By Lani Duke
updated
Fri, Jan 13, 2012 01:22 PM
Troublesome issues resurface
Community dissension always seems to bubble to the surface when the
aldermen begin discussing the City budget and items that may appear
on the ballot. A number of locals fear pressure to pass a bond
issue for a new recreation center. They claim that certain
individuals, living outside the city itself, are the ones who push
for the rec center, but won't be the ones who pay for it.
If private individuals have to tighten their financial belts in
tough economic times, there is no wiggle room for new construction
for recreation, desirable as it may be.
Many of these same folks object to any increases in the city
budget, regardless of what department it will benefit. And it's
just plain bad timing that two city cops have recently been
suspended while investigations continue into undisclosed
allegations.
To some, these new investigation are all too similar to last year's
problems in the police department. By the time that one officer was
charged and convicted of mishandling evidence and lying to his
department and another used a crowd control device on a handcuffed
prisoner, folks began questioning whether the police chief should
be fired. Even though the police commission decided Chief Anthony
Bossi should continue in his job, Bossi decided to retire at the
year's end. A search committee is researching both an interim and a
permanent chief.
And that's not all they're dissatisfied about. They question a
decision to buy two new police cars this year, replacing units with
only 60,000 miles on each. Compounding the frivolity, they say, is
using money from the Zamias fund for the purchase; those moneys are
for capital improvements that offset Diamond Run's negative
economic impact on the city's core. Investigations into these
allegations are on going.
Thanks to Chief Bossi
More than 100 individuals recently gathered at the Howe Center to
say a formal good-bye and thanks to the freshly retired Rutland
police chief Anthony Bossi. He had begun his career as a beat cop
before being promoted to lieutenant in 1982, and became chief 13
years ago.
Ira - to split or not to split
The latest statewide re-apportionment effort would split the town
of Ira, part voting in with West Rutland, and the rest in
Poultney's district. Many residents of Ira don't care for the idea.
There are only 432 of them, down 13 from the 2000 census, surely a
small enough group to be able to vote together.
Rutland Town selectmen not running
After four years on the Rutland Town select board, Josh Terenzini
has decided to hang up his elected official hat for the time being.
Other activities are taking a higher priority right now, he says.
He's going to be a daddy soon and returning to school as well as
performing a challenging job.
Selectman Steve Hawley, on the other hand, does plan to run
again.
Helping employees fight disaster/hardship
Vermont Country Store employees will soon be able to utilize a new
model program to help them weather disaster and hardship. The
developing Good Neighbor Fund grew out of the VCS's new awareness
of people's needs as employer and employees responded to the
hazards of tropical storm Irene. The Vermont Community Foundation
is partnering with VCS.
Downtown parking changes
Rutland City's select board recently approved a number of changes
to the way the city handles parking charges and violations. Wales
and Church Street un-metered slots are sprouting meters; long-term
slots cost 25 cents per hour. Don't think you'll sneak in at the
Amtrak lot - it's reserved for rail passengers only. Get caught and
you face a $50 fine. Your "reward" for attempting to park in the
Downtown Shopping Plaza lot will be even stiffer: your vehicle will
be towed away.
The old public parking lots are closing with the exception of The
Pit, at the corner of Center and Wales, which costs $3 a day.
Got a problem with these changes? Petition! A public vote is
necessary if five percent of City voters (580) ask for one.
Creek Path #2 funding
The Vermont Transportation Enhancement Program recently chipped in
$126,000 toward the Creek Path project's section two. This is the
portion of the route from State Street to West Street along East
Creek.
Lani's picks
Monday, Jan. 16 - Martin Luther Day gives you the opportunity for
another three-day ski weekend. Sure seems to me this should be
placed later in the month. If you're like most Americans, you'll
have enough economic woes recovering from Christmas.
Tagged:
rutland report, rutland
