By Lani Duke
posted
Jul 3, 2012
Fourth town against wind power project
West Rutland recently became the fourth town to oppose the proposed
wind power project on the Grandpa's Knob ridgeline, at least for
the time being. But the select board also agrees that their minds
could be changed, depending on whether project proposer Reunion
Power presents a strong enough argument for the benefits and the
impacts on the ecosystem remain minimal.
The growing public clamor compelled the West Rutland board to take
a stand now rather than waiting for a public vote in November.
Of the four towns where the turbines are planned, the West
Rutland select board meeting was the first in which residents spoke
in favor of the project or urged more fact-gathering.
Some proponents look at perceived success in Europe for the lofty
wind turbines, especially in Germany where touring on the autobahns
seems to always include vistas of the revolving daisy shapes.
Although the turbines seem to appear frequently in agricultural
areas and they are perceived as cost-effective, wind- and
water-generated electricity together contribute less than 2 percent
of the German power supply.
Business and personnel changes
Mitchell Golub takes on leadership for the Vermont Achievement
Center, following Kiki McShane's recent resignation. Golub has
previously been Sheldon Academy's director of education.
Wallingford and another nearby town will share the law
enforcement services of Joe Castle, hired through the Rutland
County Sheriff's Department. He is an experienced office, having
six years of patrol duties in a small New York community. His
employment is funded by a federal Cops grant designed to provide 40
hours of coverage a week, year-round in two communities.
NeighborWorks of Western Vermont recently elected a new slate of
directors, headed up by Rich Carlson as president; attorney Kathy
Allen, vice president; West Rutland town Clerk Jayne Pratt,
secretary; and banker Christopher Carpenter, treasurer. New to the
NeighborWorks board are attorney James Leary, mortgage loan
originator Lou Maguire, and Vermont Law School student Kate Thomas.
Continuing on the board are business owner Cindy Adams, insurance
agent Ken DeCandio, and banker Ron Bower.
John Sly recently resigned his position as Rutland Town police
chief but will continue as a reserve officer; he will also continue
being a sergeant for the Rutland City Police Department and a
private practice of accident reconstruction and forensic
examination. He is also resigning from his Rutland Town constable
position.
The Rutland Town police department had already lost a policeman
this year, John Paul Faignant retired this spring. Faignant became
town selectman this year and is the second constable in the
4054-person community. The town currently has an open
26-hour-a-week law enforcement opening.
After refurbishing the Royal's Hearthside Restaurant at the
intersection of Routes 4 and 7 last summer and garnering local
acclaim, LaGasse's Hearthside Grille has closed its doors.
The West Rutland school board has refused to renew its contract
with school principal Juanita Burch-Clay, an action to which a
number of parents object. She had been the school's top
administrator for just one year.
Rotary Memorial Garden
The Paul Harris Memorial Garden at the Little Red School House in
Wallingford is now complete and was recently dedicated. Rotary
clubs and individuals throughout the New Hampshire/Vermont district
contributed to the effort.
Battling crime
More than 80 individuals recently joined mayor Chris Louras and
other city officials at the Howe Center to discus reducing
drug-related crime in Rutland. A newly created municipal task force
- consisting of the mayor, police and fire chiefs, building
inspector, health officer, city attorney, and Rutland Redevelopment
Authority executive director - to develop a strategy of short-,
mid- and long-term goals.
Part of the overall strategy realizes that blighted properties
and drug-related activity seem to go hand-in-hand. If decaying
properties disfigure a neighborhood, public safety and public
health issues are also evident.
Interim police chief James Baker says the state Corrections
Department also must be part of the effort, and providing more
effective supervision of its charge who are not incarcerated.
The
city's Community and Economic Development Committee is considering
a tax stabilization policy that may help reduce the number of
blighted properties. Current tax stabilization efforts have
targeted employee increases in active businesses, but proposed
additions would cover purchase and renovation of rundown structures
if the process also established active business on site.
Art activities
The Chaffee Art Center recently closed the vendor application
process for its annual August Art in the Park open-air celebration.
It continues to look for volunteers to staff the August 10-12
event. Call 747-7900.
The Carving Studio and Sculpture Center's Emerging Sculptors
Exhibition opens Friday, July 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. The opening
reception includes a life celebration of Keiko Van Guilder at 6
p.m. The display remains open through Sunday, August 19.
Rutland Free Library
Refresh your summer reading supply inexpensively with Summer Monday
Night Book Sales Monday, July 9 - and subsequent Mondays - at
Rutland Free Library. 4 - 8 p.m., 773-1860.
Come early and stay for the 6:30 discussion of Lyme Disease and
the black legged tick in Vermont, presented by David Wallstrom of
the Vermont Department of health and Abigail Serra of Lyndon State
College.
Losing track of library book due dates or the status of books on
hold and waiting for you? The new Library Elf service sends e-mails
or text messages to keep you up-to-date on your library account.
Sign up is free.
Lani's Picks
Sunday, July 8 - Rutland City Band evening concert in Main Street
Park.
Monday, July 9 - Groundbreaking for Rutland Creek Path, 10 a.m.
Park vehicles at Northwest Elementary, 88 Pierpoint Ave.
Tuesday, July 10 -- Summer Sunset 5K Running Series at Pine Hill
Park at Giorgetti Park. 773-1853.
Wednesday, July 11 - Marble City Swing Band, Main Street Park
(corner of Main and West streets, Rutland, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
