Questions Still
Linger in School Bus Accident
by Mickey Smith
JOHNSON – As of
Tuesday, June 12, at noon, the Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department was still
not sure what caused a First Student school bus to slide into a drainage ditch
on Gould Hill in Johnson, injuring 14 students.
Most of the
injuries were minor (bumps, bruises, and lacerations), but two students were
kept at the hospital – one at Copley and one was transported to Fletcher Allen
in Burlington. Fourteen students were transported to Copley either by ambulance
or by school bus.
The two who were
hospitalized have been released and the most serious of the two, a boy with
fractures to his right leg, came back to school for the last day of the year.
Lamoille County
Deputy Sheriff Kyle Walker said the only information they have right now is at
about 2:50 p.m. on June 8, the bus wound up in a ditch. He also stressed the
bus did not roll over as some reports have implied. The investigation is
continuing, including interviews with the students and their parents. Those
interviews will either be occurring at the students’ homes or the sheriff’s
department, contrary to some reports which said the deputies would be
interviewing students at the school.
A press release
from the Sheriff’s Department identified the driver as Janeice
Bidwell, of Johnson. Brigid Scheffert,
principal at Johnson Elementary, said Bidwell has been a bus driver at the
elementary school for all 17 years Scheffert has been
with the school.
“We
realize the accident was undoubtedly a frightening experience for all of the
children aboard the bus, and for that, we are very sorry. We also understand
and empathize with parents’ concerns, as we are very concerned too,” said
Jennifer Robinson, public relations director, for First Student.
“Not only
is First Student cooperating with Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department in its
investigation, but we are conducting our own internal investigation. The driver
has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigations. And, per company
operating procedure, the driver will go before First Student’s Accident Review
Board, and any appropriate and necessary disciplinary action will follow,” said
Robinson.
“You really hope
you never have to put these emergency procedures in place,” said Scheffert, commenting that the emergency plan worked to
precision.
She said she was
on the scene of the accident in about a minute and a half, and the emergency
services were right behind her.
She said during
the evacuation process, Bidwell stayed on the bus to comfort the children, and
after each child was removed from the bus by a firefighter they were placed in Scheffert’s arms and then taken to another member of the
school staff. She said members of the staff also rode on the bus and ambulance
to the hospital, so the students were not left with unfamiliar faces.
Scheffert praised Bidwell’s work in keeping the
kids calm during the very difficult circumstances, and thanked Sheriff Roger Marcoux and Fire Chief Gordon Smith for their departments’
contributions to the emergency.
“The families can
be assured their kids couldn’t have gotten better or quicker care,” said Scheffert.
Gould Hill
connects Clay Hill (just above the college entrance) with Main Street (in the
area of Piezano’s Pizzeria, formerly Gretchen’s
Deli).
GMTA Announces Biodiesel Buses nc
p-1
The Green Mountain Transportation Agency (GMTA) is pleased to announce
that since March 8, 2007 all GMTA buses have been fueled with biodiesel. Biodiesel is a safe, clean burning fuel source which is
derived from domestically produced, renewable sources such as vegetable oils –
usually soy or canola oils. Biodiesel is also a
renewable and biodegradable fuel which reduces key greenhouse gas emissions
such as carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.
"GMTA is constantly seeking ways to support clean air initiatives
and healthy choices," stated Tawnya Kristen,
public outreach coordinator of GMTA.
"The use of biodiesel is just one step
towards our continuing efforts to reduce our fleet emissions. With automobiles
producing an estimated 46% of Vermont's carbon emissions, providing public
transportation service to help reduce the number of individual cars on the road
isn't enough. We have to be actively responsible in how we provide this
transportation service."
During the winter months, GMTA buses will run a 95/5 blend, or 95%
diesel and 5% biodiesel, with an 80/20 mix during
warmer months. GMTA joins several other Vermont transportation providers who
have made the move toward alternative fuel sources, including Vermont's largest
transportation agency Chittenden County Transportation Authority (CCTA).
The introduction of biodiesel is just one
aspect of GMTA's contribution to the effort of
reducing greenhouse gas emissions. GMTA is a full service public transportation
provider offering such services as fixed route, deviated fixed route, demand
response, commuter routes including the LINK Express, shopping shuttles,
Medicaid transportation and transportation services for the elderly and people
with disabilities. Combined, these diverse transportation solutions allow the
community to further reduce their impact on the environment.
For additional information on
GMTA and the transportation service we provide, please call 223- 7287 or log onto www.gmtaride.org.
GMTCC Says
Goodbye to Class of 2007
by Mickey Smith
JOHNSON – At its
annual commencement services, the Green Mountain Technology and Career Center
feted and bid farewell to the 149 students who successfully completed the
year’s classes. For 24 of the students, the night’s accomplishments marked the
end of two years of hard work in their chosen field.
Jennifer Cram, of
Hazen Union, and Emily Lavalette, of Lamoille Union,
were selected as student speakers offering their thoughts on the process of
attending the program.
Cram, who
graduated from the heating, ventilation and air conditioning program, discussed
the challenges and unique opportunities of being one of the only female
students in a male dominated field.
Lavalette, who graduated from the health and human
services program, described how the tech center offered her the best senior
year she could have and opened doors she did not think would open for her.
Students, family,
and friends were also treated to a student video production created by Kristina
Burnham and Dainah Wereley,
of the multimedia program.
Awards were
offered in various programs, including a tradition at the Tech Center of
awarding $50 to any student with perfect attendance for one year, and $100 to
any student with perfect attendance for two years. Eleven students earned the
$50 honor and three walked out $100 richer.
Many of the
teachers discussed the added challenges of this year, as classrooms are being
shuffled around throughout the renovation project going on at the Tech Center.
Moving with the
students’ help, said Todd Bedard, is sometimes akin
to pushing a chain uphill!
Among the awards
offered were three special awards dedicated to the memory of three people who
wanted to help the students who view the Tech Center as a way to get through
what might otherwise be a tough high school career. Anthony Nadeau won the Jeff
McLean Memorial Scholarship and David Ryan won both the Dana “Buck” Draper and
Charles R. Hess awards.
Three awards with
a longstanding history went to Brandie Tinker (the William G. McFarlane Award);
Katie Mossey (the Alfred M. Persico
Award); and Jennifer Cram (the Director’s Award).
Court to Hear Godfrey’s Motions to Suppress
by Mickey Smith
HYDE PARK – Judge
Dennis Pearson has set July 10 and 11 for the days he will hear requests to
suppress evidence in the case against accused Patricia Scoville
murderer Howard “Skip” Godfrey, 60, formerly of Morristown. Godfrey’s attorney,
Kerry DeWolfe, filed two motions in court hoping to
eliminate DNA evidence and an admission by Godfrey that he had sexual relations
with Scoville.
DeWolfe argued in her motion the use of the DNA
evidence violated Godfrey’s fourth amendment right by “taking bodily fluids… of
an individual for purposes of law enforcement without at least reasonable
suspicion.”
Godfrey’s DNA was
obtained in 2000 as part of his 1997 conviction for a physical assault of a
woman. A law, which was lobbied for by the Scoville
family, makes DNA evidence of convicted violent offenders available for
comparison to cases around the country.
A backlog of DNA
evidence caused Godfrey’s DNA to not be entered in the FBI system until 2005,
when it was reported to have matched DNA found on Scoville’s
body. Before that, Godfrey had not been a suspect in the case. The DNA match
has been reported by authorities to have a certainty of one in 235 quadrillion.
According to DeWolfe’s motions, the police then began formulating a plan
to speak with Godfrey and arrest him. Law enforcement officers went to his
place of business to speak with him. She argues his statements were not
voluntary, and while he had not been placed under arrest – any person would
believe they were not free to leave.
She feels the
statements he made in that situation should not be allowed because his Miranda
rights were not read to him.
Those motions
will be heard during the two day hearing in July, where Judge Pearson will rule
whether or not the jury will hear of that evidence.
The deposition of
Dr. Paul Morrow, Vermont’s former Chief Medical Examiner, will be held in
August. Dr. Morrow currently resides in
Australia, but will be in Vermont during August, so a deposition will be taken
from him, while he is in the state.
The trial is
currently scheduled to start this fall, 16 years after Scoville
disappeared while biking along the Moss Glen Falls trail system, in Stowe. Her
body was found 10 days later buried under leaves and branches, just yards from
where her bicycle had been found earlier. Police have said Scoville
was raped and beaten and died of asphyxiation.
Guitars
on Loan
by Amy Kolb Noyes
MORRISVILLE
– If you’ve ever had the urge to learn to play guitar, but didn’t want to make
an up-front investment on an instrument, the new WLVB Student Guitar Program is
the answer to your dilemma! WLVB has purchased three acoustic guitars, of
varying sizes, which River Arts will loan out to local students who wish to
take guitar lessons but aren’t prepared to buy a guitar.
WLVB’s Mark Struhsacker spearheaded the
WLVB Student Guitar Program, with the help of River Arts Executive Director
Steve Ames. Struhsacker, himself a guitar player,
said taking up the guitar is a healthy activity for folks of all ages. He added
it’s a shame to think a would-be great musician may miss their calling for lack
of an instrument. The new student guitar program aims to keep that tragic fate
from befalling any local aspiring guitar players.
Before
acquiring an instrument, guitar students will need to sign a loan agreement and
put down a security deposit. Contact River Arts for more information on the new
WLVB Student Guitar Program.
Hyde Park Adds
Money and Approves School Budget
by Mickey Smith
HYDE PARK – The
Hyde Park School Board entered the Saturday morning, June 9, special town
meeting hoping to receive $2,882,660 to run the elementary school next year,
but by the end of the meeting the school board was presented with an approved
budget some $42,000 higher than they requested.
School Board
Chair Brian Marshall explained since the budget was defeated for the second
time, the board decided the best course of action for the future was to refocus
efforts to keeping services in house. To work towards this goal, Marshall said
the decision was made to return the
guidance position to full-time and to include up to $8,000 for an in depth study
of other education models. Marshall said this could include, but is not limited
to, multi-age classrooms.
Because the
warning for the meeting was posted prior to setting a budget figure, Marshall’s
submission of $2,882,660 was accepted as an amendment to the article.
Marshall said
this would also include bringing the art position to full-time,
a move he explained would free up some classroom time for one-on-one work with
students and ease the need for additional help in the classroom. The proposed
budget represented a 3.5% increase over the current year.
A motion was made
to amend the amendment bringing the budget amount to $2,606,975. This number was suggested as a way to shift
the current staffing to the state recommendation of 20 students per teacher in
kindergarten through third grade, and 25 students in fourth through sixth
grade. Other areas
that he suggested to help cut the budget about $300,000 were
eliminating Lamoille County Mental Health services, paring the library position
back to half-time and eliminating the lead teacher position.
This amendment
failed 108-154, bringing the discussion back to the original budget. Duncan
Tingle offered a second amendment to the budget, asking for about $42,000 to be
put back into the budget to re-establish the home school coordinator position
and to add back the half-time custodian position, which had been cut earlier in
the process.
Tingle’s
amendment brought the overall budget request to $2,925,160, about $70,500 less
than what had originally been defeated at Town Meeting.
Tingle’s
amendment passed on a paper ballot vote of 134-120. By this passage, Tingle’s
figure was made the official amendment. A voice vote then approved the
amendment making it the official number up for debate for the vote.
Tina Teale, who along with her husband Malcolm, have been vocal
about their opposition to the continuing increases in the cost of education,
said her concern was not as much about the amount of money being spent, but
that the money is not being spent responsibly.
When the final
vote occurred, a paper ballot was requested, and Tingle’s amended budget passed
155-103, almost identical to the vote, earlier in the day, which defeated the
original attempt to cut the budget about $300,000.
Home
Detention for Pot Grower
by Amy Kolb Noyes
A
year after the federal Drug Enforcement Agency raided the home of a Cambridge
man suspected of growing marijuana, Smith Reynolds, 31, now of Hyde Park, has
been sentenced to two years of home detention. Judge William K. Sessions III
also sentenced Reynolds to 100 hours of community service and imposed a $2,000
fine. Home detention means he will be wearing an ankle bracelet to monitor his
whereabouts and will be confined to his home except for work and “excused
absences.”
The
sentence was issued Monday, June 4, after Reynolds pled guilty to cultivating
between 50 and 99 marijuana plants. The offense carries a maximum sentence of
20 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $1 million.
According
to court records, on June 14, 2006, DEA Agents executed a search warrant at
Reynolds’ residence on Palmer Lane, in Cambridge. One of the justifications for
the search warrant was excessive electricity use at the residence.
A
press release issued by the U.S. Department of Justice states, “The search
warrant was based, in part, on electricity records that revealed that since
January 2005 Reynolds’ residence was using electricity at an excessively high
rate that was multiple times higher than the average Vermont residence. Upon
entering Reynolds’ residence the DEA Agents found a
sophisticated marijuana grow operation involving 46 marijuana plants, 28
cloned starter seedlings, grow lights, and a ventilation system.”
The
press release also states Reynolds acknowledged he was involved in the
cultivation and distribution of marijuana at that location.
Things Look This Way to Me Editorial by J.B. McKinley 6/7/07
Hey Grads, What Are You Angry About?
Headline:
Public
Angry Over $3 Gas. U.S. Senate Wants 35MPG. That was
the gist of headlines I read this morning and the story beneath made me angry.
It was not the account of $3 per gallon that really torqued
me up, it was the statement that the Senate wants to calm our anger by raising
fuel efficiency standards for the first time in 20 years. And here’s where my
headline comes in – Peoples, Stowe and Lamoille soon to be graduates – make
your anger count.
Do
you think the fact that the U.S. Senate, government overall, hasn’t done
anything about raising standards in 20 years has anything to do with gas prices
now? How many unnecessary gallons have we burned up since 1987? Think that may
have affected today’s prices?
The
point is, if my generation of graduates had stayed as mad at low fuel
efficiency as we all were in 1973, we would have demanded change. Seventy-three
was a wake-up call that went all but unheeded when it came to real change. You
may believe in global warming or you may not be convinced, but don’t let 2007’s
anger go by without expecting and demanding real change. For example, take a
look at the figures for vehicle fuel efficiency that are being proposed. Are
they going far enough? Is a slight boost in fuel economy to be reached by the
year 2020 much of a goal? Is a long range goal of burning ethanol smart?
Wouldn’t it be better to burn biodiesel made from
some non-edible plant, instead of using some of the best agricultural land in
the world to grow fuel instead of food?
So,
grads, yes, it is a great world out there and you are about to get your feet
wet in it, but my advice is get mad, stay mad and see that it’s productive. The
world can certainly afford to get better and you are just the folks to get it
done. Who else will there be??
Temporary
Signs Have Morristown Rethinking Enforcement
MORRISVILLE
– What good is having rules if you can’t enforce them? Morristown Zoning
Administrator Mark Leonard plans to pose that rhetorical question to the
Morristown Planning Commission. The question has arisen a couple times over the
past month, prompting Leonard to wonder if some zoning bylaws might work better
as municipal ordinances.
Morristown’s
zoning bylaws do have enforcement provisions. Typically, violators are given a
set number of days or weeks to come into compliance. For example, under
Morristown’s sign rules, violators are given seven days to rectify a problem.
When
it comes to temporary signs, the town’s bylaws dictate one must apply for a
permit to display a temporary sign, and that such signs are only permitted for
non-commercial events. The regulations also state, “The zoning administrator shall
be empowered to remove all temporary signs in violation of their authorized
use, and to charge a reasonable fee for removal.”
When
temporary sale signs for a local furniture store popped up all around the
county Memorial Day weekend, Leonard spent two days removing the unauthorized
signs. He was particularly incensed about sale signs placed around the town’s
Soldier’s Monument in advance of the Memorial Day observances.
“Those
are clearly illegal signs,” Leonard told the News & Citizen the following week. He added, “This will cause
us to review the adequacy of the sign ordinance.”
After
Leonard removed the signs, they made their way back to Morristown, fastened to
big sticks held by people standing at the town’s busy intersections. Leonard
said whether in the ground or in someone’s hand, the signs are still illegal.
The
issue resurfaced more recently when an itinerant vendor had signs advertising
hot dogs for sale near the Morrisville-Stowe Airport. Again, the temporary
nature of the unauthorized activity left Leonard with ineffective enforcement
options.
Leonard
has identified a handful of municipal bylaws with similar enforcement problems.
He said he plans to present each to the Planning Commission for it to consider
two questions: Is the bylaw needed? And, if so, who will enforce the rule?
Leonard said the Planning Commission might consider drafting separate
ordinances that can be more effectively enforced.