FAF resumes next week/ Montpelier post office building to be ‘disposed of’/ Unsuspecting teen given food containing pot/ Ford Foundation pays for UVM summer interns

By Guy Page

A fatal fire at a Lakewood Drive, Swanton home Wednesday, Dec. 4 claimed the life of an elderly woman and her dog. 

State police say the fire was reported just after 1 p.m. by the homeowner, 81-year-old Normand Lussier, who stated his girlfriend, 78-year-old Constance Hall, was unaccounted for. Crews from the fire departments in Swanton, Highgate, and St. Albans responded to the scene, along with other first-response agencies including Missisquoi Rescue. The home could not be saved and eventually collapsed due to severe fire damage. Hall was not located.

During processing of the scene late Thursday morning, Dec. 5, investigators discovered a body in a bedroom believed to be that of Hall. The body of her dog, Rosie, was found with her.

Hall’s body was brought to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington for an autopsy to confirm identity and determine the cause and manner of death. There are no indications at this time that this incident is suspicious. The investigation into the origin and cause of the fire is continuing, but there is no evidence it was the result of direct human involvement.

Sibilia to Krowinski about debate: I will if you will – House Speaker candidate Laura Sibilia still wants to debate incumbent Jill Krowinski, despite the latter’s unwillingness to do so, as a letter from campaign aide Lucy Rogers to legislative leaders and the Chandler arts center in Randolph (shared with VDC by Sibilia) states:

On November 13, Rep. Sibilia sent a statement (attached) to all members of the House of Representatives outlining her willingness to participate in a forum for members of the People’s House under the conditions of a neutral facilitator, a clear communication plan, and a timely resolution to logistical details.

Rep. Sibilia received two invitations to participate in a speakers forum, both of which ultimately met these requirements. On November 11, she received an invitation from the White River Valley Chamber of Commerce to participate in a debate on Saturday, December 14 at the Chandler Music Hall in Randolph. On November 19, she received a statement of interest from VTDigger for hosting a speaker debate in an online format at a date to be determined.

Rep. Sibilia is eager to participate in either of the forums, in addition to continuing to meet with members 1:1 and in small groups, and speaking with each individual party caucus if invited. We met with Speaker Krowinski and her team this afternoon to consider these invitations. It is our understanding that Speaker Krowinski is unwilling to proceed with any forum that involves addressing all members of the House simultaneously. Rep. Sibilia is ready to move forward on logistics for such a forum if Speaker Krowinski’s position changes.

Friday at Four to resume next Friday – VDC Social Media Director Paul Bean will return from Florida next week and resume his work as Friday at Four producer and co-host for the December 13 episode. 

Sanders calls Montpelier fed building/ post office closure ‘outrageous’ – the Government Services Agency (GSA) – the arm of the federal government responsible for overseeing federal buildings – announced this week it will dispose of 87 State Street, Montpelier’s federal building that was damaged in the July 2023 flooding, Sen. Bernie Sanders reported. 

Prior to the flooding, this building was home to the U.S. Post Office, the Courthouse, Department of Agriculture, the Small Business Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service. Centrally located in the Vermont state capital’s walkable downtown and easily accessible to local public transportation, the building served as a hub of activity and service for Montpelier residents and all of central Vermont. 

Sanders said the decision, following 17-months of inaction, was made with virtually no input from the people of Montpelier and without any consultation with Vermont’s congressional delegation.

“This decision to shutter the federal building in Montpelier is nothing short of outrageous,” said Sanders. “Instead of quickly fixing this critical community institution, GSA is abandoning Vermonters who still require access to the services that this building provided.”

A modest Post Office operation has been opened in City Center on East State Street.

Gave juvenile food with cannabis – A Brighton man gave a young co-worker on Cross St. in Brighton some food containing cannabis, state police say. 

At about 10 AM on Nov. 21, state police were told a 15-year-old was given a food product containing marijuana by a coworker. Investigation revealed Seth Pfaff, 25 of Brighton, knowingly provided the juvenile a cannabis food product without the juvenile’s consent or knowledge. Pfaff received a citation to appear in Essex Superior Court.

Ford Foundation gives UVM $250K for summer intern program – The Ford Foundation has awarded a $250,000 grant to the University of Vermont’s (UVM) Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships to expand its statewide summer internship program. 

The grant will allow the Leahy Institute to add a second cohort to its Statewide Summer Internship Project. The program sends UVM students to rural Vermont communities for eight weeks of employment, community engagement and learning.