Mountain Times- Volume 48, Number 51: Dec. 18-24, 2019

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14 • NEWS BRIEFS The Mountain Times • Dec. 18 - 24, 2019 Pawlet Library receives CLIF grant to collaborate with Mettawee School PAWLET—Staff from the Pawlet Public Library and the Mettawee Community School recently met to solidify their partnership to promote reading through a grant from the Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLIF). The grant program encourages libraries in Vermont and New Hampshire towns of 5,000 residents or fewer to partner with schools and childcare centers to encourage a community-wide commitment to literacy. The grant, awarded to the Pawlet Public Library, provides $2,000 in new children’s books for the library and $500 in new children’s books for the Mettawee Community School. Additionally, the award includes two Claremont McDonald’s restaurant manager Roy Thomas won the distinguished Ray Kroc Award for the third time. The awards are an annual performance-based honor that recognize the top performing McDonald’s restaurant managers globally. The announcement was made at the Coughlin Inc. office in Rutland Tuesday, Dec. 3. Roy Thomas was one of 365 McDonald’s Restaurant Managers around the world, from 60 markets, representing the top one percent of restaurant managers, to receive the honor, which includes a cash prize and a trophy. He has worked at McDonald’s for 34 years and will be awarded his prize on April 22, 2020 at the Ray Kroc Gala Awards Gala in Orlando, Florida. “To be awarded the Ray Kroc twice was exciting, to receive it for a third time is a feeling that I can’t describe,” said Roy Thomas.“I wouldn’t be able to support my team the way I do if it wasn’t for McDonald’s providing the resources I as a manager need to succeed. This honor is for me and my team – thank you, McDonald’s.” McDonald’s independent franchisees and regional management nominate restaurant managers for the Ray Kroc Awards — named after the company’s founder — to recognize their hard work, dedication, and commitment to professional storytelling presentations for all students in grades K-6 in the school, and two presentations for local childcare provider Meadow Wee Day Care. At the spring storytelling presentations, each child will have the opportunity to select two free books to take home. Pawlet Library’s CLIF grant is sponsored by Pawlet resident Meg Sullivan. The Pawlet Library and Mettawee School literacy partnership continues with the initiation of level reader book bins at the library along with assistance in packing book bags for children to check out and take home, and a book reading program for Pre-K students to encourage them to read as many books as they can before kindergarten. Pawlet Library child literacy coach, Catherine Hunter, offers free one-on-one and small group coaching for children and parents to engage in interactive book conversations and to select just right books for children. Through an additional grant from CLIF, the Pawlet Library plans a free family dinner/story hour in the spring to highlight its new collection of children’s books. For more information about the Pawlet Public Library’s children’s programs, contact the library at 802-325-3123 or stop in. The library is located at 141 School Street in Pawlet. Submitted Children’s Literacy Foundation Executive Director Duncan McDougall offers a storytelling presentation to Mettawee Community School students K-6 to introduce new books for the Pawlet Public Library the school library. McDonald’s and its customers. “Roy is a great employee and an even better guy; I am lucky to have him on the team for more than 30 years. He was nominated for his commitment to his team and challenging them to be the best they can be,” said Charles Coughlin, Claremont McDonald’s owner/operator. “We’re delighted to recognize again Roy for dedicating so much of himself to both his position and the wonderful team he inspires each and every day.” McDonalds is committed to creating employment opportunities for people of all ages and from all backgrounds, as well as boosting employability to help people gain the skills and experience they need to progress in their careers. They provide opportunities for progression and promoting from within; around 90% of restaurant management began their careers as crew members. McDonald’s also supports current crewmembers with Archways to Opportunities, which offers eligible employees access to educational program. Sherrie Harvey of McDonald’s announced that owner Charles Coughlin received the People’s Award, which was awarded to only two franchise owners in 2019. Coughlin Inc. employs between 350-500 workers and provided over $75,000 to employees under the Archways program. Pawlet Library hires community connector to lead initiatives PAWLET—The Pawlet Public Library has recently hired Sara Young, Middletown Springs, as community connector to lead community initiatives outlined in the library’s fouryear strategic plan. The new position has been funded for one year by grants from the Windham Foundation, and the Vermont Community Foundation, including the Lyman Orton Fund and the Spark! Connecting Community Program. The library’s community initiatives will provide a place for people to gather for social activities and community discussions and offer programs and activities that bring people together. Specifically, Community Connector Sara Young will facilitate Town and community organizations in working together to share information and resources with each other and the community. Young has worked for over 15 years with non-profit organizations on Cape Ann, Massachusetts, with a focus on enriching the quality of life for its citizens, enhancing the economic environment, and positioning Cape Ann as a center for arts and culture by bridging its maritime heritage with its changing future. She has worked as a fundraiser, event planner and advocate to build relationships and connect people and organizations to enrich the community. She is currently a member of the Middletown Springs Planning Commission and the Rutland Regional Planning Commission. “Having engaged the community in an organized and thoughtful planning process, the library is confident that its initiatives are rooted in the needs and aspirations of our community,” said Library Director Mary Lou Willits. “Sara’s community development expertise will certainly further the mission of the Pawlet Public Library and at the same time help build a stronger community.” For more information visit pawletpubliclibrary.wordpress.com. Local McDonald’s manager receives national award Sara Young By Ed Larson Charles Coughlin recieved the McDonald’s People’s Choice Award, which was given to only two franchise owners in 2019.
The Mountain Times • Dec. 18 - 24, 2019 NEWS BRIEFS • 15 > “‘Drawing a foreign government into our election process is an especially serious abuse of power because it undermines democracy itself,’ Karlan said. Democracy?: Hangs in the balance from page 10 undermines democracy itself,’ Karlan said. “Michael Gerhardt, a professor at the University of North Carolina School of Law, added that ‘the record compiled thus far shows that the president has committed several impeachable offenses, including bribery, abuse of power in soliciting a personal favor from a foreign leader to benefit his political campaign, obstructing Congress and obstructing justice.’ “‘I cannot help but conclude that this president has attacked each of the Constitution’s safeguards against establishing a monarchy in this country. Both the context and gravity of the president’s misconduct are clear… If what we are talking about is not impeachable, nothing is impeachable,’” Gerhardt said. Interestingly, neither Republicans in Congress nor the White House have attempted to deny the facts surrounding Trump’s actions. They have admitted he bribed the president of Ukraine with an action that could have benefited his campaign for president and put an ally in jeopardy as if it were no big deal. And what they are attempting to argue, bizarrely, is that such a violation of the public trust falls short of “high crimes and misdemeanors.” House Democrats are right to also incorporate obstruction charges against Trump, as he has purposely obstructed the investigation of his administration’s actions on several fronts, including looking into the possible collusion with Russian interference in the 2016 election, which was the basis of the Mueller Report. Trump has consistently ordered those who worked in his administration not to provide testimony or information that might help either Mueller’s investigation or the impeachment inquiry determine the truth. Any impartial observer would know that a president trying to hide facts from discovery and who goes to great ends to distract, promote debunked conspiracy theories and work tirelessly to create misinformation knows the truth would reveal damning information (from his actions as a candidate, as president and to whatever financial information may be compromising in his tax returns) And yet, Trump supporters cast that commonsense aside at the nation’s peril. It should be apparent to all that if we are to be a nation governed by a strongman who rules through misinformation (propaganda), like the autocrats he so admires, and not by laws, we will have lost our democracy. Angelo Lynn is the editor and publisher of the Addison County Independent, a sister publication to the Mountain Times. School budget: Board discovers innacuracies > from page 8 a theater tech associate, at a total cost of $234,000. Costs of mitigating moisture issues at The Prosper Valley School, which has been closed for a year, will also be considered. Bob Crean, a resident spectator at the meeting, suggested spending $6,000 to test results from recent drainage work, and $35,000 for a “deep clean” to remove any mold before committing to $100,000 for a new HVAC system. Killington board member Jim Haff, who serves on the finance committee that will be primarily responsible for the budget, said the budget increases discussed will impact the district’s education tax significantly, possibly raising Killington’s education tax from $1.62 this year to over $2 next year. “It would increase our cost per pupil $500 just to operate TPVS,” he told the Mountain Times after Monday’s meeting, “without increasing the number of credited pupils in the district – just moving them from Woodstock to Pomfret.” Haff cited Town Manager Chet Hagenbarth’s recent report to the district board that Killington real estate prices have risen 20%, possibly increasing the town’s common level of appraisal penalty by 15% or more. (CLA adjusts for the difference between a town’s property assessments and actual market values). On Dec. 9, Concessi alluded to significant efforts invested to bring the district’s books in order. According to Haff, actual revenue received was never accurately recorded and only fiscal year 2018 has been updated so far. “An outside firm has been brought in to enter revenue figures,” Haff said. “We may find out revenue is actually way off from what the FY2019 budget and the current budget anticipated.” “We ran out of tax anticipation note funds [money often borrowed against anticipated tax revenues and state disbursements by towns and school districts] in October — the earliest yet,” he said. “The district put payments other than payroll on hold until they had more accurate information.” The board also unanimously approved raising student and adult meal prices starting in September for the first time in three years. A vigorous discussion about required capital reserves for campus buildings revealed while there are very modest reserve funds attached to some schools, the district has been significantly under funding maintenance and replacement funding for years. “The draft budget includes $50,000 for capital reserves,” Haff said, “but industry standards would suggest putting away between $1.2 million and $1.4 million every year. If we don’t address this now, we’ll be having the same conversation next year.” LIMITED TIME Up to $ 150 off * ENERGY STAR ® Smart Thermostats (888) 921-5990 Qualifying models save energy by using sensors and automation to respond to your daily schedule. Visit www.efficiencyvermont.com/shop to find participating retailers and research top-rated products, including those from: • ecobee • Honeywell • Nest *Subject to availability and eligibility. Limit 2 per Vermont household and 6 per Vermont business.
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Mountain Times- Volume 48, Number 51: Dec. 18-24, 2019

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