The Other Paper - 4-6-23

Name change

Airport to be named

for Patrick Leahy

the South Burlington’s Community Newspaper Since 1977

College Bound

Draft ordinance would create a rental registry

A draft ordinance beginning to circulate in South Burlington would set regulations on short-term rentals like AirBnb and VRBO and would create a rental registry for the city’s more than 3,000 rental units.

The ordinance was written as part of a “cross-departmental effort” by members with the city’s planning, finance and fire departments, as well as the city’s legal team and its IT director.

“This is the big policy discussion for you; there’s a whole gamut of what different

communities have done to meet the needs of their community,” said Paul Connor, the city’s planning and zoning director. “This draft is at one end of that spectrum, that prioritizes housing to be long-term housing, first and foremost.”

While still months out from becoming city code, the ordinance marks the first step by the state’s second-largest city to begin regulating its rental housing stock.

The city projects that more than 50 percent of its housing stock will soon be

See REGISTRY on page 12

Changes to SBSD’s equity position draws concerns

After the South Burlington School Board announced a change to the district’s director of equity position at its March 8 board meeting, residents fear that a new focus on social-emotional learning may leave other aspects of diversity, equity and inclusion behind.

Following the adoption of the district’s first equity policy last year, De-Dee Loftin-Davis was hired in April to fulfill the role of executive director of equity.

After this year’s Town Meeting Day, the

board announced the formation of a revised diversity, equity and inclusion position that would include a social-emotional learning component. The board emphasized that this decision does not add additional staff, but instead broadens the scope of the current position held by Loftin-Davis, leaving community members confused about the status of her employment and the future of the Office of Equity and Anti-racism.

“During the past year, we’ve had a director of equity,” said David Shiman, a

See SCHOOL on page 12

PHOTO BY LINDSEY HUDSON

South Burlington High School students in the College Bound program went on their fifth field trip of the school year. Thirty-five students attended an event at St. Michael’s College where they heard U.S. Rep. Becca Balint give a keynote speech before they participated in workshops coordinated by Vermont Student Assistance Corp. The workshops covered a variety of topics, from exploring careers to paying for college. A highlight was eating in the dining hall. South Burlington High School provides sophomores and juniors who are first generation college students the opportunity to explore college campuses and increase their understanding of options after high school. A student is considered first generation if their parents or caregivers did not complete a four-year bachelor’s degree program.

COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER

LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER

COURTESY PHOTO

Students from Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School presented two workshops at Champlain College to educators, students, parents, caregivers and community members from across the state at the Vermont Association of Middle Level Education annual conference on anti-bullying as part of S.O.A.R, Students Organizing Against Racism. Their workshop, “Disrupting for Justice” was presented by Ria Fitzgerald, Jahnaiyah Holness, Gio Gedney, Sofia Cohen, Sidali Noor, Maddox DuBois, Will Chaulk, Bari Tornwini, Abby Lynch

Faith United Methodist Church Easter Services

April

Easter

April

Airport to be renamed for Leahy

PATRICK CROWLEY VTDIGGER

More than a century after the first plane touched down at what’s now known as Burlington International Airport, Vermont’s aviation hub is poised to get a new name: Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport.

During his State of the City address Monday night, Mayor Miro Weinberger announced the rechristening, which comes months after former Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., retired from the U.S. Senate.

“You have always understood what a critical link the airport is between Vermont and the world, and for 48 years you worked to strengthen that link,” Weinberger said, addressing Leahy, who he

said was listening remotely.

Weinberger got his start in politics as an intern and mail clerk for the senator in the early 1990s.

Leahy’s wife, Marcelle Pomerleau Leahy, attended the ceremony in a packed City Hall, along with U.S. Sen. Peter Welch and U.S. Rep. Becca Balint.

“I can tell you that he is very humbled and deeply moved to have his name associated with the Burlington International Airport — oh, that name’s going to change,” Marcelle Leahy said.

She said flying to or from the Burlington airport was always a big part of his work.

“Many of you have heard him say, and I have too, when greeting us at the airport on the return flight, that familiar phrase, ‘It’s good to be home,’” Marcelle Leahy said.

In addition to those applauding Leahy in person, two national figures and longtime colleagues of Leahy’s — U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and President Joe Biden — celebrated him in short video messages played for the audience.

“It’s fitting the Burlington International Airport will be named after you,” Biden said. “Everyone that flies through will remember your tenacity, your service, honesty, dignity and the best of what you provided our country.”

In order for the airport’s name change to become official, the Burlington City Council would need to ratify the plan. Though the airport is physically located in South Burlington, it is owned by the Queen City.

Music of Jewish resistance commemorates Holocaust

The Jewish Community of Greater Stowe, in conjunction with the Vermont Holocaust Memorial, are planning their annual Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance Day with a tribute to the spirit of resistance and a solemn commemoration of the many millions of Jewish and other victims of the Holocaust.

The program will be held at Jewish Community of Greater Stowe, 1189 Cape Cod Road, 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 16.

Featured as part of the commemoration will be a concert entitled “Whispers from the Past,”

performed by Temple Trio, musicians from the Vermont Symphony Orchestra that includes Laura Markowitz, violin; Ana Ruesink, viola; and John Dunlop, cello.

Musicologist and child of Holocaust survivor, Berta Frank, will host the event.

“For many of the ill-fated inmates of the Theresienstadt concentration camp in Czechoslovakia and other sites of murder and horror, composing and performing music helped to preserve their souls,” said Debora Steinerman, president and cofounder of the Vermont Holocaust Memorial,

and an organizer of the event. “These compositions are vital historical records of a painful time and afford us a glimpse of some of the feelings experienced by many of these prisoners.”

The commemoration will also include memorial prayers and a candle lighting ceremony.

The event is also co-sponsored by Beth Jacob Synagogue, Greater Stowe Interfaith Coalition and the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. It is free and open to the public. A livestream link will also be available via registration at jcogs.org.

PHOTO BY GLENN RUSSELL/VTDIGGER

Patrick Leahy in October 2022.

Agency / public assists: 32

Welfare check: 22

Directed patrol: 20

Suspicious event: 18

Disturbance: 16

Motor vehicle complaint: 13

Accident: property damage: 12

Alarm: 11

Trespass: 10

Larceny from motor vehicle: 9

Retail theft: 8

Total incidents: 256

Arrests:

Dec. 13 at 7:53 p.m., Malcolm Q. Simmons, 29, of South Burlington, was arrested for reckless endangerment and being a person prohibited from possessing firearms on Patchen Road.

Feb. 3 at 4:14 p.m., Heather A. Furtado, 41, of Burlington, was arrested for misdemeanor retail theft on Dorset Street.

March 21 at 12:27 p.m., Ashley R. Skidmore, 36, no address provided, was arrested for felony retail theft on Dorset Street.

March 23 at 7:23 p.m., Ashley R. Skidmore, 36, no address provided, was arrested for misdemeanor retail theft on

CRIME & COURTS

South Burlington Police Blotter

Dorset Street.

March 27 at 1:18 p.m., Eric McGee, 37, of Middlebury, was arrested on an in-state warrant on Stonehedge Drive.

March 27 at 6:19 p.m., Jennifer M. Cepeda, 36, of Calais, was arrested on an in-state warrant on Shelburne Road.

March 29 at 12:15 p.m., Austin B. Robinson, 30, of Colchester, was arrested for assault on a law enforcement officer, firefighter, EMS or health care worker, resisting arrest and on an in-state warrant on Stonehedge Drive.

March 31 at 10:02 a.m., Zachary William Dalley, 41, of Colchester, was arrested on an in-state warrant on Shelburne Road.

April 1 at 11:53 p.m., Moriah K. Leary, 27, of Winooski, was arrested for driving under the influence, first offense, on Interstate 89 northbound.

Top incidents:

March 27 at 10:06 a.m., police investigated a suspicious event on Sebring Road.

March 27 at 11:34 a.m., a larceny from a person was reported to

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police from Quarry Hill Road.

March 27 at 3:04 p.m., police took a report of counterfeiting on Dorset Street.

March 28 at 8:41 a.m., police are looking into a report of identity theft on Medalist Drive.

March 28 at 10:32 a.m., police got a K-9 assist on Gregory Drive in an undisclosed incident.

March 28 at 10:43 p.m., an officer performed a sex-offender-registry-compliance check on Gregory Drive.

March 29 at 7:03 p.m., an accident at White Street and Patchen Road resulted in property damage.

March 30 at 10:05 a.m., another report of identity theft, this one from Hinesburg Road.

March 30 at 12:15 a.m., a sex crime was reported on Anderson Parkway.

March 31 at 11:21 a.m., a fraud was reported to police on Hinesburg Road.

March 31 at 2:47 p.m., someone left the scene of an accident at Williston and Hinesburg roads.

April 1 at 9:40 a.m., police responded to a domestic call on Lime Kiln Road.

April 2 at 2:56 a.m., a noise disturbance was reported on Market Street.

Man arrested in December gun incident at Jaycee Park

South Burlington Police arrested Malcom Q. Simmons, 29, of South Burlington for reckless endangerment in connection with an incident in December of a man firing a gun in Jaycee Park.

On Dec. 13 about 6:31 p.m., police got a report of a man walking on Williston Road near the White Street intersection waving a gun around. Officers canvassed the area but failed to locate the suspect.

At 7:53 p.m., police received a second report of a man firing a gun in Jaycee Park, who was seen fleeing on foot toward Williston Road.

Police recovered ballistic

evidence from the park. No one was injured.

Colchester Police responded with a K-9 to track the suspect, but the man could not be located.

Following a long investigation, Det. Marty Maloney arrested Simmons on March 28 in connection with the two incidents.

Simmons was arraigned in Chittenden Superior Court and released on conditions, which include a curfew and a prohibition on possessing weapons. He is currently on probation with the Vermont Department of Corrections.

Chittenden County sheriff warns of warrant scam

The Chittenden County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of a scam where callers ask for money because of missed jury duty. The sheriff’s office never asks for money or issues arrest warrants for missed jury duty. The callers are using the names of real deputies with the department. Do not provide personal infor-

mation such as date of birth, Social Security numbers or credit card information, the sheriff’s office warns.

Report any of these incidents to the Vermont Attorney General’s office at 800-649-2424 or 802-656-3183. Contact the Chittenden County Sheriff’s office at 802-863-4341 with questions.

OPINION

Dilution of equity position tarnishes school’s tradition

Guest Perspective

Robert Walsh

South Burlington schools have enjoyed a tradition of excellence since they were established in 1961. The community historically approves the school budget and takes pride in the academic and athletic success of the students. City officials promote the schools as a means of attracting business and new residents. The school’s logo, “Building a Proud Tradition,” is emblazoned on the entrance to the high school.

De-Dee Loftin-Davis was hired as the director of diversity, equity and inclusion in July 2022. The very nature of the job is difficult. It requires changing entrenched attitudes and stereotypes. The director is responsible for initiating, reviewing and evaluating programs regarding race, gender, sexual orientation and women’s matters. Many of these topics are sensitive, some are controversial, all are important.

Two examples of controversial subjects are institutional racism and white supremacy. Her clients include students, administrators, teachers, support staff within the district

and the community at large.

Her qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a year of advanced studies in behavioral sciences at Lincoln University. In 2019 she was named Lincoln University’s Woman of Change for outstanding service in Racial Equity Training and Change Management. She has over 20 years of experience in the field of racial equity.

News of her appointment was enthusiastically met by many in the community. In recent years, the South Burlington School District has, with the Rebel name change and a teacher’s ill-advised joke about lynching, experienced its share of racial turmoil. Having appointed a highly qualified woman of color as director of equity and inclusion was viewed as a positive step.

At its March 8 meeting, the school board discussed the need for social emotional learning. The district’s website explains that “Social Emotional Learning (SEL) reveals that those with the highest SEL needs have lowest academic proficiency. The students impacted are students with disabilities, English language learners, and Black/Afri-

Former school board members call for expanded board

Guest Perspective

As former members of the South Burlington School Board, we are writing to encourage and support the expansion of elected board membership from five to seven members.

We are aware that the South Burlington City Council is also considering organizational changes that may be recommended by the charter committee in the next few months and believe that expanding representation on the school board and council reflects the city’s growth and the increasingly complex needs that demand time and attention, diverse expertise, community input and taxpayer support.

We do not believe a ward system is necessary on the school board as the mission of public schools spans the pre-kindergarten through grade 12 continuum, regardless of geographic representation.

The accompanying chart documents the districts and supervisory unions that make up Chittenden County public schools. The average number of board members across these seven organizations is just over nine people. Even if you exclude the supervisory unions from the calculation, the average number of board members is about seven.

The large supervisory unions

1 - May need to be adjusted for some of the 256 tech center students

2 - Adjusted for 357 tech center students

3 - Annual operating budget, excluding bonds

4 - Excludes student members

comprise several towns, which elect school board representatives for their respective populations. These larger boards represent unique geographic interests. Though South Burlington is not as geographically diverse, the increasing enrollment and required taxpayer-approved budget support a broader base of representation, as evidenced below with over eight board members as a comparative target.

Then, there is the work of the board. We want to encourage

people to volunteer for board service and recognize that the minimum number of warned meetings alone can be 30 to 40 per year, excluding subcommittee work. The availability of all members of a smaller board has the potential to limit the work that can be accomplished, absent a quorum, and result in tied votes on motions that would fail as a result and stall board efforts.

This is exacerbated when board members may have to recuse themselves from voting

A fairer tax system could help to rebuild the middle class

From the House

Rep. Kate Nugent

It has been an intense period in the Vermont House of Representatives these past few weeks, one in which many important and impactful pieces of legislation have been voted on and voted for.

In the House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs, we have reviewed several charter changes, which I supported. We voted on an omnibus alcohol policy bill, H.470, which included making permanent to-go, curbside pick-up of alcohol for restaurants and bars. I supported this bill, which has a requirement to monitor and evaluate effects of problem alcohol use, as this policy change is relatively new and was

instituted at the beginning of the pandemic.

due to conflicts of interest, as is the case with the current board regarding collective bargaining contracts. Expanding the number of board seats would enhance some critical mass of board attendance, discussion of issues and, ultimately, action.

Adding staggered terms for the newly added members would encourage effective onboarding of new members and continuity of decision-making capacity related to matters before the board at the time of election.

This is an opportunity to shore up oversight and representation over one of South Burlington’s vital assets, its public school system.

Rep. Kate Nugent

In H.270, we also reviewed miscellaneous changes to the 6-month-old Cannabis Control Board’s policies and laws, which I did not ultimately support, though it passed the House. One of the changes allows more milligrams of THC allowed to be sold in a single container, which could lead to overuse, similar to how a container of any processed food leads people to be more likely to consume the entire contents, no matter the serving size.

I also was proud to support Paid Family and Medical Leave, H.66, and grateful to the hard work done by the human services committee. I think this will be a life-changing benefit for Vermonters that supports family cohesion

and is the right thing to do for all Vermonters. Supporting families is one of the best ways we can support a stronger society, as the effects ripple out.

The cost of the legislation will be a $0.55 payroll tax paid for by both the employee and employer and costing under $500 per year for most small businesses, this seems like a sustainable foundation that will help small businesses and large alike.

H.494, better known as the budget, also passed, and I supported it. This budget reflects the values and opportunities Vermont currently has, as well as current needs. It has a long way to go between now and its final form, however, and at that point it may be different. I also agree that we must try, to the best of our ability, to make spending decisions that are sustainable.

Boards around the state often work through subcommittees, which reflect their unique interests and may align with their professional and life experience. This structure allows deeper dives in such areas as community engagement, finance, facilities and operations, policy and governance, diversity, equity and inclusion and personnel and curriculum without violating open meeting law.

These subcommittees would have responsibility to report to the full board with information and recommendations for action.

Of course, other subcommittees are formed on more of a shortterm basis, at the discretion of the board and with administrative support. An expanded board would allow full participation in this subcommittee work without unduly taxing the same elected representatives repeatedly. This would, hopefully, encourage broader community participation in running for election and reelection to the board.

The challenges facing school

boards across the state are many. By way of example, the funding formula for public education based on weighted pupils has changed and will directly impact the resources available to the South Burlington school district; special education grant funding has changed; three of the district’s facilities are overcrowded resulting in short-term fixes costing millions of dollars; learning losses and social-emotional needs associated with COVID-19 affect many of students; staff are stretched thin on a daily basis; health care costs are expected to increase by almost 13 percent; and one-time Elementary and Second School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds are expiring.

This is an opportunity to shore up community oversight and representation over one of South Burlington’s vital assets, its public school system. The reputation of the school district is what has attracted many of our burgeoning population to South Burlington, and it is what keeps families here long after their children have grown.

We urge you to recommend an increase of the school board to seven members to both the school board and charter committee.

Julie Beatty, Diane Bugbee, Bridget Burkhardt, Rich Cassidy, Elizabeth Fitzgerald, Patrick Leduc and Brian Minier are all former members of the South Burlington School Board.

Addressing state’s housing crisis must be priority No. 1

Guest Perspective

Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale

Mike Pieciak

Many Vermonters are in survival mode and are living unsheltered, in cars or in unsafe or inadequate situations. Vermont has experienced the highest rate of growth in the homeless population of any state in the country, now counting over 3,000 people. Nearly a quarter are children.

Furthermore, before the pandemic, the average length of homelessness in Vermont was 54 days. Now it’s 270 days.

Every rung of the ladder toward housing stability is crowded. Those living on the streets or in cars are trying to get into motels. Those in motels are desperately trying to find something to rent. Many renters are trying to save up enough for a down payment, which is now further out of reach with historically low housing inventory available, causing significant increases to the average home price.

Many older Vermonters are struggling to downsize, competing for an “ender” home with those seeking starter homes. We have been grappling with housing shortages for many years, but we have put off systemic solutions until now, when we are in a full-blown housing crisis.

While many would argue we have multiple crises to address simultaneously, addressing the housing crisis must come first. People need shelter before they can enter the workforce or care about larger existential crises with democracy and the planet.

The difference between renting and owning is also the greatest single factor in the wealth gap in this country. Failing to create homeownership opportunities will only worsen long-standing inequities, especially for low-income people and people of color.

We have 24,000 open jobs and less than 1,000 housing listings, and those housing options are often very far from work and need significant upgrades, so people are commuting great distances and living in leaky historic buildings, all of which adds to Vermont’s carbon footprint.

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Many of these open jobs are in hospitals, schools, child care centers and climate workforce, so we are hard pressed to meet any of our other policy goals until we support the needs of working families.

S.100, the Housing Opportunities Made for Everyone (HOME) bill, addresses systemic issues in land use planning and allows us to develop denser, multi-family housing where we want to see it in downtowns and village centers. We have spent over half a billion dollars on housing development with our pandemic recovery dollars, but many projects are still stuck in appeals processes and litigation. We cannot spend more money without reducing unnecessary delays when supply chains and labor markets are so fragile.

The HOME bill reduces regulatory barriers largely in the 41 square miles of designated growth areas so we can preserve the other 9,600 square miles of our state. This pro-housing legislation allows duplexing and quadriplexing by right, ending discrimination against other forms of housing besides single-family homes and expanding choice in the process.

So, why are these solutions still in danger of not making it through the Legislature?

We have a longstanding culture of moving slowly and deliberately, which generally makes us proud — as it should. We have no billboards, we have pastoral working lands and we have large stretches of open space, but now our policies of significantly limiting growth are impacting the well-being of the next generation of Vermonters, an unintended consequence decades in the making.

Providing not just shelter, not just affordable housing, but a home to everyone, should be something we strive for together. It’s our most basic need and the basic building block of our economy. Join us in supporting the HOME bill.

Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale is a Chittenden County senator and chairs the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs. She also teaches environmental justice at the Vermont Law and Graduate School. Mike Pieciak is the Vermont state treasurer.

Letters to the Editor

Housing plan site-specific, thoughtful, city councilor says

To the Editor:

I’m writing to correct a misrepresentation of my advocacy for dense housing along transit corridors. (“Alarms raised over Senate housing bill,” March 30, 2023)

The Other Paper indicated that my understanding of a diversified housing stock meant “a mix of multi-family housing in the downtown area, and single-family

housing in more rural areas.” This is not what I stated. My quote that appears in the paper indicates a much different definition of diversified housing stock, that is “heterogeneous housing throughout the city, providing many more options for people.” I underline the word throughout. Indeed, it seems that members of the press, newly elected city councilor Tyler

See LETTERS on page 8

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SoBu named one of ‘happiest cities’

South Burlington has been named the ninth happiest city in America, at least according to the personal finance website Wallet Hub.

The city just beat out its neighbor to the west. Burlington came in 10th place.

WalletHub says its study “aims to illustrate, moving to a certain city may help you be more content.” It used “positive-psychology research” and looked at 180 of the largest U.S. cities, including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each

NUGENT

continued from page 6

It’s important that corporations and those with great wealth see the importance and benefit to themselves and the nation of fairly assessing this type of wealth in our tax system. Though we have a progressive income tax system in Vermont, property taxes strain too many folks. Fairly assessing wealth could help us rebuild our middle class, could lead to more opportunities for students to gain skills and knowledge, build stronger retirements, allow people to buy homes earlier, incentivize research and development and rebuild public infrastructure, such as our public health system, to withstand future pandemics.

I heard a statistic recently

LETTERS

continued from page 7

Barnes, Chris Trombly, the chair of the affordable housing committee, and Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale, the sponsor of the Senate bill herself, misunderstand how South Burlington’s newly adopted land development regulations meet the bill’s housing goals in a much more thoughtful, site-specific way and additionally address our natural resource protection and climate action goals. The bill in its current form does not.

Importantly, South Burlington’s regulations allow for a mix of single-family and multi-family housing throughout the city. Multi-family housing includes apartment buildings and high-rise condos, but also duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes that our newly

state, and employed 30 indicators of happiness, ranging from the depression rate to the incomegrowth rate and average leisure time spent per day.

“Location plays a hand in how bright or gloomy our days are. For years, researchers have studied the science of happiness and found that its key ingredients include a positive mental state, healthy body, strong social connections, job satisfaction and financial well-being,” the researchers noted.

But they also found money can’t buy happiness.

“People who make $75,000 a

year won’t get any higher satisfaction from more money. Consider also the fact that while the U.S. is one of the richest countries, it ranks only 16th on the World Happiness Report,” the marketing study says.

South Burlington came in first in several categories: sports participation rate and adequate sleep rate.

The happiest city in the U.S. is Fremont, Calif., followed by San Jose, Calif., Madison, Wis., Overland Park, Kan., San Francisco, Irvine, Calif., Columbia, Md., Sioux Falls, S.D. Seattle placed 11th.

that the working class has lost an estimated 25 percent of its wealth in the last few decades. It doesn’t come as a surprise that there has also been a rise in political and social instability in our country; people moving based on their perceptions of political leanings of states, for example. A lot of what Vermont and the federal government has done in the last couple of years will go a long way toward getting us back on track, and I hope we continue to work toward this.

Finally, there is much interest in S.100, otherwise known as the housing bill, and I know folks want to hear my thoughts on this bill. In general, I support laws that

provide for more decision-making at the most local level as possible. From my professional background, especially when addressing challenging, multi-faceted issues, when those who are most affected by an issue can meaningfully participate in creating and implementing solutions, those solutions are not only better and more fine-tuned to local conditions, but folks will be more able and inspired to successfully carry them out.

For this reason, I would like to see the final housing bill both incentivize building more homes in places where they are zoned to be built across Vermont — in general, it does that — and allow communities like South Burlington, which has had strong community engagement carry out its plans as well.

Thank you again for reading, and for your support, questions, comments. Reach out any time.

Kate Nugent, a Democrat, represents South Burlington in the Chittenden-10 House district.

adopted regulations allow throughout the city.

We also have inclusionary zoning to ensure that families, regardless of income level, will have options throughout the city in all types of housing. Apartments and high-rise condos will, according to our regulations, be concentrated in areas where public transportation is available and will provide needed housing for incoming young professionals, students and seniors of all income levels.

Right now, many young professionals and students live in single-family housing because we do not have a diversified housing stock. By creating more apartment buildings and high-rise condos, that single-family housing could

be freed up for families seeking more room.

I furthermore asserted at the March 20 council meeting and elsewhere on numerous occasions that our high-transit areas should also include open space with areas for community gardens and parks. There are ways to naturalize the highest density areas in our cities so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of green space. I look forward to seeing this through as city leaders make updates to the city plan, which began with community conversations earlier this year.

Meaghan Emery Vice-chair South Burlington City Council

It’s important that corporations and those with great wealth see the importance and benefit to themselves and the nation of fairly assessing this type of wealth in our tax system.

WALSH

continued from page 5

can American and multi-racial students.”

Social emotional learning focuses on improving these students’ academic proficiency.

The minutes from the meeting indicated that chairman Alex McHenry recommended the creation of a position, held by an educator, to help students meet social emotional learning and diversity, equity and inclusion goals. During the discussion, board member Chelsea Tillinghast explained that full-time position has “not been added, but the Executive Director of Equity position is RIFd (Reduction in Force) and a new position is being created.” The board then voted unanimously to create a social, emotional, learning equity position, who will be an educator.

Loftin-Davis does not have a Vermont teaching license. This means she will be out of a job at the end of the school year.

the following 2023 school board meetings: Feb. 1, Feb. 15, March 8 and March 22. The meetings focus on the need for social emotional

learning.What isn’t discussed is how diversity, equity and inclusion programs initiated by Loftin-Davis will be affected. There was no discussion on how this change would affect students who have come to rely on and trust Loftin-Davis. There were no negative comments recorded regarding the quality of her performance. No negative comments by the public appear in the minutes. What has been said in the executive sessions is, of course, unknown. But the absence of any derogatory comments about Loftin-Davis’s performance is notable.

Her job description contains seven essential duties and responsibilities, including providing leadership for the district, collaboration with principals and administrators, reviewing and interpreting state and federal policies working in the community, developing strategies for recruiting, retaining and supporting staff of color, and so on.

staff. None was provided. At the Sept. 8, 2022, meeting, I addressed the lack of administrative support and asked the board to provide Loftin-Davis with necessary staff. No additional staff was provided.

The March 22 board minutes contain comments from South Burlington residents. Monica Otsby wanted assurances that the new position would be filled by September. She expressed concerns about how students will be told about Loftin-Daviss’ removal.

Susan Schoenfeld made a comment that the board needed to be aware of the red flag that the elimination of the diversity, equity and inclusion position creates in terms of attracting diverse staff. David Shiman, a member of the South Burlington Education and Equity Collective read a letter expressing that group’s concerns

that the equity, anti-racism part of the position would get subsumed by the newly created social emotional learning position.

The letter also “requested the School Board publish a written statement committing to an active equity/anti-racism effort and that the superintendent develop and present to the board an equity/ anti-racism plan to include goals, budget, staffing, teacher training, data collection, administrative support, and quarterly progress reports to the board.”

In addition, the collective requested information on the board’s plan to provide support for the ongoing programs initiated by Loftin-Davis. Finally, it requested the board make every effort to find a person of color to fill the newly created social emotional learning position.

At the Nov. 22 meeting, Superintendent Violet Nichols acknowledged Loftin-Davis’s work and publicly thanked her. She went on to say that she is invited to apply for the new position. At best, I find this comment to be disingenuous. The superintendent approved adding the educator requirement for the new position and is well aware that Loftin-Davis does not meet the qualifications.

I have been asked if the creation of the new position was a ploy to get rid of Loftin-Davis. My reply is that only the board and the leadership of the district can answer that question. What the future will bring is uncertain. One thing is certain. The “proud tradition” has been tarnished.

Robert L. Walsh lives in South Burlington.

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Don’t miss the giant book sale at library

The Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale will be held in the community room at the South Burlington Library, 180 Market St., Thursday, April 13, to Saturday, April 15.

Members of the Friends of the Library have first dibs at the preview, Thursday, April 13, 5-7 p.m. An annual membership may be purchased at the door for $10. Fiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, memoirs, biographies, coffee table books, children’s and young adult books are available for $2 or less to the public on Friday, 2-5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

In addition to the book sale, a raffle will feature a basket from Wine and Cheese Traders. New to be raffled this year will be a young adult basket donated by Dakin Farms and a selection of unique, handmade placemats and napkins.

History Day explores ‘Frontiers in History’

The Vermont Historical Society hosts Vermont History Day, an annual educational competition for middle and high schoolaged students to earn a chance to compete at the National History Day competition.

Community Notes

More than 230 students from around the state will compete at this year’s event on Saturday, April 8, at University of Vermont’s Davis Center in Burlington.

The program is open to Vermont students in grades five through twelve and home study students ages 10 to 18.

National History Day poses a new theme each year to challenge students to frame and explore some aspect of a historical topic. This year’s theme is “Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas.” Participating students can enter a project in one of five categories: documentary, exhibit, paper, performance or website.

Students who place first or second in their category will be invited to the annual National History Day competition June 11-15 at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Scott appoints locals to boards, commissions

Gov. Phil Scott appointed 85 individuals to state boards and commissions this month.

Appointments made in March include:

• Endangered Species Committee, Allen Strong, South Burlington

• Governor’s Workforce Equity and Diversity Council, Lori

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Valburn, South Burlington,

• Judicial Nominating Board, Dennise Casey, South Burlington

• Vermont State Housing Authority, Alex Farrell, South Burlington

The Scott Administration is currently soliciting applications to fill vacancies. Visit bit.ly/3M7Niy2.

KidSafe honors community heroes at award ceremony

The 2023 KidSafe Collaborative Outstanding Service Awards recognize community heroes who support children, youth and families and go above and beyond in their work to prevent and address child maltreatment. Marlon Fisher emcees this year’s celebration and KidSafe director Sally Borden will present the awards. The honorees are nominated by their peers from across the spectrum of services for children and families. The awards will be presented in person and livestream at the DoubleTree by Hilton Burlington, 870 Williston Road, South Burlington, on Monday, April 18, 9-11 a.m. Tickets are $10. More at kidsafevt.org.

Local choruses perform music honoring Ukraine

Burlington Choral Society and Onion River Chorus are joining forces for a first-time-ever combined program, “Deep in Song,” on Saturday and Sunday, April 15 and 16, to honor Ukraine.

With 100-plus voices, the dual chorus will perform both sacred and folk pieces as well as two pieces composed in the last year.

The April 15 concert is in Colchester, and in Montpelier the next day. Reserve tickets at bit. ly/3nHXfrJ.

Miller Center hosts round robin pickleball tourney

As the indoor pickleball season comes to an end, why not celebrate the end of the indoor season at a Spring Round Robin Pickleball Tournament at the Miller Recreation Center in Burlington, Saturday and Sunday, April 29-30

The tournament is for doubles only — male, female and mixed divisions — based on two skill ratings: 3.5-3.9; 4.0-plus. The fee is $40 per team. Each team is guaranteed three games.

Register by Friday, April 21 at bit.ly/BTVpickleball or 802-5401058.

South Burlington Public Art Gallery hosts ‘Vermont Vernacular’ exhibit

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

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

Fleming works in a contemporary style that often incorporates a playful use of color and composition. Natural elements play an important role regardless of whether she is painting a more represen-

tational image or in pure abstraction. The landscape of Vermont, with its colors, shapes and tones, is endlessly inspiring to her and provides an antidote to the chaos of the world.

Living among the islands of Lake Champlain, Larkin paints to record a daily narrative of her outdoor life, where, she says, she finds her most authentic self. Her work reflects the seasonal changes, weather, light and human impact on the landscape; it is a visual response to a set of ever-changing situations. In her most recent work, she focuses on simplifying and distilling the visual story, using shapes, color and fewer details to get closer to the essence of an idea, a moment in a day.

Laughlin attended the Worcester Museum Art School and moved to New York City after graduation to paint, but the need for employ-

ment pushed him to study applied arts and work in graphic design. Creatively, commercial design work wasn’t very fulfilling, but the city offered new ideas and worldclass galleries and museums, and he passionately consumed it all.

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

The exhibition runs through May 30.

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

COURTESY PHOTOS

Above: Phil Laughlin, “Covered Bridge” oil on canvas, 22”x28”

Right: Susan Larkin, “Drifting” oil on canvas, 24”x30”

SCHOOL continued from page 1

member of the South Burlington Education Equity Collective, a group that ensures equity concerns are addressed by the district. “We’ve been encouraged by the direction the equity and anti-racism work has gone and have been very impressed with Ms. Loftin-Davis work. We’ve also been concerned with the (social-emotional learning) position with the lack of available information with respect to mission goals and budget staffing for the new position and we hope that will emerge, although we haven’t seen it yet. We fear that the challenges posed by equity and anti-racism will be blunted, if not diluted, by a social-emotional learning agenda.”

work of “uprooting over 214 years of deeply embedded whiteness, racism, injustice, racial and cultural harm in Vermont,” reads the Office of Equity and Anti-racism website.

She has also worked to create anti-Black racism lesson plans as an additional educational resource for teachers and support staff.

ington hasn’t changed. I was the first (chair) person of color so that shows us we’re going backward, which is the sad part.”

Superintendent Violet Nichols explained at a recent meeting that the executive director of equity role held by Loftin-Davis is not being eliminated — it is a contracted role, similar to every other position within the district — but it does expire on the last day of June.

learning. We can do all of the work as a system, as a board to evaluate our policies for racist and biased language and policies ... but if our students and our staff are not available for learning, we will not make changes as a system.”

— Violet Nichols

In an interview with The Other Paper following the town meeting day election, former chair of the school board Travia Childs — who also helped draft the equity policy in 2021— expressed concern after not being reelected that the board’s lack of representation for marginalized students could result in a shift away from a focus on anti-racism work.

The board said that it has spent the last month and a half evaluating qualitative and quantitative data presented by Loftin-Davis and other executive staff and have found clear connections between high levels of social and emotional learning needs and lowered rates of proficiency in language arts and math among historically marginalized students.

“When I evaluate what our students need, we know that the pandemic dramatically changed learning for our students,” Nichols at the meeting said. “Without social-emotional learning, students are not available for

She said that the proposed expansion of this diversity, equity and inclusion position to include a social-emotional learning component is meant to help in the creation of an anti-racism plan that can be “living.”

“We could have the best plan in the world and if our students and staff are not ready and available to reap its benefits, it will not be effective,” she said.

Still, parents and residents concerned with equity in the district fear that without Loftin-Davis, they will once again be speaking “into a black hole.”

“I am very worried without De-Dee as an advocate for transparency and an ally in our push for equity in our South Burlington schools,” Heidi Klauber, parent and member of South Burlington Education Equity Collective,

said. “While I can’t speak to all of her accomplishments over the past eight months, I’m aware she started and advised the first-ever Black Student Union at South Burlington High School and is pretty much solely responsible for our robust Office of Equity and Anti-racism webpage full of resources, both integral steps in the right direction educating our predominantly white district.”

Nichols acknowledged Loftin-Davis as a “valued member of our team,” and that she is invited to apply for the position when it is opened. A concrete description for the position is in the works of being created, but the process is going to require engagement.

“Our staff is telling us social emotional learning is something that needs to be addressed. It’s our responsibility to be responsive to our students and our staff’s needs as they evolve,” she sid. “Diversity, equity inclusion, anti-racism with a social-emotional lens is in alignment with our multi-tiered systems of support. It’s not a social-emotional learning role.”

Throughout the past eight months while working closely with community members, students, and the district’s executive teams, Loftin-Davis has done significant data analysis, policy overview, and presented equity monitoring reports to the board in order to begin the

“They’re going to all focus on different things,” she said. “If I was running against a person of color, I would be excited. But when we take an older Caucasian man, and now a Caucasian team, they don’t know what to do. They don’t know how it feels. It showed us now that South Burl-

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REGISTRY

continued from page 1

rental, multi-family housing, “a pretty substantial milestone,” Connor said, for a city that for decades has been composed primarily of single-family housing.

“We’re in the midst of a big transition in terms of the types of housing” in the city, Connor said at a recent affordable housing committee meeting. “Twenty years ago, two thirds of all the homes in South Burlington were single-family homes. Now, as of 2023, 50 percent are single-family homes, and that reflects in 20 years a pretty substantial change.”

“Year over year, the overwhelming majority of the housing that’s getting built in South Burlington is multi-family housing,” Connor said.

Currently, 60 percent of South Burlington homes are owned, and 40 percent are rentals.

“As we tip into 50 percent of rental properties — that’s half of our population that we want to make sure have access to quality housing ... and this allows us to build a system that we can document,” said city manager Jessie Baker. “Right now, we have no way of knowing if our rental housing stock is of quality.”

The ordinance, which was discussed by the city council at its April 3 meeting, would set regulations on short term rentals, and mandate that short-term rentals be allowed in owner-occupied housing only — or housing where

the owner resides for at least six months and one day.

There is not an overabundance of housing used as shortterm rentals in the city: there are about 73 active short-term rentals currently, the majority of which are single-family homes, according to data from AirDNA. The number of available shortterm rentals has increased by nearly 25 percent over a three-year period.

Perhaps the more salient part of the ordinance would be its rental registry, which would give the city the ability to enforce zoning codes across a wide swath of its housing stock.

The city’s fire department is responsible for inspection of rental housing properties, but only do that when a tenant sends them a complaint. The department has only received 55 complaints over the last two years.

“Most people aren’t calling in to complain about their housing situation,” said Steven Locke, chief of the city’s fire department. “Some of our occupancies people should not be living in. Those types of occupancies we need to be in, but those people aren’t calling us to complain.”

“Because they’re worried

about losing it,” city councilor Andrew Chalnick said.

An inspection cycle, like Burlington’s, would be created for rental properties should the ordinance be approved by the council. Inspectors would oversee building and zoning codes, state building energy codes and local heating and hot water inspections.

“The inspection cycle is really set similar to how Burlington reconfigured theirs, where if you have no violations on your inspection, you don’t see us for five years unless there’s a complaint,” Locke said. “But if you have several violations, and the more violations you have, the quicker we come back, and this is a good way to reward those property owners and managers that take good care of their property.”

Through inspection fees — $100 annually for registrants of a long- and short-term rental — the city would be able to fund two to three inspectors and administrative support, Locke said.

“Back of the napkin math says it’s going to pay for itself,” Locke said. A more detailed cost analysis will be conducted, officials said, and will then be presented to the council sometime in May.

“Right now, we have no way of knowing if our rental housing stock is of quality.”

— Jessie Baker

“Diversity, equity inclusion, antiracism with a socialemotional lens is in alignment with our multi-tiered systems of support. It’s not a social-emotional learning role.”

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS to the SOUTH BURLINGTON LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS

Public Hearing Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 7:00 pm

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 7:00 PM to consider amendments to the Land Development Regulations. The amendments affect all parts of the City unless otherwise specified below. The hearing will be held in person and remotely via Zoom. Participation options:

• In-Person: City Hall Room 301, 180 Market Street

• Interactive Online: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81030295461

• Telephone: (929) 205 6099; Meeting ID: 810 3029 5461

The purpose of the hearing is to consider the following:

A. LDR-23-01: Required installation of solar photovoltaic system for new buildings subject to Vermont Commercial Building Energy Standards

B. LDR-23-02: Minor and Technical Amendments

Copies of the proposed amendments are available for inspection at the Department of Planning & Zoning, City Hall, 3rd Floor, 180 Market Street, and on the city website at www.sbvt.gov.

Jessica Louisos, Planning Commission Chair April 6, 2023

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ARIES

March 21 - April 20

A message from a romantic partner or business associate could come this week, Aries. Keep a watchful eye on your email inbox or the regular mail.

TAURUS

April 21 - May 21

Taurus, this week you can expect to have an interesting conversation with someone about a topic you’re fond of discussing. It could spark a new friendship.

GEMINI

May 22 - June 21

You likely will have a lot of physical and mental energy this week, Gemini. Figure out a project you can stand behind and put that energy to good use.

CANCER

June 22 - July 22

Keep an eye on the front door, Cancer. A delivery may be coming your way in the next few days. It’s not something you ordered, but could be a gift.

LEO

July 23 - Aug. 23

Leo, you could use a diversion this week. When a friend seeks your company, this can be the perfect way to direct your mind somewhere else.

VIRGO

Aug. 24 - Sept. 22

Virgo, nancial paperwork could take up some of your time in the days to come. It’s a necessary evil to keep things on track. Seek help from someone else if you get frustrated.

LIBRA

Sept. 23 - Oct. 23

Speaking with someone else on a fascinating subject triggers your curious side, Libra. You may want to take a class or pursue this subject in another way.

SCORPIO

Oct. 24 - Nov. 22

Your emotions might get the better of you this week, Scorpio. Try to focus attention onto something that doesn’t trigger negative feelings. Distraction could be the key.

SUDOKU

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

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 23 - Dec. 21

Stimulating social occasions are what you need right now, Sagittarius. Such get-togethers will introduce you to new people and new ideas that can inspire.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22 - Jan. 20

Capricorn, this week you have an opportunity to impress others and get them talking, likely changing their opinions of you. Make every effort to win others over.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 21 - Feb. 18

It’s important to keep in touch with friends even if they have moved away, Aquarius. Phone calls, texts and video chats can bridge the gap created by physical distance.

PISCES

Feb. 19 - March 20

Pisces, tally up your investments because they could be worth more than you think, especially if you are invested in real estate.

CLUES ACROSS

1. Colas

7. Single-celled animals

13. The rear car of a train

14. Endangered

16. It cools your home

17. Helper

19. “The First State”

20. More aged

22. Partner to cheese

23. Type of wrap

25. From a distance

26. Satis es

28. “Dallas Buyers’ Club” actor Jared

29. God of battle (Scandinavian)

30. Cooking utensil

31. Soviet Socialist Republic

33. Able to perform

34. Big man on campus

36. Second epoch of the Tertiary period

38. Porticos

40. Alban and Peter are two

41. Gets up

43. Humble request for help

44. One-thousandth of an inch (abbr.)

45. Unhappy

47. Hint or indication

48. A way to plead

51. Digits

53. Broadway actress Daisy

55. Jewish calendar month

56. Author Gore __

58. Peacock network

59. White poplar

60. Promotional material

61. A period of calm

64. Take too much

65. Emit energy

67. Something you can take

69. Mended with yarn

70. Inconsistent

CLUES DOWN

1. Calm down

2. One quintillion bytes (abbr.)

3. One who pretends

4. Hang glide

5. Distinctive practice

6. Mariner

7. Peaks

8. Queens ballplayer

9. Geological times

10. Twofold

11. Atomic #13

12. Tranquillizing

13. Metric weight unit

15. Indicates

ANSWERS

18. Unwanted rodent

21. Partly cooked with hot water

24. One who can be recommended

26. Resembles a bag or pouch

27. Midway between south and southeast

30. Sets up for a photo

32. California white oak

35. More (Spanish)

37. After B

38. Decorated tea urn

39. Island

42. Car mechanics group

43. Wordplay joke

46. Cut a rug

47. Prickly plant

49. Speech in praise of a deceased person

50. European buzzard

52. In uential linguist 54. West African languages 55. Siskel’s partner 57. Skinny

59. Oblong pulpit

62. Consumed

63. Small, mischievous sprite

66. Powerful lawyer

68. Indicates position