Vision Reflects Values

Vision Reflects Values

Mike Yantachka

The president’s State of the Union address is a tradition of our democracy that allows the head of the executive branch of the government to express his vision for America. It usually addresses a broad range of issues at a high level and is short on detail. Whether or not you agree with what is said, at least you get a pretty good idea of where the speaker is coming from. This got me thinking about my own communications, so I thought I’d try to deliver my own vision of what I try to accomplish as I serve as your representative in Montpelier.

Zoning Board of Adjustment plays to a large audience

Zoning Board of Adjustment plays to a large audience

Edd Merritt, contributing editor

There was standing room only on January 24 in Town Hall as the Zoning Board of Adjustment interviewed representatives of the group proposing to build a Maplefields convenience store at the corner of Route 7 and Church Hill and Ferry roads. The property, owned by Charlotter Bid Spear, has remained vacant for several years.

Timing is everything when listing your home for sale

Timing is everything when listing your home for sale

Chris von Trapp, Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman, Realtor

As one of the top listing agents for the Charlotte real estate market, a common question I hear from home owners at this time of year is “Is this is a good time to sell?” The general impression is that more houses sell in the spring, when the grass is green and flowers are in bloom.

CVU responds to recent drug-related issues

CVU responds to recent drug-related issues

Morgan Magoon, Charlotte News Intern

In early November, several CVU students were involved in a drug deal in Shelburne that turned into a robbery and injured one student.  When asked recently about what the school did in response to the incident and the resulting criminal charges, Principal Adam Bunting, said, “CVU enjoys productive relationships with our community partners:

When it Comes to Water Quality, We Need Thoughtful Solutions

When it Comes to Water Quality, We Need Thoughtful Solutions

Julie Moore, VT Agency of Natural Resources

Stormwater runoff is a serious water quality problem in Vermont that demands action. There is a fine balance between moving forward with urgency and unnecessarily compromising on cost-effective solutions. We must use the best available science and technology to ensure we select the most efficient path to clean water. I think Vermonters want us, and expect us, to invest their money wisely. 

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

Melanie Needle, Senior Planner, CCRPC

Regarding “Stop the new energy plan” – Hans Ohanian’s recent letter [Jan. 10 Charlotte News] , titled “Stop the new energy plan,” pointed out a mistake in the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission’s (CCRPC) June 2017 draft Municipal Energy Data Assumptions and Methodology report. There was indeed a math error in the graphic on page 19 from the Bennington County Regional Commission’s draft energy plan. Bennington County has since corrected this graphic in its final plan. CCRPC was unaware of the error and used the graphic to explain how regional renewable energy generation targets are developed. 

Senior Center News

Senior Center News

Charlotte Senior Center

Wednesday After-lunch Programs Programs scheduled for Wednesday after lunch begin at 1 p.m. and showcase the many interests of our community. Drop in to share the travels and experiences of our presenters—no need to register.

Report from Legislature: A Practical Approach to Pricing Carbon Pollution

Report from Legislature: A Practical Approach to Pricing Carbon Pollution

Rep. Mike Yantachka

Most people recognize that climate change is happening, that it is caused by burning fossil fuels and that it has serious environmental and health consequences. The challenge to our generation is how to counter the trend of increasing concentrations of CO2 and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. The most obvious action is to reduce our consumption of fossil fuels. 

Where does the town stand in regard to a new Maplefields?

Where does the town stand in regard to a new Maplefields?

Edd Merritt, Editor In Chief

At this point, process is what will produce the product. The process is town governance. The product will be what will stand at the intersection of Route 7 and Church Hill and Ferry Road. The first step in the process occurred last fall with a sketch plan hearing for a Maplefields gas and convenience store on the site. 

Charlotte Library News

Charlotte Library News

Margaret Woodruff, Director

IBRARY CARD EXPIRATION REMINDER – All Charlotte Library cards expire on January 31, 2018. In order to use your card at other Homecard libraries, it must have an up-to-date sticker. Please stop by with card for a new sticker and you’ll be good until January 31, 2021!

Sports Report

Sports Report

Edd Merritt, Editor In Chief

Some names seem to repeat in high school basketball – The last time we published The News was the game day for a repeat of last year’s state women’s championship between CVU and St. Johnsbury. A tight contest, the outcome, however, remained the same with the reigning state champion Redhawks coming out on top 43-35. Shannon Loiseau had 11 points and a double-double as she grabbed 10 rebounds.

Highlights from the Selectboard Meeting

Highlights from the Selectboard Meeting

Gail Callahan, Contributor

The Charlotte Selectboard, after a lengthy discussion of replacement options for the Town Hall’s aging computer server—including the costs and risks associated with using an on-premise computer server or a cloud-based server—approved a proposal for a new on-premise server, partnering with SymQuest for fiscal years 2017-18 and 2018-19.

Meet Cathrine Richards, fire fighter volunteer and probationary rescue volunteer

Meet Cathrine Richards, fire fighter volunteer and probationary rescue volunteer

Tom Cosinuke, CVFRS corporate president

Cat got started with CVFRS in 2014. She wanted to do something different and more technical in her volunteering.  She made the full commitment taking both Fire 1 and Fire 2 training programs, approximately 220 hours of overall training, followed by written and practical testing.