Today’s News: Saturday, November 28, 2020

By Guy Page on November 28, 2020

Franklin County school district won’t comply with Thanksgiving order

BY GUY PAGE ON NOVEMBER 28, 2020 • ( LEAVE A COMMENT )

“The Governor’s order, and the subsequent guidance from the Agency of Education, potentially thrust our young children into adult conversations and decisions, which is not appropriate,” Georgia Elementary School principals Julie Conrad and Steve Emery wrote in a Nov. 25 letter to parents. “It also potentially sets up situations where being dishonest could take precedence over our working together to meet every student and family’s individual needs, and that is not a practice that is in keeping with the character we encourage in our students and each other.”

Irasburg church attendees urged to get Covid-19 test after one person tests positive

PRESS RELEASE ON NOVEMBER 27, 2020 • ( 1 COMMENT )

BURLINGTON, VT – The Vermont Department of Health is urging anyone who attended Sunday services at New Hope Bible Church in Irasburg on November 22 to get tested for COVID-19.

WEEK’S TOP NEWS:

Thanksgiving school policy hit “guilt nerve,” Scott says

BY GUY PAGE ON NOVEMBER 27, 2020 • ( LEAVE A COMMENT )

BY GUY PAGE ON NOVEMBER 27, 2020 His administration’s plan to quiz students on where they spent Thanksgiving struck a “guilt nerve” and a “resistance nerve” as shown by vehement community pushback, Gov. Phil Scott said at his press conference.

Levine: “No talk of mandatory vaccine”

BY GUY PAGE ON NOVEMBER 27, 2020 • ( LEAVE A COMMENT )

With release of a Covid-9 vaccine expected within two weeks, Health Commissioner Mark Levine said “there’s no talk of mandatory vaccination” in national advisory councils overseeing vaccination release.

Supreme Court church service decision affirms VT policy, Scott administration says

BY GUY PAGE ON NOVEMBER 27, 2020 • ( 1 COMMENT )

This week’s US Supreme Court decision striking down New York restrictions on religious gatherings explicitly upholds Vermont Gov. Phil Scott’s executive order on religious gatherings, both Scott and an administration official said today.

Mother of three appalled that children asked to incriminate families

COMMENTARY BY KENDRA BOWEN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2020 • ( 3 COMMENTS )

Editor’s Note: the author, a Chittenden County resident and mother of three, holds a Masters Degree in Public Health. I am appalled that Governor Phil Scott would even consider directing schools to ask children if they joined other households for Thanksgiving. Governor Scott is not asking parents, he is asking children to incriminate their families. He is placing the burden of the parents’ decision on the children.

Vermont Thanksgiving of bygone era seen in 1955 promotional video

BY GUY PAGE ON NOVEMBER 26, 2020 • ( LEAVE A COMMENT )

If you’re nostalgic for a taste of a Thanksgiving from the good old days, you might want to watch “Thanks to Vermont,” a 1955 promotional video for Vermont products.

Some retailers upset with guv for Black Friday comment

BY GUY PAGE ON NOVEMBER 26, 2020 • ( LEAVE A COMMENT )

On Nov. 24, Scott asked Vermonters not to shop on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday retailing season) if they didn’t have a need to. The normally pro-business Scott may be hoping to stop the new surge of COVID cases, but his comments seem to have rattled small business owners.

Asking students to inform on Thanksgiving travel draws reader pushback

BY GUY PAGE ON NOVEMBER 25, 2020 • ( 5 COMMENTS )

After Gov. Phil Scott yesterday announced that on Monday, school workers will ask both students and parents if they traveled for Thanksgiving, Associated Press reporter Wilson Ring asked if this plan puts children in the position of tattling on their parents. Many readers don’t think much of his answer.

Beavers slain because bureaucrat feared blocked culvert

BY GUY PAGE ON NOVEMBER 24, 2020 • ( 11 COMMENTS )

The demise of the semiaquatic rodents and the damage to their dam is the result of an onsite visit from a representative from Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission, an entity which advises Vermont towns on land management.

Schools to quiz students, parents about Thanksgiving travel

BY GUY PAGE ON NOVEMBER 24, 2020 • ( 22 COMMENTS )

The Monday after Thanksgiving, Vermont school staff under direction from the Agency of Education will be asking students and parents if they traveled to other households for Thanksgiving dinner. If they answer yes, they will be required to go to remote learning for 14 days.

Dem ‘boot camp’ grads get baptism of fire in 2020 election

BY GUY PAGE ON NOVEMBER 23, 2020 • ( 3 COMMENTS )

Presumptive House Speaker Jill Krowinski (D-Burlington) will go into the 2021-22 biennium with at least two big questions to answer:
1. Given Dem/Prog losses to the GOP of a net four seats, can she still muster an override of a veto by Gov. Phil Scott?
2. Can she turn her signature “Emerge” boot camp for Democratic women candidates into a House winner again?

‘Travels with Charlie’ video: in Newbury, Act 46 hasn’t saved money

BY GUY PAGE ON NOVEMBER 23, 2020 • ( LEAVE A COMMENT )

In episode #30 of acclaimed video series “Travels With Charlie,” host Charlie Papillo talks with Newbury school board members Paul Jewett and Marvin Harrison about how the Act 46 forced merger of four school districts has worked – or, more often, not worked.

Randy Brock to lead GOP Senate caucus

PRESS RELEASE ON NOVEMBER 23, 2020 • ( 2 COMMENTS )

Sen. Randy Brock (R/D-Franklin) will be taking the reigns when new members are sworn in on January 6, according to current Minority Leader Sen. Joe Benning (R-Caledonia). Sen. Brian Collamore (R-Rutland) will continue to serve as Assistant Minority Leader.

Letter: Seven Days should self-examine for conservative ‘blind spot’

BYGUY PAGEON NOVEMBER 23, 2020 • ( 6 COMMENTS )

Seven Days should conduct a confidential poll of news staff and editorial employees of Seven Days, VtDigger, and Vermont Public Radio. How many consider themselves conservative, served in the armed forces, donated to Republican presidential candidates, belong to the local fish and game club, fly an American flag, watch NASCAR, support local police, etc.?