December 28, 2006

By ANDY KIRKALDY

VERGENNES — Addison Northwest Supervisory Union elementary school boards are looking at spending increases of between 4.4 and 5.8 percent for the 2006-2007 school year. Next month those boards are expected to approve those spending plans for voter consideration on Town Meeting Day. 

The Ferrisburgh Central School board is looking at the highest increase, a 5.8 percent hike to about $2.64 million.

The Vergennes Union Elementary School board is eyeing a 4.9 percent jump to about $3.4 million.

The Addison Central School board is considering requesting voter approval for a spending boost of 4.4 percent to $1.74 million.

December 28, 2006

By JOHN FLOWERS
MIDDLEBURY — The Counseling Service of Addison County (CSAC) is closing in on a $650,000 fund-raising goal as part of a $2.1 million plan to dramatically expand and renovate its mental health facilities in Middlebury.
As of last Thursday, CSAC had raised $491,000 during what had been the “silent phase” of its fund drive, launched more than a year ago. The agency received 125 contributions from area businesses and individuals, some of them in excess of $25,000.
“I’m just thrilled at what we’ve been able to do so far with this capital campaign,” said CSAC Executive Director Robert Thorn. “This was a huge goal for us, and I’m amazed at the response from the community.”

December 28, 2006

By ANDY KIRKALDY

VERGENNES — Vergennes Alderman Michael Sullivan, who served as the first superintendent of the Vergennes-Panton Water District for 34 years, died of an apparent heart attack at his Monkton Road home on Christmas Eve.

Sullivan, 61, was known as a leader and past Commander of the Vergennes American Legion Post 14, a Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, an architect of the effort to bring safe water to the city in the early 1970s, a conservationist, and as an outspoken city council member who was pondering a run for mayor in March.

Despite his often contrary and at times long-winded political opinions, Vergennes Mayor April Jin said Sullivan’s underlying good-heartedness made him popular on the city council as well as in the Vergennes area. 

December 21, 2006

By JOHN FLOWERS

MIDDLEBURY — Several Addison Central Supervisory Union (ACSU) schools are considering new security measures in light of recent acts of violence at schools in Vermont and throughout the country.

Middlebury Union Middle School has already installed a new front-entrance security system, while other schools in the district are considering blinds, alarm systems, reorganized offices that look upon entryways, and/or doors that lock from the inside, as upgrades to better protect teachers and children from would-be attackers.

“We still want people to come to our schools, but we want to ensure their safety at the same time,” said Middlebury School Resource Officer Scott Fisher.