This Week in History July 23-29
10 years ago:
Rite-Aid pharmacy staff and Deerfield Valley Rescue EMTs were credited with saving the life of a man who walked into the pharmacy with what he thought was a bad case of pollen allergies. The second-home owner thought he had been exposed to pollen while doing yard work at his home in Connecticut. But the symptoms persisted after he came to his house in Wilmington. When he collapsed at the Rite-Aid counter, pharmacy staff called 911 and initiated CPR. DVR administered shock from a defibrillator en route to Bennington, which restored normal heart rhythm. Those involved received “CPR Save” pins, a rare award for saving a life with CPR.
15 years ago:
Wilmington and Dover selectboards tried to get bitown economic development efforts back on track after the economic development planner the two towns had hired quit. Although the planner gave no reason for his sudden decision, in the weeks leading up to his departure some Dover Selectboard members repeatedly expressed concern about “duplication of effort” between the bitown planner’s duties and those of the Dover Economic Development Specialist. Despite assurances they were not engaged in the same work, even on joint projects, some board members continued to express doubt. Although the Bitown Economic Development Committee continues to work on joint economic development projects, the group has not hired another planner.
20 years ago:
Wilmington’s DRB was on the defensive when the chamber of commerce president, also a local developer, complained about the perceived length of time it takes for zoning permits to be issued. DRB members said that, although state law allows the DRB up to 45 days to make their decision after a hearing is closed, most permit decisions are issued in less than half that time.
25 years ago:
Wilmington had the lowest gas prices in Vermont, but local gas station owners denied that there was any “gas war” keeping prices lower. The price for a gallon of gas in Wilmington was about $1.34, while drivers in Brattleboro were paying about $1.45.
American Skiing Company, which owned Mount Snow, was bailed out of financial trouble with a $30 million investment by Oak Hill Capital Partners, of Dallas, TX.
30 years ago:
Wilmington’s old barn board factory on Mill Street sold at tax sale for a mere $13,000. Bob Grinold, who purchased the property, planned to renovate the structure as a conference center. Today, the site is home to the MOOver headquarters.
35 years ago:
Wilmington residents Diana and David McLeod recalled their experience in Nepal during the country’s 1990 People’s Revolution. “We had dinner and dessert one night, huddled under a table while the mobs gathered outside. The people were being mowed down by machine guns in the street. Little kids, old men, women, everyone wanted the king to give up rule.” The couple fled to the mountain towns to escape the violence. The couple returned from their trip with goods from the countries they visited, and opened a store. Today the couple still travels, and owns Tradewinds Importers in Burlington.
40 years ago:
Dover’s planning commission opposed a plan by North Branch Fire District to expand their “spray fields” in residential areas.
A Wilmington man said he would appeal a zoning decision denying him a variance to build 17 feet closer to the road than he was allowed under his original permit. The house was already under construction in Haystack Village East. He said the house site was moved because the placement of the septic system made it impossible to site the house elsewhere.
45 years ago:
Four Wilmington residents were charged with conspiracy to smuggle 30,000 pounds of marijuana into the United States from Columbia. The four, along with the owner of a Bennington aviation company, were accused of flying more than $1 million worth of marijuana into Vermont over a period of four years. At the time, the Deerfield Valley was considered a major drug distribution area. One of the earliest clues in the case came from a search warrant executed at the residence of another associate in the area. At the house, police found empty bags of Purina chicken feed with labels in Spanish. “Let’s face it, if you need chicken feed, you’re not going to have it imported,” said Wilmington Police Chief Agostinho “Augie” Fernandes.
50 years ago:
Sonia DeLury was appointed as acting town manager in Wilmington, replacing former manager Bob Grinold. Selectboard members said DeLury’s appointment was temporary, until the board had a chance to “reorganize the job.” DeLury seemed confident that the job would remain hers, noting that the likelihood of someone else taking the job at the salary offered by the town was “very remote.”
55 years ago:
The 2nd Battery Vermont Light Artillery provided cannon fire from 11 of their guns as part of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” during a concert at Mount Snow.
Williamsville officials reopened the village swimming hole after a battle between local land owners, users of the swimming area, and the Williamsville Fire Department, which drew water from the area for firefighting. Unfortunately, the area had unspecified “pollution issues,” which prevented the public from cooling off in the swimming hole.
