MONDAY EDITION
ADDISON COUNTY
INDEPENDENT
Vol. 28 No. 42
Middlebury, Vermont
Monday, January 30, 2017
36 Pages
$1.00
Scott vows to protect foreign farm workers
Paintings and photos
• Two mini-exhibits at the Edgewater Galleries feature Dennis Campay’s work (above) and Jim Westphalen’s photos. See Arts Beat on Page 10 .
By GAEN MURPHREE VERGENNES — U.S. immigration policy took the spotlight unexpectedly during a meeting of farmers last Thursday when Gov. Phil Scott made it clear that he would do whatever he could to protect Mexican farm laborers who may be under threat from President Trump. Scott started his comments at the Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition annual meeting at the American Legion hall in Vergennes by addressing the executive orders issued earlier in the week in Washington. “I want to assure you that I completely understand the uncertainty this creates throughout Vermont and particularly for the agricultural sector ... supported by the hard work of our immigrant populations,” he said. “If we need to we will take action to protect the rights of all who live within our borders. “As I’ve said, ‘I will protect the rights of all Vermonters and the human rights of all people.’ I’m going to follow through on that. We’ll protect those who are here and make sure that we can continue to prosper.” (See Workers, Page 7)
It is now cheaper to license a dog • Middlebury selectboard members cut the cost of a dog license by $5. See the Pet Page to find out why. Page 24.
Vergennnes eyes upgrade options • Mayor Bill Benton talked about upgrades that could enhance downtown. See Page 14.
ANWSD planning for vote on $21M budget
High school hoop rivals bring it on • The MUHS girls hosted VUHS, and the Mt. Abe boys entertained the Tigers this weekend. See Pages 18-20.
Patience
REMY, ONE OF the dogs at Blueberry Hill Inn in Goshen, waits to be let inside on a cold wintry day recently.
Independent photo/Trent Campbell
By ANDY KIRKALDY VERGENNES — As expected, the Addison Northwest School District Board on Jan. 18 adopted a $21.1 million unified budget proposal for the 20172018 academic year that will cover operations for all four ANWSD schools and their central office. Officials said the budget maintains existing programs and teaching positions at the four ANWSD schools. If approved on Town Meeting Day by a majority of Addison, Panton, Ferrisburgh, Vergennes and Waltham residents, the plan would increase spending (See ANWSD, Page 27)
Two hospital leaders make affiliation pitch Hailing some local heroes
• Middlebury bestowed awards to two police officers and three citizens for their selfless acts. See Page 3.
Kniffin, Brumsted cite advantages for Porter By JOHN FLOWERS MIDDLEBURY — University of Vermont Medical Center CEO Dr. John Brumsted took UVM Health Network’s ongoing courtship of Porter Hospital directly to area residents on Thursday, saying such a marriage would improve services for the Addison County community. Brumsted and Porter Medical Center CEO Dr. Fred Kniffin took center stage at a community meeting at Middlebury College’s
Kirk Alumni Center, during which they shared the potential benefits of PMC’s affiliation with UVM Health Network — a coalition of five medical institutions in Vermont and New York state. The duo spent most of the almost two-hour gathering fielding questions from a crowd of more than 120 people who wanted to know how the proposed partnership might affect local hospital services, nursing (See Porter, Page 26)
PORTER MEDICAL CENTER CEO Fred Kniffin, left, and UVM Medical Center CEO John Brumsted talk in front of a crowd of more than 100 people at Middlebury College’s Kirk Alumni Center last Thursday about the advantages of PMC joining the UVM Health Network. Photo courtesy PMC