Issuu

City

Page 2

Vermont

For female

school athletes: No white shorts, no worries

WRITERS

For anyone with a period, the anxiety is familiar: the worry that standing up from a seat or bending over to pick something up might reveal a red stain, that a tampon or pad might leak and everyone else will notice.

For girls playing for their middle school or high school sports teams, a new initiative from the Vermont Principals Association contends, that worry adds to the reasons why one in three girls quit sports by the time they’re 14 years old.

For Lauren Young, the VPA’s executive director of activities and athletics, there’s one obvious solution: no more white shorts.

On the ﬁ rst Thursday of every month, Young said, the VPA hosts a “Girls and Equity” conversation. The organization invites coaches and athletic directors, primarily women, to talk through the issues that girls might be facing when they participate in school sports. Most importantly, Young said, the group has also been hearing from the girls themselves.

Diﬀ erent girls’ teams from schools around the state have shared about their lived expe-

rience, Young said, and have covered issues from harassment to small crowd sizes.

“Then (there’s) this whole thing around period anxiety and being comfortable in their uniforms,” Young said. “Which, man, that goes back decades for me — having a uniform that ﬁ t and I felt conﬁ dent in.”

The VPA has made available small grants for schools interested in phasing in darker shorts for their girls’ teams. With support from the National Federation of State High School Associations and the GRL Initiative (Young’s organization promoting women’s leadership in sports), the state association is helping schools buy new shorts for their teams — they’re also getting a discount on uniform bottoms from BSN Sports.

“When I put the requests out for what people needed, I was just overwhelmed with how many people took me up on the oﬀer,” Young said.

She said the VPA needs about $20,000 more dollars to complete the requests for this year.

Lamoille Union High School Athletics Director Tim Messier

See SPORTS on page 10

Healthy Living appeals labor board decision upholding employee union

BRIANA BRADY STAFF WRITER

Small grocery store chain Healthy Living has taken another step seeking to invalidate its employees’ recent vote to form a union.

The company — which has locations in South Burlington,

Williston and Saratoga Springs, New York — last week submitted an appeal to the federal National Labor Relations Board, two weeks after that board’s regional director summarily dismissed Healthy Living’s initial objections to the union election, approved 105-69 in an April vote.

“Despite their ostensibly

progressive image, Healthy Living is looking to Trump and his administration to overturn the results of our democratic election,” Adam Franz said at a press conference at the Workers United oﬃces in Burlington July 31.

PHOTO BY SOPHIA BALUNEK

Pollinator friendly

BRIANA BRADY & LIBERTY DARR STAFF

City to welcome new art installation on Williston Road

SOPHIA BALUNEK STAFF WRITER

An industrial artist group will install a public art piece in a planned pocket park on the corner of Williston Road and White Street.

The project is part of the city’s effort to create vibrant public spaces and streetscapes, and is expected to cost the city $72,000.

The Public Art Committee put a call out to artists and chose from four finalists’ proposals one to recommend to the council: “LoopDeeLoop” by Flywheel Industrial Arts. It’s a steel and wood sculpture that spirals across the park from a bench less than 20 feet long into a 16-foot-high arch then back down into another bench a little less than 40 feet.

“The design is able to be viewed by both road and path users,” committee chair Amanda Holland said in the council meeting. “This curve changes as you move and is based on perspective, so that’s another unique aspect for it being selected.”

The artists expect the installation to be complete by mid-2028.

like Williston Road has a lot of competing elements that dominate the landscape, so this large streel arch will attract attention from a distance and ignite people’s innate curiosities.

The main material will be a two-foot-wide ribbon of corten steel, which is known for its weathering abilities, according to the artists’ proposal. The benches will be covered with wood for comfortability.

Flywheel Industrial Arts has experience working with structural steel and public art and infrastructural installations.

Much of its work balances architecture and art, which is, in turn, balancing practical use and aesthetic interest. Cooper said the piece shouldn’t require decoding — it’s meant to simply invite curiosity and be a place to sit and enjoy the surroundings while doing things like shopping or commuting.

“It shouldn’t be something that gives people the sense that it needs to be understood in order to have any value. If you’re using it and you’re sitting there, there’s gonna

Jesse Cooper, the co-owner of Flywheel, said a commercial space

See ART on page 10

Party candidates will face their initial election hurdle

TOMMY GARDNER STAFF WRITER

Voters in South Burlington will head to the polls on Tuesday, Aug. 11, to vote in Vermont’s primary elections. While most statewide elections won’t see any intra-party contests, there are contested Democratic races for governor and lieutenant governor.

There’s also plenty of competition at the local and county level — again, among Democrats.

All non-contested party candidates will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot, barring any last-minute write-in campaigns.

Polls are open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at the following locations for all elections:

• City Hall Senior Center, 180 Market Street

• F.H. Tuttle Middle School, 500 Dorset Street

• Chamberlin School, 262 White Street

• Orchard School, 2 Baldwin Avenue

Here are the contested races:

• Chittenden Southeast Senate: With five candidates for three seats, two people will be sitting November out. The challengers are Joanna Grossman, D-Burlington; and Elizabeth Hunt, D-Charlotte. The

incumbents are Thomas Chittenden, D-South Burlington; Kesha Ram Hinsdale, D-Shelburne; and Virginia “Ginny” Lyons, D-Williston.

• State’s attorney: Incumbent Sarah George, D-Colchester, faces competition in Bram Kranichfeld, D-Burlington.

• Sheriff: Newcomer Kevin Bloom, D-Burlington, faces incumbent Daniel Gamelin, D-Colchester

• High bailiff: One of Vermont’s most obscure elected positions is one of the county’s most crowded Democratic fields. The candidates are Augustus Barkyoumb, D-Burlington; Paul McManus, D-Williston; Amy Payne, D-Burlington; Helaine “Lainey” Rappaport, D-Burlington; and Michael “Mikey” Roberts, D-Charlotte. In statewide Democratic primary contests, there is a three-way race among lieutenant governor hopefuls to face incumbent Lt. Gov. John Rodgers in November. The three Democrats are Esther Charlestin, D-South Burlington; Molly Gray, D-Burlington; and Ryan McLaren, D-Essex Junction. And there are two Democrats hoping to unseat incumbent Gov. Phil Scott. They are Amanda Janoo, D-Burlington, and Aly Richards, D-Montpelier.

IMAGE COURTESY OF JESSE COOPER

A concept rendering of Flywheel Industrial Arts’ proposed art installation at the corner of Williston Road and White Street.

continued from page 1

Franz was hired as a barista at Healthy Living’s café in June 2025 — he and another barista, Andy Brown, were both fired the day before the press conference in an email which cited guest complaints as the basis for termination.

While the objections Healthy Living submitted to the regional board May 8 — later dismissed by the regional NLRB director — focused on allegations of coercion in relation to the election, the new appeal, which sprawls over 700 pages, also outlines suspicions on the part of the company that it has been targeted by a “salting” campaign by Franz, Brown and a list of 23 other named employees.

“The fundamental question presented by this case is one that has not yet been directly addressed by either the Board or the Supreme Court: that is, whether a union’s coordinated infiltration of a business, for the sole purpose of securing a showing of interest and manufacturing a majority vote in a representation election, is permitted under the Act,” the appeal, prepared by Heather Southwell of Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC, reads in its introduction, referencing the National Labor Relations Act.

Salting, a labor tactic in which people purposely apply for work at company to help kickstart unionization campaigns there, is not illegal.

Precedent set by the NLRB states that whether or not someone aims to unionize a workplace, they receive the same protections around organizing as any other employee. Additionally, according to the NLRB, employers are prohibited from refusing applicants because of “union membership, activities, or sympathies.”

In the filing, Healthy Living, founded by Katy Lesser in 1986 and now co-owned and operated by her children Eli and Nina Lesser-Goldsmith, alleges that “union agents” sought out jobs at the grocery stores over the past year and a half.

The document paints a broader narrative implying that waves of pro-union employees applied to work at the markets and cafés in response to articles and books related to the work of union organizers such as Jaz Brisack, who co-founded Starbucks Workers United and self-identifies as a “salt.”

Between the announcement of the union campaign on April 1 and the election April 30, the appeal claims, the company saw a

“mass resignation” of 29 people, about one tenth of Healthy Living’s reported workforce.

The timing of these applications and resignations, the company asserts, points to “election fraud,” as the owners do not believe that those who were hired during this period held genuine interest in employment — a legal standard the NLRB has recognized for protection against hiring discrimination.

In this case, the document reads, “union organizers — paid or unpaid — are acting under the pretext of genuine employment in order to influence the outcome of a federal election being administered, and overseen, by a federal body.”

The workers, during last week’s press conference, denied any of them are working for Workers United.

“There’s no evidence for any of this, and this is sort of the same tactic that we see a lot of the time when some entity doesn’t like what’s going on, and they accuse everybody of being an outside agitator,” Franz said.

Franz said some of the language in the appeal is politically charged and purposefully aligning the company’s argument with President Trump’s agenda. One of the first sections of the document is entitled, “Workers United, Inside Organizing, and the Plan to Dismantle Capitalism” and the document cites some employees’ involvement with the Party for Socialism and Liberation as supporting evidence that they were acting as “salts.”

Other exhibits attached to the document scrape workers’ social media for political associations or interest in organizing. Workers said at least one picture, which the company claims shows a baker was present at the picketing outside Black Cap Coffee in Burlington, isn’t of the employee in question.

Both Franz and Brown said that they were fired because of their association with the union.

The current make-up of the NLRB includes two President Trump-appointed members and one, David Prouty, who was appointed by President Biden. Although this constitutes a quorum, two seats on the five-member board remain un-filled.

According to NLRB, decisions when a charge is deemed not to have merit can take up to 12 weeks. If the issue goes to trial, it may take much longer.

EXPERIENCE

Graduate of Champlain College & Vermont Police Academy. Chittenden Deputy Sheriff for 40 years, Sheriff for 3½ years.

INTEGRITY

Professionalism and transparency. Treat every person with respect and compassion.

banking

PUBLIC SAFETY

Modernizing services to ensure safer communities. Providing police patrol services to four municipalities. Delivering security to businesses, non-profits and courthouses.

COMMITMENT

As a lifelong Vermonter, I have been here and will continue to be here to support our community, help it thrive and keep us safe, as I have over the last 45 years.

CRIME & COURTS

South Burlington Police Blotter: July 27-Aug. 3

Total reported incidents: 402

911 hang up: 5

Alarm: 13

Animal bite: 1

Animal problem: 5

Arrest on a warrant: 2

Simple assault: 5

Agency assist: 11

K9 assist: 1

Public assist: 9

Burglary: 1

Community contact: 45

Crash: 24

Directed patrol: 24

Disturbance: 13

Domestic: 2

DUI: 1

Field contact: 16

Foot patrol: 14

Found property: 4

Fraud: 4

Illegal dumping: 1

Intoxication: 1

Juvenile problem: 10

Larceny: 7

Mental health issue: 3

Motor vehicle complaint: 19

Needle pickup: 1

Operations: 3

Ordinance violation: 2

Overdose: 1

Paperwork service: 2

Parking: 3

Property damage: 1

Retail theft: 4

Sex offender registry compliance check: 1

Stolen vehicle: 3

Suicidal person: 1

Suspicious event: 12

Theft of service: 1

Threats: 2

Traffic stop: 83

Trespass: 13

Unlawful mischief: 1

VIN verification: 2

Welfare check: 22

South Burlington’s Community Newspaper Since 1977 A publication of Vermont Community Newspaper Group LLC otherpapersbvt.com

Advertising Director Judy Kearns judy@otherpapersbvt.com (802) 734-2928

Advertising Wendy Ewing wendy@shelburnenews.com (802) 238-4980

Editor Tommy Gardner tommy@stowereporter.com (802) 253-2101 x25

Editorial Assistant Sophia Balunek

Staff Writers

Liberty Darr, Patrick Bilow, Briana Brady

Production/Design

Stephanie Manning

stephanie@shelburnenews.com Kristen Braley kristen@stowereporter.com

General Manager Katerina Werth katerina@stowereporter.com

Billing inquiries Leslie Lafountain leslie@stowereporter.com (802) 253-2101

Advertising submission deadline: Friday at 5 p.m. advertising@otherpapersbvt.com classi eds@otherpapersbvt.com

Editorial submission deadline: Friday at 12 p.m. news@otherpapersbvt.com

Calendar submission deadline: Friday at 12 p.m. news@otherpapersbvt.com

Contact: PO Box 489 Stowe, VT 05672 (802) 253-2101

Man accused of assaulting woman in hate motivated crime

LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER

A Burlington man has been accused of a hate-motivated assault on a woman wearing a hijab.

Jonathan Strippe, 52, pleaded not guilty last week to charges of unlawful mischief, disorderly conduct — abusive or obscene language, hate crime — and simple assault.

According to a South Burlington Police Department press release, officers responded to Market Street on July 28 around noon., based on a witness who said they saw the assault.

The reported victim told police she and a friend were taking pictures on the sidewalk when Strippe walked past them and was “immediately rude to them” and began saying racial obscenities.

The witness provided partial video footage of the incident and a physical description of Strippe, and alleged that the victim had been hit in the face and kicked in the stomach.

Police determined that, in addition to assaulting the victim, Strippe allegedly damaged her

cell phone and made several derogatory statements related to her perceived race, religion and country of origin.

According to the police affidavit, the video captured part of the alleged assault, showing the male and the females swearing, arguing, and being verbally aggressive toward one another.

Strippe, according to police, was making statements to the effect of, “You’re nothing but f--ing scumbag Islamic piece of s--t, Somali scum,” and “third world inbred pieces of s--t.”

tivated assault.”

The Council on American-Islamic Relations welcomed the decision to pursue a hate crime.

“No one should be targeted because they wear religious attire or because of their faith or perceived background,” CAIR Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor said. “Unfortunately, this incident is part of a broader pattern of rising anti-Muslim harassment and violence that underscores the need for continued vigilance against hate.”

Police later located and arrested him at the Anchorage Inn on Dorset Street. He was released on conditions and ordered back to court in October.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, one of the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organizations in the country, said in a statement following the incident that it welcomed the decision to pursue a hate crime charge in this “disturbing, alleged bias-mo-

The organization’s latest civil rights report states it documented 8,683 anti-Muslim bias complaints in 2025 — the highest number ever recorded by the organization since it began publishing civil rights reports in 1996.

According to the New York Times, “in a time of rising Islamophobia,” state leaders in both Texas and Florida have officially designated a handful of groups, including CAIR, as terrorist organizations. The organization is challenging the designations in court.

Get the facts from the source

To the Editor:

It is deeply disappointing that a targeted disinformation campaign has surfaced to distract voters (“Setting the record straight on Joanna Grossman’s advocacy,” letters, July 24).

I implore you not to give in to propaganda seeking to lower our political discourse. If you have concerns, hold the line and get the facts directly from source: me. See joannaforvermont.org/issues.

I hope you take some comfort in knowing I will not be bullied by this, or anything.

Joanna Grossman

Burlington Bridge project leaves some questions unanswered

To the Editor:

As a former resident in South Burlington, I was pleased to read about the groundbreaking for the new pedestrian bridge over Interstate 89.

Yet, questions remain.

• What preventative measures will be taken to ensure any objects cannot be tossed from this bridge on to I-89? (God forbid, suicide prevention measures).

• Will this bridge be open 24 hours a day?

• Will there be lighting at night that doesn’t affect driving on I-89?

• What about rain drainage and snow removal? (If any affecting I-89 below).

• Should loitering be discouraged?

I thank your newspaper for good coverage but hope for some coverage on these concerns.

Robert B. Devost Jericho

A high bailiff needs law enforcement experience

To the Editor:

Tuesday, Aug. 11 is Vermont’s primary election day. Please accept this note as a friendly reminder to take your time examining each section of the election ballot. I mention this because it may be easy to overlook the “high bailiff” section and the candidates which are located and isolated on the last page of the ballot.

Under Vermont law, the high bailiff has specific responsibilities. The most important provision

OPINION

Letters to the Editor

is that the high bailiff assumes leadership of the sheriff’s office, should that position become vacant. If that vacancy should occur this provision enables this safety net to become immediately active. But to be a fluid, uninterrupted transition, the high bailiff must be an experienced, hands-on leader capable of ensuring continuity of operation. There is no time to deal with a learning curve.

My name is Ted Minall, and I have lived in South Burlington since 1993. Prior to moving to Vermont, I lived on Long Island, New York, and was freshly retired following twenty-four and a half years with the New York City Police Department. In 1997 I was named chief of police of the Vergennes Police Department. I was tasked with re-structuring the agency following the arrest of the sitting chief. I was selected as the chief because of my experiences developed and honed during my tenure as a lieutenant in the NYPD Narcotics Division. I provide this information to you, because assuming leadership of the Vergennes P.D. under these exigent circumstances would not have been successful without the many years in leadership roles in the NYPD.

Paul McManus is a native Vermonter who has served Chittenden County since 1994. He’s spent more than 32 years in law enforcement and public safety including many years with the Chittenden County sheriff’s office, service with the U.S. Customs Service and other significant leadership positions. Obviously, Paul is the only candidate in this race who’s currently working for the Chittenden County Sheriff’s Department. If the agency ever needed someone to step in, Paul’s transition would be seamless. He’s already familiar with the staff, the deputies and the day-today functions of the sheriff’s office.

Please join me in voting for Paul McManus for Chittenden County high bailiff on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

Ted Minall South Burlington

Why would we want more of the same?

To the Editor:

I was born and raised in Vermont, and I’ve lived here just about my entire life. Recently, I read an article in Seven Days

citing a University of New Hampshire poll stating that 40% of Vermonters are considering leaving the state, while 60% of residents between the ages of 18 and 34 are likely to move away within the next five years. I wasn’t totally surprised.

This has been an issue festering beneath the surface for decades, and it does not take a rocket scientist or a poll to understand why. People, particularly young Vermonters, are leaving because Vermont is simply not an affordable place to live. We are the fourth most taxed state in the United States, yet we are the second least populated.

Despite our small population, we tax and spend like California. Every year, taxes go up, we get less in return and more of the burden falls on the middle class. This approach is not sustainable. The policy of taxing and spending without living within our means has not worked, and it is time to acknowledge that Vermont needs to change course.

I listened carefully to the Democratic gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial candidates debate on WCAX. Each claimed to be a champion of the working class and to have the secret sauce for solving the affordability crisis and creating opportunities for Vermonters. But I have two questions: First, why, after decades in the majority, hasn’t anything been done to solve the affordability crisis? Second, after decades of near-complete control over the state’s purse strings, why should we trust you to make things better?

I have tried to keep an open mind and listen for answers. Instead, we have heard the blame game: blame the governor, blame the rich, blame Trump, but whatever you do, don’t hold us accountable.

Clearly, we need a different approach if we want to preserve Vermont for future generations. That does not mean abandoning the vulnerable or eliminating government. It means acknowledging that the socialist-style politics of endless taxing and spending have not created enough opportunities, made Vermont more competitive with neighboring states or solved our affordability crisis. In many ways, they have made it worse.

As a young Vermonter raising a family of my own here, I ask

continued from page 5

you to carefully consider each candidate’s plans as we transition to the general election.

Jacob Trahan South Burlington

Justice about compassion and accountability

To the Editor:

As a community member, a public health professional and a mother of two children, I care deeply about the safety and well-being of South Burlington. Chittenden County is a wonderful place to live and raise a family, but in recent years the vibe has changed. Unlike my experience growing up in Vermont, today I hesitate to let my children play in our parks or walk alone.

I believe we as a community could do better and I am ready for change. All people should feel safe walking in our parks, business owners should feel protected and people struggling with substance use disorder or mental health challenges should have access to care.

Those goals are not in conflict. They require compassionate accountability. That’s why I’m supporting Bram Kranichfeld for Chittenden County state’s attorney.

Bram recognizes public safety as a public health issue. He prioritizes evidence-based approaches that hold people accountable while addressing the underlying causes of crime whenever possible. He has nearly two decades of prosecutorial experience and understands that justice isn’t about choosing between compassion and accountability. It requires both.

Throughout this campaign,

Bram has met with health care providers, recovery advocates, law enforcement, business owners and residents across the county. He listens to our concerns and has developed a thoughtful plan to restore confidence in our justice system while strengthening community partnerships.

I believe good outcomes come from collaboration, transparency and using evidence to guide decisions. Bram brings those values to this race.

On Aug. 11, Democratic primary voters will choose the next Chittenden County state’s attorney. I encourage my neighbors to join me in voting for Bram Kranichfeld. I believe he has the experience, judgement and balanced approach our community needs to move forward together.

Maura Graff South Burlington

Richards can connect across all walks of life

To the Editor:

These are the reasons I am voting for Aly Richards for governor on Aug. 11 and why I am asking you to join me in awarding her your vote. Bottom line: Aly wants Vermonters to be able to achieve life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness without losing sleep at night due to their costs. Her number one priority in getting there is the development and implementation of a Vermont economic development plan.

Has Aly defined the specifics of this plan? No, because she understands that the contents of

the plan need to involve many stakeholders for it to be embraced and move forward. She learned this from personal experience in leading the multi-year process that brought about enactment of Act 76, Vermont’s groundbreaking child care law. Note that this accomplishment required the June 20, 2023, override of Gov. Phil Scott’s veto.

Though she has not proposed details, Aly has identified the most important issues on which leadership and action at the State level can make a difference. They are housing, health care, education, child care (yes, there’s still more work to do), rural Vermont’s sustainability, older Vermonters’ well-being and energy and climate.

Aly and her team at Let’s Grow Kids developed collaborative relationships with thousands of Vermonters from all walks of life and diverse party affiliations (or no party affiliation). This track record, including the Act 76 milestone, makes Aly the candidate best qualified to send Gov. Scott into retirement on Nov. 3.

Again, I encourage you to join me in voting for Aly Richards for governor in the Aug. 11 primary.

Sandy Dooley South Burlington

Greatest threat to the U.S. comes from internal forces

To the Editor:

It is difficult to comprehend that many today seem unhappy with American ideals, often favoring socialism over capitalism. With so many people living paycheck to paycheck and lacking the savings to cover even a $1,000 emergency, there is an increasing reliance on the government to relieve financial burdens.

While I appreciate Senator Bernie Sanders’ long-term commitment to public service and the consistency of his philosophy regarding corporate greed and universal healthcare, his current political direction has evolved into something more extreme and consistent with the Democratic Socialists of America agenda.

The candidates he endorses, many of whom are now in various levels of government, advocate for policies such as wealth taxes, open borders, amnesty and the defunding of the police, Immigration and

Customs Enforcement, jails and national defense. Furthermore, DSA’s platform indicates a push for free health care, housing, pensions and college, alongside significant judicial reforms like court stacking.

Recent reports, such as those released by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, indicate that Communist Cuba — with support from China and the Soviets — has served as a hub to overthrow our government through subversion for decades. It appears they have built a network of foundations (i.e., DSA), activists and politicians to chip away at our institutions at local, state and national levels.

Many voters support these objectives without considering the unintended long-term consequences for our economy, fiscal stability, and constitutional system.

As Abraham Lincoln once suggested, the greatest threat to the United States will not come from foreign forces, but from the things we do internally.

Frank Mazur South Burlington

Only one candidate sounding the alarm on school cuts

To the Editor:

Dear South Burlington, I am writing to draw your attention to something that only one candidate for State Senate has brought up — thank you, Joanna Grossman! On this alone, tied into your laser focus on the cost of living in Vermont, you have my vote! — and that is the tens of millions of dollars in cuts to public education in Chittenden County over the next three years. According to the Champlain Valley School District, Act 170, state law since June, is setting up our public schools and our young people for failure without meeting the original goal of saving taxpayers money. Further, although it aims for “equity and transparency,” “unresolved structural and financial risks could unintentionally cut student opportunities, destabilize district finances, and merely shift cost pressures.”

Of the seven candidates (Democrat and Republican) running for state Senate in our district, I’ve only heard Joanna Grossman discuss this. It’s also unclear whether the

LETTERS on page 9

COMMUNITY

Community Notes

Age Well luncheon planned in Shelburne

Age Well and St. Catherine of Siena will host a community luncheon for adults 60 and older on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at St. Catherine of Siena Parish Hall, 72 Church St., Shelburne. Check-in begins at 11:30 a.m., with lunch served at noon. The menu includes riblet, confetti rice, mixed vegetables, whole-wheat bread, a craisin-date cookie and milk. A suggested donation is $7. Reservations are due by Aug. 6. Call 802-662-5283 or email pniarchos@agewellvt.org for information or to register.

Gallery showcases Myers jazz prints

J. Kenneth Fine Art and Atelier Frame Design are presenting “Swingville: Works from the Malcolm Myers Estate” throughout August at J. Kenneth Fine Art, 145 Pine Haven Shores Road, Suite 1160, Shelburne. The exhibition features prints from the celebrated American intaglio artist’s Jazz Series, created between the 1950s and 1980s. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays or by appointment.

Mads Tolling brings violin to Shelburne

Farms

Two-time Grammy-winning violinist Mads Tolling will present “In the Loop” at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at the Shelburne Farms

Coach Barn, 1611 Harbor Road. Using looping technology and effects pedals, Tolling creates layered solo performances blending jazz, classical, pop and folk influences. The program features works ranging from Duke Ellington and Jimi Hendrix to Astor Piazzolla and Django Reinhardt. Information: shelburnefarms.org.

Kelly Brush Ride marks its 20th anniversary

The Kelly Brush Ride returns to Middlebury College on Saturday, Sept. 12, celebrating its 20th year of raising funds for adaptive sports and ski racing safety. Riders of all abilities can choose from four supported routes or participate remotely through Oct. 24. The annual event includes a postride celebration with food, live music and exhibitors. Since 2006, the Kelly Brush Foundation has awarded more than $7.5 million in grants and helped connect thousands of people with spinal cord injuries to adaptive sports. Registration is open at kellybrushfoundation.org.

Farm, food fete returns to Hardwick

The Center for an Agricultural Economy and the Hardwick Farmers Market will host the sixth annual Community Farm Food Celebration from to

See COMMUNITY NOTES on page 15

WHERE GOOD FOOD

COURTESY PHOTO Artist Rett Sturman’s exhibition, “Vermont Barns,” is on display through Sept. 6 at the Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro.

Student receives scholarship from community business

Kali Ali is the recipient of Nancy Jenkins Real Estate’s 29th annual Nancy Jenkins Community Scholarship, recognizing her academic achievements, leadership and commitment to serving others.

Ali, from Burlington, will attend Saint Michael’s College, where she plans to study health sciences in the pre-med program. Her long-term goal is to attend medical school and build a career in medicine where she can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

According to a press release,

LETTERS

continued from page 7

South Burlington School Board is actively studying it. We need to focus fast on what this means for the future of our schools and the quality of education that we are providing through our property taxes.

According to our peer districts, high-cost regions such as ours, which are already operating at scale, “have limited capacity to achieve additional efficiencies.”

Ali said she is “inspired by the opportunity to make a positive impact every day and hopes to become someone people can rely on during difficult times.”

Ali’s leadership extends beyond the classroom. Being named the Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year reinforced her desire to give back to her community and use her experiences to encourage and support others. During college, she plans to strengthen both her academic foundation and leadership skills as she prepares for medical school and a future in health care.

“We’re honored to recognize Kali as this year's scholarship recipient,” the team at Nancy Jenkins Real Estate said. “Her dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others reflect the values this scholarship was created to celebrate. We look forward to seeing all she accomplishes in the years ahead.”

Nancy Jenkins Real Estate, based in South Burlington, established its Community Scholarship to support local students as they pursue higher education and invest in the future of the community.

Additionally, “this approach could create tens of millions of dollars in annual shortfalls in Chittenden County. Consolidation and contract ‘leveling up’ would amplify, not mitigate, these funding gaps. The formula risks underfunding districts that already reflect the system’s intended end state.”

The document highlights more concerns:

• “The formula assumes identifying efficiencies that may not exist”

• “Property tax protections are unclear and require significant effort.”

So states the CVSD July 2026 presentation, which goes on to cite the Agency of Education: the new law will require that schools “deliver education differently and prioritize where funding will go.” Change requires time and investment of resources. The Legislature and governor have not figured that into their calculations.

• “Special Education funding is unclear and difficult to model.”

• “Debt service and capital needs have not been modeled.”

• “Transportation costs are rising and under-specified in the foundation formula.”

• “Career and Technical Education funding remains unclear.”

This last one has been a priority within our district.

So, folks, the alarm bells need to be ringing. Thank you, Joanna, for waking me up. Hopefully, this letter wakes up all of South Burlington.

Meaghan Emery South Burlington

COURTESY PHOTO

Kali Ali is a student from Burlington who plans to attend Saint Michael’s College.

REPAIRS

APPRAISALS

SPORTS continued from page 1

was one of those who responded to the call.

“I literally just heard from one of the vendors who’s working with the VPA today,” Messier said Monday morning.

Messier, who has been the high school’s athletics director for 35 years, is a staunch supporter of Young and the initiative. He jumped on board quickly to get a batch of darker colored shorts ordered for the fall season. The only downside, he said, is that this initiative started gaining real traction during this summer season, when most people are away or on vacation. He’s now looking forward to getting the conversation rolling during a fall sports season orientation later this month.

“What we decided here at Lamoille was to emphasize the concept of choice and options,” Messier said, adding that the school had already ordered replacement white and blue uniforms due to usual wear

and tear, particularly for soccer uniforms. “And then in contact with the VPA and the vendor, they suggested for a color match that black would probably go best with our present home and away uniforms.”

He said the conversation should always center around what the student athletes are most comfortable in, and now, they will at least have that choice.

“As I told one of my coaches, it just means it’s another set of shorts that we distribute in the beginning that they’ll have in their gear bags,” he said.

next goal: finding comfortable dark shorts for the girls’ basketball team to wear with their white tops.

Stowe’s girls’ soccer coach, Tyler Post, said he initially broached the topic with Albertson, recognizing that when it rains, white shorts can become see-through. Post said the conversation and decision to switch was a no-brainer.

“What’s the point if anyone even feels slightly uncomfortable about this?”

— Tyler Post

Stowe High School Athletic Director Tim Albertson said that when he arrived five years ago, the girls’ soccer team began wearing only black shorts. The

ART

continued from page 2

become a moment where you realize that you understand it,” Cooper said.

City council chair Tim Barritt said the design echoes the new bike and pedestrian bridge over Interstate 89 that the city just broke ground on.

“We found it to be function-

al and aesthetic, and harmonizes with the buildout of our City Center,” Holland said. “Just recognizing that the style of this artwork is something that we believe has longevity … in terms of resonating with the community in years into the future.”

“The girls fully supported doing that,” he said. “I don’t even know if any of them voiced being super uncomfortable about it, but we also realize, what’s the point if anyone even feels slightly uncomfortable about this?”

Champlain Valley Union High School is also replacing the shorts for the girls’ soccer and basketball team uniforms this year — girls on all the other teams, such as volleyball and Ultimate, already wear black bottoms.

Renee Breault, the school’s activities director, is one of a handful of women athletic directors in the state. Breault said both she and Tucker Pierson, the coach for the school’s field hockey and girls’ lacrosse teams, have been regular attendees at the VPA’s Girls and Equity meetings.

FILE PHOTO

South Burlington girls’ lacrosse players wear their white home uniforms during a game this spring.

While she said some of the girls are skeptical of getting rid of the white shorts on their away uniforms — they’re worried about how it will look — Breault wants her students to feel comfortable in their bodies while they play. That goes for all athletes.

“We often have both males and females that might not be comfortable in the size uniform that is either left over for them or that’s available to them,” Breault said.

Sometimes it’s just the size, but it might also be the cut. For example, Breault said, wrestling singlets are often ordered in a cut that doesn’t take breasts into account. However, wrestling is growing in popularity among girls — Vermont this year is, for the first time, adding girls-only wrestling competitions.

According to Young, helping schools get rid of white shorts is just one piece of the puzzle.

“We can do this one thing, but then we really need to start teaching girls about their bodies,” Young said, pointing to the fact that most sports research is focused solely on men.

She said, for example, girls and women are eight times more likely to have an ACL tear, but there isn’t any research into why. She wants girls to feel comfortable vocalizing to their coaches what might be going on with their bodies.

There’s also a cultural change that needs to happen, Young said. Along with reports about period anxiety, the VPA has also been getting reports from athletes about misogynist or homophobic remarks at games aimed at shaming girls’ bodies. While she’s been working with schools to address these things, there’s more progress to be made.

“We can’t keep putting girls out into environments where they’re battling so many different things, and who knows what the rest of their day looks like, or the rest of their life looks like,” she said. “This is the one place that they’re supposed to go out and do the thing they love and enjoy it.”

Messier likened the shorts initiative to broader conversations about the culture

within school sports, things like placing more emphasis on the socio-emotional health of student athletes and realizing the truth in the adage, “it’s OK to not be OK.”

“One thing I’m proud about, and I think every school works hard to do, is to provide our students and student athletes the ability to connect with at least one adult in the building,” he said. “And if they’re not comfortable with an adult, they’re often very comfortable with their peers, and that’s where the connections they have are so significant.”

on select

evenings with live music, food trucks, access to galleries, and fun for the whole family!

5:30–7:30 p.m. August 27. Admission is free!

Shelburne Museum stays open after hours

summer

FILE PHOTO

Phoebe Barnes traverses the eld in a May 9 home game against Champlain Valley.

WARNING

Special City Meeting

August 11, 2026

The legal voters of the City of South Burlington, are hereby notiﬁed and warned to meet at their respective polling places at the Chamberlin School on White Street, the Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School on Dorset Street, the Orchard School on Baldwin Avenue, and the Kevin Dorn Senior Center in City Hall on Market Street on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, between the hours of seven o’clock (7:00) in the forenoon (a.m.), at which time the polls will open, and seven o’clock (7:00) in the afternoon (p.m.), at which time the polls will close, to vote by Australian ballot upon the following Article:

ARTICLE I

Shall the City of South Burlington make capital improvements to the Bartlett Bay Wastewater Treatment Facility, install a clariﬁer at the Airport Parkway wastewater treatment facility and refurbish or replace four wastewater pump stations and issue general obligation bonds or notes in an amount not to exceed Sixteen Million Four Hundred Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($16,400,000.00), together with other general obligation bonds or notes in the amount of Thirty-Three Million Eight Hundred Thirty-Three Thousand and 00/100 ($33,833,000.00) previously approved on March 7, 2023, after application of other funds and resources available for these purposes, to ﬁnance these capital improvements and to pay expenses related to the issuance of the bonds, the total cost of which is not to exceed Fifty Million Two Hundred Thirty-Three Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($50,233,000.00)?

The legal voters of the City of South Burlington are further notiﬁed that voter qualiﬁcation, registration and absentee voting relati ve to said special meeting shall be as provided in Chapters 43, 51 and 55 of Title 17, Vermont Statutes Annotated.

The legal voters of the City of South Burlington are further notiﬁed that a public informational hearing will be held on Monday, August 10, 2026, at South Burlington City Hall, 180 Market Street in the City of South Burlington and electronically on the Zoom platform at the following link beginning at six o’clock (6:00) in the evening (p.m.), for the purpose of explaining the proposed projects and the ﬁnancing thereof.

Zoom Link for Public Informational Hearing: https:// zoom.us/j/94211229957

Phone: 929 205 6099 Webinar ID: 942 1122 9957

POLLING PLACES FOR VOTING ON THESE ARTICLES ARE THE CHAMBERLIN SCHOOL ON WHITE STREET, THE FREDERICK H. TUTTLE MIDDLE SCHOOL ON DORSET STREET, THE ORCHARD SCHOOL ON BALDWIN AVENUE, AND THE KEVIN DORN SENIOR CENTER IN CITY HALL ON MARKET STREET. VOTERS ARE TO GO TO THE POLLING PLACE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICT.

Adopted and approved at a meeting of the City Council of the City of South Burlington duly called, noticed, and held June 1, 2026.

Vermont to give local news priority for state ad dollars

CHARLOTTE OLIVER VTDIGGER

Gov. Phil Scott signed an executive order last week that directs the state to prioritize local news platforms when deciding where to run its ads.

“Vermonters breathe and trust their community news,” Scott said after signing the order, a statement rare for him to make to a room of reporters.

The intent of the policy is for the state to both reach a key audience and sustain its bevy of small-yet-scrappy news organizations. And it’s essential, he said, that a responsible and impartial press corps keeps all corners of the state informed on the happenings of state government.

“While I know this is a drop in the bucket, it’s an important gesture,” Scott said.

Scott’s decision to invest in local news organizations comes as the nation has seen a sharp decline in local journalists per capita. According to a 2025 report from industry software platform Muck Rack and the national advocacy organization Rebuild Local News, the country has seen about a 75% decline in local journalists per capita since 2002 on average.

Amid that national decline, Vermont has maintained the most local journalists per 100,000 people compared to other states. Yet certainly small news organizations across Vermont still struggle to stay afloat. Industry employment has plummeted from 1,446 in 2000 to only 358 in 2023, according to the University of Vermont’s Center for Community News.

“Advertising with these folks is a smart way to reach Vermonters, but it also helps sustain these essential community resources. They are precious institutions,” said Kristen Fountain, interim coordinator for the Vermont Journalism Coalition.

must look at options for local outlets and prioritize them whenever we can,” according to Rebecca Kelley, the state’s chief communications officer.

Scott’s executive order is similar to a provision in Colorado’s 2026 budget, which directs the state to prefer local media when investing in state ads. Maryland legislators passed a bill that would have directed half its state advertising dollars to local news, but Maryland Gov. Wes Moore later vetoed the bill.

Vermont usually spends about $4 million to $5 million annually on the types of advertising affected by the executive order, according to Kelley, although the state doesn’t keep track of how much it spends on local news or broadcast platforms. Under the new policy, the state is directed to create a system to keep track of its advertising dollars.

While the order directs the state to give preference to news organizations, it also gives the state some discretion. State government is directed to use its advertising dollars on local news “whenever feasible and consistent with the best interests of the State,” the order says. And while the order highlights news platforms, it also gives preference to “resident bidders of the state” as well as products that were “raised” or “manufactured in the state”.

Scott, who is seeking reelection, said the policy’s mission tracks with his broader ideology that it’s important to buy local and support businesses in-state.

“Local media face the same challenges as every other sector in Vermont: a shrinking workforce and an increasingly unaffordable cost of doing business in the state,” he said.

more information, visit www.southburlingtonvt.gov

When state employees are considering where to run advertisements, invest in marketing or sponsor events, “we now

Disclosure: The Citizen is a member of the Vermont Journalism Coalition, as is VTDigger. The Citizen editor Tommy Gardner serves on the coalition’s public policy committee, and VTDigger CEO Brendan Kinney serves on the coalition’s board.

PHOTO BY GORDON MILLER

Gov. Phil Scott signs an executive order to prioritize spending state ad dollars on local news on July 23, 2026.

PBJ Property Management

The week-long

foxes, and bats, but unvaccinated pets and livestock can also get rabies.The virus is spread through the bite of an infected animal or contact with its

saliva. If left untreated, rabies is almost always fatal in humans and animals. However, treatment with the rabies vaccine is nearly 100 percent effective when given soon after a person is bitten by a rabid animal.

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

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

1921

209 Falls Road, Shelburne, VT (802) 985-3370

Shelburne display lead dors from creemees.

zen center yard sale

6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at Atkins Field, 140 Granite St., Hardwick. The free event features horsedrawn wagon rides, baby goats, live music by Vecchio Stile, face painting, family activities and local food and beverage vendors. The celebration is part of Open Farm Week and National Farmers Market Week. Information: caevt. org/fun.

Cruisin’ Route 100 rolls back into Waterbury

RABIES BAIT

continued from page 2

Discover Waterbury will host Cruisin’ Route 100 Aug. 7-9 alongside the Vermont Antique & Classic Car Meet. The weekend features a scavenger hunt with prizes, a Friday block party at Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Saturday’s CiderFest, a ribbon-cutting at North Country Donuts and special promotions at participating businesses throughout Waterbury and Waterbury Center. The free scavenger hunt challenges participants to find hidden vintage toy cars at locations along Route 100. A full schedule is available at discoverwaterbury.com.

include live music by G’Raph and Beccazoo, a magic show by Tom Verner of Magicians Without Borders, giant bubbles, mini golf, crafts, games and family activities. Information: richmond-farmers-market.square. site.

Teddy Bear hosts 45th birthday bash

Vermont Teddy Bear, Vermont Flannel and Local Maverick will host a Birthday Bash on Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory in Shelburne. The event celebrates the 45th anniversary of Vermont Teddy Bear and the 35th anniversary of Vermont Flannel with family activities, food vendors, lawn games, a DJ, face painting and an evening drone light show.

Organizers say the drone show, in particular, should be a showstopper, the likes of which is rarely seen in Vermont. Information and tickets are available at localmaverickus.com.

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

Yiddish musicians perform in Burlington

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

Internationally acclaimed Yiddish singer-songwriter Daniel Kahn and violinist Jake Shulman-Ment will perform at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, 188 N. Prospect St., Burlington. Presented by the Lost Mural Project, the concert will feature English supertitles and celebrate Yiddish music and culture. Tickets and sponsorship information are available through the Lost Mural Project.

Richmond Farmers Market hosts Kids’

Day

The Richmond Farmers Market will hold its third annual Kids’ Day from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14. Activities

The Birthday Bash is part of A BEARy Vermont Event Series, which aims to create community events throughout the year while providing opportunities for Vermont businesses, makers, artists and organizations to connect with residents and visitors. Additional dates include Oct. 10 and Dec. 5, and there are plans to make it an annual event.

‘The Farm Boy’ screens in Stowe

Silent lm classic comes to Brandon

The Brandon Town Hall and Community Center will present a screening of Rudolph Valentino’s 1926 silent film “Son of the Sheik,” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15. New Hampshire composer Jeff Rapsis will provide a live improvised musical accompaniment. The free program marks the 100th anniversary of Valentino’s final film.

‘Vermont Barns’ exhibition opens in Greensboro

Artist Rett Sturman’s exhibition, “Vermont Barns,” is on display through Sept. 6 at the Highland Center for the Arts, 2875 Hardwick St., Greensboro. The collection of oil paintings explores Vermont’s agricultural landscape and the relationship between barns, farms and the people who shaped them.

Summer speaker series dives into documents

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

The Vermont State Archives and Records Administration, a division of the Secretary of State’s office, hosts “Lost Graves: Burials on the Grounds of the Vermont State Hospital, 18911913,” with Vermont Representative Anne Donahue, Aug. 10.

The Friends of the Stowe Free Library and the Stowe Historical Society will present a screening of “The Farm Boy” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at the Stowe Free Library, 90 Pond St. Written and directed by George Woodard, the black-and-white feature is set in 1944 and tells a story of love, trust and integrity inspired by the lives of the filmmaker’s parents. Much of the film was shot on Woodard’s farm in Waterbury.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN

COTTAGE FOR RENT:

3 miles north of basin harbor. 5 bedroom, private, end of road. Cement dock and mooring. Air conditioning and new mattresses. No pets. $3,800 per week. Avalalbe Aug. 15 and beyond. Contact Brian. 802-373-9861. Inquires for next year accepted.

SHELBURNE

INVITATION TO BID

DAY continued from page 4

Williston Road Stormwater Structures - South Burlington, VT

Sealed Bids for Williston Road Stormwater Structures shall be received and accepted until 2:00 P.M. on August 27, 2026, local time, at City of South Burlington City Hall at 104 Landﬁll Road, South Burlington, VT 05403. Bid opening will occur immediately after the submission deadline.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Work to be performed under this project includes: removal and replacement of seven (7) stormwater catch basins and connecting drainage pipes, and removal and replacement of thirty-ﬁve (35) stormwater catch basin grates, frames, and risers. The Contractor shall provide crushed stone bedding and suitable backﬁll materials. The Contractor shall restore excavation sites to match existing conditions including curbing, concrete sidewalk, and Type II bituminous pavement repair (up to 6” thick), etc. in accordance with the City of South Burlington Public Works Standards.

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

BID DOCUMENTS: Electronic Plans and Bid Documents may be obtained from the City of South Burlington by contacting Brett McCreary at bmccreary@southburlingtonvt.gov. The City shall track all plan holders for addendum distribution.

CONTRACT COMPLETION DATE: The Contract shall be completed on or before November 13, 2026.

QUESTIONS: During the advertisement phase of this project all questions shall be addressed solely to Brett McCreary, Deputy Director of Water Resources, 104 Landﬁll Road, South Burlington, VT 05403, (802) 658-7961 x6113, bmccreary@southburlingtonvt.gov.

face painting. Towards burne-Hinesburg head to the Fire Golf Ball depending land. Proceeds Rotary’s