Top Stories for Tuesday August 8, 2006

U.S. Senate Seat Next Hurdle For Bernie Sanders
By Mike Cameron
    Since 1991 as Vermont’s lone meber of the U.S. House of Representatives Bernie Sanders has waged war against the people he considers enemies of the American working class, the so-called middle class, the disadvantaged and the dispossessed.  
    “Huge profits by giant multinational corporations,” and “I will continue to fight for the little guy” is the nucleus of Sanders political persona.  
    Much has happened  politically since his 1991 election to Congress but Sanders remains steadfast to the basic tenants of this philosophy.  Now more than ever Sanders remains an independent thinker and has formed alliances on both sides of the isle in the United States Congress  and the United States Senate.
    For those who have closely followed Sanders political career since the 1970’s his current bid to win the seat being vacated by Senator James Jeffords  in the fall comes as no surprise.  Sanders has honed his political skills by proving pundits wrong time and time again.  Gordon Paquette former incumbent  Mayor of Burlington and Peter Smith former Lt. Governor and former incumbet U.S. Congressman and several others have had their political careers ended by Sanders.  [ more ]

Addison County Fair and Field Days ‘06
By Larry Johnson
    Summer is the time of year that many of us dream of candy apples, corn dogs and hair-raising midway rides. But, since 1948, the Addison County Fair and Field Days has meant much, much more to the people of the Champlain Valley.
    This year Fair and Field Days starts on August 8th and runs through the 12th, come rain or shine. True to its agricultural roots, this annual event has, for the past 58 years, featured those activities that portray the character, history and uniqueness of northern New England.
    There are around 3000 fair and field day events across this nation, but according to the national magazine “Family Fun”, Addison County’s summer celebration is unequalled anywhere, even in Iowa, the heart of the nation’s breadbasket: “Although Vermont’s largest agricultural fair is much smaller than colossal state celebrations like Iowa’s, it stays true to its roots, with few commercial booths and a real emphasis on rural life….” High praise, indeed, coming from a prestigious periodical. The Vermont Chamber of Commerce has also shown its appreciation to Addison County Field Days by nominating it as one of the top ten summer events in Vermont 2 years running.
  [ more ]

Sudbury and Whiting Schools Looking At Ways To Survivie a Decline In Students
By Ed Barna
    Schools all over Vermont are coping with declining school populations, but few are facing tougher choices than Sudbury and Whiting.
    Their two school boards held a joint meeting July 13--after holding discussions for more than a year--at which they decided to suggest a plan that would keep both schools open and make class sizes more workable. It would involve pre-K through 2nd grade students going to Whiting, while grade 3-6 would have their classes in Sudbury.
    A public meeting in Sudbury has already considered the possibility, and Whiting residents will have such a meeting on Aug. 17. This November, when elections are likely to bring a good voter turnout, both towns would have non-binding, advisory votes to determine the public’s position.
  [ more ]