This Week in History: October 30 - November 5
10 years ago:
Dover officials complained after they found that the town’s 1% local option tax wasn’t being collected on short-term rentals. The town discovered the issue thanks to a Dover economic development program that provided funding for video production companies that filmed in Dover. While reviewing receipts submitted for the grant, officials noticed that the local tax had not been collected – the same tax that funded the grant. At the time, Vermont had no law requiring online rental companies to collect the tax, though state tax officials said such a law was undyer consideration.
15 years ago:
Windham County Sen. Jeanette White spearheaded an effort to change the Vermont Constitution to allow 17-year-olds who will turn 18 before the general election to vote in primaries. The idea was introduced by a group of young women who wanted to be more involved in the electoral process.
Dover voters declined to approve the purchase of the Paw House inn on Route 100 – currently known as Sugar Maple Inn. Dover’s Economic Development Committee recommended the purchase and redevelopment of the property for $1.25 million. Under the plan, the property would have become a visitor’s center, greenspace, and entertainment venue.
20 years ago:
Organizers of the Pool Learning Center broke ground on their classroom building in Marlboro, on land donated by the Pool family. The learning center, which serves students with dyslexia through tutoring and other learning opportunities, was named in honor of local resident and noted wildlife photographer Bill Pool.
Dover resident Hilary Twining, who was also program coordinator for the Humane Society of the United States New England Regional Office, recalled her weeks spent in Mississippi and Louisiana, where she helped with HSUS efforts to care for animals that were lost in Hurricane Katrina, and reunite them with their owners.
25 years ago:
More than 100 people packed a small meeting room at Brattleboro Savings & Loan to hear speakers from a Rutland-based political action group that opposed the state’s civil unions law. The meeting focused on the group’s claim that homosexual behavior was being “taught” in Vermont schools. A spirited debate ensued, with the participation of opposing groups such as Putney School’s Gay-Straight alliance, and Parents for Civil Unions.
Political signs were disappearing around the valley. A number of people reported that their “Take Back Vermont” signs were stolen, and several others said their “Take Vermont Forward” signs had disappeared.
30 years ago:
Rain pummeled the valley, washing out roads from Halifax to Wardsboro. Rice Hill in Dover was closed to traffic for most of a day while crews scrambled to remove downed trees. In Halifax, culverts couldn’t contain the rushing water, washing out portions of Green River Road and Moss Hollow Road. In Whitingham, Russell Drive, Ick Road, Tyler Road, and Dalrymple Road were all impassable for a few hours. In Wilmington, Chimney Hill bore the brunt of the storm, with downed trees and several washed out roads. Almost 200 feet of Upper Dam Road was washed away.
35 years ago:
A school planning board recommended that Whitingham and Wilmington form a K-12 union school district. According to the committee, there was a “great inefficiency” having a combined middle and high school district, and two elementary school districts. Among the inefficiencies cited by the committee was the need for three school boards to deal with the two communities’ 680 students. The committee recommended combining the two towns’ middle and high schools and maintaining an elementary school in each town, but under one union school district.
Mount Snow’s Sunbrook lift was nearing completion. The new quad lift stretched 4,400 feet from the base of Sunbrook to the summit of Mount Snow. The lift was part of an expansion that included six new ski trails and 30 acres of new snowmaking.
40 years ago:
An antique Regulator clock was stolen from the East Dover Baptist Church. The clock was marked “East Dover Baptist Church” in several places, according to police.
Carrie Wheeler was elected president of the Windham County Farm Bureau at its annual meeting in Jacksonville.
A survey of visitors to the area revealed that 60% were here for the first time, 32% heard about the area from friends or relatives, and 60% came by car. About 75% of fall visitors said they don’t ski, and 95% of visitors said the service they received in the area was very courteous and friendly.
45 years ago:
More than 60 Republican voters and candidates attended a rally at the Horizon Motor Inn. Gov. Richard Snelling said the election of 1980 “may be the most important in our life.” Snelling endorsed an ex-governor of California, Ronald Reagan, for president, who he said would “lead us back to a position of strength.” Snelling also endorsed Jim Douglas for secretary of state.
55 years ago:
Leather goods valued at $25,000 were reported stolen from the Olde Norton Leather Shoppe in Wilmington. According to state and local police investigating the theft, an elaborate alarm system that was supposed to ring six different telephones failed to work. Police were on the lookout for a black Volkswagen microbus with a white stripe. According to Al Wurzberger, owner of the building, the store owner reported that only the most marketable items were stolen, “none of the freaky things.”
Mount Snow Vice President of Development John Christie hosted Guenadi Pankin, a Bulgarian tourism official who was touring American resorts.
