Letters
February 11, 2020, Issue

Letter from Ellie Russell
LeBoeuf purchase creates opportunity to shape future

On Town Meeting Day, March 2, Charlotte voters will be asked to approve the purchase by the Town of Charlotte of 51 acres of land in the west village, land now owned by Mr. Richard LeBoeuf. Dick’s land connects the town-owned land where the Town Hall and Library are located with the town-owned Burns property to the south. Mr. LeBoeuf has agreed to sell the land to the town for $1.2 million.

Together the Burns and the LeBoeuf land create an opportunity for us to shape the future growth of Charlotte. This combined tract of land in the center of the West Village opens up a wealth of possibilities for controlled growth in Charlotte, or no growth, should we so desire. The town will have land available for future expansion of town services, such as a library expansion, and perhaps Mr. Leboeuf’s long-term dream of senior housing.

Part of the land is zoned commercial, thus allowing possibly a small bank facility, a café or coffee shop or other local business that we might envision. Most important of all is that the use of the land will be determined by us, the townspeople of Charlotte, and not by outside interests. We can control how we grow and, if we so desire, we can conserve the valuable natural resources on the property. We can frame what our town will look like for years to come. And we can potentially earn a return on our investment, should town voters decide that is a wise course to take.

Over the next several weeks prior to Town Meeting Day the Selectboard will host a variety of information sessions, giving us a chance to ask questions and become well-informed about this decision. Please take the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. I think a vote in favor of this once-only opportunity will be deeply appreciated by Charlotters for generations to come.

Ellie Russell

Letter from Danielle D’Amico
Kristin Wright for School Board

Kristin Wright is exceptionally qualified for a position on the school board. Her many years of experience as a volunteer at the Charlotte Central School, professional roots as a lawyer, and roles as parent and active resident of Charlotte provide her with a broad range of perspectives and skills. While Kristin’s areas of expertise are invaluable and will serve as rich assets to our children and community, they represent only a thin slice of what makes her splendidly equipped for a position on the school board.

Kristin’s unique qualifications stem from her strong character, integrity and moral standing. Those who have the good fortune to know Kristin are not surprised by the genuine loyalty, commitment and caring that underlie all that she does. We are not surprised by her warmth, compassion and ability to appreciate and embrace views different from her own. Nor are we surprised by her calm, balanced and thoughtful approach in even the most stressful of situations. These qualities are not surprising to those who know her, as they are part of Kristin’s makeup and they are woven through all she does. These are the qualities that will allow her to work effectively and cooperatively as a member of the school board.
Do not be fooled by Kristin’s gentle and humble demeanor. She is a woman of keen intellect, with poise and clarity that enable her to advocate for what she believes. While deeply devoted to our children, Kristin is well grounded in the varied needs and interests of our community and is committed to seeking novel ways to address and integrate them in a responsible and thoughtful manner.

Charlotte will be lucky to have Kristin’s skills, strength of character and dedication to help fulfill and exceed the great responsibilities entrusted to our school board. I urge you to consider this talented member of our community for a position on our school board.

Danielle D’Amico

Letter from Marilyn Richardson
Candidate for CVU School Board
 
I am a candidate for the three-year term of CVU school director. I have been a Charlotte resident for 35 years and have two sons who have been students in the CCS and CVU systems and have gone on to be successful adults. Folks who do not know me might recognize me as the nana climbing snow piles with my grandson as we trudge to the library. I have been involved in the Charlotte community for many years, serving on numerous committees in both schools and in the town.

At this point in my life I feel that I have the time, energy and expertise to be an effective school board member. I have witnessed the rise and fall of our school populations, the upward trend in out property taxes and the changes in the needs of our students as they engage in a high technology world. The challenge is to balance the many issues impacting the decision making process while assuring that CVU is a school for all students, where students are challenged, motivated and acquire the skills and knowledge to be successful young adults. With my background as a teacher educator and educational consultant I would bring a statewide perspective to the school board. I am organized, a team player and like to have all of the facts before making a decision. Due to some previously scheduled travel plans I will not be able to attend candidates night. Please do not hesitate to give me a call at 425-2391 if you have any questions. I look forward to talking with you.

Marilyn K. Richardson

Letter from Edorah Frazer
Thanks to Members of Both School Boards
 
Our community owes enormous thanks to the members of both of our school boards for their recent work on our school budgets. Regardless of whether we concur with their decisions, I think we must agree that these community volunteers have put in hundreds of hours on the difficult task of minimizing the losses in our schools due to financial restraints. This is very difficult work, and the public has not always been respectful and kind in the process. I would like to thank all the members of the boards, especially Patrice Machavern for her nine years of service to our students and to our community. Your commitment is evident and appreciated.

Edorah Frazer

Letter from Kristin Wright
Announcing Candidacy for CCS School Board

I am running for the open two-year term as Charlotte Central School Director. I have been attending school board meetings for the last few years. I feel confident that I can contribute to the ongoing work of the board in providing our children with a quality education at a cost that does not unduly burden our community.

If elected on March 2, my goals as a school director will include:
• continuing to improve communication between the board and interested parties, including the Charlotte community, parents, administration, faculty and staff;
• encouraging greater participation at school board meetings by parents, faculty and the community at large;
• formalizing a process to solicit information and ideas from the community in areas such as technology, building maintenance, student behavior, and the like; and
• encouraging an earlier development of the budget to allow more input therein.

If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to contact me at kristincwright@mac.com or 425-5105.
Thank you for your time and consideration.

Kristin Wright

Letter from Susan Russo
Invitation to “Relay for Life NordicStyle”

On March 6, 2010, cancer SURVIORS, CAREGIVERS and those who care about having cancer eradicated in their lifetimes will come from all over Vermont and as far away as Alaska for the 7th annual Relay For Life NordicStyle at Trapp Family Lodge. Celebrating seven years in a row, through frigid conditions, snow and rain, these valiant and dedicated people have come to the mountain top for many reasons.
 
The SURVIORS have come to “CELEBRATE” their lives with others who have also been diagnosed with cancer. Their CAREGIVERS come and are celebrated for being there during the darkest hours of the SURVIORS, and take a lap in the snow, continuing to standby and be there for their extended families of family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, students, children and even those they don’t know, all in support of them and their fight to be with us. Those who “CARE” have come to raise money that will help people Stay Well, Get Well, Find Cures and Fight Back! Those who CARE in some cases don’t even know the survivors that are there, but somewhere along the way, they have been touched by cancer and want it GONE. They don’t want their children or their children’s children to ever hear the words, “you have cancer.” Rather they want them to live in a world with less cancer and more BIRTHDAYS!

Won’t you join us as we take to the trails at the Trapp Family Ski Touring Center on March 6 as we take up the fight against cancer?

For more information on Relay For Life NordicStyle, go to relayforlife.org/nordicstylevt or contact the American Cancer Society at 866-466-0626.

Susan Russo, Publicity Chairperson,
Relay For Life NordicStyle 2010