ECRWSS PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DENTON PUBLICATIONS/ NEW MARKET PRESS PO Box 338 Elizabethtown NY 12932 Postal Patron
December 24, 2016
Published by New Market Press, Inc.
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Woman was trapped inside truck
Widespread errors in Vermont’s voter checklist
By Lou Varricchio lou@suncommunitynews.com
ruTlANd — rutland republican bonnie dePino didn’t win her race to become a Vermont state representative, but while trying she discovered a little-known fact about the statewide voter checklist: it’s woefully inaccurate. When bob dePino wanted to send 2,000 fliers for his wife’s House campaign, he gathered voters’ addresses from the official statewide checklist and sent out a mailing. The effort didn’t turn out so well. more than 500 fliers were returned undeliverable. Shocked by the result, the dePinos soon came to the realization that information on roughly one quarter of voters was either wrong or out of date. “i just thought this can’t be right,” bob dePino said. He looked up voters on his street, including his aunt, who moved away in 2006 but has since died. dePino was again surprised at what he found. “There are 11 people on my street alone that no longer live here but are still registered to vote,” he said, adding that his deceased aunt was included in that number. About 94 percent of Vermont adults are registered to vote, compared to the national average of 59 percent. However, when looking at the percentage of adults who actually vote, Vermont is only 5 percentage points above the national average. “i look around and see so much apathy,” dePino said. “How can we have almost 470,000 voters on that roster?” updating the voter checklist is a job for each town’s board
bridPOrT — On dec. 7, troopers from the Vermont State Police New Haven barracks responded to a reported one vehicle crash with injuries and entrapment on Crown Point road in bridport. Police found a green 1996 Ford ranger pickup, operated by Amanda Sayers, 41, of bridport, had crossed the center of the roadway and then collided with a tree. A preliminary investigation indicated that Sayers was traveling east from lake Street, when she lost control and struck the tree. Sayers’ vehicle came to an immediate rest against the tree located on the westbound shoulder of Crown Point road. Sayers was trapped inside her vehicle and had to be extricated from the vehicle by members of the middlebury Heavy rescue Squad. Sayers sustained facial lacerations, a broken left leg and broken right foot. The Addison County Sheriff ’s department, Town line First response and the bridport Volunteer Fire department also responded and provided assistance at the scene. defective rear tires contributed to this crash. The crash remains under investigation, according to police.
Vermont Watchdog
By Emma Lamberton elamberton@watchdog.org
Continued on page 12
THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS — Teens from Ferrisburgh shopped for special Christmas gifts for fellow youth in need living throughout Addison County. In addition, several families from the North Ferrisburgh Methodist Church chipped in with the teens to purchase gifts for children living around the region. Between the teens and adults participating in the effort, more than 26 children and teens will receive holiday gifts and cheerfulness this Dec. 25.
Middlebury Memory tree honors lost pets By Lou Varricchio lou@addison-eagle.com
middlebury — Officials of Homeward bound, Addison County’s Humane Society, kicked off their annual lights of love program last week. This is not your average holiday memory tree, according to Homeward bound’s Jessica danyow. This tree honors the pets we have loved, and the ones that are still here to brighten our days. “We believe we are the only organization in Vermont to offer the opportunity to honor a lost or living pet during the holiday season with a memory tree program,” danyow said. “Pets are incredibly important to their owners and most consider them to be family members. We’re pleased to offer our lights of love program as we know people appreciate the chance to celebrate the pets who so profoundly enhance their lives with joy and companionship each Continued on page 6