Works of whimsy
Good ‘Muse’
Hobbit holes and giant sculptures: artist reimagines landscape
Newspaper scribe wins back-to-back national columnist contest
Page 10
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Volume 55 Number 33
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August 13, 2026
Candidates show their spending ahead of primary BRIANA BRADY AND LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITERS
As newcomers try to break into political office, contributions for their campaigns — and their incumbent opponents’ coffers — have poured in from both in-state and out-ofstate donors, according to the most recent campaign finance disclosures filed with the Vermont Secretary For local of State’s office. In the Democratic primary primary for governor, election as of Aug. 1, both results, see candidates had raised hundreds of thousands pages 2-3. of dollars — Amanda Janoo’s contributions topped $300,000 and Aly Richard’s war chest reached more than $450,000. In the nearby Chittenden Central Senate race, Nikhil Goyal has raised more than $150,000, almost $100,000 more than the other newcomer in the race, Elaine Haney. Similarly, the Chittenden state’s attorney Democratic primary saw one candidate, See CAMPAIGN on page 15
PHOTO BY SOPHIA BALUNEK
Before a rainbow comes rain, which at Shelburne Farms, soaks right into the soil of their cow pastures. A group at last week’s pasture walk learned all about this process.
Pasture walk lends a deeper look into farm’s practices SOPHIA BALUNEK STAFF WRITER
While Shelburne Farms offers plenty of programs, only a few involve getting up close and personal with the soil. At a pasture walk on Aug. 6 as part of Open Farm Week, a group of rain-soaked but chipper visitors trekked up the hill and over to one of the sprawling property’s oldest pastures.
According to Vera Simon-Nobes, FarmBased Education Network coordinator and one of the tour guides, Open Farm Week was inspired by the art-centric Open Studio Week. She said it’s a chance for farms that aren’t as public to open their doors to curious visitors looking to learn. While that’s already a common practice for Shelburne Farms, the pasture walk offered a closer look at how the farm maintains high quality soil. These pasture walks have been on
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a semi-frequent schedule this summer — even one at 4:30 a.m. drew a sizable group — and attract people of different backgrounds. Last week’s tour included a few people who work in farming who asked more specific questions about Shelburne Farms’ practices to help them with their own land. See FARM on page 12 258 Market Street & Shelburne Road, S. Burlington Maple Tree Place, Williston
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Page 2 • August 13, 2026 • Shelburne News
Democratic county races see incumbent victories LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
Despite some hopeful competitors in Chittenden County-wide races in Tuesday’s primary election, incumbents are keeping their spots on the democratic ticket come November. It was a thin margin for one race. In the heated contest for state’s attorney, incumbent Sarah
George, D- Colchester, bested challenger Bram Kranichfeld, D-Burlington, by 1,008 votes, much closer than the last time George faced competition in 2022. Kranichfeld, currently the state’s attorney for Franklin County, launched his campaign as the tougher on crime candidate amid escalating tensions over public safety in the Queen
City between Progressives and Democrats — he won higher votes than George in Burlington, but she ultimately took the cake elsewhere in the county. Chittenden County Sheriff Dan Gamelin, D-Colchester, a longtime cop, also beat out progressive newcomer Kevin Bloom, D-Burlington, for the Democratic seat for sheriff by a larger margin — 3,742 votes.
Chittenden Southeast Senate County
Candidate
Charlotte Hinesburg Shelburne S. Burlington Total
Joanna Grossman
223
301
550
1,430
5,131
Elizabeth Hunt
763
420
1,030
1,542
6,571
Thomas Chittenden
510
546
1,305
2,705
9,332
Kesha Ram Hinsdale
517
551
1,320
2,189
8,425
Virginia “Ginny” Lyons
467
594
1,258
2,325
9,149
*Charts show the vote totals for the towns covered by the papers in the Vermont Community Newspaper Group. All candidates listed are Democrats — no Republicans faced primary challengers — and only contested primary races are listed.
Chittenden County High Bailiff County
Candidate
Charlotte Hinesburg Shelburne S. Burlington Total
Augustus Barkyoumb
29
27
73
187
1,691
Paul McManus
79
126
299
638
5,248
Amy Payne
150
227
410
987
8,603
Helaine “Lainey” Rappaport
35
43
111
217
1,778
Michael “Mikey” Roberts
275
139
397
322
2,583
Chittenden County Sheriff Candidate
County
Charlotte Hinesburg Shelburne S. Burlington Total
Kevin Bloom
343
369
644
1,536
12,134
Daniel Gamelin
486
496
1,183
2,161
15,876
Chittenden County State’s Attorney County
Candidate
Charlotte Hinesburg Shelburne S. Burlington Total
Sarah George
526
554
1,154
2,005
15,930
Bram Kranichfeld
451
382
943
2,000
14,922
Despite the loss, Bloom’s campaign highlighted an interesting facet of Vermont law when it comes to sheriffs — they aren’t required to have any law enforcement experience. And Bloom certainly didn’t. Bloom, who uses they/them pronouns and ran to be possibly the first transgender sheriff in the country, launched their campaign focused heavily on eviction reform. Also unique this year was the competition for a lesser-known position in county government in Vermont — high bailiff. The role has three main duties: serving legal process when the sheriff is disqualified; taking over the sheriff’s duties if the office becomes suddenly vacant until the governor appoints a new sheriff; and, in rare cases, arresting the sheriff. While duties are rarely exercised, five candidates made their pitch for the position this year. Amy Payne, D-Burlington, took home the highest votes, 8,603, despite launching her
campaign in support of Bloom. She told The Other Paper earlier this year, however, that she would work with whichever sheriff wins the race. Notably, as Gamelin moves to the general election, the Chittenden County Sheriff’s Department is facing some scrutiny. A deputy within the sheriff’s department is currently under investigation after the advocacy group Migrant Justice released troves of documents just one day before the primary election that showed that an officer had called in support from U.S. Border Patrol during a routine traffic stop in Berkshire last month, resulting in the detention and subsequent deportation of the passenger of the vehicle. The group has called it a clear violation of the state’s fair and impartial policing policy. Gamelin, in a statement ahead of the primary election, said the incident is under active investigation, and the sheriff’s department notified the Vermont Criminal Justice Council of the incidents “immediately.”
Democratic incumbents win their primary bids for the Vermont Senate BRIANA BRADY STAFF WRITER
Although two Democratic hopefuls put their hats in the ring for the Chittenden Southeast senate seats, the three incumbent candidates came out on top. Thomas Chittenden, D-South Burlington, Virginia “Ginny” Lyons, D-Williston, and Kesha Ram Hinsdale, D-Shelburne, will return to the general election ballot in November to face off against Republican candidates Bruce Roy of Williston and Javen Sears of South Burlington. Overall, Chittenden was the top vote-getter of the day with a combined 9,332 across the 11-town district. Lyons garnered 9,149 votes and Ram Hinsdale brought in 8,425. Newcomers Elizabeth Hunt from Charlotte and Joanna Grossman of Burlington got 6,571 and 5,131 votes, respectively. The race may have demonstrated how difficult it can be to unseat an incumbent. Grossman, who has worked on Democratic campaigns before, often referenced her door knocking efforts, reporting that she had been at more than 2,500 doors by
mid-July. Hunt, a pediatrician in South Burlington, held several events including walks at Shelburne Bay Park and a social at Shelburne Sugarhouse. Chittenden, Ram Hinsdale and Lyons leaned into the boost that incumbents often get from name recognition and campaigned together. All three of their names were listed on lawn signs and newspaper ads and the trio pitched themselves to the public as a package deal. Ultimately, the voters decided to go with what they knew — although the margin between any two candidates didn’t exceed 10% of the total votes. Beyond the state Senate, the only contested local legislative primary, here’s who will be appearing on the ballot come November: • Chittenden Southeast Senate Republicans: Bruce Roy of Williston and Javen Spear of South Burlington. • Chittenden-6 House (Shelburne): Kate Lalley, D-Shelburne, and Deb Mayfield, R-Shelburne. • Chittenden-7 House (Shelburne-St. George): Shwan Sweeney, D-Shelburne.
Shelburne News • August 13, 2026 • Page 3
Janoo wins the Democratic primary for governor SHAUN ROBINSON AND GRACE BERTRAND VTDIGGER
Amanda Janoo narrowly won Vermont’s Democratic primary for governor Tuesday, according to the Associated Press, after a campaign that called for sweeping progressive policy changes and limiting how much the state relies on federal funding. Janoo, an economist, has never run for office before and was virtually unknown before announcing her campaign. She beat out Aly Richards, the former head of a prominent childcare lobbying and advocacy group who also had the backing of a well-endowed political action committee, with 49% of the vote as of 11 p.m., the AP reported. Richards had 46% at that point. In a victory speech at her campaign’s election night watch party in Burlington, Janoo said that when she decided to run for governor, she knew “it was going to be a long shot.” “We didn’t have the establishment for support, or big political kingmakers on our side,” she told a crowd of at least 250 people. “But we had something so much more powerful. We had you.” Janoo’s comments echoed how she framed herself on the campaign trail this year: the race’s anti-establishment choice. She was openly critical of the power and influence of large technology companies, calling for a new tax on advertising revenue they earn and new state regulations on large data centers used for artificial intelligence. She also made the case that the federal government could not be trusted to fully fund key human services programs and proposed finding new revenue at home
instead. That includes using a surcharge on personal income over $500,000 to pay for free primary care for every person in the state, her campaign has said. In a statement issued around 11:30 p.m., Richards conceded the race, calling it “the honor of a lifetime to run for governor of this amazing state.” She said she would do everything she could to help Janoo beat Republican Gov. Phil Scott this fall. Scott did not have an opponent in Tuesday’s GOP primary for governor. “Now that the primary is behind us, it’s time for Vermonters to come together and rally behind Amanda,” Richards said. Janoo’s win means Democrats will again have a gubernatorial nominee who has never held state-level office before. Janoo, who grew up in Strafford but now lives in Burlington, has made the case that her experience working with think tanks and international development organizations, both in the U.S. and abroad, gives her the know-how to tackle the state’s biggest economic and social challenges. Her challenge now will be to sell her ideas to voters across the political spectrum, many of whom — including Democrats — have for years supported Scott in general elections. Scott remains the most popular governor in the country, according to the firm Morning Consult, though another poll from the University of New Hampshire showed his job approval rating slouching in recent months. This year’s Democratic primary was the most competitive in years. Janoo and Richards both raised more money for their primary campaigns than any Democratic candidate for governor since 2020. Notably, Janoo’s support proved
strong enough to overcome an eleventh-hour purchase of more than $200,000 worth of digital advertising by a PAC created to support Richards, but that was not affiliated with Richards’ campaign. Pro-Richards ads have blanketed websites and social media feeds in Vermont over the past week. Several of Janoo’s supporters said at the watch party that they decided to vote for her because of her policy positions. Jackie Stanton of Johnson, for one, cited Janoo’s views on healthcare, taxes and housing as what drew her to
BRIANA BRADY STAFF WRITER
Whether from their dining room table or the town clerk’s office, Shelburnites voted early this primary at a higher rate than anywhere else in the state. According to the Vermont Secretary of State’s office, just over 10% of Shelburne’s registered voters had turned in ballots by the morning of Aug. 6 — almost a full percentage point above the next highest town, Calais. Town clerk Diana Vachon said the town issued over 1,000 absentee ballots this year. As of last week, they had already processed 700 of them. Vachon thinks the early voting might, in part, be a consequence of holding an election during the summer. People are busy. “A lot of people aren’t going to be here. A lot of people are on summer vacation, or they’re just traveling for business on that day. They want to make sure they get their vote done and counted,”
Statewide
Charlotte Hinesburg Shelburne S. Burlington Total
Amanda Janoo
431
427
710
1,668
39,151
Aly Richards
466
444
1,122
1,815
37,116
Vermont Lieutenant Governor Candidate
least one stranger, introduce themselves and share their astrological sign and the first concert they attended. Janoo told her supporters during her victory speech that, even with her uncertainty about the result, she’d only prepared one version of the address. “In all honesty, I really only wrote one speech this evening because when I sat down and thought about what I wanted to say if we won or if we lost, I realized it was pretty much the same thing: Thank you,” she said.
Shelburne set the pace for early voting
Vermont Governor Candidate
the campaign. “She is by far the most progressive candidate for governor we’ve ever had,” Stanton said. “This is a people-powered movement, and so many everyday people have worked very hard to bring us to this moment.” As live music played throughout the evening, people clapped and sang along to lyrics such as, “All these fascists got to lose” and “Out with the old and in with Janoo, that’s what Vermont has got to do.” At the start of the event, attendees were instructed to go up to at
Statewide
Charlotte Hinesburg Shelburne S. Burlington Total
Esther Charlestin
107
109
169
519
9,041
Molly Gray
600
529
1,180
2,229
50,238
Ryan McLaren
260
287
696
1,129
22,863
Vachon said, adding that Aug. 11 was also the night of a selectboard meeting, a concert at the Shelburne Museum and the last concert and celebration for Shelburne Parks and Recreation at Vermont Teddy Bear. However, Vachon has also worked to make sure that voting is accessible to Shelburne residents. Last week, she set up remote polling places at Wake Robin and the Residence at Shelburne Bay, two senior living establishments in town. Setting up a polling place remotely requires logging the site with the Secretary of State, Vachon said. It can only be open just for that day and time. Luckily, she noted, a few of the justices of the peace that Vachon works with already live at Wake Robin. “They’re able to recruit poll workers to help. And so they all take an oath, we bring all the ballots
and the envelopes and the pens, and they set up a room where the residents can vote,” she said. Those ballots get put in envelopes, and then into a box and brought back to the clerk’s office to be counted. Vachon said that, while Vermont sends absentee ballots to every voter for the general election, voters have to request mail-in ballots for other elections such as the primaries. Mail-in ballots and remote polling places can increase accessibility for older voters. According to the U.S. Census Bureau more than a third of people over 65 who reported not voting said it was because of illness or a disability — more than twice the percentage of any other age group. According to Vachon, more than 200 people at Wake Robin and more than 70 residents at Shelburne Bay voted at the remote polls.
Page 4 • August 13, 2026 • Shelburne News
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Total rep orted incidents: 161 Traffic stops: 59 W arning s: 41 Tickets: 19 Medical emerg encies: 55 Mental health incidents: 16 Susp icious incidents: 15 D irected p atrols: 63 Citiz en assists: 15 Motor vehicle comp laints: 5 Car crash: 7 Animal p roblem: 9 N oise disturbance: 3 Theft: 2 H arassment: 4 V andalism: 3 P rop erty damag e: 3 Fraud: 3 Alarms: 24 P ending investig ations: 10 911 H ang -up calls: 5 U ntimely deaths: July 29 at 5:34 p.m., William
Wehmeyer, 95, of Shelburne, on Pine Haven Shores Road. Selected incidents: July 26 at 9:33 a.m., people were injured in a two-car crash on Spear Street, but refused transport to the hospital. July 26 at 11:43 a.m., people were yelling at each other at Harbor Place. July 26 at 2:49 p.m., a loose dog was reunited with its owner. July 27 at 8:01 a.m., a caller on Haytumble Road reported a knife on their roof, which police removed and determined it had been there a long time. July 28 at 5:32 p.m., a homeowner on Hillside Terrance reported a vehicle parked in front of his home, which police had removed after unsuccessful
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attempts to contact the owner. July 29 at 2:02 p.m., whatever the source of a strong gas smell on Birch Road, it was later removed. July 30 at 12:39 p.m., one patient was transported to the hospital after a two-car crash near Shelburne Road and Church Street. July 30 at 6:13 p.m., police put down a sick or injured raccoon near Harbor Road and South Gate. Aug. 1 at 12:45 p.m., someone reported a theft of items from their house on Harrington Avenue. Aug. 1 at 4:51 p.m., police did away with another strange acting raccoon, this time on Cottage Lane. Aug. 1 at 5:15 p.m., another loose dog was reunited with its owner. Aug. 3 at 2:56 a.m., an unwanted guest refused to leave a house on Shelburne Road, but agreed to after police arrived. Aug. 3 at 5:46 p.m., a woman refused to get off a bus and police had to escort her off. Aug. 4 at 11:31 a.m., someone reported screaming coming from a home on Okert Lane, but residents told officers they were just playing with a dog. Aug. 7 at 8:40 a.m., cows were causing a problem in the roadway at Harbor and Bay roads, but the owner herded them up. Aug. 7 at 10:48, a homeowner reported vandalism at their house. Aug. 7 at 3:11 p.m., one patient was taken to the hospital after another two-car crash near Shelburne Road and Church Street. Aug. 7 at 7:20 p.m., police determined a strange-acting raccoon was protecting its babies and notified Vermont Fish & Game. Aug. 8 at 9:08 a.m., more loose cows had to be wrangled up near Harbor and Bay roads. Note: Charges filed by police are subject to review by the Chittenden County State’s Attorney Office and can be amended or dropped.
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OPINION Vermont is not for sale negative environmental impacts on our clean air, water, soils, the warming planet and our climate crisis. That should be John Bossange clear data presented by the development The pro-development advocates finally advocates as well. Why has this not been a got it right. Vermont is in trouble but not part of their messaging? for the reasons offered in a recent opinion Today there are over 65,000 unocpiece (“There are steps out of the housing cupied homes in Vermont (19.4%), the crisis,” July 9) authored by the Vermont second-highest percentage in the nation, Futures Project, the Vermont Professionals many of them owned by investors, of Color Network, the Vermont Business second-home owners and out-of-state, Roundtable, the Vermont Chamber of part-time residents. We would argue there Commerce, Let’s Build Homes and the is no real housing shortage in Vermont. It Lake Champlain Chamber. is more accurately a wealth distribution Vermont is in trouble because there problem. That’s an analysis you never is a giant “For Sale” sign posted at our read about in the promotional articles borders and our economic policies encour- written by the development industries. age investors and speculators to purchase Why not? available lots and recently built homes. Vermonters are rightfully concerned Vermont is in trouble because no about their property taxes. Building more matter what the profhomes directly increasit-making industries tell es our taxes because We’re letting us, a housing shortage, if of the short- and longit even exists, is not the term costs to build and anticipated root cause of our probmaintain infrastructure lems. and provide essential population growth Vermont is in trouble municipal services, because we’re letting such as police, fire and and speculative anticipated population schools, which are never growth and speculative fully covered by impact housing need guide housing need guide our fees or the growth in the development policy. grand list. Why is this our development. Vermont is in trouble never mentioned? because development The authors of the advocates rarely account for the long-term recent commentary are correct when they upkeep and carrying costs of infrastrucstate that the “data is clear” about our ture and essential municipal services. aging population, just as it is in many Vermont is in trouble because buildother parts of the United States. So, let’s ing more homes does not yield enough be careful not to view this as a problem revenue to offset tax increases to cover we can easily solve. It’s much bigger than those costs. Vermont. Vermont is in trouble because compaFinally, the question is not simply nies like Beta Technologies and OnLogic about abundance or scarcity as the pro-demay struggle to pay future employees velopment advocates suggest. We should enough to move here and afford a mortplan to grow carefully, building up from gage on a new home. scarcity and not down from anticipated Vermont is in trouble because the abundance. Yes, we need more cottage development industry too often overlooks industries that fit into the character of our the environmental impacts of building on state. But we must never use speculative open fields, clear-cutting natural forests population growth and theoretical housing and disturbing wetlands. needs to build homes. That is a dangerous The development advocates got it precedent, and not appropriate for governright when they wrote “the data is clear,” ment intervention. but then used a deeply flawed analysis to It’s time to slow down and take advanpromote their pro-growth, profit-making tage of this opportunity to first do what agenda with their own self-serving data is best for Vermont and its citizens. Our and avoided the facts that Vermonters care rural character, our natural environment, about the most. our cities, towns and villages all deserve Vermonters cannot afford a mortgage to be cared for before the financial interon a $750,000 home. That’s a real fact. ests of the development lobbyists and Our nonprofit organization, Better (not profiteers who try to overwhelm us with bigger) Vermont, has documented the cost more fear, myths and panic. of a new-build home in various commuVermont may be in trouble, but not for nities in Chittenden County, and that’s the the reasons argued by the pro-developaverage price. ment forces. Our uniquely beautiful state We are pricing out our next generation with its abundant natural resources and because the industry that could make a beauty, and our great citizenry, should big difference chooses to build to the open never be on the market. We are not for market and not to the working Vermontsale. er’s pocketbook. Why don’t we hear more about that? John Bossange lives in South BurlingVermonters care deeply about the ton.
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Page 6 • August 13, 2026 • Shelburne News
Vermonters need protections of an AI data center bill Guest Perspective Ben Edgerly Walsh Let’s start with what isn’t in dispute. The data center bill Gov. Phil Scott vetoed, H.727, was among the strongest such laws written in any state. AI data centers are driving up electric bills across the country, and having major impacts on air, water and climate pollution in the process. And here in Vermont, that now-dead bill that would have addressed each of those issues passed both the House and Senate with overwhelming support from both Democrats and Republicans, before being killed by Gov. Scott and the 52 Republican representatives who voted to sustain his veto. You may hear that the final bill was somehow “worse” than the earlier House version — a fumble, a bill that “shape-shifted” into something that demanded a veto, as one commentary in VTDigger put it recently. The truth of the matter is that the final bill built on what the House started, and protected Vermonters more effectively in almost every way than that initial version. Let’s take a look at what actually changed. On your electric bill, the earlier version the governor preferred directed utilities to “mitigate the risk” that other ratepayers would cover “unwarranted” data center costs. To “mitigate” means to reduce impacts, not eliminate them, meaning the governor’s preferred bill inherently allowed data centers to pass on even some unwarranted costs to Vermonters. The Legislature rewrote that to require other ratepayers to be “insulated from all costs” tied to data center deployment. On pollution, the Legislature turned vague language into hard requirements. It required data centers to maximize on-site renewable energy. It required them to fund energy-saving projects in surrounding communities, to offset their inherent
WHY GO
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environmental impact. And it barred them from running on-site fossil fuel generators except in a genuine emergency, preventing the kind of practices that have spiked air pollution in communities across the country. So put the question plainly to every representative who voted to sustain the veto, every organization like Vermonters for a Clean Environment that has since complained about this stronger version of the bill, and Gov. Scott: Which of those provisions made the bill worse? Was it the one that shields your power bill? The one that cuts pollution? The one that delivers benefits directly to any communities hosting data centers? The only way the “it got worse” math works is if weaker protection for Vermonters is the goal. The governor also offered another reason for his veto. In his veto letter, he wrote that the bill imposed “new and unnecessary regulatory systems” that were only “seemingly aimed at data centers” and would drive other businesses away. The reality is that the bill was narrowly targeted, at data centers alone, at a time when state after state is tightening regulations on “large loads” across the board, sweeping in any business that draws a lot of power. Vermont’s Legislature deliberately chose not to go that route. H.727 applied to data centers, and only data centers, a single and uniquely power-hungry class of user. It answered the governor’s stated concern before he ever raised it. Lastly, the governor argued “existing Vermont law already provides substantial regulatory authority to prevent harmful impacts.” In essence, “we’re fine, I’m not worried.” That question, whether Act 250 and other Vermont laws already have us covered, was one of the very first things the Legislature dug into when they took this bill up. The answer? Perhaps on paper, but there were clearly gaps.
In the context of an industry with numerous players that count their market value well into the hundreds of billions or even trillions of dollars, that can hire armies of lawyers unlike an Act 250 district commission or even Vermont’s Public Utilities Commission has ever seen, that is steeped in a “move fast and break things” mentality, the Legislature chose to do everything it could to fill those potential gaps. In essence, seeing massive costs and pollution from AI data centers around the country, the
Legislature took a “better safe than sorry” approach. The Legislature handed the governor the strongest data center protections in the country: narrowly written, hard on costs and pollution, leaving every other Vermont business or potential business untouched. Simply put, the governor’s veto of a bill to protect Vermonters from AI data center costs and pollution is baffling. Vermont needs these protections before we suffer the harms people are already experiencing in other states. Data centers aren’t going
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away, so we’ll be back next session to fight for Vermonters again. In the meantime, if a representative (or governor) tells you the bill they helped kill was actually too strong, ask them the one question they still haven’t answered: which protection, exactly, were Vermonters better off without? Ben Edgerly Walsh is climate & energy program director for the Vermont Public Interest Research Group.
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Shelburne News • August 13, 2026 • Page 7
News from Pierson Library Visit the Pierson Library, 5376 Shelburne Road, for the following events and activities: • Shelburne Day Festivities: Tristan Cunningham Brings the Circus to Shelburne. Saturday, Aug. 15: 10:30-11:30 a.m. L.A.based award-winning actor and circus performer extraordinaire, Tristan got her start right here at home as part of Vermont’s own Circus Smirkus. Experience the thrill and comedy of the circus and see big-time talent on a homestate stage. • Shelburne Day Festivities: Ice Cream and Zydeco with Ernest James Zydeco, Saturday, Aug.15:
2-5 p.m. We’re closing out our summer reading series in largesse with that big dancey, bluesy, Louisiana sound of Zydeco. Enjoy free scoops of Ben & Jerry's ice cream (while supplies last) on the library green and drop in for a mega concert by Ernest James Zydeco. Feet will stomp, hips will waggle. It all culminates at 5 p.m. when in-house wizard Ydrrgl the Wise slithers in from the Nth Dimension to draw our big winners for this year’s Summer Reading Contest. • Tech Help Tuesday, Tuesday, Aug. 18: 2-4 p.m. Have a tech problem you just can’t figure out?
Letters to the Editor Have an app that’s giving you trouble? Does your smartphone leave you flummoxed? We can help. Book a 30-minute appointment with one of our tech-savvy librarians who can help you tame that tech problem. To register, call the library at 802-985-5124. • Master Gardener Presentation and Garden Tour, Wednesday, Aug. 19: 6-7:15 p.m. Join the master gardener for the Pierson Library and town green, Steve Budington, for a tour of the grounds and a presentation about the project. Folx in the UVM Master Gardener’s program can get hours for this event.
Shelburne Parks & Rec News Shelburne Parks and Recreation offers the following events and activities: • Kindergarten “Mini-Mites” Soccer: Join coaches from Soccer Roots for a fun and active soccer clinic on Saturday mornings this fall. Participants will learn and practice basic soccer skills while engaging in age-appropriate activities and games. This co-ed program will take place at Shelburne Central School near the softball field. Parent volunteer helpers are encouraged. limited to 20 kids per session. Registration opens Aug. 14 at 8 a.m. Deadline: Sept. 9 Saturdays, Sept. 12-Oct. 10. Cost: $70. Session A: 9-10 a.m. Session B: 10-11 a.m. • Preschool soccer with Soccer Roots is designed especially for children 3-5 years of age, and includes age-appropriate games that will let them enjoy the game and learn basic skills without putting pressure on winning or competition. They’ll also learn to work cooperatively with other chil-
dren. Maximum 15 participants/ session. Registration opens Aug. 14 at 8 a.m. Deadline: Sept. 9. Fridays, Sept. 11-Oct. 9. Cost: $85. Session A: 3:30-4:15 p.m. Session B: 4:305:15 p.m. Location: Outdoor field at Athletic Drive. • Hit the courts at Davis Park after school to brush up on your tennis skills. Join coach Jay for instruction, practice and improve your game while having fun! Bring your own racquet, sneakers. and water. This program is outdoors and weather dependent. Minimum 4, maximum 12 participants. Registration deadline: Sept. 2. Wednesdays, Sept. 9-30. Time: 2-3 p.m. Cost: $110. Grades: 5th-8th grade in fall ’26. • Safe sitter course: This course will prepare teens grades 6-8 to be safe when they’re home alone, watching siblings or babysitting. The course offers four main content areas: “Safety Skills,” “Child Care Skills,” “First Aid & Rescue Skills” and “Life & Business Skills.”
Lessons are filled with fun activities and role-playing exercises. Teens will practice choking rescue and diapering as well. Maximum of nine participants. Registration opens: Aug. 31, deadline: Nov. 13. Class date: Monday, Nov. 23. Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Instructor: Williston Recreation Staff. Cost: $60 resident/$70 non-resident. Location: Shelburne Town Municipal Building, Meeting Room 2. • Adult programs opening soon: Yoga for Strength, Mobility & Stress Relief, Fall Prevention Tai Chi class, Sun 73 Tai Chi, Adult Table Tennis, Adult Volleyball. Check our website for complete details.
Transforming health care involves compromise To the Editor: Vermont has an unprecedented opportunity to reshape its health care system through the Rural Health Transformation Program and other recent reforms. But funding and policy are only part of the challenge. The hardest part of health care transformation will be making difficult decisions together. Our health care system faces mounting financial pressures, workforce shortages, an aging population, declining birth rates and growing demand for care. Every year meaningful change is delayed, the choices available to hospitals, communities and policymakers become more limited. Those realities require something that doesn’t always come easily in Vermont: a realistic conversation about compromise. Our state rightly values local communities and local institutions. But preserving health care for future generations may require us to rethink what “local access” means in a changing world. The recent closures of the birthing centers at Copley Hospital and Brattleboro Memorial Hospital illustrate this challenge. No community wants to lose services that families have relied upon for generations. Yet these difficult decisions also reflect broader pressures affecting rural
health care across the country. Many important discussions are already underway among health care providers, state agencies, legislators, employers and others. Those efforts deserve recognition. But meaningful transformation also requires engaging the people health care exists to serve. The greatest need may not be for another report or another commission. It may be for a broader public conversation before major decisions have already been made. The goal isn’t unanimous agreement though. It’s building public understanding and trust before changing circumstances make difficult decisions for us. Handled well, that process can strengthen, not weaken, public confidence. People are far more likely to support difficult decisions when they understand the challenges, the alternatives and the principles guiding those decisions. As Vermont redesigns its health care system, we should also rethink how we define success — not hospital by hospital, but community by community and region by region. Because ultimately, the future of Vermont health care will be determined not only by the difficult decisions we make, but by how we choose to make them. Mark Crow Shelburne
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Community Notes Get those dancing shoes on Contra Dance presented by Queen City Contras is Aug. 28 at 6:45 p.m. at Shelburne Town Hall, 5374 Shelburne Road. The Spring Chickens Trio (Jenny Monfore, Chris Hollis, and banjo player) will play. Our caller will be Will Mentor. All are welcome; all dances are taught; no partner or experience necessary. $12 adults over 18, $5 kids 12-18/low-income, under 12 free. Please bring a pair of clean, soft-soled shoes to dance in and a water bottle to keep you hydrated.
Enjoy a weekend of culinary excellence A Taste of New England, Spruce Peak’s culinary event benefiting the James Beard Foundation, returns Aug. 13-15. Led by executive chef Sean Blomgren, the weekend features chefs including Vermont’s Cara Tobin, Avery Buck and Tiara Adorna, alongside George Mendes, Keith Sarasin and others from the region. Highlights include a five-course dinner rooted in Vermont farms, a walkaround tasting with a raw bar and drink pairings from Vermont Wine Merchants, Barr Hill and Whis-
tlePig, and a Chef Collaboration Dinner with pairings from Rare Wine Company. Details and tickets: sprucepeak.com/tone.
Doc. traces farmers’ shift away from insecticide As Vermont phases out neonicotinoid-treated seeds by 2029 under the Pollinator Protection Act, a new documentary, “Seeding Change: Farming Beyond Neonics,” shares farmers’ experiences transitioning away from the insecticide treatment. Produced by the One Hive Foundation, the film follows farmers and researchers in Vermont, New York and Quebec. Screenings: Aug. 8, Savoy Theater, Montpelier (premiere and panel); Aug. 27, The Farm Upstream, Jericho (pizza social); Oct. 13, Marquis Theatre, Middlebury; Oct. 22, Shelburne Farms. Details: seedingchangefarmingfilm.com.
Capstone Community Action celebrates 60 years Capstone Community Action will celebrate 60 years of serving Central Vermont with a free Summer Celebration Saturday, Aug. 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at
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Carole Vasta Folley’s comedy “Control Top” comes to Lost Nation Theater on Sept. 3 and 4.
20 Gable Place in Barre. The family-friendly, outdoor event includes free food, music and an openhouse visit to Capstone’s Food Shelf. RSVPs are appreciated but not required: forms.office.com/r/ anrsQyRsJm. Capstone’s offices will be closed for the day. Questions: cengels@capstonevt.org.
Clothes and comedy mix in stage play Carole Vasta Folley brings a staged reading of her comedy “Control Top” to Lost Nation Theater for a two-night run, Sept. 3-4. The 90-minute play, inspired by interviews with hundreds of
women, explores women, clothes and reclamation. Talk-backs follow each show. Masks encouraged, not required. Performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Lost Nation Theater, 39 Main St., Montpelier. Tickets $20, depending on seating. Info and tickets: lostnationtheater.org.
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Shelburne News • August 13, 2026 • Page 9
Obituary John Joseph Reilly John Joseph Reilly, a man of humor, intellect and an adventurous spirit, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2026, in Shelburne, surrounded by family. Born on Dec. 13, 1936, in New York City to Irish immigrant parents, Amos and Hanora Reilly, John lived a life marked by curiosity, resilience and deep connections with family and friends. John’s early years were shaped by his upbringing in Brooklyn, New York. He attended George Westinghouse High School near the Naval Boatyard before embarking on two years of service in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Intrepid. John pursued higher education at Pace University, demonstrating his drive for personal and professional growth. John’s personal life was rich and fulfilling. He married Marianne Ondocin in 1959. They welcomed a son, John Christopher, in 1960 and a daughter, Diana Keir, in 1963. Years later, John shared a loving partnership of fifty years with Rosemarie “Rae” Saitta. Together they built cherished memories. John was a devoted father to Johnny and Diana, and a very proud grandfather to his beloved “girls,” Grace Ondocin Seeley and Nora Ondocin Richard. He also embraced Rae’s children — Marie Castronova, Richard John Joseph Reilly Saitta, Alex (Carmen) Saitta — and their families. John's sister, Ann Batule, survives him as well along with numerous nieces, nephews and lifelong friends. John was predeceased by his beloved son, John Christopher Reilly, in 2022 — a loss that deeply affected him — as well as by his siblings Ellen Reilly and Jim Reilly. John was also predeceased by his close friend in Northport village, Don Kelley. John’s career was as dynamic as his personality. At just 14 years old, he began working on a bread truck before school in the morning — a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and drive that would define much of his life. After his time in the Navy, John worked for the NY Yankees in their front office and later shifted to a job at Crum and Foster Insurance Company in Huntington, New York. However, it was as a litigation manager at Gillen and Caliendo Law Firm in the iconic Woolworth Building in NYC, and later at Cannon and Acosta Law Firm on Long Island, that John found his true calling. Known for his sharp negotiation skills and ability to secure out-of-court settlements, John earned the respect of colleagues and clients alike. Even after retiring, he maintained ties with his former coworkers, making a memorable spontaneous visit to his office shortly before relocating to Vermont in July 2025. A man of many passions, John had an enduring love for the water. From the late 1960s onward, he made Northport, New
York, his home and created countless adventures on Northport Bay and Long Island Sound aboard his Chris Craft boat. His curiosity extended far beyond the shoreline; he was self-taught in investing long before modern technology made it accessible. His daughter Diana fondly recalls him pulling the car over to use phone booths to check on “what happened overnight in the international markets” during their daytime travels. Travel was another cornerstone of John’s life. Whether exploring Morocco in the 1970s (where a local healer cured him of a random ailment with tea and hot blankets), climbing into pyramids in Egypt before safety protocols were established, or navigating Ireland with extended family in 1985 to visit wonderful Irish cousins and explore his parents’ hometowns of Ballydehob and Schull, County Cork — John embraced every journey with enthusiasm. Memorable trips included visiting Hawaii to see his nephew, Kevin and family stationed there with the U.S. Army, driving through the American Southwest with Rae, missing a cruise ship in Santo Domingo with Diana only to catch up via banana boat and climbing a chain ladder to board, “You’re never going to forget this, Di!”, he shouted gleefully. He brought his children throughout Europe and the Caribbean. But very likely his favorite journeys were the ones with Rae, each and every weekend going from Northport to NYC museums and street fairs or heading “out East” to Montauk and Hamptons marinas. “Jack” had a magnetic personality. He was known for his charisma, blue eyes, sharp wit, strong opinions and generosity — always quick to pick up the restaurant bill or offer advice on any topic. He cherished friendships deeply; his fiftyyear bond with Mark Foscolo (Cora) was particularly special, traveling the world together from Spain to Argentina, Morocco, Brazil, the Dominican Republic and more. Other dear friends included Gene Dailey from childhood through adulthood, Joe Verdi, Don Kelley in Northport, John and Nahid Saroudi, and his weekly poker group at Pete’s house. For a handful of years in the 1960s, John played casual pick-up baseball with Jack Kerouac and other local writers and artists in Northport. Above all else, John was a gentleman — a doting and adoring “Papa” to his granddaughters, a supportive uncle to nieces and nephews, a loving and supportive brother to Ann Batule and Ellen Reilly, and a steadfast partner to Rae. John Joseph Reilly leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter and adventure that will be treasured by those fortunate enough to have shared in his journey through life. May his memory bring comfort to all who mourn him.
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Behind Joplin Wistar’s indigo-trimmed house is a fantastical backyard filled with unique architectural designs: a hobbit hole made with cedar poles, a lotus belle shaped tent and a tree web that acts as a giant hammock, just to name a few. It is no secret in town that Wistar, 66, embraces whimsy through his imaginative creations. His hand-crafted structures, scattered throughout Shelburne as well as his own backyard, have become distinctive local landmarks that reflect both his artistic vision and the town’s creative spirit. “He’s incapable of doing anything the same way twice,” said children’s book author Alison James, Wistar’s wife. “He doesn’t even like to take the same road or the same trail when we’re hiking or something. Just needs to always be discovering something new.” Wistar grew up in Pennsylvania and studied human ecology at the College of the Atlantic in Maine. He and James moved to Shelburne 40 years ago. Wistar taught for 30 years at Shelburne Community School, taking yearlong leaves to teach in Japan, Norway and Taiwan. He now runs an alternative school and summer camps in Shelburne. When Wistar isn’t busy teaching kids, he is most likely creating
PHOTO BY EMILY RODIN
“Strömkarlen,” the river troll that guards the LaPlatte Crossing footbridge, is built out of recycled wooden pallets. Wistar took inspiration from Thomas Danbo’s world-renowned trolls, which were made from the same materials.
artistic pieces like the ones found in his backyard. Working with kids helps embrace his outlook of trying new things in his artwork, he said. He first started making practical structures like treehouses at Treewild Forest Classroom, a one-day alternative school program that he runs with James. Then those structures became more elaborate. His first art installation was “The North Wind” at
Shelburne Farms for Borderlands, an autumn outdoor sound and light theatrical production. Most recently, Wistar installed “Zephyr,” a 16-foot-tall wooden sculpture of the Greek God of the West Wind, outside Shelburne Pond Studios in June. Wistar originally built the creature as a set piece for Night Fires, an annual See WISTAR on page 11
Shelburne News • August 13, 2026 • Page 11
Columnist secures backto-back national awards Vermont columnist Carole Vasta Folley “It was working at The Other Paper in earned first-place honors in the lifestyle South Burlington that gave me the inspicategory from the National Sociration to become a columnist — ety of Newspaper Columnists for well, that and a generous editor the second consecutive year. named Judy Kearns who believed Vasta Folley previously in me,” Vasta Folley said. “Under secured the top spot in the 2025 her tutelage, I became passionate competition, ahead of secondabout the power of local newspaplace finalist Neil Steinberg pers and the boon they provide of the Chicago Sun-Times and the communities they serve.” third-place finalist Richard Sima “In Musing” has also received of The Washington Post. In the acclaim from The New England 2026 awards, second place was Newspaper and Press Associaawarded to Republican strategist Carole Vasta Folley tion over the years and previousBrad Todd, with third place going ly praised Vasta Folley’s column to Rick Liblong of Michigan’s as “a fresh, funny conversation.” Tri-City Times. Judges described the column as “amusingLaunched in 2017 and published in the ly self-aware and self-deprecating,” noting papers of the Vermont Community News- that “Carole is especially adept at bringing paper Group, Vasta Folley’s column, “In pieces back around to a universal truth.” Musing,” explores the human experience Once published in the paper, Vasta through a blend of humor, personal reflec- Folley’s “In Musing” columns can be found tion and social justice commentary. on her website at carolevf.com/columnist.
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continued from page 10 theatrical performance in Middlebury that celebrates the winter solstice. Shelburne Pond Studios co-owners Katharine Stockman and her husband, Rad Romeyn, agreed to trade Wistar studio space if he installed “Zephyr” in front of the barn. The installation is the only wooden sculpture on the property; the rest are polished aluminum, marble and other materials. “It brings a whole new genre to our sculptures at the farm,” Stockman said. Wistar recently pitched another set design piece for this year’s Night Fires performance, which is set in Greenland. Wistar imagines a 20-foot web-like structure that would surround the stage and project the Northern Lights on it. Wistar doesn’t charge for his artwork. He says he creates simply for the joy of making things and solving problems. Working with natural materials presents constant challenges, he said, but that’s what keeps the work interesting. Although Wistar thrives in experimentation, he routinely returns to one particular material: grapevine. The strong but flexible plant grows up into trees, leaving many property owners frustrated at its persistence. “I like to make use of things that other people might not appreciate,” Wistar said. The overhead LED strip light that illuminates his living room is attached to a grapevine, adding an earthy ambiance to the room. A bench made from grapevine can also be found near “Strömkarlen,” a river troll that guards the LaPlatte Crossing footbridge, another one of Wistar’s creations. “Strömkarlen” is built out of recycled pallet wood, the same material that sculptor Thomas Danbo uses to make his world-renowned trolls. The Danish artist has installed nearly 200 of his trolls, often in secluded destinations, around the world, sparking conversations of folklore and environmentalism. Another creative that inspires Wistar is Andy Goldsworthy, an
English land artist known for his natural sculptures. “My work is kind of eclectic. I don’t really specialize in one kind of thing,” Wistar said. Wistar’s creativity extends beyond his physical pieces of art. Alongside James, he runs Enchantment Camps during the summer and Treewild Forest Classroom during the school year. Both nature-based programs encourage children to explore the outdoors while developing creativity, confidence and a sense of wonder. On one July afternoon, 15 magicians, ages 7 through 16, gathered in Wistar’s backyard “dodeca,” a 12-sided hut with several windows, to share their individual creative projects. One camper read aloud two hand-written pages in Spanish. “Welcome to Enchantment Camps, where being geek is celebrated,” James said. The last two weeks of July were spent preparing a musical set in ancient Greece. On July 22, Robin Fawcett, a retired Champlain Valley Union High School theater and public speaking teacher, led a workshop. As she greeted Wistar near the back entrance of the house, she immediately commented on his “purple aura.” In theory, Wistar likes to have one new project each year, even if that means replacing or refurbishing one of his earlier creations. This summer he has been focused on running Enchantment Camps, so his individual projects have taken a backseat. Still, he’s always imagining something new. Asked how he comes up with his pieces, Wistar responded with his trademark sense of wonder. “Who knows where ideas come from?” he said. Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship, and Report for America.
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Page 12 • August 13, 2026 • Shelburne News
PHOTOS BY SOPHIA BALUNEK
University of Vermont field naturalist master’s student Lena Andrews talks all about soil.
FARM continued from page 1 Dairy Farm manager Sam Dixon said the pasture they call “Chapel” contains some of the best quality soil due to its consistent use as an unplowed, un-mowed pasture, producing a wide biodiversity of forage for grazing cows. University of Vermont student
Lena Andrews, another tour guide, said good soil is like a sponge. Using flour to demonstrate plain soil and bread as a good-quality spongey soil, she poured water on top of each and watched the reaction. The flour flooded, eroded and got mucky,
but the bread absorbed much of the water and let the rest run off clear. This analogy became reality because it started raining as the group walked up the gravel and dirt lane in between pastures
where the water just raced off, making the ground slippery. But as soon as the group stepped into Chapel pasture, the ground was spongey — dry enough, even, to sit, without getting the pants very wet. Dixon emphasized keeping the nutrients on the land. The cows graze, farmers hay the fields to feed to the cows over the winter, and people receive all the soil’s nutrients in their dairy products and meat. Andrews said these cows are collaborators of sorts, managing
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the land with them. She said farmers follow the cows’ natural rotational behavior through various pastures. With that movement, the cow manure spreads nutrients evenly into the soil. Shoveling out a patch for the group to examine, Andrews said the high-quality soil has long roots connected to intact underground networks. Proper aeration allows microbes and fungus networks to move through it, she said. When tilled or overgrazed, these root systems are disrupted, so the structure wouldn’t hold water as well. “It’s really important that we’re actually building a soil sponge by having this permanent pasture, these perennial systems on the landscape, and it’s allowing that system to grow because with more time comes more connection happening,” Andrews said.
SHELBURNE 1ST FY 26-27 PROPERTY TAX INSTALLMENT Due Tuesday, August 18, 2026 • • • • • • • • • • • • • Payments must be POSTMARKED or RECEIVED in the TOWN OFFICES by MIDNIGHT, August 18, 2026. Late payments are subject to penalty and interest.
Do you have photos you would like to share with the community? Send them to us: news@shelburnenews.com
Payments can be left in lock box at Police Department Dispatch until Midnight, August 18, 2026. PLEASE NOTE: The Police Department cannot provide any information regarding your tax account or receipts for payments.
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If any questions please call 985-5120 Office hours for payment in person are Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Shelburne News • August 13, 2026 • Page 13
Horoscope August 13, 2026
ANSWERS FROM THIS ISSUE
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saliva. If left untreated, rabies is almost always fatal in humans and animals. However, Page 14 • August 13, 2026 • Shelburne News treatment with the rabies vaccine is nearly The week-long bait drop is a coopera- 100 percent effective when given soon after tive effort between Vermont and the U.S. a person is bitten by a rabid animal. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services So far this year, 23 animals in Vermont to stop the spread of the potentially fatal have tested positive for rabies, and 14 of disease. those have been raccoons. Rabies is a deadly viral disease of the According to wildlife officials, rabid brain that infects mammals. It is most often animals often show a change in their norseen in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, mal behavior, but you cannot tell whether but unvaccinated pets and livestock can also an animal has rabies simply by looking at get rabies. The virus is spread through the it. People should not touch or pick up wild bite of an infected animal or contact with or its call To advertise email wendy@shelburnenews.com 802-238-4980 animals or strays – even baby animals. continued from page 2
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CAMPAIGN continued from page 1 Bram Kranichfeld, rake in more than $150,000. Closer to home, spending has been more modest. Here’s a look at what local candidates’ were raising and spending over the summer. State law will require candidates to disclose their campaigns’ financial activity four more times before the Nov. 3 election, so money will continue to matter.
Chittenden Southeast Senate Contested races often result in more fundraising and spending — candidates need to spend more on things like lawn signs or advertising to gain visibility in comparison to other candidates. The primary election race was competitive for Democrats seeking one of the three Chittenden Southeast senate seats, representing South Burlington, Shelburne, Charlotte, Hinesburg, Williston, Jericho, Underhill, Richmond, Bolton, St. George and a small portion of Burlington. Two new candidates — Joanna Grossman, D-Burlington, and Elizabeth Hunt, D-Charlotte — challenged incumbents Kesha Ram Hinsdale, D-Shelburne, Ginny Lyons D-Williston, and Thomas Chittenden, D-South Burlington. However, the spending among the candidates varied widely. Without the benefit of leftover funds from previous campaigns, the two newcomers raised the most money as they worked for name recognition. By the Aug. 1 filing deadline, Joanna Grossman pulled in more than $32,000 — including
an almost $5,000 loan from herself — and Elizabeth Hunt raised over 40,000, loaning herself more than $9,000. In comparison, Ram Hinsdale, Chittenden and Lyons disclosed total monetary contributions of $21,493, $13,940 and $1,730, respectively. The challengers did not necessarily outspend the incumbents. Grossman and Hunt spent about $31,000 and $26,000 respectively. However, Ram Hinsdale spent just over $29,000. Chittenden dished out significantly less at almost $15,000. Lyons, who has been in office for more than a decade, is an outlier. She spent $1,543 on the campaign — largely on a single expense for a mailing list from the Vermont Democratic Party in March. In the last push of her own primary campaign, Lyons spent only $40 for fees for the fundraising platform Act Blue. Chittenden and Ram Hinsdale donated almost $3,000 in-kind to Lyons’ campaign for the cost of their combined campaign materials.
State’s attorney For the race to be the county’s highest prosecutor, Kranichfeld has shelled out, and raked in, almost three times as much as his opponent, incumbent state’s attorney Sarah George. Former Franklin County state’s attorney Kranichfeld, who has cast himself as the tougher-oncrime candidate, took in just under $150,000 in total monetary contributions — including the $250 he
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gave to himself — as of Aug. 1. He spent $144,913 on media advertising, lawn signs, consulting fees and other fundraising efforts. Kranichfeld also accepted nearly $2,316 in non-monetary contributions for food for campaign house parties. George, meanwhile, who touts and exercises a more progressive prosecuting policy, started her campaign with $3,176 from 2022. She raised $42,705 in monetary contributions — none from herself — the highest she has ever earned in a race for the top spot, outpacing the money gathered during the contested race in 2022 when she faced democratic challenger Ted Kenney.This year to date, she spent $35,286. George also received just over $8,600 worth of contributions for food donations and some video work.
Law and order, and cash Two democratic hopefuls — one incumbent and one newbie — also duked it out for county sheriff. Kevin Bloom, a new player to the political sphere in the county with no law enforcement experience, has faced off against a police officer who has held the top post for four years, Dan Gamelin. Bloom brought in $21,135 in monetary contributions — including a $4,345 personal loan — spending $21,733 on a variety of postage, yard signs, democratic campaign software, spaces for fundraisers, among others. Gamelin, meanwhile, started his campaign with $14,291 rolled
over from 2022. He raised, in total, $30,330 and spent $24,571 on similar expenditures. Surprisingly, one of the most contested races this season was for a lesser-known role in Vermont’s county government, high bailiff. Despite five people competing for the singular spot, no one received or spent much money. • Amy Payne received $2,450 and spent $1,361. • Paul McManus received $1,386 and spent $1,319. • Michael Roberts received $913 and spent $895. • Augustus Barkyoumb spent and received nothing. • Helaine “Lainey” Rappaport didn’t file with the secretary of state.
Notable spenders While financial disclosures offer the public a transparent look at how much candidates earned and spent, it also highlights the notable donors who, in some cases, forked over some money to their top nominee. Local elected officials donated and worked for various campaigns this election season. Tim Barritt, the chair of the South Burlington City Council was listed as Ram Hinsdale’s campaign treasurer. Ben Traverse, a Burlington City Council member, held the same role for Grossman. South Burlington City Council Elizabeth Fitzgerald donated $200 to Chittenden and fellow councilor Beth Zigmund gave $150 to Hunt. Charity Clark, Vermont’s attorney general, gave $250 each to Gross-
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man and Hunt. South Burlington City Council vice chair Andrew Chalnick gave $500 to lieutenant governor candidate Ryan McLaren, and $200 to Bloom’s sheriff campaign. Michael Wood-Lewis Front Porch Forum, among other donations, gave $500 to Grossman, $200 to Bloom, $200 to Amy Payne and $1,000 to Amanda Janoo. Realtors and developers have also been making their preferences known through donations. Ernest Pomerleau, owner of Pomerleau real estate, donated $1,000 to Ram Hinsdale, $500 to Chittenden and Lyons each, $250 to Grossman. He also gave $1,500 to keep Gamelin in the sheriff’s office. Alfred Senecal, owner of Omega Electrical Construction Company, was the top contributor to Gamelin’s campaign at $1,550. Others included notable realtors and landlords, like Handy’s Hotels & Rentals, along with Bissonette Properties and its property management company BPJS Management. All three gave $1,000. Evan Langfelt, the CEO of O’Brien Brothers, an area developer, gave $1,000 to Ram Hinsdale, $300 to Chittenden and $200 to state representative Emilie Krasnow D-South Burlington. Of notable businesses that donated to Bloom’s campaign is Taco Gordo — the Burlington-based eatery — which spent $1,020. Senate hopeful Nikhil Goyal also contributed $200 to Bloom’s campaign and high bailiff candidate Amy Payne donated $500.
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Page 16 • August 13, 2026 • Shelburne News
Rising healthcare costs are squeezing Vermonters. Here’s how everyone can make more affordable choices. Vermont has some of the highest healthcare costs in America. This hurts everyone in our community and the well-being of our state. So, it’s the perfect time to learn ways to make care more affordable. Consider these costs comparisons for common procedures: Bone Density Study
Breast Biopsy
Cataract Surgery
CT Chest Scan
Gallbladder Removal
Hip Replacement
Laparoscopic MRI Hernia Repair of Spine
Upper GI Endoscopy
Vaginal Delivery
$913
$16,054
$9,785
$3,495
$35,057
$51,432
$30,361
$4,438
$7,768
$28,912
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital
Winsdor Hospital
Dartmouth Hitchcock
Northeastern VT Regional Hospital
Northeastern VT Regional Hospital
Dartmouth Hitchcock
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital
North Country Hospital
University of VT Medical Center
$359
$8,262
$4,806
$1,396
$16,262
$24,642
$17,569
$2,560
$3,626
$18,248
Porter Hospital
University of VT Medical Center
University of VT Medical Center
Vermont Open Imaging
Springfield Hospital
Dartmouth Hitchcock
Rutland Regional Medical Center
Northeastern VT Regional Hospital
Central Vermont Medical Center
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital
$64
$2,597
$2,712
$1,222
$13,293
$23,558
$10,761
$1,410
$1,928
$10,135
Thomas Chittenden Health Center
Northwestern Medical Center
VT Eye Surgery and Laser Center
Vermont Diagnostic Imaging
Central VT Medical Center
Central VT Medical Center
Central VT Medical Center
Vermont Open Imaging
Green Mountain Surgery Center
Northwestern Medical Center
(Spine or Pelvis)
(with Imaging)
Source: Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Axis Cost Transparency Data Averages, Spring 2026. Costs include facility and provider costs.
There are many reasons for this affordability crisis and no one entity or individual can fix it. That’s why our organizations continue working together to be part of the solution. We invite you to join us, take action, and explore these tips to save on your care.
Compare Where To Get Care & Save
Cut Prescription Drug Costs
• Costs for procedures can vary widely between hospitals, outpatient facilities, surgery and imaging centers. Knowing your options can help you save hundreds or thousands of dollars.
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about options, such as generic medications instead of more costly brand name drugs.
• Carefully consider when it’s best to visit your doctor, urgent care or the emergency room. Telehealth can be a convenient, low-cost option for common health issues, including mental health support.
Know Before You Go
• See if getting a 30-day, 60-day or 90-day supply of your medications can help you save. • Compare costs and look for discount coupons on websites like ArrayRx, GoodRx, RxSaver, WellRx, SingleCare, Cost Plus Drugs, and the new federal website TrumpRx.
Review Your Health Insurance Benefits
• For routine procedures, there is usually ample time to explore care options, understand costs, and look for savings. • Ask for a written estimate before your procedure, so you have a clear picture of the costs beforehand. Afterward, review your itemized bill to understand the charges and confirm they are accurate.
• This Open Enrollment season is a great time to revisit your health plan’s benefits, premiums, deductibles, and copays to determine what makes sense for your health needs and budget. • When planning your care, check for “in-network” providers, which are more affordable and can help avoid unexpected expenses.
S p o n s o re d B y
Visit our website to get more cost comparisons, helpful tips, and free resources.
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