Shelburne News - 10-06-22

School community deals with homophobic slur

Incident occurred at CVU field hockey game

COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER

A homophobic slur levied at Champlain Valley Union field hockey players during a game in Manchester — an incident that students say is all too common not just at opposing games but within their own community — is adding greater weight to the district’s recent equity audit and its work surrounding diversity and inclusion.

The incident occurred during a

Color patterns

game at Burr and Burton Academy Sept. 14, where a student watching the game yelled a homophobic slur against one of the CVU players.

District officials said the incident was immediately addressed.

The Vermont Principals Association, following a year that saw numerous acts of ugly fan behavior, recently adopted a zero-tolerance policy against such behavior at sporting events, including ejection, forfeiture and the removal of fans

See EQUITY on page 24

Amid inflation, hunger helpers feed hundreds

TOMMY GARDNER STAFF WRITER

Although the pandemic-era scenes of massive food drives organized by literal armies at high schools and airports around Vermont are a thing of the past, something quieter and bigger has replaced it: the population of people still needing help getting food.

It’s unclear sometimes if there are more hungry people or if the stigma of availing oneself to food shelves and other public health organizations is simply eroded amid the pandemic. As the cost of living goes up, so do visits, and so does the economic variety of

visitors.

South Burlington Food Shelf director Peter Carmolli said September was the Dorset Street pantry’s busiest month ever. The organization opened three years ago, so most of its existence has been in troublesome times for food insecurity — a global pandemic replaced by worldwide inflation and supply shortages.

Instead of succumbing to viruses or economics, the food shelf has instead thrived under the pressure.

“We just go with the flow,” Carmolli said. “We’re so new, that, with anything that happens, it

See FOOD SHELVES on page 23

PHOTO BY LEE KROHN

Red and green conspire to create this end of season color palette.

SB businessman faces federal drug charge

MIKE DONOGHUE CORRESPONDENT

A South Burlington businessman who reportedly provided a line of cocaine that caused a brush with death for his housekeeper now faces a federal drug distribution charge.

Bruce Erdmann, 63, has struck a deal with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Vermont to plead guilty to a felony drug charge, federal court records indicate. He has agreed to admit to the charge of knowingly and intentionally distributing cocaine on March 12, 2021, according to his signed plea agreement filed in U.S. District Court.

The court clerk’s office has not set a date for Erdmann to formally enter his guilty plea. The woman, who was from Shelburne, spent months in the intensive care unit and was initially not expected to survive, South Burlington Police reported in court papers.

Erdmann’s home was the site of a series of other drug overdoses in 2021 —including two fatalities on back-to-back days, police said. Erdmann provided a “large line of cocaine” on March 12, 2021, to the family’s 59-year-old housekeeper, then-Detective Cpl. Sarah Superneau said in a state court affidavit.

The woman ingested the cocaine and a few minutes later passed out for five hours without Erdmann or his wife, Ellen, calling 911 for medical assistance, reported Superneau, who now works for

the Vermont Attorney General’s Office.

Ellen K. Erdmann, 62, died at the same house June 28, 2021, from acute fentanyl intoxication, her death certificate notes. The next day, a family friend, Brian A. Miller, 29, overdosed while visiting the house to offer condolences to his friend Devin Erdmann, police said.

It was during the Miller death investigation that the medical examiner ordered Mrs. Erdmann’s body seized from the Ready Funeral Home on Shelburne Road for an autopsy and discovered she had overdosed, police said

The next day, city police were summoned back to the home to investigate Miller’s death. Authorities attributed Miller’s death at the Erdmann home to an acute combination of fentanyl and alcohol intoxication.

‘No medical attention’

The housekeeper during the March 2021 incident “was not provided any medical attention after she lost consciousness. When she woke up hours later, she drove herself home where she had a seizure and was subsequently transported to the hospital,” Superneau wrote.

Hospital lab tests showed the woman had cocaine, along with benzodiazepine and cannabinoids in her system, police said.

A witness told police she went out to dinner with Ellen Erdmann

the day after the housekeeper’s overdose and she described what happened, court records show.

The witness reported Mrs. Erdmann said the cleaning woman collapsed on the bathroom floor and Erdmann picked her up and put her on a bed, but never called for help because he did not want police involved, Superneau said in her affidavit.

The police affidavit includes a series of text messages, including more than a dozen sent or received by Erdmann’s phone. The housekeeper allowed police to search her phone and some messages from his phone appear to be incriminating.

In one message Erdmann claimed the woman didn’t want help when she passed out. “When you came to in several minutes you didn’t want an ambulance or go to the ER. You said no way I’m going so we listened to you. You got normal in 10, 20 minutes later you were fine.”

The ,woman reported that she was introduced to cocaine at the Erdmann house around New Year’s Day in 2020 by Mrs. Erdmann, police said. The housekeeper estimated that she had used cocaine three times before her near fatal overdose, police said.

State charges

South Burlington Police asked State’s Attorney Sarah George to file a series of criminal charges, including two felonies against Bruce Erdmann: illegal distribu-

tion of cocaine that led to the serious overdose in March 2021 and a felony charge of possession of methamphetamine at the house in June 2021, records show.

George’s office filed four misdemeanor charges against Erdmann in February 2022 for knowingly and unlawfully possessing clonazepam, methamphetamines, methylphenidate and alprazolam on June 29, 2021. Each charge carries up to one year in prison and up to a $2,000 fine.

Erdmann pleaded not guilty to the four state charges.

During his arraignment, George’s office initially did not seek any conditions of release or restrictions on Erdmann’s behavior pending his criminal trial.

But Superior Court Judge Elizabeth F. Novotny, citing a 15-page police affidavit that painted a picture of rampant drug use at the Erdmann house and input from a deputy prosecutor, did impose several conditions of release. She prohibited Erdmann from having contact with the Shelburne housekeeper, her daughter and two other women listed as witnesses, and forbade Erdmann from buying, using or possessing any regulated drugs without a legal prescription while the criminal prosecution was pending.

South Burlington Police Sgt. Michael DeFiore, who was assigned to the Vermont Drug Task Force at the time, reported the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was investigating Erdmann as a person of interest for getting significant prescription medications through the mail, Superneau wrote in February.

When George’s office did not file any felony charges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office assigned one of its new prosecutors, Kimberly G.

Ang, to pick up the case. Ang got a felony plea deal from Erdman and his lawyer Carlton without convening a federal grand jury.

South Burlington Police responded to the Erdman house for two fatal overdoses on backto-back days — June 28 and 29, 2021. Mrs. Erdmann died the first day and Brian Miller the following day.

Miller had passed out and was propped against the kitchen wall with his head slumped forward, the public court affidavit stated. Devin Erdmann told police he took a cellphone picture of Miller so he could “see how stupid he looked when he woke up,” Superneau wrote. Instead, an hour later Miller was dead.

Other trouble

Dr. Randy Miller, Brian Miller’s father, also overdosed at the Erdmann house on July 3, 2021, and was revived with Narcan, state and city records show.

Miller, a local dentist, was taken to the University of Vermont Medical Center, where tests showed cocaine, opiates, benzodiazepine, marijuana and alcohol in his system, records show.

Miller, 64, remained hospitalized until July 6, 2021, records show. The Erdmann house is directly around the corner from the home of Dr. Miller and his son on Spear Street.

The state revoked Miller’s dental license because of improper dispensing of prescriptions and his own hospitalization for a drug overdose, records show.

Miller, who was the senior member of the state board of dental examiners, signed a stipulation that he would not contest four misconduct charges, records show. He also resigned from the state board.

Vermont man walks ‘to fix our democracy’

Many Americans think the government and political system doesn’t serve the common good, and that trying to have a civil, public discussion about these issues has become almost impossible.

However, one South Burlington man is taking to America’s roads to say that all is not lost, that we have the power to rescue democracy.

“‘Walking to Fix Our Democracy’ is a national effort to engage, activate and support people to fix our democracy, and walk and advocate in their own communities to do so,” says Rick Hubbard, a native Vermonter, retired attorney and former economic consultant.

Hubbard will begin walking in Los Angeles on Oct. 1, and he plans to engage in as many events

as possible along or near the walking route, and finish with an event at the steps of the U.S. Capitol about 16 months later. The route includes 37 events in 11 states.

“We can make our political system fairer, more inclusive, more competitive and more representative. Our walk is a nonpartisan effort to make the case in communities across the U.S. that fixing our democracy first is the quickest and most effective way to unlock progress on issues important to us all: climate change, health care, education, infrastructure, voting rights, campaign financing, and much more,” Hubbard said.

Hubbard said “Walking to Fix Our Democracy” has several purposes: To raise awareness about the need and ways to avoid

autocratic rule of government; to link up with, celebrate and support state and local activist efforts along the route; to encourage short walks for the same purpose on specific, coordinated dates in communities across America; and to encourage candidates for Congress and other levels of government to make fixing our democracy their lead issue.

The walk will depend upon a team of volunteers and supporters with a variety of skills interested in joining the walk or helping in various ways with the walk, such as logistics, social media, volunteer and event organizing and speechwriting.

“If our team effort is effective, this can be a great opportunity for us to help raise awareness, jumpstart, and support further actions to fix our democracy,” Hubbard said.

Learn how to get involved by visiting fixourdemocracy.us.

Rick Hubbard

PHOTO BY LEE KROHN

The New England aster, and its cultivars, bloom freely during fall in Vermont.

Vermont native

Total reported incidents: 82

Arrests: 1

Medical emergencies: 25

Suspicious incidents: 11

Domestic incidents: 1

Citizen assists: 5

Automobile incidents: 2

Theft: 8 Car crash: 3

Pending investigations: 9

Sept. 26 at 9:16 a.m., a vehicle cut another driver off and then stopped, causing a collision on Dorset Street and Shelburne Road.

Sept. 26 at 1:36 p.m., a woman told police she was being harassed by a male guest at Harbor Place. Officers assisted in mediating the dispute.

Sept. 26 at 2:16 p.m., someone called the cops on a man and a woman in the VIP Tires parking lot because it appeared they were fighting, but police deter-

CRIME & COURTS

Shelburne Police Blotter

mined they were not fighting when they arrived on the scene.

Sept. 27 at 6:42 a.m., a Harbor Road resident reported his vehicle stolen from his residence, but the car was later found.

Sept. 27 at 10:31 a.m., a walk-in reported a sex offense to police that occurred earlier this month. The case is pending further investigation by the Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations.

Sept. 27 at 10:44 a.m., a retail theft was reported from Kinney Drugs, but officers could not locate the individual. A theft report was taken, and the case is under investigation.

Sept. 27 at 11:29 a.m., a caller reported belongings were stolen from their car on Northern Heights Drive. Police took a theft report.

Sept. 27 at 1:32 p.m., the Vermont Criminal Justice Council received a call from a Shel-

burne resident stating she had been drugged by the Shelburne Police. The complainant has been a regular caller for 30 years. “We have attempted to get her health services,” police said.

Sept. 27 at 5:08 p.m., a Shelburne Road resident reported a theft of items from her home. A theft report was taken, and the case is being investigated.

Sept. 28 at 11:13 a.m., a vehicle veered off the road and damaged property on Webster Road.

Sept. 28 at 12:38 p.m., a two-car crash was reported on Shelburne Road with no injuries.

Sept. 28 at 3:09 p.m., police received a call from a Green Hills Drive resident that she woke up feeling drugged and that people had been using a cell phone app to cause her pain when they walk by her. Police offered the resident EMS and

outreach services.

Sept. 28 at 4:54 p.m., a boat washed ashore and was found resting on the beach near Sledrunner Road. The boat owner was notified.

Sept. 28 at 5:57 p.m., a retail theft was reported at Kinney Drugs. Officers located the individual, who was issued a trespass notice and then released.

Sept. 28 at 7:19 p.m., Adam Tatro, 31, of Franklin, was arrested for an outstanding warrant near Lindenwood Drive and Shelburne Road. He was transported to the police station for processing and later lodged.

Sept. 29 at 8:06 a.m., a car believed to be abandoned in the Kinney Drugs parking lot turned out to be an employee’s vehicle that was disabled.

Sept. 29 at 11:46 a.m., a Locust Hill resident reported someone had entered their vehicle but had taken nothing of value.

Sept. 29 at 5:01 p.m., a two-car crash was reported on Shelburne Road near Lakeview Drive with no injuries.

Sept. 29 at 5:04 p.m., a caller reported a theft of items from their vehicle on Locust Hill. A theft report was taken, and the

case is under investigation.

Sept. 29 at 5:39 p.m., a retail theft was reported at Kinney Drugs, but officers could not find the individual.

Sept. 30 at 1:45 p.m., another retail theft was reported at Kinney Drugs, but officers were able to find the individual. They were issued a trespass notice and then released.

Sept. 30 at 5:09 p.m., the Wake Robin retirement community told police that an employee was taking medication from one patient and giving it to another. Officers obtained statements from employees and the police are investigating the matter.

Oct. 1 at 11:49 a.m., two men were allegedly riding dirt bikes on the walking trails at Shelburne Bay Park, but police could not locate the individuals.

Oct. 2 at 2:15 p.m., an erratic motorist was pulled over along Shelburne Road.

Oct. 2 at 8:09 p.m., an Addie Lane resident reported their daughter was out of control and had locked her mother in a room. Police were dispatched and tried mediating the dispute. The daughter agreed to stay at a friend’s home, police said.

Shelburne News

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Oh, my heavens: Looking to the stars

In Musing

Carole Vasta Folley

I don’t read horoscopes. I skim them. It’s because I can tell instantly if it’s applicable to my life. Like if the horoscope speaks of adventure when I’m home sick in bed, I’ll disregard it as a bunch of bunk. However, if it advises focus while I’m in the midst of a huge project or recommends imbibing when I’m headed to a family reunion, then I’ll take note. I’ll cut the dang horoscope out and laminate it.

I’m not sure why I bother. It could simply be because, every now and then, a horoscope says just the right words to soothe my soul and send me on my way. But first, before any laminating, I had to get over my despair

at my zodiac sign. Even as a kid, I’d bemoan, “Why, oh why, am I a Sagittarius?” I mean, what girl wants to be half horse and half man? With a bow and arrow, nonetheless. Besides, it was never lost on me that the half horse part was the back end, if you get my drift. And a bearded man? A burly chested one at that. Face it, the centaur of my youth needed a bra more than I did.

How I’d pine for a different birth month, wishing I was born in late August and could be a Virgo. A young maiden carrying a sheaf of wheat. Exquisite. I’d have settled for even a crab or a scorpion. But no. My sign will always be essentially a horse’s ass.

Eventually, I grew up, matured, left my whine behind, put it in my glass, and accepted my sign. But to this day, it never

has made sense. Sagittarians are “adventuresome risk-takers, with a sharp business and sports mentality.” Has the zodiac ever met me?

But who am I to argue with astrology? It’s been around since Mesopotamia. That’s the cradle of civilization, people. This idea that the placement of planets, sun and moon can be analyzed and interpreted into predictions for our daily benefit is quite astonishing. Perhaps I should take it more seriously.

So, today, I checked my horoscope at three different sites. The Washington Post said I should explore places I haven’t been. The Chicago Tribune recommended trying something new. And Cosmo said I should get outside my comfort zone. I picked that one because it’s kind of like traveling. Plus, I’ve never been there.

I’ve noticed this astrological Ann Landers doles out universal, semi-helpful, advice. Therefore, aren’t horoscopes missing the full

Choice is Happiness...

spectrum of being human? That some days are just hard. What if, instead of some positive-thinking maxim, our horoscope said the truth?

Like, “Today will be challenging, people won’t be nice and you’ll drop something, maybe on your foot, it’ll hurt, you’ll curse inappropriately and when you finally limp home, a stench from hell will tell you something has turned vilely rotten in your refrigerator, but you can’t find it because there’s too many containers of unidentified inedible leftovers and as you reach behind the bagged lunch you forgot to give your kid so they had nothing to eat all day, for a beer, another one will land on your foot, yes, of course, the same one . . .”

days are just like that.

So, maybe occasionally getting a horoscope that reads, “For the love of god, don’t go outside today!” Or “Are you kidding me, you haven’t flossed all week?” would be the perfect addition to their usual peppy prophecies.

So, maybe occasionally getting a horoscope that reads, “For the love of god, don’t go outside today!”

Meanwhile, I’ll continue to read my horoscope. And, if I don’t like it, I’ll just pretend I’m a Virgo. Don’t worry, it’s OK, I switch it up; I’m a Sagittarius, you know, an adventuresome risk-taker.

I think you get the idea. Some

Carole Vasta Folley’s has won awards from the Vermont Press Association, The New England Newspaper and Press Association and the National Society of Newspaper Columnists.

Carole Vasta Folley

Is Vermont’s Climate Council starting to unravel?

Guest Perspective

Rob Roper

The mood at recent Vermont Climate Council committee meetings is bleak as the folks tasked by the Legislature to come up with a plan to meet the greenhouse gas reduction mandates of their Global Warming Solutions Act do not have one.

It’s not entirely their fault. The task is and always was politically and logistically impossible. The whole thing has echoes of the Legislature passing a law to deliver a single-payer health care system before looking at the details of what it would cost and what it would take. When the public finally saw the price tag, dreams of single payer very quickly evaporated.

Now there is a palpable frustration growing between the more idealistic climate council committee members who are eager to put

forward concrete proposals to meet the mandates and the more politically oriented members who are trying to keep things vague because they know the second those kinds of details come out the public will reject them.

Such an exchange took place at the Aug. 29 Transportation Task Group meeting when Gina Campoli asked about providing an estimate of how much money the state would need to raise for just one program and where the money would come from.

“For example, we need X number of incentives and X amount of charging infrastructure,” said Campoli. “We’re spending X amount now. Then there’s a gap … to get to the numbers of electric vehicles that are necessary. This would be the easiest calculation. It’s going to require a certain investment on the part of the state both to underwrite the incentives and the cost of the infrastruc-

STOWE FOLIAGE

FESTIVAL ARTS

October 7 - 9, 2022

ture. What’s the gap to get to the numbers we need?”

An easy calculation that any reasonable person would expect to be a top priority for any action plan, and one that shouldn’t take nearly two years and counting to answer. This unwillingness to face fiscal facts is the reason Gov. Phil Scott vetoed the council’s clean heat standard recommendation.

Jane Lazorchak, the Global Warming Solutions Act project director, deflected Campoli’s question, hinting that it’s OK to discuss spending federal money, but not money Vermont will have to raise itself.

“The kinds of questions you’re diving into, Gina, are like bigger funding issue and where are there gaps and state funding needed, like weatherization is a great example. We’re floating the boat with federal dollars, but there’s going to be a cliff, so how are we going to pay for that long term?”

Yes, how? And how big exactly is that cliff you’ve put us on track to go over?

Campoli offers a rundown, including increasing Vermont’s electric vehicle fleet from 5,000 to 126,000 and weatherizing 90,000 homes, “not to mention bike, ped and transit, and all that stuff … There are big long-term needs, ongoing, present and future. I mean, if we think we can just put $50,000 in here and $100,000 in there and mission accomplished, we’re kidding ourselves. It’s going to be major,” she said.

Major indeed. And new taxes on motor and home heating fuels to cover that number, which what the council is discussing in one form or another, will be majorly unpopular. But this do-not-ask-for-details, do-not-reveal-costs attitude is clearly unsatisfying to council members who think asking and telling should be a celebrated part of the process. It’s the reason

they signed up. Months passing without meaningful debate over substantive ideas led Sebbi Wu, a Vermont Public Interest Research Group employee who serves as liaison between the Just Transitions Committee and the Transportation Task Group, to ask with visible disillusionment, “Where are the specifics?”

From the other side, the frustration stems from logistical realities. As Lazorchak admitted in a moment of candor: “We’ve been circling in on cap and invest, cap and reduce, or a performance standard. But we don’t have, well, one Transportation and Climate Initiative, which is probably not coming back online in our timeline of joining that in a year. … There’s just this practical nature of like Vermont cannot afford to stand up a performance standard on our own. Administratively it would be

See ROPER on page 20

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Diane Von Furstenberg

Town to hold hearing on zoning changes

To the Editor:

On Sept. 27 the Shelburne Selectboard voted to accept a zoning regulation amendment recommendation from the planning commission for a public hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 15. The notice will appear in the Shelburne News at the end of October.

The amendment is the result of 14 months of effort by the development review board, planning commission and selectboard and residents who discovered serious problems in the relatively new Shelburne Road form-based code regulations when the first development was proposed for the mixed residential character district.

It’s been a long path following the town’s processes to fix faulty code and I would like to be sure that residents who haven’t been able to follow this complex issue closely are aware of the reasons we need to pass this amendment. Fundamentally, the Shelburne Road form-based code does not comply with the policies in Shelburne’s comprehensive plan (policies designed to be applied to all land use decisions to help ensure attainment of the community’s vision for the future).

I’m happy to point out all the discrepancies, but I believe citizens need to be aware of the conclusions the experts have made.

On April 17, the selectboard asked the planning commission to expeditiously study and analyze the issues and possible unintended consequences of the Shelburne Road form-based code regulations for the mixed residential character district. The request specifically asked the planning commission to “review the SR-FBOD for any issues or problems that you determine to be salient and make recommendations to the board to address them.”

The commission has spent the past five months on this task.

They hired a national consultant from Blue Zones to obtain an independent and unbiased review of the Shelburne Road form-based code by experts on form-based code. (These consultants were also primary authors of “Enabling Better Places: A Zoning Guide for Vermont Neighborhoods.”)

As we prepare for the public hearing on Nov. 15, I would like to be sure that residents are aware of the consultant’s conclusions about our form-based code, specifically the mixed residential character district. Here is an excerpt from the July 14 planning Commission meeting minutes:

“Adele Gravitz summarized the issues identified by the consultant with Shelburne’s form based code and in particular the Mixed Residential Character District including:

• The code not being predictable or reliable

• Desired outcomes are not clear

• None of the objectives of using form-based code as a tool are found in the way the code is now written

• The code is very complex

• There is no process

• The standards are all over the place

Steve Kendall agreed there are many flaws in the code as it is now written and what can be developed is not consistent with the town plan or what was envisioned with form based zoning. Following further discussion, the Planning Commission agreed form based code as a whole needs to be reconsidered, but right now the focus is on the Mixed Residential Character District. An amendment is needed to remove this section from the overall form based code. The MRCD would then fall under the Mixed Use District of conventional zoning (a small portion by Webster Road would be zoned Residential).

A public hearing must be held by the Planning Commission on the proposed amendment which is

then forwarded to the Selectboard for discussion and another public hearing before taking action on the amendment.”

I’d like to thank our planning commission for all the hard work and due diligence invested in correcting the regulations for our town, and I am grateful to the selectboard for scheduling a special session to be able to address this important issue during their busy budget season.

If you would like to learn more about this issue, please visit saveshelburnevt.com.

Robilee Smith Shelburne

Approve new recycling facility in November

To the Editor:

As a Vermont educator, I am fortunate to work with today’s students who will be our future leaders.

Someday they are likely to look back and ask what older generations did to make the world a better place for them. Voting yes in November to approve the bond for the Chittenden Solid Waste District to build a new materials recovery facility is one important and local step to make the world better for our kids.

The current facility is old and at capacity. The new facility will be able handle our children’s recycling needs into the future.

The best news is that this bond will not increase our taxes. The solid waste district will pay back the loan over 25 years from the recycling center’s operational revenue. The bond will support the district in its continued work to keep recyclables out of Vermont landfills.

The bonus is this much-needed facility will provide improved working conditions and increase

See LETTERS on page 9

Borderlands, an outdoor theatrical event at Shelburne Farms, is heading to folkloric Scandinavia this year.

“Northward Spins the Needle,” written and directed by Aly Perry, is based on “East of the Sun, West

of the Moon.” The performance tells the story of a girl who is loved by an enchanted polar bear, who in turn is loved by a troll princess.

Perry’s script poetically evokes themes of home, self and what it means to love. Music direction is by Stacy Chadwell. This year’s performance involves giant puppets, grazing lambs and golden apples.

Performances for the milelong walk start every 20 minutes from noon to 4 p.m. on Oct. 8, 15 and 22. Small groups leave from the coach barn field at Shelburne Farms. Borderlands tickets ($20 adult, $10 child) are available at treewild.org.

Perry teaches theater arts at Essex High. She is an educator, theatrical director, performer and a creative collaborator.

Chadwell is Champlain Valley Union’s drama director, teaches voice, directs music for Flynn Center and Vermont Stage, produces musicals for Hinesburg and Shelburne schools, and does master classes.

Borderlands proceeds go to Shelburne Farms children’s programming and help support the Treewild Scholarship Fund.

PHOTOS COURTESY ALISON JAMES

Woodland creatures Allie McCray of Shelburne and Willow Plump of Huntington are part of Borderlands at Shelburne Farms this October. At left, Lucas Moran of Colchester and Rory Vogler of Hinesburg in front of the Bread and Puppet-style puppet North Wind.

Champlain Valley school officials seek community input

Guest Perspective

Angela Arsenault

Rene Sanchez

What do you envision for Champlain Valley School District and its schools?

What constitutes a “good” education? How important are athletics and extracurriculars to a child’s school experience? Who benefits from learning outdoors?

These and many more questions are on our mind as the Champlain Valley School District embarks on a seven-month journey to map out its mission and vision for the next five years.

The strategic planning process began last spring with the district’s administration and board of directors doing some preliminary work, then lifted off in September with the initial meeting of the steering committee. The goal is to present a final plan to the school board for adoption in March 2023.

As it says on the strategic planning page of the district website: “A strategic plan is the vehicle that allows an organization to look at its future. Through visioning, developing a mission, examining core values,

and setting achievable goals, the district moves toward the attainment of school improvement.”

The Champlain Valley School District values and invites all members of the community to participate in this process and to help identify our shared values and priorities. We hope to hear from folks who have students in our schools, as well as those who don’t.

We also want to hear from students, employees, local business and government leaders. Our plan for the next five years will be stronger and smarter with a diversity of voices working together on its creation.

In years past, the school district has invited community members to engage in the budget development process. This year, we’re combining that work with the strategic planning process. Everything you share with us — whether through a survey or at a community forum — will inform both the budget and the strategic plan.

There will be three strategic planning community forums:

• Thursday, Oct. 13: CVU library, 6-8 p.m.

• Saturday, Oct. 15: Williston Central School Community

Room, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

• Monday, Oct. 17: Pierson Library, Shelburne, 9-11 a.m. If you can’t attend any of the forums or would like to contribute thoughts in another way, take

LETTERS

continued from page 7

overall efficiency.

Please join me in supporting a future for all our children.

Joey Adams Shelburne Community School

Selectboard displays tortured logic at hearing

To the Editor:

At its meeting on Sept. 27, the Shelburne Selectboard displayed tortured logic in deciding whether to notify a public hearing on the recommendation of the planning commission to remove the mixed residential character district from the Shelburne Road form-based zoning overlay. It was bizarre. The issue of inappropriate overdevelopment under formbased zoning arose a year ago and has been substantively debated

this survey at bit.ly/CVSDOct22.

The survey takes about eight minutes to complete and will be open through October.

We look forward to incorporating your ideas and suggestions

into this exciting work.

Angela Arsenault is the Champlain Valley School District’s board chair and Rene Sanchez is superintendent of the school system.

before several municipal bodies for a year — literally, since last September.

Selectboard member Matt Wormser recommended the question required more time for the neighbors to negotiate with the landowners. That is not the responsibility of neighbors. The whole town has a stake in the outcome and even created a vision of a modest residential development for the parcel in the overlay district in 2014. In addition, the town plan does not call for multiple, closely sited 24-unit apartment buildings in this part of town.

This is a town issue, and it is not a new one.

The selectboard appeared to forget that it asked the planning commission to conduct a study to come up with a short-term solution to the immediate prob-

lem, which it did. The members couched many of their remarks on the need for longer term zoning reform. That was not the question. The recommendation at hand was.

The planning commission’s due diligence was barely acknowledged. The planning commission took time to hire a knowledgeable consultant at taxpayer expense who laid bare the failings and loopholes in the zoning language that caused the immediate problem. The commission’s recommendation should have been respected and treated with a quick procedural vote.

All in all, it felt like a bending over backwards to accommodate one landowner’s interests over the town’s interests. It was a disappointing public meeting.

Ann L. Hogan Shelburne

‘Growth Patterns’ Community Notes

Don’t forget your grab and go meal in Shelburne Oct. 11

Age Well and St. Catherine’s of Siena Parish in Shelburne are teaming up to provide a meal to go for anyone age 60 and older on Tuesday Oct. 11.

The meal will be available for pick up in the parking lot at 72 Church St. from 11 a.m.-noon.

The menu is chicken cacciatore, wheat rotini, peas & carrots, wheat bread with butter, strawberry shortcake with cream, and milk.

To order a meal contact Sheryl Oberding at soberding@yahoo.com or 802-825-8546.

The deadline to order is Thursday, Oct. 6.

Charlotte Senior Center hosts

Monday

Munch Oct. 10

The next Monday Munch at the Charlotte Senior Center is Oct. 10, 212 Ferry Road, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The meal features fall harvest soup, green salad and oatmeal carmelitas.

A $5 donation is appreciated.

The menu for Oct. 17 will feature a Mexican feast and frosted pumpkin squares. On Oct. 24, enjoy spaghetti Bolognese with beef, caesar salad, garlic bread and pumpkin pie with whipped cream. The munch on Oct. 31 features assorted sandwiches, potato salad and pumpkin pie cupcakes. Check the website in case of last-minute cancellations at charlotteseniorcentervt.org.

Local bookstore offers readings of ‘Spooky Tales’

A performance of “Spooky Tales,” Vermont stories acted out by actors Mark Nash and Kathryn Blum will be held Saturday, Oct. 15, 7 p.m., Bridgeside Books, 29 Stowe St., Waterbury.

A story by Kathleen McKinley Harris, “The Secret of the House Highest on the Hill Near the Diggins,” is one of the tales to be performed. The story is based on a real experience she had as a child on a property in Hyde Park.

The Diggins is how Vermonters referred

to the work done on the Green River land. Mark Nash, Kathryn Blum and Kathleen McKinley Harris all live in Charlotte. Tickets for the performance are available in the bookstore or online. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Register ahead for upcoming Age Well meals at senior center

The Age Well meal pickup for Thursday, Oct. 13, is from 10-11 a.m., Charlotte

Senior Center, 212 Ferry Road, and features chicken cacciatore, wheat rotini, peas and carrots, wheat bread with butter, strawberry shortcake with cream and milk.

You must have pre-registered by Monday, Oct. 10, with Kerrie Pughe, 802-425-6345 or kpughe@charlotteseniorcentervt.org

The meal on Thursday, Oct. 20 — register by Oct. 17 — pork cutlet, brown gravy, mashed potatoes, diced beets, mini wheat hamburger roll with butter, watermelon and

milk.

The meal on Thursday, Oct. 27 — register by Oct. 24 — features beef steak, barbecue sauce, Italian rice risotto with diced tomatoes, Italian vegetables with black beans, wheat bread with butter, berry crisp with cream and milk.

Check the website for last-minute cancellations at charlotteseniorcentervt.org.

See COMMUNITY NOTES on page 11

COURTESY PHOTO

New paintings by Vermont-based artist Jessica Scriver are on display through Oct. 29 at the Furchgott Sourdiffe Gallery in Shelburne. Scriver’s new paintings in mixed media explore shapes, patterns, textures and colors as if they were living entities constantly morphing, expanding and even moving beyond their borders of confinement. Above, “If You Go to Paris, You May Still Not Find It,” Jessica Scriver, mixed media on birch panel.

‘Almost, Maine’ features local talent

Shelburne actors Karlie Kauffeld, Katie Pearson, Elizabeth Bates, Alex Nalbach and Eliza Caldwell star in this weekend’s production of “Almost, Maine” by The Shelburne Players.

The play follows the residents of Almost, Maine, one night as

COMMUNITY NOTES

continued from page 10

All Saints Episcopal Church welcomes new minister

Rev. Bram Kranichfeld is the new minister-in-charge at All Saints Episcopal Church, 1250 Spear St., in South Burlington.

Prior to attending seminary in Montreal, Bram practiced as an attorney in the Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Vermont Attorney General’s

they find themselves falling in and out of love in the strangest ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. Love is lost, found, and confounded. Life for the people of Almost will never be the same.

Shows are Friday and Saturday, Oct. 7-8, 7 p.m., with a 2 p.m.,

Sunday matinee on Oct. 9. Shows continue the follow weekend, but with an added Saturday matinee, Shelburne Town Center, 5420 Shelburne Road. Tickets and information at shelburneplayers.com. Masks are encouraged.

Office.

His wife Erin, son Henry, daughter Aria, and mother-in-law Sheryl were special guests for his inaugural service on Aug.14.

RSVP Bone Builders comes to

senior center

RSVP Bone Builders, a program of United Way of Northwest Vermont, comes to the Char-

lotte Senior Center on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 11 a.m.-noon. This is a no-impact, weight-training program designed to prevent and even reverse the negative effects of osteoporosis in older adults. Bone Builders consists of a warmup, balance exercises, arm and leg exercises, and a cool down with stretching. It’s free and no registration is required.

Pick

Burlington, Vermont

Alex Nalbach Eliza Caldwell Elizabeth Bates

Karlie Kauffeld Katie Pierson

The best local guide to home, design, real estate and gardening H ME

How to help wild bumblebee queens overwinter

LAURA JOHNSON UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT EXTENSION

Wild bees are important pollinators for crops, gardens and wild plants. In Vermont there are over 350 types of wild bees, including 17 different species of bumblebees.

Bumblebees are efficient pollinators that are especially important for spring crops, such as early blooming berries and tree fruits. But by late fall, a colony that may range in size from 50-500 bees will have all died except for a single new queen.

As with all bees, the queens depend on pollen, nectar, clean water and safe nesting sites for survival, all of which are limited resources in our managed landscapes. In addition, there is strong competition among species for these resources.

Queen bees will be one of the first visitors of spring crops, hungry after a long winter. To help them survive the winter, here are some things gardeners and landowners can do.

Leave blooms standing until the first hard frost. To gain enough body mass for winter survival, bees require a lot of pollen and nectar. Leaving plants up as far into the fall as possible, ideally until they are killed by frost, provides a good source of both.

Established rodent burrows are known

nesting sites for bumblebees. Maybe all those voles tunneling through your landscape have a saving grace?

Consider reduced mowing and avoid cutting back ornamental bunch grasses. Don’t rake up fallen leaves and skip the winter brush pile burn party. All these provide great rodent burrow materials and locations where bumblebee queens can nest during winter months.

Man-made structures can also become wild habitat. Whether it’s your 1800s stone wall reminiscent of New England sheep farming, an old foundation or your new $30,000 retaining wall, each provides protective cracks and crevices where bumblebees can find shelter.

Consider conserving historical structures on your land or cultivate new habitat by taking rocks picked from your property to make a rock pile where bumblebee queens can nest as they enter diapause, a state of dormancy, for the winter.

Offering pollen, nectar and water sources late into the fall and abundant and diverse undisturbed shelters for nests will help ensure each queen’s survival and early season pollination services next spring.

Laura Johnson is the University of Vermont Extension pollinator support specialist.

PHOTO BY LAURA JOHNSON

To gain enough body mass for winter survival, bees require a lot of pollen and nectar so leaving plants up far into the fall provides a good source of both.

Pierson Library book review

‘The Treeline’ explores changing boreal forest

MARC VINCENT CONTRIBUTOR

It’s likely that most people have not given much thought to the boreal forest that encircles the Arctic Ocean. Unlike the Amazon or the polar ice caps, it isn’t grabbing today’s headlines.

But after reading Ben Rawlence’s “The Treeline: The Last Forest and the Future of Life on Earth,” I can’t get it out of my mind. (St. Martins Publishing Group, 2022, 307 pages)

The boreal forest is the last great forested area on earth, covering one fifth of the planet. And it has already been inexorably altered by global warming.

Rawlence tells us about the forest and the lands it encompasses through studies of its six major tree species: Scots pine in Scotland, birch in Scandinavia, larch in Siberia, spruce in Alaska, poplar in Canada, and the rowan in Greenland. But the book is not just about trees, it is also about the animals and people that call the boreal forest home, and of the ways in which a centuries-old balance is being altered.

Each region has its specific challenges, from overgrazing by deer in Scotland to collapsing roads and pipelines in Siberia due to melting

Obituary

permafrost.

In each region, we learn of the traditional belief systems and livelihoods of native inhabitants such as the Sami in Norway and the Koyukans in Alaska, and how they have been forced to adapt due to the devastating effects of climate change.

Rawlence gives us some comic relief, such as in his failure to plan for how to reach the islands in Loch Maree in Scotland — he had to swim — and his book offers a glimpse of redemption for future generations through the promise of the forest school movement, with its emphasis on outdoor learning focused on the exploration of nature.

Stuart E. Jacobs

Stuart (Stu) Edward Jacobs, 91, died quietly in the early morning of Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, at McClure Miller Respite House where he spent his final four days under 24-hour care.

This summer at home, he had compassionate care from Bayada Hospice, Silver Leaf In-Home Care and loving assistance from his daughter Sheila and wife Anzi. Happily, frequent phone calls and visits from family and close friends lifted Stu’s mood, helping him tolerate late stages of prostate cancer.

Stu was born in White River Junction, son of Leon Floyd Jacobs Sr. and Edith (Cole) Jacobs. At home, he enjoyed growing up with two brothers and a sister. For years he kept up with many of his classmates from the Hartford High School Class of 1949.

The U.S. Army drafted Stu to Korea from 1952-1954. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service. After Korea, Stu studied full time at the University of Vermont and at the same time worked fulltime as bookkeeper at a dairy supply company.

He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in technology (1957) and a master’s degree in economics (1964).

In 1968, Stu, 37, married Anzi Maclean Sinclair, a widow, 28, with a 3-year-old daughter. Stu and Anzi honeymooned in Jamaica. In 1969, Stu adopted Sheila. In 1973 they moved to Lake Champlain on Shelburne Bay where they enjoyed 46 years.

Stu became a certified public accountant and moved into partnership at several CPA firms. He

started his own firm as senior partner in 1981, initially Jacobs, Morrissette and Marchand, and later called JMM & Associates.

Overall, Stu worked 40 years in accounting, retiring in 1997. At the same time, Stu enjoyed investing in real estate. He liked to say that apartments were the best investment he had made for the family “bar none.”

Stu belonged to First Congregational Church in Burlington for 53 years and was its treasurer for 10 years. Stu volunteered for Red Cross, donating 140 pints of blood, including many as an apheresis donor.

He biked for years in the multiple sclerosis bike-a-thon. He belonged to the Ethan Allen Club for 30 years and was treasurer for 24 years at Green Mountain Porsche Club and enjoyed touring Vermont with the group.

Stu was an outdoors guy and a member of many environmental groups. He served as treasurer for 20 years for Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. He believed that all wildlife depends on conservation.

Stu’s heart soared with the exotic beauty of Africa, an

experience he enjoyed on two guided hunting trips in South Africa and Tanzania and another guided four-day canoe trip on the Zambezi River.

Best of all was deer hunting and companionship every fall with longtime friends at camp in Spencer, N.Y., for 30 years.

Stu took 18 ski trips to Europe, 17 ski trips to South America, and 40 ski trips in the United States. Traveling with Anzi, his most loved trips were northern Italy, Ireland and Vancouver Island in western Canada.

With Sheila, it was their annual trips to Mt. Washington’s Tuckerman’s Ravine that was so fulfilling — 60 years for Stu and 40 years for Sheila. Meeting friends there annually was icing on the cake.

Stu is survived by his wife, Anzi; his daughter, Sheila Jacobs and her partner, Kimberley Coon; brother, Leon Jacobs Jr.; sisters-in-law, Doris Jacobs and Jacqueline Jacobs; Anzi’s sister and brother-in-law, Eileen and George Vermilyea; members of the Sinclair side of the family from Anzi’s first marriage; and several generations of nieces and nephews.

Stu was predeceased by his brother, Leonard Jacobs; and sister, Pauline Foley.

Visiting hours will be on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022, 2-4 p.m. at Ready Funeral Home’s Mountain View Chapel, 68 Pinecrest Drive, Essex Junction VT 05452.

Memorial donations can be made locally to American Red Cross of Vermont, 32 N. Prospect St., Burlington VT 05401, or nationally to The Nature Conservancy, 4245 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington VA 22203.

Stuart E. Jacobs

Hemlocks played key role in 19thcentury tanneries

Connect the Dots

Jane Dorney

How fitting to be surrounded by hemlocks, I thought as I scrambled down the steep bank of the brook. Hemlocks were one of the key elements in the 19th-century mill I was exploring and here were some of their descendants as witnesses. Would I find any remnants of the old dam or the foundation of the water-powered bark mill? I continued downslope to see.

The old bark mill was part of the local tannery that operated from the early 1800s to the 1880s processing animal hides into leather. After the sawmills and gristmills creating materials for shelter and basic foodstuffs, the tanneries were the next most important local industry supporting early European settlers.

Without shoes and boots for people, or harnesses and saddles for horses, farming life would have been very difficult in the era before plastics, rubber and gas-powered vehicles.

Transforming animal skin into leather was a skilled, labor-intensive, multistep process that used a sequence of salt, lime and tannin treatments with large amounts of water.

needed, it was built below a steep section of brook created by a geologic fault line.

The tanner built a dam to impound the flowing water and regulate its flow to the bark mill. The water power turned the bark mill’s grindstones to grind the bark into powder, much like a grist mill’s grindstones grind wheat seeds into flour. Of Vermont’s 126 bark mills in 1850, three-quarters were water-powered, with most of the rest horse-powered. The brook’s steady flow of water was also essential to processing hides because many of the steps required chemical solutions soaking in large vats and rinsing with large amounts of water.

Tanners gathered the materials they needed locally. Farmers brought hides in from their livestock, often paying the tanner with a portion of the hides. Woodlot owners provided hemlock bark, and lime came from the limestone quarries common in the Champlain Valley.

Later in the 19th century, bark tanning was eventually displaced by a synthetic tanning process using chromium salts.

Tannins are natural chemicals produced by many plants to deter pests — they also give coffee and tea their color and astringency.

Tannins in a water solution will chemically bind to the animal skin proteins and alter them to keep them from decaying. Tannins also make the skins more durable, water and heat resistant and flexible. Hemlocks have large amounts of tannin in their bark, and are common in Vermont, so tanners here used them extensively. The hemlock bark needed to be ground to a powder so the tannins would easily dissolve in water.

The tannery site I was looking for was on several 19th-century maps and had all the key environmental features together in one place. To produce the power

The tanner’s process began by salting the skins to stop bacterial growth, then rinsing the salt out with water. This was followed by soaking the hides in a lime solution to remove the hair and any fats left, then de-liming them with either water or a vinegar solution. Finally, the hides were put to soak in a series of water vats with increasing concentrations of dissolved tannins.

Hides were moved from vat to vat as determined by the skill of the craftsman over many months to become fully cured leather. The tanning process was known to be very smelly, and the waste was usually disposed of in the brook.

Cobblers and harness shops bought most of the finished leather. In the end, the community was shod and had the harnesses for horse-drawn farm work.

Later in the 19th century, bark tanning was eventually displaced

Jane Dorney

PHOTO BY JANE DORNEY

The brook that supplied the tannery’s water power dropped over a geologic fault line.

Forest health, resilience depends on managed adaptability

Into the Woods

Ethan

Vermont’s forests tell a story of adaptation undertaken over massive expanses of time and across a dynamic landscape. Along this continuum of change, our flora and fauna have evolved and co-evolved, exploited niches, and developed complex relationships with one another and with their environment — eventually becoming the species that comprise our modern-day forests.

Over tens of thousands of years, these species have formed natural communities: ecosystems that are unique, resilient and biologically diverse.

In the last 300 years, Vermont’s forests have undergone a similarly remarkable transformation but on a massively compressed schedule. Over just a few centuries, many wildlife species have been lost from our forests, some of which have returned or been reintroduced and some of which have not. Nearly all our forests have been cleared; many maintained as agricultural land for a century or more.

Vermont has lost huge amounts of forestland and continues to lose thousands of acres each year. Our remaining forests are increasingly fragmented by deforestation, roads and development and degraded by a variety of introduced stressors, including non-native invasive plants and non-native pests and

pathogens that have caused the loss or functional loss of several important tree species.

We are in the midst of a biodiversity crisis, species across the globe going extinct and racing toward extinction at an alarming rate. We are also in a climate crisis, with a climate that has changed and is changing faster than ever.

When change occurs slowly and in small measures, ecosystems and species are able adapt as they have for millennia. Today, this immense volume of changes and stressors — known collectively as global change — is occurring all at once and at an incredible rate. There is no going back, no returning to when Vermont was endless old growth forests, undammed streams and expansive networks of beaver wetlands. While mitigation — slowing these changes — is critical, the health and resilience of our forests will also depend on their adaptability.

Simply put, adaptability is the ability of a forest to adapt, to change. A key consideration in managing for adaptability is the recognition of uncertainty: We don’t know exactly how global change will manifest in the future and so we need to ensure that our forests have the tools to adapt to a wide variety of potential future conditions.

One of the key ingredients in adaptability is diversity. On a landscape in which forests are gener-

ally young and simple, managing for forests with lots of different tree species and different sizes and ages of trees — structural diversity or complexity — buffers forests from stressors that may affect a single species or a single size or age of tree, giving forests a range of potential adaptive pathways forward. Also critical is managing for diverse landscapes with many different types of forests and other ecosystems.

Forests are more than trees. Managing for adaptability includes helping all native flora and fauna adapt to a changed and changing world. In addition to managing for diverse and complex forests, which will provide habitat and refugia for many species, we need to protect threatened species and unusual habitats and to take

continued from page 14

by a synthetic tanning process using chromium salts, which took only hours to produce finished leather instead of months. Bark tanneries eventually closed. I looked around the site to see what was left of the 19th-century mill works. Upstream, I could see the remnants of a gristmill and sawmill, but there was little evidence left at the tannery site. Some stonework seemed to line up on both sides of the brook, but it was heavily damaged. Probably the floods through the narrow

action to create important habitats that are underrepresented across our landscape.

We also need to ensure that ecosystems are connected so that species can move between them as they are faced with changes and challenges, and so that they can maintain the genetic diversity necessary to adapt.

Another important part of managing for adaptability is addressing threats. Deforestation, forest fragmentation, non-native invasive plants, animals, pests and pathogens and deer overpopulation all undermine forests’ ability to regenerate, to change, to become diverse and complex, and so threatening their adaptability. All these threats are humancaused, and only we have the power to address them.

How will we help forests adapt to an uncertain future? We are in uncharted waters, off the map and becoming more so each day. Responding to this moment will mean making uncomfortable decisions, doing things like managing forests, controlling invasive plants and changing our behaviors. Adaptability is a quality that we will need to cultivate both in our forests and in ourselves. The choices we make, the way we change, will dictate the world that we give to future generations.

Ethan Tapper is the Chittenden County forester for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. See what he’s been up to, check out his YouTube, sign up for news and more at linktr.ee/chittendencountyforester.

valley over decades had flushed much of it out, leaving me to imagine the rest from the descriptions.

It was time for me to head back up the steep ravine, and I steadied my ascent by holding onto the two-foot diameter hemlock trunks. I paused for a moment to catch my breath, and because the hemlocks’ dense shade keeps out understory growth, I was able to review the valley below. All the pieces had come together here: the geology of the steep ravine creat-

ing the opportunity for power, and the rushing water to drive the bark mill, to soak the hides and take away the refuse.

But without the gray, platy hemlock bark under my hands, none of this would have been possible.

Jane Dorney is a consulting geographer who does research and education projects to help people understand why the Vermont landscape looks like it does. See more at janedorney.com.

Forests are more than trees. Managing for adaptability includes helping all native flora and fauna adapt to a changed and changing world.

Tapper

DORNEY

CVU activities director settles into new role SPORTS

KARSON PETTY COMMUNITY NEWS SERVICE

Ricky McCollum is bringing years of experience from every level of student athletics to his new role at Champlain Valley Union High School.

McCollum was chosen to oversee CVU’s co-curriculars by a hiring a team that consisted of students, teachers, staff, coaches and community members. His commitment to ensuring that students always feel a sense of belonging and allowing them to develop life-long healthy habits is what makes McCollum the right fit for the job, according to principal Adam Bunting.

“The hiring pool for the activities director was as competitive as I can remember,” Bunting said. “Many, many excellent educators applied. Ricky is doing fantastic so far.”

From April through August, outgoing activities director Dan Shepardson has taught McCollum the ropes. McCollum said he couldn’t ask for a better mentor.

“Dan and I have a great relationship,” he said, “I shadowed him as much as I could.”

McCollum wants to honor Shepardson’s philosophy and methodology, but he also has new ideas to introduce.

“It’s important to continue to build upon the legacy that came before,” he said.

McCollum was himself a student-athlete when he started on the path to his current administrative position. He was All-State in basketball, football and track and field at Washingtonville High School in upstate New York.

After graduating, McCollum accepted a Division I football scholarship from the University of Connecticut, where he played for four years while obtaining a bachelor’s degree in human development.

He went on to receive a master’s in counseling from Pace University and met his partner along the way. Until this year, she lived in Vermont with their son while McCollum lived in New York.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, McCollum was coach of the Vaughn

College men’s basketball team in Queens and as one of the school’s athletic directors. But he wanted to find a job closer to his family.

He would often trek to Vermont to work remotely while spending time with his family, and on those trips he’d go running through the countryside. One such run took him through Hinesburg, he said, and he immediately fell in love with Redhawk nation.

“I saw kids outside with masks on, socially distanced and playing outdoor volleyball, and I saw the signs on parents’ lawns,” he said. “I thought, ‘The atmosphere at this school must be amazing.’”

“I thought, if I could somehow find a way to help out at CVU or even be the activities director there, it would be like a dream come true.”

Sure enough, the position opened, and

McCollum applied.

McCollum joined the Vermont Air National Guard reserves in 2020 and works weekends in support services as a fitness and wellness coach for the airmen.

“Whether it’s helping them with diet, dietary health, nutritional goals, fitness goals, workout plans or teaching wellness, my goal is to alleviate outside stress and help them succeed,” he said.

Now that he’s settled in Vermont, McCollum wants to work closely with students, parents, instructors and coaches to provide a positive high school experience and prepare students for college and beyond.

“Having knowledge of the entire student-athlete spectrum, and on the college administrative level, I feel like I

See MCCOLLUM on page 17

“My goal is to alleviate outside stress and help kids succeed.”

— Ricky McCollumn

Restoring Our Faith Summit

can work from all different angles to help the community,” he said.

When he was in high school, McCollum participated in chorus, band and the chess club and said he understands how hard it can be to balance studies with sports and other extracurriculars.

“I know there’s a lot that everyone involved in co-curriculars is dealing with, and (my experience) helps me see the whole situation from all views,” he said.

McCollum acknowledges that managing all co-curricular calen-

dars and supervising staff and coaches is not easily handled by one person, so he was grateful to work with Bunting in hiring assistant activities director Chris Shackett.

“Chris has been awesome and we’re tackling this together,” McCollum said.

McCollum is happy to do his part as a Redhawk and hopes his son will also become one someday.

“It will be a great environment and a great atmosphere in which to raise my kids,” he said.

MCCOLLUM continued from page 16

PHOTO BY AL FREY

Champlain Valley School District activities director Ricky McCollum.

CVU moves to 4-1 after tight gridiron matchup

two touchdowns, while Ollie Cheer added one on a touchdown pass. Jack Sumner caught a 21-yard pass for a score and Billy Bates added a rushing TD.

Football

Champlain Valley 31, Hartford 19: Champlain Valley held off Hartford for the win in a tight matchup on Saturday afternoon in high school football.

Alex Provost had two touchdowns, a 26-yard TD catch and a 42-yard TD catch, which helped CVU clinch the win.

Max Destito threw for 122 yards and

Aidan Morris kicked a 27-yard field goal with just over three minutes remaining to put the game out of reach for Hartford.

CVU moves to 4-1.

Girls’ soccer

Champlain Valley 5, St. Johnsbury 0: Chloe Pecor’s goal outburst helped Cham-

plain Valley to a win Monday, Oct. 3.

Pecor scored four goals for the Redhawks, while Lily O’Brien added the other CVU tally. Zoe Klen, Stella Dooley, Zoe Zoller and Erin Fina each chipped in with an assist.

Emma Alllaire earned the shutout in goal. CVU moves to 6-0-1.

The Redhawks also got a win on Saturday, Oct. 1, beating Burlington 4-1.

Klein had a hat trick in the win, while Pecor added a goal and Allaire stopped eight shots.

Boys’ soccer

Champlain Valley 4, Colchester 2: The boys soccer remained undefeated with a win over Colchester Friday, Sept. 30.

Zach Spitznagle tallied a hat trick for the Redhawks (5-0). Dylan Bokan added a goal, while Lucas Kelley, Nck Menard, Tom Roberts and Eli Marden all had assists. Evan Statton made one save to earn the win in goal.

See REDHAWKS RECAP on page 19

Relief from Arthritis Pain, Bunions & Turf Toe

The built in Carbon Fiber Plate in this unisex shoe limits bending of your MTP and ankle joints.

continued from page 18

Field hockey

PHOTOS BY AL FREY

At left, Dylan Frere runs the ball in Saturday’s win against Hartford. Ollie Cheer makes the grab.

South Burlington 2, Champlain Valley 0: The Champlain Valley field hockey team suffered its second loss in row, falling to South Burlington Monday.

Grace Ferguson stopped six shots in goal for the Redhawks, who fall to 4-2. CVU also lost to Rice on Saturday, losing 1-0 in overtime.

Maddy Shaw scored in the extra period off a penalty corner to give Rice the win.

REDHAWKS RECAP

Why not have a job you love?

Positions include a sign on bonus, strong benefits package and the opportunity to work at one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont”.

Service Coordinator: Continue your career in human services in a supportive environment by providing case management for individuals either for our Adult Family Care program or our Developmental Services program. The ideal candidate will have strong clinical, organizational & leadership skills and enjoy working in a team-oriented position. $47,000 annual salary, $1,500 sign on bonus.

Residential Program Manager: Coordinate staffed residential and community supports for an individual in their home. The ideal candidate will enjoy working in a team-oriented position, have strong clinical skills, and demonstrated leadership. $45,900 annual salary, $1,500 sign on bonus.

Direct Support Professional: Provide 1:1 supports to help individuals reach their goals in a variety of settings. This is a great position to start or continue your career in human services. Full and part time positions available starting at $19/hr, $1,000 sign on bonus.

Residential Direct Support Professional: Provide supports to an individual in their home and in the community in 24h shifts including asleep overnights in a private, furnished bedroom. You can work two days, receive full benefits and have five days off each week! Other flexible schedules available, starting wage is $20/hr, $1,000 sign on bonus.

Shared Living Provider: Move into someone’s home or have someone live with you to provide residential supports. There are a variety of opportunities available that could be the perfect match for you and your household. Salary varies dependent on individual care requirements. $1,000 sign on bonus.

Join our dedicated team and together we’ll build a community where everyone participates and belongs https://ccs-vt.org/current-openings/

Make a career making a difference and join our team today!

https://ccs-vt.org/current-openings/

Shelburne Parks & Rec News

Heritage potluck dinner

To celebrate Shelburne’s diversity and honor the different cuisines that nourish the community, the Shelburne Equity & Diversity Committee, in collaboration with Shelburne Parks & Recreation, is hosting a Heritage Potluck, at the town gymnasium, Sunday, Oct. 23, 3-7 p.m.

Everyone is welcome. Just bring a dish to share that highlights your family’s traditional cuisine. Dig up your own recipe, or one from your parents, great grandparents or ancestral lineage.

Dishes should feed six or more people. Bring a list of ingredients to help those with food allergies.

There will be no alcohol. Paperware, utensils, tables, chairs and beverages will be provided.

Space is limited, so register by Friday, Oct. 14, at bit.ly/3Ug3MWp.

Halloween parade and activities

The Shelburne Halloween Parade presented by the Charlotte-Shelburne-Hinesburg Rotary starts at 12:45 p.m. as floats line up at the shopping park. The parade begins at 2 p.m. from Falls Road.

For questions about the parade or to register a float in the parade, contact Richard J.

ROPER continued from page 6

impossible. So, there’s also this component of analysis to happen around, like, ‘How are we going to,’ I just, I don’t even know. That’s where my head starts to spin. If no other New England state is really looking at this right now, how do we say we’re going to adopt one in 2024? … It’s so hard because we’re really just not capable of doing much on our own.”

So, no revenue, no interested partners, no logistical capability, no ideas and no public

Fox at 802-448-0118 or rfox@foxlawvt.com.

Bring your family and your best costume for judging between noon-1:30 p.m. before the parade in the town center activity room.

Activities after the parade include trick or treating carnival games at the town gym, free food at the fire station with the Rotary, and a fun craft activity at the Pierson Library. All from 2:30-4:30 p.m.

Gentle yoga

Join instructor Kay Boyce for this gentle yoga class with attention to correct alignment, breath work and stretches. Build strength, tone muscle and find new flexibility. This class is great for those new to yoga or who simply want to enhance their personal yoga practice. Bring your own yoga mat and a cotton blanket or large beach towel.

Minimum of six participants with a maximum of 14.

Session dates are Thursdays, Oct. 27 to Dec. 8, with a deadline of Friday, Oct. 21 (no class Nov. 24). Session time is 9-10 a.m. at the town gym.

For residents the fee is $65; non-resident, $75.

Check out all the fall and winter programs at shelburnevt.org/160/parks-recreation or call 802-985-9551.

support. Perhaps this is why a number of key legislatively appointed council members are asking not to return when their terms are up next month. These folks are fleeing the sinking ship, but the taxpayers are trapped down in the hold, and we are being set up to waste a major amount of taxpayer dollars for “not doing much.”

Rob Roper is a member of the Ethan Allen Institute board of directors. He lives in Stowe.

WE ARE HIRING DESIGN & BUSINESS

Spend half of your time in production, creating advertisements, designing pages, loading the web, and more.

Employ your customer-service skills to provide general office support, ad management and traffic flow, some basic website data entry, and other office-related duties.

Graphic design skills and knowledge of design and page layout programs required. Word/Excel preferred. Flexibility and welcoming disposition a must.

Send a resume and cover letter to: Stowe Reporter, POB 489, Stowe VT 05672; or katerina@stowereporter.com. No phone calls please.

Selling new and used winter gear for skiers and riders of all ages.

Early Shopping: 9 - 10AM / $10 per person (by appt. only - must purchase tickets)

ARIES

March 21 - April 20

Aries, others are counting on you this week, so you’ll need to direct all of your attention toward a special project. Don’t let distractions get in the way.

TAURUS

April 21 - May 21

Taurus, rather than wishing for something to happen, gure out a plan to make it happen. Before taking action, consult with a few close friends for guidance.

GEMINI

May 22 - June 21

Someone may come to you this week with a problem asking for your advice, Gemini. It’s tempting to react right away. However, take a few hours to mull things over.

CANCER

June 22 - July 22

Someone at work may not agree with your point of view lately. Rather than cause friction, try to look at things through this person’s perspective.

LEO

July 23 - Aug. 23

Leo, cooperation could be essential in the days and weeks ahead. This week you will bene t from being more open-minded to other people’s suggestions.

VIRGO

Aug. 24 - Sept. 22

It seems that you have been tasked with moving from one dif cult situation into another one, Virgo. Find ways to set aside time strictly to unwind.

LIBRA

Sept. 23 - Oct. 23

Keep careful track of your expenses, Libra. You may nd that lately you have been going a bit overboard with expenditures and not bringing in any extra money.

SCORPIO

Oct. 24 - Nov. 22

Maintain a positive outlook this week, Scorpio. Things may not go exactly according to plan, but that doesn’t make it any less successful and satisfying.

SUDOKU

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!

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 23 - Dec. 21

Sagittarius, you may have to put others rst for the next few days, particularly if you care for an elderly relative or a young child. It’s a sacri ce worth making.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22 - Jan. 20

Capricorn, let another person lead a team or spearhead a project at work, even if you have an urge to take control. You can use a break from your responsibilities.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 21 - Feb. 18

Aquarius, hands-on work not only helps save you some money, but also strengthens your skills. Think about a more DIY approach with your next project.

PISCES

Feb. 19 - March 20

Pisces, if life has been tedious and lled with analytical requirements as of late, take on a creative project that will work your brain in new ways.

CLUES ACROSS

1. Bay Area humorist

5. Hurt

10. Icelandic poems

14. A taro corm

15. Metaphorical use of a word

16. It fears the hammer

17. Excessively quaint (British)

18. Laid-back California county

19. Cook in a microwave oven

20. Not late

22. Go from one place to another

23. Peoples living in the Congo

24. Popular pasta

27. Available engine power (abbr.)

30. Popular musician Charles

31. Angry

32. Spelling is one type

35. One who makes a living

37. Indicates location

38. Imperial Chinese dynasty

39. Small water buffaloes

40. Hungarian city

41. Fabric

42. Ancient kingdom near Dead Sea

43. Precursor to the EU

44. Philly footballers 45. Female sibling

46. “When Harry Met Sally” actress

47. Magnetic tape of high quality

48. Insecticide

49 Apparatus to record and transmit

52. Some is considered “dog”

55. Israeli city __ Aviv

56. Fencing sword

60. Ottoman military title

61. Wise people

63. Cold wind

64. Popular type of shoe

65. Administrative district

66. A way to reveal

67. Cooked meat cut into small pieces

68. Actress Zellweger

69. Romanian city

CLUES DOWN

1. Small town in Portugal

2. Site of famed Ethiopian battle

3. German river

4. Christmas carols

5. Cash machine

6. Rough and uneven

7. Rumanian round dance

8. Widespread occurrence of disease

9. A place to relax

10. Feeling of listlessness

11. Coat or smear a

ANSWERS

substance

12. Wild mango

13. Brews

21. Belgian city

23. Con ned condition (abbr.)

25. Swiss river

26. Small amount

27. Part of buildings

28. Vietnamese capital

29. Sailboats

32. Shelter

33. Terminated

34. Discharge

36. Snag

37. Partner to cheese

38. A container for coffee

40. Spend time dully

41. Satis es

43. Snakelike sh

44. Consume

46. Type of student

47. Erase

49. Instruct

50. Girl’s given name

51. Jewish spiritual leader

52. “To __ his own”

53. North-central Indian city

54. Greek alphabet characters

57. Weapon

58. Amounts of time

59. American Nobel physicist vital to MRIs

61. Soviet Socialist Republic

62. Witness

doesn’t really throw us off.”

In the most recent monthly email newsletter sent out Oct. 1, Carmolli said the South Burlington Food Shelf had 243 customers in the 14 days it was open in September. In the last week of the month, there were 49 customers, of which four were new visitors.

The Shelburne Food Shelf is also somewhat new, opening at the end of 2015. According to its website, it serves between 80 and 90 Shelburne households a month. During the height of the pandemic, the organization delivered and custom-packed orders for about 130 households a month.

The Hinesburg Food Shelf illustrates the hidden need for food help. According to director Jeff Glover, visits to the food shelf were lower during the height of the pandemic than they have been in recent months. He said things started picking up in August, and he expects to keep adding another eight to 10 families a month going forward through the holidays, the busiest times for food shelves everywhere.

“There’s something about hunkering down for Christmas or the winter season, and the storehouses need to be filled, so all of a sudden, people will start coming back to the food shelf to get the food that might help them,” Glover said.

He said financial help such as the series of checks that millions of people received from the federal government was often spent at the grocery store, instead of being used to pay a utility bill, rent or a car payment. Now, that money’s all gone, and food is more expensive.

“Ideally, I would have always hoped they would have come to the food shelf all along,” Glover said. “But I think that, overall, maybe they just decided they would like to be the average family, and not have to come. They’re coming back now, and they’re kind of storing up for the winter, and things are back to normal.”

Getting hungrier

A study conducted earlier this year by researchers at the University of Vermont and the University of Maine, interviewing roughly 1,000 people — 415 Vermonters — found that the prevalence of food insecurity this past spring “remains similarly high to early points in the pandemic (35 percent overall), likely driven by inflation and food prices, and long-term impacts from the pandemic.”

Other findings:

• 62 percent of respondents — and 90 percent of food-insecure respondents — said recent food cost increases affected their food purchasing.

• One-third used food assistance programs in the previous 12 months.

• Two-thirds did some sort of home food production, such as gardening, raising animals, foraging or hunting, and half of that cohort were doing so for the first time.

• Nearly 40 percent of food insecure respondents ate fewer fruits and vegetables in the past year.

• Half of the respondents faced a health care challenge.

• More than half indicated anxiety or depression, with 17 percent of those people newly diagnosed in the past year.

One survey respondent said they lost their job due to COVID-19 complications, but even before that, was missing so much work that the paychecks weren’t enough to live on.

“The huge increase in food (prices) made it that much harder to get groceries and though my daughter had the items she eats, I would often go without meals due to not being able to buy more than my daughter’s food,” the respondent said. “I haven’t eaten my daughter’s food items so as to make sure she always had enough.”

Carrie Stahler, government and public affairs officer at the Vermont Foodbank, said food shelves always see more visitors in hard economic times.

“Food insecurity is just a really tangible symptom of greater economic insecurity,” Stahler said.

Helping the helpers

Food shelves thrive on partnerships, and they all lean on the Foodbank for support, while also looking locally, whether for grocery store donations, food drives by organizations or individual donations of food, money or both.

Trader Joe’s donated 881 pounds of items to the South Burlington Food Shelf last month, and another 827 pounds came from other community members, from churches, farms and the library, according to Carmillo. That’s about par for the course and will help shore up reserves during the cold months, he said.

Peggy Sharpe, the secretary for the Charlotte Food Shelf, noted that food isn’t the only thing people need help with. To that end, her organization does things like a clothing drive — currently happening — or a backpack donation program for students. Sharpe said the food shelf also distributes gas cards and helps set people up with fuel assistance for their homes.

The Shelburne shelf has, since 2017, made sure kids don’t go hungry during the summer, when school is out of session, with weekly summer food program for children.

The Charlotte Food Shelf is now housed in the basement of the Charlotte Congregational Church, which makes it tough to go up and down the stairs with food deliveries, both incoming from donations and grocery purchases. Also, Sharpe said the church could use the space, and she is grateful for its use.

“Our community really serves the food shelf very well,” she said. “They always have, and they continue to.”

Glover said Lantman’s Market in Hinesburg donates turkeys for the Thanksgiving baskets — and the local Rotarians buy an extra 75 or so birds to extend into the holiday season. The fire and police departments work together for a big food drive in mid-November, right before deer season.

“We have a lot of community support helping us organize for the winter, and I’m feeling pretty positive about things,” Glover said.

South Burlington is fortunate with its partnerships, and people who visit might be surprised with some of the items that come through. Carmolli said inflation has left grocers with plenty of unsold luxury items like filet mignon or swordfish that butchers and fishmongers must drastically reduce in price to move it — and frequently it lands in the food shelf freezer.

Common Roots Farm sets up a farmstand at the South Burlington Food Shelf whenever it’s open, late spring through late fall, and gives away quality produce, but also things like day-old flatbread pizzas from banquets.

At a glance: local food shelves

• South Burlington: southburlingtonfoodshelf.org

• Shelburne: shelburnefoodshelf.org

• Charlotte: charlotteucc.org

• Hinesburg: hinesburgresource.org

Breaking stigma

Asking for help can be almost as difficult as finding it, and there was a time in the 1980s and 1990s where the image of “welfare moms” and food stamp recipients were framed in shame, often directed by people who were more well off.

Now, everyone’s being affected by things like inflation and housing shortages, and food shelf workers say there’s far more empathy and willingness to help one’s neighbors.

“I think the way through that is to make people realize it’s just a very normal process, and we’re here to help, and when they come, it’s just about encouraging them and getting to know them personally, to be able to share a friendship, if you will,” Glover said. “That kind of softens the blow.”

Carmolli said the stigma has thank-

fully receded, and food shelf workers just see people as people, whether they are on government assistance or, more likely, not.

Roughly 80 percent of food shelf goers are employed full-time, Carmolli said.

The South Burlington Food Shelf is only 150 yards away from a methadone clinic, and Carmolli said he knows a guy who goes to get his shot every day, and swings by the food shelf when its open.

“Making people feel guilty over having problems putting food on their table because they’re in some situation? That’s just criminal,” Carmolli said. “I want to make sure that me or anyone else that works at the food shelf is the personification of kindness, so that everyone who comes in, irrespective of how they look or what they do, you treat them with great respect and dignity.”

If you have submitted a photo in a previous year, you do not need to resubmit. Please include name of veteran, branch of service, rank, and years of service.

shelves in southern Chittenden County have differing hours of operation and different needs — although cash is always a good choice. For more information, check out their websites.

continued from page 1

from the stands.

After the incident, CVU student and field hockey player Miranda Oppenheimer wrote a letter condemning hate speech and asked her community to address “an environment that condones homophobia, sexism, racism, ableism and many other forms of hate.”

“This community loves to preach inclusivity and acceptance of all backgrounds and identities, but this message is often lost in the halls of our schools as slurs are thrown around like slang, etched into the walls of bathroom stalls and whispered among friends at sporting events, or just screamed loud and proud with no repercussions following,” the letter reads.

“We as a team will not continue to let unnecessary hate seep through the cracks in our schools. We cannot continue to let hurtful actions be praised or condoned. We must hold people accountable for their actions and lack or repercussions is an implicit acceptance of this behavior,” Oppenheimer said.

The incident and the equity audit both mark a watershed moment of sorts for the district, which for years has tried to address diversity, equity and inclusion but only recently has begun take it seriously.

“As students, we can push for change and we can attempt to make change happen,” Oppenheimer said. “But in the end, it’s really their job to make our community more just.”

Rocky start

Less than three months through the 2021 school year, half of the Champlain Valley School District’s diversity, equity and inclusion team had resigned. The district’s diver-

sity, equity and inclusion team had less than a dozen team members and was without a director.

Diversity coaches cited burnout and a lack of support for their work from top district officials. But it appeared to come to a head last year when a former coach, Christina Deeley, told district officials at a November 2021 board meeting that Charlotte Central School officials “attempted to control DEI work, (and) handpick their new DEI coach, circumventing a process that gives access to all faculty and staff.”

“This raised serious concerns for our team. The principal’s subsequent attack of the women of color leading this work was completely unacceptable,” she said at the meeting. “When Superintendent (Rene) Sanchez refused to bring these actions to account or to require an equitable and transparent process in the selection of new coaches, I made the decision to resign.”

Fast forward to Sept. 20 when Sanchez publicly acknowledged the district’s handling of the team’s complaints “caused emotional workplace harm for the DEI coaches.”

“The district, including myself, failed in its role as an arbiter between its employees and administration,” he said. “The CVSD administrators’ actions could be seen as retaliatory toward some of its employees. Due to this regrettable series of events, the district has learned how to better prevent harm that could be perpetrated on students, or employees — particularly those with marginalized identities.”

It was a “fitting” way to begin the night, Sanchez said. School district officials would

then hear from team members from Mass Insight, which conducted an equity audit that found that historically marginalized groups — students with individual education plans, students who qualify for free or reduced lunch and nonwhite students — are not achieving comparably high outcomes compared to their peers.

The audit has provided “a foundation” to really begin the district’s work, said Dr. Asma Abunaib, the district’s diversity, equity and inclusion DEI director, who started with the district in June and is the third person to take on the role in two years.

“I have a team, and I have enough time as a full-time director,” she said. “(The district) valued the position, you can feel the leadership is very welcoming to us.”

At CVU, teachers every Wednesday hold an equitable practices team meeting, where more than 50 teachers and staff before the school day discuss equitable practices for the students, principal Adam Bunting said.

“I think there are a lot of ways in which our community members are insulated to experiencing our full community,” he said. “It’s one of the gifts of working in a school because you do get to see everyone. There are times where people are surprised that we have students in some real situations of poverty in our district, and just they aren’t aware of it.”

Bunting, in an email addressing the incident at Manchester, told field hockey players that their “courage has already inspired change, including increased professional development, a new athletic co-curricular policy and plans for class meetings or assem-

blies to look at the impact of discriminatory language.”

Students want a voice

But for students, the district’s diversity, equity and inclusion work still falls short and has yet to fully include the district’s students in the work.

The district’s Student Justice Alliance, Mass Insight team members said, have been driving the conversation for years. They pushed to raise a Black Lives Matter Flag in 2019 and organized the first districtwide Pride event in 2021.

But “what’s difficult for students is to realize that much of the work the (DEI team) is conducting, we don’t know about,” Zoe Zoller, a CVU student and a member of the student alliance, said.

“We have many student leaders and many activists and sometimes it can feel as if we work harder than maybe the administration does, and we push for more things that they don’t make happen,” Oppenheimer said. More work should be done in conjunction with faculty and students, Zoller said, and by “putting students in DEI committee meetings as a student voice, not only the change that the students want to see will happen, but also the change that is imperative.”

“I do believe that the DEI team is working hard to solve these problems, but the work is nowhere near done,” Zoller said. “I, among others, believe there isn’t the sense of urgency that is, without a doubt, necessary at this moment but also for the years to come. I think that students at CVU as a whole also believe that.”