Green Moutain Clippers opens shop
Essex Community Players raise curtain on Macbeth
The shop has become the new home of Garry’s Barber Shop’s former employees and the old shop’s many faithful followers.
The 2 hour 30 minute show runs from May 2 to May 12. Story on page 11
Story on page 3
the essex
RepoRteR
Prsrt Std ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 266 Burlington, VT 05401 Postal Patron-Residential
Thursday, May 9, 2019
The bark stops here
Tree Farm bans dogs after rash of safety-related issues By COLIN FLANDERS Whoever let the dogs out need take notice: The Essex Tree Farm will no longer allow the four-legged pets onto its premises. Michael Lampron, president of the Tree Farm Management Group, said the change follows a rise in dog-related issues, from feces and chewed-up sticks littering the playing fields to dogs chasing players mid-game. He said even though he believes many people are responsible pet owners, “it’s one of those things where it had to be an all or nothing rule.” “This is neither a rec park or a dog park,” Lampron said. “It’s a sports complex, and its intention is to provide space for community athletics to happen. It’s really for the players, for the kids and adults to be able to have a safe space to play.” The tree farm complex is owned by the town and village and managed by Lampron’s volunteer-run group, which operates independently from the municipalities, relying on rental fees instead of local taxes to pay for maintenance to the fields, entry road and parking lot. The management group will decide over time what’s the best approach to enforcing the new rule. Lampron said he hoped people will respect the policy instead of making the group hand out See TREE FARM, page 4
Everyone deserves to eat according to their personal preferences.
essexreporter.com
PHOTO BY AVALON ASHLEY
Gov. Phil Scott stresses the need to address Vermont’s shrinking workforce during a talk at the Rotary Club of Essex last week.
Scott: Shrinking workforce harming state Governor talks jobs, child care and housing at Rotary By AVALON ASHLEY Since 2010, Vermont’s population has grown by only 0.1%. As the population continues to shrink, so do the workforce, state revenue, and tax base, making the state less affordable, in the view of Governor Phil Scott, who addressed the Rotary Club of Essex on May 1.
Our Kitchen is
AllergyPeanutAware + 100% Tree Nut Free
“This is not a partisan issue,” he stressed. “We need to do more to encourage people to move to Vermont.” As of this year, mortality rates exceeded birth rates in all Vermont counties but four, and labor forces have declined by 15,000 people since 2009. While the unemployment rate in Vermont hit a record low rate of 2.3% in March, this is only half the story, Scott said. The state lost an average of 2,300 workers per year from 2010 to 2016, and national projections estimate that Vermont’s working age
Whether it is food allergies, intolerances or just your way of life. Enjoy dining knowing your needs are being met.
EssEx REpoRtER | THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2019
population will drop by more than 10% by 2040. According to Scott, the solution lies in a “data-driven approach” that reaches out to prospective movers. When asked what he meant specifically, he remained vague but listed phone calls and knocking on doors: “the Vermont way,” he said. In order to attract more working families, the Governor supported an increased investment of $2.5 million to expand the Child Care Financial Assistance Program (CCFAP), which See SCOTT, page 4
Essex Jct. | (802) 857-5994 www.julesvt.com
Vol. 18 No. 19