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Did DEI die — or just pivot under pressure? Law professor updates VSC trustees on legal, cultural battle over diversity, equity and inclusion
BY JASON STARR Observer staff When Vermont Law School Professor Rodney Smolla came to speak Monday at a meeting of the Vermont State
Colleges Board of Trustees’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, he gave his topic a provocative title: “How the ‘DEI wars’ are playing out in the courts.” The trustees’ DEI committee
‘We have some moral responsibility’
Residents, selectboard keep up pressure on ICE footprint in Williston BY JASON STARR Observer staff
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is not interested in talking about what happens inside the walls of its Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) offices in Williston, but a group of local activists and Williston residents definitely are. In July, on behalf of the Williston Selectboard, Town Manager Erik Wells sent a formal request to the Boston office of Homeland Security inviting a representative of the department to attend (either in person or remotely) an upcoming selectboard meeting. “The selectboard would like to understand the work undertaken in each facility in town,” Wells wrote. Williston is home to several ICE office centers, including
one on Harvest Lane, one in an Industrial Avenue office park and another on the second floor above the shops and restaurants at Maple Tree Place. VTDigger reported this week that ICE has plans to boost its staffing by 24 positions in Williston as part of a nationwide buildup of ICE activities under the Trump Administration. Wells received no response from DHS, and sent a follow-up letter on Oct. 5, repeating the request and inviting a DHS representative to Tuesday’s selectboard meeting. When it was time for the agenda item “Homeland Security — Use of Williston Facilities” during Tueday’s meeting at Town Hall, no DHS representative was present. “Spoiler alert … nobody’s coming,” selectboard chair Ted Kenney told those in the meeting room, which included about 20 citizens, mostly Williston residents, ready to discuss ICE’s presence in town. Williston’s Mary Oliphant
has been meeting regularly since the spring of 2021 — when it was forming its DEI definitions and crafting an anti-racism pledge to distribute to students. In a 35-minute master class, Smolla presented what may have been
the committee’s deepest dive yet into the foundational theories of DEI, how they have come under attack, how institutions have responded, and where the battle stands today. His talk came at a time
when DEI programs have been discontinued across government agencies and renamed or repurposed in public schools. In the Champlain Valley School District, for see DEI page 14
VTDigger reported that the Department of Homeland Security has plans to bump up staffing by 24 positions at its immigration enforcement offices in Williston. FILE PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER
described “multiple armed guards” stationed outside the ICE facility at Maple Tree Place and an apparent expansion of ICE office space there. “This is very concerning to be in our backyard,” activist leader Blaine Paxton said. Dan Boomhower provided a list of questions he hoped Wells would forward to DHS, including asking about any plans to create an immigrant detention center in town and what ICE’s planned 10-fold federal budget increase means for the
Williston facilities. “If we could get some answers that would be great, but if we don’t, at least they know that we are not backing down,” Boomhower said. “We have some moral responsibility as citizens here.” The selectboard passed a resolution in January calling on ICE to disclose the nature of activities conducted at its Williston facilities and opposing any expansion of ICE activities in town. On Tuesday, board member Greta D’Agostino urged the board to continue seeking an
audience with DHS officials. “I think it’s important that this is not something we drop,” she said. “What’s happening in our town is under our purview as a selectboard. We can’t control who facilities in our town are leased to, but actions happening within our town are impacting people all across the country and world.” Kenney, an attorney by day, agreed but added: “We’re very limited in what we can actually do legally.”
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Williston Observer • October 22, 2026
COMMUNITY
Running down a dream
CALENDAR
Last Saturday, about 20 local parents and students gathered at Allen Brook School for a Fun Run Fundraiser to raise money for a new playground at the elementary school. The group ran a combined 40-plus miles, raising about $2,500 for the cause. A committee of parents hoping to build the new playground next summer is seeking business and community support. Email play27committee@gmail.com to get involved.
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EDITOR@WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM THURSDAY-SATURDAY, OCT. 22-24
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Around Town Williston Trunk or Treat set for Sunday Don your disguises, collect treats and visit a haunted bookmobile at the annual Williston Trunk or Treat event taking place Sunday, Oct. 25 from 2-3:30 p.m. in the Village Community Park parking lot at 250 Library Lane. All are invited to this free, rainor-shine community event sponsored by the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club, Williston Federated Church and the Town of Williston.
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Enter a raffle to win Halloween lawn decorations — proceeds will benefit the Rotary Club’s charity fund. The bookmobile will also be collecting shelf-stable food for the Williston Community Food Shelf.
The Magic of Comics — an introduction Vermont Humanities and the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library host a hands-on presentation about the fundamentals of cartooning both as an art form and a communication tool. Expand how you think about comics — not just as entertainment, but as a flexible language capable of conveying complex ideas with clarity and emotional impact. The Nov. 4 event is scheduled for 6:30-7:30 p.m. and open to adults and teenagers.
‘Fill the Ambulance’ for the food shelf The Williston Fire Department is hosting its annual food drive to benefit the Williston Community Food Shelf on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring canned soups and chilis, Thanksgiving fixings, personal hygiene products and laundry detergent to the fire station at 645 Talcott Road and help “Fill the Ambulance.”
Food shelf Turkey drive planned for Nov. 21 The Williston Community Food Shelf will be hosting its annual Turkey Drive on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 8-11 a.m. at the Food Shelf at 400 Cornerstone Drive. Community groups and citizens are asked to drop off a turkey or gift card to a local grocery store. Gift cards can also be mailed to: Williston Community Food Shelf, P.O. Box 1605, Williston, VT 05495. The food shelf, which served about 5,000 local families in need last year, is hoping to collect at least 150 turkeys to distribute to clients. Email info@willistonfoodshelf. com, or call 802-578-0586 for more information.
The Williston One-Acts. Vermont Repertory Theatre. Commerce Street. Three one-act plays. Tickets at www.vermontrep. com. FRIDAY, OCT. 23
Education & Enrichment for Everyone series. 2 p.m. Faith United Methodist Church. 899 Dorset St., South Burlington. The Burlington History and Culture Center presents, “Discovering Untold Stories of the Queen City.” www.eeevermont.org. Pumpkins in the Park. 6-8 p.m. Village Community Park. Pumpkin carving and Halloween-themed fun. SUNDAY, OCT. 25
Trunk or Treat. 2-3:30 p.m. Village Community Park. Costumes welcome at this free annual event hosted by the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club, Williston Federated Church and the Town of Williston. TUESDAY, OCT. 27
Artistic Landscape and Garden Design presentation. 1 p.m. Faith United Methodist Church, 899 Dorset Street, South Burlington. Speaker: artist and horticulturist Susie Lukens. TUESDAY, NOV. 3
General Election. 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Williston National Guard Armory, 7846 Williston Road. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 4
The Magic of Comics. 6:307:30 p.m. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. Hands-on workshop exploring comics as art and communication tool.
Candidate Q&A addendum $100 million in the budget to reduce property taxes meant that $40-60 million wasn’t available for investments to offset looming increases in health care, transportation or other costs facing municipalities. Vermonters understand and vote for my style of collaborative decision-making in the Senate. I will expect that of the next governor as well.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to a technical issue, Sen. Ginny Lyons was unable to participate in last week’s Q&A for candidates in the Chittenden Southeast Senate District (“Answering the Call” Page 1). Lyons, an incumbent Democrat seeking re-election in this year’s General Election, submitted the following responses.
W
ho do you support for governor and why?
It is critical that the next governor and the Legislature work together to solve housing, health care or cost-of-living problems facing all of us. Amanda Janoo’s economic background and experience provide an opportunity to level set how we move forward. As Chair of Senate committees, I work to integrate ideas for problem-solving from all sides of an issue before final legislation, to find common ground. The administration is consistently a
Senator Ginny Lyons
part of my process. Unfortunately, the current governor has not participated in many important policy decisions. For example, S190 was a health care bill that would have lowered health care premiums paid by school districts. The bill would have lowered property taxes across all school districts by between $40-60 million. A surprise veto after months of hard work with all parties in agreement led to business as usual. The governor’s inclusion of
T
he housing market has become more of a buyers’ market this year. Do the slowdown in price increases and higher rental vacancy rates change the equation for housing affordability in Chittenden County?
The Vermont Association of Realtors suggests the slow down may encourage more rentals or home buying. The organization also indicates that this is not the end of challenges facing
October 22, 2026
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Williston Observer •
Page 3
CORRECTION: In last week’s Senate candidate Q&A (“Answering the call”), part of an answer given by Bruce Roy was mistakenly omitted. The question was: Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you? Roy’s full answer is below. I’m a husband, dad, grandpa, brother, veteran, neighbor and a concerned and frustrated Vermonter. I’m an average guy who wants to go to Montpelier to fight for taxpayers. Taxpayers are the fuel that makes the Vermont engine run. We don’t need more taxes, we need to attract and retain more taxpayers and more businesses. Making Vermont affordable is the priority. Just like on an airplane in distress, if the oxygen homebuyers. The slow down in price increase doesn’t reflect high inflation, reduced purchasing power or newly established interest rates — each driven by federal decision making. Income has not kept pace with inflation.
masks fall, you are instructed to put yours on first, then help others. If we don’t take care of Vermont taxpayers first, we won’t be able to help others in need. I will go to Montpelier objectively. No motive other than to fight for Vermont’s future. That’s it. No PACs gave me money. No special interest groups have endorsed me. I don’t want to be the US Congressman from Vermont or the Senate President Pro Tem. It won’t be a career. All I want to do is work hard for a few years to make life better and affordable for Vermonters, for our parents, for our kids, and for our grandkids. Vote and send me to Montpelier to provide reasonable and reliable legislation that makes Vermont better, brighter and affordable. Legislative and local work that encourages downtown tax credits and improved zoning opportunities for new housing can increase access to affordable housing in Chittenden County. Planned development for a see Q&A page 4
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Williston Observer • October 22, 2026
Q&A
continued from page 3
comprehensive housing-retail project in Jericho is a terrific example of how developers and municipalities can provide diverse affordable housing and local retail access. My work with the VHCB has resulted in opportunities for investment in housing for people with disabilities, lower or middle income.
D
o you think the state should provide more resources to Burlington to address homelessness, crime and drug use?
The Legislature and the administration worked to pass comprehensive legislation in May that will provide a continuum of services to reduce homelessness across the state. Access to shelters, affordable housing, financial, substance use disorder, mental health, employment and related support services will move people from outside into more permanent housing. Burlington has the largest number of homeless in the state, many from outside of Chittenden County. It is important that resources in the law contribute to help Burlington. It is important the state and Burlington acknowledge one another and commit to work together. Burlington is receiving the benefit of
this law. Other legislation has increased the number of recovery residences for those with substance use disorder, improved the syringe cleanup program through the Department of Health, increased access to mental health services, supported the highly effective drug and accountability courts in Chittenden County and moved way from the costly hotel program. Investment in reducing the stigma and prevalence of homelessness depends on an improved economy, integration of public safety within community responses, and continued evaluation of what other places are doing to mitigate this problem. Money does not do it alone. I will continue to emphasize a need for public health prevention measures.
D
o you agree with the Attorney General’s prosecution of protesters allegedly trespassing at the Federal ICE offices in Williston? How do you think activists should proceed in future demonstrations against federal immigration enforcement?
The law needs to be upheld. The Attorney General is elected to make decisions about prosecution and has been thoughtful in her work. I support her decision about this. The Vermont judicial process has proven itself to be fair and will hopefully resolve
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this issue appropriately. Federal immigration enforcement has not exemplified the best behavior. It is important that protests be peaceful to highlight injustices. Protestors can suggest changes for improvements to laws.
P
lease describe your personal and professional background.
I was a professor of biology at Trinity College for 27 years and taught at institutions, including UVM and CCV. I taught, created and directed programs for students entering natural sciences, environmental, social service, education and health care. My students include Vermonters first in their families to enter college and older Vermonters returning to education. I developed collaborative agreements for laboratory technology, post-baccalaureate, pre-medical and other programs. Today my students are business owners, educators, childcare workers, physicians, and social service and mental health professionals, among others. My experiences in Vermont and beyond give depth of understanding to my Senate work. I chaired the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee, guiding early responses to climate change, stormwater, land use and toxic substances. I chaired Senate Health and Welfare and serve on Appropriations. My legislation reflects a commitment to people, cost effective decision making, public health, and the environment that encourage my constituents to thrive. I am a justice of the peace and was selectboard chair for 14 years. My husband is a retired independent practice otolaryngologist. We have two adult daughters who live with their families in Vermont. They all enjoy north country recreation, including skiing, swimming, canoeing, hiking and local music events.
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s there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
This is a time of significant turnover in the Senate. My leadership and experience provide consistency and stability. I was elected by a tripartisan vote to serve on the committee that appoints senators to their committee assignments. This is an important responsibility. We face critical challenges of education funding, the opioid crisis, housing, children’s mental health, emergency preparedness, longterm care, renewable energy and water quality. I will meet these challenges for seniors, children, workers, employers and municipalities. Improving public health and economic outcomes will allow my constituents to thrive. I base policy decisions on research and constituent input. Removing toxins like PFAS from consumer products is law I introduced. This law leads the nation for protection of public health. As chair of Health and Welfare and a member of Appropriations Committee, I passed many laws: child care, health care system improvements, homeless continuum of services, reduced prescription drug pricing, and prevention of and recovery from addiction. I will continue work to improve public health and the environment. I am genuinely concerned about how people in retirement and on fixed incomes are going to survive. I support passage of the Inclusive Equal Rights Constitutional Amendment I introduced this session. It’s an honor to represent Williston and the Chittenden Southeast District in the Senate. I look forward to re-election.
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Advocates for homeless say new rules put ‘process over people’ October 22, 2026
BY CARLY BERLIN VTDigger
At a series of heated meetings, advocates for unhoused Vermonters called on Gov. Phil Scott’s administration to reverse course on its implementation of a sweeping homelessness law passed earlier this year. The architects of the legislation and others have argued that the Department for Children and Families’ new rules governing access to motel rooms are overly restrictive and delay or block unhoused people from entering shelter. Advocates say applicants calling for a motel voucher have routinely sat on hold with the state for hours only for calls to drop, or to learn that there are no rooms that suit their needs available near them, leaving them to sleep outdoors. Some are calling on a legislative oversight committee to
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The number of motel rooms in use by the state has actually increased markedly since the new rules went into effect: from 390 rooms in late August to 668 on Oct. 19. reject officials’ rules. “This is process over people, and it is not comporting with the intent of the statute to be flexible — to bring people in instead of keep them out,” said Leah Burdick, a staff attorney for Vermont Legal Aid, at a hearing last week. DCF officials have defended
their work, arguing that they had little time to draft the new guidelines after the law went into effect in June. They say they have cut down on wait times in recent weeks, and that they need to prioritize people with the highest needs for a limited number of available motel rooms. “We want to fix the problem of homelessness. We have the task of putting people into 700 rooms,” DCF Commissioner Sandi Hoffman told lawmakers, following an hour and a half of testimony from advocates imploring officials to effectively scrap their rules and start over. The law, Act 143, was an attempt to better organize the fragmented system serving the over 4,800 people experiencing homelessness in Vermont. It set up a “continuum” of shelter options for unhoused people, from rental aid to prevent
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Motel 6 in Colchester on Tuesday.
PHOTO BY CARLY BERLIN/VERMONT PUBLIC
homelessness to highly structured shelters to low-barrier settings with looser rules around sobriety. Private hotels and motels, which have been the single largest provider of shelter in
recent years via Vermont’s motel voucher program, remain a part of the continuum as a kind of last resort. Under the law, their use is more limited, with lower caps on the number of rooms the see HOMELESS page 24
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Williston Observer • October 22, 2026
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The case for ‘virtual’ school mergers BY BEN KINSLEY Here in Vermont, we value local communities and local connections. Small is valuable, and rural is an asset, not a liability. Yet in education policy, many Vermonters have embraced the assumption that bigger districts are inherently better. The evidence suggests otherwise: Vermont can pursue savings and stronger student outcomes without forcing communities into larger districts and without erasing their local identity. The data shows that bigger schools and bigger districts do not inherently produce better outcomes for either students or taxpayers. Let me explain. Despite the rhetoric about economies of scale, statistical
The data shows that bigger schools and bigger districts do not inherently produce better outcomes for either students or taxpayers. analysis shows no meaningful relationship between Vermont district size and per-student cost. Student outcomes also do not improve as districts grow. And these findings are not unique to Vermont.
So, where does this push for consolidation come from? Some of it is well-intentioned, but misguided. It is easy to believe that a larger footprint comes with efficiencies. That is true to a certain degree, but inefficiencies also follow conventional consolidation (like increases in administrative overhead and pay scales). A second reason consolidation seems attractive is administrative simplicity. Larger, more uniform districts can make it easier to coordinate staffing, move assets and standardize operations. Those conveniences may be real, but they should not be confused with demonstrated savings or better student outcomes. I worked on the last school consolidation effort, Act 46, and by the end we would joke that it
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should have been named “The Superintendent’s Relief Act.” Vermont is now weighing another large-scale consolidation effort, but the results of the last one should be analyzed and the learnings used to inform the current effort. Since Act 46 passed in 2015, education spending has increased 67% ($1 billion) even as enrollment has fallen. That is an average annual growth of more than 5.6% over 12 years, compared with average inflation of about 3.2%. Had spending merely kept pace with inflation, Vermont would be spending nearly $400 million less on education today. The only independent analysis of Act 46 was done by a researcher at Yale and, meaningfully, examined spending within the same districts both prior to and following consolidation. That analysis showed that spending actually increased slightly following consolidation. There were savings on administrative support and contracted services, but these savings were negated by increases in transportation costs and compensation. Higher transportation costs are easy to understand; the compensation increases require more explanation. Merging districts means reopening employment contracts, and the tendency is to adopt the most generous package rather than ask any employees to take a pay cut — especially as this would be one of a new (merged) school board’s first acts. I believe this dynamic contributed significantly to Act 46’s failure to deliver its promised savings. Today there are 52 supervisory unions overseeing 119 school districts, with an average size of just under 700 students. That is actually above the national median of 586 students. So, if our districts are about the same size as the rest of the country, why are we spending 30% more? There must be more to the story. Act 170 requires every school district to join an assigned study committee. Facilitators must group generally contiguous districts and, where practical, aim for at least 2,000 students per study group. That target is see KINSLEY page 7
October 22, 2026
Kinsley
continued from page 6
impractical and unnecessary for Vermont: It exceeds the typical size in most rural states and is more than triple the national median district size. More specific to this conversation, the law also requires study committees perform a cost/benefit analysis on the educational, financial, operational and long-term sustainability effects of mergers. This is important because it places a requirement on study committee members to evaluate all the benefits and drawbacks of conventional consolidation. It is important to approach the process with eyes wide open and weigh both sides of the equation. There will absolutely be places
where conventional consolidation makes sense. We saw this during Act 46; the earliest mergers had the most positive outcomes. This was likely because the ones that were achieved early in the process made the most sense. The ones that came later, the ones that were forced, did not produce positive outcomes. Most districts, however, would benefit from what I call “virtual mergers.” Rather than combine local districts, this model regionalizes business and educational services through Education Service Agencies (the approach behind Act 170’s CESAs). It preserves local control while streamlining administration and reducing costs. Because districts remain intact, Vermont could capture the administrative and
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contracting savings seen under Act 46 without adding transportation costs or leveling up compensation. Two-thirds of states use this model, and our analysis estimates that full adoption could save Vermont roughly $300 million. What is incumbent upon the folks serving on these new merger study committees is to determine whether or not the facts support conventional consolidation or whether a virtual merger would be a more viable option. Conventional consolidation deserves an earnest look where pay scales are similar, operating grades align, and physical assets such as buildings are close together. Where those conditions are absent, a virtual merger will preserve more local control while avoiding the costs created by incompatible operations, distant
facilities and substantially different compensation structures. Study committees should compare conventional consolidation and virtual mergers against the same test: Which option can achieve durable savings and better educational outcomes while meeting the needs of the community and the region? Any savings attributed to a traditional merger should be tested against what shared services could accomplish with less disruption. That comparison is not merely prudent; the law requires study committees to evaluate these available options. The value of a community school also extends well beyond the cost/benefit analysis. A nearby school makes it easier for parents to participate, helps educators build durable relationships with families, and gives students a stronger connection to the place
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where they live. In many rural towns, the school is one of the institutions that holds the community together. A merger analysis that overlooks parental involvement, trusted relationships, and community cohesion is not a complete cost-benefit analysis. This is not an all-or-nothing decision the way some politicians have framed the issue. There is nuance, and that complexity is important because the nuance we are talking about is our kids. It’s the next generation of Vermonters. We can both reduce costs for taxpayers and improve outcomes for students, but mass consolidation with blind faith that bigger must be better may very well work against us in those efforts. Ben Kinsley is executive director of Campaign for Vermont Prosperity.
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Williston Observer • October 22, 2026
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Election-related Letters and Guest Column 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 electionrelated material in the issue immediately preceding an election. Williston
Taking account of state, local spending We have declining student enrollment, negative population growth and a 200% increase in the homeless population between 2019 and 2023, despite spending $800 million on homelessness and addiction services over the past 10 years. Vermont residents face a property tax increase of over 40% over the past five years, annual 5.5% electric rate increases for the next three years and excessively high school taxes despite unsatisfactory school performance. Many feel that owning a home and raising a family are no longer affordable or obtainable in Vermont, and they are correct. The only way to help Williston and Vermont grow is to make our state affordable again. This requires making tough decisions,
cutting spending and prioritizing the needs of working Vermonters. This effort starts with the voters. You decide how your money is spent when you vote by rejecting overpriced projects and denying school budget increases. The Champlain Valley School District’s previous three-year contract included 7% and 5% raises, along with an additional $1.60 flat hourly wage bump. The 2026–2028 contract includes a 5.75% increase each year (a cumulative 11.5%), plus enhanced bonus tiers for longevity and education levels. Most residents do not receive a 5% to 7% pay increase every year. While everyone would like more money, we simply cannot afford to give teachers a 5% to 7% raise annually. Beyond local spending, state leadership must also be held accountable. Gov. Scott has
repeatedly emphasized that outof-control spending is harming our state. During the 2023– 2024 legislative session, the Democratic supermajority overrode vetoes to pass several costly initiatives, including: $8.5 billion state budget and a $120 million childcare bill funded by a new payroll tax; $19 million extension for emergency motel housing; and a measure doubling lawmakers’ pay by 2027 We need fiscally conservative leadership that focuses on affordability and responsible governance. David Martel Williston
Together in library support Please join me and my husband in voting ‘yes’ to support
the library renovation and expansion project. We look forward to seeing a library accessible to all and a cornerstone in the village of Williston. Since the last reconsideration vote the library trustees and building design committee members have listened to the comments and ideas of the people of Williston and are presenting a compromise on the upcoming ballot — a modern expansive library to meet the needs of its citizens for the next 25 years. Our excellent library staff and the people of Williston deserve nothing less! Please join us in supporting the library renovation and expansion project with your vote on Nov. 3 and, if you can, a donation to the library’s capital campaign. Barbara Mieder Williston (Mieder is a member of the Library Board of Trustees)
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www.WillistonObserver.com
October 22, 2026
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WILLISTON: BUSINESS HUB OF VERMONT
Chimney company reignites expansion plan Zoning changes in the works to accommodate NECS expansion BY JASON STARR Observer staff Pierre Simard’s persistence may be paying off. The president and CEO of New England Chimney Supply on Williston Road has been wrestling with the Town of Williston’s zoning regulations since 2020 in an attempt to greenlight a 30,000-square-foot expansion of the company’s
manufacturing operations. Company headquarters are shoe-horned into a complex area of Williston’s zoning map, at the intersection of three separate zoning districts with very different allowed uses. The expansion is envisioned for an adjoining parcel that is currently, at least partly, zoned for only residential uses. Simard’s original rezoning discussions with the Williston Planning Commission were abandoned in 2023. The application — using the town’s convoluted “specific plan” process
— would have required the company to partner with the Vermont Agency of Transportation and Green Mountain Transit to build a stretch of sidewalk on Williston Road (Route 2) and install a pull-off and shelter for a bus stop. Uncertainties with the state’s oversight of those improvements ultimately derailed the effort, and the planning commission denied the specific plan application. The process, however, prompted town planners to give a closer look to the industrial see CHIMNEY page 10
New England Chimney Supply envisions a near doubling of its manufacturing facility on Williston Road onto a parcel that is currently zoned for only residential uses. OBSERVER FILE PHOTO
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and residential zoning boundaries in that area. With the 2025 adoption of a new Town Plan, the planning commission committed to “evaluate land use regulations at the Residential Zoning District and Industrial Zoning District near Commerce Street, Kirby Lane and South Brownell Road.” “We put forth multiple plans trying to accommodate what the rules were and see if we can add on to the building,” Simard said. “We have not been successful to date, but we’re hoping that this new analysis of the zoning laws will alter them so we can accomplish our goals.” In an August letter to the planning commission, Simard asked the planning commission to change zoning boundaries so that the parcel to company’s west, which currently has a home, is rezoned for industrial use. The parcel, which the company acquired a few years ago, is the site of its proposed expansion. The expansion would nearly double the company’s
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footprint. “We believe the existing zoning warrants reconsideration,” Simard’s letter to the planning commission states. New England Chimney Supply manufactures a variety of chimney construction and repair parts, selling them to chimney service companies nationwide. A native of Vermont, Simard has been committed to keeping the company in Williston as demand for the products has increased. In 2017, the company opened what was originally planned as a distribution center in Virginia. But when expansion plans in Williston got bogged down, the company began manufacturing there, as well. “Fortunately, we still need to expand,” Simard said. “Whether that’s in Virginia or Vermont will depend on the outcoming of this whole process.” The planning commission has scheduled a public meeting on the zoning changes for Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. It is also collecting public comment on the area’s zoning through an online survey at: https://bit.ly/Williston-WDB-2.
ALIGN
HUB Happenings State treasurer launches employee-ownership task force Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak in September announced the creation of a new task force to explore ways state government can expand employee ownership. Thousands of Vermont business owners are approaching retirement without a succession plan. The task force will examine immediate and long-term strategies to preserve local ownership, jobs and community wealth for recommendation to the Legislature. “This task force will identify practical ways to support successful ownership transitions, keep Vermont businesses local and create lasting economic opportunity for workers and communities,” Pieciak said. Vermont faces one of the most significant business succession cliffs in the nation, with more than half of business owners aged 55 or older and an estimated $11 billion in small business value at stake over the next decade. Employee owners have, on average, twice the household wealth of workers who do not own a stake in their company. The task force will include policy experts, financial leaders, economic development officials, and voices from employee-owned businesses in Vermont.
Nina Dinan, Executive Director of the local cooperative PT360 in Williston and board chair of the Vermont Employee Ownership Center, said: “At PT360, cooperative ownership has been a win-win for our business and our staff.”’ Visit https://www.vermonttreasurer.gov for more information.
Vermont Tech Jam on tap at Hula The 18th annual Vermont Tech Jam is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24 at Hula in Burlington. Presented by Hula and Seven Days, this free career expo is in its 18th year. Dozens of recruiters from some of Vermont’s largest and most innovative employers will be scouting for talent at the Tech Jam, including BETA Technologies, Data Innovations, GlobalFoundries, Simmonds Precision and Hazelett. Also, staffers from the University of Vermont, Norwich University, Champlain College, Vermont State University, the Community College of Vermont and the Center for Technology in Essex will be on hand to explain their programs. Seven Days publisher Paula Routly, one of the founders of the event, said: “We started this in-person event as a way of helping local tech companies connect with job seekers, students, career-changers and other tech see HAPPENINGS page 11
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October 22, 2026
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professionals. It also gives us an opportunity to highlight related stories in our annual Tech Issue, which comes out the Wednesday before the Jam.” The 2026 Tech Jam will include two special presentations: At 11 a.m.: “Real Things: Build Your Career in Manufacturing”: Representatives from BETA Technologies, Hazelett and Rigorous discuss the products they design and what they’re looking for in potential employees. At 1 p.m.: “Totally Unreal: How Deepfakes Are Changing Everything,” with Dartmouth professor Hany Farid. He will discuss the difficulty of discerning what is real in a world full of AI slop and digital fakery, and what people can do to avoid being fooled. His presentation will be followed by a Q&A with Seven Days reporter Hannah Bassett. Visit techjamvt.com for more information and a list of exhibitors.
Company fined for unlawful autorenewals Attorney General Charity Clark has announced a settlement with UniFirst, a provider of workplace uniforms, protective clothing and facility services after an investigation into the Winooski company’s alleged failure to comply with Vermont’s automatic
renewal law. The law, which went into effect in 2019, requires companies to provide conspicuous disclosure, notice and opportunity to cancel a contract before any contract spanning more than a year is automatically renewed. “Vermont’s automatic renewal law is there to make sure that consumers and businesses can make an informed decision about whether to continue a contract, rather than automatically assuming the costs of a new term,” Clark said. Under the settlement, UniFirst will stop including automatic renewal language in its contracts, ensuring that Vermont businesses will have an opportunity to decide for themselves whether they wish to continue receiving services from the company. The company will also provide notice to all customers advising them of the change. Businesses charged for early termination of a contract during the period in which the company was out of compliance will be refunded. The company will also pay the State of Vermont $60,000. Consumers who believe they have been impacted by a company that did not follow Vermont’s automatic renewal law are advised to contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program by calling 800-649-2424 or emailing AGO.CAP@vermont.gov.
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•
Williston Observer •
Layoffs announced at Vermont Information Processing
Colchester company was acquired by private equity firm last year
BY THEO WELLS-SPACKMAN VTDigger Vermont Information Processing, a beverage industry software firm based in Colchester, announced layoffs to employees Tuesday. The cuts come less than two years after the previously employee-owned company was acquired by private equity firm Warburg Pincus for roughly $1 billion. Last month, Vermont Information Processing, or VIP, announced it had purchased the Colorado-based firm Encompass Technologies. At the time, VIP said “AI will be a key part” of the company’s — and the industry’s — evolution. The company also unveiled a new suite of artificial intelligence features for its customers this summer. Internal communications to
employees obtained Tuesday by VTDigger called the cuts a “permanent reduction in force” at the company’s Colchester facility. The Vermont site will remain open, the communications said, and “remaining staff” will not be impacted. The company also has a footprint outside the state, including in India. The company declined to confirm how many people had been laid off. One primary reason for the layoffs, the internal documents said, was that certain technology has “reduced the manual workload required for specific functions in the company.” The company is also implementing what a spokesperson called a “product-led” organizational model. “Following a review of our organizational structure and business priorities to support this product-led transition, VIP made the difficult decision to reduce the size of certain teams,” the spokesperson wrote in an emailed statement to VTDigger Tuesday afternoon.
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The Vermont Department of Labor said it was aware of the layoffs and also declined to confirm the scale of the job losses. “The Department is always concerned to hear about layoffs, and our top priority is to support affected individuals,” said Rachel Dumeny, a spokesperson for the Labor Department. In general, Vermont requires companies planning to lay off more than 50 employees in a threemonth period to notify state officials in advance. Communications to employees referenced financial severance packages. “We are grateful for the contributions of our impacted colleagues and are supporting them through this transition,” said the company’s statement Tuesday. Theo Wells-Spackman is a Report for America corps member who reports for VTDigger.
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Faces of Rockwell’s world gather at Shelburne Museum
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October 22, 2026
Former Rockwell models discuss working with the famous Vermont artist MELA FORTUNATO Community News Service
Most are familiar with the American artist Norman Rockwell, famous for his humanistic depictions of everyday American life. But many of the scenes that Rockwell portrayed were not just American — they were distinctly Vermont and featured real people from the Bennington County town of Arlington, where Rockwell lived for 14 years. A number of these former models from works such as “The Young Lady with the Shiner” and “The Babysitter” gathered for a panel at the Shelburne Museum on Sept. 26. They shared memories of working with the artist
during their childhood, showing just how immersed Rockwell became in the community. During the 14 years that he lived in Vermont, he was extremely productive, creating over 175 Saturday Evening Post covers and sourcing his inspiration from the community. His paintings featured local farmers, doctors, mail carriers and schoolchildren. Rockwell famously offered his models $5 and a cold Coca-Cola for their time. “He believed deeply that using real people was essential for making his pictures feel authentic,” Carolyn Bauer, the curator of the museum’s Rockwell exhibit, told the audience. “Beneath the polished surfaces, are real people with names, families and stories.” The afternoon event featured three key speakers who were former models for Rockwell: Mary
“He finally got down on the floor on his hands and knees and started just being silly. And of course I had to laugh. And then finally we got it.” Mary Whalen “The Young Lady with the Shiner”
Whalen from “The Young Lady with the Shiner,” Mindy Pelham from “The Babysitter,” and Don Trachte Jr. from many works including “Santa’s Visitors.” The panel was part of a larger “Rockwell Day” event, where the museum hosted gallery
tours and activities to celebrate the artist’s legacy. Titled “Norman Rockwell: At Home in Vermont,” the exhibit opened on June 20 and is on view until Oct. 25. It focuses on the years between 1939 and 1953 when Rockwell lived and worked in Arlington. “We wanted to look beyond Rockwell simply as a painter of nostalgic American scenes and instead consider place and ask where and what these illustrations depict, and perhaps who,” Bauer said. “The answer, in large part, is Arlington, Vermont.” But Arlington wasn’t just a place of inspiration for Rockwell. It became home. He immersed himself in the community, attending square dances, speaking at local Parent Teacher Association meetings, and going to the Friday night basketball games. At one of those games, Rockwell met
Whalen, the model for “The Young Lady with the Shiner.” The painting is of a girl sitting outside the principal’s office, with a black eye and a huge grin. She is pleased with herself, and her two braids and school uniform look disheveled. “I think I was in fourth grade,” Whalen, now 78, said. He offered her a Coke, spoke to her father, and said, “Would you like to pose for me?” During the panel, Whalen shared how Rockwell always did his best to make her feel comfortable during the photo shoots, saying she could just call him “Norman.” When posing for “The Young Lady with the Shiner,” Whalen recalled having trouble smiling for the photo. “So, he finally got down on the floor on his hands and knees and see ROCKWELL page 13
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Rockwell
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started just being silly. And of course I had to laugh,” she said. “And then finally we got it.” “I think wherever he was, he was going to pick up the deep emotion of the people,” Whalen later told the Community News Service. Mindy Pelham, daughter of artist and Rockwell studio assistant Gene Pelham, spoke as well. She posed as the baby for Rockwell’s famous painting “The Babysitter,” and shared stories of what it was like to grow up in a community so close to Rockwell. Pelham recalled visiting a museum in Connecticut a few years ago and seeing a Rockwell exhibit. The paintings were full of people she grew up with. “I’m pointing out all these different people,” she said. “‘Oh that’s Mike, oh that’s Mary.’ And the next thing I know I have a stream of people behind me listening from all over the world.”
“I’ve heard it said that everybody looked forward to the Saturday Evening Post, to see if they made the cut,” Pelham added. “Because you know, he used so many people you never knew who he was gonna choose.” Trachte, model for “Santa’s Visitors” and other works, showed just how many, bringing with him to the panel a list of the 211 people who modeled for Rockwell during his time in Arlington. In addition to the three speakers were more than a dozen people in the audience who either modeled for Rockwell or had family members that modeled for him. One such person was Maya Boffa, who proudly held Rockwell’s famous Post cover “Election Day.” Ralph Clifford, her late father, was the model for the young man. It seemed like everyone in the room had a connection to Rockwell, and a story to share about him. “He wasn’t simply observing Vermont,” Bauer said. “He became a part of it.”
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Maya Boffa holds a Saturday Evening Post with Rockwell’s “Election Day,” a painting that features her father. PHOTO BY MELA FORTUNATO
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October 22, 2026
DEI
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example, administrators folded its Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion position and its Director of Wellness and Prevention position into a new role titled Director of Student and Community Engagement. Before the start of this school year, the woman who held that position, Asma Ali Abunaib — who was originally hired as the district’s director of DEI in 2022 — resigned. She was replaced by former Allen Brook School Principal Angela Filion. “It appears that there is once again no representation or lived experience other than that of a white person on the district’s central office leadership team,” noted Angela Arsenault, who was the school board chair in 2022 when the district was building its DEI infrastructure. “This is unfortunate given what we know about the importance of kids seeing themselves in the leaders around them.” In another example, the Town of Williston’s Racial Equity
Partnership, which formed in 2021, has dissolved. According to Smolla, the tide against DEI took a turn in 2023, when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a student group suing Harvard University for its student admission practices. Harvard, along with a majority of the country’s higher education institutions, had historically considered a prospective student’s race in an effort to diversify its student body — a practice known for decades as “affirmative action.” “The Supreme Court ruled that affirmative action is no longer permissible,” Smolla said. “The echo-boom of that decision was an attack on the entire idea of diversity, equity and inclusion.” The decision opened the floodgates for state legislatures to ban the teaching in public schools of ideas such as systemic racism. Meanwhile, the Trump Administration discontinued all DEI departments, positions and programs at federal agencies and pressured colleges and universities to end DEI programs
“(There) has been a very aggressive attack trying to expunge any mention of DEI, any program that promotes these ideals, from higher education.” Rodney Smolla Vermont Law School
under the threat of withholding federal funds. “This has been a very aggressive attack trying to expunge any mention of DEI, any program that promotes these ideals, from higher education,” Smolla said. The University of California recently challenged the administration’s tactics in court, and over the summer won a decision from a federal judge. The ruling said, while the federal
government doesn’t have to fund DEI programs directly, it can’t withhold all federal funds just because DEI ideals are promoted at a school. An appeal from the administration is expected. “It’s hard to know how this will ultimately play out,” said Smolla. The trustees on the Vermont State College DEI committee vowed to continue supporting a diversity of perspectives within the colleges’ communities. “We may have to call things slightly different, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t leaning into this work because it’s really important,” Community College of Vermont President Joyce Judy said. Smolla hypothesized that Vermont schools might continue to avoid direct federal pressure due to their small size relative to larger institutions nationwide. It also helps that Vermont state lawmakers aren’t trying to undermine DEI programs. “Unlike Texas or North Carolina, where you have the Legislature on a crusade attacking higher education because of
its perceived wokeness, we don’t have to worry about that (in Vermont),” he said. EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITIES OR OF OUTCOMES?
The country’s debate over affirmative action in higher education admissions was guided for decades by a 1978 Supreme Court decision involving the University of California. The justices ruled that a school couldn’t save a predetermined number of spots for minorities (quotas), but it could consider a person’s race as a “plus factor” in admissions decisions in an effort to diversify its student body. “But there was always a group that thought that was wrong,” Smolla said, “that it was reverse discrimination.” They come from a legal theory he calls “process equality,” which holds that justice is served when everyone has the same chance to succeed. “As long as the rules of the game are the same for everyone … then it’s a just system,” Smolla explained. The counter-argument, see DEI page 15
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continued from page 14
which underpins the DEI movement, is one of “outcome equality,” which argues that “for our institutions to be fair, equal and just, the outcomes should … reflect the broader diversity of society.” “There was a period in our culture and our law, particularly in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd (in 2020), in which the outcome equality thinkers politically, culturally and legally had the upper hand,” said Smolla. That played out in the elevating of diversity in hiring, college admissions and the awarding of government contracts, he said, and brought to the forefront of discourse the country’s history of racial discrimination. But the election of Trump has
“We may have to call things slightly different, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t leaning into this work because it’s really important.” Joyce Judy Community College of Vermont
emboldened “process equality” thinkers who ascribe to equality of opportunities rather than of outcomes. “They think the idea that racism is still plaguing the country in any systemic sense is an exaggeration … that people were being promoted, hired or admitted to a school who were simply less qualified than their counterparts,” Smolla said. “The mocking term that gained popularity was ‘woke.’” The cultural and political backlash to DEI reached its legal crescendo with the 2023 Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action, and higher education institutions with strong DEI ideals have felt targeted since. “It’s worrying,” said Vermont State College Trustee Sue Zeller. “It just seems to be a cascade, and it’s really hard to see how we’re going to come back from it.”
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• Monday/Wednesday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. • Tuesday/Thursday/ Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. • Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit www.damlvt.org to apply for a library card and register for programs. Need help? Call 878-4918 or email daml@damlvt.org
SPECIAL EVENT PICTURING LANGUAGE — AN INTRODUCTION TO THE MAGIC OF COMICS
On Wednesday, Nov. 4, 6:307:30 p.m. Vermont Humanities will be at the library to present “Picturing Language — An Introduction to the Magic of Comics.” Comics are a powerful and often misunderstood storytelling language — one that is immersive, visually rich and accessible across age groups and reading levels. In this lively, hands-on presentation, participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of cartooning as both an art form and a communication tool. Drawing on the past, present and future of the medium, the
Children in fourth grade and younger must be supervised by someone over 16 years of age. TEEN ADVISORY BOARD
Friday, Oct. 23, 5-5:55 p.m. Ages 12-18. Teen volunteers (and those interested in volunteering) are invited to meet with a youth service librarian to discuss future programming plans, volunteer opportunities and more.
AFTER SCHOOL ART TUTORIAL
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2-3 p.m. Suggested ages 10-plus. Learn some face-painting tips, and tricks to paint pumpkins and flowers with a local artist. MUSIC & PLAYTIME
Thursdays, Oct. 29 and Nov. 5, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Stop by for interactive music with Bella followed by playtime.
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AFTER SCHOOL GAME DAY
READERS ROUNDTABLE
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2-3 p.m. Compete in good old-fashioned BINGO!
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 12:301:30 p.m. “Coram House” by Bailey Seybolt.
MULTI-AGE PROGRAMS
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READ TO A DOG (ROCKO)
Thursday, Nov. 5, 3-4 p.m. Sign up for a 10-minute session to read to (or hang out with) Rocko the Therapy Dog.
ADULT PROGRAMS ADULT MEDITATION (ONLINE)
Every Friday, 12-12:30 p.m. Join our guided meditation to relax and re-center. MAH JONGG
Friday, Oct. 23, 1-3 p.m. Drop in to play this popular tile game.
STORYTIME
Tuesdays, Oct. 27 and Nov. 3, 10:30-11 a.m. Enjoy stories, songs and activities with Bonnie and Sarah.
•
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Discuss the topics that are on your mind with community members. ADULT CRAFTERNOON: ORANGE POMANDERS
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2-3 p.m. A throwback craft from another time, these clove-studded citrus make any corner smell lovely. Registration required. SPANISH CONVERSATION (ONLINE)
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 5-6 p.m. Brush up on your language skills. All levels welcome.
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Williston Observer •
October 22, 2026
SPORTS Tied up in a knot CLOCKWISE (l to r): CVU’s Myra Ngu plays the ball forward during the Redhawks’ 1 - 1 tie with the St. Johnsbury Hilltoppers on Oct. 15 in Hinesburg. Clover Rehbein waltzes around her opponent in an effort to bring the ball downfield. Leta Candon tangles with a St. Johnsbury defender. Ava Ringler clears the ball before any Hilltoppers reach it. OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY
Stick up CLOCKWISE (l to r): The CVU Redhawks celebrate a goal during their 4 - 1 win over the Colchester Lakers on Oct. 14 in Hinesburg. The race is on for Kendall Fagnant. Clara Johnson drives the ball down field. With a glance to the left, Hannah Jones tries to get a flick pass past a chasing Laker. OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY
October 22, 2026
•
Williston Observer •
Page 17
OBITUARIES Finally, he received a Doctor of Divinity from St. Mary’s University in Maryland. He was employed at Liberty Mutual Insurance, Comprehensive Mutual Insurance, and SymQuest. He retired in 2011 at Taft Farm Senior Living Center.
Charles Gerard Many Charles Gerard Many, 79, died on Oct. 14, 2026, at St. Albans Healthcare. He attended Williston Central and Rice Memorial High, graduating in 1965. He pursued studies for the Roman Catholic priesthood first at St. Edmund’s Novitiate in Mystic, Connecticut, then attended St. Michael’s College in Vermont, graduating in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and French. Continuing higher education, he went to Toronto School of Theology in Canada, graduating in 1973 with a Master of Divinity degree. Summers from 1970 to 1973 were spent working on a master’s degree in French at Middlebury College in Vermont. After ordination on Jan. 26, 1974, he served at St. May’s Parish in Quebec, Canada, Sacred Heart Parish in Groton, Connecticut, and finally at St. Lawrence Parish in Essex Junction. During his assignment in Essex Junction, he served as Chaplain at Fanny Allen Hospital and President of the Rice Memorial High School Board.
Charlotte F. Philbrook Charlotte F. Philbrook, 89, of Williston, VT, passed away peacefully and on her own terms on Saturday, Oct.10, 2026, at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester. She was born on Oct. 20, 1936, to Ernest & Emily (Walker) Philbrook in Manchester, NH. The family moved to Barre, VT in 1941. Charlotte graduated from Spaulding High School in 1954 and from Boston University in 1958 with a degree in music education. She taught elementary music in Barre and in the Burlington School District. Over the thirty plus years she taught, she touched many students’ lives and made lifelong friendships with the
people she taught with. She is survived by nieces and nephews, Heather (Rob) Stalling of Barre, VT, Colin Philbrook, of Washington VT, Heidi Philbrook and companion Eric Lane of Colchester, VT, and Cindy (Peter) Swartz of Palm Harbor, FL, and by several great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, two brothers, Wallace Clark Philbrook, and Chadbourne W. Philbrook, and her companion of several years, Dennis Barker. Per Charlotte’s request, there will be no memorial services. She will be laid to rest in the Center Conway Cemetery in Center Conway, NH, at the convenience of her family. Charlotte was an extraordinary daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and teacher. She will be greatly missed by many. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to McClure Miller Respite House, 3113 Roosevelt Highway, Colchester, VT 05446
James Prall Smith Jr. James Prall Smith Junior was born Oct. 21, 1942 to Marjorie
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Ester (Lewis) and James Sr. in Belvedere, NJ. He grew up rooting for the Brooklyn Dodgers during the Jackie Robinson and Sandy Koufax days. Jim traveled north to VT to attend Norwich University as a cadet, earning a degree in business and a commission as a 2nd lieutenant in the US Army. Assigned to armor in the “Big Red One”, he spent years at Fort Riley, Kansas training troops on the firing range. Jim returned to Vermont after completing his service, and began working at General Electric, earning the nickname “Smitty” where he met and eventually married Diane Lee Chadwick. Together they had Julie Ann Borman & James III. Jim transitioned careers and spent three decades working for the VT Department of Taxes as a Tax Field Examiner. Along the way he met the love of his life, Ellen Alma Stark. Jim and Ellen were inseparable for 32 years, adventuring through the Vermont and Adirondack countryside in search of pristine cross country ski trails, lakeside breakfasts, and the perfect maple creamee. Jim was a true outdoorsman, spending countless hours hunting every type of game with every allowable implement across Vermont with friends and family. He could really get going talking about jump shooting ducks in a canoe along the Lemon Fair with the Lalumiere boys, deer camp antics with dandelion wine, all manner of mischief alongside his brotherin-law Bill Levee, raccoons in the trunk of a VW Beetle, or his many moose hunts. He loved
living close to the land, tirelessly gardening alongside Ellen, and cutting firewood to heat his home throughout his life. One of his true pleasures was operating the arch at peak efficiency in his neighborhood maple sugaring operation. Jim had an affinity for native artifacts, studying the landscape and spending many years patrolling the fields of Vermont, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania with his brother Lawrence Prall Smith in search of arrowheads, knives, spear points, and other stone tools. Ellen cared for Jim with steadfast tenderness as more recent years slowed him down, taking long Sunday drives in the Vermont countryside. Jim embarked on the next great adventure early in the morning on October 12, 2026. He is survived by his main squeeze Ellen, his daughter Julie, her husband Peter Borman and their children Samantha and Taylor, as well as his son Jamie, his wife Jamie, and their sons Fox and Archer, in addition to his brother Lawrence and sister-in-law Carol Smith, along with countless close family who will forever remember him as “Uncle Jimmy.” Family will hold a private service at Riverside Cemetery in Richmond, followed by a celebration of life at a time to be determined. The family would like to thank the dedicated staff at UVMMC who helped ensure his comfort and dignity through his final days. In lieu of flowers, family request you honor Jim’s spirit with a walk in the woods or a maple creamee with someone you love.
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Page 18release • Williston dates: Oct.Observer 24-30, 2026 • October 22, 2026
43 (26)
Next Week: Our states: Oklahoma
Issue 43, 2026
Founded by Betty Debnam
What Are Midterm Elections?
Mini Fact:
photo by John
Who’s on the ballot?
You’ve probably been seeing a lot of television ads for politicians running for office. Some of them are state or local offices, such as governor or county commissioner. Others are hoping to go to Washington, D.C., to represent their state in Congress. U.S. representatives are elected to two-
year terms, so every two years, all 435 seats are part of the election. We will vote for House members in 2028, too. U.S. senators are elected to six-year terms. This year, we’ll vote on 35 Senate seats.
Midterms matter
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries — House Minority Leader
photo courtesy of schumer.senate.gov
Many more people usually vote in general elections, when presidential candidates are on the ballot, than do for midterms. In fact, as many as 20% more people may vote when the president’s office is at stake. When midterms roll around, members of the minority party hope voters who are unhappy with the president’s policies will cast their ballots for their party’s candidates. photo courtesy of jeffries.house.gov
Citizens of the United States elected a new president in 2024, Republican Donald Trump. Our next presidential election will be in 2028. But two years after a presidential election, there are midterm elections to select members of the House of Representatives and some senators. Midterms are important because they can change the balance of power in Congress. Right now, the Republican Party has a majority of members in the House: 219-212 and in the Senate: 53-47. Whichever party gains the majority on Nov. 3, they may have specific ideas about what is important and try to change the laws to reflect that. The Mini Page learns more about midterm elections this week.
This year’s elections are called “midterms” because they fall in the middle of a president’s term.
Sen. Chuck Schumer — Senate Minority Leader
If the Democratic Party should win a majority in the U.S. Senate or House, they will work against some of the policies of President Donald Trump. When a president’s party controls the majority in the House and Senate, it’s much easier for them to get their ideas and goals enacted.
Who can vote?
American citizens who are 18 years old or older and who have not been convicted of a felony, or serious crime, can vote in elections in the United States.
Election security
Imagine you have an election in your classroom, say, to decide on a class mascot. After the voting, it’s important that every ballot gets counted so that every student has a voice in the choice. After the 2020 general election, some people thought that the ballot boxes and computer systems used to vote weren’t secure enough. They believed that some votes had been “tampered with” — stolen or changed so they wouldn’t count. But after investigating cases where voter fraud, or dishonesty, was suspected, government agencies decided that the election had been secure. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) all agreed that the 2020 election was “the most secure in American history.” Why is election security so important? If people don’t believe their votes will be counted, they may not vote at all.
Resources On the Web:
• bit.ly/4wJq4Cd
At the library:
• “What’s the Big Deal About Elections” by Ruby Shamir
The Mini Page® © 2026 Andrews McMeel Syndication
Try ’n’ Find Observer rack locations Mini Jokes
Shell Gas Station (Essex Rd) Essex/Essex Jct. Hannaford Williston Price Chopper Words that remind us of midterm elections are hidden in this Simon’s Mobil Williston Healthy Living Williston puzzle. Some words or diagonally, and some Adamsare Farmhidden Market backward EssexMaeve: Automotive Quality Bake Shop What is the capital of Washington? letters are usedAromas twice.ofSee Simply Divine Café Home2Suites Indiaif you can find: Five Corner Variety River Road Beverage Chef’s Corner
Island Homemade Ice Cream Sonesta
BALANCE, BALLOT, H K GKorner E Kwik L EStopC T I OSunoco N SStation F A P Dorothy Alling Memorial DEMOCRAT, ELECTIONS, O T DMarriott T TCourtyard A R C O MTown E ofDWilliston K GOffices O Library GOALS, HOUSE, IDEAS, U M I Y L E C N A L A B L E W UPS Store Men At Wok Fairfield Inn Rick Cote at MEMBERS, CallLEADER, Folino’s Pizza S R EM&TDBank A E L O R IVermont D E Meat A &SSeafood E email (802) 373-2136 orerver.com MIDTERM, PRESIDENT, Williston Coffee Shop Ramunto’s Gardener’s Supply bs E V I T A T N E S E R P E R R nO to is Rick@Will es would like copiREPRESENTATIVE, Green Mountain BagelB A LRehab L Gym O T M E M B E R S B E if youPOWER, n tio ca lo ur yo r foREPUBLICAN, N A C I L B U P E R S L A O G SENATE, A J V O T E B M R E T D I M V VOTE. M B K B S E N A T E T H F V J
Mars: W! Hannaford Richmond Inn atMin: Essex Where do polar bears vote? Farms Cumberland Mac’sMiguel: Market The North Pole!Richmond Free Library Martone’s Deli Richmond Market
Eco Note Williston
A U.S. company has received federal approval to test a satellite designed to redirect sunlight onto part of
Others are hoping to go to Washington, D.C., to represent their state in Congress. U.S. representatives are elected to two-
At the library:
or older and who have not been convicted of a felony, or serious crime, can vote in elections in the United States.
• “What’s the Big Deal About Elections” by Ruby Shamir
The Mini Page® © 2026 Andrews McMeel Syndication
October 22, 2026
Try ’n’ Find
Page 19
H K G O T D U M I S R E E V I B A L N A C A J V M B K A B P
E L T T Y L D A T A L O I L O T B S R E
E C T I O N A R C O M E E C N A L A E L O R I D T N E S E R T M E M B E B U P E R S E B M R E T E N A T E T S I D E N T
S D B E P R L D H J
Maeve: What is the capital of Washington? Mars: W!
F A P K G O L E W A S E E R R S B E A O G I M V F V J R H I
Min: Where do polar bears vote? Miguel: The North Pole!
Eco Note
Cook’s Corner
What to do: 1. Cut peeled sweet potatoes into 1-inch chunks. 2. Heat oil in 9-by-13-inch baking dish in a preheated 375-degree oven for 5 minutes. 3. Place cut sweet potatoes in heated oil and bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through. 4. Meanwhile, mix together brown sugar and spices. 5. After 20 minutes are up, stir to coat potatoes with brown sugar mixture. 6. Roast for another 10 minutes until potatoes are light brown. 7. Drain potatoes on paper towels; transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with lime juice. Serves 6.
The Mini Page® © 2026 Andrews McMeel Syndication
• 1/2 teaspoon salt • pinch of cayenne pepper • juice of 1/2 lime
* You’ll need an adult’s help with this recipe.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes You’ll need: • 3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled • 1/4 cup canola oil • 2 tablespoons brown sugar • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Williston Observer •
Mini Jokes
Words that remind us of midterm elections are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find: BALANCE, BALLOT, DEMOCRAT, ELECTIONS, GOALS, HOUSE, IDEAS, LEADER, MEMBERS, MIDTERM, PRESIDENT, POWER, REPRESENTATIVE, REPUBLICAN, SENATE, VOTE.
•
A U.S. company has received federal approval to test a satellite designed to redirect sunlight onto part of Earth after dark. Reflect Orbital’s Eärendil-1 would unfold a roughly 59-square-foot steerable mirror, creating an illuminated area roughly 3 miles wide on the surface. The company says reflected sunlight could extend solar-power production and provide lighting during emergencies. Scientists and environmental groups warn that the technology could interfere with astronomy, distract pilots and drivers, and disrupt the natural light-and-dark cycles of humans, wildlife and plants.
adapted with permission from Earthweek.com
For later:
Look in your local newspaper for information about midterm elections.
Photos from the Williston Observer are available for purchase! Visit willistonobserver.com to see current and past photos of events, school sports, nature shots and more!
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Page 20
• Williston Observer • October 22, 2026
SAVVY SENIOR
Why women lose hair as they age — and what can be done about it just part of aging, or could it be a sign of a health problem? And are there treatments that really help women with hair loss? — Thinning Thelma
By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, I’m a 68-year-old woman, and over the past few years my hair has become noticeably thinner, especially on top. Is this
Dear Thelma, Hair thinning is a common concern for women as they age, especially after menopause, but it’s not something you should automatically dismiss as getting older. While some hair loss is a
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AGING CHANGES
Because there are so many possible causes, the first step is getting a proper evaluation. See your doctor or a dermatologist if you notice sudden shedding, rapid thinning, bald patches, or scalp itching or pain. They may review your medications, examine your scalp and order simple blood tests to check for problems such as thyroid imbalance or iron deficiency.
One of the most common causes of thinning hair in older women is female pattern hair loss, also called androgenetic alopecia. It usually appears as gradual thinning on the top of the scalp or a widening part, rather than bald patches. After menopause, declining estrogen levels can affect the hair growth cycle, causing strands to become finer, grow more slowly and shed more easily over time. POSSIBLE CAUSES
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Hormones and aging aren’t the only explanations. Hair loss can also follow a major illness, surgery, COVID infection, or a period of significant stress. In these cases, shedding often begins a few months later and may improve on its own. Other possible causes include thyroid disorders, iron deficiency, poor nutrition, autoimmune conditions and scalp disorders. Medications can also play a role. Drugs such as blood thinners, antidepressants, beta blockers, cholesterol medications, thyroid
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Treatment depends on the cause. If an underlying condition such as thyroid disease, iron deficiency, medication side effects or poor nutrition is identified, treating it may help restore hair growth. For older women with age-related female pattern hair loss, the treatment with the best evidence is topical minoxidil (Rogaine), available over the counter. It can help slow thinning and stimulate some regrowth, but results take several months, and continued use is needed to maintain any benefit. Some women who don’t respond may be candidates for low-dose oral minoxidil, which
is an off-label treatment and requires medical supervision because of possible side effects. Be cautious with hair-growth supplements. Unless you have a true deficiency, products such as biotin usually provide little benefit and can interfere with certain lab tests, including thyroid and some heart tests. Gentle hair care and cosmetic options can also help. Avoid harsh chemical treatments, tight hairstyles that pull on the hair, and excessive heat from blow dryers or styling tools. A fuller haircut, thickening styling products, hair-building fibers that reduce the appearance of thinning spots, or lightweight hairpieces and wigs can also improve appearance and confidence. Hair thinning in older women is common, but it isn’t always just a normal part of aging. Because it can sometimes signal an underlying medical issue, it’s worth getting checked, especially if it comes on suddenly or worsens quickly. While not every type of hair loss can be reversed, treatment and practical strategies can often slow it down and help you feel better about how your hair looks. Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
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October 22, 2026
•
Williston Observer •
Page 21
CROSSWORD • SOLUTION ON PAGE 22
TODAY’S HISTORY: • In 1883, the original Metropolitan Opera House opened in New York City with a performance of Charles Gounod’s “Faust.” • In 1962, President John F. Kennedy announced a naval and air “quarantine” of Cuba in a televised speech, after the discovery of Soviet missiles there. • In 1979, President Jimmy Carter allowed the deposed Shah of Iran to enter the United States for medical treatment.
TODAY’S FACT: • In 2005, Tropical Storm Alpha was the first Atlantic storm to be designated with a Greek letter, after the annual list of 21 names had been exhausted.
SOLUTION FOUND ON PAGE 22
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Page 22
• Williston Observer • October 22, 2026
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF PETITIONS FOR ELECTION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICT SUPERVISOR FOR THE WINOOSKI NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION DISTRICT To all those residing within the boundaries of the Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District (NRCD), notice is hereby given that on October 19, 2026 petitions for the position of supervisor for the conservation district will be available. An election will be held on December 7, 2026 for one supervisor for the district. Petitions must be completed and returned to the local conservation district office by close of business on November 3, 2026. Only persons, firms, and corporations who hold title in fee land and residing within such an organized district are eligible to sign a petition or vote. Conservation districts are local subdivisions of state government established under the Soil Conservation Act of Vermont. An eligible voter may contact the Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District at 802-828-4493 for a petition or more information or visit https://www.winooskinrcd.org/board-ofsupervisors. Dated: October 19, 2026
SUDOKU SOLUTION Puzzle found on page 21
CLASSIFIEDS LEGAL
and Glaser Court in the RZD.
TOWN OF WILLISTON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD AGENDA Tuesday, November 10, 2026 – 7:00 PM Town Hall Beckett/McGuire Meeting Room (7900 Williston Road, use rear entrance) or Zoom Webinar ID 813 6162 7981 on www.zoom.us/join or call 1-646-558-8656 DP 24-06.2 River’s Edge Development c/o O’Leary-Burke Civil Associates requests a Discretionary Permit amendment to modify the Growth Management commitments for the residential subdivision located on Trails Bend Drive
Project details and site plans are available on the website, town.williston.vt.us, under “Public Records and Documents”, then “Agendas & Minutes”, and “Development Review Board”. Contact Planning & Zoning Office for more information: 802878-6704 or email planning@willistonvt. org.
LEGAL
TOWN OF WILLISTON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD AGENDA Tuesday, October 27, 2026 – 7:00 PM Town Hall Beckett/McGuire Meeting Room (7900 Williston Road, use rear entrance) or
Zoom Webinar ID 813 6162 7981 on www.zoom.us/join or call 1-646-558-8656 DP 17-01.7 Northridge-Williston LLC c/o Ben Avery requests a discretionary permit to lift the affordability restriction on 2 dwelling units at 109 and 115 Kadence Circle in Northridge subdivision the RZD. Project details and site plans are available on the website, town. williston.vt.us, under “Public Records and Documents”, then “Agendas & Minutes”, and “Development Review Board”. Contact Planning & Zoning Office for more information: 802-8786704 or email planning@willistonvt.org
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CROSSWORD SOLUTION Puzzle found on page 21
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October 22, 2026
•
Williston Observer •
Page 23
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Page 24 •
Williston Observer •
October 22, 2026
Homeless
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state can use and how long individuals can stay in them. Act 143 was designed to go into effect in phases over the course of several years. DCF’s first round of new rules, which took effect Sept. 1, focused on changes to the state’s use of motels as shelter. Officials ended the use of the 211 helpline for motel intake on nights and weekends, effectively requiring that people seek vouchers from DCF during regular business hours. Meanwhile, DCF has enacted a new screening process, asking people a list of detailed questions to determine whether they should get priority access to a motel room. That screening process has become a main point of contention for advocates and
legislators. Act 143 required “a brief, standardized initial assessment” for people seeking aid. The new system put in place by DCF, critics say, is lengthy and confusing, sometimes requiring multiple phone calls over the course of several days. The questionnaire itself asks people to describe their current housing situation, medical conditions and community supports. Their answers guide a DCF worker to assign them a score based on their risk. That score has immediate stakes for whether or not someone gets a motel voucher. The highest scoring households — which include all families with minor children, along with people experiencing acute medical or domestic violence emergencies — get a motel placement when any space is available. But lower scoring households only get referred to a room
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The questionnaire asks people to describe their current housing situation, medical conditions and community supports. Their answers guide a DCF worker to assign them a score based on their risk. when there are 50 to 100 rooms available, depending on their level of need, according to DCF guidelines. Jessica Radbord, an attorney with the ACLU of Vermont, obtained public records showing how DCF has trained staff on the new assessment. In one hypothetical exercise, an applicant is staying with a partner who has a history of physically harming them. The applicant reports escalating tension to DCF, including verbal
threats, along with the fact that the home has hazards like a lack of heat. DCF workers are instructed to code the risk as a three out of four, because violence is not actively occurring. “That lower score … makes placement, especially when rooms are scarce, less likely, even if rooms are immediately available,” Radbord told lawmakers last week. Despite the hurdles described by advocates, the number of motel rooms in use by the state has actually increased markedly since the new rules went into effect: from 390 rooms in late August to 668 on Oct. 19. That’s still under the 700 rooms allowed by law. DCF officials say fewer people were seeking motel vouchers over the summer because they’d likely run out of their allotted days for the year, or had found other accommodations during warmer weather, and are now seeking shelter again. Carly Berlin covers housing and infrastructure for Vermont Public, in partnership with VTDigger.
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