Macaig, Arsenault
Wife of former superintendent seeks school board seat in contested election
BY JASON STARR Observer staff
Longtime public servant Terry Macaig will not seek reelection to the Williston Selectboard, paving the way for Ellie Beckett to join the board after Town Meeting Day this March.
Beckett is the lone candidate for a threeyear selectboard seat. Board chair Ted Kenney is running uncontested for a twoyear seat. The deadline for candidates to submit petitions to the Town Clerk to be on the ballot passed Monday.
Macaig, a former state representative in Williston, has served on the selectboard for 23 years, including 17 years as board chair.
“Ted Kenney and Ellie Beckett will do an outstanding job serving the Williston community,” Macaig said. “I thank the voters for reelecting me many times and will continue to be a resource to the selectboard.”
Beckett is the daughter of the late longtime Town Clerk Deb Beckett, after whom
the room in Town Hall where the board meets is named. Two years ago, she lost an election to the board by just three votes to Mike Isham. A Williston native, Beckett has served on the planning commission for the past three years, currently as co-chair — a role she plans to relinquish to take the selectboard seat.
“I care deeply about Williston and I want to be of service to the town,” she said. “I want to be involved and part of our current and future planning.”
Beckett’s tenure on the planning commission has come at a time when the commission is updating the Town Plan, a comprehensive document that guides selectboard policies.
“Having been through that process with the commission will set me up to be a valuable selectboard member,” she said. “Understanding where the Town Plan is coming from, and being part of that community engagement and hearing from residents about what they want to see Williston looking like going into the future, I think that’s going to be really valuable.”
With Macaig’s departure, Kenney is poised to become the board’s elder statesman. He has served on the board since 2006,
minus a hiatus from 2010-2016. He believes he is well-suited to help the town balance ongoing growth and development in Taft Corners with its historic identity and sense of community. His focus will be on property tax containment and sustainable budgeting while also guiding a planned library expansion and growth in the police department and electric vehicle infrastructure.
“I am asking to be reelected to the selectboard because I believe my experience, my temperament and my values will allow me to address these issues in a balanced but forceful way,” Kenney said.
SCHOOL CHOICE
When Angela Arsenault decided not to run for reelection to the school board — partly to give more focus to her responsibilities as a state representative for Williston in the Legislature — she had a successor in mind. Arsenault recruited Jean Sanchez to run for her vacated seat. She is the wife of Rene Sanchez, who was the Champlain Valley School District’s superintendent from 2021-2024.
Voters will have a choice in filling the three-year seat on the board: Steve Francisco, a former executive at Dealer.
com and the current head Alpine ski team coach at CVU High School, will also be on the ballot.
Arsenault has served on the school board for six years and was board chair in
Candidates for Town Meeting Day
SELECTBOARD
Ted Kenney (uncontested)
3-year seat
Ellie Beckett (uncontested) SCHOOL
Jean Sanchez
Steve Francisco
Shari Westman (uncontested)
Ellie Beckett — selectboard candidate
Jean Sanchez — school board candidate
Steve Francisco — school board candidate
Broadband breakthrough
Consolidated partners with CUD on ‘last mile’ service
BY JASON STARR Observer staff
High-speed internet is nearly ubiquitous in Williston. Last week, Consolidated Communications committed to ensuring high-speed availability to every address in town.
Closing the gap with “last mile” service has been the goal of the Chittenden County Communications Union District (CUD) — an independent, volunteer-run entity that voters created in 2022 and represents eight Burlington-area municipalities. Last Wednesday, the CUD announced a partnership with Consolidated Communications’ Fidium division to make fiber-based high-speed internet universally accessible.
The agreement awards a $2.1 million grant from the Vermont Community Broadband Board to Fidium using federal
funds. A second round of funding is anticipated in 2025 — although all federal funding is now in question (see Pages 6-7).
“Chittenden County includes some of the most densely populated and served areas of Vermont, but our communities are not immune to accessibility gaps,” said Michael Vance of Williston, who chairs the CUD board. “There is still work to be done, and we look forward to continuing this effort to fill the gaps that remain, but this is a fantastic step toward equitable connectivity.”
Fidium estimates that there are 150 unserved or underserved addresses within the CUD member municipalities: Essex, Essex Junction, Jericho, Shelburne, South Burlington, Underhill, Westford and Williston. In Williston, where Xfinity and Consolidated Communications already operate extensive broadband networks, Vance estimates that number is around 20.
“Williston does not have a lot of
Around Town
WCS students compete in science contest
The Williston Wired Cats competed last Saturday at the Vermont Lego League State Championships at GlobalFoundries. They were among 38 grade 4-8 teams from around Vermont competing in engineering, science and creative projects.
The Wired Cats developed a project centered on using human and animal hair to clean up oil spills, with two student-designed prototypes on display.
The team was coached by two CVU students and CVU alumni James Haines and Clay Nicholson.
Rec Dept. seeks help building R.E.C. Zone kitchen
The Williston Recreation & Parks Department is raising funds to build a small kitchen at the R.E.C. Zone, its programming hub on Harvest Lane.
The kitchenette will serve all ages, including senior community meals in partnership with Age Well.
The department is seeking both monetary and in-kind contributions (microwave, toaster, dishware, utensils, storage containers). It is also seeking a business sponsor. Donations can be made by mailing a check to: Williston Recreation & Parks Department; Attn: R.E.C Zone Kitchenette Fund; 7900 Williston Road; Williston, VT 05495. Call 876-1160 or email recreation@willistonvt.org to arrange in-kind donations or inquire about a business sponsorship.
League of Women Voters accepting scholarship applications
The League of Women Voters of Vermont is now accepting applications for its Winona Smith Scholarship program. The scholarship is awarded annually to Vermont
In print and online: we’re your neighbors, committed to keeping you informed on what’s going on in Williston.
underserved people,” he said.
But Fidium’s fiber service may be a speed upgrade for homes that already have internet service.
“Willistonians will benefit,” Vance said, “not just the ones who are underserved, if it’s something they want … Some people are perfectly happy to stay with whatever they have.”
The Vermont Community Broadband Board maintains a statewide map of internet service availability. It shows that, in Williston, there is an unserved cluster of homes along the eastern shoreline of Lake Iroquois, and other unserved addresses scattered south of Interstate 89.
“We have seen how fiber has transformed communities, and we are so excited to bring Fidium to the hardest to reach locations in Chittenden County,” the company’s vice president of market development, Sarah Davis, said, touting benefits that include increased home values, increased self-employment and increased work-from-home flexibility.
high school seniors who display exemplary civic participation and community service.
Three $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to students who demonstrate financial need, scholastic achievement and come highly recommended by a teacher. Applications are due by April 30 at https:// bit.ly/LWVScholarshipDetails.
To apply, students must submit two essays (300-500 words each) — one on issues concerning voting rights and the other on the impact of a recent civic, national or world event. A letter of recommendation from a teacher is also required.
Questions can be directed to scholarship coordinator Audrey Grant at lwvofvt.edfund@gmail.com.
Coaches sought for Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run is seeking volunteer coaches for its after school running program at Williston Central School.
Based in Williston, Girls on the Run is a statewide physical activity-based program for girls in grades 3-8. Teams meet twice a week beginning the week of March 17. The program culminates with a celebratory 5K event. Call 871-5664 for more information or email rachel@girlsontherunvermont.org.
Thursday, Jan. 30—Rotary breakfast and speaker: 7:15 a.m. Williston Federated Church. Speaker Mary Joy Patchett, director of the Richmond Food Shelf & Thrift Store. RSVP by email at RotaryClubofWillistonVT@gmail.com
Saturday, Feb. 1—French-Canadian dinner: 5-6:30 p.m. Holy Rosary Church Hall, Richmond. Sponsored by Knights of Columbus. $15 to benefit local charities. More information at (470) 588-5515
Tuesday, Feb 4—Watercolor and community building: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Williston Federated Church, watercolor art and therapeutic community building led by licensed mental health counselor/ former art teacher. Four-week series. Email sayrahm@gmail.com
Tuesday, Feb. 4—Fourth grade chorus concert: 6:30 p.m. Williston Central School
Tuesday, Feb. 4—Catamount Outdoor Family Center public input meeting on plans for new headquarters-trail hub building: 6:30-8 p.m. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. More information and livestream link at catammountoutdoor.org
Tuesday, Feb. 4—Williston Selectboard meeting: 7 p.m. Town Hall Meeting Room. Agenda at town.williston. vt.us
Saturday, Feb. 8—Bill Skiff Story Slam: 3 p.m. Williston Central School. Storytelling competition with theme “Magic.” Share and-or listen to others. More information at https://portal. clubrunner.ca/1453/page/bill-skiff-storyslam
Catamount seeks public input on new building
BY ALAN COTE Special to the Observer
The Catamount Outdoor Family Center (COFC) is seeking input from the public about its plans for a new building.
Meetings for public commentary about the building are scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 4 (at the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library) and Wednesday, Feb. 19 (at Williston Town Hall). Both meetings are from 6:30-8 p.m.
The meetings will be livestreamed (see catamountoutdoor. org for the link) to allow remote attendance. The website also has a link to an online survey about the building.
COFC is the non-profit organization that operates programs and maintains trails at the Catamount Community Forest, operating under a license from the Town of Williston. Its budget comes from donations, memberships and event/program fees.
Last May, COFC was awarded a $126,500 grant from the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) for architectural and engineering work aimed at creating a new facility for use by the non-profit and the public. Black River Design and Trudell Consulting Engineers are the service providers hired to handle the project.
The COFC has been providing the architects a list of what’s needed in a building, both for the organization and for the public. Plans revolve around creating an ADA-accessible structure that would include a lodge/open hall area for Catamount visitors to use for warming up, sheltering from rain, and stashing bags. Such space is also vital for the camps hosted by COFC that serve hundreds of kids each year, mainly in the summer.
Space for ski, bike, and snowshoe rentals, a ticket counter, as well as office and equipment storage space are also planned. An outdoor pavilion area is being considered as part of the building.
“Both town zoning and restrictions in the forest’s conservation easement provide guardrails as to what can be constructed, and how a building can used,” said John Atkinson,
executive director of COFC.
Other constraints include water, septic, wetlands and environmental conditions. With these limitations in mind, the building will focus on supporting the outdoor activities that have been core to the area for decades.
“It’s our goal to plan and construct a building that will enhance everyone’s ability to enjoy this spectacular piece of public land,” Atkinson said. “We want to hear from as many people as possible about how best to achieve that.”
Alan Cote is vice president of the Catamount Outdoor Family Center Board of Directors.
The Catamount Outdoor Family Center is planning to construct a new trail hub-lodge to replace the current one (pictured).
PHOTO COURTESY OF COFC
Vermont Construction Company partners with nonprofit to oversee job sites, worker housing
Cashmere
BY COREY MCDONALD VTDigger
Vermont Construction Company announced in a press release that it is partnering with a Minneapolis-based nonprofit to monitor and enforce labor and housing rights for workers and subcontractors of the company.
Sweater
The organization, Building Dignity and Respect Standards Council, is a worker-centered nonprofit based in Minneapolis — akin to Vermont’s Milk with Dignity Standards Council, which monitors workers’ rights in the state’s dairy industry.
The preliminary agreement would have the nonprofit oversee the company’s job sites and worker housing to ensure basic standards for fair treatment of workers are being met.
The agreement is the first of its kind in Vermont’s construction and building industry, according to Will Lambek with Migrant Justice — an industry that in part relies on immigrant workers — and will create a pathway for builders like Vermont Construction Company “to have accountability within the labor contracting chain.”
“All the work sites are getting audited, any housing that’s provided to subcontractors is getting audited if it’s provided as a condition of employment, and then if there’s a subcontractor that is not abiding by the program’s code of conduct, then Vermont Construction Company would be made aware of that and they would no longer be able to
do business with that subcontractor,” Lambek said of the agreement in an interview.
Doug Mork, the executive director of the Minnesota-based nonprofit, said his organization has signed a preliminary agreement with the company, but the next step is to iron out a legally-binding contract.
The hope is to have an agreement in place before the construction season ramps up closer to the spring, he said.
“We’re at the very beginning. We do not yet have a long-term agreement that really lays out exactly how this is going to work,” Mork said. “This is sort of step one of Vermont Construction Company and the Building Dignity and Respect Standards Council agreeing to partner and build the model in Vermont, and get the model up and running there.”
A press conference with
Migrant Justice and Vermont Construction Company representatives celebrate the signing of an agreement on Tuesday at Fort Ethan Allen.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MIGRANT JUSTICE
Housing
speakers from Vermont Construction Company, the Building Dignity and Respect Standards Council and Migrant Justice was held Tuesday afternoon.
The partnership comes after the Town of Colchester in December issued violations against Vermont Construction Company for housing company workers in “grossly hazardous and unsafe” spaces.
Part of the company’s headquarters was being used to house an estimated 17 people “despite having no approvals for life safety features for human occupancy of a public building,” according to a town violation issued in December.
The property was “structurally unsafe,” with no smoke or carbon monoxide detectors, no fire extinguishers and several electrical violations, according to town documents.
A previous violation issued against the company in September revealed similar living conditions at a nearby property, where 60 people were living, town and state fire marshal officials found.
Tenants, who officials said were seasonal workers, were living in small, congregate
sleeping areas, in bunk beds and in some cases on air mattresses.
Reporting by VTDigger found that the company owns residential properties in Shelburne, Essex and Williston that are also used to house workers (Follow up re -
referred the company to the Building Dignity and Respect Standards Council, founded in 2019, which operates a similar operation in Minnesota within the area’s construction industry.
Mork, who has been with the organization since 2020, said the
porting by VTDigger found that Vermont Construction Company has been involved in half a dozen lawsuits and counterclaims that accuse the company of over charging customers, incomplete work, and consumer fraud).
After these violations were uncovered, Vermont Construction Company officials in December approached Migrant Justice and said they were interested in emulating Vermont’s Milk with Dignity program in the construction industry, Lambek said. Lambek
nonprofit works with contractors and developers in the Twin Cities to develop codes of conduct for workers in the industry.
The organization has also found footing in partnering with municipalities around the Twin Cities greater area to provide oversight on publicly invested development or building projects, Mork said.
“A developer or a builder might say, ‘I don’t really have responsibility for workers on the ground, I just hire the contractor. I don’t get to tell them how
to run their business,’” he said in an interview. “This is really a chance to say, we think you can partner with us and impact how workers are treated, and really set a standard for job sites for your projects.”
Before an official agreement is signed, the nonprofit will need to find staff to conduct audits of Vermont Construction Company’s job and housing sites.
“For this model to work, we need a worker organization on the ground that’s really engaging
with workers,” he said.
But Mork said he hopes to expand this model in Vermont and sign agreements with other companies in the state. He noted the nonprofit will look to Migrant Justice and the Milk with Dignity Standards Council for assistance in applying their models to Vermont’s building industry.
“I think this would be much more difficult if there was not the infrastructure that is there,” he said. “We’re starting in a very strong place.”
Vermont Construction Company’s headquarters at 182 Hegeman Avenue in Colchester on Dec. 9. FILE PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER
The White House Office of Management and Budget announced Monday a pause in federal grants, loans and other financial assistance programs, prompting the following reactions from Vermont officials. On Wednesday afternoon, the office rescinded the pause.
GUEST COLUMN
‘He is not a king’
MOLLY GRAY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, VERMONT AFGHAN
ALLIANCE
Overnight, the Trump Administration shut down Alliance programs for Afghans in Vermont by blocking access to
the federal Payment Management System and thereby preventing the Alliance from accessing obligated federal funds.
In 2023, the Alliance was one of 15 organizations nationally awarded a 3-year Ethnic Community Self Help grant that supports refugees in adjusting to life in America and integrating into Vermont communities.
The grant allowed the Alliance to hire Afghan program officers and provide critical services to the Afghan community. The grant helps Afghans, particularly women, learn to drive. It funds legal rights training and civic engagement forums, interpretation assistance and case management.
These services are crucial to the more than 600 Afghans in Vermont for obtaining self-sufficiency, successfully resettling in rural areas where access to public transportation is limited,
accessing employment and contributing to the Vermont economy.
These services directly support Afghan allies who supported U.S. military and diplomatic missions in Afghanistan. These services are not about “Marxist equity” or “wokeness” as the White House memorandum absurdly suggests, but rather basic commitments to individuals who came to this country for a better life and risked their lives for the U.S. Government.
The Alliance is left to fend for itself and the Afghan community is again abandoned despite their commitment to the State of Vermont and this country.
Those wishing to support the Alliance’s work can do so via our website.
SEN. BERNIE SANDERS
Let’s be clear. The Trump
Administration’s action to suspend all federal grants and loans will have a devastating impact on the health and well-being of millions of children, seniors on fixed incomes, and the most vulnerable people in our country.
It is a dangerous move towards authoritarianism and it is blatantly unconstitutional.
Our Founding Fathers explicitly gave Congress the power of the purse. Under our system of checks and balances, no president has the right to choose which laws to follow and which laws to ignore.
Further, this illegal action raises more questions than it answers: Will our nation’s community health centers receive the federal grants they need to continue to provide primary health care to more than 30 million Americans who desperately need it? Or is that on pause?
see GUEST COLUMN page 7
Box 1401, Williston, VT 05495 | 802-489-5499
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Guest column
Will Head Start programs throughout the country receive the federal grants they need to provide high-quality early education to nearly 1 million children? Or will their parents find that they are no longer enrolled in Head Start?
Will pregnant mothers and their babies receive the vital nutrition assistance they need to stay healthy through the WIC program? Or will they be denied the food they need?
Will states be denied the federal grants Congress passed to keep millions of seniors on fixed incomes and families with children warm in the winter through the LIHEAP program? Or will these vulnerable Americans freeze because they are no longer able to pay their heating bills?
These are just a few of the questions that Trump’s dangerous and illegal action has raised.
Bottom line: This unconstitutional memo must be rescinded. The American people — Democrats, Republicans and Independents — must come together to defeat this move towards authoritarianism.
If President Trump wants to change our nation’s laws he has the right to ask Congress to change them. He does not have the right to violate the United States Constitution. He is not a king.
U.S. REP. BECCA BALINT
Trump’s decision to halt federal assistance hurts every community across Vermont, and in every state. It means funding for disaster relief, fire departments, child care, food assistance, farms and so much more are no longer headed to the families and states in need. It means preschools unsure if they have the funds to operate, disaster victims unable to rebuild, and grants to research cancer are suspended.
Trump ordered these grants and loans to be abruptly halted because they “advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies.” But let’s be clear, nothing about disaster relief or small business loans are “woke” or about “social engineering.”
His first weeks in office show us where his priorities lie. Straight out of the Project 2025 playbook, Trump is ripping billions of dollars from our communities, causing chaos and confusion, and leaving folks without the funds they are counting on.
Attempting to use his power to override congressionally approved funds is not only devastating for working people in every state, it’s blatantly unconstitutional. This is no less than a hostile takeover of congressional powers that sets a
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MORNING: Thursday, 2/6 from 8:15-9:15am
EVENING: Tuesday, 2/11 from 5-6pm
Explore the Rice academic curriculum and see what sets Rice apart. You’ll have the chance to meet current students, take a tour, and ask questions in a no-pressure setting. RSVP using the QR code below. We look forward to meeting you!
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dangerous precedent for Congress’ ability to act as a separate branch of government. What we’re seeing is yet another attempt by Trump to erode our democracy and inflate his own unchecked power at the expense of working people.
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION
JOINT STATEMENT (Rep. Balint, Sen. Sanders, Sen. Welch)
President Trump’s decision to freeze all federal grants and loans will cause devastating harm to working families across Vermont.
This unconstitutional action will impact more than 1,200 Vermont kids in Head Start programs; more than 10,000 women, infants and children in Vermont who use WIC to keep from going hungry; nearly 200,000 Vermont patients
who use community health centers; nearly 24,000 Vermonters who use the LIHEAP program to stay warm through the winter; 9,000 Vermonters who rely on Section 8 vouchers to keep a roof over their head; more than 12,000 Vermont seniors who rely on nutritious food from Meals on Wheels and at senior centers; countless Vermont communities that are still recovering from devastating floods; and all of our Vermont firefighters and police officers who put their lives on the line to keep us safe.
This decision by the Trump Administration will cause immense pain for the most vulnerable people in Vermont and across our country. It represents a dangerous move toward authoritarianism. No president has the right to choose which laws to follow and which laws to ignore. Donald Trump is endangering the health and well-being of Vermonters. We will do everything in our power to see that it is reversed.
bessette@rmhsvt.org
802-862-6521x2246
rmhsvt.org
Slam
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 in fourth grade and younger must be supervised by someone over 16 years of age.
TEEN NIGHT: FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Friday, Jan. 31, 5-6 p.m. Ages 12-18. Join our teen advisory board and help plan events and volunteer opportunities. You bring the thoughts, we bring the food.
SATURDAY STORYTIME
possible by UVM and the WillistonRichmond Rotary Club.
KIDS IN THE KITCHEN (ONLINE)
Monday, Feb. 10, 4-5 p.m. Learn to cook from the comfort of your own kitchen with guidance from dietician Joanne Heidkamp. This month, make delicious soft pretzels. Register online for the ingredient list and Zoom link.
BLIND DATE WITH A BOOK Feb. 1-14. Browse our display of “Blind Dates”— books that are wrapped with a few descriptive clues written on the front. Take one home and find out what’s under the wrapper. Is it a match made in heaven or something you’d warn your friends about?
ADULT MEDITATION (ONLINE)
PRESCHOOL STORYTIME
Tuesdays, Feb. 4 and 11, 10:30-11 a.m. Drop in for stories and fun.
BABY TIME
Saturday, Feb. 1, 10:30-11 a.m. Start your weekend off with Cindy’s storytime.
Wednesday, Feb. 5, 10:30-11 a.m. Ages 0-18 months. Enjoy gentle activities with your little one.
AFTER SCHOOL GAMES
Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2-3 p.m.
MUSIC AND PLAYTIME
Thursdays, Feb. 6 and 13, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Come for music with Linda Bassick, then stay to play.
FRENCH STORYTIME
Saturday, Feb. 8, 10:15-10:45 a.m. Drop in for stories read aloud by a native French speaker.
STEM ADVENTURE
Saturday, Feb. 8, 1-2 p.m. Ages 6-plus. Drop in for family friendly, handson activities. This month, learn about earthquakes. This program is made
AFTER SCHOOL MOVIE
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2-4 p.m. PG. Exceed expectations alongside this flying duo.
LEGO TIME
Thursday, Feb. 13, 3-4 p.m.
MULTI-AGE PROGRAMS
CRAFT CIRCLE
Monday, Feb. 3, 5-6 p.m. All ages. Bring your own craft.
READ TO A DOG (ROCKO)
Thursday, Feb. 6, 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.
ADULT WINTER READING BOOK BINGO
Jan. 2- Feb. 22. Pick up a Bingo card or print one online at www.damlvt.org. Email or drop off your completed card to enter prize drawings.
ADULT PUZZLE SWAP
All February, bring in your gently used puzzles (300+ pieces) and take one home.
FEBRUARY SPICE CLUB — STAR ANISE
Pick up this month’s sample with tasting notes, suggestions for use, and a few recipes to try. While supplies last.
Fridays, Jan. 31 and Feb.7, 12-12:30 p.m. Join our guided meditation.
TECH TUTOR
Tuesday, Feb. 4, 11 a.m. Call to book an hour with our tech tutor.
ADULT CRAFTERNOON — SPIRAL PAPER ROSES
Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2-3 p.m. These blooms won’t fade. Register online.
SPANISH CONVERSATION (ONLINE) Wednesday, Feb. 5, 5-6 p.m. All abilities.
ADULT RPG
Thursday, Feb. 6, 6-8:30 p.m. Register online to join our campaign.
MAH JONGG
Friday, Feb. 7, 1-3 p.m.
FRENCH CONVERSATION
Saturday, Feb. 8, 10:45-11:45 a.m. All abilities.
CURRENT EVENTS
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Discuss timely topics with other community members.
“HUNT, GATHER, PARENT” AUTHOR TALK
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 6-7 p.m. Hear from Michaeleen Doucleff, PhD, author of “Hunt, Gather, Parent” at this hybrid event. Register for the Zoom link or come to the library to take part in person. Program made possible by a Winnie Belle Learned Fund grant.
Recognizing Williston’s ongoing legacy of mentorship
BY REBECCA MARTELL
Special to the Observer
January is National Mentoring Month, a time to highlight the positive impacts adult mentors have on young people. As the Connected Youth Mentoring coordinator at Williston Central School, I take extra joy in celebrating the work of mentors this month. I am fortunate to see firsthand how they inspire and empower our students and create a base for lifelong success. This is the 25th year of this program being a foundational part of Williston. On behalf of the program, I want to deliver a wholehearted thank you to mentors — both past and present — for their dedication and commitment to this
program. The adults involved in Williston’s CY Mentoring Program have made, and continue to make, a profound and lasting difference in our school and community. Williston is a better place because of their legacy of selfless dedication.
This year, more than 60 dedicated adults mentor Williston students for an hour each week. These mentors understand the power of relationships and believe in the ability of one person to change a young life. They are empowered to make a difference.
The average mentor has been involved in the program for about six years. Pairs spend multiple years together, a period of time that allows the mentors to witness the growth of their
mentees and see the positive impact on their lives. We are proud of their dedication. The mentors should rightfully be proud of how they have shaped the lives of young people.
The success of the CY Mentoring Program is due to the unwavering commitment of our community partners. I cannot thank the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club enough. They have recruited new mentors, provided annual donations to the Guardian Angel Fund for books, activity supplies, and more.
It’s impossible to properly thank other supportive individuals here. They are folks who continue to amaze with their generosity, empathy and willingness to step up.
Oprah Winfrey said: “A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.” The mentors here in Williston allow us all to see the hope that is in this school and this community.
As January comes to a close and we lurch slowly toward spring, please join me in extending a sincere “Thank You” to everyone who has made the CY Mentoring Program a remarkable success both this year and over the past 25.
Small
Furniture in
Large appliances such as stoves, fridges, washers, dryers, and more
Building
and more
Rebecca Martell is the coordinator of Connected Youth Mentoring at Williston Central School.
Williston Central School sixth grader Chloe Dionne plays a game of Jenga with mentor Jessica Wilson. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Terrific Teeth
Do you take good care of your teeth?
Good tooth care is very important for your health. In recent years, more kids are avoiding dental problems, such as tooth decay. Experts say this is because more kids are:
• using toothpaste with fluoride
• brushing properly
• visiting the dentist.
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. In this issue, The Mini Page takes a good look at teeth. What is a cavity?
A cavity is a hole, or a space where part of a material has been removed. A cavity in your tooth is a hole in your tooth.
Cavities are caused by bacteria, sugar and plaque (PLAK). Plaque is sticky stuff that builds up on your teeth. You may have noticed it after you eat or when you wake up in the morning.
Dentists can fill cavities, but it’s better not to get them in the first place. It’s not hard to take care of your teeth. Just follow these simple steps:
• Use toothpaste with fluoride. Fluoride is a material that helps harden the protective enamel on your teeth. It can also kill the bacteria that cause cavities.
• Limit your sweets.
• Drink water and milk instead of soda pop, juice or drinks like Kool-Aid. These drinks have a lot of sugar.
Mini Fact: Experts recommend seeing a dentist twice each year.
at least twice a day, in the morning and at night. Floss at least once a day.
Experts say neglecting your teeth can result in bad nutrition, poor appearance and pain. Untreated tooth decay can make it hard for kids to sleep, eat or pay attention in school.
Tooth care tips
It is important to spend two whole minutes brushing your teeth each time — one minute on the top teeth and one minute on the bottom.
Keep a timer or clock in the bathroom and time yourself. If you don’t, you may not brush long enough.
Gently brush the fronts, backs and biting surfaces of your teeth. Gently brush your tongue, too. This helps prevent bad breath.
Flossing helps get out food particles that may be stuck between your teeth. Pull the floss up and down. Don’t slide it from the front to the back.
Words that remind us of healthy teeth are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
Next Week: Presidential fun facts
What’s in a tooth?
• Enamel (eh-NA-muhl) is the white outer cover on your teeth. It is the hardest substance in the human body, even harder than bone. Enamel, made of minerals and protein, protects your teeth.
• Dentin is the next layer of the tooth. It is the second-hardest substance in the body. About two-thirds of each tooth is dentin. It is made up of calcium and other minerals and is similar to bone.
• Pulp makes up the inside of the tooth. Blood vessels and nerves live inside the pulp. If the tooth gets infected, this area is what hurts. Pulp is a kind of gel substance.
• Cementum (si-MEN-tum) is a rough substance that attaches the tooth to the jawbone. You can’t see cementum, since it is below the gumline. It’s one of the few substances that actually sticks to teeth.
the Web:
bit.ly/MPcavity
Darla: What did the bailiff say to the dentist?
Denise: “Do you promise to pull the tooth, the whole tooth, and nothing but the tooth?” Try ’n’ Find
• Brush and floss. Brush
Founded by Betty Debnam
bacteria that cause cavities.
• Limit your sweets.
• Drink water and milk instead of soda pop, juice or drinks like Kool-Aid. These drinks have a lot of sugar.
Try ’n’ Find
tongue, too. This helps prevent bad breath. Flossing helps get out food particles that may be stuck between your teeth. Pull the floss up and down. Don’t slide it from the front to the back.
Words that remind us of healthy teeth are hidden in this puzzle. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find:
BACTERIA, BRUSH, CARE, CAVITY, CEMENTUM, DECAY, DENTAL, DENTIST, ENAMEL, FLOSS, FLUORIDE, GUMLINE, HEALTH, JAWBONE, PLAQUE, PULP, SUGAR, TEETH.
Mini Spy Classics
Spy and her friends are practicing good health habits. See if you can find the hidden pictures. Then color the picture.
At the library:
• “Open Wide: Tooth School Inside” by Laurie Keller
Mini Jokes
Darla: What did the bailiff say to the dentist?
Denise: “Do you promise to pull the tooth, the whole tooth, and nothing but the tooth?”
Eco Note
A single bottlenose dolphin wandering for the last three years through the Baltic Sea appears to be screaming into the void, desperate to connect with other members of its species. Researchers say they aren’t sure why the marine mammal, dubbed Delle, is making “sounds typically considered communicative,” but they suggest the dolphin may be engaging in “self-talk,” using its cries as a substitute for interactions with other dolphins.
For later:
Look through your newspaper for ads for dental care products.
Teachers: Follow and interact with The Mini Page on Facebook!
by Dan Thompson
SAVVY SENIOR
By Jim Miller
Get help lowering grocery bills
Dear Savvy Senior, I would like to find out if my 72-year-old mother is eligible for food stamps or other types of assistance program. When my stepfather died, mom’s income dropped in half, and she is having a hard time paying her grocery bills. What can you tell us?
Searching Son
Dear Searching, There are several different food assistance programs that
can help lower-income seniors with their grocery costs. What’s available to your mom will depend on her income level.
SNAP BENEFITS
The largest hunger safety program in the U.S. is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — formerly known as Food Stamps — in Vermont 3SquaresVT. While there are millions of seniors who are eligible for SNAP, only around 40 percent (about 4.8 million seniors) actually take advantage of this benefit. For older adults to get SNAP, their net income must be under the 100 percent federal poverty guidelines. So for households that have at least one person age 60 and older, or who are disabled, their net monthly income must be less than $1,255 for an individual or $1,704 for a family of two. (These amounts are higher in Alaska and Hawaii.)
Net income is figured by taking gross income minus allowable deductions, including a standard monthly deduction, medical expenses that exceed $35 per month out-of-pocket, rent or mortgage payments, utility costs, taxes and more.
savings and most vehicles. Most states, however, have much higher asset limits or don’t count assets at all when determining eligibility.
To apply, you or your mom will need to fill out a state application form, which can be done by mail, by phone or online, depending on your mom’s state of residence.
If eligible, her benefits will be provided on a plastic Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card that’s used like a debit card and accepted at most grocery stores. The average SNAP benefit for 60-and-older households is around $105 per month.
In Vermont go online to https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/3SquaresVT. For other states visit fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory or call 800-221-5689.
OTHER PROGRAMS
There are other food assistance programs that can help lower-income seniors, such as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP).
be exchanged for fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets, roadside stands and community supported agriculture programs in select locations throughout the U.S. To be eligible, your mother’s income must be below the 185 percent poverty level. To learn more about these programs and find out if they are available in your mom’s area, visit fns.usda.gov/programs.
There are also many Feeding America network food banks that host “Senior Grocery Programs” that provide free groceries to older adults, no strings attached. Contact your local food bank (see feedingamerica. org/find-your-local-foodbank) to find out if a program is available nearby.
In addition to food assistance programs, there are also various financial assistance programs that may help your mom pay for medications, health care, utilities and more. To locate these programs, and learn how to apply for them, go to BenefitsCheckUp.org.
Some states also require that a senior’s assets be below $4,500, not counting the home, personal property, retirement
The CSFP is a program that provides supplemental food packages to seniors with income limits at or below the 150 percent poverty line. And the SFMNP offers coupons that can
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 1649, England’s King Charles I was executed for treason.
• In 1835, a gunman attempted to shoot President Andrew Jackson at the U.S. Capitol and was subdued by a crowd, marking the first presidential assassination attempt. In 1933, Adolf Hitler was sworn in as chancellor of Germany.
• In 1948, Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by a Hindu extremist.
• In 2005, Iraq held its first free elections in a half-century.
TODAY’S FACT:
• Charles I was the first king of England to be tried for crimes against his kingdom. He refused to enter a plea, insisting that the court had no authority over a monarch.
SOLUTION FOUND ON PAGE 14
WANTED Office Assistant to
join our team!
Full time Monday - Friday.
Requires knowledge of basic accounting, banking deposits, and customer service skills.
Please send resume to: hartmeadllc@gmail.com
Hart & Mead
Candidates
continued from page 1
2021 when the district hired Rene Sanchez as superintendent. She has since gotten to know his wife, Jean, who works in the Burlington School District.
“Knowing that Jean was willing to join the board made my decision (to not seek reelection) a lot easier,” Arsenault said. “She will bring an informed perspective and critical thinking at a time when we can afford no less.”
Rene Sanchez is currently the
superintendent of the Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union school district. The couple lives in Williston and has two children in Champlain Valley School District schools, and another who graduated CVU last year.
Jean recently helped form a Special Education Parent Advisory Council for CVSD, which dovetails with her professional expertise as a former special educator in Texas and the current “504 coordinator” at Burlington High School, where she ensures that students with
WE’RE HIRING!
The City of South Burlington seeks dedicated staff.
• Deputy Finance Director
The City of South Burlington seeks a strategic Deputy Finance Director to ensure the integrity of and assist in managing the City’s financial systems. Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting or a related field, plus five years relevant work experience in public financial administration or related fields. Municipal government accounting experience preferred. $80,000-$90,000 annual salary.
• Police Officers
• Facilities Coordinator
• Finance Coordinator
• Assistant City Clerk
BENEFITS: Health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, and more!
LEARN MORE AND APPLY NOW ONLINE »
The City of South Burlington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
disabilities are accommodated in general education classrooms.
It’s an inclusivity lens she said would inform her work on the school board.
“Equity and opportunity for all members of our community are central to my mission,” she said. “I’ve dedicated my career to advancing these principles in three different states, and I’m eager to bring that expertise and passion to the district where my own children are educated.”
Francisco, her opponent, also has children either in or recently graduated from the district — one currently at CVU and another CVU graduate currently attending St. Michael’s College. Francisco’s wife, who passed away last April, was a speech and language pathologist at CVU.
In addition to coaching the ski team, Francisco has served on the Catamount Outdoor Family Center board of directors and is currently on the Cochran’s Ski Area board. He said his professional experience as a marketing executive would inform his school board approach.
“I think (boards) can be run a lot more like a business in terms of decisiveness,” he said.
The Town Meeting Day election is set for March 4, with early voting available by mid-February.
win
CLOCKWISE (l to r): Williston Central School’s Scout Pierce looks to drive to the basket during the Wildcats’ 45-18 A-team win over the Mater Christi A-team last Thursday in Williston. Ellis Grinnell, left, makes good on her free throws. Ada Dyer fights her way into the paint for a bucket. Anna Roy drives the ball up the court in a bid to add to the Wildcats’ score. Eliza Rice pops up over two defenders in a layup. Finding some space, Genevieve Henry puts up a short jumpshot.
