By Lani Duke
posted
Nov 14, 2012
ELECTION RESULTS
Rutland City voters decided against investing $5.5 million in a
granulated activated carbon filter system to purify its water, by
about 200 votes. To meet federal drinking water standards, the city
may have to change its chemical disinfectant from chlorine to
chloramine, a chemical that a number of city residents consider
dangerous. Were it not for the increasing stringency of federal
requirements, the issue would not have arisen. However, the city's
water has met federal standards recently, so there is no immediate
need to chance chemicals.
City voters approved selling both Watkins and Dana school
buildings by huge margins, in each case nearly 6,000 for the sales
vs. less than 700 against.
For the first time in a while, Rutland City has more Republican
representatives in state government than Democrats. Larry Cuppoli
represents District 5-2 and Doug Gage represents District 5-4,
while Peter Fagan covers 5-1. The sole Democrat in the foursome is
Herb Russell. Tom Terenzini returns to the State House as Rutland
Town representative.
State senators from Rutland stay the same: Bill Carris, Peg
Flory, and Kevin Mullin. Rutland 2 (Clarendon, Proctor,
Wallingford, West Rutland, and part of Tinmouth) representatives
stay the same: Dave Potter and Tom Burditt.
HUFFING
Dave Remington saw the effects of huffing - the practice of
inhaling chemicals to get high - when he lost a friend to the
practice.
A recent public discussion at PEG-TV's studios looked at
"huffing" and synthetic drug use. Huffing is being blamed for Carly
Ferro's death. Substances that cause a temporary high but far
longer "effects" are all around; many everyday substances are sold
in aerosol cans. Limiting who can buy is not a practical solution
because of the sheer numbers of products. Teaching the community
about the dangers is likely to be a better long-term solution, and
the danger is far more than temporary impairment: over time - and
not long - huffing kills large numbers of brain cells.
Bath salts, now outlawed in Vermont, and "spice" are also common
substances that can be ingested and need to be treated as dangerous
as heroin, the panel said.
COLLAPSED ROAD UNDER REPAIR
West Rutland's Dewey Avenue is being put back in shape after more
than a year of being impaired. Work on the road had been delayed
because Tropical Storm Irene struck soon after the collapse.
Traffic has been squeezed down to a single lane; depending on
weather, the road may again be fully usable by Dec. 7. GeoDesign
Inc. of Windsor and Jack Bowen Excavating of West Rutland are among
the contractors.
HOLIDAY SEASON BEGINS
You know the holiday season is upon us when you hear the music of
Handel's Messiah ringing from Grace Congregational Church.
Rehearsals have already started and take place throughout
November on Sunday afternoons. For more info call
775-4301.
STAFFORD TECH
Stafford Tech's Students Against Destructive Decisions chapter
recently collaborated with its counterpart chapter at Fair Haven
Union High and its Lakes Region Police Explorers, and the Brandon
Police Explorers in a partnership with the Dunkin' Donuts
franchises of Rutland County plus Rutland County's police agencies
and Regional Ambulance Service. Together they worked on a project
that would reduce the frequency of speeding and the deaths and
injuries that it causes.
The campaign slogan Slow Down, Stick Around is printed on
ribbons and a card explains the risks of speeding. Originally, they
intended to distribute the ribbons at highway rest areas and
visitors centers but have expanded coverage to auto body and repair
shops, chambers of commerce, car dealers, and libraries.
RUTLAND REGION CHAMBER CONGRATS
The past year was busy and productive for the Rutland Region
Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber moved its offices to the corner of
West Street and Merchants Row, within the Downtown Rutland business
district. Favorable results include not only higher visibility and
ease of access, especially for tourists, plus a community
conference room and Wi-Fi.
The Chamber touts the new $1 million instrument landing system
installation at Rutland-Southern Vermont Regional Airport. A new
lighting system also guides approaching aircraft.
Another Chamber-promoted project was successful marketing of the
Crossroads of Vermont Byway from West Rutland to Hartford.
During
the previous year, the Chamber was instrumental in bringing the
week-long Model T Ford Club International tour this summer. More
events like this are on their way for 2013. The Horseless Carriage
Club of America convention brings its pre-1917 cars to Rutland.
Also coming are the Red Knights International Motorcycle Club
convention, the New England Rally 2013 of Rally North America, and
the annual Killington Classic motorcycle rally. All pump dollars
into the Rutland economy.
Amid the 2012 event planning and promotion and its office
relocation, the Chamber answered some 10,000 phones calls; mailed
more than 200 requests for visitor guides and other information;
and produced monthly electronic newsletters to communicate with its
members and the community at large.
GETTING AHEAD
The Three Steps Forward program, an initiative connected to the
Rutland Region Workforce Investment Board, recently reported that
the program is gaining participants, with 17 young women taking
part. Thirteen are studying
'Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By' World, a 15-week structured
examination of the condition of poverty, how it affects the
community and how it impacts personal lives. Participants evaluate
their personal situation along 11 Quality of Life Indicators,
selecting three areas of weakness against which to develop a plan
of action.
Five of these young women are applying for financial aid to
start CCV classes in the spring. Three who were unemployed when the
program started are now employed part-time or seasonally. Four who
lacked a high school diploma or GED are now enrolled in alternative
high school and are attending classes. One will receive her diploma
from West Rutland high school this fall. Great steps for all of
them!
Participants entered the program after being initially referred
by school counselors and/or members of the Young Women's
Collaborative. The goal was to enroll individuals who would commit
to completing at least the first phase of the program, the 15-week
program. Working together, they bond with each other and
facilitator Lynn Bondurant so they support each other as they
proceed with their individual self-set goals."
LANI'S PICKS
Fri. and Sat., Nov. 16-17 - Grace Congregational Church hosts
an annual holiday craft fair with crafts and baked goods, café,
Christmas wreaths, and the Pink Pachyderm Room. Friday, 5 to 9
p.m., Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 16 - Rutland Economic Development Corporation (REDC)
celebrates its 75th anniversary and looks to the future with a gala
at 6 p.m. in the Holiday Inn Rutland. GE Aviation receives Member
of the Year award; cocktails, dinner, special recognitions, and
dancing to Satin and Steel.
Fri. and Sat., Nov. 16-17 - Mill River Union High's Stage 40
theater company presents Broadway's Urinetown: The Musical. The
family-friendly show portrays a town in the grip of a 20-year
drought that has brought about a ban of private toilets and
pee-for-pay public restrooms. 7:30 p.m. Call 775-1925.
Friday, Nov. 16 - Rutland High's Encore Theatre presents The Mouse
That Roared. 7 p.m. Call 770-1134.
Saturday, Nov. 17 - The Knights of Columbus/Boys & Girls Club
gymnasium hosts the Green Mountain Table Tennis Club's 49th overall
(32nd annual) tournament, the Charles Edgar Memorial Table Tennis
Tournament. Call Ronald Lewis, 247-5913, for specifics.
Sunday, Nov. 18 - Capital Cities Concerts, a 25-piece chamber
orchestra comprising current and former players in the Metropolitan
Opera Orchestra, NY City Ballet Orchestra, New Jersey, and Vermont
Symphony Orchestras performs at the Paramount Theatre at 3
p.m. The emphasis is on rhapsodies and magic, with the major work
of the matinee being Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante in E flat for
oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, and strings.
Call 775-0903.
Tagged:
News Briefs, Rutland Region
