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October 22, 2026

Store’s fate in the air after neighbors ﬁle suit

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MARI HUGLIN STAFF WRITER

Charlotte’s Old Brick Store is one of the few places in town where locals and travelers can grab a coffee, catch up with friends and do a little shopping. But its future is in danger. The Old Brick Store, located at 290 Ferry Road, is a historical building that holds a café and retail store owned by Jolene Kao. Residents who live next door to the store, Sarah Beal and David Kenyon, have complained for over a year about impediments to their water and wastewater system, infringements on their land and noise coming from the store. Beal and Kenyon are suing Kao and requesting the store’s infrastructure be improved before the business continues at the same intensity. Beal is also a founder and owner of Common Deer, a small business located in Burlington. The town’s development review board held a public hearSee OLD BRICK STORE on page 2

PHOTO BY SOPHIA BALUNEK

Dandelion, a miniature donkey, defends Nordic Farm’s herd of cattle and calves. See story, page 3

Taproot plants seeds to conserve the family farm BRIANA BRADY STAFF WRITER

Over the years, Chuck Ross has built a relationship with the land beneath his feet. His family has owned Taproot Farm in Hines-

burg since the 1960s, and Ross knows that land, how it lives, how it breathes. “When you are a farmer, you get in touch with your property — its bio rhythms, its cycles through the seasons, its productivity, its

challenges,” he said. “You come to understand it, and you develop an afﬁnity, an affection, and a bit of a devotion to it.” This connection is part of the reason the Ross family is choosing to conserve the vast majority

of their land with Vermont Land Trust. As generational farms get passed down in Vermont, many See FARM on page 15

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The Hinesburg Planning Commission has sent a significant rewrite of one of its bylaws to the selectboard, moving it closer to eventual approval. Last week, Oct. 14, the commission voted to send revised language to the selectboard that would change a bylaw initially written to preclude “industrial waste” from being disposed of inappropriately to focus on “hazardous waste.” The rewrite of the waste clause — a part of the bylaw’s section on “Performance Standards” — has been in the works since June. A change was originally suggested by resident Margaret McNurlan as a way to give broader protection to residents. “I’ve been interested in amending our zoning to prevent neighbors from contaminating each other. So that was my initial goal,” McNurlan told the commission at its meeting. She added that she

still had some hesitation about the proposed changes, concerned that the language would be reactive, rather than proactively prevent poor disposal of hazardous waste. The change, as it will go to the selectboard, amends the line “Industrial wastes shall be so deposited, stored, and transmitted from parcels as to not be objectionable to adjacent properties nor create a public nuisance,” changing the subject to “hazardous waste and hazardous materials.” The definitions of the “hazardous” phrases will also be added to the document. According to commissioner Jen Overall, those definitions were adopted from the definitions within Vermont state law. The definitions, as written out in a memo from town planner Zachary Nersigner, focus on the potential harm caused by a substance, whether that be because of toxicity to human beings or nature. One of the larger changes to the amendment, however, is the

expansion of protection from discharge into water courses and wastewater systems to include a prohibition on discharging into “any water course, water source, water supply, soil or air except where such discharges are exempt by state law.” The planning commission was not unanimous in its decision to send the changes to the selectboard. Two of the commissioners wanted to hold the language back for continued revision, but a majority were comfortable with the revision as it stood. “The request came in as a request for us to expedite this change from the public, and so I wanted to name that making a choice to delay in order to continue to fiddle with the language would have consequences that are contrary to the public’s request for this to be expeditious,” Overall said. The selectboard will have to hold its own public hearing before any changes will be adopted.

wastewater systems of neighboring houses have been negatively impacted. The well and septic system have failed, spilled onto their property and caused odors. For example, she explained that since the wastewater and water systems sit under Beal’s property, there is a constant flow of workers coming to the property to address issues. According to a 2023 wastewater system and water supply permit for the store, it is permitted to draw a certain maximum. Beal claims

that in the past month, the store has only adhered to this maximum on four days. The other days, she said, the store has gone over its limits, but it is unclear how Beal accessed these readings. There have also been multiple issues with customers parking and blocking Beal’s driveway, traffic blocking lanes on Greenbush Road and delivery trucks idling outside the store, she said. Beal

OLD BRICK STORE continued from page 1

ing Wednesday, Oct 14 to discuss a 2024 decision by zoning administrator Rebecca Kaplan to not enforce violations on the store when complaints first arose. Beal claims the store violates its maximum seating allowance and does not meet its required performance standards, as well as parking, safety, water, wastewater issues.

History of issues Beal said that, as the store has grown in popularity, the water and

See OLD BRICK STORE on page 16

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The Citizen • October 22, 2026 • Page 3

On the work site with area farms’ animal guardians MARI HUGLIN STAFF WRITER

A llama, a donkey and a cow walk into a job interview. They all come out with the same job: livestock guardian. Many livestock guardians are dogs, but some area farms have a few other protective furry friends signed up for the job. For various reasons, local farmers have opted for different types of livestock guardians to deter coyotes and other predators from their herds and flocks.

A llama Philo Ridge Farm in Charlotte has opted for a llama as the protector of its 150-head flock of sheep and has never lost any sheep with it on duty. Ed Pitcavage, the land and livestock manager at Philo Ridge, introduced the farm’s first llama, Odyssey, around 10 years ago and now has a new llama, Iliad, that has been working for around two years. Odyssey died of meningeal worm, a common illness among llamas. At first, Philo Ridge used guardian dogs, but they became too protective as more guests visited the farm over the years. Pitcavage considered donkeys but decided on llamas because of their protective nature and little need for formal training. Ideally, he said, guardian llamas are castrated males who tend to bond with the flock immediately and act as the alpha male. Pitcavage opted for one llama instead of two or more since the animals can tend to bond with each other instead of the flock. Philo Ridge moves its flock everyday with electrified fencing, giving the sheep a quarter of an acre to graze on at a time. Iliad grazes with them, and if he notices a predator, he makes loud grumbling sounds. His six-foot tall stature often scares predators off. Only in extremely stressful situations has Pitcavage seen guardian llamas spit. Pitcavage has dealt with the coyotes on the farm for years and does not plan to get rid of them. Since they are a native species, he said he wants to work with the land and respect the coyotes. “We’re going to work with them. They are here too,” Pitcavage said. The cows on the farm do not have a guardian animal, but Pitcavage did change their grazing behaviors to better protect calves after they are born.

A donkey Over at Charlotte’s Nordic Farm, owner Kaspar Meier recently added a miniature donkey to

PHOTO BY SOPHIA BALUNEK

At Shelburne Farms, a flock of sheep cohabitate with three female cows and their two caves. The cows’ maternal instincts protect both their kin and the sheep.

his herd of meat-producing cows this spring. The miniature donkey named Dandelion is a fierce foe to be reckoned with, standing threefeet tall with a loud bray intended to scare off coyotes. Meier admitted he did not do much research or have a specific reason to get a donkey — he just wanted a donkey and knew it could help protect the herd, especially when the cows are with calves. “I kind of like donkeys and I don’t know, I don’t think a lot of thought went into the decision,” Meier said with a chuckle. Having lived and worked on farms his whole life in Switzerland and the Hudson Valley, Meier brought cows from New York, and a love for animals. He bought Nordic Farm in 2024 with Ben Dobson and has ducks, pigs and a dog. Dandelion has already bonded with the herd of 95 cows and 35 calves. Meier said she and the herd

Correction

The Citizen last week incorrectly stated Abby Killey’s role at the Charlotte Grange in a story about its poetry events. Killey is vice president and Tai Dinnan is president.

get along well, and she is almost like a pet to them. Donkeys can kill coyotes and will bray, kick and bite any predators that come too close, and

Dandelion can move faster than the cows and is often the leader of the herd, Meier said. Coyotes are often opportunist hunters and will usually attack easy, vulnera-

ble prey like calves in the first few days they are born. See GUARDIANS on page 4

Page 4 • October 22, 2026 • The Citizen

News Briefs Community-connecting projects awarded grants Spark Connecting Community Program at the Vermont Community Foundation Awards $139,406 for Projects that Bring Vermonters Together The Vermont Community Foundation’s Spark Connecting Community grant program has awarded $139,406 to support 31 organizations across Vermont. According to a press release, recipients, including schools, nonprofits and community groups, will host local projects that connect people to place and strengthen community bonds through activities including art, youth programming, gardening and food. “From free summer art classes and a music Porchfest to shared harvests and an ADA community celebration day, these projects demonstrate an ingenuity among Vermonters and their desire to enrich the lives of themselves and their community members,” Holly Morehouse, vice president of Community Impact at the Vermont Community Foundation, said. These grants — where a small amount can make a big difference — are intended to light the spark for local ideas to

grow into meaningful opportunities for neighbors to connect, the press release stated. Grant recipients in Chittenden County include: • ANEW Place received $5,000 to support Neighbor to the Neighbor Aftercare Support Pilot, connecting program graduates with community members and creating consistent, relational support as Vermonters transition into independent housing. The pilot builds on existing relationships and complements formal case management by strengthening connection, stability and belonging. • Merrymac Farm Sanctuary received $5,000 to support Shared Summer Harvest, an event in late summer 2026 centered on community connection, sharing the summer harvest, and repurposing surplus produce for rescue animals. The event will also serve as the public launch for MMFS’s new Education Room. • Richard Kemp Center of the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance received $5,000 to support Healing Justice. The Healing Justice program is a peer-led, non-clinical initiative creating culturally affirming spaces for Black Vermonters to process racial trauma, build resilience and strengthen collective care.

PHOTO BY SOPHIA BALUNEK

Dandelion has bonded with her herd of cattle as well as with Meier.

GUARDIANS

continued from page 3 Dandelion requires minimal maintenance — consistent hoof care — and Meier’s already trimmed the donkey’s hooves three times since getting her in the spring. Meier supplies the cows and Dandelion with fresh hay and lots of land to feed on, but she does not need any more special attention or food after that.

A flock and a herd

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It’s not udder nonsense that Shelburne Farms uses cows to protect its sheep. Dairy farm and flock manager Sam Dixon uses mother cows and calves to protect the farms’ flock. The cows’ maternal instinct makes them protective of their calves and thus the sheep with which they’ve bonded. “They’re going to go to protect their calf, and by protecting their calf, they’re going to protect the sheep,” Dixon said. Two years ago, herdsman Renee LaCross introduced the approach after the farm lost six sheep within 24-hours to coyotes which had never been a problem before. Dixon decided to go forward with the idea and, since then, the farm has not lost any sheep.

The farm calls this combina- want to start eliminating the tion of a flock of sheep and herd of coyotes because it will throw cows a “flerd.” the environment out of balance Three mother cows protect their and new coyotes would emerge. calves and around 80 sheep. Dixon He explained that if he can deter said there needs to be at least three coyotes from eating sheep for five mother cows protecting the flerd years, the flock is removed as a since coyotes will work in pairs to food source in the coyotes’ collecattack the flock. One coyote will tive memory. draw the guardian away while the One drawback of a flerd is other coyote attacks. increased management since the Dixon considered other live- animals need to be moved more stock guardians frequently for including llamas, grazing, Dixon “By protecting their donkeys and dogs said. Moving but opted for the the animals is calf, they’re going to flerd because labor-intensive llamas are prone as workers move protect the sheep.” to illness and paddocks made guardian dogs of electric fenc— Sam Dixon ing and reset the can often be too protective and half-acre bounddangerous when 150,000 visitors ary. Both species move at different come to the farm each year. The speeds requiring each to be shepfarm also decided against donkeys herded or herded to new pastures since Dixon said donkeys are separately. prone to gaining weight and must Dixon also keeps in mind the be trained to protect sheep. different breeding seasons for At first, a few sheep were lost each species, managing calving in to coyotes, but once the cows the winter alongside sheep breedhad their calves, their maternal ing in the fall and lambing in the instincts kicked in and both adjust- spring. Using the flerd needs more ed to living with one another. management than other guardians Dixon said he tries to work but was the best choice for what with the landscape and doesn’t Shelburne Farms needed.

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The Citizen • October 22, 2026 • Page 5

OPINION Proposal 3 is a vote for working class power Guest Perspective David Van Deusen Politicians come and go. Laws change. Constitutions remain. On Election Day, Nov. 3, all Vermonters will be going to the polls and voting on whether to forever enshrine our right to form and belong to a labor union into our Vermont State Constitution. If passed, Proposal 3 would forever protect the rights of all workers in the Green Mountains to be union. The billionaires, bosses and elite hate this constitutional amendment because they dream of a day when they can buy enough lawmakers in Montpelier to make us a so called “right-to-work” state. In short, they oppose unions because they know that when we come together, when we are organized, we (the working class) are the great majority and as such we have more potential power to shape our world more than their wealth can ever realize. If they could break us, they would. But we are union strong and we know that laboring people make up 99% of the population. And it’s about time that we gained rights and protections in our Constitution so that we, as a labor movement, can continue our fight to achieve livable wages, universal health care, paid family medical leave, affordable housing, food security, higher education, jobs and a more direct participatory democracy for all.

While I know that together we shall pass Proposal 3 on Election Day, the rich and powerful out-of-staters are spending millions trying to trick, fool and cajole working people to vote against our own collective interests. They are sending out mailings, paying for radio ads, submitting op-eds and they have no shame when it comes to lying in order to advance their corporate agenda. Here are the facts: Proposal 3 simply takes existing Vermont Labor Law and places in into our constitution as an unalienable right so that no future politician, by hook or by crook, can seek to diminish or negate our present union rights. That is all. Look, we are the working class, and we are the majority. Our power is growing. And we need each and every one of you to show up on Nov. 3 to vote “yes” on Proposal 3. But we need more than that. As president emeritus of the Vermont AFL-CIO, I implore you to make a point to speak with your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors and ask them to support the rights of working people by voting “yes” on Proposal 3. And together let’s all get out and vote yes on 3 and thereby send the oligarchs and the fascist Trump Administration a message they cannot ignore: Vermont stands with workers: Vermont is union strong.

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Attention Vermonters

GET BACK TO ‘Virtual’ mergers likely FEELING LIKE to produce better results YOURSELF Guest Perspective Ben Kinsley Here in Vermont, we value local communities and local connections. Small is valuable, and rural is an asset, not a liability. Yet in education policy, many Vermonters have embraced the assumption that bigger districts are inherently better. The evidence suggests otherwise: Vermont can pursue savings and stronger student outcomes without forcing communities into larger districts and without erasing their local identity. The data shows that bigger schools and bigger districts do not inherently produce better outcomes for either students or taxpayers. Let me explain. Despite the rhetoric about economies of scale, statistical analysis shows no

David Van Deusen is president emeritus of the Vermont AFL-CIO.

meaningful relationship between Vermont district size and per-student cost. Student outcomes also do not improve as districts grow. And these findings are not unique to Vermont. So, where does this push for consolidation come from? Some of it is well-intentioned, but misguided. It is easy to believe that a larger footprint comes with efficiencies. That is true to a certain degree, but inefficiencies also follow conventional consolidation (like increases in administrative overhead and pay scales). A second reason consolidation seems attractive is administrative simplicity. Larger, more uniform districts can make it easier to coordinate staffing, move assets and standardize operations. Those conveniences may be real, but they should not See KINSLEY on page 7

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Page 6 • October 22, 2026 • The Citizen

Letters to the Editor Rodgers can work across party lines To the Editor: Molly Gray and John Rodgers are both good people who care about Vermont. Both are running for lieutenant governor. But I believe there is a fundamental difference between them that should matter to voters: John Rodgers wants to do the work of governing Vermont, while Molly Gray seems more interested in positioning herself for the next, bigger race. Vermont faces serious challenges. Our housing costs are out of control, young families are struggling to stay here, rural communities are being forgotten as they lose essential services, and our property taxes are putting real pressure on homeowners. We need a lieutenant governor who is focused on these problems and prepared to work with anyone, regardless of party, to address them. I am a Democrat. I understand the hesitation some Democrats may feel about voting for a Republican. But party labels should not be a substitute for looking at the individual, his record, and what he actually believes. Rodgers does not support the Trump agenda, and voters should judge him on his own merits rather than assume that every Republican is a Trump Republican. Over the past two years, Rodgers has shown that public service is about more than party politics. When he was elected, he got straight to work, bringing decades of experience in the Vermont Legislature to the lieutenant governor’s office. He championed affordability and made a point of traveling around the state to listen

to Vermonters. He has advocated for practical solutions to the cost of housing and everyday expenses, and for a legislature where neither party simply steamrolls the other. As a farmer, small-business owner and lifelong Vermonter, he understands the pressures facing working families and rural communities firsthand. We have a long tradition of independent-minded politics, and we should be willing to look beyond party affiliation when deciding who can best serve our state. A candidate’s willingness to listen, work across party lines and put Vermont ahead of personal ambition matters more than a letter beside their name. John Rodgers deserves a serious look from voters of every political persuasion, including Democrats like me. We need leaders focused on the task at hand to make this state more affordable. I voted for John Rodgers. I hope you will, too. Lewis Mudge Charlotte

It’s time to change course on this election To the Editor: As we near election day, we have a choice to make. We can continue with our current governor or elect a new governor with new ideas to address Vermont’s affordability crisis. Let’s consider how the governor has addressed Vermont’s affordability crisis. Gov. Phil Scott’s primary policy proposal for the last 10 years is to “spend no money.” While everyone can agree See LETTERS on page 9

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The Citizen • October 22, 2026 • Page 7

KINSLEY

continued from page 5 that were achieved early in the process be confused with demonstrated savings or made the most sense. The ones that came better student outcomes. later, the ones that were forced, did not I worked on the last school consolproduce positive outcomes. idation effort, Act 46, and by the end Most districts, however, would benewe would joke that it should have been fit from what I call “virtual mergers.” named “The Superintendent’s Relief Act.” Rather than combine local districts, this Vermont is now weighing another largemodel regionalizes business and educascale consolidation effort, but the results tional services through Education Service of the last one should be analyzed with the Agencies (the approach behind Act 170’s learnings used to inform the current effort. CESAs). It preserves local control while Since Act 46 passed in 2015, education streamlining administration and reducing spending has increased 67% ($1 billion) costs. Because districts remain intact, even as enrollment fell. That is average Vermont could capture the administrative annual growth of more than 5.6% over 12 and contracting savings seen under Act years, compared with average inflation 46 without adding transportation costs of about 3.2% (41% compounded). Had or leveling up compensation. Two-thirds spending merely kept pace with inflation, of states use this model, and our analysis Vermont would be spending nearly $400 estimates that full adoption could save million less on education today. Vermont roughly $300 million. The only independent analysis of What is incumbent upon the folks servAct 46 was done by a researcher at Yale ing on these new merger study committees and, meaningfully, examined spending is to determine whether the facts support within the same districts both prior to and conventional consolidation or whether a following consolidation. That analysis virtual merger would be a showed that spending more viable option. actually increased slightly The nuance we are Conventional following consolidation. consolidation deserves There were savings on talking about is an earnest look where administrative support and pay scales are similar, contracted services, but our kids. It’s the operating grades align these savings were negated and physical assets such by increases in transpornext generation of as buildings are close tation costs and compentogether. Where those sation. Vermonters. conditions are absent, Higher transportation a virtual merger will costs are easy to underpreserve more local control while avoiding stand; the compensation increases require the costs created by incompatible operamore explanation. Merging districts means tions, distant facilities and substantially reopening employment contracts, and the different compensation structures. tendency is to adopt the most generous Study committees should compare package rather than ask any employees to conventional consolidation and virtual take a pay cut —especially as this would mergers against the same test: which be one of a new, merged school board’s option can achieve durable savings and first acts. I believe this dynamic contribbetter educational outcomes while meetuted significantly to Act 46’s failure to ing the needs of the community and the deliver its promised savings. region? Any savings attributed to a tradiToday there are 52 Supervisory Unions tional merger should be tested against what overseeing 119 school districts, with an shared services could accomplish with less average size of just under 700 students. disruption. That comparison is not merely That is actually above the national median prudent; the law requires study committees of 586 students. So, if our districts are about the same size as the rest of the coun- to evaluate these available options. The value of a community school also try, why are we spending 30% more? There extends well beyond the cost/benefit analmust be more to the story. Act 170 requires every school district to ysis. A nearby school makes it easier for parents to participate, helps educators build join an assigned study committee. Facildurable relationships with families, and itators must group generally contiguous gives students a stronger connection to the districts and, where practical, aim for at place where they live. In many rural towns, least 2,000 students per study group. That the school is one of the institutions that target is impractical and unnecessary for holds the community together. A merger Vermont: it exceeds the typical size in most rural states and is more than triple the analysis that overlooks parental involvement, trusted relationships, and community national median district size. cohesion is not a complete cost-benefit More specific to this conversation, analysis. the law also requires study committees This is not an all or nothing decision perform a cost/benefit analysis on the the way some politicians have framed the educational, financial, operational and issue. There is nuance, and that complexlong-term sustainability effects of mergity is important because the nuance we ers. This is important because it places a are talking about is our kids. It’s the next requirement on study committee members generation of Vermonters. to evaluate all the benefits and drawbacks We can both reduce costs for taxpayers of conventional consolidation. It is important to approach the process with eyes wide and improve outcomes for students, but mass consolidation with blind faith that open and weigh both sides of the equation. bigger must be better may very well work There will absolutely be places where against us in those efforts. conventional consolidation makes sense. We saw this during Act 46 as well; the Ben Kinsley is the executive director of earliest mergers had the most positive outcomes. This was likely because the ones Campaign for Vermont Prosperity.

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Page 8 • October 22, 2026 • The Citizen

COMMUNITY Community Notes Celebrate fall in Hinesburg with a gala Nov. 7 The Friends of the Carpenter-Carse Library will host the Hinesburg Fall Library Gala on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Buck Ridge Barn, 8470 Route 116 in Hinesburg. The evening will include food, a cash bar, live music, dancing and raffle prizes. Raffle tickets are $5 and will be sold at the door and throughout the evening. Tickets cost $75 per person and are available at the Carpenter-Carse Library front desk or online at carpentercarse.org/ friends-of-ccl. Proceeds will benefit the library’s community room expansion.

Shelburne Age Well luncheon is Nov. 10 St. Catherine of Siena and Age Well will host a luncheon for adults 60 and older Tuesday, Nov. 10, at St. Catherine of Siena Parish Hall, 72 Church St. in Shelburne. Check-in begins at 11:30 a.m., and lunch will be served at noon. The suggested donation is $7.

The menu includes turkey breast, whipped potatoes, gravy, bread stuffing, carrots, a dinner roll, pumpkin pie and milk. Registration is required by Nov. 5. To register, contact Pam Niarchos, nutrition coordinator, at 802-662-5283 or pniarchos@agewellvt.org. Tickets are also available at the Age Well office, 875 Roosevelt Highway, Suite 210, in Colchester. Restaurant tickets are available for a suggested $8 donation.

Artist hosts landscape and garden design talk Artist and horticulturist Susie Lukens will discuss artistic landscape and garden design Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 1 p.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, 899 Dorset St., South Burlington. Lukens treats landscapes as living canvases, combining horticulture with artistic principles to create garden spaces inspired by Vermont’s changing landscapes. She will discuss her approach to garden design, indoor and outdoor gardening and pollinator gardens.

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PHOTO BY SOPHIA BALUNEK

The view of Lake Champlain as seen from Charlotte.

Go contra dancing in Burlington Queen City Contras will present a contra dance Friday, Oct. 23, at St. Anthony’s Parish Hall, 305 Flynn Ave., Burlington. A beginner lesson starts at 6:45 p.m., with dancing at 7 p.m. Red Dog Riley will provide the music,

and Quena Crane will call the dances. All dances are taught, and no partner or previous experience is necessary. Admission is $12 for adults older than 18, $5 for ages 12-18 and people with low incomes, and free for children younger See COMMUNITY NOTES on page 9

The Citizen • October 22, 2026 • Page 9

COMMUNITY NOTES continued from page 8

than 12. Bring clean, soft-soled shoes and a water bottle. Masks are welcome but optional. Please stay home if you have symptoms.

Hinesburg Artist Series presents fall concert The Hinesburg Artist Series will present a fall concert featuring the Hinesburg Community Band and South County Chorus Sunday, Oct. 25, at 4 p.m. at Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg. Both groups will perform under the direction of Rufus Patrick, founder and music director of the Hinesburg Artist Series. The South County Chorus will perform seasonal selections including “Autumn Song” by PINKZEBRA, “The Gargoyle” and “Bono Malum Superatum,” along with other familiar and new pieces. The Hinesburg Commu-

nity Band’s program will include “West Highlands Sojourn,” “Cantus Jubilante” and Robert Sheldon’s “Like a River,” along with other contemporary selections. The concert is free, and donations are welcome. For more information, visit hinesburgartistseries.org.

Baseball historian visits collectibles shop Hyper Relic will host an evening celebrating baseball, art and history with Vermont baseball historian and artist Lance Richbourg on Friday, Oct. 23, from 4 to 8 p.m. at 3762 Shelburne Road, Suite 3. Meet Richbourg, hear the stories behind his work and see his original “Larry Gardner Sliding,” along with a special collection of his baseball artwork.

LETTERS

continued from page 6 this is an important guideline to follow in every legislative proposal, it is not a policy that will solve real problems, let alone solve a crisis. Vermonters deserve action, not inaction. Here are examples of Scott’s policy proposals and “spend no money” solutions. • His administration proposed to reduce the number of school districts from over 100 to 5 “mega” districts. While this proposal had no clear data showing it would reduce education costs, we do know it would devastate Vermont’s rural communities. • He vetoed the child care bill (H.217) posed to help young families deal with a child care crisis. Fortunately, the Legislature was able to overturn the veto and pass Act 76, a landmark law that reforms and publicly funds early childhood education and schoolage childcare across the state. • He vetoed a bill which would restrict Data Centers (H.727), a veto that is clearly out-of-step with the majority of Vermonters. • He vetoed a bill that would apply reference-based pricing on health care (S.190), which most experts said would lower health

care costs for all, including teachers’ health care, a significant driver increasing education costs. • He is encouraging nuclear power as an energy option for Vermont while adding barriers to Vermont’s strong and successful renewable energy business sector. For 10 years, Gov. Scott has blamed others for our current state-of-affairs. He primarily blames the Legislature, whose members are voted in by real Vermonters wanting to move our state forward. While about 10-15% of legislators have turned over in just the last four years, our governor is still there failing in the job he was elected to do; to work with, not against, the Legislature on solutions for Vermont. As a politically engaged Vermonter, taxpayer, former selectboard member and outgoing legislator, I believe it is time for us to change course. We can continue the path we have followed for 10-years, a path that has led nowhere, or we can choose a new path to move us forward. Phillip Pouech Hinesburg

Student Milestones The following students received academic honors for the summer semester. Their colleges sent the news along to the newspaper. • Sean Gilliam, of Charlotte, graduated from Bates College • Catie Berg of Hinesburg,

graduated from Bates College • Bo Tran of Charlotte, VT, was named to the Champlain College Online dean’s list • Community College of Vermont summer dean’s list: Caleb Deyoz, Adam Gourdin and Mabel Osgood, of Hinesburg

Obituary Janice Christie Weir Allen It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Janice Weir Allen, who died peacefully on Oct. 4, 2026, at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, surrounded by her loving family. Born on July 30, 1955, in Albany, New York, to Deidre Christie and David A. Weir, Janice spent her childhood between Albany and Nassau, Bahamas. Those early years were the beginning of a life that would take her many places, and her warmth, adventurous spirit and gift for forming lasting friendships followed her wherever she went. Janice graduated from Howey Academy in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida, and later completed Montessori teacher training in London, England. She began her career teaching Montessori preschool in California, where her patience, kindness and love of learning inspired countless young children. In 1981, Janice welcomed her son, Marlon Campos. During this chapter of her life, she also owned and ran the Kangaroo Sandwich Shop in La Jolla, California, where her love of food and natural gift for hospitality came together. After moving to Key Largo, Florida, in 1983, Janice

Janice Christie Weir Allen

met the love of her life, Joseph Allen. In 1989, they welcomed their daughter, Sophie, completing their family. Together, Janice and Joe built a life centered on love, family, and friendship, sharing nearly 41 years of marriage. Although Janice lived many places throughout her life, in 1994 she found her lasting home in Vermont, where she enjoyed downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, hiking and sailing on Lake Champlain. In 2011, she and Joe established second-home roots in Vero Beach, Florida, where Janice loved long walks on the beach, warm afternoons by the pool, and gathering with both old and new friends. A devoted dog lover, she treasured her canine companions and gave them lives filled with love, comfort and care.

Janice will be remembered as an extraordinary cook, devoted wife, loving mother and adoring granny. Family was the center of her world, and she found her greatest joy in bringing people together around her table. She was an incredible host, a loyal friend and a compassionate soul whose generosity touched everyone fortunate enough to know her. Janice was predeceased by her father, David A. Weir; her mother, Deidre Christie; and her half-sister, Patricia Christie. She is survived by her beloved husband, Joseph Allen; her children, Sophie Boyea and Marlon Campos; her son-in-law, Will Boyea; her cherished grandchildren, Cameron Boyea and Reese Boyea; her brother, David A. Weir; her niece, Margaux Weir; her half-sisters, Katherine Weir and Amelia Weir; her stepmother, Candace King Weir; her cousin, Pamela Plummer; and many other beloved family members and dear friends who will miss her deeply. Janice’s legacy lives on through the family she treasured, the friendships she nurtured, and the countless lives she enriched with her kindness, hospitality and unwavering love. A celebration of Janice’s life will be held at a later date.

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Page 10 • October 22, 2026 • The Citizen

SPORTS Redhawks teams ready themselves for the playoffs LAUREN READ CORRESPONDENT

As surely as the leaf peepers retreated from the Vermont roads, the area’s varsity teams began their own road into the playoffs. Here’s how the post-season is shaping up, and how the Redhawks fared in the past week.

Girls’ soccer

PHOTO BY AL FREY

Elliana Antonucci dribbles around a defender during Thursday’s tie game against St. Johnsbury.

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Division I playdowns No. 3 Champlain Valley vs. No. 14 Colchester, Tuesday at 3 p.m. The postseason begins for the Champlain Valley girls’ soccer team on Tuesday, when they take on No. 14 Colchester (0-11-3) in the Division I playdowns. The Redhawks, who earned the No. 3 seed, wrapped up the regular season on Saturday with a 1-0 victory over Mount Mansfield, who earned the No. 2 seed and could be a potential D-I semifinal opponent. Arabella Revoir scored in the first half for CVU (9-2-3) in the win, while Mireille Howatt-Walker and Eisley Devitt combined for four saves in goal to earn the shutout. CVU will now take on Colchester on Tuesday, a team they beat twice during the regular season. The winner will take on the winner of No. 11 Mount Anthony (3-10-1) at No. 6 Rutland (9-5) on Friday at 2 p.m.

Boys’ soccer Division I quarterfinals No. 3 Champlain Valley vs. TBD, Friday at 3 p.m. Champlain Valley rebounded from a late season loss to Mount Mansfield with a 1-0 win on Friday to round out the regular season. CVU finished the season with a 10-3-1 record and got a bye to the Division I boys soccer quarterfinals. Creston Lea-Simons scored the game-winner for the Redhawks, while Theo Skapof got the shutout with four saves in goal. CVU now awaits the winner of No. 11 Colchester (5-9) at No. 6 Mount Mansfield (7-6-1), who will face off on Tuesday in the D-I playdowns. The Redhawks may hope for an upset. The sixth-seeded Cougars beat CVU in the second-to-last game of the regular season - only their third loss this season. The Redhawks beat Colchester in both earlier matchups. The winner will travel to Hinesburg for Friday’s quarterfinal.

Girls’ volleyball Division I quarterfinals No. 3 Champlain Valley vs. No. 6 Colchester, Wednesday at 5 p.m. The Champlain Valley girls’ volleyball team dropped three of its last five matches but rebounded to finish a strong note with a 3-1 win over Mount Mansfield on Friday. CVU finished with a 9-5 record and enters the Division I postseason with the No. 3 seed in the Division I playoffs. They will take on No. 6 Colchester on Wednesday in the D-I quarterfinals. The two teams did not meet in the regular season. CVU beat Mount Mansfield, three sets to one, to clinch a win in their final regular season matchup.

Field hockey Division I quarterfinals No. 6 Champlain Valley at No. 3 Essex, Friday at 3 p.m. The Champlain Valley field hockey team won its final two games of the regular season to finish with a 7-7 record and No. 6 seed in the Division I playoffs. The sixth seed earned them a matchup with No. 3 Essex (9-5) on Friday in the D-I quarterfinals. CVU took on Mount Mansfield on Saturday to wrap up the regular season, beating the Cougars 5-2. Lilly Irons tallied twice for the Redhawks, while Emery Thompson, Hannah Jones and Penny Webster each scored. Cici Kenney stopped six shots on goal to earn the win. The Redhawks will now face the Hornets, who they lost to twice in the regular season. But both matchups were hotly contested with the first going into overtime and the second a tight 3-2 score. If CVU can pull off the upset, they will likely face No. 2 South Burlington in the semifinals next week.

Football Colchester 29, Champlain Valley 14: Champlain Valley was outscored 22-7 in the second half and fell to Colchester on Friday night in high school football. CVU, who has just one game left in the regular season, moves to 2-5 this season and will face BFA-St. Albans on Friday at 7 p.m. on the road. Jackson Carrasquillo hit Hugh Graham with a 38-yard touchdown pass and DeMarcus Riggs See REDHAWKS on page 16

The Citizen • October 22, 2026 • Page 11

How do journalists cover elections in Vermont? Thursday, Nov. 5, 6 pm • Wild Meadows Books & Cafe • 27 Market St., Williston

Join us just two days after the midterms to talk with VTDigger state government and politics reporter Shaun Robinson and Vermont Community Newspaper Group editor-in-chief Tommy Gardner about how they approach their work to help voters make informed choices. The discussion will be moderated by Boston Globe reporter Paul Heintz and will include audience Q&A. RSVP at wildmeadowsbooks.com/events or scan the QR code THE JOURNALISM CLUB is a monthly gathering of news producers and consumers to discuss the reporting process. It takes place at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month at Wild Meadows Books & Cafe. Williston

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COURTESY PHOTOS

Fun in the sun Hinesburg Recreation hosted its annual soccer round robin last weekend on Oct. 10 to finish up the youth soccer season with games for first through fifth graders. The Hinesburg Community School eight graders hosted a bake sale with grilled items to fundraise their end-of-the-year trip. Moms of eighth graders, Kelly O’Malley and Emily Parent, organized this effort to feed hungry soccer players and fans. Dan Parent and Noah Everitt were the grill masters. Referees and CVU freshman Keller Morton and Chris McCuin kept the games moving and civilized.

Page 12 • October 22, 2026 • The Citizen

OUTDOORS

PHOTOS BY AMY SIMONE

Above: No more than a day before planting, separate the garlic bulb into individual cloves. Right: Using a dibble or a trowel, create a hole at least 2 inches deep, and put the garlic clove in, pointy side up.

Plant garlic now for next year’s harvest AMY SIMONE UVM EXTENSION

Garlic is a tasty crop that is quite easy to grow, but it does require planning ahead. Unlike other edible alliums (e.g., onions and chives), garlic is planted in the fall to provide it with the cold treatment it needs to induce bulbing. Ideal conditions in which to plant garlic include loamy soil with a pH between 6.2 and 7.0, located in full sun. Give soil that previously supported garlic or other allium crops a two-year break before replanting. Remove garden debris from your selected spot and amend the soil with compost if needed. Choose the varieties of garlic that suit your climate, taste and culinary objectives. Planting the garlic you buy from the grocery store to cook with may seem like a good choice; however, it could be a variety that only grows in warmer climates, or it may have been treated to increase its shelf life. Therefore, purchase your seed garlic from local farms and garden centers to be sure that it will grow successfully. The ideal time to plant garlic is three weeks before the ground freezes. This will enable the roots to develop, but the cold will discourage sprouts from poking through the ground before winter arrives. In the Northeast, this is usually mid-October to early November. No more than a day before

planting, break down the garlic bulbs into individual cloves. Select the largest cloves for planting, as they will yield the largest bulbs at harvest time. Using a dibble or trowel, create a hole at least 2 inches deep. Place the clove in the hole, flat side down, pointy side up. Cover with soil and mulch with 4 inches of straw or shredded leaves. Space the cloves 4 to 8 inches apart so that you will have enough room to safely dig them up at harvest time. Your work is done for now. In springtime, once you see the sprouts poking through the soil, keep the plants evenly moist throughout the growing season. Remove weeds from around them regularly. Hardneck garlic varieties typically grown in the Northeast send up a false flower stalk called a scape in May or June. These should be removed to allow the plant to focus its energy on bulb formation. You can enjoy the edible scapes while waiting for your garlic to finish growing. Around July, you will begin to see the leaves turn yellow from the tips down. Loosen the soil around the plant to avoid damaging the bulb and gently pull it out. Harvest when the bulbs are full and their wrappers are complete. Do not allow them to stay in the ground too long or the wrappers will deteriorate and the cloves will separate. If you find that the bulbs are not yet ready, cover them back up with the soil and check again in a

week or two. Otherwise, pull up the garlic, brush off the dirt and place it to cure in a shady area with good air circulation. Once the wrappers are papery and the roots are dry, your garlic is cured and ready. Trim off the roots and cut the stalk. Remove the dirtiest of the outer wrappers and store

the garlic in a cool, dark and dry place. Remember to set aside the biggest bulbs so that you can plant more of your own delicious garlic next fall. For answers to your home gardening questions, contact the University of Vermont Extension

Master Gardeners Helpline online (go.uvm.edu/gardeninghelpline) or by phone (802-656-5421, Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon) to the end of October. Amy Simone is a UVM Extension Master Gardener volunteer from South Burlington.

Town forests partially closed off to non-hunters for six weeks At its Aug. 13 meeting, the Hinesburg Town Forest Committee voted to continue encouraging deer hunting in both town forests as a management tool to prevent over-browsing by deer. Sections of both the Hinesburg Town Forest and LaPlatte Headwaters Town Forest will be closed to all recreation except hunting between Thursday, Oct. 29 and Sunday, Dec. 13. Based on feedback received from different user groups, the committee chose to close a section of the forest for a continuous period. The committee hopes this strategy will serve all user groups by preserving some access to the town forests while still encour-

aging hunting in other areas, according to committee chair Pat Miner. Reducing deer density will reduce over-browsing, which negatively impacts early successional growth and understory regeneration in the forests. During this period, non-hunting activities, including walking, hiking, trail running, mountain biking, ATV use and horseback riding, are restricted to the western section of the Hinesburg Town Forest around the Hayden Hill parking areas. The following recreational trails will remain open to all the activities that are normally allowed on them: Maiden, Russell's Ramble, Sheep Thrills, Missing Link, Back Door, Stealth and a section of the Eagle’s Trail from

the trailhead at Hayden Hill West to the height of land at the start of Sheep Thrills. In the LaPlatte Headwaters Town Forest, all trails will remain open because the closed area has no recreation trails. Maps of the areas of each town forest closed to non-hunting uses can be found at photos. app.goo.gl/8YW9PJDr1JDfBY tr8. Remember that hunting, per state regulations (vtfishandwildlife.com/hunt/hunting-and-trapping-seasons), is allowed everywhere in both town forests, regardless of any closure. All users should wear bright-colored clothing while in either town forest during deer season.

The Citizen • October 22, 2026 • Page 13

Horoscope October 22, 2026

ANSWERS FROM THIS ISSUE

Weekly Puzzles

Page 14 • October 22, 2026 • The Citizen

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The Citizen • October 22, 2026 • Page 15

FARM

continued from page 1 families face choices about what they want to do with the land. Is anyone interested in taking over farming operations? Can they afford to continue? Should they sell to a developer? Sell to another farm? What about a conservation easement? “What has been the theme of our family for decades, is that we never really wanted to develop the farm. We really become attached to the land,” Ross said. Through three generations, Ross said, the family has had an agreement: They don’t want to chop up the farm, even if it might bring in a greater profit. Easements with a land trust place permanent protections on land through the sale of development rights and other environmental protections — a farm with a conservation easement will not become a housing or commercial development. Ross, who served in the Vermont Legislature, worked for Patrick Leahy and was appointed as the state secretary of agriculture by Peter Shumlin, said that most farmers he knows feel similarly. They don’t want to see the land they’ve put so much into used for something other than agriculture. Ross’s father bought the land on Shelburne Falls Road that would become Taproot Farm in the early 1960s. Over the decades, the family raised Morgan horses and ran a hay operation. Taproot has consistently hayed at least 200 acres, shipping their product

across Vermont. In order to retire, Ross said, his parents hired help to run the farm and rented it out to another famer to run their own business. However, around the time his father died in 2003, Ross said, the farm had become too much for the current tenant and she left. “We were kind of trying to figure out what to do with the property, and you know we were fortunate recipients of a little serendipity in that we had three different people inquire about what we’re going to do with the land,” Ross said. Since then, the farm has been a successful incubator. Taproot brings in different partners who might be working on various farm-related ventures — the first round included a hay farmer, but also a greenhouse operation and a dairy. One of the farm’s most successful collaborators, Ross said, is Red Wagon Plants, which has a remained a neighbor to the farm. “If we couldn’t figure out how to hold onto the farm, then we wouldn’t have land and buildings and space to rent. And if they didn’t pay us and run good businesses then we couldn’t pay the taxes and cover the insurance and all the costs that come with owning a piece of property,” Ross said. All of this, he added, is what made it feasible to do a conservation easement. A conservation easement can be a complex process — landown-

PHOTO BY SOPHIA BALUNEK

Taproot Farm is pursing a permanent conservation easement with the Vermont Land Trust.

ers often put together a variety of funding sources to pay for the development rights. In the case of Taproot Farm, there a multiple funding partners involved — including $15,000 from Hinesburg’s Land Trust. Hinesburg has multiple conserved farms. According to Ross, Taproot is already neighboring farms conserved through the Vermont Land Trust. He sees conservation as way to maintain some of Vermont’s open space, and through that, some of its essential culture. Most of Vermont’s open space, he said, is stewarded by its family farmers. “Tell me what Vermont’s like if we lose our farms — if we see all these views that you have the benefit of having as you drive around

grown up to trees or houses, and what have we lost?” he said.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF PETITIONS FOR ELECTION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICT SUPERVISOR FOR THE WINOOSKI NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION DISTRICT To all those residing within the boundaries of the Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District (NRCD), notice is hereby given that on October 19, 2026 petitions for the position of supervisor for the conservation district will be available. An election will be held on December 7, 2026 for one supervisor for the district. Petitions must be completed and returned to the local conservation district office by close of business on November 3, 2026. Only persons, firms, and corporations who hold title in fee land and residing within such an organized district are eligible to sign a petition or vote. Conservation districts are local subdivisions of state government established under the Soil Conservation Act of Vermont. An eligible voter may contact the Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District at 802-828-4493 for a petition or more information or visit https://www.winooskinrcd.org/board-ofsupervisors. Dated: October 19, 2026

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Page 16 • October 22, 2026 • The Citizen

OLD BRICK STORE

HONORING OUR

VETERANS On Nov. 5, The Citizen will be honored to publish photos of the men and women who have unselfishly served our country. Shelburne News

G ORmIoN HOVeN Us terans A ng

Feb. 1962–Jan. 1969

WALTER J. LUCHINI United States Army, SP 4 Years of service: 1963 - 1966 United States and South Korea

ROBERT A. MILLETTE United States Navy; WW II Seaman 1st Class

GEORGE R. NATTRESS United States Marine Corps Pacific Theater

1944-1946

ELEANOR ALEXANDER Jacobson (In Memoriam) United States Navy, WAVE Yeoman Third Class September 1944–June 1946

BILL OAKES United States Army Corporal 1952-1954

DEBBIE OAKES United States Army Sergeant 1977-1980

FLORENCE M. MACALISTER United States Marine Corps Sergeant | WWI 1918-19 HQS, US Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.

EDWARD GARVEY United States Air Force

WM DAVID GERNS, JR S/Sgt, Communications PETER PAUL ZUK ICC(SW) Specialist U.S. Marine Corps United States Navy (Ret.) 764th Radar Squadron, and St. Albans 1st Lieutenant1st Class Petty Officer Henri de Marne , Headquarters, 1955-57 his brother Claude 1944 31st Air Division, MN Served WW2, Japan and Korea Patton’s 3rd army, resistance following French on. before liberati

am ori

ori

M In

JUDITH A. COHEN Captain, Nurse Corps, USNR-R Reserve service 1973-2004

Active duty 1975-1978 National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD

FELIX F. COWEY, JR. Col. Ret. United States Army Korea 1949, 1951-52 West Point 1946

KYLE GRAY MARNE & United States Army PVT. HENRI DE E Private First ClassPVT. CLAUDE DE MARN

WSKI ROBERT S. BORKO Medic Sergeant (SFC) al Guard VT Army Nation 1982-2005

ori em M

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MCSWEENEY United States Air Force 1st Lieutenant 4750th Air Defense Wing Yuma, Ariz. 1953 - 1956

AY, SR. LORENZO P. BUSHW April 28, 1960 Active Duty: 1955 Feb. 1953-Feb.

W. DONALD DALTON, SR. United States Navy 1942–1946

C. LOUIS “LOU” DEFORGE United States Army Captain 1967 - 1971

TIMOTHY J KEEFE United States Marine Corps Corporal May 1976 - May 1980

CHRISTOPHER GIRARD United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel 1965-1985

HENRY JOSEPH GIROUX III United States Navy Chief Petty Officer

RICHARD GARROW United States Navy Torpedo Man

DAVID W. GARVEY USMC, Sargent EOD Specialist 1985-1993

JAMES M. KEHOE VT Air National Guard Chief Master Sergeant 158th FW DET 1 at Langley AFB

TRAVIS J. KEHOE VT Air National Guard Technical Sergeant

PIERRE LEMIEUX United States Marine Corps 4th Marine Infantry Regiment Sergeant, Vietnam Veteran July 23, 1963–October 14, 1966

LOU LERTOLA US Army, US Army Reserve & VTANG 1960–1994 Command Sergeant Major 40 years military service

CHAD LEWBER (w/daughter Leanne) VTANT/US Marine Corps Sargeant, Flight Medic Served in Iraq

ori em M LAURIE JACQUES USCG and ARNG 1994-2005

R ROLAND W. WILBU United States Army d Division T/4, 14th Armore WW II 1942-46

D DAVID F. LELAN United States Navy Lieutenant WWII 1944-1955

ROBERT ALLSTON LACLAIR United States Navy Quartermaster April 1943- April 1946

ROGER L. BOURGEA United States Navy Armed Guard Gunners Mate Third Class Served on Tankers and Liberty Cargo ships Dec. 1942 - Jan. 1946

DENNIS JOHNSON A2C USAF 1959 -1963

WILLIAM F. LADD United States Air Force Airman 1st Class 1955-1959

ROBERT K. LAMONDA United States Army PFC 43rd Division 1941-1945

MICHAEL W. LYNCH U.S. Navy, Lt.J.G. 1967-1975 Civil Engineer Corp 79 VT Air Guard 1976-19

THOMAS R. KLEH US Merchant Marines United States Navy Captain 1943-1977

N PERRY D. MELVI 3 U.S. Navy, HM nt 3rd Marine Regime Vietnam War

RAYMOND ‘RAY’ LEBLANC United State Air Force Strategic Air Command Alert Force Feb 1960 - Mar 1968

PETER GADUE G US Army and VTARN 1970-2009

ROSANNE M. GRECO United States Air Force (Ret.) Colonel | 1973 - 2003 Strategic Intelligence Officer & Nuclear Arms Control Negotiator Postings across the US, Europe and Far East

ROBERT ‘BOB’ LEBLANC United States Air Force 1st Lieutenant, F-100D Pilot Mar 1956 - Dec 1958 Lost on classified mission Posthumous burial Arlington National Cemetary

BLAKE SHANNON B. U.S. Army, Major 1986-2006 Veteran Afghanistan War

also mentioned an increase in garbage and rats in the area. Beal and her husband Kenyon have two young children and said the issues have impacted the family’s safety, ability to exit their property and have caused prolonged stress amongst her family. “We want the store to succeed, but that success cannot come at the direct expense of our mental health, property rights and the safety of our children,” Beal said. Beal has lived in Charlotte since 1996 and grew up biking to the store as a kid. After becoming the store’s neighbor in 2015, she and her family visited twice a week until they started to experience issues. “Two truths can exist at the same time,” Beal said. “We want to live next to a thriving store, and we don’t want our rights to be ignored and our family to be in a constant state of stress.” Beal reiterated that she does not want to close the store or “impact a pillar of the community.” A similar issue arose with the Old Lantern Inn and Barn years ago with neighbors taking owners Lisa and Roland Gujac to court over alleged disturbances due to weddings and other events.

The response

MAN, SR. ROBERT F. WHITE U.S. Air Force E6 1959-1979

ori

MSGR. JOHN R.

RICHARD ARVID

JACOBSON United States Navy

Yeoman 2nd Class October 1943–June 1946

The

MORTON A. LORD United States Air Force Captain

The Other Paper • November 7, 2024 • Page 11

ber 10, 2022 •

Page 14 • Novem

Page 10 • November 7, 2024 • The Other Paper

continued from page 2

ROBERT ERNEST KAIGLE United States Navy World War II, 1943-1945 Korean War, 1950-1951

GORDON KEARNS United States Army WWII

N THOMAS C. GIBSO Royal Air Force Squadron Leader 1947-1952, Malaya

IATA BRUCE NUNZ 1st Infantry Vietnam 1967-68

DEAN KIRBY United States Air Force A1C Viet Nam 1970

DAVID WINER Corps Corporal, Marine 1946 March 1944-July Peleliu Campaign

DAVID R. LECLAIR United States Marine Corps Corporal 1976-1980

JR. WILLIAM A. READ ander U.S. Navy Comm or Patrol Gunnery Instruct Squadron 101 Southwest Pacific

If you have a veteran you would like us to honor, please mail or email your photo and the following information by

THURSDAY, OCT. 29 Please include: • Name of veteran • Branch of service • Rank • Years of service • Town of residence

EMAIL PHOTOS AND TEXT TO: stephanie@shelburnenews.com OR MAIL TO: The Citizen, P.O. Box 489, Stowe, VT 05672

Kao has owned The Old Brick Store since 2023 and operates a small restaurant and retail space with limited seating inside. The historic building has been a store since the 1840s with the original structure dating back to 1818. In 2023, Kao updated the site’s wastewater permits to provide a public restroom and accommodate up to 20 seats. She is currently working through the process of updating water permits.

Kao claimed that she has investigated and attempted to address the issues Beal brought up. She said she worked with the state to come up with solutions to septic issues and attempts to direct traffic and parking to not inhibit Beal’s property. Kao said she was approved for up to 20 seats in the store by the development review board and even recently removed a bench that put the store over capacity. The Old Brick Store has six parking spaces with an additional two reserved for customers at the Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services. Kao’s lawyer, Liam Murphy, told the review board that the store has not violated the claims presented by Beal and Kenyon. Kao said she has tried to respond in a timely manner to each complaint while simultaneously managing her business and family. “I think the record will show that I have done everything in my power to operate with honesty, kindness and compassion and that I’ve come to the table again and again with good faith efforts to find resolutions to this matter,” Kao told the board. She said she has always been a rule-follower and hopes she can keep running her business for many years to come. “This was and still is my dream,” Kao said. “It is a dream that comes with very real responsibilities that I do not take lightly.” The development review board has not decided if Kaplan should have enforced the zoning or not. Both parties can appeal this decision regardless of the outcome within 30 days of the ruling. The fate of the store remains up in the air, and the next scheduled development review board meeting about the situation is Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 7:05 p.m.

REDHAWKS

continued from page 10 accounted for the other CVU score on a touchdown run.

Boys’ volleyball Division I quarterfinals No. 2 Champlain Valley vs. No. 7 Montpelier, Wednesday at 7 p.m. Champlain Valley looks to build off a strong regular season as they head into the Division I boys’ volleyball playoffs. After beating Rice in straight sets on

Thursday to win the final game of the regular season, CVU finished with an 11-3 record and the No. 2 seed in the D-I tournament. The only team to beat the Redhawks this season, Essex, took the top spot with a 12-1 record. CVU will open against No. 7 Rice on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the D-I quarterfinals. They beat the Green Knights in both early season matchups.

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