The Mountain Times • Jan. 10-16, 2018 • 1
Mounta in Times Volume 47, Number 2
Jan. 10-16, 2018
Revote slated for LudlowMount Holly unification By Stephen Seitz
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Happy MLK! The third Monday in January celebrates the influential civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr. This federal holiday is seen as a day to promote equal rights for all Americans, regardless of their background. The three-day weekend is also welcome news for skiers and riders who will be visiting Killington this weekend.
By Paul Holmes
While waiting for the lifts to open on a recent frigid morning, Killington photographer Paul Holmes captured this image of bubbles freezing in the sunlight.
Bonfire to raise funds for Special Olympics, Rotary By Evan Johnson
KILLINGTON—The snow gods demand sacrifice and Vince Chiarella has a way to appease them while supporting local philanthropy: This Saturday evening, Killington residents and visitors can bring their Christmas trees to Charity’s Tavern and Restaurant at 5 p.m. for a bonfire. The event was inspired three years ago by an absence of snow and a surplus of Rotary Christmas trees. “It started off as an offering to the snow gods,” Chiarella said. “We got snow the next day.” The previous two events were held behind Pasta Pot on Route 4 in Killington. “We’re very grateful for all their years of allowing us to hold the event there.” he said,
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Ski patrol on-slope You know you’ve seen those jackets before. This weekend, the National Ski Patrol will visit Killington Resort to emphasize safe skiing and riding practices. Skip to page 5 to see how you can get involved. Page 5
Living A.D.E. What’s happening? Find local Arts, Dining & Entertainment Pages 29-45
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noting that this year’s venue has been changed to the more centrally located Charity’s Tavern Restarurant. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Killington-Pico Rotary club and the Vermont Special Olympics, which will be holding it’s 2018 Winter Games at Pico Mountain, March 18 - 20. Organizers hope to have some of the athletes lead a procession and light the fire with an Olympic torch. There will games for kids and for those age 21 and older, participants will attempt to set a record for Killington’s longest shot ski. Houses with a shot ski are encouraged to bring theirs at around 6:30 p.m. “It’s going to be a fun event and we hope we can get people to come out for it,” he said.
LUDLOW—It seems that the question of combining the elementary school systems of Ludlow and Mount Holly is not yet fully decided. A petition has been filed to reconsider the November vote, in which Ludlow voted 344-172 and Mount Holly voted 341-66 to adopt the proposal. In other words, a do-over. “I don’t know who filed the petition,” Ludlow Town Clerk Ulla Cook said. “I have yet to get the ballot from the school.” Under the merger, the towns would keep their elementary schools, but send their middle and high school students to other towns. Mill River in North Clarendon would most likely get Mount Holly’s students, while Green Mountain Union High School in Chester is the likely school for Ludlow students. Black River High School has until June 2020 to close. The revote also throws a monkey wrench into plans by the Black River Independent School Committee (BRISC) to keep Black River Middle-High School open as an independent school. The group would like to call the new school “Black River Academy,” afRevote, page 7
House passes pot compromise in spite of federal threat
By Alan Keays/VTDigger
The Vermont House passed a bill Thursday, Jan. 4, to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, defeating a host of amendments, including one that likely would have cost the governor’s support. The House vote came on the same day that U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded a policy that shielded states with legalized marijuana from federal action. The House passed H.511 by a vote of 81 to 63 on Thursday. It legalizes the possession of one ounce or less of marijuana and two mature and four immature marijuana plants by people 21 or older. House Judiciary Chair Maxine Grad, D-Moretown, said the bill was “an important criminal justice milestone.” She added that it removes criminal consequences for the “responsible” use of marijuana by adults. The bill seems well on its way to becoming law. Senate Judiciary
Committee Chair Dick Sears, DBennington, said Thursday night he expected the bill would hit the Senate floor and gain approval as early as Wednesday. The Senate passed essentially the same legislation in June, and the governor has said he would sign it. Rep. Brian Savage, R-Swanton, called for putting off a vote on the measure until Jan. 18, which is when a commission established by Gov. Phil Scott is expected to offer recommendations regarding marijuana legalization. But Savage’s suggestion failed to gain the support needed to pass. Rep. Kurt Wright, R-Burlington, said he didn’t see the need to rush the legislation through on the second day of the session. He said there were many much more important matters to address, including a projected 9.4 cent increase in the statewide property tax. Weed bill, page 23
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Green Mountain Power Vice President Steve Costello (right) hands a check for $25,000 to Mayor David Allaire, as the Rutland Development Authority’s Brennan Duffy (left) looks on.
Rutland Blooms donates $25,000 to Center Street Marketplace project RUTLAND—Rutland Blooms, a donation-funded city beautification program that has planted thousands of flowers and hundreds of flowering crabapples, maples and other trees in Rutland, presented the City of Rutland with a $25,000 grant Thursday in support of the Center Street Marketplace. The funding, which comes from Rutland Blooms donors, will pay for landscaping and plantings in the new downtown space, which is expected to be completed in the spring. “This grant will help ensure the completion of the Center Street Marketplace and create a welcoming, inviting setting,” Mayor Dave Allaire said. “This project has involved tremendous collaboration
Donation, page 7