BENNINGTON BANNER BACK PAGE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1991 THE FRONT Gov. Howard Dean opposes Manchester's er's sales tax DEAN from page in the sense that if a grassroots effort to put property tax reform on the Legislature's agenda this year is going to start because of Burlington and Manchester, I think that's terrific," Dean said. Manchester voters overwhelmingly approved a proposal Tuesday to change the town charter providing for a 1 percent sales tax. Burlington is pursuing a similar idea, although it has been modified so the tax would be levied regionally. Dean said such initiatives were proof that momentum was building to wean Vermont cities and towns from the property tax, in some cases the sole means of funding municipal services.
"I'd be very pleased to discuss what they're doing in the context of real property tax reform," the governor said. Talks among administration officials and leaders of the Vermont League of Cities and Towns probably will be held early in January, Dean and league Executive Director Steven Jeffrey said. "Maybe I'm an eternal optimist, but I'm excited," Jeffrey said. "I really feel things are changing. We have a governor who's willing to discuss this issue." Cities and towns for years have complained that they were being squeezed by the state's insistence that they provide certain services without giving the communities a better way of paying 1 for them.
"I think there's a real good opportunity for local governments and the administration to hammer out a far-reaching solution to what I see as an age-old problem," Jeffrey said. The league believes cities and towns should be given the authority to levy what are referred to as "local option taxes," including the local sales tax contemplated by both Smith acquitted of rape charge KENNEDY from page 1 lawyers had argued that that showed Smith's accuser wasn't raped. "The dress was an issue for me, no evidence on the dress," Haller said. Three jurors wouldn't comment. The other two had unlisted telephone numbers and didn't answer the door at their homes.
Supporters of the woman condemned the cheering and the verdict. "This has hurt all rape victims, and you're going to have a lot of victims that won't come forward because of what has been done to this woman," Robin Miller, who heads a group called Families Enraged Against Rape, said. Shortly after the verdict was announced, the accuser's lawyer, David Roth, read a statement from his client saying she had no regrets. "All that I have endured is worth it if I've made it easier for one woman to make what for me was the only choice I could so that I could look at myself in the mirror, and more importantly my daughter as she grows up," said the woman, who is unmarried and has a 2-yearold daughter. She said she had been inundated with letters and calls from around the world, "from countless women who have suffered the degradation of rape." Roth said: "We accept the verdict.
But not guilty does not equate to innocence." Smith, 31, had taken the stand, adamantly denying the woman's charges. He painted her as a sexually aggressive woman who initiated sex after they met at a night club during Easter weekend. Smith grinned as the verdict was read and embraced his lawyer, Roy Black. Across the courtroom in the jury box, foreman Thomas Stearns 62, began to weep. Another juror, Lea Haller, 37, had tears streaming down her face.
There was no other reaction; the judge had warned spectators they would face punishment. Smith's mother and other Kennedy family members were in the courtroom when the verdict was read. Among those absent was his uncle, Sen. Edward Kennedy, whose name had been sullied by his link to the case. Witnesses testified that he roused his son Patrick and Smith to go drinking early on March 30 at the disco where Smith said he was "picked up" by the woman.
The case was the latest in many crises for the Kennedys and a blow to the senator's political career, confirming his rumored life as a carouser. He promised his constituents he would reform. And just this week, Patrick Kennedy, a Rhode Island state legislator, confirmed he had been treated for a drug addiction when he was in high school. Circuit Judge Mary Lupo thanked the jurors, saying "You have done justice regardless of your verdict." 2 more republics join commonwealth SOVIETS from page 1 battling over who will decide the fate of the former Soviet Union, and both the Russian and the Soviet legislatures convene yesterday for crucial sessions on the new commonwealth. Ukraine and Byelorussia have already ratified it.
Yeltsin and Gorbachev met yesterday for the second straight day. They refused to speak with reporters, but Yeltsin said later that Gorbachev had ruled out the use of force in their political confrontation, the Russian Information Agency reported. Yeltsin told a separate meeting of Russian lawmakers that Gorbachev would remain commander-in-chief of the military for the present. Although Gorbachev has struggled to keep the union intact, an aide acknowledged that it was a lost cause. Igor Malashenko said on national television that the Soviet leader must retain that power and the right to represent the republics in foreign relations even if he were to resign.
"I think that Mikhail Gorbachev is ready to resign, probably he will do that, but I don't think his potential is exhausted," said Malashenko. "The U.S.S.R., though no longer existing, remains a nuclear superpower, and for an interim period Russia, Byelorussia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan can form a military strategic union and entrust Mikhail: Gorbachev with the authority to be at its head," he said. Those four republics hold the Soviet Union's 27,000 nuclear warheads. The United States signalled it was focusing more on Yeltsin as the country's power broker. U.S.
Ambassador Robert Strauss told the House Armed Services Committee in Washington he believed Yeltsin would succeed in winning ratification of the commonwealth agreement. "That puts President Yeltsin in a very strong position vis-a-vis President Gorbachev," Strauss said. "Unquestionably, President Yeltsin and his various ministers are the people with whom we will deal." He added that the Soviet military, which had been seen as remaining primarily loyal to the dwindling central government, "will then be under the strong influence of President Yeltsin also." Yeltsin told reporters that Armenia and Kirgizia would be the first non-Slavic republics to join the commonwealth. Armenia's decision was no surprise. Surrounded by hostile neigh-.
bors, Armenia has sought recently to improve relations with Russia. School board hires principal SHAFTSBURY from page 1 said. guy qualified," real nice who's Van Buren served his entire mented the children. "I guess what impressed me is the politeness of the kids. It was a very warm atmosphere," he said.
Van Buren had little comment about the past problems between teachers, Principal Rudnicki and the school board. He said his goal is to leave the problems behind and move forward on curriculum development with the teachers. Mellinger said Van Buren was the top candidate out of a list of nine potential candidates. The board expected to interview another candidate as well, but the person withdrew yesterday. "Considering the qualities that we were looking for, Mr.
Van Buren was really the outstanding candidate," she said. Beno said the board was looking for someone. with good interpersonal skills, experience in teacher evaluation, and a knowledge of curriculum. Van Buren met all three requirements. "It shouldn't surprise us to find a with the Schenectady City School District, beginning as a teacher and then serving as a principal the last 28 years.
Last year, he retired early under an incentive program offered by New York State, but he would rather have stayed on, he said. "I really didn't want to leave," he said. "I just like working with kids. I like watching them learn." Since September, he has substituted in local schools, while planning to start a consulting service in curriculum development. His wife also is a retired school teacher.
He said he will commute from his Rotterdam, N.Y., home. Beno said she made a thorough background check on Van Buren, and talked with his past supervisor and teachers who worked under him. All of them had positive comments, according to Mellinger. The board and administration have been accused of failing to do a thorough check before hiring Rudnicki, who allegedly had a past history of personal conflicts with teachers. 1992 Senior Portraits CRESCENT MANOR SATURDAY, DEC.
14 Packages Starting At HOME'S 10 a.m.-3 p.m. NURSING 10th Annual Christmas $19.95 plus sitting Bazaar will be held Have with your Santa picture taken Dec. 14 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Proofs. Ready Next Day CTC PHOTO FACTORY shop, straw special raffle, visit and from Chinese Santa elephant, a auction.
bake A 229 North Bennington Christmas crafts, white PHOTOGRAPHER'S EYE Manchester and Burlington. Property taxes are viewed as more unfair because rates are based on a home's value, not on its owner's ability to pay. "We're ready for some action on this," said Burlington Mayor Peter Clavelle. "'What yesterday's vote in Manchester says is not only are local government officials at the end of their rope, but the citizenry is fed up." Property tax rates have continued to climb year after year, Clavelle said, and homeowners can't keep up. "The property tax can't pay for schools and municipal services," he said.
"We can't continue to raise the property tax by $60 million a year, which is what we've been doing. Manchester Town Manager Jeff Wilson said the 1 percent tax would raise $840,000, based on 1990 sales. That would be enough to reduce property taxes by 15 percent. He said Manchester would be pleased if Tuesday's vote was the stimulus to statewide reform. "We would certainly welcome a statewide discussion, debate and deliberation associated with property tax reform and relief," he said.
"Essentially it was because of the lack of success on the league's part in the past that we tried to do it this way." Legislators rS react to pr proposal TAXES from page 1 and other legislators face a dilemma in trying to assist hardpressed property taxpayers. Manchester selectmen, who put forth the sales tax package, have promoted it as a means of reducing the town's heavy dependence on property taxes. "It's hard to figure out how to do the best thing for the most people," Page said. He added that he believes a system of taxing property differently based on its use would be a better method of providing relief for land-rich but property owners. "Land should be taxed on the basis of use," he said.
Sen. Mary Ann Carlson, D- Bennington, said, "At this point, my gut reaction is to oppose it," based on questions of fairness to less affluent communities. Carlson of Arlington said she is, however, interested in tax reform on the state level to provide relief for struggling property taxpayers. 4T hope this will push all of us in the Legislature to deal with this," she said. House Speaker Ralph G.
Wright, D-Bennington, said "local taxes have never gotten a warm reception in Montpelier," when proposed in the past for Burlington. The reason, Wright said, is that legislators view part of their role as "smoothing out the inequities" between affluent and poor communities. Wright of North Bennington said he is sympathetic to the plight of less well-off property taxpayers in Manchester, which receives only a small Bennington. Mrs. Fisher was employed at the Bennington Convalescent Center for many years.
Mrs. Fisher was a member of Green Mountain Christian Ministries. Survivors are three daughters, Robin Chandler and Vivian Chandler, both of Bennington, and Gwenn; three sons, Dennis Chandler of Bennington, Frederick Chandler of Shaftsbury and one brother, Lawrence Cheney of Fayetville, N.C.; two, granddaughters; nieces, nephews and cousins. The funeral will be held Saturday morning at 10 a.m. at the Mahar Son Funeral Home with Rev.
John Goyette, pastor of Green Mountain Christian Center, officiating. Friends may call at the Mahar Son Funeral Home Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. when the family will be in attendance. Burial will take place in the family lot in White Chapel Cemetery. Fannie Pratt SOUTH POWNAL Mrs.
Fannie Ella Pratt, 76, a resident of Rt. 346 in South Pownal, died on Wednesday morning at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington. Mrs. Pratt was born May 14, 1915 in Pownal, the daughter of William and Fannie (Lohnes) O'Dell. She attended schools in Pownal and graduated from the Oak Hill School.
On June 23, 1934 she married Floyd William Pratt. Mr. Pratt died on March 12. As a youth Mrs. Pratt was a member of the 4-H Club.
Prior to her marriage she was employed at the E-Z Mills in Bennington. Much of Mrs. Pratt's life centered around her home and family. She enjoyed many things around her home including flowers, gardening, canning, cooking, sewing, embroidery and rug hooking. Mrs.
Pratt is survived son, Floyd Pratt Jr. of Pownal; two TDD SYSTEM at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center is down for repairs until further notice. In Emergency Call Benn. Police 442-1030 or 911. Despite Yeltsin's announcement, Kirgizia President Askar Akayev told his republic's lawmakers it was up to them to decide to decide the issue of membership in the commonwealth, Tass reported.
OBITUARIES Stephen J. Radziejewski BENNINGTON Mr. Stephen J. Radziejewski, 72, a resident of 322 North Branch died Wednesday afternoon at Crescent Manor Nursing Home. He was born in Long Island, N.Y.
on Dec. 26, 1918, son of the late Joseph and Bertha (Dombroski) Radziejewski, he received his education in Long Island. Mr. Radziejewski was employed at Monument Roofing for many years. Mr.
Radziejewski came to the Bennington-Arlington area in 1957. Survivors include two daughters, Constance Myers of White Creek, N.Y., and Donna Pickering of West Arlington; three sisters, Bertha Jones of EuaClare, Betty Shultz and Francis Kraye, both of Mineola, Long Island; four grandchildren; one great -grandson; nieces, nephews and cousins. The funeral will be held from St. Margaret Marys Church in Arlington Friday morning at 10 a.m. where the Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial will be offered.
There will be no calling hours at the Mahar Son Funeral Home. Entombment will take place in St. Columbans Vault with burial to be in this cemetery in the spring. If friends desire, contributions i in memory of Mr. Radziejewski may be made to the Arlington Golf Association through the office of the Mahar Son Funeral Home, 628 Main P.O.
Box 17, Bennington, Vt. 05201. Shirley Ann Fisher BENNINGTON Mrs. Ann Fisher, 52, a resident Willowbrook died the Southwestern Vermont Center. She was born in North on Feb.
25, 1939, daughter late Lawrence and Ethel She received her education in AMERICAN LEGION POST.13 Adult Christmas Party Dec. 14, 7 p.m. Music 8-12 By After Mid-Night Admission: Unwrapped Child's Gift Now Open At The RED SCHOOL HOUSE West VT Next to the Winery Browse among the fine Antiques Collectible Dolls, Jewelry Other Small Treasures Daily 802-447-3413 amount of state aid for education because of its affluence. But the state's property tax rebate program, which assists individual taxpayers when their bill totals more 'than 4 percent of income, already partially addresses the problem, he said. The House Speaker said he hasn't made up his mind on the issue, however, and would like to hear further argument from both sides.
An important consideration, he said, is whether there will be any guarantee from the town that property taxpayers will benefit in reduced tax bills. In general, Wright said he believes that allowing individual communities to levy their own sales or similar taxes might create disparities between rich and poor communities. Rep. Timothy R. Corcoran, D- Bennington, said he is adamantly opposed to the idea.
"I will not support it in the Legislature," he said. "It is absolutely the wrong way to go." Corcoran said the question is: "What would happen to Sandgate or Woodford or Peru" or towns without a solid retail store base and the ability to raise revenue through a sales tax. "I don't believe it will pass the Legislature; I don't believe it should pass the Legislature," he said. Rep. Richard C.
Pembroke, D- Bennington, said, "I'm not in favor of it." He added that he is preparing an alternative plan to reduce the burden for strapped taxpayers but doesn't want make the proposal public until after the state's 1 percent sales tax surcharge expires at the end of 1993. daughters, Doris Anna Gian of Bennington and Sandra Lois Krawczyk of Pownal Center; two brothers, Lawrence O'Dell and Kenneth O'Dell, both of Pownal; two sisters, Phyllis Kneutter of Berlin, N.Y., and Elizabeth Therriault of Pownal Center; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Mrs. Pratt was predeceased by two brothers, William and David O'Dell, and by two sisters, Wilma Lillie and Doris O'Dell. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 11 a.m.
at the HansonWalbridge Funeral Home in Bennington with Rev. Ernest Varga, chaplain of the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, officiating. Entombment will follow at Park Lawn Chapel in Bennington with spring interment in Oak Hill Cemetery in Pownal. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.Should friends desire, gifts in Mrs. Pratt's memory may be made to the Vermont Division of American Cancer Society through the HansonWalbridge Funeral Home, P.O.
Box 957, Bennington, Vt. 05201. Lucy Lewis POWNAL Lucy Arise (Bump) Lewis, 90, of Church Street, died Tuesday night at the North Adams Regional Hospital of North Adams, where she was admitted on Nov. 22. Born in Pownal on Feb.
18, 1901, she was the daughter of Frederick and Julia (Haley) Bump. She attended Pownal schools and graduated in 1919 from the former Williamstown High School in Williamstown, and in 1921 from the former North Adams Normal School and received a BA in Education from Castleton State College in Castleton. When she first taught school in Pownal, her favorite subject was English, but she taught all subjects. She taught many years in North AMERICAN LEGION POST 13 Friday Night Supper Hot Roast Beef Sandwich Seafood Platter $5 Serving 6 til gone MEMBERS QUALIFIED GUESTS Wide Selection Of MARY KAY CHRISTMAS BASKETS Great Gifts Ideas Plus complete line of Beauty Care Products Free Delivery to Bennington area Call Jeanne 442-3226 The Vermont sales tax is now 5 percent and covers clothing, gifts and retail purchases not considered essential items. The Manchester tax would be levied in addition to the state tax and would provide more than $840,000 a year to the town, according to estimates.
Rep. Harry J. Pickering, D- Arlington, also said he opposes the tax proposal. "It will just harder for the little towns," which lack a strong retail base, he said. The proposal would eventually "make the big towns richer and the small towns poorer," Pickering said.
Reps. J. Russell Carpenter, D- Bennington, and James S. Shea, D- Shaftsbury, said they want to hear more argument for and against the proposal before deciding. Manchester's own representatives, Madeline B.
Harwood and Orland Campbell both Republicans, say they will support the tax plan. Harwood said following the town vote that she expects significant opposition in the Legislature, based on past debates. Campbell said yesterday he expects "tough sledding" for the proposal in Montpelier. Even if the opposition is overwhelming, he said, the debate will help focus the Legislature on the need to reduce dependance on the property tax and on controlling its effect on middle class property owners. The property tax rebate plan does not provide enough relief in a town like Manchester, Campbell said, as there is a $2,000 maximum rebate, while some middle income residents pay three times that much because of the high value of their land.
Pownal, then in Bennington public schools and was teaching in the Shaftsbury School when she retired in 1964. Mrs. Lewis was a member of the Pownal Baptist Church and Vermont State Retired Teachers Association. She enjoyed her home and garden. She is survived by her husband, Floyd Bret Lewis, whom she married Dec.
23, 1924 in Pownal; a niece, Beulah L. Gardner of Pownal; and a nephew, Stanley E. Bump of Williamstown. Funeral services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the George M.
Hopkins Funeral Home, 61-67 Spring Street, Williamstown, Mass. 01267. Burial will be in the family lot in Oak Hill Cemetery in the spring. Calling hours will be one hour preceding the funeral service. Memorials in her memory may be made to the Pownal Rescue Squad through the funeral home offices.
Loeber services Beno career BENNINGTON A candlelight service was held for Helen B. Loeber on Tuesday evening at the HansonWalbridge Funeral Home, with the Rev. Ernest Varga officiating, assisted by Brother Thomas Mahon. Interment took place in the family lot in George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, N.J. on Wednesday afternoon with the Rev.
Thomas Sinnott officiating. Helen B. Loeber, 94, of the Bennington Convalescent Center, died Sunday morning, Dec. 8. Elwell services Shirley of 57 Tuesday at Medical Bennington of the Cheney.
North STOCK UP SPECIAL MAGNA CIGARETTES $8.49 per carton plus tax PAULIN INC. Shaftsbury No. Bennington BENNINGTON A Service of Remembrance for Flavilla Bahan Elwell, formerly of Bennington, will be held on Saturday, Dec. 28 at 1 p.m. at the Hanson-Walbridge Funeral Home.
The Rev. Louis Guariniello, pastor of the First United Methodist Church will officiate. The date of the service was incorrectly reported in Wednesday's paper. CHRISTMAS TREES Putnam Hose Fire Station River Street Hours 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Daily All Trees $20.00 Spruce Scotch Pine BPOE NO.
567 Italian Night, Dec. 13 Benefit Rescue Squad Your Choice Spaghetti Meatballs Chicken Parmesan Pizza (Cheese or Pepperoni) $3 Serving 5-7 MEMBERS QUALIFIED GUESTS Town of Hoosick Lions Club ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE SALE Grand Union, Hoosick Falls Sat. 12-5 p.m. Sun: till 5 p.m. Fine Custom Framing By A Member Of The Professional Picture Framers Association Visit Our UPSTAIRS GALLERY Jay's Cards Gifts 113-115 South VT 802-447-2342 On Thursday DUFFY'S Featuring KARIOKE ENROLL NOW All ages, All levels Private, Group Lessons Wonderful Gift! SONATINA SCHOOL OF PIANO 802-442-9197.
