The Dorothy Alling Memorial Library Trustees have endorsed a plan to roughly double the size of the library on the Village Green.
Williston architect John Hemmelgarn of Black River Design presented plans for a two-story, 11,500-square-foot addition to both the trustees and the selectboard earlier this month. The proposal caps three years of public input and design committee work, and sets the stage for the selectboard to decide whether to seek voter approval to take on debt to fund the project.
The current cost estimate is $13.4 million.
“This is the library we need and deserve,” library trustee chair Charity Clark said upon viewing architectural drawings of the exterior and interior of the proposed addition.
The addition would fill out the U-shaped library into a square, enclosing the center courtyard. It would also serve as the new front entrance of the building, re-orienting the entrance and new parking lot to directly face Williston Central School. Current parking along Library Lane would be removed, and Library Lane would be narrowed. A supplemental parking lot is planned for the far end of the Town Green, and a new leftturn lane would be added for cars exiting Central School Drive onto Route 2.
The original library was built in 1960 with expansions in 1986 and 1998.
“After 30 years of tremendous population growth with no change to the library, it is time to re-invest
Williston
library we need and deserve’
in one of the gems of Williston,” the trustees said in a news release.
The expanded library, along with renovations to the existing 9,500-square-foot space, would include larger community meeting spaces, a gas-powered fireplace, a maker space and a kids “wiggle room.” The project also calls for replacing the existing heating and cooling system with more energy efficient heat pumps, as well as creating new walking paths and landscaping on the Town Green.
“We felt like this was a really good opportunity to make some changes to the green,” Hemmelgarn said.
Town Manager Erik Wells has dubbed the project the “Village Vibrancy Project: Library and Town Green Transformation” to reflect its impact beyond just the library building. Revitalization of the Town Green represents about $800,000 of the total project cost.
“I think it will mean the green will be used more than just on the Fourth of July, on band (concert) days
and a couple town events,” library trustee Karla Karstens said.
The $13.4 million cost estimate is based on a summer 2026 construction start. Wells estimated the tax impact of a bond for that amount to be about $73 annually for the owner of a $300,000 home. But the selectboard is considering private fundraising to soften the impact to property owners.
“I have faith that there are folks out there who will support this really needed space,” selectboard member Greta D’Agostino said. “This is a community asset that is imperative.”
Wells noted that the Champlain Valley School District owns the Town Green land, and the town currently pays a $25,000 annual lease fee to the district for the library space. He expects that will increase if the building footprint expands, unless the town acquires the Town Green property.
“It’s a conversation that makes sense as part of the next steps of this process — looking at the ownership of that land,” Wells said.
Renderings of the exterior and interior of a proposed expansion to the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library on the Williston Town Green. IMAGES COURTESY OF THE TOWN OF WILLISTON
Around Town
Students speak out against tobacco
Champlain Valley School District students recently attended the annual Vermont Youth Statehouse Rally, dedicated to raising awareness about the harms of tobacco and nicotine use among young people.
They joined about 170 peers from across Vermont, marching to the Statehouse and highlighting how tobacco companies target young people. After the rally, students talked with legislators, including Williston Reps Erin Brady and Angela Arsenault, advocating for policies that promote youth health.
“It was an inspiring day,” Williston Central School counselor Lynn Camara said. “Our students made a meaningful impact.”
Williston Historical Society presents ‘Dangerous Characters’
Learn about Williston’s most sensational criminals and their role in the 1865
killing of Sally Griswold. Illuminating life in Williston in the 1860s, the story touches on the effects of industrialization, the railroad and modernity in Williston.
The event is Saturday, March 22 from 2-3 p.m. at the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. It is presented by the Williston Historical Society and researcher Elizabeth A. Allen, daughter of Richard Allen, former teacher in Williston schools and author of several books about town history.
The 2025 Vermont Flower Show
• Stroll through the Grand Garden Display filled with flowering bulbs, shrubs, trees, and water features!
• Shop the Flower Show Marketplace with over 100 vendors related to horticultural/gardening/home/ accessories.
• Choose from over 40 educational Seminars and Workshops on a variety of topics.
• Experts on-hand all 3 days to answer your gardening and landscaping questions.
• Family Activity Room: Come dig for worms, plant a flower, and make a craft and enjoy Magicians Without Borders & No Strings Marionette performances.
• Local bookstore with a great selection of books to choose from.
• The Federated Garden Clubs of VT, North District will present a National Garden Club Small Standard Flower Show: “The Story of the Garden.”
• Plant Sale at the end of the show on Sunday.
• Hours: Fri & Sat – 10am – 6pm; Sun – 10am – 4pm
Scouts plan bottle-food drive
Williston Scout BSA Troop 692 is conducting a community-wide bottle/ can drive and food drive Saturday, March 29. Members will be collecting non-perishable food items and toiletries for the Williston Community Food Shelf.
Items of need at the food shelf include bottles-boxes of juice, canned fruit, canned corn, beef stew and beef hash, salad dressing, strawberry jelly, crackers and personal hygiene products. Proceeds from the bottle drive will go toward purchasing awards for Eagle Scouts who have completed their Eagle Projects.
Scouts will pick up at: Eastview Circle, Coyote Run, Stirrup Circle, Bittersweet Circle, Hillside Drive, Sharon Drive, River Cove Road, Morgan Parkway, Meadowrun Road, Lamplite Lane, Finney Crossing, Seth Circle, Isham Circle, Brennan Woods, Ledgewood Drive, Southridge, Pleasant Acres, Turtle Pond Road, Wildflower Circle, Southfield Drive, Village Grove,
see AROUND TOWN page 3
EMAIL EVENT LISTINGS TO EDITOR@WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM
Thu., Feb. 27—Rotary breakfast and speaker: 7:15 a.m. Williston Federated Church. Speaker Laurie Keve, development and communications director for the Janet S. Munt Family Room. RSVP by email at RotaryClubofWillistonVT@gmail.com
Mon., March 3—Champlain Valley School District Annual Meeting and budget presentation: 5 p.m., CVU High School Library
Mon., March 3—Williston Annual Town Meeting and budget presentation: 7 p.m., Williston Central School auditorium
Tue., March 4—Town Meeting Day voting: 7 a.m.-7 p.m., National Guard Armory, 7846 Williston Road
Fri.-Sunday, March 7-9—Vermont Flower Show: Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction. Schedule at vnlavt.org/vermontflower-show/
Tue. March 11—Williston Development Review Board meeting: 7 p.m., Town Hall. Agenda at www.town.williston.vt.us
Thu., March 13—Sustainable Williston social:- 6:15-8 p.m., Goodwater Brewery. Join
CVSD students participate in a recent rally against the tobacco industry at the Statehouse in Montpelier. OBSERVER COURTESY PHOTO
Gov. Phil Scott’s ‘education transformation’ bill hits the Legislature, all 176 pages of it
Proposal sets minimum class sizes, caps spending and restricts private schools funding eligibility
BY ETHAN WEINSTEIN VTDigger
For the first time, Gov. Phil Scott and his team released their education reform proposal in bill form, all 176 pages of it, for lawmakers’ consideration on Tuesday.
Among the key takeaways: significant restrictions on private schools eligible for public money, class size minimums and a mandated 3% spending cap for school districts next year.
The plan, dubbed by Scott as the “education transformation proposal,” charts a colossal restructuring of Vermont’s education governance and finance systems. Scott and Education Secretary
Around Town
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Lefebvre Lane, Fairway Drive, Creeks Edge Drive, Hillcrest Lane, Michael Lane, Sunrise Drive and The Commons.
To participate, place empty returnable (for deposit) cans and bottles in a paper or plastic bag curbside (not on the road) by 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 29. Put food shelf donations in separate bags/containers.
To arrange for pickup in another neighborhood, call Julie at (802) 324-1560 or email jnesbit938@gmail.com.
Zoie Saunders have already announced some of the package’s boldest ideas, like consolidating Vermont’s 52 supervisory unions into only five regional school districts, paying for education using a foundation formula and stripping the State Board of Education of many of its powers.
“We can’t just make small tweaks,” Saunders told lawmakers in the House and Senate education committees on Tuesday, “We must redesign our system.”
The proposal arrives following last year’s tumultuous school budget season, as voters faced double-digit education property tax increases and rejected about a third of all school spending plans. The cost of education defined 2024’s legislative elections, fueling a Republican wave in Vermont’s House and Senate.
As pitched, the governor’s proposal seeks to save money by consolidating school districts and
Baseball umpires training starts March 4
The Northern Vermont Baseball Umpires Association (NVBUA) is providing a free training for people interested in becoming a baseball umpire. Training classes begin on Tuesday, March 4 at 6 p.m. at Essex High School in Essex Junction.
Classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays weekly from March 4 to March 27. NVBUA member umpires officiate baseball games
reducing the number of staff, all while increasing educational opportunities, according to its proponents. Scott has proposed using more than $70 million in state revenue to buy down property tax rates as the state begins transitioning to his new system. Currently, state analysts expect that without a buy down, education taxes will rise just under 6% next year given preliminary school budget information.
Now written as legislative language, the proposal’s more complete form may ease lawmakers’ growing impatience. As Saunders and Scott released details bit by bit in January and February, some lawmakers had become frustrated with the slow pace.
Still, two months into the legislative session, time is critical, with key deadlines fast approaching.
Some previously shared details, like the creation of an
predominantly in Addison, Chittenden and Franklin counties. This includes middle school and high school games during the spring school season, as well as recreational youth and adult leagues in the summer and fall. Member umpires are paid on a per game basis, being assigned games based on their availability.
All member umpires are required to attend the annual statewide meeting held in Rutland on Sunday, March 30. For more information, email NVBUA802@gmail. com or visit NVBUA.com/ become-an-umpire.
Rep. Peter Conlon, D-Cornwall, center, questions Education Secretary Zoie Saunders as she speaks before a joint committee hearing with the House and Senate education committees and the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER
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Wednesday, March 12, 9 a.m. to Noon 722 S. Main St., Stowe
Christine Burych Founder/Workplace
REPAIRS
APPRAISALS
Education
optional school choice lottery system in every district, have drawn ire, particularly from Democrats and the state’s teachers union. But Tuesday’s revelations appear to offer some conciliation to those concerned about an expansion of school choice.
In the imagined future system, every student would be assigned to a public school. High school students would have the option to enter a lottery to attend a “school choice school,” and every district would need at least one of these special public or private options.
districts money based on the number of students they educate. Additional money is provided for students who are more expensive to teach, like English learners and those from lower income households, a process known as “weighting.”
Next budget cycle, school spending increases would be capped at 3%, according to the bill.
Class size minimums, according to Saunders, would take effect in the 2026-2027 school year. Grades 4-12 would need average class size minimums of 25, and grades K-3 would have a required 15 student average minimum.
Tuesday’s bill proposes more limits on independent schools than previously revealed. To become one of the proposed “school choice schools,” more than half of the school’s student body would need to already be publicly funded as of this summer. In practice, that means the vast majority of existing private schools would be excluded from public funding in Scott’s system. Instead, only independent schools serving a large number of local students, such as Burr and Burton Academy, would be eligible to still receive public funds.
The legislation also restricts private school choice to only grades 9-12.
Education Secretary Zoie Saunders answers questions as she speaks before a joint committee hearing with the House and Senate education committees and the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER
Those are huge changes from Vermont’s existing system, which allows students of all grades whose districts don’t operate public schools to attend a variety of private options both near and far. Many of those schools accept only a handful of public students. As written, Scott’s plan would move the state to a foundation formula by fiscal year 2028, two budget cycles from now. Used in most states across the country, a foundation formula gives school
Despite the magnitude of the 176-page proposal, gaps remain. What, if any, exceptions would be given to new mandates? And how will the imagined future system handle career and technical education and pre-kindergarten students?
“There’s a lot here,” Rep. Peter Conlon, D-Cornwall, chair of the House Education Committee, said at Tuesday’s hearing. But he called the timeline “ambitious,” especially considering “the amount of work that still remains.”
Saunders acknowledged that the proposal is a “starting point” destined to change once lawmakers weigh in. Committees will continue walking through the bill this week, with edits to follow.
A Q&A with Vermont State University’s chief DEI officer
Paul Suk-Hyun Yoon discusses difficulties navigating new federal administration
BY AMANDA JOHNSON Community News Service
Paul Suk-Hyun Yoon is chief diversity officer at Vermont State University. He says his purpose in life is to pursue justice, and he has more than 18 years of experience in education with degrees from Boston College and Harvard Graduate School. He is currently pursuing another degree at the University of Vermont.
His most recent position was as senior advisor for inclusive excellence at the University of Vermont. Yoon hails from Manhattan, and after many different moves settled in Essex in 2013, where he lives with his wife, Jenny, and their two children.
Q. In light of new executive orders, how did you feel about the president and his issued order that there are only two genders?
A. Lots of words come up. I think the first one that comes to mind is disappointed. Another one is confusing. Another one is feeling like we as a country had taken a step back in a significant way, and there’s much more than just those.
Q. How do you feel about the elimination of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) workers on a federal level, and how do you think that will impact school institutions and professors and students alike?
A. I personally feel sad, and I personally feel really an incredible amount of empathy towards the individuals and the offices that were involved with that specific action, and the cascading impact that’s also happening on other institutions as well.
For me, I think one of the things that’s going to be really important to keep in mind with not only that executive action, but with many of the other ones, is the human component of it. These are our friends, they’re our neighbors, they’re our family members. They are our fellow citizens who are being impacted in this way.
Q: It was temporarily halted, but there was a freeze on federal
assistance for schooling. Did that worry you at all?
A: What was, I think, particularly jarring about that was it wasn’t right. It didn’t just impact institutions of higher education. It was trillions of dollars of federal funds; they tried to shut that off, kind of in one fell swoop. And I heard stories about people who rely on Medicaid, for example, for procedures or reimbursements or whatever it might be, to people who are working for the United States Department of Agriculture who are helping farmers … Like it really just ran the gamut of all of these different places, and there was an immense amount of fear and panic, not only from our institution but institutions all across the country. For some people, the very real consequence was, ‘Am I going to continue to be employed?’
Q. Did you have any fears for your own your family when the new administration took over?
A. I’m Korean-American. My wife is white, and our two children are obviously half Asian-American and half white. Our son, who is 14, is in eighth grade, and leading up to the election, there had been a number of different things that were said to him. He’s obviously a mix of both Asian and white, and in some kind of way, or in some kind of light, some people just kind of think of him as being part of the normal group of students. And in other ways, I think he stands out because of his name, right?
He’s really proud of being a Korean-American in some ways. But leading up to the election, there were several students who were saying things like, “Once Trump gets elected,” or, “if Trump gets elected, you’re screwed, because you are Asian or Asian-American.” And a lot of people were saying things and not making the distinction between being KoreanAmerican and Chinese. It was all kind of just clumped together after the election. I’m absolutely concerned about the potential for anti-Asian rhetoric to kind of ramp up again.
Q. I read that you enjoy running. Is that still something you like to do and what exactly does it do for you?
A. Absolutely, I love it. I’m an amateur triathlete, so running,
that. So, sexism, ableism, ageism, etc., and it starts at the individual level. It goes up to the interpersonal level, the institutional level and then the systemic level. And I actually think what we’re seeing and experiencing right now in our country is a really good illustration of how these things kind of weave together, if you will, and operate.
Q. Are there any guilty pleasures that you partake in, like shows that you like to watch?
obviously, is a big part of that sport, but it’s also, for me, a part of what I can do to be a healthy human and to find that balance. There’s obviously a lot of stress in the job, and so for me, I like running, biking, swimming, but strength training is also something I do regularly. And I’m really, really grateful for a group of people that I meet up with. A lot of people think we’re crazy, but we meet up at 5:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays outside all year round, and we exercise together.
Q. Are there any qualities that you have inherited or that you take through your own life and your own personal experiences?
A. One thing that I have been so grateful for throughout my life is the unconditional love and empathy … really the cultivation of the potential that people have seen in me since I was in middle school and even before that. Since middle school I’ve had several different people really continuing to encourage me to work hard, to study to the best of my ability, and eventually, kind of the big turn, if you will, was after this course that I took as an undergraduate student titled the History and Development of Racism in the United States of America, where the encouragement was to think about how I could leverage my strengths, my skills, to really help make the world a better place.
Q. You had mentioned in a previous interview the four “isms.” How do you think as an institution Vermont State University is doing on those, and then more broadly as a country?
A. One, just a small kind of clarification. It’s the four levels, and you can use racism, but you can use any other kind of “ism” in
you’re familiar with lo-fi, but I really, really, really like lo-fi music. I wouldn’t say I’m a Swiftie (chuckles), but I really love her music.
If you looked at my Apple Music or Spotify, you’d see just a lot of different types of genres of music. My friends give me a hard time about this sometimes, but I really like to exercise to dance-pop music just because I feel like it gets me motivated.
A. I mean, there hasn’t been a whole lot of TV watching these days. One of my hobbies that I really like, but haven’t been able to do, is play a game called Magic: The Gathering. I would love to be able to do that more regularly than I am.
The last show that I just finished was “Silo” season two, which is on Apple TV+. It’s a science fiction show. And the show before that was a show called “Pachinko,” which is based on a book about a Korean family. And that actually also happens to be on Apple TV+.
I love science fiction, love fantasy, and this is somewhat related, but my 10-year-old daughter is really getting into Harry Potter now … If I could go to the movie theater and see a movie, that’s one of my favorite things to do.
Q. Is there any particular type of music you like to listen to?
A. Generally speaking, jazz is actually my favorite genre of music. I have a pretty eclectic kind of taste in music. I don’t know if
Q. Do you have any regrets about the path you’ve chosen?
A. I actually do. As an undergraduate, I was training to be an officer in the United States Marine Corps, and I went through a program called Platoon Leaders Class and graduated from it, eligible to commission as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps upon graduation.
It was early 2005 as graduation was coming and I was preparing to commission, and I thought that that’s what I should do, that I should lead Marines, that I should serve our country in that way. And there’s a lot of different kinds of reasons why I ultimately chose not to accept my commission, but it is actually one of my regrets, because I learned so much through that experience about the sacrifice and the hard work that service members have to do to be able to serve in that way. It was one of the clearest forks in my life.
Community News Service is a University of Vermont journalism internship.
Vermont State University Chief Diversity Officer Paul Suk-Hyun Yoon. COMMUNITY NEWS SERVICE COURTESY PHOTO
BY REP. ANGELA ARSENAULT
The State House is a really difficult place to work when you care a lot. The irony, of course, is that you have to care to run for office, so most of us hustle around the building in a near-constant state of frustration.
GUEST COLUMN
The things worth fighting for
This is all due to the fact that compromise is the name of the game –and rightly so. With 150 members representing 104 districts, there will always be more individual priorities than could possibly be addressed during the roughly five-month-long session.
I have personally compromised on a number of complex issues, ranging from gun violence prevention to childcare. I’ve been patient when certain bills aimed at providing increased protections for victims and survivors of domestic violence had to wait until the second half of the biennium to be taken up. These things happen, and it’s not because of a lack of diligence or interest; it’s often as simple as a lack of time.
But this year, in the era of “hurry up and wait,” – as we wait to receive the Governor’s education transformation proposal in bill form, and his housing plan in bill form, and a public safety omnibus bill – there’s one issue that I can no longer wait for us to act on.
Every single day, our kids are being used in a grand experiment conducted by multi-billion-dollar tech companies who knowingly place profits over people. While adolescent and teen mental health declines, technocrats like Mark Zuckerberg
and Elon Musk work their way deeper into our country’s governmental structure, all but ensuring that they and their companies will remain free from regulation or oversight. Congress has failed, again and again, to take appropriate action, so it is left to the states to do what we can – however small our efforts may be in comparison to what’s really needed.
And make no mistake, as we work to once again pass a data privacy bill and the Vermont Kids Code law (both of which were vetoed by Governor Scott last year), these immensely powerful companies will send their troops to our State House, some under the guise of local business owners, to stop us from protecting Vermonters, young and old alike, through responsible consumer protection laws.
There is one place, however, where they have not yet stopped us from carving out a small enclave of relative respite from their (over) reach – and that is in our schools.
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Setting aside the massive troves of data they are extracting from our kids through the use of so-called “education technology,” Big Tech has not come down hard on phonefree school policies. It’s for this reason, and a host of others, that our legislature needs to pass the Vermont Phone- and Social MediaFree Schools bill (H.54/S.21).
I’ve been working on this bill since last year when the 2024 version failed to reach the House floor. There are no paid lobbyists behind the bill, just a team of incredibly fierce, dedicated parents (mostly moms) who see exactly what the presence of cell phones and smartwatches in the classroom has done to their kids. They understand the pull of these devices and how a distracted education is a stunted education. They agree with former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy who said that schools should be phone-free environments. They’re see ARSENAULT page 7
The Kismet
Support S. 27 - An act relating to medical debt relief
At the Office of the Health Care Advocate, we see the toll that medical debt takes on families.
When we interviewed Vermonters across the state about the impact of medical debt on their lives, the message was clear: they appreciate the care they received, they like and trust their providers and want them to be paid but often simply do not have the money. As a result, Vermonters too often avoid necessary care because they are afraid of incurring debt they will not be able to pay back.
State Treasurer Mike Pieciak recently put forward a proposal — S.27 — to eliminate up to $100 million of medical debt with a one-time investment of just $1 million. Requiring no additional state spending, the program would provide immediate relief to thousands of Vermonters. The bill would also protect Vermonters’ credit scores from being impacted by medical debt.
Medical debt is different from other types of debt. No one chooses to get sick or injured, and yet our health care system too often punishes people for getting the care they need. The fact that the United
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aligned with the 83% of teachers who support a policy to prohibit personal electronic devices for the entire school day – also called a “bell-to-bell” policy. And they are not at all surprised that the implementation of such policies in schools all over the country has led to a marked decrease in hazing, harassment and bullying.
Importantly, this bill is also supported by students. A group of young filmmakers from Thetford Academy recently produced a short documentary – you can watch it at phonefreeschoolsvt.com – in which they interviewed their peers about their experience so far at a phone-free school. (TA adopted a bell-to-bell policy at the start of the current school year.) In the film, one student shares that his grades have gone up “across the board” with the phone policy in place. He realized that he’d been rushing through tests so that he could get to his phone, but now – without the option to grab his phone when he’s done with a test – he takes his time and checks his answers. It’s this type of insight that I find chilling and remarkable. These devices, and the intentionally addictive apps on them, are impacting our kids in ways we can’t even imagine.
There is broad bipartisan support for this bill within both chambers (the House bill was introduced with one third of the body as co-sponsors), including members of both education committees. So why hasn’t it been
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
States has at least $220 billion dollars of medical debt makes clear this is a problem with our health care system, not individual failing.
The Treasurer’s medical debt relief proposal is a meaningful step in the right direction. We also hope the fact that Vermonters have at least $100 million in medical debt to be forgiven is evidence enough of the need for bold, systemic reform to fix our broken health care system. Vermont must urgently lower healthcare prices and costs to ensure that all Vermonters can get the care they need at the right place, at the right time.
Mike Fisher
Chief Healthcare Advocate
Vermont Legal Aid
State must prioritize vulnerable seniors
We applaud Kim Fitzgerald, CEO of Cathedral Square, for her recent op-ed (“We must care for our most vulnerable,” Feb. 6) that creates awareness of the growing issue of the cost of care for the most vulnerable seniors in our state.
It is disheartening to see that the FY26 state budget does not include an increase in funding for long-term care
taken up? Why haven’t we passed it already? Well, we’re back to that frustrating hourglass and the sands of time.
When this piece is published, there will be five legislative days left before the crossover deadline, which is the date by which bills must pass out of committee to be considered for a vote by the full House and then sent over to the Senate. You may have heard about the looming education transformation effort underway, and so it’s not altogether surprising that House Education has been rather busy.
That’s why I’m trying to find a creative path for this bill. I feel a sense of urgency and a need to exhaust every possible route to passage rather than compromise on this one and leave the majority of Vermont students subject to another year of declining academic progress, increasing mental health issues and deteriorating social cohesion. This bill could follow a non-traditional path through a different committee, but that move must be approved by the Speaker of the House, which hasn’t happened yet.
If you feel, as I do, that all of Vermont’s kids deserve the benefits of a phone-free education, please reach out Speaker Jill Krowinski at jkrowinski@leg.state.vt.us.
I’m willing to accept the reality that many bills, many priorities, will have to wait. But this can’t be one of them. Our kids need us to act now.
Angela Arsenault represents Williston in the Vermont House of Representatives.
providers and communities that accept Medicaid. The current landscape of long-term care in Vermont is shrinking even as the aging population continues to grow. According to the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living’s (DAIL) February report on the Governor’s FY2026 Budget, the past two years have seen the closure of 13 facilities—including skilled nursing, assisted living and residential care homes—while only two have opened. This has resulted in a net loss of 107 beds.
Since 1886, Converse Home, a non-profit assisted living community in Burlington, has provided a true home for seniors, a home offering comfort and dignity that we want them to have for the rest of their lives. As some of our residents’ financial situations change, Medicaid has been vital to allowing them to age in place with us.
We have deep concerns about the unmet needs of Vermont’s aging population. The state must take immediate action to incentivize more communities to accept Medicaid patients, and this will not be possible unless reimbursement rates are both reasonable and adjusted annually to meet rising costs.
Funding increases are not just
We accept:
Small appliances and electronics such as blenders, vacuums, microwaves, and more
Furniture in new or gently used condition
Large appliances such as stoves, fridges, washers, dryers, and more
Building supplies and hardware such as cabinets, tile, sinks, and more
necessary; they are essential to our budgets.
We urge state leaders to prioritize senior care in the FY26 budget and ensure that Vermont’s most vulnerable older residents receive the support they need. Join us in supporting increased Medicaid reimbursement rates by calling or emailing your state representative. Thank you.
Vanessa Fortune Co-Executive Director
Election editorial policy
The Williston Observer welcomes election-related Guest Columns and Letters to the Editor submissions leading up to local, state and national elections. We refrain from publishing election-related material in the issue immediately preceding an election.
The Converse Home
THINKING SUSTAINABLY • ACTING RESPONSIBLY
The increasing ease of long distance electric vehicle trips
Charging infrastructure matures throughout the Northeast
BY KEVIN THORLEY Williston Energy Committee
One of the first things that comes to mind when someone is considering an electric vehicle (EV) is often, “Where can I charge?”
While the answer for many EV owners is that most of the charging happens at home or work, the availability of convenient, fast charging is necessary for EVs to be considered a reasonable all-around alternative to a gas car.
Fortunately, significant progress has been made with EV charging in Vermont and throughout the Northeast in the last few years.
It wasn’t that long ago that a longer trip in an EV hinged on the availability of one charger and the hopes that it would be operating. Some people may still be basing their ideas of longer trips in EVs on stories like this.
The reality today, however, is that travel in an EV along Interstates 89, 91, and smaller corridors such as Routes 7, 100 and 2, is significantly easier and more reliable. Fast chargers, specifically CCS chargers, which support the majority of EVs on the road, are available at regular intervals, often every 20-30 miles, along these routes. Most exits along I-89 now have at least one fast charging station, and more are being built. One of the most recent stations to come online is at the new
New EV chargers were recently installed at the Interstate 89 Exit 11 interchange in Richmond.
GREEN
would be required in a gas car.
convenience store on Exit 11 in Richmond, with two ChargePoint fast chargers.
Our neighbors in New York, Quebec, Massachusetts and New Hampshire are also making travel in EVs more convenient. Trips that were once a challenge in an EV — for example traveling to Lake Placid, N.Y. — are now no harder than traveling in a gas car due to the well supported network of EV charging stations. North of the border in Quebec, EV fast chargers seem to be as numerous as gas stations, and the sheer number of EVs you see on the road in Quebec drives home the point that driving an EV on northern trips is no big deal.
In addition to new charging stations being built in Vermont and neighboring states, quite a few Tesla Supercharger locations are now available to non-Tesla vehicles. As of this writing, the Tesla Superchargers in Williston, St. Johnsbury and Rutland, in addition to many throughout the rest of the northeast, including Lake Placid and many in New Hampshire, are available to cars that can charge using the new North American Charging Standard “NACS”. The list will continue to increase, but today it includes Ford, General Motors, Rivian, Mercedes, Nissan (Ariya, not Leaf), Polestar and Volvo, with other brands such as Hyundai and Kia scheduled to gain access soon.
Along with the much-improved availability of EV charging, the range of modern EVs has also increased significantly. In 2019, with only a few EVs on the market, the median range was less than 150 miles. Today that has almost doubled, with most EVs having an available 280 miles of range or greater, with some models up to 400 miles. Combined with the greatly improved charging network, this results in trips that are more convenient, less stressful and ultimately not much longer than
So how much time does it take to do a longer trip in an EV? An example trip from Williston to Boston is approximately 210 miles with a driving time of just under 3 hours without charging. Most modern EVs available today (such as Hyundai Ioniq5, Kia EV9, Tesla Model 3, Volkswagen ID.4, Chevy Equinox and many others), can handle the trip, in seasonal winter conditions, with a 5–10-minute stop to charge. For many people, this would probably line up well with their typical rest stop, coffee stop, etc.
While the number of EV charging stations has increased, recent actions by the new federal administration are attempting to claw back congressionally approved funding that supports the expansion of EV charging stations. Due to the uncertainty of funding, the State of Vermont has currently stopped all planned federally funded EV charging projects across the state.
While this won’t impact the many chargers already available, we believe that this is a serious detriment to the continued growth of EVs in Vermont, and to our collective efforts to move away from fossil fuels and curb climate change. We encourage everyone to contact your state and federal elected officials, urging them to object to the actions of the federal administration and to reinstate funding for EV charging stations and other climate related projects.
To participate in Williston’s energy future, reach out to your Williston Energy Committee at energy@willistonvt.org or attend a public meeting held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. The agenda for upcoming meetings is posted on the Town of Williston website (www.town. williston.vt.us). For more information, visit https://www.willistonvtenergycommittee.org.
Green tips
Have a ball with your aluminum!
Aluminum is one of the most highly valued recyclable materials, so don’t let your used aluminum foil go to waste by putting it in your trash.
Here’s how to make sure foil is successfully recycled: First, be sure to rinse off any food residue so that the foil is clean. Foil yogurt lids can be included. Next, to make sure your aluminum foil makes it through the mixed recycling sorting process, roll up pieces into a ball at least 2 inches in diameter. Finally, just toss that ball in with your blue bin recyclables. It will soon be on its way to becoming a new product.
For more tips on recycling, visit the Chittenden Solid Waste District website at cswd.net.
Weekday Bus Departures from Williston
Commuter Link
Williston to Montpelier Departures
Route 2A to Essex Junction & Essex Center Departures out of
Advocates criticize Scott’s climate omnibus bill as a policy ‘rollback’
BY EMMA COTTON VTDigger
For years, as Gov. Phil Scott opposed most of the major climate policies sponsored by Democratic lawmakers, those lawmakers said the governor should present a plan of his own.
This year, in a Statehouse padded with enough Republicans to require Democrats to negotiate across the aisle, Scott is pitching such a plan. His administration recently released a white paper outlining the proposal, and on Wednesday afternoon, the bill, H.289, which aligns with the white paper, was introduced in the House.
“We agree on the need to reduce emissions,” Scott said when announcing the proposal at a Jan. 30 press conference. “But we need to be realistic about what we can do and make sure we’re on a timeline that makes sense, and doesn’t harm Vermonters financially as a result.”
But early reactions to the white paper, which has circulated among lawmakers, environmental groups and lobbyists, indicate that many of the governor’s proposals are not likely to gain support from Democrats.
Members of area environmental organizations, including the Conservation Law Foundation and the Vermont Public Interest
Research Group, or VPIRG, have called the proposal a “rollback” on climate policy.
And in a statehouse rally on Tuesday, before the bill had even hit the desks of legislators, climate activists were already calling Scott’s proposed climate omnibus an “ominous” bill.
activist from Burlington, said at the press conference.
CHANGES TO THE GLOBAL WARMING SOLUTIONS ACT
Scott has long opposed Vermont’s landmark climate law, the Global Warming Solutions Act, which sets deadlines to reduce climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions by 2025, 2030 and 2050. Lawmakers overrode his veto of the bill in 2020.
Environmentalists, lawmakers and state officials agree that the state currently does not have a plan in place to reduce emissions at a pace that would satisfy the 2030 deadline, and the window to move such a policy forward has become increasingly difficult as the deadline approaches.
A specific measure within the law, called a legal ‘cause of action,’ allows citizens to sue the Agency of Natural Resources if the state isn’t on track to meet its deadlines. The Conservation Law Foundation has already filed a lawsuit challenging the Agency of Natural Resources’ projection that it will meet the 2025 deadline.
There, members of the climate advocacy group Third Act linked arms with college students from the University of Vermont student chapter of VPIRG to stand against his proposal.
“The idea that Gov. Scott and the Legislature are considering pulling back Vermont’s clean energy and climate legislation is, to be very blunt, insane and immoral,” Dan Quinlan, 66, a Third Act
The new bill, based on Scott’s proposal and sponsored by Rep. Pattie McCoy, R-Poultney, the House Minority leader, and other House Republicans, would nix the measure that opens the state to citizen lawsuits.
Julie Moore, secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources, who spoke about the governor’s proposal at the Jan. 30 press conference, said the existing measure “slows progress, creates regulatory uncertainty and delays work on the ground.” Meanwhile, climate action advocates have long seen the legal cause of action as a necessary framework to hold the state accountable for
Climate activists held a rally in the statehouse on Tuesday in opposition to Gov. Scott’s proposed climate omnibus bill which targets the Global Warning Solutions Act.
PHOTO COURTESY OF VTDIGGER
emissions reductions.
“The Legislature’s directive and lawsuits against the government are routinely defended by the Vermont Attorney General’s Office,” said Jennifer Rushlow, a senior staff attorney at the Conservation Law Foundation. “These citizen suits are not requiring additional resources in the Attorney General’s Office, as I understand it.”
In addition, the bill would switch the method Vermont uses to count its emissions from a gross framework — which is intended to represent the total human-caused emissions produced in the state — to a net accounting system.
A net accounting system would add to the equation the amount of carbon sequestered in the state through existing carbon sinks, such as forests.
The proposal would require Vermont to reach “net zero” by 2035.
Rushlow said switching the accounting framework “is a great example of trying to put a gloss on climate measures that is really not warranted,” and because many of Vermont’s forests are privately owned and increasingly impacted by climate change, the carbon sinks are “not something that’s entirely reliable.”
Next, the proposal would change the authority, scope and makeup of Vermont’s Climate Council, a 23-member body created by the Global Warming Solutions Act that is charged with creating a statewide plan to reduce emissions. The body published its first plan in 2021, and an updated plan is due in July.
The current law gives the executive branch eight seats on the council, while the Legislature appoints 15. Scott’s proposal would shrink the council to 19 members and give the executive branch 10 seats — a majority. It would also remove the council’s authority to direct the Agency of Natural Resources to make rules by making it advisory.
“We believe there are significant opportunities to better align the work of the council with that of state agencies and make it more sustainable for the volunteer members who have repeatedly expressed concerns about their capacity to fulfill the current mandate,” Moore said in January.
On the other hand, Ben Edgerly Walsh, a lobbyist for VPIRG who works on climate policy, said if the Scott administration is concerned about the council’s broad
mandate, “they should propose ways to focus its work, not ways to strip its authority.”
The final proposal related to the Global Warming Solutions Act is a “Climate Action Management Plan,” which the Agency of Natural Resources would publish in Dec. 2026. It would outline “an aggressive-yet- achievable timeline for emissions reductions,” the white paper says, along with evaluating “what is feasible, how much it will cost” and proposing “a long-term funding strategy that maximizes the use of current resources in an effort to avoid new rates, taxes or fees on Vermonters.”
In an interview, Moore said the plan is a necessary supplement to the Climate Action Plan, which is less focused on implementing the strategies it recommends and does not thoroughly consider cost.
But Walsh said the government doesn’t need another plan.
“The idea that the brilliant solution to this is, ‘let’s sit on our hands for 18 months while we roll back climate actions we’ve already taken and plan for another round’ is just preposterous,” he said.
OTHER CHANGES
Scott’s other proposals in the bill range widely from changes to the state’s electricity portfolio to switching up the way weatherization efforts are funded.
One proposal would sweep millions of dollars from the Electrical Efficiency Charge, which Vermonters pay on their electric bills, for use solely for weatherization. Those funds are currently also used for rebates and incentives that make buildings, appliances and equipment more efficient, which lowers energy costs.
It would also take a portion of the income that Vermont receives from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative — a regional cap and trade program that limits emissions coming from power plants — and redirect it from weatherization toward electric vehicle incentives.
Peter Walke, managing director of Efficiency Vermont, an organization that helps homes and businesses weatherize and become more energy efficient, said in a statement that the proposal “simply moves existing funding around from one energy affordability priority to another” and called it “unserious.”
“To help Vermonters affordably transition to less expensive and cleaner heating, cooling,
and transportation options takes a sustained commitment. The Governor’s proposal doesn’t do that,” he said.
While the organization’s programs “benefited from significant federal dollars in recent years,” he said, “we were all told that it was a bridge” to a steadier funding source.
“Vermonters made clear that they want serious solutions to the challenges we face,” he said. “Kicking the can further down the road just makes it that much more unaffordable to solve in the future.”
Rushlow said the proposal was like “robbing Peter to pay Paul.”
“This isn’t an additional investment,” she said. “It’s redirecting a third of the state’s total energy efficiency budget and taking it away from programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions like heat pump programs for residents, commercial lighting programs that drive down costs for businesses, rebates for Vermonters.”
Scott also proposed rebranding the Renewable Energy Standard, a law that requires electric utilities to purchase increasing amounts of their portfolios from renewable sources to the Clean Energy Standard. The new standard would incorporate nuclear energy.
“Nuclear is carbon free, but Vermont utilities are still required to purchase Renewable Energy Credits (‘RECs’) for this generation creating an additional cost for ratepayers for no additional emissions reduction benefit,” the governor’s white paper states.
Sen. Anne Watson, D/PWashington, who chairs the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee, said she wonders whether Vermonters “would go for that.”
“We had a long process around closing Vermont Yankee, and I think there is some pretty deep sentiment in Vermont that they’re not interested in nuclear power,” she said, referring to the shuttered nuclear plant in southern Vermont.
In an interview on Feb. 13, Moore said that, so far this session, she has “appreciated more space for dialogue” than there’s been in the last several years, and “a recognition that there’s a need for some compromise in this space.”
Watson said she wants to give the proposal a “fair shake,” but that the measures outlined in the proposal “are not the scale necessary to take us where we need to go in terms of our climate reduction requirements.”
Get ready for spring with a garden party
BY ANDREA KNEPPER Special to theObserver
By this time of the year, it may seem like winter will never end. Many of us are eager to start gardening knowing that spring is right around the corner. While we can’t make the calendar pages turn more quickly, we can get ready for the upcoming gardening season while having some fun with friends and neighbors by hosting a garden party.
Hosting a garden-themed gathering is a great way to start planning for the upcoming garden season, swap seeds, exchange houseplant cuttings and share favorite recipes using garden delicacies. Consider inviting all the green-thumbed friends in your life for a couple of hours of sharing, networking and fun.
PLAN YOUR EVENT
Make your guest list, including family, friends and neighbors. Many public libraries have spaces that can be reserved for gatherings if you are not able to host in your own home. If you are using a public space, consider posting your event so more people may be able to join in the fun.
ORGANIZE YOUR SEEDS TO SWAP
Sort through your seed collection and set aside extras to share. Double-check to make sure they are in good condition
and likely viable. If you are not sharing the whole seed packet, clearly label an envelope with all the critical information such as plant variety, planting, growing and harvest information.
ORGANIZE A SEED CATALOG ORDER
Costs can add up when ordering gardening seeds and supplies. Bring seed catalogs and organize a group order to share larger packets of seeds and cut down on shipping costs. Even if no orders are placed, it is fun to see catalogs from new seed companies and all the different plant varieties available.
EXCHANGE HOUSEPLANT CUTTINGS
A number of houseplants are easy to propagate from cuttings. Some of the easiest to propagate in water are pothos, philodendron, Christmas cactus, pilea (Chinese money plant), geranium and spider plant. Snip a stem off any of these plants just below a node and place it in water. Within a couple of weeks, roots will form and the cutting will be ready to plant.
SHARE GARDENING KNOW-HOW
winter garden party is a fun event where guests can browse seed catalogs, swap seeds and houseplant cuttings, share ideas from their garden journals and enjoy a potluck meal featuring dishes that use ingredients that can be grown in the garden.
A gathering of gardeners can be a tremendous resource. Brainstorm solutions for issues experienced in the garden, share tips and tricks and discuss successful pest control strategies. If you get stuck, you can submit your questions to the University of Vermont Extension Master Gardener Helpline at https://go.uvm.edu/ gardenquestion. Recommend that your guests bring their garden journal if they keep one. There might be some new ideas to jot down.
GARDEN DELIGHTS
A fun way to engage guests and lighten the responsibilities of the host is to organize a potluck. Ask your attendees to bring a snack or appetizer to share, preferably using ingredients that can be grown in the garden. Have copies of the recipe available to take home. Maybe there are seeds to share for the produce as well.
A winter garden party is more than a fun gathering. It’s a way to strengthen your gardening network, share knowledge and build excitement for the upcoming gardening season. You will be sure to leave with new ideas and inspiration. Celebrate the joy of gardening and brighten the winter months by connecting with fellow gardeners.
Andrea Knepper is a UVM Extension Master Gardener from Bolton.
A
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANDREA KNEPPER
Dorothy Alling Memorial Library hours:
• Monday and Wednesday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit www.damlvt.org to apply for a library card and to register for programs. Need help? Call 878-4918 or email daml@damlvt.org.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
Children 4th grade and younger must be supervised by someone over 16 years of age.
TEEN NIGHT: DUNGEONS & DRAGONS
Friday, February 28, 4:30-5:55 p.m. Ages 12-18. Campaign is currently full.
SATURDAY STORYTIME
Saturday, March 1, 10:30-11 a.m. Start your weekend with Cindy’s storytime!
PRESCHOOL STORYTIME
Tuesdays, March 4 & 11, 10:30-11 a.m. Drop in for stories and fun!
BABY TIME
Wednesday, March 5, 10:30-11 a.m. Ages 0-18 months. Enjoy gentle social and bonding activities with your little one.
AFTER SCHOOL GAMES
Wednesday, March 5, 2-3 p.m. Play fun board and card games after school.
MUSIC AND PLAYTIME
Thursdays, March 6 & 13, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Come for music with Linda Bassick, then stay to play!
LEGO TIME
Thursday, March 6, 3-4 p.m. Build something exciting with the Library’s LEGO collection!
TEEN NIGHT: BOBA MIXER
Friday, March 7, 5-5:55 p.m. Ages 12-18. Mix your own boba drinks and chat with others!
FRENCH STORYTIME
Saturday, March 8, 10:15-10:45 a.m. Drop in for stories read aloud by a native French speaker.
STEM ADVENTURE
Saturday, March 8, 1-2 p.m. Ages 6+. Drop in for family-friendly, hands-on experiments and activities! This program is made possible by VTSGC and the Rotary Club of Williston-Richmond VT.
KIDS IN THE KITCHEN (ONLINE)
Monday, March 10, 4-5 p.m. Join our final Kids in the Kitchen for the year! Learn to cook from the comfort of your own kitchen with guidance from Joanne
Heidkamp, registered dietician. This month, make delicious crepes. Register online for the ingredient list and Zoom link.
AFTER SCHOOL MOVIE
Wednesday, March 12, 2-3:30 p.m. PG. Enjoy this movie with more layers than an onion. How far would you go for your own swamp land?
MULTI-AGE PROGRAMS
CRAFT CIRCLE
Monday, March 3, 5-6 p.m. All ages. Bring your own craft.
READ TO A DOG (ROCKO)
Thursday, March 13, 3-4 p.m. Sign-up for a 10-minute session with Rocko the Therapy Dog.
ADULT PROGRAMS
For online programs or to join a book club, email daml@damlvt.org.
FEBRUARY SPICE CLUB - BARBERRY
Pick up this month’s sample with tasting notes, suggestions for use, and a few recipes to try. While supplies last.
ADULT MEDITATION (ONLINE)
Fridays, Feb. 28 and March 7, 12:0012:30 p.m. Join our guided meditation.
TECH TUTOR
Tuesday, March 4, 11:00 a.m. Call to book an hour with our tech.
ADULT CRAFTERNOONWATERCOLOR PLAYTIME*
Tuesday, March 4, 2:00-3:00 p.m. Peonies - Color mixing for petals and leaves in all their glorious hues.
SPANISH CONVERSATION (ONLINE)
Wednesday, March 5, 5:00-6:00 p.m. All abilities.
ADULT RPG: WHITE BOX
Thursday, March 6, 6:00-8:30 p.m. Register online to join our campaign.
MAH JONGG
Friday, March 7, 1:00-3:00 p.m. All abilities welcome.
FRENCH CONVERSATION
Saturday, March 8, 10:45-11:45 a.m. All abilities.
CURRENT EVENTS
Wednesday, March 12, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Discuss timely topics with other community members.
LIFE STORIES (ONLINE)
Wednesday, March 12, 2:00-3:30 p.m. Use our prompts to choose a story from your life to share with a group.
The bare facts…
Thanks for your support!
A hop, skip and jumpshot
CLOCKWISE (l to r): Starting the game off in the right direction, CVU’s Lauren Vaughan wins the tip over Essex’s Emma Hodgson during the Redhawks’ 43-39 win over the Hornets on Thursday in Essex. In other moments, Rose Bunting drives to the hoop againt Essex’s Jaila Palermo, Kaitlyn Jovell finds space behind the arch to shoot for a 3-pointer, Alex Montgomery gets past Essex’s Alexa Rabidoux to score, Sarah Skaflestad dribbles past Essex’s Grace Lapine and Zoey McNabb puts up a runner.
Are You a Grammar Hammer?
March 4 is National Grammar Day. The special day was started in 2008 by Martha Brockenbrough because she wanted to help her students with grammar in a positive way.
This week, The Mini Page reminds us of ways to use good grammar both in writing and speaking.
What is grammar?
Grammar is a set of rules for how language is structured. The rules may be about sentences, phrases and words. The oldest book about grammar was written more than 2,000 years ago. As languages change, grammar changes, too.
You can speak your native language without learning much grammar, but grammar can help a student learn a foreign language more quickly and easily. Examples of grammar
English grammar has some basic guidelines that demonstrate good grammar. Here are a few:
• A sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a period, question mark or exclamation mark. When will you come home?
• Most sentences have subject-verb-object structure.
John loves Mary
Mini Fact: We can speak and write more clearly when we use proper grammar.
• The subject and verb must agree in number.
Sam works downtown.
Grace and Grant love jigsaw puzzles
• Adjectives (words describing nouns) are usually placed before the noun. This is different in some other languages, such as Spanish.
The Millers have a huge dog!
¡Los Millers tienen un perro enorme!
• In English, many words that sound the same (homophones) are spelled differently and have different meanings. Do you know the difference between these homophones?
Their, they’re, there
Its, it’s
Your, you’re
• Proper nouns, which are the names of things or people, are spelled with a capital letter.
The class wrote a letter to Elise after her surgery.
• An apostrophe is used to show possession, but where it is placed matters.
One boy: The boy’s dog ran away.
More than one boy: The boys’ dog ran away.
• Apostrophes can also be used in contractions, such as aren’t (are not) and shouldn’t (should not)
Grammar Quiz-a-Roonie
Can you figure out the answers to these grammar questions?
1.Find the object in the following sentence: Mom bought a watermelon.
2.What is the pronoun in this sentence? Alice loves to play with her toys.
3. Can you find the contractions in these sentences? Petra can’t ride a bike yet. She’s only 2.
4.Identify the adjectives in this sentence: We traveled down a long, winding road.
5.Circle the correct word choice in this sentence: Brent and Jan are going to sell they’re/their/there car next month.
6.Insert the correct punctuation at the end of this sentence: How many doughnuts did you eat __
7.Find the proper noun in this sentence: Austin finished his quiz quickly.
8.Circle the correct word choice in this sentence: Fiona read too/two/to books over the weekend.
9.Can you see what’s wrong with this sentence? We have’nt been to the movies for weeks.
10.Circle the correct word in this sentence: My classmates is/are really smart!
Next Week: Harriet Tubman
Founded by Betty Debnam
• Most sentences have subject-verb-object structure.
John loves Mary.
Try ’n’ Find
(should not).
Words that remind us of grammar are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
Alpha Betty is reading a book to her friends in the bookstore. See if you can find the hidden pictures. Then color the picture.
Mini Jokes
Graham: Why did the subject break up with the verb? Gretel: They didn’t agree!
Eco Note
The Iberian lynx, once on the brink of extinction with fewer than 50 mature animals left in the wild two decades ago, has become a global conservation success story, with wild populations now surpassing 2,000 across Spain and Portugal. Once devastated by habitat loss, hunting and a sharp decline in the number of rabbits (the lynx’s primary prey), it faced near-total extinction by the early 2000s. Europe’s LIFE LynxConnect project has aided the species’ recovery by enhancing genetic diversity, increasing population size and expanding the lynx’s range.
For later:
Look in your newspaper for articles mentioning National Grammar Day.
Teachers:
Follow and interact with The Mini Page on Facebook!
by Dan Thompson
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior,
What can you tell me about service dogs for seniors with disabilities? My 67-year-old father has chronic arthritis and Parkinson’s disease, and I’m wondering if an assistance dog could help make his life a little easier.
Dog
Loving Leah
Look Forward To Coming Home
SAVVY SENIOR
Service dogs can help seniors with disabilities
Dear Leah,
For people with disabilities and even medical conditions, service dogs can be a fantastic help, not to mention they provide great companionship and an invaluable sense of security. But be aware that service dogs can be very expensive to purchase, and the waiting list to get one can be long. Here’s what you should know.
While most people are familiar with guide dogs that help people who are blind or visually impaired, there are also a variety of assistance dogs trained to help people with physical disabilities, hearing loss and various medical conditions.
Unlike most pets, assistance dogs are highly trained canine specialists — often golden and Labrador retrievers and German
shepherds — that know approximately 40 to 50 commands, are amazingly well-behaved and calm, and are permitted to go anywhere the public is allowed. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of assistance dogs and what they can help with.
Service dogs: These dogs are specially trained to help people with physical disabilities due to multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, chronic arthritis and many other disabling conditions. They help by performing tasks their owners cannot do or have trouble doing, like carrying or retrieving items, picking up dropped items, opening and closing doors, turning light switches on and off, helping with balance, assisting with household chores, barking to indicate that
help is needed, and more.
Service dogs can also be trained to help people with medical conditions like epilepsy or other seizure disorders, autism, diabetes, PTSD and other psychiatric disabilities.
Guide dogs: For the blind and visually impaired, guide dogs help their owners get around safely by avoiding obstacles, stopping at curbs and steps, navigating shopping centers and buildings and finding doors, seats, pedestrian crossing buttons and more.
Hearing dogs: For those who are deaf or hearing impaired, hearing dogs can alert their owners to specific sounds, such as ringing phones, doorbells, alarm clocks, microwave or oven timers, smoke alarms, approaching sirens, crying babies or when someone calls out their name.
need to either visit their websites or call them to find out the types of training dogs they offer, the areas they serve, how long their waiting list is and what they charge. Most dog training programs charge anywhere from $10,000 to $40,000 or more for a fully trained service dog, however, most programs can assist with fundraising or grant applications for those in need. None of that cost is covered by health insurance or Medicare.
To get an assistance dog, your dad will need to show proof of his disability, which his physician can provide, and he’ll have to complete an application and go through an interview process. He will also need to go and stay at the training facility for a week or two so he can get familiar with his dog and get training on how to handle it.
FINDING A DOG
If your dad is interested in getting a service dog, contact some credible assistance dog training programs. To find them, use the Assistance Dogs International website (AssistanceDogsInternational. org), which provides a listing of around 80 accredited members and 25 candidate programs in North America.
After you locate a few, you’ll
It’s also important to understand that assistance dogs are not for everybody. They require time, money and care that your dad or some other friend or family member must be able and willing to provide.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
TODAY’S HISTORY:
• In 1837, a group of costumed students paraded down the streets of New Orleans in celebration of Mardi Gras, creating the city’s trademark festival.
• In 1951, the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, limiting presidents to two terms.
• In 1973, Native American activists and members of the American Indian Movement occupied the village of Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, beginning a 71-day standoff with federal marshals.
TODAY’S FACT:
• In a letter dated May 27, 1936, John Steinbeck informed his editor that his Irish setter pup, Toby, had “made confetti of about half” of his manuscript for “Of Mice and Men.” Steinbeck finished the book a few months later.
SOLUTION FOUND ON PAGE 21
Kenneth M. Bessette
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Kenneth M. Bessette, Jr., 85, of Williston, VT, Feb.11, 2025.
Kenneth, known fondly as Ken, was born in Burlington March 14, 1939, to the late Kenneth M. Bessette Sr. and Margaret Bessette. He grew up in the South End of Burlington before moving to French Hill in Williston during his high school years.
Ken’s passion for automotive sports began early in life when his father introduced him to the world of racing. At just 11 years old, he built and raced his first Soap Box
Derby car in 1950. After years of competing, Ken was driven by a desire to give back to the sport and became the Co-Derby Director in Burlington.
A proud U.S. Navy veteran, Ken served aboard the USS Thomas J. Gary, USS Cascade, and USS Fearless after graduating from Burlington High School, where he studied auto mechanics. His time in the Navy was marked by pride and service to his country.
On July 9, 1960, Ken married the love of his life, Gayle Vezina. Together, they raised two children, Tammy and Kenneth III, in Williston. Ken was deeply involved in his community, serving for many years on the Williston Volunteer Fire Department, always ready to lend a hand when needed.
Ken owned and operated a successful body shop and custom car build business his entire life, learning the trade when he was just 14 years old. He felt truly fortunate that his lifelong hobby became his career, allowing him to build a lasting impact in the automotive industry.
In 1983, Ken’s love for racing expanded when he got hooked on stock car racing and became a crew member for professional NASCAR driver Kevin Lepage.
OBITUARIES
He also served on pit crews with Jamie Aube and Mike Barry, further cementing his legacy in the racing world.
A high school hot rodder at heart, Ken’s love for cars never faded. In 1987, he joined the National Street Rod Association (NSRA) and began building Street Rods for himself and his clients. His dedication to the automotive world earned him leadership roles, serving as President of the Champlain Valley Street Rodders and President of the Vermont Street Rodders for 14 years.
Ken took great pride in driving his beloved “PUMPER 1” to many car events around the country. His passion for cars led him to further involvement with the National Street Rod Association (NSRA), where he served as the State Representative in 1993 and later as the Northeast Division Director for many years. These leadership roles were a testament to his dedication to the automotive community.
Ken was known for his warmth, sense of humor, and love of family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His legacy lives on through his wife Gayle, his children Tammy (Brian) Hartwell, Kenneth (Mary) Bessette III, his
grandchildren Kristen (Nick) Daley, and Crys (AJ) Spellman, his four great-grandchildren, Jack and Kennedy Daley, Keira and Lainey Spellman, as well as his brother-and sister-in-law Robert and Geraldine Gokey, many nieces and nephews, friends and fellow car enthusiasts. He was predeceased by his grandson Brandon Hartwell, his sisters Joyce Fredette and Joan Johnson, his brothers-inlaw Paul and Ralph Vezina, Jr. as well as his mother-and-father-inlaw, Ralph Sr. and Pearl Vezina.
The family invites friends to join them in honoring Ken’s memory. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, March 14 from 4-6 p.m. at the Ready Funeral Home South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Road, Burlington. A funeral Mass will follow on Saturday, March 15 at 11 a.m. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 7415 Williston Road, Williston, VT.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Williston Volunteer Fire Department or the Children’s Miracle Network at UVM Children’s Hospital.
The family would also like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at Burlington Health and Rehab for their exceptional kindness and care during Ken’s time there.
Ken’s passion, generosity, and love for his family and community will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Arrangements are in the care of Ready Funeral & Cremation Services. To share online condolences, please visit www.readyfuneral.com.
Janet Kaye Jackson
Janet Kaye Jackson (Potter) died Feb. 4, 2025.
Born in Holt, MI on June 11,
1936, to Thelma and Leonard Potter, she lived to be almost 89 years old, and was married to her high school sweetheart for 67 years, Donald Tibbits, who was born on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, 1935, and died on Oct. 29, 2021. Her heart was forever broken.
Don and Jan attended Alma College together. A music major, Jan taught elementary school music and later became a piano teacher, church organist and choir director. They moved to Princeton where Don received a Masters of Divinity and then served Presbyterian churches in Stockbridge and Detroit. Later, Don received a Master’s of Social Work, moved the family to Washington, DC for his work at HUD in housing social services, and later as a realtor founding and assisting non-profit housing organizations to develop housing for special needs and the elderly populations. Jan pursued education to become a medical assistant and worked for a primary doctor for many years.
They moved from Virginia to Vermont twenty years ago to be closer to their daughters, and made many trips to Earlysville, VA to see the Jacksons. They both volunteered at Shelburne Museum, Habitat for Humanity, Civil War reenactments, First Congregational Church and the Possibility shop, and many more non-profits who benefited from their generosity of spirit and talents.
A seamstress all of her life, Jan became an avid quilter and she graciously made quilts for her family and friends, including quilts for the unborn great-grandchildren!
Many local friends and strangers were the recipients of Jan’s beautiful flower arrangements and gardening.
Together, they are survived by their three children: Christopher Jackson (Nancy), Cynthia Elcan (Randall), and Catherine Smith (Gary). Their pride and joy were their seven grandchildren: Matthew Jackson (Maggie), Amanda Fellenz (Peter), Stephen Jackson (Megan), Ethan Smith (Lindsay), Haley Bolger (Tim), Angela Elcan, and Thomas Jackson (Abby). They are survived by their nephew Greg Roe (Lynn & daughter Cannon), and nieces Jolynn Paige (Steve and daughters Lenora (David)
and Julia), and niece Jennifer Hathaway (sons Christopher and Benjamin). They were also blessed with five great-grandchildren, Elise, Emma, Adelaide, Teagan, and Timmy. They were predeceased by Jan’s sister Lenora Roe Tree (Russ), Joe Roe, and sister Carol Jackson.
A garden party for Jan is planned for later when the warm weather awakens the blossoms.
Generous thanks goes to the SASH staff at Juniper House, Cathedral Square, and the many friends at Memory Care at Allenbrook. The family is so grateful for the wonderful care she received as a beautiful friend who was living with Alzheimer’s.
Two bright lights are passed indeed from our midst. The warmth and love they brought to many will be missed. They walked with us and our lives were better. They turned a smile, raised a song, and cheered the sad. They left the world a better place. May the peace of the Lord be with all who loved them.
If you so choose, give someone a flower, or donate to the activities fund at Memory Care at Allenbrook.
Penny Lane
Penny Lane, 77, a longtime resident of Williston, passed away Feb. 5, 2025, due to complications from the flu.
Born Feb. 10, 1947 in Barre, she was the daughter of Edith C. and Gordon M. Lane. She attended local elementary schools and graduated from Spaulding High School in 1965. She also attended the University of Vermont before beginning her career starting with New England Telephone and retiring from Verizon.
Some of her many interests outside of work included traveling,
playing competitive bridge, cooking, entertaining and spending time at the family camp on Lake Champlain.
Her travels with Peter took her to places such as South America, Australia and Europe. One of her favorite destinations was visiting “Penny Lane” in Liverpool, England. One of her proudest travel accomplishments was visiting all the 50 state capitols.
She also traveled a lot for bridge tournaments. She was quite an accomplished bridge player, and she became a Gold Life Master.
Throughout her life she enjoyed spending time with family, cousins and friends at the camp on South Hero. She would spend weeks at a time up there. We can always remember her striking a pose for the camera. Her smile and sense of humor will be truly missed.
Survivors include longtime companion Peter Tripp of Williston, her nieces and nephews Karen Philbrick (Ben) of Bethlehem, NH, Jeffrey (Cara) Dunn of Barre VT and Gordon (Nicole) Dunn of Douglas MA: her great nieces and nephews Christian Dunn, Justin (Gabriela) Dunn, Mikayla Dunn and Hunter Dunn and many other friends and family. Penny is predeceased by her sister Laura Dunn and brother- in-law Leon Dunn.
There are no calling hours. There will be a family service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Vermont Alzheimer organization. ALZ.Org/Vermont/donate.
Jeannette LaCasse Spence
Jeannette LaCasse Spence, 94, passed away at McClure Miller
House in Colchester Feb.
OBITUARIES
4, 2025. She was a resident of Williston and previously resided in Jericho, and Essex Jct.
Born Oct. 2, 1930 in Alburgh, VT, she was the daughter of the late Alfred H. and Phyllis Amore LaCasse. After the death of her mother, she was raised by her uncle and aunt, Charles and Lena Ralph. Her Uncle Charlie and Aunt Lena loved her like a daughter and she considered them her parents and cared for them as they grew older.
Jeannette graduated from Burlington High School and from Mary Fletcher Hospital School of Nursing. She worked for many years as a registered nurse in the intensive care unit at Fanny Allen Hospital until retiring from nursing and then working for several years at IBM.
In retirement, she made special occasion (wedding, birthday) cakes professionally and for family (including her granddaughter Heather’s wedding cake). She encouraged her grandchildren and other family members to describe the cake that they wanted and she would create it for them. Her grandchildren remember the cakes made by Grandma as “MAGICAL”. Jeannette was a wonderful cook and baker. She loved making food for her extended family and friends and hosted many special family meals.
Jeannette excelled at arts and crafts, and the homes of many family and friends are graced by the wonderful items she created. This art work ranged from ceramics to pinecone wreaths to Christmas ornaments. She knit many beautiful items for her grandchildren that are now being enjoyed by her great-grandchildren. She was especially proud of a ceramic tiger that won a blue ribbon in a local craft show.
All her life, Jeannette loved gardening. She was a master gardener and the beautiful landscapes she created in her yard were enjoyed by many.
Jeannette lived with her daughter, Cheryl Young, for many years. Cheryl provided loving care for Jeannette during her last years, and Cheryl’s pug dog, Henri, gave Jeannette great joy.
Jeannette is survived by three of her children and their spouses: Jeanne (Spence) Bickford and spouse Douglas Bickford of Essex, VT, William Spence Jr. and
spouse Jessica (Beadles) Spence of Lake City, FL, and Cheryl (Spence) Young of Williston, VT.; a daughter-in-law, Jean (Ruell) Spence of Colchester, VT; and four grandchildren: Andrew Bickford and spouse Michelle (Cole) Bickford, Rebecca Bickford, Tyler Spence and spouse Shea (Walker) Spence, and Heather (Spence) Dandrow and spouse Nathan Dandrow. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren: Amelia “Mia” Bickford, Marjorie “Rory” Bickford, Everett “Ev” Spence, Brianna Dubuque, Shane Blase, Matthew Laverly, Amanda Laverly, and Nathan Dandrow; and two great-great grandchildren: Harlan Simons and Miles
Dubuque; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her son Charles Spence and her brothers and their wives: Alfred and Barbara (Kline) LaCasse, Edmund “Mert” and Dawn (Kline) LaCasse, Erwin and Marilyn (Phillips) LaCasse, and Winston and Clarabelle “Cathy” (Lafountaine) Lacasse.
A private celebration of Jeannette’s life will be held at the convenience of the family.
Gifts to Audubon Vermont (https://vt.audubon.org/) would best honor her memory. Arrangements are in the care of Champlain Cremation (champlaincremation.com).
SUDOKU SOLUTION
Puzzle found on page 19
CROSSWORD SOLUTION
Puzzle found on page 19
Respite
Jan. 26 at 11:34 a.m. — Retail theft reported at Marshalls. Female suspect was gone before officer’s arrival.
Jan. 26 at 5:50 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Plato’s Closet. Female suspect was located and issued a citation to appear in court for retail theft.
Jan. 27 at 1:06 p.m. — Report of a male in a store on St. George Road who was not supposed to be there. Male left without incident.
Jan. 27 at 3:54 p.m. — Report of a suspicious female on Harvest Lane. Female was moved along without issue.
Jan. 27 at 11:19 p.m. — Assisted Williston Rescue with hostile patient. Male was transported without incident.
Jan. 28 at 7:12 a.m. — Report of a male sleeping in the vestibule at East Rise Credit Union. Male was moved along.
Jan. 28 at 3:55 p.m. — Report of identity theft on Merchants Row. Case is still under investigation.
Jan. 29 at 3:05 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Best Buy. Male offender was located and issued a citation to appear in court for retail theft and unlawful trespass. Male also had an outstanding arrest warrant and was transported to the correctional facility.
Jan. 29 at 8:50 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Marshalls. Male suspect was located and issued a citation to appear in court for retail theft.
Jan. 30 at 12:10 p.m. — Retail theft reported at Walmart. Suspect fled before officer’s arrival.
Jan. 30 at 8:01 p.m. — Report of a female in Walmart who appeared like she was about to steal. Female paid for all her stuff and left without incident.
Jan. 31 at 12:24 p.m. — Report of a package stolen from Fed-Ex. Case is still under investigation.
Jan. 31 at 7:22 p.m. — Male reported to be screaming and yelling on Chelsea Place. Male had mental health crisis and was picked up by his dad to go to the hospital.
Feb. 1 at 6:46 a.m. — Report of a male sleeping in the vestibule at East Rise Credit Union. Male was moved along. Feb. 1 at 6:47 a.m. — Death investigation conducted. Nothing suspicious.
Officers also conducted 24 traffic stops and responded to seven alarm activations and 14 motor vehicle crashes during this time frame.
2024 AND 2029 NOISE EXPOSURE MAPS (NEMS) PREPARED
FOR PATRICK LEAHY BURLINGTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (BTV)
ARE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD
The City of Burlington is announcing that the FAA has determined that the year 2024 and 2029 Noise Exposure Maps (NEMs) prepared for Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV) were developed in accordance with the procedures outlined in Appendix A of Title 14, Part 150 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
The NEMs may be downloaded using the links on the website below. For further information, please contact Larry Lackey, Director of Planning, Engineering and Sustainability at 802-338-8106. Visit www.btvsound.com for the 2024 and 2029 Noise Exposure Map.
Revisiting pieces from the archives of our 40-year-old community paper
Gumby replica kidnapped from Williston home remains missing
Police have no leads in bizarre abduction
Editor’s Note: The following article appeared in the March 3, 2005 issue of the Williston Observer.
BY TOM GRESHAM Observer staff
The Gumby kidnapping case remains as impossible to break as the pliable claymation character at the center of it.
Barb Giardi said there have been no new developments in the abduction of the 8-foot-tall Gumby replica that she and her husband, Norm Reuss, posted prominently in the front yard of their Spruce Lane home for 14 consecutive winters. The replica of the television character has been missing since the overnight hours of Jan. 27.
The perpetrators left behind a ransom note with such quixotic demands as removing President George W. Bush from office, decriminalizing marijuana and establishing a national holiday in the name of the Blockheads (Gumby’s arch enemies). However, they have not contacted Giardi and Reuss since the abduction.
It is possible the kidnappers have elected to stay underground in light of widespread interest in the case. Giardi said she has been surprised at the public’s reaction to the kidnapping, which was detailed in the Feb. 3 Observer.
“I get asked about it every day,” Giardi said. “Every time I go to work or to the store and somebody recognizes me, they want to know if we’ve gotten it back yet. Unfortunately, nobody has had any information.”
The statue features a beaming Gumby with his left hand raised in a cheerful wave. He is wearing a smart red bow tie. Reuss built the statue, which was paired in the yard this winter with an equally buoyant Frosty the Snowman. The kidnappers’ note included a demand to replace the snowman statue with Pokey, an orange horse and Gumby’s sidekick.
The public appears to have reacted to the theft with the same mixture of humor and regret that Giardi feels.
“People really sympathize with us,” Giardi said. “They think it’s kind of funny and that the ransom note was wacky and stuff, but they also think (the kidnappers) should give it back now.”
Giardi said the kindhearted response of her neighbors and fellow Williston residents has helped ease the disappointment of losing Gumby.
“It has been appreciated,” Giardi said. “To me, it shows we live in a town where people care about each other. Somebody loses something and people are concerned.”
Gumby was the malleable star of a television series that ran from 1957 to 1967. The show was revived for a few years in the 1980s.
Williston Police Chief Ozzie Glidden confirmed last week that there had been “no breaks” in the kidnapping case.
Giardi finds it hard to believe that something as conspicuous as a towering Gumby replica can completely disappear and says she’s hopeful it reemerges soon.
She said her husband has not decided whether he will build another Gumby next winter if the kidnapped version never resurfaces.
“We haven’t talked about it,” Giardi said. “We’re still hoping this one turns up. We hope people keep a lookout for it. They should remember to investigate a little closer if they see a little green poking out from behind something.”
Gumby stands in front of the home of Barb Giardi and Norm Reuss in this photo taken in 2005. OBSERVER FILE PHOTO
