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JANUARY 9, 2020
WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM
McGuire announces retirement Town manager plans to step down in July By Jason Starr Observer staff
Rick McGuire, the Town of Williston’s manager for the past 22 years, announced his retirement Tuesday during a meeting of the Williston Selectboard. McGuire, 67, plans to step down July 1. The board will begin the recruitment process for his successor next week, likely enlisting help from an outside organization such as the Vermont League of Cities and Towns.
McGuire, who lives in Williston Village, said he plans to stay in town for the foreseeable future, remaining active in civic organizations. “I have been incredibly fortunate to have had the support of the Williston Selectboard, staff and residents during my tenure,” he wrote in a resignation letter to board chair Terry Macaig. At the meeting, Macaig said: “It’s not a shock that Rick is retiring, but I was hoping it would be a little longer. We certainly have enjoyed all of his service over 22 years.” Board member Jeff Fehrs started his service on the board around the time that
McGuire was hired in Williston — February, 1998. He thanked McGuire for his support. “Your leadership has allowed me to feel we have great support on the board. I couldn’t have asked for more,” said Fehrs. “It has been a very good experience.” McGuire suggested talking with Vermont League of Cities and Towns staff about working together to recruit and hire a new manager. It’s a service the organization provides to its member municipalities. “I strongly recommend the board find outside help,” McGuire said, adding that the town’s staff is not in a position to help. “It is too important a task.”
Rick McGuire
Preparing to shine By Jason Starr Observer staff
Observer photos by Al Frey
Isabella Urch practices her dance routine Monday for the upcoming Williston Schools Variety Show at Williston Central School.
As a middle-schooler played the final notes of a ukulele solo Monday night in the Williston Central School auditorium, she was given a couple key coaching points: quiet the feet; look ahead. The auditorium was mostly empty. Only a few parents and children preparing to perform were in the seats. “If you can keep those feet still, we can focus on you,” music teacher Danielle Trasciatti-Holmberg told the performer. This was billed as an audition for the Jan. 31 Williston Schools Variety Show. But it was much less a tryout than a night of encouragement and performance practice for the kids planning to share their talents with the community at the end of the month. A second audition took place at the school Tuesday night, giving event organizers a feel for the pace and timing of each act so they can mix together an engaging variety show. The show is a production of, and fundraiser for, Families as Part-
Observer photo by Al Frey
Jack and Anna Thorley-Doucette work on their duet Monday in the Williston Central School auditorium.
ners, the Williston parent-teacher organization. In addition to students as young as 4 years old, the show will include performances by adults (some of them the students’ teachers). It has been an annual winter event for many years. “There are not many opportunities for kids to perform alongside their mentors, teachers and peers,” said Meg Thomas, who organizes the event with Trasciatti-Holmberg, Danielle Doucette and Alison
Duback. Dancer and WCS student Isabella Urch is preparing for her sixth consecutive performance at the event. She trains and performs as a member of the South Burlington dance studio, Fusion 802. “I think dance brings a lot of joy and happiness to people and just brings out people’s emotions,” she said after coming off the audition stage. “I like to share that with see SHOW page 3