The Citizen - 4-13-23

Spring sports

Biden visits BTV

CVU

seats strong bench for upcoming season

Page 8

Burlington International to be renamed for Leahy Page 16

Hinesburg library eyes the future

ELLA WEIGEL COMMUNITY NEWS SERVICE

The Carpenter-Carse Library originally housed a hardware store filled with equipment and tools used for construction and repair. Today, instead of nuts and bolts, the one-story building offers Hinesburg residents knowledge and books, as well as community events and other items to borrow.

The way locals use the library has changed over the years — and new development slated for Hinesburg will likely change their relationship even more. Housing construction nearby will not only bring more potential reading patrons but also include sidewalks that make it easier for those around town to reach the books and other library materials.

The library sits behind a Jiffy Mart on Shelburne Falls Road.

“Part of the development that’s coming in is going to connect us to downtown in a more

See LIBRARY on page 12

Shelburne father, daughter duo craft crossword puzzles

LIBERTY DARR

STAFF WRITER

Although solving a crossword puzzle can be difficult feat, learning to craft the puzzle is even more challenging and requires dedication, perseverance and an expansive vocabulary.

For Champlain Valley Union High

School student Grace Warrington of Shelburne, crossword puzzles have turned from a COVID-19 pandemic-era passion project to a hobby that transcends just solving, but also crafting the themes, clues and algorithms that go into puzzle-making.

“Words are really fun,” Grace said. “I have probably more dictionaries and books than is good for me in my room.”

What makes this hobby even more special is that this is a passion she shares with her father, Greg Warrington, a math professor at the University of Vermont.

The father-daughter duo exercises their skills weekly with the New York Times daily puzzle, which gets harder as the week progresses and offers a chance to learn new techniques and phrases that aren’t common-

ly used every day.

“Now Grace always takes the first crack at it because she’s better usually,” Greg said. “So, Monday is the most accessible. And then, by the time you get to Saturday, they’re pretty hard, really. So, if it’s a Monday or

See PUZZLES on page 13

PHOTO BY LEE KROHN

Osprey return to their Champlain Valley nesting site for the breeding season.

Lake Iroquois groups gets $320K in funding

Money will go toward environmental remediation

COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER

More than $300,000 in federal funds will go toward the remediation of Beebe Lane, a critical access point to Lake Iroquois that has been a major contributor to polluted runoff into the lake.

Shannon Kelly, the president of the Lake Iroquois Association, said that increasing levels of phosphorus in a tributary passing beneath Beebe Lane has been causing environmental worries for years.

Pollutants like phosphorus can contribute to algal and cyanobacteria blooms, impacting aquatic life and human health.

“There’s also been flooding along the roadway seasonally, and the road just gets to be in terrible shape, so a lot of sedimentation issues coupled with a nutrient loading going into the lake for years,” he said. “The road is pretty important for recreational access pretty much yearround.”

Both organizations have worked cooperatively “to improve the lake’s water quality, educate lake users on aquatic invasives species prevention, and improve community access to a broad range of recreational opportunities on and adjacent to Lake Iroquois,” according to a press release.

The Lake Iroquois Association is a nonprofit focused on the well-being of the lake, while the Lake Iroquois Recreation District

is a union municipal district comprised of the towns of Hinesburg, Richmond, Williston and St. George.

The organizations received $320,000 in federal funds as part of fiscal year 2023 congressionally directed spending. The groups worked closely with Watersheds United Vermont, which provided a matching fund, and with the outreach director for Sen. Bernie Sanders.

The groups say they plan to use the funds to install stormwater management systems on the roadway to prevent flooding and road washouts, which will reduce pollutants from entering the lake.

The project will also enhance public access to recreational opportunities, according to the press release. Beebe Lane serves as the access road to the 157-acre district property at the north end of Lake Iroquois and provides access to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife boat launch, the district’s public access beach and a nearly two-mile loop of walking trails.

Boating, fishing and swimming on the lake has seen a “marked increase” over the years, the groups said, and noted a 50 percent increase in beach passes from 2021 to 2022.

“LIA and LIRD are grateful for this opportunity to build upon recent successes that includes becoming only the third lake in the state to achieve Lake Wise Gold status and the mitigation of Eurasian watermilfoil,” the organizations said.

Middlebury Acting Company presents ‘Small Mouth Sounds’

In a production premiering on Thursday, May 4, six strangers confront internal demons both profound and absurd during a silent meditation retreat in the woods.

Bess Wohl’s play, “Small Mouth Sounds,” was inspired by her stay at a silent meditation retreat at the Omega Institute in upstate New York.

“Like that retreat, much of the action of the play happens

Watch out on the roads for amphibian crossings

State wildlife officials are asking drivers to slow down and be cautious when travelling at night in early spring or to take alternate routes to avoid driving roads near ponds and wetlands that salamanders and frogs cross during their breeding season.

“One of the benefits of checking out amphibian road crossings is that you can see many individuals and species in a short period and small area, and some species may not be seen the rest of the year,” Vermont Fish and Wildlife herpetologist Luke Groff said. “ The spotted and blue-spotted salamanders, for example, belong

without words. Because of that, I have provided extensive character descriptions to help the actors and director navigate the play and provide texture and depth to what they do,” Wohl said.

“What playwright Bess Wohl manages to create is a gentle satire of the self-help industry, a very funny exploration of the absurdities we all unwittingly create and a deeply touching look at our human need to connect,” director Melissa

Lourie said. “The audience has a wonderful puzzle to solve, a test of our emotional intelligence as we begin to understand each character’s complicated story and the reasons for why they do what they do.

“Small Mouth Sounds” runs Thursday, May 4 through Sunday, May 7, at Middlebury’s Town Hall Theater. Tickets available at the box office, at 802-382-9222 or townhalltheater.org.

to a group called the mole salamanders, because after breeding, they retreat underground or under logs or stumps, and are rarely seen until the next spring.”

Road crossings are also a great way to see rare or other-

COURTESY PHOTO

The cast of “Small Mouth Sounds.”

VERMONT FISH & WILDLIFE PHOTO BY LUKE GROFF Vermont Fish and Wildlife is asking drivers to slow down and be cautious when travelling at night in early spring or avoid driving near ponds and wetlands where salamanders and frogs are crossing during their breeding season.

To a Tee: little shirts, big impact

In Musing Carole Vasta Folley

Have you ever noticed something that once you did, you couldn’t un-notice it? Forevermore? I felt bad that I hadn’t recognized it sooner as it’s astoundingly apparent and consequential.

I’m talking graphic tees here. You know, the ubiquitous garment sold everywhere from couture Prada to secondhand Goodwill? These T-shirts brandish messages from pop culture to politics and have become an everyday wardrobe staple and a classic tourist souvenir, as in, “all I got was this lousy T-shirt.”

Sorry, kids. Some graphic tees are iconic, like “Kiss Me I’m Irish” or “I’m With Stupid.” If you get that last one, make sure it has an arrow.

It might seem that I’m about to rail on the subject of sweatshops. While a critical issue, my recent awareness focused instead on what’s actually emblazoned on these graphic T-shirts, especially those made and sold for children.

I came upon my revelation while shopping for my granddaughter online at the largest department store chain in the U.S. Inundated with pink hearts, flowers and an inordinate number of unicorns, it was the words on these graphic tees that caught my attention. “Be Cute Be Kind,” “Sprinkle Kindness” and “Keep Up the Kindness.” Wow, I thought, that’s a lot of the same messaging.

I went directly to the boy

ROADS

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wise hard-to-find species, which biologists rely on for data collection. For example, the four-toed salamander is rare in Vermont, and its distribution is not well understood. This information is used by fish and wildlife, the Vermont Agency of Transportation and other conservation partners to assess the need for wildlife passages and barriers in road construction plans that allow all wildlife to more safely cross roadways.

Groff is encouraging Vermonters to explore their nearby roads and report amphibian road crossings to the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas at bit.ly/3UuxHLb. If you can safely take photos of the amphibian species crossing, include them.

toddler T-shirts on the same site. What I saw or, more importantly, read on these shirts, gave me pause: “Explore,” “Be Awesome,” “Made for Fun” and “Adventure Seeker.”

Is this how it is, I questioned?

So, I checked out a major purveyor of children’s apparel. The answer is yes. Their girl toddler tees read, “All Smiles All Day,” “So Happy,” “Just Rolls with It,” and “Always Sweet.” In blaring contrast, their boy toddler shirts read, “Coming Through,” “Mover Shaker,” “Ready to Win,” “Making Moves” and “Fearless.”

The same brand, an age group up, the theme continued. Boys’ shirts exclaimed, “Make Some Noise,” “Totally Crushing It” and “Top of My Game.” While shirts for girls, the identical age, read, “Smile,” “Choose Kindness” and “Be Kind and Shine.”

What is it with telling only girls to be kind?

Baby graphic tees get similar treatment at a different, but also very well-known, baby products company. Their infant girl shirts said, “Little Princess” and “So Cute,” while their baby-boy counterparts shouted, “Roar” and “Born to Explore.”

The fourth place I checked, a world-famous multinational retailer, sold boy shirts that say, “Sharp Little Guy,” “I Can Move Mountains,” and my favorite, “Fearless, Fierce and Strong!” Contrast that with their baby girl shirts that say, “Little and Happy.”

Once you notice it, it’s obvious the different messages we’re being sold to give to our children and

grandchildren. If you’re a boy, get out there and make things happen and if you’re a girl, smile and be happy. Oh yeah, and don’t forget to be kind.

This gendered messaging is not only antiquated, but it is also limiting and damaging. Sure, it’s just a shirt, but it’s also part of a million little messages that build up over a lifetime. It’s great that anyone wears a shirt that endorses kindness, but it 100 percent should not be solely marketed and sold to girls. These socially accepted messages that girls should smile and be kind, while boys should explore and have adventures have far reaching impacts.

Yes, many of these companies also sell graphic tees that advocate growth and equality. For that I’m glad. But they sit alongside shirts that promote passivity for girls, while messaging boys to be all about action.

What a gift to all kids to not pre-identify not only who they are, but who they will be. Both boys’ and girls’ shirts could promote kindness. Both girls’ and boys’ shirts could promote adventure and exploration.

Even graphic tees marketed to me at a local well-known department store read “Create Kindness” and “Positivity Is Always Possible,” whereas the same company’s T-shirts for men extoll “Adventure” and quite a few about beer. Hmm, go figure.

After this, I’m the one who needs a beer. Please have one with me while we discuss the lack of pockets in clothing for girls and women.

Carole Vasta Folley is an award-winning playwright and columnist. More at carolevf.com.

Carole Vasta Folley

Hinesburg Police Blotter

Total incidents: 49

Arrests: 4

Traffic Stops: 18

April 1 at 7:00 a.m., a welfare check on Route 116 was conducted.

April 1 at 8:45 a.m., officers served court paperwork to a resident on Green Street.

April 3 at 9:55 a.m., a resident on Shadow Lane was assisted with a lockout.

April 3 at 4:53 p.m., officers investigated a motor vehicle complaint on Richmond Road.

April 4 at 9:10 a.m., a fraud was reported and investigated.

April 4 at 5:25 p.m., officers responded to Silver Street to help first responders with a medical emergency.

April 4 at 6:15 p.m., officers responded to suspicious circumstances on Southwest Shore Road to assist with a two-car crash, a single vehicle accident and a medical emergency.

April 4 at 8:30 p.m., officers investigated a suspicious vehicle on Richmond Road.

April 4 at 9:00 p.m., officers responded to Commerce Street for an individual having a

mental health issue.

April 5 at 12:05 p.m., a two-car motor vehicle crash was reported on Hollow Road. Devin Leblanc, 24 of Starksboro, was later arrested and charged with attempting to elude and leaving the scene of a crash.

April 5 at 3:40 p.m., officers investigated a reported assault on Piette Road. A juvenile involved in that case was cited for domestic assault.

April 6 at 9:50 a.m., a loose dog on Magee Hill was turned in and returned to its owner.

April 6 at 10:15 a.m., an officer assisted the FBI with a records check.

April 6 at 10:55 a.m., a theft on Route 116 was reported and investigated.

April 6 at 5:30 p.m., found property was turned into police.

April 7 at 8:21 a.m., officers investigated the report of a vehicle causing a traffic hazard on Route 116.

April 7 at 12:05 p.m., officers investigated the report of a possible assault at the Hinesburg Community School.

See BLOTTER on page 11

Guilty plea expected in case of possession of stolen Teslas

MIKE DONOGHUE CORRESPONDENT

A former South Burlington man who was due to go on trial in federal court next week for charges of illegal possession of five stolen Teslas is withdrawing his plea and moving forward on admitting the crimes that drew international news coverage.

Michael A. Gonzalez, 33, fraudulently obtained the five Teslas valued at about $607,000 from car dealerships in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Florida and had them brought across state lines to Vermont in 2018 and 2019, the federal indictment said.

One Tesla was destroyed during a suspicious fire in Shelburne Bay on Lake Champlain in February 2019, the U.S. Secret Service said.

Officials said a hearing was set for Tuesday afternoon for Gonzalez to withdraw his earlier not guilty pleas and admit his guilt in U.S. District Court.

There is no signed plea agreement filed in the latest chapter

of the ongoing case. It would be considered an open plea, which leaves it up to Chief Federal Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford to determine the penalty after a presentence report is prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Gonzalez signed a 15-page plea agreement in September 2022 and a change of plea hearing was scheduled in court for the following month. However, as the defendant arrived at court, Gonzalez indicated he wanted to keep his not guilty pleas on the record. He

did not say why.

A second change of plea hearing was scheduled in January 2023, but that time he said he wanted a jury trial.

Crawford agreed to accommodate him and scheduled the trial to start in federal court in Rutland on Monday with jury selection.

Gonzalez, who has lived in several Chittenden County communities including South Burlington, Hinesburg and Colchester, is well known to police in Vermont for a wide range of cases.

Gonzalez made initial down payments of $2,500 for each of the five Teslas and then arranged for electronic transfer of funds to cover the balance of each vehicle, but the accounts lacked sufficient money or were from phony accounts, according to the 20-page indictment, which also details Gonzalez’s elaborate sequence of events to create the alleged fraud. He took delivery of each of the five cars before Tesla discovered his failure to complete the

See GONZALEZ on page 11

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Michael A. Gonzalez

Sound wildlife conservation depends on regulated trapping

Guest Perspective

Brehan Furfey

Wildlife conservation is complicated. In Vermont, that complexity is front and center in recent conversations around regulated trapping. Although this topic deserves Vermonters’ careful consideration, I worry that some are losing sight of the conservation benefits that regulated trapping provides.

I am Vermont’s new state furbearer biologist. I earned my master’s degree in biology at Arkansas State University, and I have worked on complex conservation issues across the country, most recently with wolves in Oregon. In each case I have seen knee-jerk reactions overshadow the nuances of effective conservation, often

to the detriment of wildlife. I see the same trend playing out, again, as Vermonters argue about trapping without seeing the full picture.

I want to be clear: even if it seems counterintuitive, regulated trapping is a critical wildlife management tool that benefits furbearer populations.

Vermont is at the cutting edge of furbearer conservation. Species like bobcat, mink and eastern coyote thrive on this landscape, and populations of every species that is trapped in our state are healthy and abundant. Vermont owes much of that conservation success to data collected during our regulated trapping seasons.

Vermont’s trappers are part of a community science system. Samples from our regulated trapping seasons contribute to one of the country’s longest running

Urge your lawmakers to support bills to ban recreational trapping

Guest Perspective

Dan Galdenzi

If you’ve ever attended a Vermont Fish and Wildlife board meeting, you’d have the sensation of being whisked away to another time long ago. It’s as if the people in the room have just been unfrozen from a 75-year deep freeze and think they are doing the people’s work from circa 1950.

Let me set the stage. The board members are political appointees with one board member from each of the 14 counties in Vermont. This board exists to ostensibly represent the people of their respective counties. However, there are no requirements to qualify, other than living in the given county they represent. Said another way, they are not required to have any skills or knowledge in biology, science, biodiversity or even wildlife.

The entire board is made up of hunters and trappers, who represent only 13 percent and 0.01 percent of Vermonters, respectively. The appointment process for the board members is an opaque one. In fact, most of the current appointees never even submitted an application. Although many others did send applications, they never heard back. It seems the one quality they must all possess, in addition to the desire to kill animals, is knowing someone else on the board or at the fish and wildlife department.

Cronyism at its finest.

So, while 77 percent of us are not being

represented by our county’s appointees, they’re hard at work trying to further the rights of the minority interests they overwhelmingly represent while ignoring petitions, surveys, facts and really the entire natural world around them — climate change, biodiversity collapse, animal welfare and public opinion be damned.

A recent survey the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department conducted asked the question: “Do you support recreational trapping?” Over two thirds of Vermonters said no. This was not the outcome the carefully crafted survey questions expected and it caused a wave of concerns inside the echo-chamber of both the wildlife department and its board. During the most recent board meeting on Wednesday, April 5, Chris Herrick, the commissioner of the department, was asked, “What exactly is recreational trapping?”

“That’s a misnomer,” the commissioner quipped.

A misnomer? So, the very survey questions his department crafted and approved didn’t have the results they wanted, so instead, the commissioner gaslights a majority of Vermonters’ opinions as a misnomer. Not surprisingly I suppose, because he, too, like his board members, has zero qualifications in biology, science or biodiversity. He is another political appointee of the governor who is in lock step with the paid trapping lobbyists that

datasets on furbearers, helping state biologists identify potential threats to both wildlife and humans.

We analyze tissue from fishers and bobcats for potential exposure to rodenticides. We track rabies distribution to measure spread on the landscape and evaluate the success of ongoing control efforts with our partners at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services. And our collaborators at the University of Vermont use genetic samples from fisher, bobcat, coyote and fox to map furbearer movements across the landscape and to look at the spread of Covid (CoV2) in wildlife populations.

As we consider the role of regulated trapping in Vermont, it is important to understand that there is no alternative way to gather these valuable samples for research and monitoring.

Wildlife cameras cannot collect tissue. Furbearers trapped by professionals for damage or nuisance reasons would not provide a comparably large or diverse sample to that generated during our regulated trapping seasons. Without regulated trapping, state biologists and our conservation partners would lose our ability to gather sex, age and distribution data that are essential for monitoring species like bobcats and otters. We would also lose the ability to detect and respond to emerging wildlife diseases, environmental toxins and habitat loss.

Regulated trapping provides social benefits as well. Many of Vermont’s wildlife conflicts are addressed during our regulated trapping seasons. The animals taken are utilized for food and fur. The costs, labor and rewards of coexisting on a landscape with furbearers are shared by our neighbors.

So, what could it look like for Vermont communities if regulated trapping was outlawed, and nuisance control trapping was outsourced to businesses?

When regulated trapping was banned in Massachusetts in 1996, the beaver population doubled. Public support for beaver and the valuable wetlands they create declined. The cost for dealing with conflicts between

humans and beaver increased dramatically. Towns and highway departments faced bills from $4,000 to $21,000 per year from 1998-2002 to deal with those conflicts. Individual landowners paid upwards of $300 per beaver to have them trapped by nuisance animal control contractors. In many cases animals trapped as nuisances were not used for fur or food.

Of course, Vermonters need to weigh the scientific and social benefits of regulated trapping against understandable concerns about the safety of pets and the suffering of trapped animals.

Recognizing this, the Fish and Wildlife Department is developing new trapping regulations at the direction of the Legislature. In 2022, we worked with a diverse group of stakeholders and drew from peer-reviewed research to identify ways to make trapping safer and more humane. This spring, we will invite public comment on proposed regulations to limit legal trap types in Vermont to the most humane standards based on peer-reviewed research; protect birds of prey and pets from being attracted to baited traps; and create a 25-foot to 50-foot safety buffer between public roads, trails on most state lands and the places where most traps can be set. Once finalized, these regulations should go into effect in 2024.

We believe that stronger regulations to reduce risks are in line with public opinion. Sixty percent of Vermonters supported regulated trapping in a statistically representative state-wide survey last fall. Although Vermonter’s opinions vary regarding different reasons people may trap, 60 percent also supported the right of others to trap regardless of their personal approval of trapping.

As Vermonters consider regulated trapping’s role on our landscape, it is crucial to understand the complexity of the conservation challenges at hand — and the practical solutions the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is working toward.

Brehan Furfey is a wildlife biologist and the furbearer project leader for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

There are two bills in the Legislature right now — H.191 and S.111 — that represent a majority of Vermonters’ opinions by putting an end to recreational trapping.

Community Notes

Enjoy Age Well meals at Charlotte Senior Center

The Age Well meal pickup for Thursday, April 13, is from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Charlotte Senior Center features baked ham with raisin sauce, sweet potatoes, Capri blend vegetables, wheat roll with butter, congo bar and milk.

You must pre-register by the prior Monday with Carol Pepin, 802-425-6345 or meals@charlotteseniorcentervt.org.

The meal on Thursday, April 20 features beef with barbecue sauce, baked beans, broccoli florets, wheat roll with butter, pumpkin cookie and milk.

The suggested donation is $5. Check the website for last-minute cancellations at bit.ly/3FfyLMb.

Learn all about ranked choice voting

The League of Women Voters of Vermont is sponsoring two free virtual programs on ranked choice voting on Monday, April 17 at 7 p.m. and Tuesday, April 18 at 3:30 p.m. Advance registration is required to receive a mock ballot. Email lwvofvt@gmail.com for the link.

Ranked choice voting is once again in the news as the Legislature is considering a bill to establish ranked choice voting for federal elections in Vermont. If passed, S.32 will have Vermont citizens use ranked choice voting in the 2028 presidential primary elections. Burlington is the only city to implement ranked choice voting for city council elections.

What is ranked choice voting? Will Vermonters be better off using ranked choice voting in elections?

In keeping with its mission to empower voters, Dr. Betty Keller, member of league, will present information about ranked choice voting to familiarize Vermonters with this new electoral reform system that allows people to vote for multiple candidates, in order of preference. The program will be educational, providing time for discussion and questions. Both presentations will cover how ranked voting works, whether it will work in presidential primaries and what’s in Vermont’s current bill.

Homestead Museum hosts archeology presentation

On Sunday, April 16, at 2 p.m., archeologist Niels Rinehart will

review excavations at the Ethan Allen Homestead from 1979 to 1997, summarizing findings and directions for future research.

The talk, “The Archeology of the Ethan Allen Homestead: Thousands of Artifacts & Unanswered Questions,” will be in person and Zoom.

Register at ethanallenhomestead.org

Gardening with tried-andtrue perennials

Join Silvia Jope at the United First Methodist Church in South Burlington on Tuesday, April 25, at 1 p.m., for a discussion on her “close to nature” approach to creating ecologically inspired landscapes.

Participants will learn sustainable principles for landscape planning. Jope is the owner of Old World Garden Design, where she has worked to promote no-mow grass patches, mixing edibles with pollinator friendly plants, hand-woven garden gates and native hornbeam arches. Free and open to the public.

Historical society hosts landscape history event

On Sunday, April 23, at 2 p.m. at the Charlotte Senior Center, the Chittenden County Historical Society hosts a presentation and nature walk on how to read old forested farmscapes featuring preservationist and landscape historian Samantha Ford.

The presentation will be augmented the following week on Sunday, April 19, with an interpretive field walk at Wheeler Nature Park in South Burlington from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Ford and naturalist Alicia Daniels will illustrate the concepts outlined in the talk and trace 300 years of land use.

Howard Center presents education series

The May Community Education Series event through the Howard Center takes place on Thursday, May 18, from 7-8 p.m.

Howard Center’s director of diversity, equity and inclusion

Catarina Campbell will present “Racial Trauma and Generational Healing”, an analysis of racism from an historical perspective and provide strategies to achieve justice on a personal and communal level. Register for this virtual, free and open to the public event

Lyric puts on ‘Shrek The Musical’

An ogre, a donkey and a princess walk into a dragon’s lair … and you don’t want to miss what happens next!

See how the story goes at Lyric Theatre Company’s “Shrek The Musical,” Thursday through Sunday, April 13-16 at The Flynn MainStage in Burlington.

There’s something for the whole family in this one-of-akind fairytale in which curses are reversed, monsters are the heroes and princesses are beautiful in all shapes and sizes.

The production is made possible by 37 cast members, nearly 50 crew members, a 17-piece orchestra and hundreds of volunteers who have been

at howardcenter.org.

The center is also hosting its annual, all-day educational conference on Wednesday, April 19, which will feature a lineup of national experts in the field of mental health, including Nadine Burke Harris, Dacher Keltner, BJ Miller, Jeffrey Swanson and Anna Malaika Tubbs. The in-person conference, “Breaking Barriers: Finding Purpose & Possibilities Together,” will cover a range of topics related to mental health, such as adverse childhood experiences, compassion, end-of-life care and gun violence. The confer-

busy rehearsing and building, painting and decorating sets, designing and crafting costumes, props and much more.

Dana LaClair of Underhill,

ence fee is $199 and includes continuing education units. Register at howardcenter.org.

April programs at Charlotte Senior Center

For more details, go to charlotteseniorcentervt.org.

• Ongoing: Photographic exhibit by David Pearson. A collection of scenic and wildlife photography. Person’s artistic style conveys his belief that “sometimes all it takes is pausing to take a deeper and longer look at the simple and ordinary, to see it

who is music director at Stowe Elementary School, appears in the show as the dual role of Sugar Plum Fairy and Gingy.

Based on the 2001 animated DreamWorks comedy, this family-friendly musical is about two hours long plus one intermission. Audio description for the Sunday matinee is available, and there will be an ASL translator for the Saturday evening show.

Six shows will be performed: Thursday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 15, 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, April 16, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Tickets are $19-45, available at flynnvt.org.

from a different perspective.”

• Friday, April 14, at 1 p.m.: At the “Grease” social, celebrate with one of the original cast members, 46 years ago, from the popular movie. There will be 1950s drivein food favorites, movie viewing and a post Q&A with root beer floats. Feel free to dress in ’50s attire. Registration required. Limited to 32 people

• Monday, April 17, 1 p.m.: Bring your questions and concerns for Chat with Chea, a legislative

PHOTO BY STUDIO 2N PHOTOGRAPHY

Ry Poulin of Winooski as Shrek and Sarah Connor of East Montpelier and Winooski as Princess Fiona, enjoying a traditional ogre campfire snack of s’nothers — like a s’more, but made with squirrel.

Dana LaClair

Charlotte artist shows in ‘Vermont Vernacular’

Mixed media show runs through May 30

The South Burlington Public Art Gallery is featuring a new exhibition titled “Vermont Vernacular,” paintings, mixed media works and photography by four regional artists, Linda Finkelstein of South Burlington, Kathleen Fleming of Charlotte, Susan Larkin of Isle La Motte and Phil Laughlin of Williston.

Finkelstein describes her art making as a “way to many places,” either quiet or exuberant. Her works are stories about her love for color and nature and her gratitude for life’s possibilities. After moving to Vermont nine years ago, she has found that the state’s natural beauty keeps her nourished and focused.

Fleming works in a contemporary style that often incorporates a playful use of color and composition. Natural elements play an important role regardless of whether she is painting a more representational image or in pure abstraction. The landscape of Vermont, with its colors, shapes and tones, is endlessly inspiring to her and provides an antidote to the chaos of the world.

Living among the islands of Lake Champlain, Larkin paints to record a daily narrative of her outdoor life, where, she says, she finds her most authentic self. Her work reflects the seasonal changes,

COMMUNITY NOTES

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meet and greet with Chea Waters Evans, Chittenden-5 representative for Hinesburg and Charlotte.

• Tuesday, April 18, at 1 p.m.: Enjoy an opera discussion of “Carmen” with Georges Bizet. Presented by Toni Hill of the Chittenden County Opera Lovers, the discussion will include video excerpts of the opera and will cover how the music and the drama were combined, reflecting changes in style based on pulp fiction in the 19th century. Co-sponsored with The Charlotte Library. Free, but registration recommended.

• Thursday, April 20, 7-8 p.m.: Charlie Nardozzi presents “Grow

a Pollinator Garden.” Everyone is becoming more aware of the importance and plight of pollinators. Pollinating insects, birds and other creatures are essential not just for flower gardens, but also for the food we eat. In this talk, Nardozzi will discuss the essential ingredients to a successful pollinator garden beyond the plants, including habitat, water, shelter and best gardening practices. He will also discuss the plants that are best for pollinators, with emphasis on open-pollinated varieties. Free but registration recommended.

• Friday, April 21, at 1 p.m.: Want to help plan the plant sale?

Spring Safety Tips from VGS

weather, light and human impact on the landscape; it is a visual response to a set of ever-changing situations. In her most recent work, she focuses on simplifying and distilling the visual story, using shapes, color and fewer details to get closer to the essence of an idea, a moment in a day.

Laughlin attended the Worcester Museum Art School and moved to New York City after graduation to paint, but the need for employment pushed him to study applied arts and work in graphic design. Creatively, commercial design work wasn’t very fulfilling, but the city offered new ideas and worldclass galleries and museums, and he passionately consumed it all.

In 1986, Laughlin moved with his family to Vermont where he discovered the rich subject matter that has inspired generations of New England artists, and he took up the practice of painting again. The landscape and vernacular architecture of the state feature prominently in his work.

The exhibition runs through May 30.

The Gallery, located at 180 Market St., open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, email gallery@southburlington vt.gov.

Planning any spring planting or other digging projects?

If you plan to do any type of digging on your property, you or your contractor must contact Dig Safe™ at 811 at least 48 hours prior to digging.

Before the work begins, Dig Safe will notify member utilities, who will then ensure the locations of buried facilities they own are clearly marked. Please insist that any work within 18 inches of the marked lines be done by hand.

If you are interested in attending this planning meeting or helping with the plant sale, sign up at the center. Questions? Contact Sukey Condict at 802-877-2237.

• Sunday, April 30, 3-5 p.m.: Sustainable Charlotte presents “A Conversation with George Lakey.” Lakey speaks about his latest book, a memoir, “Dancing with History: A Life for Peace and Justice,” and about a whole range of issues he has embraced. This event will be held at the Charlotte Library. Co-sponsored with Sustainable Charlotte and Charlotte Library. Registration is required at the Charlotte Library.

How to Detect a Gas Leak

Smell: Natural gas is normally odorless. A distinctive, pungent odor, similar to rotten eggs, is added so that you will recognize it quickly.

Sight: You may see a white cloud, mist, fog, bubbles in standing water, or blowing dust. You may also see vegetation that appears to be dead or dying.

Sound: You may hear an unusual noise like a roaring, hissing, or whistling.

If you suspect a leak:

Move immediately to a safe location. Call VGS at 800-639-8081 or call 911 with the exact location. Do not smoke or operate electrical switches or appliances. These items may produce a spark that might result in a dangerous condition.

Do not assume someone else will report the condition.

COURTESY PHOTO Kathleen Fleming, “Endless” mixed media on panel, 24”x24”

Redhawks’ teams feature deep benches for spring sports

LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT

Baseball

Coach: Nicky Elderton

Last season: 12-2, lost in the Division I semifinals

Key returnees: Kyle Tivnan, senior, outfield; Robbie Fragola, senior, infield; Asa Roberts, senior, catcher; Travis Stroh, junior, outfield; Jack Richburg, senior, pitcher; Lewis Kerest, senior, infield; Calvin Steele, junior, catcher; and Colby Galipeau, senior, outfield.

Key newcomers: Stephen Rickert, junior, pitcher; Russell Willoughby, junior, infield; Aaron LaRose, junior, pitcher; and Elise Berger, junior, pitcher.

Outlook: The team enters the season with a new coach at the helm as Nicky Elderton takes over for the Redhawks. CVU will return with experience both behind the plate and in the outfield. Senior Asa Roberts and junior Calvin Steele will be behind the plate as the team adds three new pitchers to the rotation — one of whom is Elise Berger, fresh off a stint with the U.S. national baseball team.

“This is a special group with a lot of great leaders,” Elderton said. “The entire team has been working tremendously hard these past few weeks and we are excited to start playing games.”

Opener: Thursday, April 13, at Rice

Softball

Coach: Mike Thorne

Last season: 4-10, lost in the Division I playdowns

Key returnees: Elise Ayer, senior, third base; Kate Boget, senior, catcher; Juliette Chant, senior, pitcher; Shelby Companion, senior, outfield; Lily Mincar, senior, second base; and Baylee Yandow, sophomore, outfield\infield.

Key newcomers: Lilly Caputo, junior, infield\outfield; Autumn Francis, junior, infield; Morgan Gallup, sophomore, utility; Amber Reagan, sophomore, infield; Alex Wemple, sophomore, utility;

Mackenzie Yandow, sophomore, pitcher\infield; and Nina Zimakas, junior, infield.

Outlook: Champlain Valley is looking to build off a strong end to last season with an experienced group of returning players, relying on seniors Julie Chant (pitcher) and Kate Boget (catcher) to

anchor the team in the circle.

“The players, I am confident, will continue to evolve in their roles throughout the season to create run scoring opportunities offensively and execute defensively in support of the pitchers,” Thorne said. “We are collectively excited for a successful season.”

The Redhawks also get an influx of new players that will take some time to work into the lineup but who are bringing a lot of skill and enthusiasm to the group, the coach said.

Opener: Thursday, April 13, at Rice

Boys’ lacrosse

Coach: Tom Garvey

Last season: 15-1, Division I state champions

This season: 1-0

Key returnees: Ryan Boehmcke, senior, defense; Sam Decker, senior, defense; Max Destito, senior, midfield; Peter Gilliam, junior, attack; and Joey Merola, senior, attack.

Key newcomers: Harper Anderson, senior, goalie; Jacob Bose, junior, midfield; Connor Malaney, junior, attack; Brian Rutherford, junior, midfield; and Anderson McEnaney, sophomore, defense.

Outlook: The Champlain Valley boys lacrosse team will look to make it an even 10 titles in a row this season, anchored by a strong core returning on defense. That senior group will look to set the tone for the Redhawks as they work in a new goalkeeper and some newer players on attack and in the midfield.

“This team looks to be athletic and focused through the start of practice,” Garvey said. “If we can consistently improve individually and as a group as the season progresses, we think we can run with most teams.”

CVU got off to a solid start, beating Rutland 6-2 to start the year.

Up next: Tuesday, April 11, vs. Essex Girls’ lacrosse

Coach: Tucker Pierson

Last season: 12-3, lost in the Division I semifinals

This season: 1-0

Key returnees: Maddie Bunting, senior, defense; Tess Everett, senior, midfield; Dicey Manning, senior, attack; Amelie Scharf, junior, midfield; and

PHOTOS BY AL FREY

Above: CVU’s Connor Turnbaugh leads the fast break during the Redhawks’ Unified Basketball win over the South Burlington Wolves Unified team on April 4 in Hinesburg.

Below: At a recent preseason practice: CVU’s girls’ lacrosse team looks to avenge its semifinal loss last year.

Spring temps help CVU’s tennis teams get outside to practice.

PREVIEW

continued from page 8

Stella Dooley, junior, midfield.

Key newcomers: Emerson Rice, junior, midfield; and Bibi Frechette, sophomore, midfield.

Outlook: After a one-goal loss in the DI semifinals, Champlain Valley looks to take the next step this season with a group of eight returning starters. The Redhawks will have an experienced midfield ready to challenge the top teams in the state.

“We have a lot of good athletes, and it is my goal to have us come together as a team to get better each day,” Pierson said. “We have a very challenging DI schedule in Vermont, and I am eager to see how we match up against opponents.”

CVU will also look to work two new transfers into the team as the spring season gets underway.

Up next: Tuesday, April 11, vs. Essex

Boys’ tennis

Coach: Frank Babbott

Last season: 5-9, lost in the Division I quarterfinals

Key returnees: Ziggy Babbott, sophomore; Silas Cohen, sophomore; Jacob Graham, sophomore; Nolan Sandage, sophomore; Kyle Krieger, sophomore; and Rusty Zia, senior.

Key newcomers: Oscar Andersson, sophomore.

Outlook: The boys’ team that takes to the courts this season is a young group that is looking to gain some experience. Returning sophomores are likely to take on singles roles, but it will take some time to work out the lineup, coach Babbott said.

“The team focus is to estab-

Burlington wins Scholars’ Bowl

Burlington High School High School won Vermont-NEA Scholars’ Bowl April 1 at Montpelier High School.

Burlington defeated Essex High School in the championship match, 405-230, taking command late in the first of three rounds of competition and leading by at least 95 points throughout the final round.

Burlington advanced to the finals by fending off Rice Memorial High School 320-260 in the quarterfinals and by pulling away late in a 420-310 victory over Champlain Valley Union High School in the semifinals.

The competing team for Burlington included senior Robbie Safran, juniors Ezra Case, Daniel McNamara, Isaac Doggett and Quinn Shelley, and sophomore Clare McNamara. Kevin Commo is the team’s coach.

canceled due to the pandemic) after rolling past Lyndon Institute 520-40 in the quarterfinals and knocking off top-seeded Hanover High School in the semifinals 330-255.

CVU won the Medlar Cup, the tournament’s second-chance competition, with victories over Bellows Free Academy, St. Albans and Rice, and added a quarterfinal win over South Burlington High School before facing Burlington in the semifinals.

Medlar Cup semifinals

Champlain Valley 480, BFA-St. Albans 105 Rice Memorial 290, Woodstock Union High School 265

Medlar Cup final

Champlain Valley 425, Rice Memorial 185

lish a line up, put together some doubles teams and hope for decent weather as spring tennis before break can be challenging. Starting with a young team can take time, and they are anxious to get going,” the coach said.

Opener: Thursday, April 13, at Rice

Track and field

Coaches: Jessica LaPlante and Cory Coffey

Last season: Boys, second in the DI state meet; and girls, third.

Key returnees: Boys — Matt Servin, senior, distance; Gabe Nelson, senior, sprints; and Hayden Berard, senior, sprints. Girls — Alice Kredell, sophomore, distance; Mahoune Felix, junior, sprints; Amelia Novak, junior, jumps; Harper Danforth, junior, throws; Rieanna Murray, sophomore, sprints; and Madison Burnett, sophomore, sprints.

Key newcomers: Boys — Dan Knight, junior, distance; Jack Crum, senior, distance; Ethan Morris, junior, distance; Anders Johnson, junior, pole vault; Connor Simons, junior, throws. Girls — Estella Laird, sophomore, distance; Lydia Donahue, first year, distance; Audrey Neilson, first year, distance; Charlotte Crum, first year, distance; Zoe Zoller, senior, distance; Maddy Connery, senior, distance; Zoe Jenkins-Mui, sophomore, pole vault; and Kate Bostwick, junior, throws.

Outlook: A lot of new track and field athletes join varsity competition this spring, after both the boys and girls had top three finishes last season, with

top runners Matt Servin and Alice Kredell. “The biggest goal that we have moving forward is to gel as a team and really try to be more well-rounded in all of the events instead of being strong in a few,” said co-coaches LaPlante and Coffey. Some new field athletes will look to add to the balanced team that CVU is looking for.

Opener: Tuesday, April 18, at CVU

Girls’ tennis

Coach: Christopher Hood

Last season: 7-6, lost in the Division I semifinals

Key returnees: Cassie Bastress, junior; Tabitha Bastress, junior; Erin Fina, senior; Sage Peterson, sophomore; Millie Boardman, junior; and Sage Kehr, senior.

Key newcomers: Anna Dauerman, first year; Victoria Chyra, junior.

Outlook: Christopher Hood returns to coach the Champlain Valley girls tennis team, taking over for long time coach Amy deGroot. The team features 13 returning players and introduces two promising newcomers.

“The team has set very high goals for the season and are willing to work hard to make it to the state championship match,” Hood said. “I expect that we will have a very strong singles lineup for every match, and our deep bench will enable multiple strong doubles combinations.”

The group is working on getting match ready as it deals with early spring weather.

Opener: Thursday, April 13, vs. Rice

Scholars’ Bowl is a question-and-answer quiz competition, similar to Jeopardy! but featuring teams of high school students and with a heavier focus on the academic curriculum. Burlington has won the tournament seven times, with its most recent previous title in 2019.

Essex reached the state championship match for the seventh time in the last 10 contested seasons (the 2020 finals were

Overall quarterfinals

Essex 520, Lyndon 40 CVU 330, South Burlington 205 Burlington 320, Rice Memorial 260

Overall semifinals Burlington 420, Champlain Valley 310 Essex 330, Hanover 255

State championship Burlington 405, Essex 230

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PHOTO BY AL FREY

Keep it healthy: Celebrate the nuances of the forest

Into the Woods

On a recent episode of the “On Being” podcast, journalist Amanda Ripley was quoted as saying “real life is not a bumper sticker.” I was struck by how true this is for forests and for forest management.

As much as we would like to believe that taking care of forests is simple, in truth it is nuanced and complex and often unintuitive. Celebrating nuance means having the courage to go beyond simple narratives and polarities, to ask tough questions about what it means to care for forests at this moment in time.

One example of where nuance is often lacking is in the discussion of mycorrhizal networks, sometimes called “the wood wide web.” Through the research of Dr. Susan Simard and others, it has

been shown that these underground fungal networks can connect trees’ root systems, facilitating resource-sharing, communication and a number of other emergent and adaptive properties.

This has led some to anthropomorphize trees — thinking of them as people — and to mythologize forests — thinking of them as utopias. When we do this, we misunderstand the true nature of forests: that mycorrhizal networks are one piece of dynamic and imperfect communities which are defined by resilience, which celebrate death and change, and which need our help. Taking care of forests means having the courage to recognize that they are nothing like us, that it is more powerful to see them as they are than to weave comfortable and convenient narratives around them. Another discussion that is often missing nuance is the discourse around old growth forests. Old growth forests are amazing: they support biodiversity, store lots of carbon and provide an array of other benefits to forest ecology and to us. Old growth forests are exceedingly rare in Vermont, and there is broad consensus in the conservation community that we need to both protect existing old growth forests and to leave some forests unmanaged to develop into old growth on their own.

Where this discussion gets derailed is when the importance of old growth is taken to mean that forest management is bad, and that the answer to all our problems is to leave forests alone.

Old growth forests are not valuable just because they are old — they are valuable because of the characteristics that they have: things like dead wood, canopy gaps, trees of different sizes and ages and old trees, each of which provides unique habitats and properties. Nearly all of Vermont’s forests are young, many having regrown from pastures within the last 60 to 100 years. Most are missing these attributes and developing them naturally may take centuries. In a climate

crisis and a biodiversity crisis, we need forests with these characteristics now. We cannot afford to wait.

To this end, forest management can be a vital tool, helping create many of the attributes of old growth in just decades. We also need to acknowledge that our forests face an unprecedented array of threats and stressors and are moving into an uncertain future.

As a result, many of our forests may never become old growth on their own. As they navigate climate change, non-native invasive plants, pests and pathogens, forest fragmentation, deforestation, deer overabundance and more, inaction may be an expression of negligence. If we hope to protect forests’ function, their biodiversity and their ecology, we will need to manage them.

Another topic which often lacks nuance is forest carbon. While, in theory, unmanaged forests store more carbon than managed forests, a forest’s ability to sequester and store carbon in the long-term is a function of its holistic health, its resilience and its adaptability. What we need is resilient carbon: carbon that is stored in diverse, multi-generational, healthy forests.

Managing forests, even when it causes some carbon to be released in the short-term, can help forests respond to legacies, threats and stressors, build resilience and adapt to climate change, thus safeguarding their ability to store carbon in the future.

What does it mean to love a forest? Celebrating nuance means having the courage to wade in uncertain waters, to recognize that what forests require from us in this moment is often complex and unintuitive, challenging and strange. Forests, and what it means to take care of them, will never be as simple as a bumper sticker, but that’s what makes them beautiful.

Ethan Tapper is the Chittenden County Forester for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. See what he’s been up to at linktr.ee/chittendencountyforester.

PHOTO BY ETHAN TAPPER

Marked stump with oak seedling.

Ethan Tapper

Where this discussion gets derailed is when the importance of old growth is taken to mean that forest management is bad, and that the answer to all our problems is to leave forests alone.

GONZALEZ continued from page 4

final payments. Gonzalez resold or attempted to resell four of the five vehicles, the indictment said.

They note he continued to threaten to kill her as she called 911.

James Frechette

James M. “Jim” Frechette, 65, of Hinesburg, died on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington after a brief illness.

Jim was born on Aug. 18, 1957, in St. Albans, the son of the late Robert and Mary Simone (Smith) Frechette. Jim was a graduate of Richford High School, Class of 1975. In his high school years, he was one of a few basketball players that achieved 1,000 points, before 3-pointers were introduced.

After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Upon his honorable discharge, he was employed by the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in September 2017.

Jim enjoyed his retirement. He enjoyed the outdoors, nature, his home, four wheeling, hunting, fishing, photography and spending time with friends and family at get togethers. Jim was also an avid collector of music records, books and sports cards. He spent many hours designing and creating the rock walls surrounding his home, all done by hand. His walls and other

BLOTTER

continued from page 4

stonework are works of art, and he was often asked if he did it for a living.

He is survived by his sister, Ann Benoit and her husband, James of Williston; niece, Margot Rodger and her husband, Brian and their sons, Liam and Finn of North Reading, Mass.; niece, Alison Wilson and her husband, John and their children Carter and Macy of Williston; niece, Melissa Van Buskirk and her husband Fred, and their son, Ryan of Milton;

and special friends, Mark Bean, Carol Fitzwater, Michael Roberts and countless lifelong friends from Richford High School who were like family to him.

He was predeceased by his parents Robert and Simone Frechette; brother, John Frechette; grandparents; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Jim was a very caring, thoughtful and considerate person to his family and friends. Whenever someone mentioned Jim, it was always followed by, “he’s such a nice guy.” He will be deeply missed.

Family and friends are invited to Jim’s life celebration to include a Mass of Christian burial on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 11 a.m. at All Saints Catholic Church, 152 Main St, Richford VT 05476. Interment will take place in All Saints Catholic Cemetery in Richford. For those who wish contributions in Jim’s name may be made to the Hinesburg Fire Department & First Response Department, P.O. Box 12 Hinesburg VT 05461. Condolences, photos and favorite memories may be shared through gossfs.com.

Gonzalez never received the proper paperwork to resell the fifth car, which subsequently burned on a frozen portion of Shelburne Bay in 2019, records show. They note Gonzalez attempted to seek insurance funds for the value of the burned Tesla, but the claim was denied when he twice failed to appear to give his statement under oath.

One Tesla was destroyed during a suspicious fire in Shelburne Bay on Lake Champlain in February 2019, the U.S. Secret Service said.

While the stolen car case was pending, Gonzalez finished serving a 13-month federal sentence for making a false written statement about his criminal record when he unlawfully attempted to buy a firearm in September 2019.

Gonzalez, who was living in Hinesburg at the time, failed to disclose to the Williston gun dealer he had a pending felony charge of aggravated domestic assault involving the mother of his child, police said. Gonzalez threatened to kill the woman by trying to drive his truck over her and then ramming her van twice with her in it in Colchester in August 2019, records show.

Earlier Gonzalez was dubbed “Pizza Man” after a mistaken identity case at a drug house in Stonehedge North in South Burlington in April 2018. When Gonzalez came outside to get his pizza, he mistook a uniformed South Burlington Police Officer in a fully marked blue and gray cruiser with a blue light bar as the latenight local pizza delivery person arriving at the condominium.

He had a pending warrant from Franklin County and city police said he was in possession for a small amount of heroin and ecstasy, records show.

Tesla has been one of the best-selling electric passenger car manufacturers. In reserving a Tesla online or in a company store, the customer gets to choose the model, color and options while making a $2,500 deposit. Once the car is ready the customer can collect it from a Tesla store or have it delivered. Payments would be completed through a wire transfer, loan financing, or an automated clearing house (ACH) transfer, the indictment said.

Community Bankers – Chittenden County

April 7 at 12:56 p.m., found property was turned into police.

April 7 at 2:50 p.m., officers responded to the Mobil gas station on Commerce Street for the report of erratic operation.

Neil Freeman, 50, of Hinesburg, was arrested for driving under the influence, first offense.

GALDENZI

continued from page 5

Let me help the commissioner understand. Recreation trapping is the trapping of animals with leghold traps, body gripping traps and underwater drowning traps for hobby, tradition or heritage. It is not trapping for property or infrastructure damage, nor is it the trapping for targeted research.

April 8 at 2:20 p.m., a traffic stop was conducted on Route 116.

Noah Lincoln, 33 of Burlington, was cited for driving with a criminally suspended license.

April 10 at 2:10 p.m., officers assisted a U.S. postal inspector with an investigation at Lyman Meadows.

April 10 at 2:40 p.m., court paper-

work was served to a resident on North Road.

April 10 at 4:20 p.m., officers responded to a residence on Burritt Road to assist with a custody issue.

April 10 at 4:50 p.m., an officer responded to the intersection of North Road and Route 116 for a two-car crash.

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His department goes to great pains to conflate these methods so he can say it’s necessary. It is not. The same trapping hobby that 108 countries and 10 US states have already banned. That is recreational trapping, commissioner.

There are two bills in the Legislature right now — H.191

and S.111 — that represent a majority of Vermonters’ opinions by putting an end to recreational trapping.

If you don’t support recreational trapping, then your Vermont Fish and Wildlife board member does not represent you.

Dan Galdenzi lives in Stowe.

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James Frechette

obvious way,” Beth Royer, Carpenter-Carse Library director, said.

That has prompted the library’s board and staff to embark on a new strategic plan for the library — the first update in seven years. Library staff view the space as a “community living room” and want to make sure the space and amenities fit the expectations of Hinesburg residents. The Carpenter-Carse does more than lend out books; it also hosts children’s story time, adult music jams and a chess club.

Susan McClure, a member of the Carpenter-Carse board and strategic planning subcommittee, said community involvement is key to the process.

“I think we want to really set a course for the next several years that keeps the library sustainable, on really good financial footing and also on really good programmatic footing,” McClure said. The

library and board sought to make sure locals “know it’s their library and that they have input in what the future is.”

To that end, the library’s board conducted a community survey over two weeks earlier this year through posts on social media and its monthly newsletter. It garnered 122 responses, or 8 percent of the library’s contact list.

Survey respondents described the library as a valuable community hub with a warm environment and helpful, friendly staff. Many said they’d like to see extended hours — including on Sunday, when the library is currently closed — more children’s programming and a larger book collection. Those who completed the survey also raised concerns about library funding if Hinesburg’s growing population places more demands on its services.

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One way the library hopes to address the potential demand on its staff is with better pay, Royer said. Currently, the library has two librarians, including Royer, and six other employees. The library ran a survey and analysis to compare its librarians’ salaries with others in Chittenden County and found that they fell behind the average, Royer said.

Carpenter-Carse has worked to increase staff pay with recent raises averaging 8.7 percent, factoring in inflation, she said.

The upcoming library budget will take further steps to narrow that gap, with the goal of having every staff member earning at least the Chittenden County average of the libraries that responded to the survey, Royer said.

“It’s important to pay the people that make the organization special,” she added.

Libraries typically create a strategic plan every five years to detail how they’ll improve and expand their resource collection, programs and infrastructure in alignment with their mission. Carpenter-Carse’s last strategic plan went into effect in 2016. The library board planned to re- evaluate the plan after Royer became Carpenter-Carse’s director in September 2019 but halted that process during the pandemic.

To guide the process, the library board hired Melissa Levy, a Hinesburg resident and owner of the Community Roots consulting firm that specializes in rural economic and community development.

“Everything that goes into the plan is going to come from them,”

Levy said. “I’m just helping facilitate the process and make sense of it.”

Levy recently met with library staff so they could “share their thoughts about what the library is doing well, what the library could be doing better, (and) how to prepare for the future,” she said. She will use that information, as well as the survey responses, to develop goals for the next three to five years and a “roadmap” to outline steps and measure progress, she said.

Among the potential updates in the new strategic plan, Royer said she envisions improving the library’s outdoor space, which has had more use since the pandemic. The area needs additional seating and a more “welcoming” atmosphere, Royer said.

The library could also increase accessibility by installing automatic door openers for both the main entrance and the bathroom, Royer said.

Youth programs such as Lego club and weekly storytime tend to draw crowds, but events and activities for adults could use a jolt of energy now that COVID-19 social isolation is receding, Royer said.

“We’re still trying to find legs for adult programming,” Royer said. “It’s hard to know if people will come out for things, so we haven’t done quite as many speaker programs.”

McClure often brings her 5-year-old to Carpenter-Carse, she said. She values the library as a public space, particularly for kids.

“Where I grew up, coming to the library was one of the first civic

participation things you do as a little kid. You’re in a public space where you’re interacting with other people in your community.”

Carpenter-Carse also offers a Library of Things — bicycles, a telescope, a sewing machine, puzzles, an animal-tracking kit, a blood pressure monitor, gardening equipment — to lend to those with a library card. The library plans to expand those options through a partnership with Burlington- based bike lenders Local Motion this summer.

More and more library users are opting for digital resources, and that poses some challenges, Royer explained. Carpenter-Carse is part of a consortium with other libraries in the state, all which share digital inventory. The wait list for popular titles can grow long, prompting patrons to ask the library to procure more digital copies — which are typically more expensive than a printed book.

Physical copies can last for decades, but a digital copy gives the library access for a limited time, often just a year, Royer said. Getting a sense of how important digital copies are to patrons will help the library decide how to allocate its budget toward different versions of books.

“I just want the library to continue to be as welcoming and wonderful as it is,” said Royer.

Ella Weigel is a reporter with the Community News Service, a program in which University of Vermont students work with professional editors to provide content for local news outlets at no cost.

— Employment Opportunity —

Town of Williston Assistant Treasurer & Finance Assistant

PUBLIC HEARING

Hinesburg Development Review Board

Tuesday, May 2, 2023 7:00 pm

Paul Stanilonis/Stanilonis Family Trust – Final plat application for a 2-lot subdivision to create one new 3.0-acre buildable lot, from a larger 164-acre property, located on the west side of Pond Road in the Rural Residential 1 Zoning District.

The meeting will be both in person and remote. See meeting agenda on town website with details on how to participate.

e Town of Williston Finance Department is seeking applicants for a part-time Assistant Treasurer & Finance Assistant. is position is instrumental in supporting the Town Treasurer, assisting with accounts payable processing, basic accounting duties, and has an important customer service role.

Applicants must have bookkeeping experience and general nance knowledge, with 3-4 years of relevant work experience. Excellent verbal, computer, organizational, and interpersonal skills are also essential. For a full job description, please visit www.town.williston.vt.us/employment.

e position is for 25 hours per week, Monday-Friday, at a starting wage ranging between $20-$22 per hour depending on the quali cations of the chosen candidate.

TO APPLY: please send a cover letter and resume to HR Coordinator / Assistant to the Manager Erin Dickinson at edickinson@willistonvt.org or mail to: Town of Williston, Attn: Erin Dickinson, 7900 Williston Road, Williston, VT 05495.  e preferred deadline for applications is Friday, April 21, 2023.

e Town of Williston is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences are encouraged to apply.

Tuesday, she usually just finishes it off, and then as the week goes on there’s more and more left for how can we do it together?”

The 15-year-old said that she has more knowledge of random facts than probably most people her age and keeps a list of unique phrases and words she likes with the hopes of using them in a future puzzle.

“Once you do them for a while, you get to notice the patterns,” she said “There’ll be words that are only clued in one way because they can only be clued in one way. I now have even more useless knowledge of completely random things just because the letters in those words are very helpful, so they’re in the grid a lot.

“Like NYSE, New York Stock Exchange. I don’t do anything with stocks. I have no idea. But, I put that in because it’s the only word that goes ‘blank, Y, S, blank.’”

When it comes to crafting the puzzles, both have their areas of expertise. While his daughter works to create the fill of the 15-by-15 grid, Greg will often create the themes and punchy clues that coincide with each of the words in the puzzle.

“The grid is, in a lot of ways, the hard part,” he said. “Because you’re trying to get all these words to fit in, and as long as you have a word there you can kind of always come up with some sort of clue.”

The duo also explained that

there are specific distinctions between themed and unthemed puzzles, but what makes one puzzle better than another is more of a philosophical question. Although Greg explained that his daughter prefers crafting unthemed puzzles, it really boils down to “how interesting are the answers? How interesting is the theme?” he said. “If you have a ton of really good long answers and not a lot of black squares, that’s better.”

For example, a theme may be something like, “One might mix things up,” he said. “The answer is ‘change of pace.’ And, the other theme entries, somewhere in the phrase are the letters P, A, C, E, but in some other orders, so the word ‘pace’ has been changed.”

On the other hand, for unthemed puzzles, it’s up to the discretion of the creator.

“Like the phrase ‘lie detector tests,’” Grace chimed in. “That’s a 15-letter phrase. You just put it across and then you start filling from there. Try and get the biggest words in first. So, you can work in the smaller words around it because the smaller ones are easier to get in.”

When it comes to word choice, there are also a few rules of thumb to keep in mind: Steer clear of too many names or too much trivia as well as too many outdated phrases. You want “fun phrases that just sound current,” said Greg.

“You don’t really want sports stars from the 1980s or something, you want someone who is relatively current.”

Since last January, the team has created more than 20 puzzles

and averages a new one every two weeks or so. But more than anything, “it’s just really fun,” Grace said. “Because it makes us sit down and finish this thing every day.”

“It’s been a huge pleasure just to have something to do together. It’s been great,” Greg said. “Every day I look forward to solving it with her. We haven’t forgotten yet.”

PHOTO BY LIBERTY DARR Grace and Greg Warrington.

The week-long bait drop is a cooperative effort between Vermont and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services to stop the spread of the potentially fatal disease.

Rabies is a deadly viral disease of the brain that infects mammals. It is most often seen in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, but unvaccinated pets and livestock can also get rabies.The virus is spread through the bite of an infected animal or contact with its

treatment with the rabies vaccine is nearly 100 percent effective when given soon after a person is bitten by a rabid animal.

So far this year, 23 animals in Vermont have tested positive for rabies, and 14 of those have been raccoons.

According to wildlife officials, rabid animals often show a change in their normal behavior, but you cannot tell whether an animal has rabies simply by looking at it. People should not touch or pick up wild animals or strays – even baby animals.

SHELBURNE DAY

continued from page 4

Shelburne Historical Society will have a display and president Dorothea Penar will lead a cemetery tour at 1 p.m. Food vendors round out the event with everything from coffee and lemonade to burgers and creemees. Kids will enjoy meeting animals from Shelburne Farms, craft projects, and

face burne-Hinesburg head the Golf depending land. Rotary’s

802-343-4820

www.pleasantvalleyvt.com

ARIES

March 21 - April 20

Aries, your emotions may cloud your judgement in the days to come. It’s better to seek the advice of a third party who can guide you without the added drama.

TAURUS

April 21 - May 21

Messages from the universe could come across as confusing or vague, Taurus. You might need someone with cosmic intuition to help you sort out what is going on.

GEMINI

May 22 - June 21

A stagnant energy has been surrounding you lately, Gemini. Fortunately, you are able to brush that away soon enough and feel rejuvenated.

CANCER

June 22 - July 22

Cancer, if you haven’t devoted enough time lately to taking care of yourself you might awaken this week with a foggy head. Take care of yourself.

LEO

July 23 - Aug. 23

Responsibilities could have you feeling overburdened, Leo. The trick is to ask others to lighten your load. There are bound to be several volunteers willing to lend a hand.

VIRGO

Aug. 24 - Sept. 22

Virgo, try not to compare yourself to others this week. Everyone is unique, with his or her own strengths and weaknesses. An unfair comparison could dampen your spirits.

LIBRA

Sept. 23 - Oct. 23

You might nd it challenging to articulate your feelings to a romantic partner, Libra. If you stumble over saying the words, why not write them down, instead?

SCORPIO

Oct. 24 - Nov. 22

Sometimes your pragmatic side gets into a tussle with your optimism, Scorpio. Being a realist doesn’t have to mean you give up hope. There are many things that can go your way.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 23 - Dec. 21

Sagittarius, while you may feel like sleeping the week away, awaken to the possibilities before you. Numerous opportunities await, so answer the door when they knock.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22 - Jan. 20

It is alright to feel uncertain about what the heart wants, Capricorn. Not everyone has things all gured out. Ponder your likes and dislikes to determine your path.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 21 - Feb. 18

Aquarius, messy work and small mistakes can sabotage all of your hard work thus far. Buckle down and focus on the details. Have someone check that everything is perfect.

PISCES

Feb. 19 - March 20

People around you may be more temperamental than usual, Pisces. Avoid offering any unsolicited advice until things quiet down.

CLUES ACROSS

1. Atomic mass unit

4. Criticize mightily

7. Sino-Soviet block (abbr.)

10. Stand in for

11. Everyone has one

12. Brew

13. Rectify

15. Popular Dodge truck model

16. Beef or chicken intestine

19. Satisfy

21. Of a particular people or localized region

23. Movements in quick tempos

24. Able to pay one’s debts

25. Fleshy bird beak covering

26. Dueling sword

27. Helps

30. Court is in it

CROSSWORD SUDOKU

34. Touch lightly

35. Airborne (abbr.)

36. Of one

41. Baked good

45. Jai __, sport

Here’s How It Works:

Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must ll each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can gure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

46. About aviation

47. Low oval mound

50. Rugged mountain ranges

54. Compel to do something

55. A way to carve

56. Sao __, city in Brazil

57. Mustachioed actor Elliott

59. American Idol runnerup Clay

60. A way to soak

61. Car mechanics group

62. Born of

63. Time zone

64. Sea eagle

65. Even’s opposite

CLUES DOWN

1. Sharp mountain ridge

2. Thin, brous cartilages

3. Provides new details

4. Muscular weaknesses

5. Ottoman military title

6. Banes

7. Horse-riding seats

8. Arms of a shirt

9. Narrow path along a road edge

13. Viper

14. Dis gure

ANSWERS

17. Variety of Chinese language

18. Portray in a show

20. Wrongful act

22. No (slang)

27. State of agitation

28. __ Diego

29. One point east of due south

31. 007’s creator

32. The NBA’s Toppin

33. Midway between north and northeast

37. Examples

38. __ Gould, actor

39. The habitat of wild animals

40. Artful subtlety

41. In elders

42. Keep under control 43. Herb

44. Distressed 47. A way to go down 48. Type of acid 49. Take by force

51. Collected fallen leaves

52. Shout of welcome or farewell

53. Monetary unit

58. Swiss river

First Lady Jill Biden touches down in SoBu

COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER

First Lady Jill Biden made a stop last week at the soon to be renamed Patrick J. Leahy Airport in South Burlington to tour the headquarters of Beta Technologies, the electric aviation company, as part of the White House’s “Investing in America” tour.

Biden, along with U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, toured through the company’s aerospace hanger with a who’s who of top Vermont dignitaries such as U.S. Sen. Peter Welch, U.S. Rep. Becca Balint, Gov. Phil Scott, Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger and Jane Sanders — whose husband, Sen. Bernie Sanders, could not attend — with a gang of reporters and media tagging along.

The group spoke with Beta employees, interns and technical students from the Northeast Kingdom working hands on with some of the company’s aircraft and electric prototypes. They were joined by Beta CEO Kyle Clark.

“Just look around us right now, the students who are with us today are learning what it takes to design airplanes and maintain electric vehicles. They’re exploring jobs that didn’t even exist when many of us were in high school,” Biden said.

“What you are doing in this community is the future of our workforce, and how to grow our economy from the bottom up, and the middle out,” she said. “These aren’t red ideas or blue ideas, they’re American ideas.”

Her visit to South Burlington was the second stop of the tour, an effort by the White House to highlight President Joe Biden’s economic policies — including the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the American Rescue Plan — and the jobs and careers the White House says that legislation will help create.

“Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, we got the bipartisan infrastructure law, we have the CHIPS and Science Act, and we have historic investments to fight climate change,” Cardona said. “There’s a tsunami of well-paying jobs coming, and we need to make sure this generation of students is prepared to ride that wave.”

It was the first day of the tour, a weekslong trip where members of the White House will travel the country, visiting dozens of states.

Biden and Cardona first visited the Southern Main Community College in South Portland, Maine, before flying to Vermont. The tour was timely — that same day, the U.S. Department of Labor announced an $80 million grant program to fund infrastructure-related career training nationwide.

“From new manufacturing jobs to high-speed internet, to airport safety, to clean water, these new investments are helping leaders in states, cities and rural areas improve people’s lives,” Biden said in a speech in the crowded hangar. “I’m excited to be here in Vermont, where to

date, Joe’s administration has already announced more than a billion dollars for roads, bridges, roadway safety and other major projects. Billions of dollars in building the green economy of the future right here.”

Both federal and state officials touted the benefits of bipartisanship — with both Biden and Cardona describing Vermont as a state that “shows investing in our communities is not a partisan priority. It’s something we can all get behind,” Cardona said.

“In my experience, pure down and dirty partisan politics has never contributed to real solutions,” Scott, a Republican, said. “Today is a reminder that we can, and we should, prioritize progress over politics, especially on issues where the majority of Americans agree, like the importance of investments in infrastructure, on trains and technical education, on equal economic opportunities from region to region. To me, that’s one of the most historic and underreported outcomes of the investments, the president and Congress found a way to come together to pass.”

Scott, speaking to the crowd, thanked Cardona and Biden “for highlighting this historic moment and helping us see it through” and said he felt “a sense of optimism, because it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to revitalize our once thriving rural economic centers and the small towns around them.”

Biden, a community college professor, highlighted Vermont’s technical education programs for high schools, as well as the state’s program to offer tuition-free community college to residents.

“For most people, a high school diploma alone isn’t enough to find a great career, but they don’t often need a four-year degree to pursue their passions either,” Biden said. “These kinds of learning paths are more important than ever.”

PHOTO BY COREY MCDONALD

First Lady Jill Biden tours Beta Technologies on Wednesday, April 5.