By Guy Page
Caledonia County Assistant Judge Joe Benning wrapped up a 40-year career as a defense attorney Friday with an unplanned but successful courtroom appearance, the Caledonian-Record reported June 30.
Benning is also a former member of the Vermont House of Representatives and Senate and a Republican nominee for Lt. Governor.
Though retired and ready for a quiet day at home, Benning was called in last-minute to cover hearings at Caledonia Superior Court. In his final case, he entered a not guilty plea for a client and successfully argued against bail.
Benning, 68, reflected in remarks to the Caledonian-Record, the daily newspaper for Caledonia County, on his legal career and early dreams of being a rock star. “I had a strong desire to be a rock star,” he said, recalling failed attempts to land a music deal after college.
New VT law bans turtle trafficking
A new Vermont law, Act 47, bans the import and sale of pond slider turtles, including red-eared sliders, to protect native species from competition and disease.
Pet stores may sell existing stock with proof of prior ownership, but new imports are prohibited. Current owners can keep their turtles but may not release them into the wild.
The law also increases poaching penalties and adds a mentored fishing day on Labor Day.
Northfield Savings Bank names new president
Northfield Savings Bank has announced the appointment of Joseph B. Bator as its next President and CEO, effective September 1. He will succeed Tom Leavitt, who is retiring after leading the bank since 2010.
Bator brings extensive experience in commercial banking, most recently serving as Regional Vice President at TD Bank. He has also held leadership roles at Primary Bank and Eastern Bank.
He will be elected as a director of Northfield Mutual Holding Company at the October 9 corporators meeting.
New Hampshire Democrat elected official leaves party
In an op-ed for the New Hampshire Daily Union Leader, Grafton County Commissioner Wendy Piper, of Enfield, says she is leaving the Democratic Party, the Journal-Opinion reports today.
“Despite calls by national leaders to return to ‘kitchen table’ issues, state Democrats remain focused on such issues as gender identity and support for undocumented immigrants,” she writes. “Whatever happened, I wonder, to the days of Bill Clinton and African-American Texas Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, who argued for tighter borders? They recognized the need to fill American jobs with American workers; working people were their base. This is called economic nationalism, and there’s nothing scary about it.”
Meanwhile, she says Republicans in New Hampshire have demonstrated leadership on the economy, health, public safety and supporting the working class.
“I’m eager to join in.”
Piper was one of three Democrats on the three-member Grafton County Commission. Her district covers Enfield, Hanover, and Lebanon. She is in her fourth term on the commission.