This week in history
10 years ago:
In an op-ed, Gov. Peter Shumlin made the case for “a smarter approach on marijuana in Vermont.” Vermont had just decriminalized marijuana possession, and Shumlin called for a measured and methodical approach to legalization of marijuana for adult consumption. “We can lift the veil of prohibition that has prevented us from taking rational steps to address all the issues that come with marijuana use that exist right now, given that one in eight Vermonters uses the substance on a monthly basis,” Shumlin said.
15 years ago:
Wilmington, Whitingham, and Twin Valley school board members announced they were at an impasse in contract negotiations with the teachers union, and voted to send out a letter notifying teachers of their intent to issue RIF (reduction in force) notices unless negotiators came to an agreement before April 15. Board members said the move wasn’t a tactic to threaten or pressure teachers or union members, but a formality required under their negotiation procedures.
20 years ago:
Local entrepreneur Jeff Silverman, owner of Inertia Unlimited Ltd., was changing the world of television with his point-of-view, robotic, and high-speed cameras. His miniature point-of-view cameras, installed in pool tables, helmets, poker tables – just about anywhere - gave viewers a new perspective on the action.
After more than 30 years in the valley, Dr. Harry Haroutunian was leaving for the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, CA. Haroutunian said that, in some cases, he had treated five generations of the same family, something he called “an honor beyond belief.”
Patience Merriman, a Whitingham resident, announced she would run for the Windham-2 House seat held by Bob Rusten on the Progressive Party ticket. Her campaign slogan was “Give me Patience.”
25 years ago:
Despite several late-season snowstorms that left a base of 88 inches, Mount Snow was determined to close in mid-April. Although there was plenty of snow in the Deerfield Valley, a Mount Snow spokesperson said warm temperatures and green lawns south of Vermont meant that the resort’s customers would be thinking more about the golf course than the slopes.
Parents were up in arms at local school boards after several statewide organizations opposed to Vermont’s civil union legislation began alerting them to diversity and other educational programs that they said promoted an “agenda.” While some parents expressed concern regarding subjects they believed should be discussed in the home, others stepped forward to say that exposure to diversity was important for their children.
30 years ago:
The owner of The Last Shot, a bar located across the street from the Dover Police Department, dropped its controversial nude entertainment. The change came after the bar owner and his landlord negotiated a new lease that prohibited “nude, semi-nude, or topless dancing, male or female.” But the new lease didn’t end the controversy. Residents warned that without a change in zoning, any establishment might have nude dancing. One resident called for an ordinance banning such entertainment, telling selectboard members that it would bring in an undesirable crowd along with dancers whom he characterized as “potential undesirables.”
35 years ago:
Wilmington Selectboard members were “mad as hell” at Montpelier. The board’s ire was raised by two House bills under consideration that would create a formula to determine “rich” towns versus “poor” towns. The “rich” towns, including Searsburg, Somerset, Dover, and Wilmington, would pay an additional property tax to raise $36 million. The money wouldn’t be used for education or to reduce property taxes in other towns, the money was intended to reduce the state’s budget deficit.
40 years ago:
Four generations of dairy farming ended at Adams Farm when Sharon and Bill Adams’ dairy operation was accepted into a federal buyout program along with 195 other Vermont farms. Adams said his costs kept increasing while the returns kept dropping.
Two horses escaped from a corral behind the Viking Motel on Route 9 and “created traffic problems, and a crowd of onlookers.”
45 years ago:
Bob and Sally Coombs published The Maple Syrup Journal in partnership with a Canadian couple. The bi-monthly magazine was in direct competition with Maple Sugar Digest, which had been the maple industry’s trade magazine for 14 years. The journal’s first issue included a factory tour article, various pieces on maple industry equipment, and interviews with industry leaders.
55 years ago:
There were 14 applicants for the position of Wilmington Town Manager, some from as far away as Oregon and Mississippi. The position and its $9,500 salary were up for grabs after manager Charles Trebbe had submitted his resignation, effective June 1.
Deerfield Valley Elementary School students had to attend classes on five Saturdays and the school year was extended five days to June 25 to make up for 10 missed days.
