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August 6, 2016
Notte in on refugee secret, ‘stunned’ at speed of decision Vermont Watchdog Report By Bruce Parker bparker@watchdog.org
RUTLAND — A secret plan to make Rutland a permanent refugee resettlement community has divided residents and put the mayor’s political future in doubt. But at least one member of the Board of Aldermen knew about the secret, and that official told Vermont Watchdog that he is “stunned” at how fast the plan was carried out. Prior to announcing the resettlement of Syrian refugees, Rutland Mayor Louras held secret meetings with representatives of the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program, the State Department, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants and Gov. Peter Shumlin. He also consulted with a single alderman: Board of Aldermen President William Notte. In this interview, Notte answered Vermont Watchdog’s questions about his role in the backroom deal to make Rutland a refugee resettlement community. Parker: Mayor Louras CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
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“Borne” is a DOWNTOWN RUTLAND Rutland art landmark By Lou Varricchio lou@addison-eagle.com
By Lou Varricchio
lou@suncommunitynews.com
RUTLAND — When visiting the Rutland region, a select group of art lovers, especially those aficionados of post-modern feminist-themed art, will often seek out one of the area’s little known treasures of contemporary art, a prodigious marble sculpture titled “Borne”. The marble masterpiece, located in front of the Vermont Farmers Food Center in Rutland, was carved in 2010 by Argentine-born artist Nora Valdez. Since its unveiling at the 215 West St. site six years ago, “Borne” has made a mark on the local art scene. Its creator is affiliated with the Carving Studio and Sculpture Center in West Rutland. According to Valdez, “Borne” was created from a block of 400-million-year-old CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
Sawyer Fredericks, homeschooled teenager and winner of season 8 of the popular T.V. show “The Voice”, performed at the Friday Live Series in downtown Rutland on July 29. Born in 1999, the singer-songwriter grew up on a farm in Fultonville, N.Y., and is a frequent visitor to the Rutland area. Fredericks beat out Meghan Linsey, the former country singer, during her bid on “The Voice”. Photo by Jack Rogers
Juice Amour: Nectar of the gods—in cute little jars By Lou Varricchio lou@addison-eagle.com
New York actress Cindy Rosenthal, Sheri Bannister (the main squeeze) and Amelia Norris at Juice Amour in Middlebury. Photo by Lou Varricchio
MIDDLEBURY — Sheri Bannister was feeling a little “squeezed” for time last week as she was filling dozens of little mason jars with fresh, raw, organic fruit juices. All the hard work of juicing was being done to prepare for the grand opening of Juice Amour located at 1396 Route 7 South in Middlebury. The trendy, new juice bar—which offers healthy juice drinks, nutritious smoothies, select nut milks, homemade soups, rejuvenating one-to five day-long juice cleanse regimens, baked goods, lemonade, Norris’ maple syrup from Starksboro, even freshly frozen juice popsicles—is definitely a family affair. Juice Amour is owned and operated by Sheri Bannister along with her father David Bedard. The duo wanted the operation to be a “green” business from the get go—and from organic produce to sterilizing and reusing its glassware, Juice Amour can’t get much “greener”. CONTINUED ON PAGE 8