Free! Take One
By Lou Varricchio
newmarketpress@denpubs.com PITTSFORD — Salvage yard owner Robert E. Brown of Pittsford pled guilty to two misdemeanor counts relating to a release of an unidentified hazardous waste into the environment. In addition to the waste-release misdemeanor counts, Brown pled guilty to two additional misdemeanor counts relating to the improper storage of hazardous auto waste at his salvage yard in Moretown. Brown’s charges followed a four-year- long investigation of the salvage yard and related company practices. The investigation was conducted by several members of Vermont’s Department of Environmental Conservation and the Attorney General’s office. The charges against Brown date to December 2008, when he directed employees to dispose of up to 30 containers of hazardous material; the exact content of the containers has not been released by the state. Eyewitnesses said Brown knocked over several containers as well. The employees said Brown then instructed them to crush the containers in an automobile crushing device. As a result, the hazardous chemical was released into the surrounding ground, according to the Attorney General’s office. A month prior to these waste container incidents, state inspectors had visited the salvage yard; they discovered that waste oil, gasoline, See BROWN, page 8
P.O. BOX 338 ELIZABETHTOWN, NY 12932 POSTAL CUSTOMER
Vol. 4 No. 46 • November 21, 2012
Community News, Sports, Arts, Entertainment and Food for Rutland and Southern Vermont
Brown pleads guilty in salvage yard case
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DENTON PUBLICATIONS
Art teacher finds a sense of wonder in homecoming By Lou Varricchio
newmarketpress@denpubs.com BRANDON — You can tell immediately that art teacher John Brodowski of the Neshobe Elementary School loves his job. But having grown up in the Brandon area— himself having been a student at both Christ the King School, the Neshobe School, and Otter Valley Union High School—this young art instructor found it challenging to return to his youthful stomping ground. “It was strange at first,” he said, “but I adapted quickly. I discovered that I owe a lot to both Neshobe and Otter Valley.” Brodowski, a member of OV’s class of 1998, received his BFA degree at Montana State University and his teaching certificate through the Upper Valley Institute. Now he teaches K-6 art at the venerable Brandon school. Brodowski said he was strongly influenced by OV art instructor Jim Samler and Neshobe art teacher Dennis Marden. “Both men inspired me to pursue. See ART, page 8
Art teacher John Brodowski and third-grade students proudly display metal face masks made during art class at Neshobe Elementary School this semester. Photo by Lou Varricchio
University of Vermont staff say "no" to NEA union From News Reports
newmarketpress@denpubs.com BURLINGTON — Employees in administrative and technical support positions at the University of Vermont voted 443 to 189 against representation by the University Staff Union of the NEA. Throughout the unionization effort, the university encouraged affected employees to learn
about the nature and impact of collective bargaining through its “Informed Choice” website, which contains questions and answers that reflect concerns voiced by UVM staff members. The University also has consistently emphasized the importance of wide employee participation in an attempt to ensure that the outcome was determined by a majority of employees in the proposed bargaining unit.
More than 80 percent of the 779 eligible voters participated in today’s election. “We are pleased that enough UVM employees participated in the election process over the past two days so that the outcome clearly represents the view of the majority of individuals eligible to vote,” said Vice President for Finance and Administration Richard Cate. “We are grateful to all those who voted, and. See UNION, page 8
NEW DIGS — The Rutland County Sheriff's Department hosted an open house and RRCC ribbon cutting at their new location, 88 Grove St. in Rutland Nov. 9. Members of the Rutland County Sheriff's Department cut the ribbon along with Tom Donahue, EVP/CEO, Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce; Penny Bride, Rutland County Sheriff's Department; Rutland City Board of Alderman President, Dave Allaire; Rutland County Sheriff Stephen Benard, Rutland City Alderman William Notte; RRCC Board Members Jay Morel and Jerry Hansen. See last week’s Outlook for the complete story.
THIS WEEK Pets of the Week ..........2 Nutcracker ....................3 Op-Ed............................4 Local Flavor ..................5 Calendar ......................9 Classifieds....................10-11
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