat of a return to the norm, following years of additional federal aid related to the Covid-19 pandemic. For the past several budget cycles, lawmakers were able to pour hundreds of millions in one-time funds into major state programs and investments.</p>
  1323.  
  1324.  
  1325.  
  1326. <p>Heading into this year, lawmakers and state economists expressed worry over the potential for an economic downturn and wrung their hands over expenses related to last summer’s catastrophic flooding. However, Vermont’s revenues have largely stayed strong after the federal money has dried up, offering lawmakers a budgetary off-ramp.</p>
  1327.  
  1328.  
  1329.  
  1330. <p>This was most evident in the final few weeks of the legislative session, when lawmakers on the budget conference committee had the happy surprise of banner revenues in April, plus stronger than predicted revenues in preceding months. As a result, legislators were able to spend another $25 million to buy down the state’s ballooning property taxes, used to fund the state’s public education system.</p>
  1331.  
  1332.  
  1333.  
  1334. <p>It was the Legislature’s reliance on fleeting revenue like this, however, that prompted another round of finger-wagging from Scott in his letter Thursday.</p>
  1335.  
  1336.  
  1337.  
  1338. <p>According to Scott, the budget “is also overly reliant on one-time and contingent funding,” which, “will create unsustainable expectations if further one-time funds are unavailable.”</p>
  1339.  
  1340.  
  1341.  
  1342. <p>“By not making difficult choices this year and focusing scarce resources on programs we can’t sustain,” he continued, “we are setting up a very challenging budget development” in the following fiscal year.</p>
  1343.  
  1344.  
  1345.  
  1346. <p>In the end, Scott said, he signed the bill into law “because, on balance, this budget does more good than harm.”</p>
  1347. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/more-good-than-harm-phil-scott-signs-8-6-billion-state-budget-into-law/">‘More good than harm’: Phil Scott signs $8.6 billion state budget into law</a>.</p>
  1348. ]]></content:encoded>
  1352. <dc:modified>Thu, 23 May 2024 22:06:24 +0000</dc:modified>
  1353. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582471</post-id> </item>
  1354. <item>
  1355. <title>Phil Scott vetoes Vermont lawmakers’ priority energy bill</title>
  1356. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/phil-scott-vetoes-vermont-lawmakers-priority-energy-bill/</link>
  1358. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Emma Cotton]]></dc:creator>
  1359. <pubDate>Thu, 23 May 2024 21:38:01 +0000</pubDate>
  1360. <category><![CDATA[Government & Politics]]></category>
  1361. <category><![CDATA[Department of Public Service]]></category>
  1362. <category><![CDATA[H.289]]></category>
  1363. <category><![CDATA[Phil Baruth]]></category>
  1364. <category><![CDATA[Phil Scott]]></category>
  1365. <category><![CDATA[Renewable Energy Vermont]]></category>
  1366. <category><![CDATA[Vermont Conservation Voters]]></category>
  1367. <category><![CDATA[Vermont Natural Resources Council]]></category>
  1368. <category><![CDATA[Vermont Public Interest Research Group]]></category>
  1369. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582468</guid>
  1370.  
  1371. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="684" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Solar panels array in a field on a sunny day." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825-610x407.jpg 610w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825-768x513.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825-1536x1025.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="529390" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/solar-array-1-20210825/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825.jpg" data-orig-size="2000,1335" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;GLENN RUSSELL&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D750&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;The solar array at Crossest Brook Middle School in Duxbury on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1629891215&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;GLENN RUSSELL&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;solar-array-1 20210825&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="solar-array-1 20210825" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;The solar array at Crossest Brook Middle School in Duxbury on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1372. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The solar array at Crossest Brook Middle School in Duxbury on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1373. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825-610x407.jpg" /></figure>
  1374. <p>“Factoring in all the other taxes, fees and higher costs the Legislature has passed over the last two years, I simply cannot allow this bill to go into law,” the governor wrote in a letter to lawmakers.</p>
  1375. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/phil-scott-vetoes-vermont-lawmakers-priority-energy-bill/">Phil Scott vetoes Vermont lawmakers’ priority energy bill</a>.</p>
  1376. ]]></description>
  1377. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="684" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Solar panels array in a field on a sunny day." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825-610x407.jpg 610w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825-768x513.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825-1536x1025.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="529390" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/solar-array-1-20210825/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825.jpg" data-orig-size="2000,1335" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;GLENN RUSSELL&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D750&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;The solar array at Crossest Brook Middle School in Duxbury on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1629891215&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;GLENN RUSSELL&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;solar-array-1 20210825&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="solar-array-1 20210825" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;The solar array at Crossest Brook Middle School in Duxbury on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1378. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The solar array at Crossest Brook Middle School in Duxbury on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1379. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825-610x407.jpg" /></figure><div class="wp-block-image">
  1380. <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="610" height="407" data-attachment-id="529390" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/solar-array-1-20210825/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825.jpg" data-orig-size="2000,1335" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;GLENN RUSSELL&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D750&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;The solar array at Crossest Brook Middle School in Duxbury on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1629891215&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;GLENN RUSSELL&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;solar-array-1 20210825&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="solar-array-1 20210825" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;The solar array at Crossest Brook Middle School in Duxbury on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1381. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The solar array at Crossest Brook Middle School in Duxbury on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1382. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825-610x407.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825-610x407.jpg" alt="Solar panels array in a field on a sunny day." class="wp-image-529390" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825-610x407.jpg 610w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825-768x513.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/solar-array-1-20210825.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The solar array at Crossest Brook Middle School in Duxbury on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger</figcaption></figure></div>
  1383.  
  1384.  
  1385. <p>Gov. Phil Scott on Thursday vetoed a bill that would require Vermont utilities to buy more renewable energy at a faster pace, with most utilities purchasing all of their energy from renewable sources by 2030.&nbsp;</p>
  1386.  
  1387.  
  1388.  
  1389. <p>Scott cited the cost of <a href="https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2024/H.289">H.289</a> as his main concern.&nbsp;</p>
  1390.  
  1391.  
  1392.  
  1393. <p>“I don’t believe there is any debate that H.289 will raise Vermonters’ utility rates, likely by hundreds of millions of dollars. And while that in itself is reason enough to earn a veto, it is even more frustrating when you consider our Department of Public Service proposed to the Legislature a much stronger plan at a fraction of the cost,” Scott said in a letter to lawmakers explaining his veto.</p>
  1394.  
  1395.  
  1396.  
  1397. <p>Scott’s administration, lawmakers and the bill’s supporters and opponents debated the potential cost of the bill over the course of the recently adjourned legislative session. While members of the Public Service Department projected the bill <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/02/29/how-much-does-the-proposed-new-renewable-energy-standard-cost-hard-to-say/">would cost ratepayers $1 billion</a> — a figure that caught on in the public sphere and was often cited by the bill’s opponents — the state’s Joint Fiscal Office later <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/03/19/new-analysis-suggests-lower-price-tag-for-changes-to-vermonts-renewable-energy-law/">said the bill’s price tag</a> would be less than half the department’s estimate.&nbsp;</p>
  1398.  
  1399.  
  1400.  
  1401. <p>Nevertheless, Scott wrote, “factoring in all the other taxes, fees and higher costs the Legislature has passed over the last two years, I simply cannot allow this bill to go into law.”</p>
  1402.  
  1403.  
  1404.  
  1405. <p>H.289 would increase the state’s renewable energy standard, which requires utilities to purchase a specific percentage of their energy from renewable sources. Right now, the law requires utilities to buy 75% of their energy from renewable sources by 2032.&nbsp;</p>
  1406.  
  1407.  
  1408.  
  1409. <p>The bill would accelerate that transition, requiring most utilities to source 100% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and all utilities to make the switch by 2035. Over time, it would also require them to purchase about 20% of their energy from small, in-state renewable sources and an additional 20% from regional renewable sources capable of sending power directly into the New England grid.&nbsp;</p>
  1410.  
  1411.  
  1412.  
  1413. <p>Scott’s announcement on Thursday afternoon provoked an immediate spate of criticism from the bill’s supporters, including lawmakers and environmental lobbyists.</p>
  1414.  
  1415.  
  1416. <div class="wp-block-image">
  1417. <figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="792" data-attachment-id="576328" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/phil-scott-2-20240403/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240403.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Gov. Phil Scott answers a question about his veto of a flavored tobacco ban bill during his weekly press conference at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Wednesday April 3, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1712161509&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;120&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;2500&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;phil-scott-2 20240403&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="phil-scott-2 20240403" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Gov. Phil Scott answers a question about his veto of a flavored tobacco ban bill during his weekly press conference at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Wednesday April 3, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1418. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240403-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240403-1200x792.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240403-1200x792.jpg" alt="A man in a suit speaks at a podium with microphones from nbc5 and wgan." class="wp-image-576328" style="width:810px;height:auto" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240403-1200x792.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240403-300x198.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240403-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240403-768x507.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240403-1536x1014.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240403-2048x1352.jpg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240403-1024x676.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240403-1568x1035.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240403-2000x1320.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240403-400x264.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/phil-scott-2-20240403-706x466.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Gov. Phil Scott answers a question during his weekly press conference at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Wednesday April 3, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger</figcaption></figure></div>
  1419.  
  1420.  
  1421. <p>In a statement, environmental groups including Vermont Conservation Voters, the Vermont Natural Resources Council, the Vermont Public Interest Research Group and 350 Vermont called the veto “a dismaying attempt to obstruct Vermont&#8217;s environmental and economic progress.”</p>
  1422.  
  1423.  
  1424.  
  1425. <p>“Unfortunately Governor Scott and his party are an automatic ‘no’ on any policy that will move the needle on fossil fuel dependence,” Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth, D/P-Chittenden Central, said in a press release shortly after the governor issued his veto.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  1426.  
  1427.  
  1428.  
  1429. <p>“Each session, we present carefully crafted legislation to reduce Vermont’s carbon output and protect lower-income Vermonters in the process; Governor Scott and his allies then do their best to scuttle the bill,” Baruth said. “It’s a shameful dynamic, especially in a world where our state capital still lacks a functioning US post office due to persistent, climate-related flooding.”</p>
  1430.  
  1431.  
  1432.  
  1433. <p>Peter Sterling, executive director of the trade organization Renewable Energy Vermont, said the Scott administration’s alternative proposal included increasing Vermont’s reliance on nuclear energy and reducing the compensation for Vermonters with solar panels for the energy they send back to the grid. After reviewing public comments on the department’s plan, Sterling didn’t find support for those ideas, he said.&nbsp;</p>
  1434.  
  1435.  
  1436.  
  1437. <p>“Is it cheaper? Yes, because it does less to stop climate change,” Sterling said in an interview.&nbsp;</p>
  1438.  
  1439.  
  1440.  
  1441. <p>Also on Thursday, members of the Vermont Youth Lobby gathered outside the Statehouse to support environmental efforts in the state.</p>
  1442.  
  1443.  
  1444.  
  1445. <p>“Our legislators have passed historic climate bills. Ones that will put Vermont at the forefront of climate action in the US,” said Jenna Hirschman, a fourth-year Essex High School student who spoke on Thursday. “And yet our governor has made it clear, year after year he will veto any and all climate bills.”</p>
  1446.  
  1447.  
  1448.  
  1449. <p>Lawmakers in both chambers may have the two-thirds majorities required to override Scott’s veto, but the margins appear thin. House members voted 99-39 on an amendment to the bill with 11 absences. The Senate passed the bill in an 18-8 vote with three absences.&nbsp;</p>
  1450. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/phil-scott-vetoes-vermont-lawmakers-priority-energy-bill/">Phil Scott vetoes Vermont lawmakers’ priority energy bill</a>.</p>
  1451. ]]></content:encoded>
  1455. <dc:modified>Thu, 23 May 2024 21:38:06 +0000</dc:modified>
  1456. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582468</post-id> </item>
  1457. <item>
  1458. <title>Biden nominates Mary Kay Lanthier, Rutland County public defender, to Vermont federal judgeship</title>
  1459. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/biden-nominates-mary-kay-lanthier-rutland-county-public-defender-to-vermont-federal-judgeship/</link>
  1461. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Alan J. Keays]]></dc:creator>
  1462. <pubDate>Thu, 23 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  1463. <category><![CDATA[Government & Politics]]></category>
  1464. <category><![CDATA[Geoffrey Crawford]]></category>
  1465. <category><![CDATA[Joe Biden]]></category>
  1466. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582431</guid>
  1467.  
  1468. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="684" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-1024x684.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A woman stands outside in front of a building with columns and a clock, smiling at the camera. She has long brown hair and is wearing a blue shirt and gray jacket." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-1200x801.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-768x513.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-2048x1367.jpg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-1568x1047.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-2000x1335.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-400x267.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-706x471.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582463" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/mary-kay-lanthier-is-a-veteran-public-defender-in-rutland-vermont/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-scaled.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1709" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Caleb Kenna&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D810&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Mary Kay Lanthier is a veteran public defender in Rutland, Vermont.&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1474644576&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;\u00a9 Caleb Kenna&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;85&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Mary Kay Lanthier is a veteran public defender in Rutland, Vermont.&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Mary Kay Lanthier" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;Mary Kay Lanthier in 2016. President Joe Biden announced Thursday, May 23, 2024, that he would nominate her to a federal judgeship in Vermont. Photo by Caleb Kenna &lt;/p&gt;
  1469. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Mary Kay Lanthier in 2016. President Joe Biden announced Thursday, May 23, 2024, that he would nominate her to a federal judgeship in Vermont. Photo by Caleb Kenna &lt;/p&gt;
  1470. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-1200x801.jpg" /></figure>
  1471. <p>If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Lanthier would succeed Judge Geoffrey Crawford, who is planning to move to senior status.</p>
  1472. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/biden-nominates-mary-kay-lanthier-rutland-county-public-defender-to-vermont-federal-judgeship/">Biden nominates Mary Kay Lanthier, Rutland County public defender, to Vermont federal judgeship</a>.</p>
  1473. ]]></description>
  1474. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="684" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-1024x684.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A woman stands outside in front of a building with columns and a clock, smiling at the camera. She has long brown hair and is wearing a blue shirt and gray jacket." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-1200x801.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-768x513.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-2048x1367.jpg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-1568x1047.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-2000x1335.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-400x267.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-706x471.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582463" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/mary-kay-lanthier-is-a-veteran-public-defender-in-rutland-vermont/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-scaled.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1709" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Caleb Kenna&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D810&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Mary Kay Lanthier is a veteran public defender in Rutland, Vermont.&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1474644576&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;\u00a9 Caleb Kenna&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;85&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Mary Kay Lanthier is a veteran public defender in Rutland, Vermont.&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Mary Kay Lanthier" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;Mary Kay Lanthier in 2016. President Joe Biden announced Thursday, May 23, 2024, that he would nominate her to a federal judgeship in Vermont. Photo by Caleb Kenna &lt;/p&gt;
  1475. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Mary Kay Lanthier in 2016. President Joe Biden announced Thursday, May 23, 2024, that he would nominate her to a federal judgeship in Vermont. Photo by Caleb Kenna &lt;/p&gt;
  1476. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-1200x801.jpg" /></figure><div class="wp-block-image">
  1477. <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="801" data-attachment-id="582463" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/mary-kay-lanthier-is-a-veteran-public-defender-in-rutland-vermont/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-scaled.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,1709" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Caleb Kenna&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D810&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Mary Kay Lanthier is a veteran public defender in Rutland, Vermont.&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1474644576&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;\u00a9 Caleb Kenna&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;85&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Mary Kay Lanthier is a veteran public defender in Rutland, Vermont.&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Mary Kay Lanthier" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;Mary Kay Lanthier in 2016. President Joe Biden announced Thursday, May 23, 2024, that he would nominate her to a federal judgeship in Vermont. Photo by Caleb Kenna &lt;/p&gt;
  1478. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Mary Kay Lanthier in 2016. President Joe Biden announced Thursday, May 23, 2024, that he would nominate her to a federal judgeship in Vermont. Photo by Caleb Kenna &lt;/p&gt;
  1479. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-1200x801.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-1200x801.jpg" alt="A woman stands outside in front of a building with columns and a clock, smiling at the camera. She has long brown hair and is wearing a blue shirt and gray jacket." class="wp-image-582463" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-1200x801.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-768x513.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-2048x1367.jpg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-1568x1047.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-2000x1335.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-400x267.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mary-Kay-Lanthier-706x471.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mary Kay Lanthier in 2016. President Joe Biden announced Thursday, May 23, 2024, that he would nominate her to a federal judgeship in Vermont. Photo by Caleb Kenna </figcaption></figure></div>
  1480.  
  1481.  
  1482. <p><em>Updated at 4:13 p.m.</em></p>
  1483.  
  1484.  
  1485.  
  1486. <p>President Joe Biden plans to nominate Mary Kay Lanthier, the supervising attorney in the Rutland County Public Defender’s Office, to be the next federal judge for Vermont, the White House announced Thursday morning.</p>
  1487.  
  1488.  
  1489.  
  1490. <p>Lanthier, who has served in her current role since 2007, would succeed Judge Geoffrey Crawford on the federal bench if confirmed by the U.S. Senate.</p>
  1491.  
  1492.  
  1493.  
  1494. <p><a href="https://vtdigger.org/2023/11/07/federal-judge-geoffrey-crawford-plans-to-step-back-process-starts-to-find-replacement/">Crawford formally announced last summer</a> his intention to step down this August and move to senior status. In that capacity, Crawford would still preside over cases, but on a more limited basis.</p>
  1495.  
  1496.  
  1497.  
  1498. <p>Vermont Defender General Matthew Valerio on Thursday praised the selection of Lanthier for a seat in the federal bench.</p>
  1499.  
  1500.  
  1501.  
  1502. <p>“She’s honestly one of the best and the brightest among us,” he said. “You couldn’t have a more ethical, decent, balanced person.”</p>
  1503.  
  1504.  
  1505.  
  1506. <p>Prior to her position in Rutland, Lanthier served as a public defender in the Addison County Public Defender’s Office from 2000 to 2003. She also worked in private practice as an associate and then partner at the firm Marsh &amp; Wagner from 2003 to 2007, and as an associate at Keiner &amp; Dumont from 1998 to 2000.&nbsp;</p>
  1507.  
  1508.  
  1509.  
  1510. <p>From 1996 to 1998, Lanthier served as a law clerk for trial court judges in Chittenden and Addison county courts. She received her law degree from Northeastern University School of Law in 1996 and her bachelor’s from Amherst College in 1993.</p>
  1511.  
  1512.  
  1513.  
  1514. <p>In an email Thursday, Lanthier, who resides in Orwell, said she was “directing all inquiry” to the White House.</p>
  1515.  
  1516.  
  1517.  
  1518. <p>Sandra Lee, a public defender based in Burlington, said she had known Lanthier for many years and the two worked together when Lanthier was in private practice in Middlebury.</p>
  1519.  
  1520.  
  1521.  
  1522. <p>“Mary Kay Lanthier is one of the most qualified individuals, in my opinion,” she said. “Her broad breadth of experience I think will help her and I know will inform her as a judge.”</p>
  1523.  
  1524.  
  1525.  
  1526. <p>U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Peter Welch, D-Vt., announced in a statement last November that together they were organizing a joint Judicial Nomination Advisory Panel to screen candidates and make recommendations to Biden for filling Crawford’s post.&nbsp;</p>
  1527.  
  1528.  
  1529.  
  1530. <p>It carries a lifetime appointment.&nbsp;</p>
  1531.  
  1532.  
  1533.  
  1534. <p>The two senators issued a joint statement Thursday expressing support for Lanthier’s nomination and pledging to help “guide” her nomination through the U.S. Senate.</p>
  1535.  
  1536.  
  1537.  
  1538. <p>“As a former public defender,” Welch said, “I look forward to Ms. Lanthier’s public service continuing in this new capacity in the community she calls home.”&nbsp;</p>
  1539.  
  1540.  
  1541.  
  1542. <p>In her current job, Lanthier represents indigent clients <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2017/11/28/poultney-man-beat-mother-death-gets-eight-years/">facing criminal charges</a> ranging from murder to retail theft. She described that work in a 2016 story <a href="https://www.sevendaysvt.com/news/representing-a-busy-public-defender-stands-up-for-her-clients-3703353">in Seven Days</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  1543.  
  1544.  
  1545.  
  1546. <p>&#8220;There&#8217;s no better job,&#8221; she said at the time. &#8220;You just get to meet so many people at so many different stages of their lives and really stand between them and the power of the government.&#8221;</p>
  1547.  
  1548.  
  1549.  
  1550. <p>Lanthier said, &#8220;The bad guys aren&#8217;t always bad … You shouldn&#8217;t be defined by the worst mistake or worst thing you did.&#8221;</p>
  1551.  
  1552.  
  1553.  
  1554. <p>If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, she would join U.S. District Court Judge Christina Reiss on the federal bench from Vermont. Reiss presides in U.S. District Court in Burlington while Lanthier would primarily preside in U.S. District Court in Rutland.&nbsp;</p>
  1555.  
  1556.  
  1557.  
  1558. <p>Judge William K. Sessions III continues to serve on senior status, a role he has held since he stepped down from the bench full-time in 2014.</p>
  1559.  
  1560.  
  1561.  
  1562. <p>The White House, in a release announcing Lanthier’s nomination and another in Pennsylvania, said the nominations “continue to fulfill” Biden’s “promise to ensure that the nation’s courts reflect the diversity that is one of our greatest assets as a country — both in terms of personal and professional backgrounds.”</p>
  1563.  
  1564.  
  1565.  
  1566. <p>Biden, in a statement Wednesday, marked the confirmation of the 200th federal judge since he took office in January 2021. According to that statement, 64% of his judicial appointments have been women, and 62% were people of color.</p>
  1567.  
  1568.  
  1569.  
  1570. <p>Also, according to the <a href="https://civilrights.org/2024/05/22/200th-lifetime-judicial-confirmation-biden-administration/">Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights</a>, more than 40% of the president’s judicial confirmations have been people who were public defenders or civil rights lawyers, or both.</p>
  1571. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/biden-nominates-mary-kay-lanthier-rutland-county-public-defender-to-vermont-federal-judgeship/">Biden nominates Mary Kay Lanthier, Rutland County public defender, to Vermont federal judgeship</a>.</p>
  1572. ]]></content:encoded>
  1576. <dc:modified>Thu, 23 May 2024 20:40:18 +0000</dc:modified>
  1577. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582431</post-id> </item>
  1578. <item>
  1579. <title>Felicia Kornbluh and Matt Vogel: Jewish communities at UVM — and in Vermont — are diverse</title>
  1580. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/felicia-kornbluh-and-matt-vogel-jewish-communities-at-uvm-and-in-vermont-are-diverse/</link>
  1582. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Opinion]]></dc:creator>
  1583. <pubDate>Thu, 23 May 2024 11:01:00 +0000</pubDate>
  1584. <category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
  1585. <category><![CDATA[Commentaries]]></category>
  1586. <category><![CDATA[Felicia Kornbluh]]></category>
  1587. <category><![CDATA[Israel-Hamas War]]></category>
  1588. <category><![CDATA[Linda Thomas-Greenfield]]></category>
  1589. <category><![CDATA[Matt Vogel]]></category>
  1590. <category><![CDATA[University of Vermont]]></category>
  1591. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582409</guid>
  1592.  
  1593. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="768" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-1024x768.png" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Commentaries: opinion pieces by community members." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-1024x768.png 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-300x225.png 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-125x94.png 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-768x576.png 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-800x600.png?crop=1 800w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-600x450.png?crop=1 600w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-400x300.png?crop=1 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-200x150.png?crop=1 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-706x530.png 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="574028" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/commentaries_1200x900/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png" data-orig-size="1200,900" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Commentaries_1200x900" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Commentaries logo for featured image&lt;/p&gt;
  1594. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-300x225.png" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png" /></figure>
  1595. <p>Please, at the very least, let’s not flatten or simplify the story of this moment in UVM’s history and the history of the diverse and flourishing Jewish communities in Vermont.</p>
  1596. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/felicia-kornbluh-and-matt-vogel-jewish-communities-at-uvm-and-in-vermont-are-diverse/">Felicia Kornbluh and Matt Vogel: Jewish communities at UVM — and in Vermont — are diverse</a>.</p>
  1597. ]]></description>
  1598. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="768" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-1024x768.png" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Commentaries: opinion pieces by community members." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-1024x768.png 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-300x225.png 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-125x94.png 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-768x576.png 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-800x600.png?crop=1 800w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-600x450.png?crop=1 600w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-400x300.png?crop=1 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-200x150.png?crop=1 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-706x530.png 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="574028" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/commentaries_1200x900/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png" data-orig-size="1200,900" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Commentaries_1200x900" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Commentaries logo for featured image&lt;/p&gt;
  1599. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-300x225.png" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png" /></figure>
  1600. <p><em>This commentary is by Felicia Kornbluh, professor of history and of gender, sexuality and women&#8217;s studies at the University of Vermont; and Matt Vogel, executive director of UVM Hillel. </em></p>
  1601.  
  1602.  
  1603. <div class="wp-block-image">
  1604. <figure class="alignright size-medium"><a href="https://vtdigger.org/tag/commentaries/"><img decoding="async" width="300" height="67" data-attachment-id="570577" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/?attachment_id=570577" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1.png" data-orig-size="512,114" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Commentaries_vtd" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-300x67.png" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1.png" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-300x67.png" alt="" class="wp-image-570577" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-300x67.png 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-125x28.png 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-400x89.png 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1.png 512w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></figure></div>
  1605.  
  1606.  
  1607. <p>An old Jewish saying has it that where there are two Jews, you get three opinions. When it comes to Israel and Gaza, the number of opinions in Jewish communities, and even in the minds of individual members of those communities, might be a lot higher. Every Jewish person feels something about the current war in the region.</p>
  1608.  
  1609.  
  1610.  
  1611. <p>In Vermont, Jewish communities around the state have a wide range of views about Israelis, Palestinians and <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/04/28/pro-palestinian-protest-encampments-spring-up-at-the-university-of-vermont-middlebury-college/">campus protest encampments</a>. Jewish students and faculty at the University of Vermont mirror these nuanced and complicated conversations across our state. Any attempt to simplify these views falls short and does a disservice to the seriousness with which so many people are engaging these hard issues.&nbsp;</p>
  1612.  
  1613.  
  1614.  
  1615. <p>This spring, the University of Vermont, like many other U.S. universities, saw a <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/06/at-uvm-a-fraught-school-year-ends-in-protest-over-destruction-in-gaza/">protest encampment making a range of demands</a> related to the war in Gaza and the relationship between the state of Israel and Palestinians.&nbsp;</p>
  1616.  
  1617.  
  1618.  
  1619. <p>Unlike their counterparts at many of these other institutions, UVM’s students and administrations found their way to resolution, with enough “give” on each side to allow for each to claim success, and for graduation to proceed more-or-less as usual (albeit, <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/03/linda-thomas-greenfield-will-not-speak-at-commencement-uvm-announces/">without the original invited speaker</a>, the Biden administration’s ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield).&nbsp;</p>
  1620.  
  1621.  
  1622.  
  1623. <p>This peaceful compromise reflected the range of views present in our state — including among Jewish students and faculty at UVM. Some were fully supportive of the encampment and its demands, while others wanted the UVM administration to do more to enforce its rules and local laws against trespassing — and many, these authors included, wanted to use the on-campus crisis as a “teachable moment,” an opportunity to learn more about the war in Gaza, the history and politics of the Middle East, and about how to live in a mutually respectful community.&nbsp;</p>
  1624.  
  1625.  
  1626.  
  1627. <p>The encampment at UVM was relatively small although loud and disruptive, sitting between the library and student center, with a robust sound system. Its slogans included “from the river to the sea,” which many interpret as a call to eliminate the state of Israel.&nbsp;</p>
  1628.  
  1629.  
  1630.  
  1631. <p>Another slogan, “Intifada UVM,”<strong> </strong>seemed insensitive to some Jewish listeners, who thought it implied a lack of concern about the fear some felt when the heard the word, “intifada,” recalling events in Israel in the late 1980s-90s&#8217; and early 2000s, including rocket and bomb attacks on civilian targets that produced injury and death. </p>
  1632.  
  1633.  
  1634.  
  1635. <p>Jewishly identified students at UVM are thoughtful about the global and local situations of the past several months. Whether supportive of the encampment, actively opposed to it or in between, virtually all of them have thought and felt deeply about Israel, the Palestinians, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and the myriad moral and political questions these issues pose.&nbsp;</p>
  1636.  
  1637.  
  1638.  
  1639. <p>Many are in a lot of pain — the pain of dissension from the views of their friends and roommates, sometimes even their romantic partners, parents, siblings and professors. From a wide variety of perspectives, they are disillusioned and disappointed.&nbsp;</p>
  1640.  
  1641.  
  1642.  
  1643. <p>Since Oct. 7, nearly every student, regardless of their perspective, has experienced isolation from at least part of their community.&nbsp;</p>
  1644.  
  1645.  
  1646.  
  1647. <p>For some, the disappointment is pointed toward a university administration that cannot seem to control forceful protest or enforce its own policies consistently. Others train their disappointment and pressure on administrators to disentangle UVM from Israel, the democratic Jewish nationalist or Zionist state that they find inherently objectionable. Or at least from the recent actions of that state vis-a-vis civilian populations in the Gaza Strip. </p>
  1648.  
  1649.  
  1650.  
  1651. <p>Faculty who identify as Jewish and those who do research on the Middle East, antisemitism, Islamophobia and related subjects had an equally wide range of views. Some were eager for a more forceful response by the UVM administration — if only to discourage the protesters to raise the ante to greater amounts of escalation.&nbsp;</p>
  1652.  
  1653.  
  1654.  
  1655. <p>Many hungered for other options, ways to educate and negotiate our way out of this campus conflict, and to register criticism of the way Israel is prosecuting the war in Gaza without vilifying Jews as a group, or Israel as a country with a right to exist.</p>
  1656.  
  1657.  
  1658.  
  1659. <p>Two Jews, three opinions. Scores of Jews, scores of opinions. Please, at the very least, let’s not flatten or simplify the story of this moment in UVM’s history and the history of the diverse and flourishing Jewish communities in Vermont.&nbsp;</p>
  1660.  
  1661.  
  1662.  
  1663. <p>Our students and colleagues, and our friends off-campus, have since Oct. 7 experienced a series of unprecedented traumatic events. Many of us are awash in memory, grief, vulnerability and anger, searching in the face of overwhelming emotion for familiar intellectual frames to place around new facts.</p>
  1664.  
  1665.  
  1666.  
  1667. <p>Our plea to the UVM and Vermont communities alike: Can we tread lightly in this painful and confusing time? Turn down the temperature, when we have the chance to, instead of raising it? Believe in the promise of civil debate, including in nonviolent protest and respectful discourse?</p>
  1668.  
  1669.  
  1670.  
  1671. <p>Despite some of the recent rhetoric on campus, we continue to hold out hope that students, faculty and university leaders can turn the painful and confusing events of the past year into more opportunities to do what we do best at a university — learning from each other and the world around us.&nbsp;</p>
  1672. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/felicia-kornbluh-and-matt-vogel-jewish-communities-at-uvm-and-in-vermont-are-diverse/">Felicia Kornbluh and Matt Vogel: Jewish communities at UVM — and in Vermont — are diverse</a>.</p>
  1673. ]]></content:encoded>
  1677. <dc:modified>Thu, 23 May 2024 00:29:44 +0000</dc:modified>
  1678. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582409</post-id> </item>
  1679. <item>
  1680. <title>In Cornwall, newly conserved grasslands are for the birds </title>
  1681. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/in-cornwall-newly-conserved-grasslands-are-for-the-birds/</link>
  1683. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Emma Cotton]]></dc:creator>
  1684. <pubDate>Thu, 23 May 2024 10:01:00 +0000</pubDate>
  1685. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  1686. <category><![CDATA[Vermont Center for Ecostudies]]></category>
  1687. <category><![CDATA[Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department]]></category>
  1688. <category><![CDATA[Vermont Housing and Conservation Board]]></category>
  1689. <category><![CDATA[Vermont Land Trust]]></category>
  1690. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582411</guid>
  1691.  
  1692. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="676" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-1024x676.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Two people hiking on a grassy hill under a cloudy sky. The person in the foreground is wearing a backpack and boots, while the person ahead is also wearing a backpack." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-1024x676.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-300x198.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-1200x792.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-768x507.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-1536x1014.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-2048x1352.jpg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-1568x1035.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-2000x1320.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-400x264.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-706x466.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582049" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/lemon-fair-9-20240516/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Jillian Kilborn, right, and Will Duane, both of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, walk through the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The open area provides habitat for grassland and shrub-dwelling birds. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715867958&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.001&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;lemon-fair-9 20240516&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="lemon-fair-9 20240516" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Jillian Kilborn, right, and Will Duane, both of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, walk through the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The open area provides habitat for grassland and shrub-dwelling birds. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1693. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-1200x792.jpg" /></figure>
  1694. <p>The threatened eastern meadowlark is one of several ground-nesting species that live on the 110-acre parcel, which was recently preserved by the Vermont wildlife department.</p>
  1695. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/in-cornwall-newly-conserved-grasslands-are-for-the-birds/">In Cornwall, newly conserved grasslands are for the birds </a>.</p>
  1696. ]]></description>
  1697. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="676" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-1024x676.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Two people hiking on a grassy hill under a cloudy sky. The person in the foreground is wearing a backpack and boots, while the person ahead is also wearing a backpack." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-1024x676.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-300x198.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-1200x792.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-768x507.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-1536x1014.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-2048x1352.jpg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-1568x1035.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-2000x1320.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-400x264.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-706x466.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582049" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/lemon-fair-9-20240516/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Jillian Kilborn, right, and Will Duane, both of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, walk through the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The open area provides habitat for grassland and shrub-dwelling birds. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715867958&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.001&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;lemon-fair-9 20240516&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="lemon-fair-9 20240516" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Jillian Kilborn, right, and Will Duane, both of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, walk through the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The open area provides habitat for grassland and shrub-dwelling birds. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1698. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-1200x792.jpg" /></figure>
  1699. <figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="792" data-attachment-id="582049" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/lemon-fair-9-20240516/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Jillian Kilborn, right, and Will Duane, both of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, walk through the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The open area provides habitat for grassland and shrub-dwelling birds. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715867958&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.001&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;lemon-fair-9 20240516&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="lemon-fair-9 20240516" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Jillian Kilborn, right, and Will Duane, both of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, walk through the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The open area provides habitat for grassland and shrub-dwelling birds. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1700. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-1200x792.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-1200x792.jpg" alt="Two people hiking on a grassy hill under a cloudy sky. The person in the foreground is wearing a backpack and boots, while the person ahead is also wearing a backpack." class="wp-image-582049" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-1200x792.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-300x198.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-768x507.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-1536x1014.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-2048x1352.jpg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-1024x676.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-1568x1035.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-2000x1320.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-400x264.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-9-20240516-706x466.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jill Kilborn, right, and Will Duane, both of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, walk through the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The open area provides habitat for grassland and shrub-dwelling birds. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger</figcaption></figure>
  1701.  
  1702.  
  1703.  
  1704. <p>CORNWALL — Jill Kilborn spent the morning of May 16 in tall wading boots, roaming the wet, grassy expanses of a newly conserved, 110-acre piece of land and looking for birds.&nbsp;</p>
  1705.  
  1706.  
  1707.  
  1708. <p>An abundant assortment of songbirds made themselves known that morning through a chorus of clicks, chirps and more elaborate melodies. Listening closely, Kilborn deciphered members of the symphony: a wood thrush, a common yellowthroat, a scarlet tanager, a Savannah sparrow.&nbsp;</p>
  1709.  
  1710.  
  1711.  
  1712. <p>“There’s the R2-D2 bird,” said Kilborn, who is the Vermont Fish &amp; Wildlife Department’s nongame bird project leader. She pointed toward a black and white bird with a yellowish cap, fluttering above a meadow. “That’s that weird ‘beloobeloobeloo’ bubbling kind of noise — those are the bobolinks.”</p>
  1713.  
  1714.  
  1715.  
  1716. <p>The Fish &amp; Wildlife Department purchased the property in March from Betty Lou Gorton and partnered with the Vermont Land Trust and the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board to conserve it. It’s now part of the more than 1,600-acre <a href="https://anrmaps.vermont.gov/websites/wma/maps/Lemon%20Fair.pdf">Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area</a>, which sits on the Cornwall-Bridport town line.&nbsp;</p>
  1717.  
  1718.  
  1719.  
  1720. <figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="798" data-attachment-id="582044" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/lemon-fair-4-20240516/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-4-20240516.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1663" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Jillian Kilborn, a bird biologist and project leader with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, investigates a birdcall at the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The newly-enlarged parcel of unbroken open land is home to many grassland and shrub-dwelling bird species. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715870671&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;90&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.001&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;lemon-fair-4 20240516&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="lemon-fair-4 20240516" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Jillian Kilborn, a bird biologist and project leader with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, investigates a birdcall at the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The newly-enlarged parcel of unbroken open land is home to many grassland and shrub-dwelling bird species. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1721. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-4-20240516-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-4-20240516-1200x798.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-4-20240516-1200x798.jpg" alt="Person wearing a life jacket uses binoculars in a grassy field under a partially cloudy sky." class="wp-image-582044" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-4-20240516-1200x798.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-4-20240516-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-4-20240516-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-4-20240516-768x511.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-4-20240516-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-4-20240516-2048x1362.jpg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-4-20240516-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-4-20240516-1568x1043.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-4-20240516-2000x1330.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-4-20240516-400x266.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-4-20240516-706x470.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jill Kilborn, a bird biologist and project leader with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, investigates a birdcall at the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The newly enlarged parcel of unbroken open land is home to many grassland and shrub-dwelling bird species. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger</figcaption></figure>
  1722.  
  1723.  
  1724.  
  1725. <p>The land is open to the public for birdwatching, cross-country skiing, fishing, hiking, hunting and wildlife observation. It features views of the Adirondacks and Addison County’s iconic agricultural hillsides. Big red barns sit on a slope just beyond the boundaries of the wildlife management area.</p>
  1726.  
  1727.  
  1728.  
  1729. <p>But the property serves an important purpose beyond human enjoyment: Conserving it is part of a strategy to attract and protect certain species of grassland birds, which face increasing threats in Vermont.</p>
  1730.  
  1731.  
  1732.  
  1733. <p>Earlier that morning on the Cornwall property, Kilborn had spotted an eastern meadowlark perched on a fence. <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2021/10/06/committee-recommends-adding-new-species-to-vermonts-endangered-threatened-lists/">Listed as a threatened species</a> in Vermont in 2022 — meaning that its population is declining, and, unless protected, could become endangered— the meadowlark faces a number of challenges in Vermont and across the country.&nbsp;</p>
  1734.  
  1735.  
  1736.  
  1737. <figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="792" data-attachment-id="582050" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/lemon-fair-10-20240516/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-10-20240516.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Roz Renfrew, an ecologist and program manager with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, walks through part of the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The state is gathering data at the site to manage a healthy and diverse ecosystem. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715869503&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.001&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;lemon-fair-10 20240516&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="lemon-fair-10 20240516" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Roz Renfrew, an ecologist and program manager with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, walks through part of the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The state is gathering data at the site to manage a healthy and diverse ecosystem. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1738. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-10-20240516-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-10-20240516-1200x792.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-10-20240516-1200x792.jpg" alt="A person walks through a lush green field with trees and a red barn in the background, under a partly cloudy sky." class="wp-image-582050" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-10-20240516-1200x792.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-10-20240516-300x198.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-10-20240516-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-10-20240516-768x507.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-10-20240516-1536x1014.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-10-20240516-2048x1352.jpg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-10-20240516-1024x676.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-10-20240516-1568x1035.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-10-20240516-2000x1320.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-10-20240516-400x264.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-10-20240516-706x466.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Roz Renfrew, an ecologist and program manager with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, walks through part of the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The state is gathering data at the site to manage a healthy and diverse ecosystem. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger</figcaption></figure>
  1739.  
  1740.  
  1741.  
  1742. <p>The New England and Mid-Atlantic population of meadowlarks has declined by more than 95% over the last 50 years, according to the Vermont Center for Ecostudies.&nbsp;</p>
  1743.  
  1744.  
  1745.  
  1746. <p>A member of the blackbird family, the meadowlark is a little bigger than a robin, has a yellow chest marked with a dark V-shape, and makes a slow, whistling call. It lives all over the eastern United States and southeastern Canada, but the birds that breed as far north as Vermont typically travel south for the winter.</p>
  1747.  
  1748.  
  1749.  
  1750. <p>Officials are still finalizing a recovery plan to help meadowlarks and four other grassland species on Vermont’s threatened and endangered list: the upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, sedge wren and Henslow&#8217;s sparrow.&nbsp;</p>
  1751.  
  1752.  
  1753.  
  1754. <p>According to Kevin Tolan, a staff biologist with the Vermont Center for Ecostudies who authored the plan, much of that recovery hinges on finding and appropriately managing a habitat that supports the life cycle of those species. That’s where land like the Lemon Fair management area fits in.</p>
  1755.  
  1756.  
  1757.  
  1758. <figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="792" data-attachment-id="582048" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/lemon-fair-8-20240516/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-8-20240516.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Will Duane, a land acquisition coordinator with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, explains how the open land of the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall helps support a diverse ecosystem on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715867016&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.001&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;lemon-fair-8 20240516&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="lemon-fair-8 20240516" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Will Duane, a land acquisition coordinator with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, explains how the open land of the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall helps support a diverse ecosystem on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1759. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-8-20240516-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-8-20240516-1200x792.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-8-20240516-1200x792.jpg" alt="A person in outdoor gear stands in a green field pointing towards the distance, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background." class="wp-image-582048" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-8-20240516-1200x792.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-8-20240516-300x198.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-8-20240516-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-8-20240516-768x507.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-8-20240516-1536x1014.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-8-20240516-2048x1352.jpg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-8-20240516-1024x676.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-8-20240516-1568x1035.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-8-20240516-2000x1320.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-8-20240516-400x264.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-8-20240516-706x466.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Will Duane, a land acquisition coordinator with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, explains how the open land of the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall helps support a diverse ecosystem on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger</figcaption></figure>
  1760.  
  1761.  
  1762.  
  1763. <p>The new parcel of state land includes an array of habitats — patches of forest, a river, brushy areas and active agricultural fields, which create different types of grasslands. Meadowlarks prefer grasslands that are actively grazed by cows, because the grasses vary in structure.&nbsp;</p>
  1764.  
  1765.  
  1766.  
  1767. <p>“A lot of people don&#8217;t realize: Just like we manage our forests for diverse, complex structure, grasslands are the same way,” Kilborn said.&nbsp;</p>
  1768.  
  1769.  
  1770.  
  1771. <p>After European settlers clear cut most of Vermont’s land in the 1800s to make way for farmland, grassland birds found a home in fields that had previously been forest. Although the state once had natural grassland habitat before it was clearcut, scientists don’t have clear records to show which grassland birds lived in Vermont then, according to the Fish &amp; Wildlife Department.&nbsp;</p>
  1772.  
  1773.  
  1774.  
  1775. <p>Either way, Vermont’s agricultural fields have become an increasingly important refuge for them as similar habitats in the Midwest have been lost to more intensive, monoculture agricultural practices.&nbsp;</p>
  1776.  
  1777.  
  1778.  
  1779. <p>“We&#8217;ve lost so much across their range that at this point, every acre counts,” Kilborn said. “And Vermont can contribute to it because we have that rich agricultural history.”</p>
  1780.  
  1781.  
  1782.  
  1783. <figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="798" data-attachment-id="582047" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/lemon-fair-7-20240516/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-7-20240516.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1663" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;The Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall includes rolling grasslands that descend to a riparian corridor created by the Lemon Fair River. Seen on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715866010&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;560&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.001&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;lemon-fair-7 20240516&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="lemon-fair-7 20240516" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall includes rolling grasslands that descend to a riparian corridor created by the Lemon Fair River. Seen on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1784. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-7-20240516-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-7-20240516-1200x798.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-7-20240516-1200x798.jpg" alt="A lush green field with scattered trees is surrounded by a dense forest. Sunlight creates bright patches on the grass, while more trees and a few buildings are visible in the background." class="wp-image-582047" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-7-20240516-1200x798.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-7-20240516-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-7-20240516-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-7-20240516-768x511.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-7-20240516-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-7-20240516-2048x1362.jpg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-7-20240516-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-7-20240516-1568x1043.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-7-20240516-2000x1330.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-7-20240516-400x266.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-7-20240516-706x470.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall includes rolling grasslands that descend to a riparian corridor created by the Lemon Fair River. Seen on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger</figcaption></figure>
  1785.  
  1786.  
  1787.  
  1788. <p>Grassland birds are caught in a tricky spot: Their success in Vermont depends on a specific type of human management. If the work is not timed precisely, the birds are threatened by the very practices that create their habitat. In particular, grassland birds such as the meadowlark and the bobolink nest in the grass, and those nests run the risk of being destroyed when farmers hay the fields.&nbsp;</p>
  1789.  
  1790.  
  1791.  
  1792. <p>Vermont has lost a lot of its agricultural land to development, and farmers are mowing more frequently and earlier in the spring, which increases the risk to nests, according to Tolan.</p>
  1793.  
  1794.  
  1795.  
  1796. <p>“People are haying like 10 days earlier than they had, but because they base their yearly rhythm around the sun and the solar period, the birds are returning at the same time,” Tolan said. “And so we&#8217;re starting to see a mismatch in how the management has occurred in the past and how it&#8217;s occurring now.”</p>
  1797.  
  1798.  
  1799.  
  1800. <p>Also, invasive plants have crept into the fields, and their presence is likely impacting the birds, though scientists don’t know to what extent, Tolan said. He’s also concerned that birds might be eating seeds coated with neonicotinoids, a pesticide used to protect crops such as corn and soy from pests. <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/20/scott-vetoes-bill-that-would-ban-some-uses-of-pollinator-harming-pesticides/">Legislation is pending in Vermont</a> that would ban some uses of the seeds, but farmers in many parts of the country use the pesticides, including some states where the birds spend the winter.&nbsp;</p>
  1801.  
  1802.  
  1803.  
  1804. <div data-carousel-extra='{"blog_id":1,"permalink":"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/2024\/05\/23\/in-cornwall-newly-conserved-grasslands-are-for-the-birds\/"}'  class="wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery alignwide is-style-rectangular"><div class=""><div class="tiled-gallery__gallery"><div class="tiled-gallery__row"><div class="tiled-gallery__col" style="flex-basis:66.79325%"><figure class="tiled-gallery__item"><img decoding="async" data-attachment-id="582046" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/lemon-fair-6-20240516/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-6-20240516.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;A view to the west of a curve in Route 74 from the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715865283&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;180&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.002&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;lemon-fair-6 20240516&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="lemon-fair-6 20240516" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;A view to the west of a curve in Route 74 from the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1805. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-6-20240516-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-6-20240516-1200x792.jpg" data-attachment-id="582046" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/lemon-fair-6-20240516/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-6-20240516.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;A view to the west of a curve in Route 74 from the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715865283&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;180&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.002&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;lemon-fair-6 20240516&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="lemon-fair-6 20240516" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;A view to the west of a curve in Route 74 from the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1806. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-6-20240516-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-6-20240516-1200x792.jpg" srcset="https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-6-20240516-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-6-20240516-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-6-20240516-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-6-20240516-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1500&#038;ssl=1 1500w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-6-20240516-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1800&#038;ssl=1 1800w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-6-20240516-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=2000&#038;ssl=1 2000w" alt="A rural landscape featuring a winding road flanked by fields, leading to buildings including a white house and a church, with mountains in the background." data-height="1650" data-id="582046" data-link="https://vtdigger.org/lemon-fair-6-20240516/" data-url="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-6-20240516-1200x792.jpg" data-width="2500" src="https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-6-20240516-1200x792.jpg?ssl=1" data-amp-layout="responsive"/></figure></div><div class="tiled-gallery__col" style="flex-basis:33.20675%"><figure class="tiled-gallery__item"><img decoding="async" data-attachment-id="582045" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/lemon-fair-5-20240516/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-5-20240516.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Will Duane, a land acquisition coordinator with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, walks into the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The state has recently purchased land abutting the WMA which has created a larger habitat for species that prefer open land. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715864698&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;lemon-fair-5 20240516&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="lemon-fair-5 20240516" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Will Duane, a land acquisition coordinator with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, walks into the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The state has recently purchased land abutting the WMA which has created a larger habitat for species that prefer open land. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1807. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-5-20240516-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-5-20240516-1200x792.jpg" data-attachment-id="582045" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/lemon-fair-5-20240516/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-5-20240516.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6_2&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Will Duane, a land acquisition coordinator with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, walks into the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The state has recently purchased land abutting the WMA which has created a larger habitat for species that prefer open land. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715864698&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;lemon-fair-5 20240516&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="lemon-fair-5 20240516" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Will Duane, a land acquisition coordinator with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, walks into the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The state has recently purchased land abutting the WMA which has created a larger habitat for species that prefer open land. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1808. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-5-20240516-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-5-20240516-1200x792.jpg" srcset="https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-5-20240516-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-5-20240516-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-5-20240516-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-5-20240516-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1500&#038;ssl=1 1500w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-5-20240516-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1800&#038;ssl=1 1800w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-5-20240516-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=2000&#038;ssl=1 2000w" alt="A man in a dark green shirt and grey pants walks through a grassy field toward distant trees and hills under a cloudy sky." data-height="1650" data-id="582045" data-link="https://vtdigger.org/lemon-fair-5-20240516/" data-url="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-5-20240516-1200x792.jpg" data-width="2500" src="https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-5-20240516-1200x792.jpg?ssl=1" data-amp-layout="responsive"/></figure><figure class="tiled-gallery__item"><img decoding="async" data-attachment-id="582042" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/lemon-fair-2-20240516/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-2-20240516.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Farmer Eugene Ethier discusses how he has adapted his land use practices as part of the effort to create a more diverse ecosystem at the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715869905&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;lemon-fair-2 20240516&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="lemon-fair-2 20240516" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Farmer Eugene Ethier discusses how he has adapted his land use practices as part of the effort to create a more diverse ecosystem at the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1809. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-2-20240516-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-2-20240516-1200x792.jpg" data-attachment-id="582042" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/lemon-fair-2-20240516/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-2-20240516.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Farmer Eugene Ethier discusses how he has adapted his land use practices as part of the effort to create a more diverse ecosystem at the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715869905&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;lemon-fair-2 20240516&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="lemon-fair-2 20240516" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Farmer Eugene Ethier discusses how he has adapted his land use practices as part of the effort to create a more diverse ecosystem at the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1810. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-2-20240516-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-2-20240516-1200x792.jpg" srcset="https://i2.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-2-20240516-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https://i2.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-2-20240516-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https://i2.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-2-20240516-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w,https://i2.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-2-20240516-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1500&#038;ssl=1 1500w,https://i2.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-2-20240516-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1800&#038;ssl=1 1800w,https://i2.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-2-20240516-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=2000&#038;ssl=1 2000w" alt="Close-up of an elderly man with short white hair and a rugged face, gesturing with hands at face level while outdoors. He wears a dark shirt, and the background is blurred with greenery." data-height="1650" data-id="582042" data-link="https://vtdigger.org/lemon-fair-2-20240516/" data-url="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-2-20240516-1200x792.jpg" data-width="2500" src="https://i2.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-2-20240516-1200x792.jpg?ssl=1" data-amp-layout="responsive"/></figure></div></div><div class="tiled-gallery__row"><div class="tiled-gallery__col" style="flex-basis:100.00000%"><figure class="tiled-gallery__item"><img decoding="async" data-attachment-id="582043" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/lemon-fair-3-20240516/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-3-20240516.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Jillian Kilborn, a bird biologist and project leader with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, wears a variety of pens at the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The newly-enlarged parcel of unbroken open land is home to many grassland and shrub-dwelling bird species. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715870417&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;125&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.002&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;lemon-fair-3 20240516&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="lemon-fair-3 20240516" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Jillian Kilborn, a bird biologist and project leader with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, wears a variety of pens at the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The newly-enlarged parcel of unbroken open land is home to many grassland and shrub-dwelling bird species. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1811. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-3-20240516-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-3-20240516-1200x792.jpg" data-attachment-id="582043" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/lemon-fair-3-20240516/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-3-20240516.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Jillian Kilborn, a bird biologist and project leader with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, wears a variety of pens at the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The newly-enlarged parcel of unbroken open land is home to many grassland and shrub-dwelling bird species. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715870417&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;125&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.002&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;lemon-fair-3 20240516&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="lemon-fair-3 20240516" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Jillian Kilborn, a bird biologist and project leader with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, wears a variety of pens at the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The newly-enlarged parcel of unbroken open land is home to many grassland and shrub-dwelling bird species. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1812. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-3-20240516-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-3-20240516-1200x792.jpg" srcset="https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-3-20240516-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-3-20240516-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-3-20240516-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-3-20240516-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1500&#038;ssl=1 1500w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-3-20240516-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1800&#038;ssl=1 1800w,https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-3-20240516-1200x792.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=2000&#038;ssl=1 2000w" alt="Close-up of an orangish work vest with pens, markers, and a piece of rope secured in the front pocket. The vest has paint stains, a small tear, and black straps. The person is wearing a light-colored shirt." data-height="1650" data-id="582043" data-link="https://vtdigger.org/lemon-fair-3-20240516/" data-url="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-3-20240516-1200x792.jpg" data-width="2500" src="https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-3-20240516-1200x792.jpg?ssl=1" data-amp-layout="responsive"/></figure></div></div></div></div></div>
  1813.  
  1814.  
  1815.  
  1816. <p>“And then of course, as agriculture moves out of Vermont, you&#8217;re seeing a lot of these fields reverting back to forest,” Kilborn said.&nbsp;</p>
  1817.  
  1818.  
  1819.  
  1820. <p>Dedicating a field to grassland “could either be really good or really bad for a bird,” Tolan said. If it’s managed in a way that hurts the birds — for example, by cutting hay while the birds are nesting — it could act as a “sink,” drawing birds to the area only to hurt their population.&nbsp;</p>
  1821.  
  1822.  
  1823.  
  1824. <p>The Fish &amp; Wildlife Department licenses farmers who manage grasslands at the state’s wildlife management areas, said Will Duane, land acquisition coordinator for the department.&nbsp;</p>
  1825.  
  1826.  
  1827.  
  1828. <p>“It works nicely with folks who are nearby and need the pasture,” he said.&nbsp;</p>
  1829.  
  1830.  
  1831.  
  1832. <p>In Cornwall, farmer Eugene Ethier manages the land in the wildlife management area in partnership with the department. Ethier, whose farm abuts the state land and whose family has been farming the land for generations, coordinates with the department to time his hay harvest so it won’t damage nests.&nbsp;</p>
  1833.  
  1834.  
  1835.  
  1836. <figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="792" data-attachment-id="582041" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/lemon-fair-1-20240516/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-1-20240516.jpg" data-orig-size="2500,1650" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON Z 6&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Farmer Eugene Ethier discusses how he has adapted his land use practices as part of the effort to create a more diverse ecosystem at the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1715869490&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Glenn Russell&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;70&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;125&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.002&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;lemon-fair-1 20240516&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="lemon-fair-1 20240516" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Farmer Eugene Ethier discusses how he has adapted his land use practices as part of the effort to create a more diverse ecosystem at the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  1837. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-1-20240516-300x198.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-1-20240516-1200x792.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-1-20240516-1200x792.jpg" alt="An older man sits in an off-road vehicle, holding the frame, while another person stands beside him talking. They are outdoors with greenery in the background." class="wp-image-582041" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-1-20240516-1200x792.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-1-20240516-300x198.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-1-20240516-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-1-20240516-768x507.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-1-20240516-1536x1014.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-1-20240516-2048x1352.jpg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-1-20240516-1024x676.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-1-20240516-1568x1035.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-1-20240516-2000x1320.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-1-20240516-400x264.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/lemon-fair-1-20240516-706x466.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Farmer Eugene Ethier discusses how he has adapted his land use practices as part of the effort to create a more diverse ecosystem at the Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area in Cornwall on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger</figcaption></figure>
  1838.  
  1839.  
  1840.  
  1841. <p>Many grassland birds stay “very, very close to their natal site,” Tolan said. “They come back to the same field year after year. So if you have a big field like that, that&#8217;s managed long term in a bird-friendly manner, it will create a source population that will basically feed the entire area.”</p>
  1842. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/in-cornwall-newly-conserved-grasslands-are-for-the-birds/">In Cornwall, newly conserved grasslands are for the birds </a>.</p>
  1843. ]]></content:encoded>
  1847. <dc:modified>Thu, 23 May 2024 18:21:04 +0000</dc:modified>
  1848. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582411</post-id> </item>
  1849. <item>
  1850. <title>Child care program directors and owners: Act 76 is leading to newfound stability for child care programs and families</title>
  1851. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/child-care-program-directors-and-owners-act-76-is-leading-to-newfound-stability-for-child-care-programs-and-families/</link>
  1853. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Opinion]]></dc:creator>
  1854. <pubDate>Thu, 23 May 2024 10:01:00 +0000</pubDate>
  1855. <category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
  1856. <category><![CDATA[Act 76]]></category>
  1857. <category><![CDATA[Commentaries]]></category>
  1858. <category><![CDATA[Opinion Legislature 2024]]></category>
  1859. <category><![CDATA[pandemic]]></category>
  1860. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582407</guid>
  1861.  
  1862. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="768" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-1024x768.png" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Commentaries: opinion pieces by community members." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-1024x768.png 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-300x225.png 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-125x94.png 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-768x576.png 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-800x600.png?crop=1 800w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-600x450.png?crop=1 600w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-400x300.png?crop=1 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-200x150.png?crop=1 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-706x530.png 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="574028" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/commentaries_1200x900/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png" data-orig-size="1200,900" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Commentaries_1200x900" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Commentaries logo for featured image&lt;/p&gt;
  1863. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-300x225.png" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png" /></figure>
  1864. <p>Our programs are expanding, increasing compensation for our staff and in some instances, offering health insurance and other employee benefits for the first time. </p>
  1865. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/child-care-program-directors-and-owners-act-76-is-leading-to-newfound-stability-for-child-care-programs-and-families/">Child care program directors and owners: Act 76 is leading to newfound stability for child care programs and families</a>.</p>
  1866. ]]></description>
  1867. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="768" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-1024x768.png" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Commentaries: opinion pieces by community members." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-1024x768.png 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-300x225.png 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-125x94.png 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-768x576.png 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-800x600.png?crop=1 800w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-600x450.png?crop=1 600w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-400x300.png?crop=1 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-200x150.png?crop=1 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-706x530.png 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="574028" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/commentaries_1200x900/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png" data-orig-size="1200,900" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Commentaries_1200x900" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Commentaries logo for featured image&lt;/p&gt;
  1868. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-300x225.png" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png" /></figure>
  1869. <p><em>This commentary is by 15 child care program directors and owners from across the state. They are listed below the text of the commentary.</em></p>
  1870.  
  1871.  
  1872. <div class="wp-block-image">
  1873. <figure class="alignright size-medium"><a href="https://vtdigger.org/tag/commentaries/"><img decoding="async" width="300" height="67" data-attachment-id="570577" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/?attachment_id=570577" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1.png" data-orig-size="512,114" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Commentaries_vtd" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-300x67.png" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1.png" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-300x67.png" alt="" class="wp-image-570577" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-300x67.png 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-125x28.png 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-400x89.png 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1.png 512w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></figure></div>
  1874.  
  1875.  
  1876. <p>Last year, we came together as child care program owners and early childhood educators from around Vermont to <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2023/05/09/37-child-care-center-leaders-over-100-programs-could-close-in-the-next-year/">sound the alarm on the dire state of Vermont’s child care system</a>. Pandemic-era federal funding was running out, and we were facing the impossible decisions of drastically raising tuition for families that already struggled with the cost, decreasing capacity, or closing our programs altogether. We needed the Vermont Legislature to act — and it did.</p>
  1877.  
  1878.  
  1879.  
  1880. <p>Today, we write again about Vermont’s child care system, but from a place of greater hope and confidence.</p>
  1881.  
  1882.  
  1883.  
  1884. <p>Last spring, Vermonters came together from across all backgrounds and political affiliations to call on our lawmakers to provide much-needed public investment in our child care system. Our legislators listened and took bold action passing Vermont’s newest child care law, now called <a href="https://dcf.vermont.gov/cdd/laws-rules/h.217">Act 76</a>, in June 2023, and its implementation is successfully underway.</p>
  1885.  
  1886.  
  1887.  
  1888. <p>Thanks to this public investment in our programs, Vermont is now a leader in the nation on child care. Last fall, our programs began receiving readiness payments to help us stabilize. Then in January, the state rolled out the first long-term funding as part of the new law — increased reimbursement rates to programs. We are already seeing the results of all this new funding: Our <a href="https://www.wcax.com/2023/10/25/advocates-say-125m-law-is-easing-vermonts-child-care-crisis/">programs are expanding</a>, increasing compensation for our staff and in some instances, <a href="https://hardwickgazette.org/2024/03/25/child-care-center-expands-to-cabot/">offering health insurance and other employee benefits for the first time</a>. In some of our communities, we are even seeing <a href="https://www.samessenger.com/news/business/state-investments-to-help-build-spark-academy-new-child-care-center-in-swanton/article_82ab78a2-f841-11ee-9f88-a7d4557756ef.html">new programs open</a> to meet the demand for quality child care.</p>
  1889.  
  1890.  
  1891.  
  1892. <p>Earlier this month, the state expanded eligibility for child care tuition assistance for more children and their families, and a larger expansion is coming in October. By the end of 2024, thousands more children and their families may be eligible for free or reduced tuition. We encourage all Vermont parents of young children to <a href="https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/ccfap">look into whether they qualify</a> for child care tuition assistance!</p>
  1893.  
  1894.  
  1895.  
  1896. <p>New, sustainable funding from Act 76 is not just impacting child care programs and our youngest children — it’s also having an impact on small businesses and employers across the state. Improving access to child care allows parents to reenter the workforce.</p>
  1897.  
  1898.  
  1899.  
  1900. <p>While this tremendous progress is something to celebrate, it’s also clear that we have more work ahead of us. Act 76 proves that solving our state’s child care crisis is within our reach, but there’s more to do to reach our shared vision of quality, affordable child care for all of Vermont’s children. We thank our lawmakers for their precedent-setting work on child care and look forward to continuing to work together in the years ahead to fully realize the potential of a child care system that works for everyone.</p>
  1901.  
  1902.  
  1903.  
  1904. <p><em>Brit Quell is the owner and program director of Signal Pine Playschool in Putney; Suzy Coutermarsh is the owner of Suzy&#8217;s Little Peanuts in Springfield; Staci Otis is the owner of Little Allstars in Springfield; Sithembiso Muhlauri is the owner and director of Tee&#8217;s Little Stars Child Care and Preschool in White River Junction; Christina Nelson is the owner of Mountain View Child Care in Troy; Beth Workman is the executive director of Robin’s Nest Children’s Center in Burlington; Taylor Brink is the executive director of ABC and LOL Child Care Center and Preschool in St Johnsbury; Lisa LaBelle is the owner of ABC Academy in Milton; Linda January is the executive director of Otter Creek Child Center in Middlebury; Trish Scharf is the executive director of Children Unlimited in Williston; Christina Goodwin is the executive director of Pine Forest Children’s Center in Burlington; Tessa Dearborn is the executive director of Red Clover Children’s Center in Middlebury; Tammie AB Hazlett is the owner of Tammie’s Early Care and Education in Thetford; Nicole Walker is the director of Apple Tree Learning Centers Early Education Facility in Stowe; and Alyson Ruby Grzyb is the director of Bennington Early Childhood Center in Bennington.</em></p>
  1905. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/23/child-care-program-directors-and-owners-act-76-is-leading-to-newfound-stability-for-child-care-programs-and-families/">Child care program directors and owners: Act 76 is leading to newfound stability for child care programs and families</a>.</p>
  1906. ]]></content:encoded>
  1910. <dc:modified>Thu, 23 May 2024 00:16:33 +0000</dc:modified>
  1911. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582407</post-id> </item>
  1912. <item>
  1913. <title>Vermont search and rescues are rising — and first responders fear more people are headed out unprepared</title>
  1914. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/vermont-search-and-rescues-are-rising-and-first-responders-fear-more-people-are-headed-out-unprepared/</link>
  1916. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Lauryn Katz]]></dc:creator>
  1917. <pubDate>Thu, 23 May 2024 01:56:44 +0000</pubDate>
  1918. <category><![CDATA[Public Safety]]></category>
  1919. <category><![CDATA[COVID-19]]></category>
  1920. <category><![CDATA[Killington Resort]]></category>
  1921. <category><![CDATA[pandemic]]></category>
  1922. <category><![CDATA[Vermont Department of Health]]></category>
  1923. <category><![CDATA[Vermont Department of Public Safety]]></category>
  1924. <category><![CDATA[Vermont Legislative Joint Fiscal Office]]></category>
  1925. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582421</guid>
  1926.  
  1927. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="576" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-1024x576.jpeg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A rescuer in a red jacket and white helmet is carrying a person on a stretcher up a rock cliff near a flowing waterfall." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-1200x675.jpeg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-125x70.jpeg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-400x225.jpeg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-706x397.jpeg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue.jpeg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582422" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/stowe-mountain-rescue/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue.jpeg" data-orig-size="1280,720" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Stowe-Mountain-Rescue" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;A member of Stowe Mountain Rescue with a person in a litter, a type of stretcher. Photo courtesy Stowe Mountain Rescue&lt;/p&gt;
  1928. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-300x169.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-1200x675.jpeg" /></figure>
  1929. <p>The trend has accelerated since the peak of the pandemic, data shows. More and more people are trekking off-path without being prepared, increasing the danger, say those in the field.</p>
  1930. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/vermont-search-and-rescues-are-rising-and-first-responders-fear-more-people-are-headed-out-unprepared/">Vermont search and rescues are rising — and first responders fear more people are headed out unprepared</a>.</p>
  1931. ]]></description>
  1932. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="576" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-1024x576.jpeg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A rescuer in a red jacket and white helmet is carrying a person on a stretcher up a rock cliff near a flowing waterfall." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-1200x675.jpeg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-125x70.jpeg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-400x225.jpeg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-706x397.jpeg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue.jpeg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582422" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/stowe-mountain-rescue/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue.jpeg" data-orig-size="1280,720" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Stowe-Mountain-Rescue" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;A member of Stowe Mountain Rescue with a person in a litter, a type of stretcher. Photo courtesy Stowe Mountain Rescue&lt;/p&gt;
  1933. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-300x169.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-1200x675.jpeg" /></figure>
  1934. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="675" data-attachment-id="582422" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/stowe-mountain-rescue/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue.jpeg" data-orig-size="1280,720" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Stowe-Mountain-Rescue" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;A member of Stowe Mountain Rescue with a person in a litter, a type of stretcher. Photo courtesy Stowe Mountain Rescue&lt;/p&gt;
  1935. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-300x169.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-1200x675.jpeg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-1200x675.jpeg" alt="A rescuer in a red jacket and white helmet is carrying a person on a stretcher up a rock cliff near a flowing waterfall." class="wp-image-582422" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-1200x675.jpeg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-125x70.jpeg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-400x225.jpeg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-706x397.jpeg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue.jpeg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A member of Stowe Mountain Rescue with a person in a litter, a type of stretcher. Photo courtesy Stowe Mountain Rescue</figcaption></figure>
  1936.  
  1937.  
  1938.  
  1939. <p><em>Lauryn Katz is a reporter with Community News Service, part of the University of Vermont’s Reporting &amp; Documentary Storytelling program.</em></p>
  1940.  
  1941.  
  1942.  
  1943. <p>At any moment Drew Clymer could be pulled out of rest or running errands to answer the phone and listen to the anxious voice of a hiker on the other end, lost with daylight fading.&nbsp;</p>
  1944.  
  1945.  
  1946.  
  1947. <p>Say the hiker is in good shape, has the right gear. Clymer grabs the handle of his rugged laptop and starts inputting the coordinates he receives from the caller on a map. A red dot pops up on the screen, and Clymer immediately knows where they are. He might just know every trail in all of northern Vermont.</p>
  1948.  
  1949.  
  1950.  
  1951. <p>Clymer starts to orient the lost hiker and gives them directions. Every 20 minutes, the pair regroups on the phone, and Clymer updates the map with a new red dot. With each inch Clymer’s marker moves closer to the parking lot on the map, he feels confident the hiker will get home safe.&nbsp;</p>
  1952.  
  1953.  
  1954.  
  1955. <p>Sometimes it’s as simple as virtually holding someone’s hand for Clymer, search and rescue coordinator for the Vermont Department of Public Safety. His job is to field calls and send rescuers from different departments to help those in need. Other days entail lengthy, multi-unit rescues with complex maneuvers in treacherous conditions.&nbsp;</p>
  1956.  
  1957.  
  1958.  
  1959. <p>And Clymer fears those hard days are on the uptick.</p>
  1960.  
  1961.  
  1962.  
  1963. <p>The number of search and rescue incidents in Vermont rose 41% from 100 in 2015 to 141 in 2023, according to public safety department data obtained by Community News Service. More and more people are trekking off-path without being prepared, putting themselves and first responders in danger, say those in the field.</p>
  1964.  
  1965.  
  1966.  
  1967. <p>The trend has accelerated since the peak of the pandemic, the records show. From 2015 to 2019, the trendline stayed relatively stable, with the number of cases each year not straying far from 100, according to the data. From 2020 to 2023, the difference between case numbers each year grew more pronounced, going from 88 to 131 to 115 to 141 — a 60% increase over the span, the records show.&nbsp;</p>
  1968.  
  1969.  
  1970.  
  1971. <p>Much of the rise can be pinned to increases in the number of routine rescue cases — such as when someone strays from a trail and doesn’t know how to get back. Between 2015 and 2020, Vermont averaged about 68 of those calls per year, the records show. But in 2021 that figure skyrocketed to 103, according to the data. There hasn’t been less than 90 cases a year since.&nbsp;</p>
  1972.  
  1973.  
  1974.  
  1975. <p>Stella Richards, education outreach coordinator for Stowe Mountain Rescue, a team formed by the town, recalls just how much urgency people had to escape their quarantine loneliness by retreating into the backcountry. Shops sold out of mountain bikes and backcountry ski gear with little to no resupply at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, she said. And now?</p>
  1976.  
  1977.  
  1978.  
  1979. <p>“There’s a whole load of toys out there that people are now going to start playing with,” Richards said. For now, Richards hasn’t seen it play out to the extent she expected, probably due to low snowpack in Vermont these past two years. Still, a shorter-term bump in the number of people needing rescue may be on the horizon.</p>
  1980.  
  1981.  
  1982.  
  1983. <p>Population trends could make that more likely, too. According to the Vermont Legislative Joint Fiscal Office, the state gained over 14,000 new residents in 2021. Accounting for residents who left the state, the net gain that year was around 4,100 people.</p>
  1984.  
  1985.  
  1986.  
  1987. <p>Clymer, who along with his state job serves as deputy chief to the Stowe rescue team, said rescuers are seeing vast unpreparedness everywhere from well-known hiking spots to the backsides of ski resorts.&nbsp;</p>
  1988.  
  1989.  
  1990.  
  1991. <p>“There is a trend towards people being less prepared and finding themselves needing help,” he said.</p>
  1992.  
  1993.  
  1994.  
  1995. <p>Because Stowe Mountain Rescue team members are highly trained in technical rescue, they respond to roughly three times the number of calls as any other rescue team in Vermont, according to Clymer. From its founding in 1980 up to 2020, the team hovered around 17 to 20 calls a year, he said. In 2020, that number shot into the 40s and has climbed in the years since, he said.&nbsp;</p>
  1996.  
  1997.  
  1998.  
  1999. <p>Search and rescue authorities divide calls into two classes: cases where rescuers know where the person is and cases where they do not.</p>
  2000.  
  2001.  
  2002.  
  2003. <p>When someone’s whereabouts are unknown, all hands are on deck. Troops are pulled out of sleep, off the roads and back from vacation. Game wardens become available, and first responders are notified. For the most part, these calls involve people with known medical conditions and those who are very young or old.&nbsp;</p>
  2004.  
  2005.  
  2006.  
  2007. <p>Calls where rescuers know the subject’s location are widely more common.&nbsp; Every year since 2016, the number of this kind of rescue has been more than double that of cases involving missing people, according to state data.</p>
  2008.  
  2009.  
  2010.  
  2011. <p>When Clymer takes a call from someone in need, he tries to identify the gravity of the situation by asking questions about age, clothing, equipment, weather conditions and how many people need help. The survey is important, he said, to prevent rescuer fatigue and treat each case individually.&nbsp;</p>
  2012.  
  2013.  
  2014.  
  2015. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="900" data-attachment-id="582423" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/stowe-mountain-rescue-2/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-2.jpeg" data-orig-size="2048,1536" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Members of Stowe Mountain Rescue performing a rescue during an evaluation in March 2024. Photo courtesy Stowe Mountain Rescue&lt;/p&gt;
  2016. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-2-300x225.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-2-1200x900.jpeg?crop=1" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-2-1200x900.jpeg?crop=1" alt="Three rescuers in red jackets carry a person on a stretcher up a snowy slope with rocky terrain and trees in the background." class="wp-image-582423" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-2-1200x900.jpeg?crop=1 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-2-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-2-125x94.jpeg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-2-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-2-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-2-800x600.jpeg?crop=1 800w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-2-600x450.jpeg?crop=1 600w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-2-400x300.jpeg?crop=1 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-2-200x150.jpeg?crop=1 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-2-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-2-1568x1176.jpeg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-2-2000x1500.jpeg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-2-706x530.jpeg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stowe-Mountain-Rescue-2.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Members of Stowe Mountain Rescue performing a rescue during an evaluation in March 2024. Photo courtesy Stowe Mountain Rescue</figcaption></figure>
  2017.  
  2018.  
  2019.  
  2020. <p>Incidents usually involve more than one person. This year, close to 100 people needed help out of 40 rescue incidents Clymer had recorded as of early May. Of the people who are lost and not part of a vulnerable population, recreationalists make up a large majority.</p>
  2021.  
  2022.  
  2023.  
  2024. <p>Many of those recreationalists found themselves at the backside of Killington Resort in Brewers Brook, more than 2 miles from any access road. In January, Clymer received multiple calls a week from folks who needed assistance getting out of relatively similar spots, including a group of 23 on Jan. 20.</p>
  2025.  
  2026.  
  2027.  
  2028. <p>Most ski rescue calls come from Killington and Stowe, said Clymer, as they are the most popular mountains for tourists to enjoy fresh powder on the backside.</p>
  2029.  
  2030.  
  2031.  
  2032. <p>Once the snow finally came at the start of this year, Clymer said he received 13 calls in one weekend — all from Stowe and Killington. They weren’t calls from experienced backcountry skiers. Instead, the calls came from resort-goers who had skied out of bounds.&nbsp;</p>
  2033.  
  2034.  
  2035.  
  2036. <p>Clymer said that at Killington, it is as easy as taking a lift up and then ducking a few ropes. That’s what happened with the group of 23 rescued in January, who violated policy and ignored signs, a rep from Killington Ski Resort told media at the time.</p>
  2037.  
  2038.  
  2039.  
  2040. <p>What skiers like those don’t realize, said Clymer, is that once they duck the ropes, they are stuck in a back bowl miles from the nearest access road.&nbsp;</p>
  2041.  
  2042.  
  2043.  
  2044. <p>“They just don’t realize that a mile from a road is just like it was 200 years ago — and cold and dark and nobody’s around,” Clymer said.&nbsp;</p>
  2045.  
  2046.  
  2047.  
  2048. <p>Another thing most aren’t aware of is just how long it takes rescuers to reach those in need, who may not be prepared for the delay.</p>
  2049.  
  2050.  
  2051.  
  2052. <p>“A lot of people think we’re going to drop out of a helicopter and they won’t miss their dinner reservation,” Clymer said. Too many show a lack of respect for the conditions, remoteness and harsh weather as well, he said.</p>
  2053.  
  2054.  
  2055.  
  2056. <p>From 2009 to 2018, an average of four people a year died from exposure to cold air or water, according to a 2021 report from the Vermont Department of Health, not including those who fell through ice and drowned. Between 2012 and 2018, there was an average of 110 cold-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits, the report says.</p>
  2057.  
  2058.  
  2059.  
  2060. <p>Hypothermia is a risk throughout the year, not just in winter months, Richards said. It can sneak up on people during the shoulder seasons — when it seems warmer than it is — if you get wet from rainfall and night sets in, Richards said. That’s why a dry base layer and some form of protection against the elements are key items in her pack no matter the time of year.&nbsp;</p>
  2061.  
  2062.  
  2063.  
  2064. <p>A source of light, first aid kit, a spare power bank, food, water and warmth are other essentials Richards urges people to bring on every trip.&nbsp;</p>
  2065.  
  2066.  
  2067.  
  2068. <p>“Carrying certain pieces of equipment not only makes you safe, but it also turns you into a resource,” Richards said.&nbsp;</p>
  2069.  
  2070.  
  2071.  
  2072. <p>Clymer said agencies in Vermont don’t charge for rescue. Most people rescued by the Stowe Mountain agency make a donation after, Richards said.&nbsp;</p>
  2073.  
  2074.  
  2075.  
  2076. <p>But some people think those whose recklessness gets them stranded should pay up.</p>
  2077.  
  2078.  
  2079.  
  2080. <p>Back in February, the East Burke Volunteer Fire Brigade suffered mechanical failures while trying to free a vehicle stuck in over 3 feet of snow up by the abandoned radar base in East Haven. Many community members took to their keyboards to push for charging the trio. So did someone from the brigade.</p>
  2081.  
  2082.  
  2083.  
  2084. <p>A post from the group’s Facebook page said the crew would only support rescues when requested by an emergency agency or someone involved was suffering from a medical issue or injury. “Any rescues made that are found to be of willful ignorance or disregard, the individuals will be responsible for the cost of the recovery. The taxpayers should not hold the burden of others&#8217; ignorance,” the post read. (Town administrator Jim Sullivan said the local agency would still respond to any incident.)</p>
  2085.  
  2086.  
  2087.  
  2088. <p>New Hampshire has been asking negligent hikers to repay the cost of their rescue since 2008 and is one of the few states that does so. Every year, authorities there send roughly 6% of the hikers they rescue a bill, citing negligence or a lack of preparation, according to Backpacker magazine.</p>
  2089.  
  2090.  
  2091.  
  2092. <p>But Richards said charging for rescue might make people hesitate to call for help, leading to dangerous emergencies that could have been prevented.</p>
  2093.  
  2094.  
  2095.  
  2096. <p>“If people know that they’re going to face a bill, they are going to think twice before calling,” Richards said.&nbsp;</p>
  2097.  
  2098.  
  2099.  
  2100. <p>Clymer and Richards both stressed the importance of creating a judgment-free zone to break the stigma around seeking help. About once a week, Clymer is on the phone with someone who has lost the trail, giving them verbal instructions on how to get out safely. In these fairly simple rescues, something could easily go wrong if the person in need waits to call.&nbsp;</p>
  2101.  
  2102.  
  2103.  
  2104. <p>“The earlier we are involved in a situation that has gone wrong for whatever reason,” said Richards, “the simpler it is.”</p>
  2105.  
  2106.  
  2107.  
  2108. <p><em>The net gain in state residents for 2021 has been added to the story for greater clarity about population trends.</em></p>
  2109. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/vermont-search-and-rescues-are-rising-and-first-responders-fear-more-people-are-headed-out-unprepared/">Vermont search and rescues are rising — and first responders fear more people are headed out unprepared</a>.</p>
  2110. ]]></content:encoded>
  2114. <dc:modified>Fri, 24 May 2024 23:09:42 +0000</dc:modified>
  2115. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582421</post-id> </item>
  2116. <item>
  2117. <title>Vermont Conversation: Journalist Jonathan Mingle on how a rural community defeated a major gas pipeline</title>
  2118. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/journalist-jonathan-mingle-on-how-a-rural-community-defeated-a-major-gas-pipeline/</link>
  2120. <dc:creator><![CDATA[David Goodman]]></dc:creator>
  2121. <pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2024 22:24:57 +0000</pubDate>
  2122. <category><![CDATA[Life & Culture]]></category>
  2123. <category><![CDATA[David Goodman]]></category>
  2124. <category><![CDATA[podcast]]></category>
  2125. <category><![CDATA[Vermont Conversation Podcast]]></category>
  2126. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582402</guid>
  2127.  
  2128. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="768" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-1024x768.png" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A man with a beard and gray hair wears a light blue shirt and stands next to a book cover titled &quot;Gaslight: The Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the Fight for America’s Energy Future&quot; by Jonathan Mingle." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-1024x768.png 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-300x225.png 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-1200x900.png?crop=1 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-125x94.png 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-768x576.png 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-1536x1152.png 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-800x600.png?crop=1 800w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-600x450.png?crop=1 600w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-400x300.png?crop=1 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-200x150.png?crop=1 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-1568x1176.png 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-706x530.png 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle.png 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582403" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/jonathan-mingle/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle.png" data-orig-size="2000,1500" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Jonathan-Mingle" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Jonathan Mingle and his new book, “Gaslight: The Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the Fight for America&#8217;s Energy Future.” Courtesy photos &lt;/p&gt;
  2129. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-300x225.png" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-1200x900.png?crop=1" /></figure>
  2130. <p>The people who fought and won against the Atlantic Coast Pipeline demonstrated that “the most overlooked climate solution is solidarity,” Mingle said.  </p>
  2131. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/journalist-jonathan-mingle-on-how-a-rural-community-defeated-a-major-gas-pipeline/">Vermont Conversation: Journalist Jonathan Mingle on how a rural community defeated a major gas pipeline</a>.</p>
  2132. ]]></description>
  2133. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="768" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-1024x768.png" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A man with a beard and gray hair wears a light blue shirt and stands next to a book cover titled &quot;Gaslight: The Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the Fight for America’s Energy Future&quot; by Jonathan Mingle." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-1024x768.png 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-300x225.png 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-1200x900.png?crop=1 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-125x94.png 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-768x576.png 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-1536x1152.png 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-800x600.png?crop=1 800w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-600x450.png?crop=1 600w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-400x300.png?crop=1 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-200x150.png?crop=1 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-1568x1176.png 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-706x530.png 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle.png 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582403" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/jonathan-mingle/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle.png" data-orig-size="2000,1500" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Jonathan-Mingle" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Jonathan Mingle and his new book, “Gaslight: The Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the Fight for America&#8217;s Energy Future.” Courtesy photos &lt;/p&gt;
  2134. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-300x225.png" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-1200x900.png?crop=1" /></figure><div class="wp-block-image">
  2135. <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="900" data-attachment-id="582403" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/jonathan-mingle/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle.png" data-orig-size="2000,1500" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Jonathan-Mingle" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Jonathan Mingle and his new book, “Gaslight: The Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the Fight for America&#8217;s Energy Future.” Courtesy photos &lt;/p&gt;
  2136. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-300x225.png" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-1200x900.png?crop=1" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-1200x900.png?crop=1" alt="A man with a beard and gray hair wears a light blue shirt and stands next to a book cover titled &quot;Gaslight: The Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the Fight for America’s Energy Future&quot; by Jonathan Mingle." class="wp-image-582403" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-1200x900.png?crop=1 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-300x225.png 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-125x94.png 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-768x576.png 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-1536x1152.png 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-800x600.png?crop=1 800w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-600x450.png?crop=1 600w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-400x300.png?crop=1 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-200x150.png?crop=1 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-1024x768.png 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-1568x1176.png 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle-706x530.png 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Jonathan-Mingle.png 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jonathan Mingle and his new book, “Gaslight: The Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the Fight for America&#8217;s Energy Future.” Courtesy photos </figcaption></figure></div>
  2137.  
  2138.  
  2139. <p><em><a href="https://vtdigger.org/tag/vermont-conversation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Vermont Conversation with David Goodman</a>&nbsp;is a VTDigger podcast that features in-depth interviews on local and national issues with politicians, activists, artists, changemakers and citizens who are making a difference. Listen below, and subscribe on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-vermont-conversation-with-david-goodman-podcast/id1182144448" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.google.com/search/vermont%20conversation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Google Podcasts</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5DDHyNnmYe1BPg78T0Lfac?si=4Mt71pDTRee856Wcmx_LPQ" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spotify</a>&nbsp;to hear more.</em></p>
  2140.  
  2141.  
  2142.  
  2143. <figure class="wp-block-audio"><audio controls src="https://content.blubrry.com/vermontconversation/Jonathan_Mingle_session_mixdown.mp3"></audio></figure>
  2144.  
  2145.  
  2146. <div class="wp-block-image">
  2147. <figure class="alignright size-medium"><a href="https://vtdigger.org/podcasts/vermont-conversation/"><img decoding="async" width="300" height="106" data-attachment-id="523351" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/vermont-conversation-logo/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/vermont-conversation-logo-scaled.jpg" data-orig-size="2560,901" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="vermont-conversation-logo" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;The Vermont Conversation with David Goodman is now a VTDigger podcast.&lt;/p&gt;
  2148. " data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/vermont-conversation-logo-300x106.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/vermont-conversation-logo-610x215.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/vermont-conversation-logo-300x106.jpg" alt="vermont conversation logo" class="wp-image-523351" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/vermont-conversation-logo-300x106.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/vermont-conversation-logo-610x215.jpg 610w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/vermont-conversation-logo-125x44.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/vermont-conversation-logo-768x270.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/vermont-conversation-logo-1536x541.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/vermont-conversation-logo-2048x721.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></figure></div>
  2149.  
  2150.  
  2151. <p>“Imagine one day you receive a letter in the mail that informs you that a large energy company is planning to build a massive pipeline through your property. That surveyors will be coming out soon. That they have the legal right to do so, whether you like it or not, because this project is in the &#8216;public interest.'&#8221;&nbsp;</p>
  2152.  
  2153.  
  2154.  
  2155. <p>That’s how journalist <a href="https://www.jonathanmingle.com/">Jonathan Mingle</a> describes the letter that people in rural Virginia received in 2014 from Dominion Energy, one of the biggest power companies in the country. Dominion was planning to construct the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, which would carry natural gas over some 600 miles. What happened next is not how most David vs. Goliath stories end. People in the rural communities organized, mobilized, and fought back. The battle raged for six years until the pipeline was canceled in 2020.&nbsp;</p>
  2156.  
  2157.  
  2158.  
  2159. <p>Jonathan Mingle tells this dramatic story of climate change and resistance in his new book, “<a href="https://islandpress.org/books/gaslight#desc">Gaslight: The Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the Fight for America&#8217;s Energy Future.</a>”</p>
  2160.  
  2161.  
  2162.  
  2163. <p>Mingle, who lives in Lincoln, has traveled to distant corners of the world to chronicle the impacts of climate change and those who are fighting to stop it. In 2015, he published “Fire and Ice: Soot, Solidarity and Survival on the Roof of the World,”<em> </em>about<em> </em>his travels to the former Buddhist kingdom of Zanskar in northern India. He wrote about what is happening as Himalayan glaciers dry up and drought spreads.</p>
  2164.  
  2165.  
  2166.  
  2167. <p>Mingle has also reported on <a href="https://www.sevendaysvt.com/news/finances-threaten-local-schools-such-as-lincolns-can-towns-afford-to-lose-them-32345662">Vermont’s struggle to fund its rural schools</a> and about how the July 2023 floods showed that <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/13/opinion/floods-vermont-new-york-heat-climate-change.html?searchResultPosition=2">Vermont is not immune from climate chaos</a>.</p>
  2168.  
  2169.  
  2170.  
  2171. <p>“This idea that you could somehow escape the impacts of climate change is a delusion,” he said about Vermont’s recent experience with flooding.</p>
  2172.  
  2173.  
  2174.  
  2175. <p>Mingle said that the people who fought and won against the Atlantic Coast Pipeline demonstrated that “the most overlooked climate solution is solidarity. And we&#8217;re going to need it to adapt to climate change.”&nbsp;</p>
  2176. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/journalist-jonathan-mingle-on-how-a-rural-community-defeated-a-major-gas-pipeline/">Vermont Conversation: Journalist Jonathan Mingle on how a rural community defeated a major gas pipeline</a>.</p>
  2177. ]]></content:encoded>
  2180. <enclosure url="https://content.blubrry.com/vermontconversation/Jonathan_Mingle_session_mixdown.mp3" length="73884465" type="audio/mpeg" />
  2181.  
  2182. <dc:modified>Wed, 22 May 2024 22:27:17 +0000</dc:modified>
  2183. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582402</post-id> </item>
  2184. <item>
  2185. <title>Families with kids at Vermont schools can now get money for summer meals</title>
  2186. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/families-with-kids-at-vermont-schools-can-now-get-money-for-summer-meals/</link>
  2188. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Erin Petenko]]></dc:creator>
  2189. <pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2024 21:30:06 +0000</pubDate>
  2190. <category><![CDATA[Government & Politics]]></category>
  2191. <category><![CDATA[Agency of Education]]></category>
  2192. <category><![CDATA[Agency of Human Services]]></category>
  2193. <category><![CDATA[Amanda Wheeler]]></category>
  2194. <category><![CDATA[Jenney Samuelson]]></category>
  2195. <category><![CDATA[Phil Scott]]></category>
  2196. <category><![CDATA[U.S. Department of Agriculture]]></category>
  2197. <category><![CDATA[Zoie Saunders]]></category>
  2198. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582395</guid>
  2199.  
  2200. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="682" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-1024x682.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A grocery store produce section with a variety of fresh vegetables, including bell peppers, broccoli, zucchini, and carrots, arranged neatly in black plastic bins." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-768x512.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-400x267.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-706x470.jpg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582399" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/vegetables-8656634_1280/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280.jpg" data-orig-size="1280,853" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Vegetables" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Photo via Pixabay&lt;/p&gt;
  2201. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-1200x800.jpg" /></figure>
  2202. <p>The state has extended its EBT program into the summer, a reversal from earlier claims that it didn’t have the administrative staff to handle it.</p>
  2203. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/families-with-kids-at-vermont-schools-can-now-get-money-for-summer-meals/">Families with kids at Vermont schools can now get money for summer meals</a>.</p>
  2204. ]]></description>
  2205. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="682" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-1024x682.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A grocery store produce section with a variety of fresh vegetables, including bell peppers, broccoli, zucchini, and carrots, arranged neatly in black plastic bins." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-768x512.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-400x267.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-706x470.jpg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582399" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/vegetables-8656634_1280/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280.jpg" data-orig-size="1280,853" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Vegetables" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Photo via Pixabay&lt;/p&gt;
  2206. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-1200x800.jpg" /></figure><div class="wp-block-image">
  2207. <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="800" data-attachment-id="582399" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/vegetables-8656634_1280/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280.jpg" data-orig-size="1280,853" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Vegetables" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Photo via Pixabay&lt;/p&gt;
  2208. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-1200x800.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-1200x800.jpg" alt="A grocery store produce section with a variety of fresh vegetables, including bell peppers, broccoli, zucchini, and carrots, arranged neatly in black plastic bins." class="wp-image-582399" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-768x512.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-400x267.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280-706x470.jpg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/vegetables-8656634_1280.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo via Pixabay</figcaption></figure></div>
  2209.  
  2210.  
  2211. <p>Eligible Vermont families will soon be able to get federal assistance to help pay for their children’s meals during summer break, the state announced in a Wednesday press release. </p>
  2212.  
  2213.  
  2214.  
  2215. <p>This benefit, called the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer, could provide up to $120 per child for low-income households as part of a new program launched by the <a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sunbucks">U.S. Department of Agriculture</a>. In Vermont, the program is administered by two state agencies, the Agency of Human Services and the Agency of Education, according to the release.&nbsp;</p>
  2216.  
  2217.  
  2218.  
  2219. <p>The program will provide another option for children who have traditionally relied on school meals during the school year to get access to consistent nutrition, Interim Education Secretary Zoie Saunders said in the release.&nbsp;</p>
  2220.  
  2221.  
  2222.  
  2223. <p>Some Vermont families will qualify automatically under the eligibility guidelines, and should receive a mailed notice and a new EBT card if they don’t already have one, the release said. The state plans to distribute those benefits starting on July 15.&nbsp;</p>
  2224.  
  2225.  
  2226.  
  2227. <p>But families can also apply to receive benefits if they don’t already qualify, though the application is not expected to open until August. More details on eligibility and how the program works are available on the Vermont program’s <a href="https://summerebt.vermont.gov/">website</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  2228.  
  2229.  
  2230.  
  2231. <p>Thirty-one states and three territories are participating in the program this year, according to the USDA website. But, as Vermont Public <a href="https://www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2024-01-08/vermont-opts-out-of-new-federal-food-assistance-program-due-to-administrative-costs">reported earlier this year</a>, Vermont initially wasn’t planning to be one of them. State officials told the news outlet in January that Vermont would forego the program this year because it didn’t have the administrative capacity to operate it.&nbsp;</p>
  2232.  
  2233.  
  2234.  
  2235. <p>Amanda Wheeler, a spokesperson for Gov. Phil Scott, said in an email Wednesday that the decision not to apply initially was about feasibility.&nbsp;</p>
  2236.  
  2237.  
  2238.  
  2239. <p>“Vermont did not initially submit a notice to apply because our agencies and departments were working through how to comply with the federal requirements while simultaneously standing up the appropriate systems for the summer 2025 program,” she wrote.&nbsp;</p>
  2240.  
  2241.  
  2242.  
  2243. <p>Since that time, the state has been working with the federal government to get more flexibility, which is why the program has been able to move forward, she wrote.&nbsp;</p>
  2244.  
  2245.  
  2246.  
  2247. <p>In response to a question about the program at his weekly press conference Wednesday, Scott said, &#8220;I&#8217;m just thrilled that we were able to get through the bureaucratic nightmare that the feds had created.” He said the federal government provided Vermont a “broad waiver,” but until yesterday, he hadn’t been sure whether it would accept the conditions the state had proposed.&nbsp;</p>
  2248.  
  2249.  
  2250.  
  2251. <p>According to the release, the two state agencies plan to distribute more information about the program to schools and families in the coming weeks.&nbsp;</p>
  2252.  
  2253.  
  2254.  
  2255. <p>“Ensuring that children have access to nutritious food year-round is fundamental to their well-being,” Agency of Human Services Secretary Jenney Samuelson said in the release. She added that the new program’s launch “demonstrates the agency’s commitment to supporting families and helping children thrive, especially during the summer months when children do not have access to school-provided meals.”</p>
  2256. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/families-with-kids-at-vermont-schools-can-now-get-money-for-summer-meals/">Families with kids at Vermont schools can now get money for summer meals</a>.</p>
  2257. ]]></content:encoded>
  2261. <dc:modified>Wed, 22 May 2024 21:30:11 +0000</dc:modified>
  2262. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582395</post-id> </item>
  2263. <item>
  2264. <title>Report shows trooper driving 88 mph before crash into fire truck, and up to 86 mph at impact</title>
  2265. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/report-shows-trooper-driving-88-mph-before-crash-into-fire-truck-and-up-to-86-mph-at-impact/</link>
  2267. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Alan J. Keays]]></dc:creator>
  2268. <pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2024 21:27:49 +0000</pubDate>
  2269. <category><![CDATA[Public Safety]]></category>
  2270. <category><![CDATA[Adam Silverman]]></category>
  2271. <category><![CDATA[Department of Motor Vehicles]]></category>
  2272. <category><![CDATA[Eric Vitali]]></category>
  2273. <category><![CDATA[Vermont State Police]]></category>
  2274. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582397</guid>
  2275.  
  2276. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="586" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-1024x586.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A man in a state police uniform stands in front of an American and Vermont flag." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-1024x586.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-300x172.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-1200x686.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-125x71.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-768x439.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-400x229.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-706x404.jpg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2.jpg 1467w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582310" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/21/state-trooper-receiving-care-for-severe-traumatic-brain-injury-from-march-crash/eric-vitali-2/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2.jpg" data-orig-size="1467,839" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;10&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;COURTESY VERMONT STATE POLICE&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D4&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Vermont State Police Cpl. Eric Vitali of the Royalton Barracks is seen in this 2021 photo.&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1620242119&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;116&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;125&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.004&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Eric-Vitali 2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Vermont State Police Cpl. Eric Vitali of the Royalton Barracks is seen in this 2021 photo.&lt;/p&gt;
  2277. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-300x172.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-1200x686.jpg" /></figure>
  2278. <p>It does not reveal why Vermont State Police Cpl. Eric Vitali did not see the fire truck stopped on Interstate 89 in Bethel in March, saying that part of the investigation remains ongoing. </p>
  2279. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/report-shows-trooper-driving-88-mph-before-crash-into-fire-truck-and-up-to-86-mph-at-impact/">Report shows trooper driving 88 mph before crash into fire truck, and up to 86 mph at impact</a>.</p>
  2280. ]]></description>
  2281. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="586" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-1024x586.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A man in a state police uniform stands in front of an American and Vermont flag." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-1024x586.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-300x172.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-1200x686.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-125x71.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-768x439.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-400x229.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-706x404.jpg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2.jpg 1467w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582310" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/21/state-trooper-receiving-care-for-severe-traumatic-brain-injury-from-march-crash/eric-vitali-2/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2.jpg" data-orig-size="1467,839" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;10&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;COURTESY VERMONT STATE POLICE&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D4&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Vermont State Police Cpl. Eric Vitali of the Royalton Barracks is seen in this 2021 photo.&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1620242119&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;116&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;125&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.004&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Eric-Vitali 2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Vermont State Police Cpl. Eric Vitali of the Royalton Barracks is seen in this 2021 photo.&lt;/p&gt;
  2282. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-300x172.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-1200x686.jpg" /></figure><div class="wp-block-image">
  2283. <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="1800" data-attachment-id="573792" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/eric-vitali/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali.jpg" data-orig-size="1467,2200" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;10&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;COURTESY VERMONT STATE POLICE&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D4&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Vermont State Police Cpl. Eric Vitali of the Royalton Barracks is seen in this 2021 photo.&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1620242119&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;116&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;125&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.004&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Eric-Vitali" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Vermont State Police Cpl. Eric Vitali. Photo courtesy of Vermont State Police &lt;/p&gt;
  2284. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali-200x300.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali-1200x1800.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali-1200x1800.jpg" alt="A man in uniform in front of flags." class="wp-image-573792" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali-1200x1800.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali-200x300.jpg 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali-83x125.jpg 83w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali-1366x2048.jpg 1366w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali-400x600.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali-706x1059.jpg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali.jpg 1467w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Vermont State Police Cpl. Eric Vitali. Photo courtesy of Vermont State Police </figcaption></figure></div>
  2285.  
  2286.  
  2287. <p>The cruiser Vermont State Police Cpl. Eric Vitali was driving when he crashed into a parked fire truck on Interstate 89 in March was traveling at 88 mph just before the crash and between 79 mph and 86 mph at impact.</p>
  2288.  
  2289.  
  2290.  
  2291. <p>That’s according to a standard crash report submitted by the Vermont State Police to the Department of Motor Vehicles and obtained Wednesday by VTDigger. <a href="https://www.wcax.com/2024/05/22/report-reveals-new-details-about-crash-involving-vermont-trooper/">WCAX</a> and <a href="https://www.mynbc5.com/article/crash-vsp-vermont-vitali-fire-truck/60872508">WPTZ</a> had&nbsp; reported on the document earlier in the day.</p>
  2292.  
  2293.  
  2294.  
  2295. <p>Vitali, a 19-year state police veteran who was 41 at the time of the crash, <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/03/12/state-police-corporal-injured-in-friday-crash-has-life-threatening-injuries-troopers-union-says/">was seriously injured</a> in the collision and is <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/21/state-trooper-receiving-care-for-severe-traumatic-brain-injury-from-march-crash/">now undergoing treatment at a rehabilitation facility</a> for a “severe traumatic brain injury,” according to the Vermont Troopers’ Association.&nbsp;</p>
  2296.  
  2297.  
  2298.  
  2299. <p>Vitali was driving his 2023 Ford Explorer SUV in the passing lane of Interstate 89 on the morning of March 8 when his cruiser struck the rear of an unoccupied Bethel Volunteer Fire Department tanker truck near the Bethel/Royalton exit.</p>
  2300.  
  2301.  
  2302.  
  2303. <p>The truck was parked on the interstate to provide scene protection for a crash that took place there about an hour earlier.</p>
  2304.  
  2305.  
  2306.  
  2307. <p>The 36-page crash report, dated April 5, does not answer the question of why Vitali did not see the fire truck stopped on the interstate, saying that element “remains under investigation.”&nbsp;</p>
  2308.  
  2309.  
  2310.  
  2311. <p>Vitali’s name is redacted in parts of the report, and in others he is referred to as “Operator 1.”</p>
  2312.  
  2313.  
  2314.  
  2315. <p>The unoccupied fire truck’s emergency lights were activated and there were three road flares behind the vehicle, the report stated.&nbsp;</p>
  2316.  
  2317.  
  2318.  
  2319. <p>“Due to the fact there was both braking and steering data, it is unlikely that Operator 1 fell asleep, or lost consciousness, prior to the collision,” the report stated.&nbsp;</p>
  2320.  
  2321.  
  2322.  
  2323. <p>The Vermont State Police Technology Investigation Unit also analyzed Vitali’s department-issued cellphone and computer and “found no user activity leading up to, or at the time, of the crash on either device,” the report stated. </p>
  2324.  
  2325.  
  2326.  
  2327. <p>State police obtained a search warrant for Vitali’s personal cellphone, which was being sent to the National Computer Forensics Institute’s lab, according to the report. The facility specializes in examining damaged cellphones. </p>
  2328.  
  2329.  
  2330.  
  2331. <p>Investigators also obtained a search warrant, which was sent to Verizon, for the cellphone’s records, the report stated. “The result of that search warrant will be documented by a supplemental report once received,” according to the report.</p>
  2332.  
  2333.  
  2334.  
  2335. <p>Investigators calculated the cruiser’s speeds based on their analysis of its “pre-crash data,” according to the report.&nbsp;</p>
  2336.  
  2337.  
  2338.  
  2339. <p>VTDigger had made a public records request to the Vermont Department of Public Safety seeking materials related to the crash. The request was denied, with the public safety department citing an exemption to the <a href="https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/01/005/00317">Vermont Public Records Act</a> for ongoing law enforcement investigations.&nbsp;</p>
  2340.  
  2341.  
  2342.  
  2343. <p>Asked Wednesday afternoon if VSP’s investigation remained ongoing, department spokesperson Adam Silverman said it was.</p>
  2344. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/report-shows-trooper-driving-88-mph-before-crash-into-fire-truck-and-up-to-86-mph-at-impact/">Report shows trooper driving 88 mph before crash into fire truck, and up to 86 mph at impact</a>.</p>
  2345. ]]></content:encoded>
  2349. <dc:modified>Wed, 22 May 2024 21:27:54 +0000</dc:modified>
  2350. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582397</post-id> </item>
  2351. <item>
  2352. <title>A state coordinator delves into Native American affiliation as part of child custody cases</title>
  2353. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/a-state-coordinator-delves-into-native-american-affiliation-as-part-of-child-custody-cases/</link>
  2355. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tiffany Tan]]></dc:creator>
  2356. <pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2024 19:58:13 +0000</pubDate>
  2357. <category><![CDATA[Government & Politics]]></category>
  2358. <category><![CDATA[Abenaki]]></category>
  2359. <category><![CDATA[Vermont Department for Children and Families]]></category>
  2360. <category><![CDATA[Vermont Department of Corrections]]></category>
  2361. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582389</guid>
  2362.  
  2363. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="643" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-1024x643.jpeg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-1024x643.jpeg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-300x188.jpeg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-1200x753.jpeg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-125x78.jpeg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-768x482.jpeg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-1536x964.jpeg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-2048x1285.jpeg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-1568x984.jpeg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-2000x1255.jpeg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-400x251.jpeg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-706x443.jpeg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582391" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/a-state-coordinator-delves-into-native-american-affiliation-as-part-of-child-custody-cases/marshall-rich-lindsay-barron-contributed-2/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-scaled.jpeg" data-orig-size="2560,1606" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Marshall Rich &#038; Lindsay Barron &#8211; contributed 2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-300x188.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-1200x753.jpeg" /></figure>
  2364. <p>A 1978 federal law, the Indian Child Welfare Act, aims to keep Native children under the care of relatives or tribe members, whenever safe and possible.</p>
  2365. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/a-state-coordinator-delves-into-native-american-affiliation-as-part-of-child-custody-cases/">A state coordinator delves into Native American affiliation as part of child custody cases</a>.</p>
  2366. ]]></description>
  2367. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="643" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-1024x643.jpeg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-1024x643.jpeg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-300x188.jpeg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-1200x753.jpeg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-125x78.jpeg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-768x482.jpeg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-1536x964.jpeg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-2048x1285.jpeg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-1568x984.jpeg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-2000x1255.jpeg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-400x251.jpeg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-706x443.jpeg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582391" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/a-state-coordinator-delves-into-native-american-affiliation-as-part-of-child-custody-cases/marshall-rich-lindsay-barron-contributed-2/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-scaled.jpeg" data-orig-size="2560,1606" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Marshall Rich &#038; Lindsay Barron &#8211; contributed 2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-300x188.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2-1200x753.jpeg" /></figure><div class="wp-block-image">
  2368. <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="1500" data-attachment-id="582390" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/marshall-rich-lindsay-barron-contributed/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-scaled.jpeg" data-orig-size="2048,2560" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Marshall Rich &#038; Lindsay Barron" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Marshall Rich and Lindsay Barron, of Vermont&#8217;s Department for Children and Families. Photo courtesy of Lindsay Barron&lt;/p&gt;
  2369. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-240x300.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-1200x1500.jpeg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-1200x1500.jpeg" alt="Two people are seated at a conference table." class="wp-image-582390" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-1200x1500.jpeg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-240x300.jpeg 240w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-100x125.jpeg 100w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-768x960.jpeg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-1229x1536.jpeg 1229w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-1638x2048.jpeg 1638w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-819x1024.jpeg 819w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-1568x1960.jpeg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-2000x2500.jpeg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-400x500.jpeg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-706x883.jpeg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Marshall-Rich-Lindsay-Barron-contributed-scaled.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Marshall Rich and Lindsay Barron, of Vermont&#8217;s Department for Children and Families. Photo courtesy of Lindsay Barron</figcaption></figure></div>
  2370.  
  2371.  
  2372. <p>For about a year and a half now, Marshall Rich’s workdays have involved getting in touch with various Native American tribes to determine whether certain Vermont children are affiliated with them.</p>
  2373.  
  2374.  
  2375.  
  2376. <p>He has sent out at least 150 inquiries to tribes around the country, following up with calls or letters, and sometimes reaching out to the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs for guidance.</p>
  2377.  
  2378.  
  2379.  
  2380. <p>Rich also coordinates with state social service workers and family attorneys in his role as the <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2022/08/30/dcf-creates-new-position-for-state-custody-proceedings-involving-native-american-children/">first Indian Child Welfare Act coordinator</a> of the Vermont Department for Children and Families. His main job is to determine whether children involved in state custody cases are members of federally recognized Native American tribes or if they’re eligible to become members. These cases are called<a href="https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/fullchapter/33/051"> a child in need of care or supervision</a>, or CHINS.&nbsp;</p>
  2381.  
  2382.  
  2383.  
  2384. <p>The<a href="https://www.bia.gov/bia/ois/dhs/icwa"> Indian Child Welfare Act</a>, a 1978 federal law, aims to keep Native children under the care of relatives or tribe members, whenever safe and possible. Determining whether a minor is a tribal member or has eligibility is an important factor in these custody cases.</p>
  2385.  
  2386.  
  2387.  
  2388. <p>Because the federal law only applies to members of federally recognized tribes, the department has not had to wade into an <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2023/11/14/a-false-narrative-abenaki-leaders-dispute-the-legitimacy-of-vermonts-state-recognized-tribes/">increasingly pitched debate</a> over the legitimacy of Vermont’s <a href="https://vcnaa.vermont.gov/recognition/recognized-tribes">four state-recognized Abenaki groups</a>. While the U.S. government has recognized<a href="https://www.bia.gov/service/tribal-leaders-directory"> 574 Native American tribes</a> as of January, Vermont is one of 11 states that have devised their own — and in many cases less stringent — criteria to recognize additional tribes.</p>
  2389.  
  2390.  
  2391.  
  2392. <p>Rich, a member of the state-recognized Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi, had just retired from the state Department of Corrections when he took the part-time position with DCF in November 2022.&nbsp;</p>
  2393.  
  2394.  
  2395.  
  2396. <p>“The ability to impact the needs of children and the safety of children and really connect them to kinship care with a tribal foundation is really what interests me the most,” he said in a recent interview.</p>
  2397.  
  2398.  
  2399.  
  2400. <p>Between February 2023 and last month, according to department data provided to VTDigger, 104 children involved in state custody cases were reported by their families to be either a member of a federally recognized tribe or eligible to register.</p>
  2401.  
  2402.  
  2403.  
  2404. <p>Some families claim to be affiliated with multiple tribes, ranging from state-recognized ones to international tribes, according to Lindsay Barron, policy and planning manager with the department’s family services division.&nbsp;</p>
  2405.  
  2406.  
  2407.  
  2408. <p>Within the past three to four years, Barron said, the state has confirmed tribal affiliation for<strong> </strong>just nine children.&nbsp;</p>
  2409.  
  2410.  
  2411.  
  2412. <p>DCF found that families involved in Vermont child custody cases often claim affiliation with the following four tribes: Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation (Montana), Cherokee Nation (Oklahoma), Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (North Carolina) and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (Oklahoma). But these claims have led to very few confirmations from the tribes.&nbsp;</p>
  2413.  
  2414.  
  2415.  
  2416. <p>Department staff speculate this might be related to the Blackfeet and Cherokee tribes’ popularity in contemporary society.</p>
  2417.  
  2418.  
  2419.  
  2420. <p>“Most people, when they think of Native American tribes, the most common ones that come to mind are Cherokee,” Rich said. “The Blackfeet is just a really common tribe, as well.”</p>
  2421.  
  2422.  
  2423.  
  2424. <p>Verifying families’ tribal affiliation claims has taken up most of Rich’s hours, especially when families provide limited information on their tribal links. Some families, Barron said, cannot identify which tribe they might be affiliated with.</p>
  2425.  
  2426.  
  2427.  
  2428. <p>“We follow up on a lot of tribal claims with very limited or vague information that really don&#8217;t produce any results,” she said. “We&#8217;re happy to follow up on every claim that comes to us, but it does produce a lot of volume of work for limited outcomes.”</p>
  2429.  
  2430.  
  2431.  
  2432. <p>In addition, Barron said, tribes usually don’t have the structure to handle a large volume of claim verification requests and have “a lot fewer resources than your typical child protection system.”&nbsp;</p>
  2433.  
  2434.  
  2435.  
  2436. <p>In one case, Rich said, a tribal representative told him they had not responded to his letters because they did not have much funding. At the person’s suggestion, Rich began including self-addressed, stamped envelopes in his letters.</p>
  2437.  
  2438.  
  2439.  
  2440. <p>Most of the children’s confirmed tribal membership or ongoing verification claims are with four tribes in the north-central United States: Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of the Cheyenne River Reservation (South Dakota), Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians (Wisconsin), Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (Minnesota) and Oglala Sioux Tribe (South Dakota).</p>
  2441.  
  2442.  
  2443.  
  2444. <p>Among Vermont’s CHINS cases since 2023, Barron said, no tribes have intervened or taken custody of a child.&nbsp;</p>
  2445.  
  2446.  
  2447.  
  2448. <p>Where a child is not affiliated with a federally recognized tribe but is a member of a state-recognized tribe, this connection still informs DCF’s approach to the custody proceedings.</p>
  2449.  
  2450.  
  2451.  
  2452. <p>“We&#8217;re trying to treat that as kinship care and sort of thinking about the child&#8217;s natural support network,” Barron said. “Who’s connected to the parents? Who’s connected to the child? How can they offer support or resources and just rally together around the needs of the child?”</p>
  2453. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/a-state-coordinator-delves-into-native-american-affiliation-as-part-of-child-custody-cases/">A state coordinator delves into Native American affiliation as part of child custody cases</a>.</p>
  2454. ]]></content:encoded>
  2458. <dc:modified>Wed, 22 May 2024 19:58:19 +0000</dc:modified>
  2459. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582389</post-id> </item>
  2460. <item>
  2461. <title>How do you choose a student loan? With eyes wide open!</title>
  2462. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/how-do-you-choose-a-student-loan-with-eyes-wide-open/</link>
  2464. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Nick Irvine]]></dc:creator>
  2465. <pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2024 16:05:43 +0000</pubDate>
  2466. <category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
  2467. <category><![CDATA[Sponsor Spotlight]]></category>
  2468. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582363</guid>
  2469.  
  2470. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="768" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Four students sitting on outdoor steps with backpacks and notebooks, smiling at the camera." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-300x225.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-125x94.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-768x576.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-800x600.jpg?crop=1 800w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-600x450.jpg?crop=1 600w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-400x300.jpg?crop=1 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-200x150.jpg?crop=1 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-706x530.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582059" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/vsac_ss-052324/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324.jpg" data-orig-size="1024,768" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="VSAC_SS-052324" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-300x225.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324.jpg" /></figure>
  2471. <p>Even as the current academic year winds down, bills for the fall 2024 semester will be arriving soon and parents and students will be facing important decisions.  VSAC’s guidance can help you minimize the cost of higher education.</p>
  2472. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/how-do-you-choose-a-student-loan-with-eyes-wide-open/">How do you choose a student loan? With eyes wide open!</a>.</p>
  2473. ]]></description>
  2474. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="768" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Four students sitting on outdoor steps with backpacks and notebooks, smiling at the camera." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-300x225.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-125x94.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-768x576.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-800x600.jpg?crop=1 800w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-600x450.jpg?crop=1 600w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-400x300.jpg?crop=1 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-200x150.jpg?crop=1 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-706x530.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582059" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/vsac_ss-052324/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324.jpg" data-orig-size="1024,768" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="VSAC_SS-052324" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-300x225.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324.jpg" /></figure>
  2475. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" data-attachment-id="582059" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/vsac_ss-052324/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324.jpg" data-orig-size="1024,768" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="VSAC_SS-052324" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-300x225.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-582059" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-300x225.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-125x94.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-768x576.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-800x600.jpg?crop=1 800w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-600x450.jpg?crop=1 600w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-400x300.jpg?crop=1 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-200x150.jpg?crop=1 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/VSAC_SS-052324-706x530.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
  2476.  
  2477.  
  2478.  
  2479. <p>For many students, attending college or training after high school likely involves taking out an education loan to help cover tuition bills, along with room, board, books, supplies, and transportation costs. Seven out of ten Vermont families need to borrow to help pay education costs. So, if your family is considering borrowing for college expenses, you’re not alone.&nbsp;</p>
  2480.  
  2481.  
  2482.  
  2483. <p>Borrowing money to pay for education can feel overwhelming. But with a bit of background and some tips, you can go through the process with your eyes wide open<em>—</em>and before you know it, you’ll be paying your tuition bill while reducing your education costs.&nbsp;</p>
  2484.  
  2485.  
  2486.  
  2487. <p>Even as the current academic year winds down, bills for the fall 2024 semester will be arriving soon, and parents and students will be facing important decisions.  If student loans are part of your equation, check out VSAC’s <a href="https://www.vsac.org/sites/default/files/uploads/pdf_resources/My_Education_Loans.pdf">My Education Loans Guide</a> to help you get started learning the basics of borrowing. (And if you’re <a href="https://www.vsac.org/student-loans/ready-to-apply">ready to apply for a VSAC loan</a>, get started here!)</p>
  2488.  
  2489.  
  2490.  
  2491. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Apply for and accept “free” money first to reduce college expenses&nbsp;</h2>
  2492.  
  2493.  
  2494.  
  2495. <p>Before you even consider a loan, access all your eligible “gift” money by <a href="https://www.vsac.org/plan/paying-for-college/fafsa-first">filling out the FAFSA</a> federal financial aid application form. After you complete the FAFSA, submit the Vermont Grant application. With both applications, you will be considered for free aid that does not need to be paid back.&nbsp;</p>
  2496.  
  2497.  
  2498.  
  2499. <p>After you receive your financial aid offer from your school or training program, check your tuition bill to be sure any grants and scholarships are listed as “credits.” If a grant or scholarship you received isn’t listed, call your school’s financial aid office to cross-verify the eligibility and receipt of the funds. Also, ask your financial aid office if there are any additional steps to have free aid applied to your tuition bill. If your financial situation has changed, you may be able to <a href="https://www.vsac.org/appealing-your-financial-aid">appeal for more aid</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  2500.  
  2501.  
  2502.  
  2503. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">What type of loan should you get? Learn about education loans so you can borrow wisely</h2>
  2504.  
  2505.  
  2506.  
  2507. <p>Loans are intended to fill funding gaps after maximizing “free” money. If you need a loan to cover education costs, keep in mind: education loans are not created equal.&nbsp;</p>
  2508.  
  2509.  
  2510.  
  2511. <p>There are big differences between federal undergraduate student loans, federal loans for parents and graduate students, and the many variations of nonfederal (also called “private” or “alternative”) loans from your school, state agencies such as VSAC, and commercial lenders.&nbsp;</p>
  2512.  
  2513.  
  2514.  
  2515. <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><em>First Stop: Federal Direct Student Loans</em></h4>
  2516.  
  2517.  
  2518.  
  2519. <p>Federal Direct loans will appear as part of your school’s financial aid package if you file a FAFSA. Like any loan, these must be repaid with any interest that accrues so it is important to understand the loan terms. There are two types of Federal Direct loans, Federal Direct loans that are in the student&#8217;s name, and Federal Direct loans for a student that are in a parent(s) name (known as PLUS loans).&nbsp;</p>
  2520.  
  2521.  
  2522.  
  2523. <p>Federal Direct loans for students are in the student’s name, for students to pay back. We recommend students borrow funds using these loans first due to the flexible repayment options, such as no payments due while in school at least half time, and a six-month grace period before repayment begins. There are two types of Federal Direct loans available to students. They can be either:</p>
  2524.  
  2525.  
  2526.  
  2527. <ul>
  2528. <li>Subsidized (based on financial need). These loans don’t accrue interest while you’re in school, or in a repayment period where your loan is deferred (paused or reduced for an amount of time). </li>
  2529.  
  2530.  
  2531.  
  2532. <li>Unsubsidized (not based on financial need). These loans start accruing interest while you are in school. </li>
  2533. </ul>
  2534.  
  2535.  
  2536.  
  2537. <p>Federal Direct student loans have caps on how much you can borrow annually. If you’ve maximized your federal student loans and still have a funding gap, other types of loans are available<em>—</em>read on.</p>
  2538.  
  2539.  
  2540.  
  2541. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">I’ve maximized my Federal Direct student loans. What type of loans should I consider next?&nbsp;</h2>
  2542.  
  2543.  
  2544.  
  2545. <p>Students and families can use Federal Direct PLUS loans, or private loans, to supplement costs that remain after students take out federal student loans. The lending landscape for private loans is highly competitive among financing entities, who all are vying for your business.&nbsp;</p>
  2546.  
  2547.  
  2548.  
  2549. <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Pause and compare private loans to Federal Direct PLUS loans before you sign on to any loans</em></h4>
  2550.  
  2551.  
  2552.  
  2553. <p>Federal Direct PLUS loans are in the parent(s) name, for the parent(s) to pay back:</p>
  2554.  
  2555.  
  2556.  
  2557. <ul>
  2558. <li>Federal Direct PLUS loans are designed for parents (and graduate students) to cover up to the full remaining cost of a student’s attendance. The person taking out the loan is responsible for payments. Federal PLUS loans may be packaged with your financial aid offer, but unlike federal direct loans for <em>students</em>, you should pause and consider if there is a better option available before you check the box on a Federal Direct PLUS loan for parents of students. </li>
  2559.  
  2560.  
  2561.  
  2562. <li>The Federal Direct PLUS loan for parents (not students) can have a higher rate than many other private loans. In addition, these loans currently have an origination fee. Remember, <em>you don’t have to accept federal Parent PLUS loans</em> and may choose to look elsewhere instead. </li>
  2563. </ul>
  2564.  
  2565.  
  2566.  
  2567. <p>Private loans can be in a student’s name, or a parent(’s) name. If the loan is in the student’s name, often the lending agency will require someone with established credit, such as a parent or other person, to co-sign the loan (known as the “cosigner”).&nbsp;</p>
  2568.  
  2569.  
  2570.  
  2571. <p>Private loans vary greatly with each lender setting their own terms and offering different interest rates, fees, and repayment options. Remember to choose the deal that is best for you, based on three factors: interest rates, fees, and repayment.&nbsp;</p>
  2572.  
  2573.  
  2574.  
  2575. <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Interest Rates</em></h4>
  2576.  
  2577.  
  2578.  
  2579. <p>As you choose your loan, consider the full range of rates that are advertised. When shopping for a loan, people automatically look for the lowest rate—that’s natural! But each borrower will qualify for a different rate based upon their personal circumstances. It’s important for you to look at the full range of rates to make sure you’re not distracted by a rate you’re not eligible for. For instance, large national commercial lenders such as Citizens, SoFi, and Sallie Mae offer rates that, at the higher end of the rate, are almost double the annual cost of a VSAC education loan.</p>
  2580.  
  2581.  
  2582.  
  2583. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  2584. <iframe class="youtube-player" width="780" height="439" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8yWadm9us_8?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe>
  2585. </div></figure>
  2586.  
  2587.  
  2588.  
  2589. <p>Consider the type of rate as part of your review. Fixed interest rates stay the same over the life of the loan. Variable interest rates change with the financial markets (which means the rate can go up!). Variable rates may seem like a good choice at first but can end up costing a lot more over the life of a loan. &nbsp;</p>
  2590.  
  2591.  
  2592.  
  2593. <p>The interest rate that you will pay is based on the repayment plan you choose. Borrowers with excellent credit who choose the lowest repayment length (term) and who begin repayment immediately will have lower interest rates than those who choose a longer repayment length and who delay repayment.</p>
  2594.  
  2595.  
  2596.  
  2597. <p>Finally, beware of super-low “teaser” interest rates for which few people qualify. Never sign/approve a loan without knowing what you might ultimately pay. Determine all possible interest rates, costs, and fees and how they impact what you must repay.&nbsp;</p>
  2598.  
  2599.  
  2600.  
  2601. <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Fees</em></h4>
  2602.  
  2603.  
  2604.  
  2605. <p>Loans can have fees, either when the loan is made or when repayment starts, and you may end up being charged higher fees than the ones you saw advertised. Some lenders won’t provide complete details about their fees until after you’ve applied.</p>
  2606.  
  2607.  
  2608.  
  2609. <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Repayment</em></h4>
  2610.  
  2611.  
  2612.  
  2613. <p>Repayment is an important variable, which can be based on your personal circumstances. Consider when you’ll need to start repaying the loan, what the monthly payments will be, and any options for reduced or suspended payments.&nbsp;</p>
  2614.  
  2615.  
  2616.  
  2617. <p>Also consider when payments begin, the number of years it will take to pay the loan off (also known as term length), and whether, under the terms of the loan, you would be eligible for reduced or temporary suspension of payments due to economic hardship, working in a public service job, or income-based repayment programs.</p>
  2618.  
  2619.  
  2620.  
  2621. <p>Some loans offer repayment options to help borrowers during times of hardship. For example, VSAC offers limited suspension of payments and reduced payments. Some lenders, like VSAC, also offer free personalized education debt counseling so that when it’s time to repay the loan (or your financial circumstances change over your repayment period), you can work in partnership with your lender to come up with a plan that works for everyone.</p>
  2622.  
  2623.  
  2624.  
  2625. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">How much should I borrow? Reduce education costs by only borrowing what you need</h2>
  2626.  
  2627.  
  2628.  
  2629. <p>It’s tempting to borrow the full amount of loans to cover your education expenses, but keep in mind that all loans are borrowed money that must be paid back with interest. This means that the amount you repay will always be more than the amount you borrow. Having options can make things unclear at times. With so many student loan options, and each lender offering different rates and benefits while claiming to be your best option, here are some tips to <a href="https://www.vsac.org/compare">help you make a choice</a>.</p>
  2630.  
  2631.  
  2632.  
  2633. <p>Your goal should be to minimize loan costs as much as possible. Remember: You get to decide whether to accept some or all (or none) of the loan amounts offered in the student’s financial aid offer.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  2634.  
  2635.  
  2636.  
  2637. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">VSAC insider tips for future years</h2>
  2638.  
  2639.  
  2640.  
  2641. <p>As you begin your education journey, there are a few more helpful things to keep in mind now, and for the future. VSAC’s insider tips will help your financing continue to unfold smoothly.&nbsp;</p>
  2642.  
  2643.  
  2644.  
  2645. <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Leave plenty of time before your tuition bill is due to complete the loan application process</em></h4>
  2646.  
  2647.  
  2648.  
  2649. <p>Although starting the application and getting approved may be quick, the process does require that a school certify the amount requested before the loan can be finalized. It’s recommended that you allow at least two weeks before a tuition bill is due to avoid tuition bill late fees charged by the school.</p>
  2650.  
  2651.  
  2652.  
  2653. <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><em>File important forms annually</em></h4>
  2654.  
  2655.  
  2656.  
  2657. <p>Many college and training programs last for more than one academic year. Filing financial aid forms annually (FAFSA, CSS Profile, state grants, scholarships) determines your eligibility for free money and federal loans in the first year as well as in school years to come.&nbsp;</p>
  2658.  
  2659.  
  2660.  
  2661. <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><em>If you’ve borrowed more than you need, reduce your loan</em></h4>
  2662.  
  2663.  
  2664.  
  2665. <p>Free meals at club meetings? Did you find some great prices on previously owned books? Sometimes once you get to school you realize you’re not spending as much as you thought you would. It can be hard to know exactly how much money you will need until you’re living the school experience. If you’ve borrowed more than you need, you can request the loan to be reduced. Contact your financial aid office or lender.</p>
  2666.  
  2667.  
  2668.  
  2669. <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><em>If you’re living off campus, consider using loans to cover room and board expenses</em></h4>
  2670.  
  2671.  
  2672.  
  2673. <p>Often students move off campus after their introductory years in school. If you’re living off campus, you can use education loans to cover room and board expenses. Contact your school’s financial aid office.</p>
  2674.  
  2675.  
  2676.  
  2677. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">VSAC is here to help</h2>
  2678.  
  2679.  
  2680.  
  2681. <p>VSAC understands each family has unique situations making these choices challenging. For nearly 60 years we’ve served students, not shareholders. VSAC assists Vermont families in applying for as much free aid as possible while guiding them in reducing their borrowing costs. Ultimately, we want to help families understand their options so that students get the best education for the lowest cost possible, and families borrow only what they need.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  2682.  
  2683.  
  2684.  
  2685. <p><a href="https://www.vsac.org/student-loans/ready-to-apply">Ready to research or apply for a VSAC student loan</a>? If you’re a student attending a Vermont college, or a Vermont resident attending school anywhere, you can apply for a VSAC student loan. Have questions or need more information? Call one of our specialists at 800-226-1029, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and reach us via email at info@vsac.org. </p>
  2686.  
  2687.  
  2688.  
  2689. <p><em>This story is produced by Vermont Student Assistance Corp., created by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 as a&nbsp;public nonprofit agency, to advocate for Vermont students and their families to ensure they achieve their education goals. Our vision is to create opportunities for all Vermont students, but particularly for those—of any age—who believe the doors to higher education are closed to them. We begin by helping families save for education with Vermont’s state-sponsored 529 savings program. To help Vermonters plan and pay for college or career training, our counselors work with students in nearly every Vermont middle school and high school, and again as adults. Our grant and scholarship programs attract national recognition, and our loan programs and loan forgiveness programs are saving Vermont families thousands of dollars in interest. Visit&nbsp;</em><a href="http://www.vsac.org/"><em>vsac.org</em></a><em>&nbsp;to learn more.</em></p>
  2690. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/how-do-you-choose-a-student-loan-with-eyes-wide-open/">How do you choose a student loan? With eyes wide open!</a>.</p>
  2691. ]]></content:encoded>
  2695. <dc:modified>Wed, 22 May 2024 18:56:42 +0000</dc:modified>
  2696. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582363</post-id> </item>
  2697. <item>
  2698. <title>Patrick Leahy: The Leahy law should be applied to Israel</title>
  2699. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/patrick-leahy-the-leahy-law-should-be-applied-to-israel/</link>
  2701. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Opinion]]></dc:creator>
  2702. <pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2024 11:01:00 +0000</pubDate>
  2703. <category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
  2704. <category><![CDATA[Commentaries]]></category>
  2705. <category><![CDATA[Israel]]></category>
  2706. <category><![CDATA[Patrick Leahy]]></category>
  2707. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582343</guid>
  2708.  
  2709. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="768" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-1024x768.png" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Commentaries: opinion pieces by community members." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-1024x768.png 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-300x225.png 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-125x94.png 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-768x576.png 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-800x600.png?crop=1 800w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-600x450.png?crop=1 600w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-400x300.png?crop=1 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-200x150.png?crop=1 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-706x530.png 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="574028" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/commentaries_1200x900/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png" data-orig-size="1200,900" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Commentaries_1200x900" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Commentaries logo for featured image&lt;/p&gt;
  2710. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-300x225.png" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png" /></figure>
  2711. <p>Requiring Israel to respect human rights does not imply “moral equivalence” with Hamas.</p>
  2712. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/patrick-leahy-the-leahy-law-should-be-applied-to-israel/">Patrick Leahy: The Leahy law should be applied to Israel</a>.</p>
  2713. ]]></description>
  2714. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="768" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-1024x768.png" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Commentaries: opinion pieces by community members." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-1024x768.png 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-300x225.png 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-125x94.png 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-768x576.png 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-800x600.png?crop=1 800w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-600x450.png?crop=1 600w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-400x300.png?crop=1 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-200x150.png?crop=1 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-706x530.png 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="574028" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/commentaries_1200x900/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png" data-orig-size="1200,900" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Commentaries_1200x900" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Commentaries logo for featured image&lt;/p&gt;
  2715. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-300x225.png" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png" /></figure>
  2716. <p><em>This commentary is by Patrick Leahy. He served as a U.S. senator from Vermont for 48 years.</em></p>
  2717.  
  2718.  
  2719. <div class="wp-block-image">
  2720. <figure class="alignright size-medium"><a href="https://vtdigger.org/tag/commentaries/"><img decoding="async" width="300" height="67" data-attachment-id="570577" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/?attachment_id=570577" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1.png" data-orig-size="512,114" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Commentaries_vtd" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-300x67.png" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1.png" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-300x67.png" alt="" class="wp-image-570577" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-300x67.png 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-125x28.png 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-400x89.png 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1.png 512w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></figure></div>
  2721.  
  2722.  
  2723. <p>In the 1980s and ’90s, the United States gave training, weapons and ammunition to Latin American security forces with a long history of violating human rights. In Guatemala and El Salvador, soldiers trained and equipped by the United States killed hundreds of thousands of civilians with near-total impunity. I conceived and introduced the <a href="https://www.state.gov/key-topics-bureau-of-democracy-human-rights-and-labor/human-rights/leahy-law-fact-sheet/">Leahy law</a> in 1997 because our Latin partners, and security forces in many other countries, were violating the basic principles that the United States stands for, and we were complicit.</p>
  2724.  
  2725.  
  2726.  
  2727. <p>Today, people are asking whether the law should apply to Israel.</p>
  2728.  
  2729.  
  2730.  
  2731. <p>The law prohibits U.S. aid to any unit of a foreign security force if the secretary of state has “credible information” the unit has committed a gross violation of human rights: murder, rape, torture, forced disappearance or other flagrant denials of the right to life, liberty and personal security. Aid can resume if the foreign government is taking “effective steps” to bring the responsible members of the unit to justice.</p>
  2732.  
  2733.  
  2734.  
  2735. <p>The Leahy law is not a panacea. But it is a vital tool to remind foreign officials — and our own — that American taxpayers do not want to fund human rights violations. Faced since its passage with repeated arguments that “engagement” with foreign forces is essential and that human rights problems are the result of “a few bad apples,” I have responded, in effect: “Let’s agree not to arm and train the worst bad apples until our partners clean them up.” This is hardly a pie-in-the-sky standard. In fact, it is a bare minimum about which there should be no disagreement.</p>
  2736.  
  2737.  
  2738.  
  2739. <p>Over the years, the Leahy law has been applied to many countries, and secretaries of state and defense of both political parties have affirmed its importance as a practical and effective tool to shield the United States from involvement in horrific crimes and to build forces that respect human rights and the laws of armed conflict. But while the Leahy law applies the same requirements to every country, it has not always been equally enforced. Israel, among the largest recipients of U.S. military aid, is a glaring example.</p>
  2740.  
  2741.  
  2742.  
  2743. <p>Beginning in the early 2000s, I wrote to successive secretaries of state about the failure to apply the Leahy law to Israel. The responses were either inconclusive or inaccurately claimed the law was being applied to Israel the same as to other countries, which the State Department continues to insist today.</p>
  2744.  
  2745.  
  2746.  
  2747. <p>Unlike for most countries, U.S. weapons, ammunition and other aid is provided to Israeli security forces in bulk rather than to specific units. The secretary of state is therefore required to regularly inform Israel of any security force unit ineligible for U.S. aid due to having committed a gross violation of human rights, and the Israeli government is obligated to comply with that prohibition.</p>
  2748.  
  2749.  
  2750.  
  2751. <p>Since the Leahy law was passed, not a single Israeli security force unit has been deemed ineligible for U.S. aid, despite repeated, <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/israel-gaza-blinken-leahy-sanctions-human-rights-violations">credible reports</a> of gross violations of human rights and a pattern of failing to appropriately punish Israeli soldiers and police who violate the rights of Palestinians.</p>
  2752.  
  2753.  
  2754.  
  2755. <p>Recently, Secretary of State Antony Blinken determined that <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/blinken-israel-military-aid-human-rights-violations-leahy-law#:~:text=Government%20officials%20call%20it%20a,and%20inconsistent%20with%20the%20law.&amp;text=Years%20before%20Oct.%207%2C%20soldiers,human%20rights%20violations%20against%20Palestinians.">four Israeli security force units</a> had committed gross violations of human rights of Palestinians in the West Bank, months or years ago, but that Israel had taken effective steps to bring those responsible to justice, so the Leahy law was not applied. Yet two of those cases involved the fatal shooting of unarmed Palestinians for which the Israeli soldiers served little or no time in prison.</p>
  2756.  
  2757.  
  2758.  
  2759. <p>In the case of a fifth unit, in January 2022, soldiers of the Israeli Netzah Yehuda Battalion falsely detained a 78-year-old Palestinian American citizen, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/01/31/israel-army-probe-omar-assad/?itid=lk_inline_manual_20">Omar Assad</a>, bound his hands behind his back, gagged him and left him facedown on the ground. He died from a stress-induced heart attack. Israel cleared the soldiers of any wrongdoing, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Netzah Yehuda and pledged to thwart any U.S. attempt to implement the Leahy law. Although Blinken determined that Netzah Yehuda had committed a gross violation, the Leahy law has not been applied.</p>
  2760.  
  2761.  
  2762.  
  2763. <p>Thus, according to the State Department, in the decades-long history of the Leahy law, only five Israeli security force units have committed a gross violation of human rights, of which four were appropriately punished. That not only begs credulity; it also makes a mockery of the law.</p>
  2764.  
  2765.  
  2766.  
  2767. <p>I have condemned Hamas’s barbaric attack on Oct. 7. The perpetrators of those atrocities should be tracked down and held to account. Applying the Leahy law to Israel would not suggest “moral equivalence” with Hamas. Nor will faithfully applying the Leahy law to Israel weaken its security. Our aid to Israel will continue to flow to Israeli units that respect human rights and international law.</p>
  2768.  
  2769.  
  2770.  
  2771. <p>The secretary of state should urgently give Israel a list of ineligible Israeli security force units, including Neztah Yehuda, regularly update the list with units that commit gross violations of human rights and thereby demonstrate that no country whose security forces receive U.S. aid is above U.S. law.</p>
  2772. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/patrick-leahy-the-leahy-law-should-be-applied-to-israel/">Patrick Leahy: The Leahy law should be applied to Israel</a>.</p>
  2773. ]]></content:encoded>
  2777. <dc:modified>Wed, 22 May 2024 12:37:57 +0000</dc:modified>
  2778. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582343</post-id> </item>
  2779. <item>
  2780. <title>Eve Frankel: Biodiversity is nature by another name </title>
  2781. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/eve-frankel-biodiversity-is-nature-by-another-name/</link>
  2783. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Opinion]]></dc:creator>
  2784. <pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2024 10:01:00 +0000</pubDate>
  2785. <category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
  2786. <category><![CDATA[Commentaries]]></category>
  2787. <category><![CDATA[The Nature Conservancy in Vermont]]></category>
  2788. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582341</guid>
  2789.  
  2790. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="768" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-1024x768.png" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Commentaries: opinion pieces by community members." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-1024x768.png 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-300x225.png 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-125x94.png 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-768x576.png 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-800x600.png?crop=1 800w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-600x450.png?crop=1 600w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-400x300.png?crop=1 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-200x150.png?crop=1 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-706x530.png 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="574028" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/commentaries_1200x900/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png" data-orig-size="1200,900" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Commentaries_1200x900" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Commentaries logo for featured image&lt;/p&gt;
  2791. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-300x225.png" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png" /></figure>
  2792. <p>Nature is not an extravagant amenity or simply a scenic backdrop for life’s activities. It is the foundation upon which all life depends.</p>
  2793. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/eve-frankel-biodiversity-is-nature-by-another-name/">Eve Frankel: Biodiversity is nature by another name </a>.</p>
  2794. ]]></description>
  2795. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="768" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-1024x768.png" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Commentaries: opinion pieces by community members." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-1024x768.png 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-300x225.png 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-125x94.png 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-768x576.png 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-800x600.png?crop=1 800w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-600x450.png?crop=1 600w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-400x300.png?crop=1 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-200x150.png?crop=1 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-706x530.png 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="574028" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/commentaries_1200x900/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png" data-orig-size="1200,900" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Commentaries_1200x900" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Commentaries logo for featured image&lt;/p&gt;
  2796. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900-300x225.png" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commentaries_1200x900.png" /></figure>
  2797. <p><em>This commentary is by Eve Frankel of Waitsfield. She is the state director for The Nature Conservancy in Vermont. </em></p>
  2798.  
  2799.  
  2800. <div class="wp-block-image">
  2801. <figure class="alignright size-medium"><a href="https://vtdigger.org/tag/commentaries/"><img decoding="async" width="300" height="67" data-attachment-id="570577" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/?attachment_id=570577" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1.png" data-orig-size="512,114" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Commentaries_vtd" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-300x67.png" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1.png" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-300x67.png" alt="" class="wp-image-570577" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-300x67.png 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-125x28.png 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1-400x89.png 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commentaries_vtd-1.png 512w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></figure></div>
  2802.  
  2803.  
  2804. <p>Growing up as part of an immigrant family in Queens, New York, my childhood could be categorized as “nature deficient.” Aside from walks in the park or the special day trip to Jones Beach on a hot summer day, there was no camping, boating or hiking. When we moved to the suburbs, a sign of upward mobility that my parents strived for, I truly thought we were in the great outdoors; our first backyard was a tangle of poison ivy, overgrown trees and decorative exotics like Japanese cherry blossom. I had viewed nature as “nice to have” and could barely grasp its connection to me, let alone the vast spectrum of life it supports.&nbsp;</p>
  2805.  
  2806.  
  2807.  
  2808. <p>Fast-forward 35 years later to my authoring this op-ed as the Vermont state director of The Nature Conservancy — an organization committed to conserving 30% of Vermont’s lands and waters by 2030 to fulfill its mission of protecting biodiversity. How do I connect these values to the average Vermonter and the average family trying to survive and thrive while navigating education, housing, health care and other issues? In a state like Vermont, known for its rural landscape, how critical is conserving nature?</p>
  2809.  
  2810.  
  2811.  
  2812. <p>Let’s begin with the term biodiversity and call it what it is: nature by another name.&nbsp;</p>
  2813.  
  2814.  
  2815.  
  2816. <p>Nature underpins every aspect of our lives: the food we eat, the air we breathe, a livable planet. The habitats that golden-winged warblers, black bears and brook trout depend on are the very same habitats that make our lives possible — whether we live adjacent to these forests and rivers or downstream in an urban center. Seventy-five percent of global food crops rely on pollination. Forests filter and store 40% of the world’s water for cities. When one of these systems or species begins to falter, it serves as a canary in the coal mine for our own species.</p>
  2817.  
  2818.  
  2819.  
  2820. <p>For the first time in over 100 years, Vermont forests are declining at an estimated rate of at least 10,000 acres per year. Our freshwater health has been compromised due to generations of practices that have left our lakes compromised, our fish habitat degraded and our communities more vulnerable to floods.&nbsp;</p>
  2821.  
  2822.  
  2823.  
  2824. <p>The effort to conserve 30% of our lands and waters is not an attempt to lock land away — it is a commonsense approach to ensuring that at a minimum, we are in balance with nature, so our human communities can grow safely and resiliently. Preserving biodiversity — the maples, ferns, fungi, pollinators, mussels, moose, hemlock, eagles — ensures that we and our families can continue to thrive as well.&nbsp;</p>
  2825.  
  2826.  
  2827.  
  2828. <p>Climate change is re-ordering our lives in dramatic ways and at a pace surprising even to those who have been studying climate for decades. Species are rearranging themselves in response to these changes. Wildlife are adjusting their ranges 33 feet in elevation and 11 miles north each decade, alongside people who are also moving in response to our changing climate. Investing in nature not only supports biodiversity, but also offers up to one third of the carbon reduction efforts scientists have deemed necessary, at a fraction of the cost of human engineered solutions.&nbsp;</p>
  2829.  
  2830.  
  2831.  
  2832. <p>Vermont has done a commendable job of preserving our historic structures and villages, an agrarian landscape and an outdoor recreational economy. Preserving biodiversity on the other hand, during a time of global biodiversity collapse, has not been met with the necessary and commensurate level of priority and funding. Yet, it is the web of life that our food systems, economies and even medical research depend on.&nbsp;</p>
  2833.  
  2834.  
  2835.  
  2836. <p>Nature is not an extravagant amenity or simply a scenic backdrop for life’s activities. It is the foundation upon which all life depends.&nbsp;</p>
  2837.  
  2838.  
  2839.  
  2840. <p>Last year, The Nature Conservancy helped pass the state’s Community Resilience Act and Biodiversity Protection Act. Currently, there is a public process in place to determine how best to conserve 30% of Vermont by 2030. We at The Nature Conservancy, along with partners, are working diligently to ensure that biodiversity is appropriately prioritized so that we can co-create a future where both nature and people thrive.&nbsp;</p>
  2841. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/22/eve-frankel-biodiversity-is-nature-by-another-name/">Eve Frankel: Biodiversity is nature by another name </a>.</p>
  2842. ]]></content:encoded>
  2846. <dc:modified>Wed, 22 May 2024 01:01:54 +0000</dc:modified>
  2847. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582341</post-id> </item>
  2848. <item>
  2849. <title>Mary Louise Sayles</title>
  2850. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/21/mary-louise-sayles/</link>
  2852. <dc:creator><![CDATA[VTD Obituaries]]></dc:creator>
  2853. <pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2024 00:03:52 +0000</pubDate>
  2854. <category><![CDATA[Obituaries]]></category>
  2855. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582337</guid>
  2856.  
  2857. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="768" height="454" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sayles-mary-obit-2.jpeg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sayles-mary-obit-2.jpeg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sayles-mary-obit-2-300x177.jpeg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sayles-mary-obit-2-125x74.jpeg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sayles-mary-obit-2-400x236.jpeg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sayles-mary-obit-2-706x417.jpeg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582339" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/21/mary-louise-sayles/sayles-mary-obit-2/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sayles-mary-obit-2.jpeg" data-orig-size="768,454" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="sayles-mary-obit 2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sayles-mary-obit-2-300x177.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sayles-mary-obit-2.jpeg" /></figure>
  2858. <p>Mary Louise truly lived the American Dream and left a lasting mark on her community.</p>
  2859. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/21/mary-louise-sayles/">Mary Louise Sayles</a>.</p>
  2860. ]]></description>
  2861. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="768" height="454" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sayles-mary-obit-2.jpeg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sayles-mary-obit-2.jpeg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sayles-mary-obit-2-300x177.jpeg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sayles-mary-obit-2-125x74.jpeg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sayles-mary-obit-2-400x236.jpeg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sayles-mary-obit-2-706x417.jpeg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582339" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/21/mary-louise-sayles/sayles-mary-obit-2/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sayles-mary-obit-2.jpeg" data-orig-size="768,454" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="sayles-mary-obit 2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sayles-mary-obit-2-300x177.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sayles-mary-obit-2.jpeg" /></figure><div class="wp-block-image">
  2862. <figure class="alignright size-full"><img decoding="async" width="768" height="944" data-attachment-id="582338" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/sayles-mary-obit/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sayles-mary-obit.jpeg" data-orig-size="768,944" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="sayles-mary-obit" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sayles-mary-obit-244x300.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sayles-mary-obit.jpeg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sayles-mary-obit.jpeg" alt="An older woman with curly white hair wearing a floral tank top and white pants stands smiling beside a pool at sunset under a screen enclosure. Trees and a fence are visible in the background." class="wp-image-582338" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sayles-mary-obit.jpeg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sayles-mary-obit-244x300.jpeg 244w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sayles-mary-obit-102x125.jpeg 102w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sayles-mary-obit-400x492.jpeg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sayles-mary-obit-706x868.jpeg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>
  2863.  
  2864.  
  2865. <p><strong>Born</strong> Jan. 26, 1935</p>
  2866.  
  2867.  
  2868.  
  2869. <p>Boston, Massachusetts </p>
  2870.  
  2871.  
  2872.  
  2873. <p><strong>Died</strong> May 16, 2024</p>
  2874.  
  2875.  
  2876.  
  2877. <p>Lebanon, New Hampshire </p>
  2878.  
  2879.  
  2880.  
  2881. <p><strong>Details of services</strong></p>
  2882.  
  2883.  
  2884.  
  2885. <p>A visitation will be held Friday, May 24, 2024, at the Knight Funeral Home in Windsor from 4-6pm. A memorial service will be held On Saturday June 15, 2024, at Cedar Hill Community in Windsor at 11am. A private interment will follow in the Ascutney Cemetery in Windsor.</p>
  2886.  
  2887.  
  2888.  
  2889. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
  2890.  
  2891.  
  2892.  
  2893. <p>Windsor, VT- Mary Louise Sayles died Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Jack Byrne Palliative and Hospice Center in Lebanon, NH following a severe stroke. Although she was approaching 90, her passing was still a shock to all who knew her, as she was vital to the end. Mary Louise truly lived the American Dream and left a lasting mark on her community.</p>
  2894.  
  2895.  
  2896.  
  2897. <p>Mary Louise was born January 26, 1935, in her parents&#8217; apartment in an Italian enclave in the Roxbury section of Boston, a daughter of Italian immigrants Luigi and Pierina (Seminario) Tomasini. Louisa — the name her family called her — loved reminiscing about her childhood. She was much younger than her sister Julia and brother Raymond, who made sure she was raised speaking English as well as Italian and that she had experiences beyond their Boston neighborhood. She spoke fondly about the extended family gatherings, with aunts, uncles and cousins gathering for a pot of polenta or risotto and some of Luigi’s homemade wine.</p>
  2898.  
  2899.  
  2900.  
  2901. <p>Steeped in a love for her Italian heritage, Louisa accompanied her mother on an extended visit to Italy in 1946. She climbed the mountains above the Lakes region, cared for her uncle’s goats, met the extended family, and returned speaking Italian. Her love of Italy and family traditions remained a theme for her and, in her final year, she returned to Italy with her daughters to revisit the places that made such a mark on her in her early years.</p>
  2902.  
  2903.  
  2904.  
  2905. <p>After graduating from Girls’ High School in Boston in 1953, she was the first in her family to attend college, studying nursing at Boston College. The nursing school allowed her to pay what she could manage and made up the difference, providing an opportunity that changed her life and launched her career. Through the years, she remained close to her friends from nursing school and loved to tell of bringing her father’s bathtub wine to share with her pals.</p>
  2906.  
  2907.  
  2908.  
  2909. <p>In 1957, a summer romance at Weirs Beach in Laconia with a handsome naval officer named James Patrick Horn led to marriage, and the union of their Irish and Italian families. When she learned that her new family had only eaten spaghetti from a can, she introduced them to the joys of authentic Italian food, leading her new brother-in-law to announce, “I want a Louisa.” Her hospitality and love of food and family would be a hallmark of her life.</p>
  2910.  
  2911.  
  2912.  
  2913. <p>While Louisa built a career in nursing, she and Jim raised three girls in the Seacoast area of New Hampshire, in various homes that always featured happy (and fat) dogs, great food, and often provided refuge for various family members in need. Theirs were homes with love, laughter, and compassion to spare.</p>
  2914.  
  2915.  
  2916.  
  2917. <p>As a nurse, Mary Louise worked in public health and helped start an early family planning clinic. She went on to be a hospital director of nursing and found her true love in caring for the elderly in long term care. She was the first director of nursing at Edgewood Manor in Portsmouth, NH, and became the administrator of that home. She brought her dogs to work with her each day, a move that delighted the residents and reflected the personal care she would bring to people throughout her life.</p>
  2918.  
  2919.  
  2920.  
  2921. <p>She never backed down from a righteous fight. In her role as administrator of the Strafford County Nursing Home, her drive to improve the quality of care led to a battle with the board of county administrators, a battle that ultimately was decided in her favor by future Supreme Court Judge David Souter. Her vacations — either at their lake house in Maine or on precious getaways to Bermuda — inevitably included a bag full of professional magazines on the latest in elder care. In her next role as nursing home administrator for Sullivan County, her job expanded to include running a dairy farm and a small jail!</p>
  2922.  
  2923.  
  2924.  
  2925. <p>In 1988, after finding herself on her own following a marriage separation, and at a time of life when others were eyeing the exits, Mary Louise took on the greatest challenge of her life, purchasing Cedar Manor, a nursing home in Windsor County, with her partner and friend, Judy Brogren. The nursing home was an 1840s home turned nursing home and needed extensive work. Judy and Mary Louise lived in a trailer that came with the property because they had to pledge all their assets to buy the business. Judy brought her horse and goat to the barn and the place had quite an animal menagerie. They planted flowers and trees and created outdoor spaces for the residents. They painted the walls and hung wallpaper. Cedar Hill became known for its beauty, its welcoming of animals, and, above all, its high quality of care.</p>
  2926.  
  2927.  
  2928.  
  2929. <p>Over the next decade, Judy and Mary Louise watched their vision take shape. They expanded the nursing home and, in 1999, opened a 20-apartment assisted living facility, known as The Village at Cedar Hill. The next decade brought more change as Judy retired and Mary Louise’s daughter Patricia joined the business as a nursing home administrator. In 2015, they expanded again, with more residential units and a memory care wing, named for founder Judy Brogren. And, in 2018, they built a solar field that produces around 80% of the energy the campus needs. Cedar Hill stands as a monument to the drive and vision of a woman who put the needs of her residents and community at the forefront of everything she did.</p>
  2930.  
  2931.  
  2932.  
  2933. <p>Many will remember Mary Louise for her professional career and her devotion to improving care in nursing homes and assisted living. She twice won awards from the Vermont Health Care Association and was active in the Rotary Club, the American Health Care Association, the American College of HealthCare Administrators, and the Wild Women of Windsor.</p>
  2934.  
  2935.  
  2936.  
  2937. <p>The latter part of life included both love and loss. In 2003, Louisa married retired librarian, Jeremy Sayles, at the Barnard Inn, and the two shared a passion for ocean and river cruising and for enjoying a well-ordered home in Barnard, Vermont, and Bradenton, Florida. Jerry embraced Mary’s life’s work at Cedar Hill and loved to stop in for lunch, where the pub was named after him. Mary Louise’s strength was tested when her oldest daughter Maria died of cancer at the age of 44. With Jeremy by her side, she carried on, choosing to focus on the positive and continuing to lead a remarkable life of service to her family, Cedar Hill and her communities.</p>
  2938.  
  2939.  
  2940.  
  2941. <p>In addition to Maria, Mary Louise was predeceased by Jeremy, her brother, Raymond Tomasini, and a sister, Julia Casey. She is survived by two daughters, Patricia Ann Horn (Mark Preece) of Windsor, and Cynthia Grant of Staunton, VA; a stepdaughter, Jennifer Harville (David) of Westmoreland, NH; stepson, John Whitman Sayles (Sonya) of Portland, ME; son-in-law, Martin Smith of Burlington, Mass.; grandchildren Dylan (Lindsay), Drew, Benn, Elena, Annie, October, Ezra, Sheridan, and Jacob Calvin; and great-grandchildren Cora and Hailey.</p>
  2942.  
  2943.  
  2944.  
  2945. <p>Donations in her memory can be made to the Cedar Hill Activity Fund (which benefits the Cedar Hill and Village residents with music, outings, and other events); the Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society; the Sierra Club; or Our Little Roses Foreign Mission Society, an NGO that supports girls in Honduras.</p>
  2946.  
  2947.  
  2948.  
  2949. <p>Knight Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed in an online guestbook found at <a href="http://www.knightfuneralhomes.com">www.knightfuneralhomes.com</a>.</p>
  2950. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/21/mary-louise-sayles/">Mary Louise Sayles</a>.</p>
  2951. ]]></content:encoded>
  2955. <dc:modified>Wed, 22 May 2024 00:03:58 +0000</dc:modified>
  2956. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582337</post-id> </item>
  2957. <item>
  2958. <title>Dozens of layoffs at former Vermont Teddy Bear distribution center due to start Thursday</title>
  2959. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/21/dozens-of-layoffs-at-former-vermont-teddy-bear-distribution-center-due-to-start-thursday/</link>
  2961. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Juan Vega de Soto]]></dc:creator>
  2962. <pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2024 22:37:23 +0000</pubDate>
  2963. <category><![CDATA[Economy]]></category>
  2964. <category><![CDATA[Matt Bigelow]]></category>
  2965. <category><![CDATA[Michael Harrington]]></category>
  2966. <category><![CDATA[USA Brands]]></category>
  2967. <category><![CDATA[Vermont Department of Labor]]></category>
  2968. <category><![CDATA[Vermont Flannel]]></category>
  2969. <category><![CDATA[Vermont Teddy Bear Company]]></category>
  2970. <category><![CDATA[WARN Act]]></category>
  2971. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582329</guid>
  2972.  
  2973. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="683" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="worker arranging dies under press" decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4.jpg 6000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4-610x407.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="516935" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/vermont-teddy-bear-4/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4.jpg" data-orig-size="6000,4000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="vermont-teddy-bear-4" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;A worker uses a die and press to cut through multiple layers of fur to create the fabric pieces that will be sewn into bear parts. Photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  2974. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;A worker uses a die and press to cut through multiple layers of fur to create the fabric pieces that will be sewn into bear parts. Photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  2975. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4-610x407.jpg" /></figure>
  2976. <p>The Shelburne facility is expected to close in the next few weeks, after the new owners failed to reach a lease agreement for the building.</p>
  2977. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/21/dozens-of-layoffs-at-former-vermont-teddy-bear-distribution-center-due-to-start-thursday/">Dozens of layoffs at former Vermont Teddy Bear distribution center due to start Thursday</a>.</p>
  2978. ]]></description>
  2979. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="683" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="worker arranging dies under press" decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4.jpg 6000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4-610x407.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="516935" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/vermont-teddy-bear-4/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4.jpg" data-orig-size="6000,4000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="vermont-teddy-bear-4" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;A worker uses a die and press to cut through multiple layers of fur to create the fabric pieces that will be sewn into bear parts. Photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  2980. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;A worker uses a die and press to cut through multiple layers of fur to create the fabric pieces that will be sewn into bear parts. Photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  2981. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4-610x407.jpg" /></figure><div class="wp-block-image">
  2982. <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="610" height="407" data-attachment-id="516935" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/vermont-teddy-bear-4/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4.jpg" data-orig-size="6000,4000" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="vermont-teddy-bear-4" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;A worker uses a die and press to cut through multiple layers of fur to create the fabric pieces that will be sewn into bear parts. Photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  2983. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;A worker uses a die and press to cut through multiple layers of fur to create the fabric pieces that will be sewn into bear parts. Photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  2984. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4-610x407.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4-610x407.jpg" alt="worker arranging dies under press" class="wp-image-516935" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4-610x407.jpg 610w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/vermont-teddy-bear-4-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A Vermont Teddy Bear worker uses a die and press to cut through multiple layers of fur to create the fabric pieces that will be sewn into bear parts. File photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger</figcaption></figure></div>
  2985.  
  2986.  
  2987. <p>Roughly 30 people will lose their jobs at a distribution center for the former apparel brands of the <a href="https://vermontteddybear.com/">Vermont Teddy Bear Company</a>, according to a letter the new owner sent to the Vermont Department of Labor.&nbsp;</p>
  2988.  
  2989.  
  2990.  
  2991. <p>The first round of layoffs are expected to begin Thursday and proceed in stages until June 5, according to the letter. The Shelburne facility would fully close by June 6.</p>
  2992.  
  2993.  
  2994.  
  2995. <p>Vermont Teddy Bear <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/04/11/vermont-flannel-buys-vermont-teddy-bear-fusing-2-prominent-companies/">was recently sold</a> to USA brands, which also owns <a href="https://www.vermontflannel.com/">Vermont Flannel</a>. The plush toys company simultaneously sold its apparel brands — <a href="https://www.pajamagram.com/">Pajamagram</a>, <a href="https://www.pajamajeans.com/">Pajamajeans</a> and <a href="https://www.the1foru.com/">The 1 for U</a> — to an affiliate of New York City investment firm Lionel Capital.&nbsp;</p>
  2996.  
  2997.  
  2998.  
  2999. <p>According to the letter, the new owner of the apparel brands was unable to negotiate a lease for the warehouse, prompting its sudden closure. The state’s labor department was still trying to sort through the intricacies of the move, according to Labor Commissioner Michael Harrington.</p>
  3000.  
  3001.  
  3002.  
  3003. <p>“Our legal team is working with their legal team,” Harrington said. “Part of what we’re trying to figure out is what part of the company closed.”</p>
  3004.  
  3005.  
  3006.  
  3007. <p>USA Brands president Matt Bigelow said the layoffs were not occurring on the side of Vermont Teddy Bear that actually makes the plush toys.&nbsp;</p>
  3008.  
  3009.  
  3010.  
  3011. <p>“We don’t have any intent of making any major staffing changes and certainly no layoffs,” Bigelow said. “But it sounds like that’s not the case on the apparel side.”</p>
  3012.  
  3013.  
  3014.  
  3015. <p>The affected employees work in the distribution center’s accounting, human resources, contact center, inventory and information technology departments. They were notified of their imminent termination on May 16, according to the letter.</p>
  3016.  
  3017.  
  3018.  
  3019. <p>Under the federal WARN Act, employers must give employees 60 days notice if a plan to close a facility would result in mass layoffs. A company may be exempt, Harrington said, if it can prove that the facility closed due to an unforeseeable circumstance.&nbsp;</p>
  3020.  
  3021.  
  3022.  
  3023. <p>“They may … provide pay for the equivalent of the notice period,” Harrington said.&nbsp;</p>
  3024.  
  3025.  
  3026.  
  3027. <p>In its letter, the new owner of the apparel brands said: “The inability … to negotiate a lease with the building’s owner was a sudden unexpected business development which prevented us from providing employees with more notice about their upcoming terminations.”&nbsp;</p>
  3028.  
  3029.  
  3030.  
  3031. <p>A representative from Lionel Capital could not immediately be reached for comment.</p>
  3032.  
  3033.  
  3034.  
  3035. <p>Harrington encouraged any employee to contact the Department of Labor if they believe there was any indication of wrongdoing in their termination. The department also provides rapid support services for finding work and accessing unemployment benefits.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  3036.  
  3037.  
  3038.  
  3039. <p><em>Corey McDonald contributed reporting.</em></p>
  3040. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/21/dozens-of-layoffs-at-former-vermont-teddy-bear-distribution-center-due-to-start-thursday/">Dozens of layoffs at former Vermont Teddy Bear distribution center due to start Thursday</a>.</p>
  3041. ]]></content:encoded>
  3045. <dc:modified>Tue, 21 May 2024 22:37:29 +0000</dc:modified>
  3046. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582329</post-id> </item>
  3047. <item>
  3048. <title>Unhoused Vermonters get extra help in bitter cold but must largely manage extreme heat on their own</title>
  3049. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/21/unhoused-vermonters-get-extra-help-in-bitter-cold-but-must-largely-manage-extreme-heat-on-their-own/</link>
  3051. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Carly Berlin]]></dc:creator>
  3052. <pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2024 21:29:39 +0000</pubDate>
  3053. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  3054. <category><![CDATA[Department for Children and Families]]></category>
  3055. <category><![CDATA[Department of Health]]></category>
  3056. <category><![CDATA[Lily Sojourner]]></category>
  3057. <category><![CDATA[Nya Pike]]></category>
  3058. <category><![CDATA[Paul Dragon]]></category>
  3059. <category><![CDATA[Phil Scott]]></category>
  3060. <category><![CDATA[Tanya Vyhovsky]]></category>
  3061. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582314</guid>
  3062.  
  3063. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="684" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A man walks towards Fletcher Free Library, where a chalkboard sign indicates it is a cooling site with a drawing of a fan." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812-610x407.jpg 610w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812-768x513.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812-1536x1025.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="529157" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/hot-weather-4-20210812/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812.jpg" data-orig-size="2000,1335" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;GLENN RUSSELL&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D750&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;The Fletcher Free Library is one of several cooling sites around the city in Burlington available for people to seek relief from the heat.  Seen on Thursday, August 12, 2021. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1628776814&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;GLENN RUSSELL&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;70&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;720&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.001&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;hot-weather-4 20210812&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="hot-weather-4 20210812" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;The Fletcher Free Library is one of several cooling sites around the city in Burlington available for people to seek relief from the heat.  Seen on Thursday, August 12, 2021. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  3064. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Fletcher Free Library is one of several cooling sites around the city in Burlington available for people to seek relief from the heat.  Seen on Thursday, August 12, 2021. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  3065. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812-610x407.jpg" /></figure>
  3066. <p>“For me, the cold weather opening of the motels is really grounded in a Vermont climate that doesn’t really exist anymore,” said state Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky.</p>
  3067. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/21/unhoused-vermonters-get-extra-help-in-bitter-cold-but-must-largely-manage-extreme-heat-on-their-own/">Unhoused Vermonters get extra help in bitter cold but must largely manage extreme heat on their own</a>.</p>
  3068. ]]></description>
  3069. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="684" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A man walks towards Fletcher Free Library, where a chalkboard sign indicates it is a cooling site with a drawing of a fan." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812-610x407.jpg 610w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812-768x513.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812-1536x1025.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="529157" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/hot-weather-4-20210812/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812.jpg" data-orig-size="2000,1335" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;GLENN RUSSELL&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D750&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;The Fletcher Free Library is one of several cooling sites around the city in Burlington available for people to seek relief from the heat.  Seen on Thursday, August 12, 2021. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1628776814&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;GLENN RUSSELL&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;70&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;720&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.001&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;hot-weather-4 20210812&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="hot-weather-4 20210812" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;The Fletcher Free Library is one of several cooling sites around the city in Burlington available for people to seek relief from the heat.  Seen on Thursday, August 12, 2021. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  3070. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Fletcher Free Library is one of several cooling sites around the city in Burlington available for people to seek relief from the heat.  Seen on Thursday, August 12, 2021. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  3071. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812-610x407.jpg" /></figure><div class="wp-block-image">
  3072. <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="610" height="407" data-attachment-id="529157" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/hot-weather-4-20210812/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812.jpg" data-orig-size="2000,1335" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;GLENN RUSSELL&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D750&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;The Fletcher Free Library is one of several cooling sites around the city in Burlington available for people to seek relief from the heat.  Seen on Thursday, August 12, 2021. Photo by Glenn Russell\/VTDigger&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1628776814&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;GLENN RUSSELL&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;70&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;720&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.001&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;hot-weather-4 20210812&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="hot-weather-4 20210812" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;The Fletcher Free Library is one of several cooling sites around the city in Burlington available for people to seek relief from the heat.  Seen on Thursday, August 12, 2021. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  3073. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Fletcher Free Library is one of several cooling sites around the city in Burlington available for people to seek relief from the heat.  Seen on Thursday, August 12, 2021. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger&lt;/p&gt;
  3074. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812-610x407.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812-610x407.jpg" alt="A man walks towards Fletcher Free Library, where a chalkboard sign indicates it is a cooling site with a drawing of a fan." class="wp-image-529157" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812-610x407.jpg 610w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812-768x513.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/hot-weather-4-20210812.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Fletcher Free Library has served as a cooling site in Burlington available for people to seek relief from the heat. File photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger</figcaption></figure></div>
  3075.  
  3076.  
  3077. <p><em>This story, by Report for America corps member Carly Berlin, was produced through a partnership between VTDigger and Vermont Public.</em></p>
  3078.  
  3079.  
  3080.  
  3081. <p>As Vermont sees temperatures <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/20/vermont-to-see-unseasonably-warm-temperatures-in-coming-days-weather-service-reports/">spike for the first time this year</a>, unhoused people who lack stable access to shelter face limited options as they try to stay cool.</p>
  3082.  
  3083.  
  3084.  
  3085. <p>Amid a <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2023/12/29/vermonts-rates-of-homelessness-are-still-among-the-worst-in-the-nation/">rise in homelessness</a>, the state’s shelters are typically full. During the coldest months of the year, the state has historically opened up access to its backstop to the shelter system — the motel housing program — to anyone experiencing homelessness. But no such parallel exists for heat waves, or other summertime hazards, such as poor air quality from wildfire smoke.</p>
  3086.  
  3087.  
  3088.  
  3089. <p>As Vermont braces for more extreme weather conditions in the future, some say the state’s response to homelessness needs to adapt, too.</p>
  3090.  
  3091.  
  3092.  
  3093. <p>“For me, the cold weather opening of the motels is really grounded in a Vermont climate that doesn’t really exist anymore,” said Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky, P/D-Chittenden Central. “Our thinking is pretty behind the realities of climate change at this point.”</p>
  3094.  
  3095.  
  3096.  
  3097. <p>Some daytime options do exist for unsheltered Vermonters to escape the heat. The state Department of Health maintains a <a href="https://www.healthvermont.gov/environment/climate-health/hot-weather">list of cooling sites</a> with access to air conditioning or water, such as libraries, community centers and state parks.&nbsp;</p>
  3098.  
  3099.  
  3100.  
  3101. <p>Some communities have existing day centers where unsheltered people can access services indoors — like Burlington’s COTS Daystation, which reportedly saw an uptick in traffic <a href="https://www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2023-09-08/how-vermonters-responded-to-this-weeks-extreme-heat">during a heat wave last September</a> — and have outreach teams that bring cold water to people living in encampments. </p>
  3102.  
  3103.  
  3104.  
  3105. <p>Yet service providers say they’re stretched thin as they attempt to meet the needs of a growing number of Vermonters living out in the elements, particularly after hundreds of people <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2023/06/01/after-last-ditch-legal-effort-fails-hundreds-of-unhoused-vermonters-are-evicted-from-motel-program/">were evicted from the motel program last June</a>. In Chittenden County alone, providers estimate that around 200 to 240 people are living outside.</p>
  3106.  
  3107.  
  3108.  
  3109. <p>“Ultimately, the bottom line is we have too many people out on the streets, and not enough capacity to serve them,” said Paul Dragon, executive director of the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity.&nbsp;</p>
  3110.  
  3111.  
  3112.  
  3113. <p>State funding has supported a modest increase in the number of shelter beds available statewide over the last year: capacity has been added for about 110 households, for a total capacity of 547 households, though that number shifts as seasonal shelters open and close and new projects come online, according to an email from Department for Children and Families spokesperson Nya Pike.</p>
  3114.  
  3115.  
  3116.  
  3117. <p>Lawmakers allocated about <a href="https://ljfo.vermont.gov/assets/Uploads/500fbad7fa/FY_2025_COC_Budget_Highlights_-_H_883-v2.pdf">$7 million for permanent shelter bed expansion</a> — and another $10 million<a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/07/in-compromise-budget-panel-agrees-to-new-limits-on-motel-housing-program/"> intended for emergency winter shelter capacity</a> — for the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1.  The Department for Children and Families is now reviewing applications for some of that funding, according to an emailed statement from Lily Sojourner, director of the department’s Office of Economic Opportunity. </p>
  3118.  
  3119.  
  3120.  
  3121. <p>But the state’s year-round capacity for the motel program will be shrinking. Beginning Sept. 15, <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/07/in-compromise-budget-panel-agrees-to-new-limits-on-motel-housing-program/">a 1,100-room cap will go into effect</a>, a measure lawmakers wielded to rein in costs as the state scales back the program’s pandemic-era expansion. The room cap will be lifted during the winter, though eligibility during the colder months will be more limited than it has been in the past. (Gov. Phil Scott has not yet signed the new policy into law, <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/08/legislative-panel-finalizes-8-6b-state-budget-gov-phil-scott-signals-willingness-to-sign/">but has signaled his support for it</a>).&nbsp;</p>
  3122.  
  3123.  
  3124.  
  3125. <p>Because the motel program currently shelters around 1,500 households — all of whom are deemed vulnerable, based on criteria set in part by lawmakers — the room cap, along with a new 80-day limit on motel stays, will force people out of shelter.</p>
  3126.  
  3127.  
  3128.  
  3129. <p>“We’re extremely concerned that they put the caps in place in terms of who has access to shelter in the summer,” said Frank Knaack, executive director of the Housing and Homelessness Alliance of Vermont. “Our shelter system is already completely maxed out.”</p>
  3130.  
  3131.  
  3132.  
  3133. <p>For unhoused Vermonters with acute health conditions, opening up motel stays during extreme heat could be a lifeline, Dragon said. “We know that many of the people that we see have cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure, diabetes — and it makes their condition much more vulnerable in extreme hot weather.”</p>
  3134.  
  3135.  
  3136.  
  3137. <p>Vyhovsky hopes adjusting the state’s motel program policy to address weather hazards outside of the winter months can be a part of the conversation during the 2025 legislative session.</p>
  3138.  
  3139.  
  3140.  
  3141. <p>“What can we do right now, to make sure that on any given day when there are alerts going out about not being outside — that we’re making sure no one has to be outside?” Vyhovsky said.</p>
  3142. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/21/unhoused-vermonters-get-extra-help-in-bitter-cold-but-must-largely-manage-extreme-heat-on-their-own/">Unhoused Vermonters get extra help in bitter cold but must largely manage extreme heat on their own</a>.</p>
  3143. ]]></content:encoded>
  3147. <dc:modified>Tue, 21 May 2024 21:29:44 +0000</dc:modified>
  3148. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582314</post-id> </item>
  3149. <item>
  3150. <title>State trooper receiving care for ‘severe’ traumatic brain injury from March crash</title>
  3151. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/21/state-trooper-receiving-care-for-severe-traumatic-brain-injury-from-march-crash/</link>
  3153. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Alan J. Keays]]></dc:creator>
  3154. <pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2024 20:33:05 +0000</pubDate>
  3155. <category><![CDATA[Public Safety]]></category>
  3156. <category><![CDATA[Eric Vitali]]></category>
  3157. <category><![CDATA[Vermont State Police]]></category>
  3158. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582309</guid>
  3159.  
  3160. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="586" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-1024x586.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A man in a state police uniform stands in front of an American and Vermont flag." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-1024x586.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-300x172.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-1200x686.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-125x71.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-768x439.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-400x229.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-706x404.jpg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2.jpg 1467w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582310" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/21/state-trooper-receiving-care-for-severe-traumatic-brain-injury-from-march-crash/eric-vitali-2/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2.jpg" data-orig-size="1467,839" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;10&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;COURTESY VERMONT STATE POLICE&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D4&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Vermont State Police Cpl. Eric Vitali of the Royalton Barracks is seen in this 2021 photo.&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1620242119&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;116&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;125&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.004&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Eric-Vitali 2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Vermont State Police Cpl. Eric Vitali of the Royalton Barracks is seen in this 2021 photo.&lt;/p&gt;
  3161. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-300x172.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-1200x686.jpg" /></figure>
  3162. <p>The state Department of Public Safety has rejected VTDigger’s public records request seeking materials related to the Interstate 89 crash that injured Cpl. Eric Vitali. </p>
  3163. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/21/state-trooper-receiving-care-for-severe-traumatic-brain-injury-from-march-crash/">State trooper receiving care for ‘severe’ traumatic brain injury from March crash</a>.</p>
  3164. ]]></description>
  3165. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="586" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-1024x586.jpg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A man in a state police uniform stands in front of an American and Vermont flag." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-1024x586.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-300x172.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-1200x686.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-125x71.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-768x439.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-400x229.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-706x404.jpg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2.jpg 1467w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582310" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/21/state-trooper-receiving-care-for-severe-traumatic-brain-injury-from-march-crash/eric-vitali-2/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2.jpg" data-orig-size="1467,839" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;10&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;COURTESY VERMONT STATE POLICE&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D4&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Vermont State Police Cpl. Eric Vitali of the Royalton Barracks is seen in this 2021 photo.&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1620242119&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;116&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;125&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.004&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Eric-Vitali 2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Vermont State Police Cpl. Eric Vitali of the Royalton Barracks is seen in this 2021 photo.&lt;/p&gt;
  3166. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-300x172.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eric-Vitali-2-1200x686.jpg" /></figure><div class="wp-block-image">
  3167. <figure class="alignright size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="1800" data-attachment-id="573792" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/eric-vitali/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali.jpg" data-orig-size="1467,2200" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;10&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;COURTESY VERMONT STATE POLICE&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D4&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Vermont State Police Cpl. Eric Vitali of the Royalton Barracks is seen in this 2021 photo.&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1620242119&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;116&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;125&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.004&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Eric-Vitali" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Vermont State Police Cpl. Eric Vitali. Photo courtesy of Vermont State Police &lt;/p&gt;
  3168. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali-200x300.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali-1200x1800.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali-1200x1800.jpg" alt="A man in uniform in front of flags." class="wp-image-573792" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali-1200x1800.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali-200x300.jpg 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali-83x125.jpg 83w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali-1366x2048.jpg 1366w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali-400x600.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali-706x1059.jpg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eric-Vitali.jpg 1467w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Vermont State Police Cpl. Eric Vitali. Photo courtesy of Vermont State Police </figcaption></figure></div>
  3169.  
  3170.  
  3171. <p>A Vermont State Police <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/03/12/state-police-corporal-injured-in-friday-crash-has-life-threatening-injuries-troopers-union-says/">trooper seriously injured in March</a> when his cruiser slammed into a fire truck that had stopped at a crash scene is undergoing treatment for a “severe traumatic brain injury.”</p>
  3172.  
  3173.  
  3174.  
  3175. <p>Mike O’Neil, executive director of the Vermont Troopers’ Association, provided an update on Cpl. Eric Vitali’s condition in a statement issued late last week. O’Neil said he did so at the request of the trooper’s wife, Heather Vitali.&nbsp;</p>
  3176.  
  3177.  
  3178.  
  3179. <p>“Eric has transitioned to a rehabilitation facility where he is undergoing extensive cognitive and physical therapy for a severe traumatic brain injury,” O’Neil wrote in the statement.&nbsp;</p>
  3180.  
  3181.  
  3182.  
  3183. <p>“Heather has shared that Eric is making progress but cautioned that this will be an incredibly long road for Eric, and it remains uncertain to what extent his recovery will progress,” O’Neil added.&nbsp;</p>
  3184.  
  3185.  
  3186.  
  3187. <p>Vitali, a 19-year state police veteran, <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/03/08/vermont-state-police-trooper-airlifted-to-hospital-after-crash-on-i-89/">was airlifted to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center</a> in&nbsp; Lebanon, New Hampshire following the crash, which took place on the morning of March 8 in the northbound lanes of I-89 near the Bethel exit, according to state police.&nbsp;</p>
  3188.  
  3189.  
  3190.  
  3191. <div class="wp-block-group alignwide has-light-blue-background-color has-background" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  3192. <h5 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c0213cbd22f6b8fbb5ef50a67f12df73" style="padding-bottom:0">READ MORE</h5>
  3193.  
  3194.  
  3195. </div></div>
  3196.  
  3197.  
  3198.  
  3199. <p>The trooper was wearing a seat belt and driving in the passing lane when he struck the rear of an unoccupied Bethel Volunteer Fire Department tanker truck, according to a state police press release issued on the day of the crash.</p>
  3200.  
  3201.  
  3202.  
  3203. <p>The truck, according to the release, was parked on the interstate to provide scene protection for a crash that took place about an hour earlier.</p>
  3204.  
  3205.  
  3206.  
  3207. <p>“The force of the impact between the cruiser and the fire truck was significant and indicates the cruiser was traveling at highway speeds when the crash occurred,” the release stated.&nbsp;</p>
  3208.  
  3209.  
  3210. <div class="wp-block-image">
  3211. <figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="800" data-attachment-id="573744" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/state-police-crash-high-resolution/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/state-police-crash-high-resolution.jpg" data-orig-size="1620,1080" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="state-police-crash-high-resolution" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;A Vermont State Police officer is airlifted from a crash scene on Interstate 89 North in Royalton on Friday morning, March 8, 2024. The road was closed for a period of time. Photo by James M. Patterson/Valley News&lt;/p&gt;
  3212. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/state-police-crash-high-resolution-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/state-police-crash-high-resolution-1200x800.jpg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/state-police-crash-high-resolution-1200x800.jpg" alt="A helicopter is hovering over the scene of a crash." class="wp-image-573744" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/state-police-crash-high-resolution-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/state-police-crash-high-resolution-300x200.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/state-police-crash-high-resolution-125x83.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/state-police-crash-high-resolution-768x512.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/state-police-crash-high-resolution-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/state-police-crash-high-resolution-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/state-police-crash-high-resolution-1568x1045.jpg 1568w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/state-police-crash-high-resolution-400x267.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/state-police-crash-high-resolution-706x471.jpg 706w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/state-police-crash-high-resolution.jpg 1620w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A Vermont State Police officer is airlifted from a crash scene on Interstate 89 North in Royalton on Friday morning, March 8, 2024. The road was closed for a period of time. Photo by James M. Patterson/Valley News</figcaption></figure></div>
  3213.  
  3214.  
  3215. <p>Vermont State Police said the investigation remains ongoing.&nbsp;</p>
  3216.  
  3217.  
  3218.  
  3219. <p>VTDigger submitted a public records request to the Vermont Department of Public Safety seeking information related to the crash. On Monday, the department invoked an exemption to reject the request.</p>
  3220.  
  3221.  
  3222.  
  3223. <p>Sam Weaver, public records act specialist for the public safety department, cited an exemption in the <a href="https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/01/005/00317">Vermont Public Records Act</a> for records related to an ongoing investigation.&nbsp;</p>
  3224.  
  3225.  
  3226.  
  3227. <p>“Because the records relate to an ongoing crash investigation, the department consulted with the Vermont State Police investigators,” Weaver wrote.&nbsp;</p>
  3228.  
  3229.  
  3230.  
  3231. <p>“According to investigators, release of the requested records at this time could interfere with the ongoing investigation,” Weaver added. “In order to avoid interference with the ongoing investigation, the Department concludes that the records are exempt from public inspection and copying at this time.”</p>
  3232. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/21/state-trooper-receiving-care-for-severe-traumatic-brain-injury-from-march-crash/">State trooper receiving care for ‘severe’ traumatic brain injury from March crash</a>.</p>
  3233. ]]></content:encoded>
  3237. <dc:modified>Thu, 23 May 2024 18:23:47 +0000</dc:modified>
  3238. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582309</post-id> </item>
  3239. <item>
  3240. <title>Dartmouth faculty censures college president over response to protest</title>
  3241. <link>https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/21/dartmouth-faculty-censures-college-president-over-response-to-protest/</link>
  3243. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Valley News]]></dc:creator>
  3244. <pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2024 19:46:13 +0000</pubDate>
  3245. <category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
  3246. <category><![CDATA[Annelise Orleck]]></category>
  3247. <category><![CDATA[Christopher MacEvitt]]></category>
  3248. <category><![CDATA[Dartmouth College]]></category>
  3249. <category><![CDATA[Israel-Hamas War]]></category>
  3250. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://vtdigger.org/?p=582305</guid>
  3251.  
  3252. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="749" height="500" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock-.jpeg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A group of young adults gather outdoors in a park, talking and laughing. A woman in a green vest is leading the group, engaging with others cheerfully. Bicycles are seen in the background." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock-.jpeg 749w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock--300x200.jpeg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock--125x83.jpeg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock--400x267.jpeg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock--706x471.jpeg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582306" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/sian-beilock/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock-.jpeg" data-orig-size="749,500" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Sian Beilock" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Dartmouth College President Sian Beilock takes selfies with students during a lunch event on campus in Hanover, N.H., on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Photo by James M. Patterson/Valley News &lt;/p&gt;
  3253. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock--300x200.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock-.jpeg" /></figure>
  3254. <p>The censure vote is symbolic and does not come with a call for resignation.</p>
  3255. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/21/dartmouth-faculty-censures-college-president-over-response-to-protest/">Dartmouth faculty censures college president over response to protest</a>.</p>
  3256. ]]></description>
  3257. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="749" height="500" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock-.jpeg" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A group of young adults gather outdoors in a park, talking and laughing. A woman in a green vest is leading the group, engaging with others cheerfully. Bicycles are seen in the background." decoding="async" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock-.jpeg 749w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock--300x200.jpeg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock--125x83.jpeg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock--400x267.jpeg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock--706x471.jpeg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="582306" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/sian-beilock/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock-.jpeg" data-orig-size="749,500" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Sian Beilock" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Dartmouth College President Sian Beilock takes selfies with students during a lunch event on campus in Hanover, N.H., on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Photo by James M. Patterson/Valley News &lt;/p&gt;
  3258. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock--300x200.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock-.jpeg" /></figure><div class="wp-block-image">
  3259. <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" width="749" height="500" data-attachment-id="582306" data-permalink="https://vtdigger.org/sian-beilock/" data-orig-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock-.jpeg" data-orig-size="749,500" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Sian Beilock" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Dartmouth College President Sian Beilock takes selfies with students during a lunch event on campus in Hanover, N.H., on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Photo by James M. Patterson/Valley News &lt;/p&gt;
  3260. " data-medium-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock--300x200.jpeg" data-large-file="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock-.jpeg" src="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock-.jpeg" alt="A group of young adults gather outdoors in a park, talking and laughing. A woman in a green vest is leading the group, engaging with others cheerfully. Bicycles are seen in the background." class="wp-image-582306" srcset="https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock-.jpeg 749w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock--300x200.jpeg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock--125x83.jpeg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock--400x267.jpeg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sian-Beilock--706x471.jpeg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 749px) 100vw, 749px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dartmouth College President Sian Beilock takes selfies with students during a lunch event on campus in Hanover, N.H., on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Photo by James M. Patterson/Valley News </figcaption></figure></div>
  3261.  
  3262.  
  3263. <p><em>This story by Frances Mize <a href="https://www.vnews.com/Dartmouth-faculty-considers-censure-of-President-Beilock-55166166">was first published</a> in the Valley News on May 20.</em></p>
  3264.  
  3265.  
  3266.  
  3267. <p>HANOVER — Members of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences have voted to censure Dartmouth College President Sian Leah Beilock, publicly rebuking her handling of a pro-Palestinian protest on campus earlier this month.</p>
  3268.  
  3269.  
  3270.  
  3271. <p>The resolution passed narrowly — 183 to 163 — by paper ballot at a Monday afternoon faculty meeting.</p>
  3272.  
  3273.  
  3274.  
  3275. <p>While a censure is a significant admonishment, it is symbolic and does not come with a call for resignation.</p>
  3276.  
  3277.  
  3278.  
  3279. <p>Beilock has been under scrutiny since her administration made the decision to call police to break up a pro-Palestinian demonstration hours after it began on May 1 on the Green. After peaceful protesters pitched a handful of tents, officers in riot gear from a state “special operations unit” marched on the encampment and arrested scores of people, including more than 60 students and five Dartmouth employees.</p>
  3280.  
  3281.  
  3282.  
  3283. <p>“For the second time this academic year, President Sian Leah Beilock invited the Hanover Police Department to break up a peaceful student protest on Dartmouth College’s campus,” the motion read, resulting in “the arrest of 89 people and their partial ban from the Dartmouth campus,” as well as “harm to students, faculty, staff, and community members.”</p>
  3284.  
  3285.  
  3286.  
  3287. <p>The first time the college brought in police was late October, after two students pitched a tent on the lawn outside Beilock’s office to protest against Dartmouth’s investments in companies with ties to Israel. They were both arrested and are awaiting the resumption of their trial.</p>
  3288.  
  3289.  
  3290.  
  3291. <p>A “no-confidence” vote by the faculty would have been a harsher reprimand, as such votes are usually accompanied by a request for a leader to resign. Last week, Dartmouth undergraduate students considered their own no-confidence resolution on Beilock. Like the censure resolution, it also passed by a slim margin — 52% to 48%.</p>
  3292.  
  3293.  
  3294.  
  3295. <p>Turnout was similar in both instances, with 60% of eligible students participating in the online vote and about 58% of eligible faculty members voting on Monday.</p>
  3296.  
  3297.  
  3298.  
  3299. <p>After Monday’s result, college spokesperson Jana Barnello emailed a statement to the Valley News: “This year has been a tumultuous and difficult one across higher education, and Dartmouth is no exception. The results of these votes reflect the deeply divided feelings across the nation and around the world about the Israel-Hamas war, and, here at home, concerns about some of the language and other issues related to the protests, the involvement of police in addressing protest encampments, and the best ways to keep our community safe. Input from a community as devoted as ours is invaluable and serves to strengthen connection and understanding. We are focused on supporting one another, on continuing to make space for dialogue across difference, and on moving forward together.”</p>
  3300.  
  3301.  
  3302.  
  3303. <p>The censure vote was initiated by a petition signed by 107 faculty members, which also requested that Monday’s meeting not occur in executive session, as a faculty-wide meeting held last week was, “given the impact of President Beilock’s conduct on the entire teaching faculty.”</p>
  3304.  
  3305.  
  3306.  
  3307. <p>Addressing the crowd, Elizabeth Smith, dean of the faculty of arts and sciences, said she has felt “a sense of escalating tension and strain within our community that isn’t like any I have experienced before.”</p>
  3308.  
  3309.  
  3310.  
  3311. <p>Professors Christopher MacEvitt and Annelise Orleck –— both arrested on May 1 — moved and seconded, respectively, discussion on the censure vote.</p>
  3312. <p>Read the story on VTDigger here:  <a href="https://vtdigger.org/2024/05/21/dartmouth-faculty-censures-college-president-over-response-to-protest/">Dartmouth faculty censures college president over response to protest</a>.</p>
  3313. ]]></content:encoded>
  3317. <dc:modified>Tue, 21 May 2024 19:46:39 +0000</dc:modified>
  3318. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">582305</post-id> </item>
  3319. </channel>
  3320. </rss>

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