Williston Observer

June 30, 2011

Multiple charges

Jeffrey A. Nutto, 49, of South Burlington was cited on a charge of driving under the influence-second offense, driving with a suspended license-criminal, and violating conditions of release on June 22, according to police reports. His blood alcohol concentration was .166, according to the report. He was cited to appear in court on July 12.

Christopher J. Clark, 22, of Hinesburg was cited on charges of possession of three grams of marijuana and driving with a suspended license-criminal on June 23, according to police reports. He was cited to appear in court.

Intoxication

On June 22, police were notified that a man was intoxicated at Wal-Mart, according to police reports. He was taken to Act 1 detoxification center, the report notes. No other information was released.

On June 24, police were notified that a “possible drunk male” with bandages on his knees was walking on the bike path next to Harmony Spa, according to police reports. Police determined the man was intoxicated and he was taken by emergency services to Fletcher Allen Health Care after which police took him to Act 1 detoxification center, the report notes.

On June 24, police were notified that an “intoxicated female” was being belligerent and refusing to leave a local restaurant, according to police reports. Police responded and found the woman “slurring her speech and visibly intoxicated yelling at the staff on scene,” according to the report.  She was taken to a detoxification center, the report notes.

Driving under the influence

• Desideria R. Merchant, 48, of Burlington was cited on a charge of driving under the influence on June 21, according to police reports. Her blood alcohol concentration was .098, according to the report. The legal limit for driving in Vermont is .08. She was cited to appear in court. Her passenger was taken to Chittenden County Correctional Center after being refused at Act 1 detoxification center and “being uncooperative,” the report notes.

• Scott T. Graham, 51, of Lafayette, Colo. was cited on a charge of driving under the influence on June 22, according to police reports. His blood alcohol concentration was .093, according to the report. He was taken to Chittenden County Correctional Center as he had “no ties to Vermont and he was headed out of town,” the report notes. He was issued traffic warnings and was cited to appear in court.

• Jason P. Foley, 31, of Essex Junction was cited on a charge of driving under the influence on June 24, according to police reports. His blood alcohol concentration was .166, according to the report. He was cited to appear in court.

• John W. Blanchard, 28, of Essex Junction was cited on a charge of driving under the influence on June 26, according to police reports. His blood alcohol concentration was .168, according to the report. He was cited to appear in court.
• Justin D. Rich, 19 of Williston was cited on a charge of driving under the influence on June 26, according to police reports. His blood alcohol content was .082, the report notes. Because he is under the age of 21, he was also cited on a charge of having a blood alcohol concentration over .02, according to the report. He was cited to appear in court.

Lewd and lascivious conduct

Police received a report of a possible drug problem in the parking lot of an Industrial Avenue business on June 24, according to police reports. A man and woman were subsequently referred to the Williston Reparative Board on charges of “lewd and lascivious behavior,” according to the report. No other information was released.

Theft

Two “lift jack arms” were reported stolen from behind the Thomas Hirchak building on June 20, according to police reports. The units were inside the locked fence and each arm weighed about 80 pounds, according to the report. Anyone with information is asked to call Williston Police at 878-6611.

A manager at Ponderosa Steakhouse reported to police on June 26 that someone had stolen more than $600 from a restaurant safe, according to police reports. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Williston Police at 878-6611.

Driving with suspended license

David R. Lawder, 43, of South Burlington was cited on a charge of driving with a suspended license-criminal on June 26, according to police reports. He was cited to appear in court on Aug. 1.

Police notes are written based on information provided by the Williston Police Department and the Vermont State Police. Please note that all parties are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

June 30, 2011

N.H. Wins Twin State Field Hockey Game

Champlain Valley Union’s Lawrence Dee, shown here in a game against Burlington in May, scored three goals in Vermont’s loss to New Hampshire. The annual game features the states’ top boys lacrosse players. (File photo)

With Champlain Valley Union’s Aubrey Deavitt and Louise Gibbs on the squad, the Vermont field hockey squad bowed to New Hampshire, 2-1, in the annual Twin State field hockey game.

The contest took place on June 24 in Keene, N.H.

South Burlington’s Ashley McDonald scored the Vermont goal. New Hampshire leads the series, 16-9-3.

NH Lax Stars Get a Scare From CVU-Led Vermont

Vermont made it close but lost, 13-10, to New Hampshire in the annual Twin State boys lacrosse game on June 25. The contest includes recently graduated all-star players.
The Granite State hoisted its series lead over Vermont to 17-2 with the win.

Champlain Valley Union head mentor Dave Trevithick coached the Vermont team with assistant Adam Bunting, and had five CVU stars on the roster.

Trailing 12-5, Vermont went on a 5-1 surge in the game’s late stages before falling short.
CVU’s Lawrence Dee had a typical game. The former Redhawk attacker collected three goals and a pair of assists. Former Redhawks’ goalie Eric Palmer had seven saves in sharing netminding duties with Hartford’s Sam Polis, who also made seven stops.

Other CVU players on the roster were Jake Marston, Jeffrey Palmer and Ben Teasdale.

CVU Softballers Nab Postseason Honors

Veteran Susan Parmalee led seven members of the Champlain Valley Union softball team with her selection to the annual All-Metro Division team.

The infielder was named to the second team infield.

Honorable mentions went to Redhawks’ Kayleigh Colbeth, Rachel Distler, Leah Leister, Cayla McCarthy, Alannah Roy and Leah Soule.

Mount Mansfield Union’s Kathy Mulligan was named Metro Coach of the Year.

Grad Challenge Spawns Softball Camp

For her grad challenge at Champlain Valley Union High School, Leah Leister will run a one-week softball camp from August 1 to August 5. Participants must be between the ages of 11 and 15, and do not need softball experience. Leister, an incoming senior and member of CVU’s softball team, will conduct the camp at the school’s softball field. The cost is $30 per player, to be paid at the first day of camp. The camp will run each evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

CSSU Buccaneers Sign-Up Deadline Approaching

The CSSU Buccaneers youth football program is conducting sign-ups for students entering third through eighth grade. Students from Williston, St. George, Hinesburg, Shelburne, and Charlotte are eligible. The season starts August 15 and goes through November. The registration deadline is July 1 and cost $115. A limited number of scholarships are available. To sign-up, go to www.eteamz.com/CSBuccaneers. For more information, e-mail Jill Lowrey at [email protected] or call 238-0797.

June 30, 2011

The S. D. Ireland American Legion baseball team, with a two-game winning streak in hand, rolls into Montpelier’s Recreation Field Thursday (5:30 p.m.) to tangle with Twin City in a league encounter. The two teams will get together again Saturday (noon) at the Champlain Valley Union High School ball field.

Barring a possible weekend makeup of last Sunday’s postponed contest at the Knights of Columbus South Burlington, the Clover Boys will next tackle the three-day Coopers Cave Tournament in and around Glens Falls, N.Y.

Spirits were high following Tuesday’s dramatic 1-0 home victory over Essex, which brought a 4-0 league record into the contest. Essex also blew out the Irelands, 16-2, in the Junction on June 24.

A huge difference maker this time was right handed hurler Sam Fuller, who made his first start for the Irelands a memorable one. Displaying an artistic change of speeds, plus a baffling, wrinkly curve to go with a solid heater, Fuller limited the Essex batting order to just three scattered singles and one walk. He struck out eight and threw just 77 pitches.
“My arm was tight the first three innings and then it loosened up,” Fuller said after the game.

The game’s lone tally came in the bottom of the second and was unearned. Ireland leadoff batter Sean Rugg’s infield grounder resulted in an overthrow of first base, so Rugg went to second. With one out, Curt Echo lined a shot down the right field line to easily score Rugg.

“I was looking for a fastball and (Sam Spencer, Essex pitcher) gave me one,” said Echo of 1-2 pitch that would decide the drama.

Behind Fuller, right fielder Larry Halvorson had the busiest evening with four catches in the windblown pasture.

Irelands win slugfest

Unlike Tuesday’s pitchers’ duel, Monday’s battle featured the Irelands scoring five runs in the bottom of the ninth to top the visiting Vermont Jays from Franklin County, 11-10.

Trailing 10-6 going into their final at bat, the Irelands put together three walks, three singles, a sacrifice fly and a costly two-run throwing error to produce the late heroics. The epic ended when Will Conroy bounced a hard bad hop grounder to deep short to plate Ben St. Clair with the winning run.

The Jays had lit up four Ireland pitchers for 13 hits and 10 walks. Drew Nick working the final 1 1/3 innings to notch the win.

The Clover Boys had hot bats of their own, unlimbering 13 hits. Conroy had four, including two doubles.

A shock and awe show came in the bottom of the third. With the Jays up, 7-3, the Irelands’ Nicky Elderton crashed an 0-2 pitch well over the fence in right center. Rugg, on the very next pitch, unloaded a fence-bouncing double to nearly the same spot.

That brought up Fuller and after taking a strike, the designated hitter sent a rocket shot deep over the fence in center for a two-run Jack. That closed the deficit to 7-6 and signaled a new Jays’ pitcher.

For the game, Rugg had two singles and an RBI double.  Elderton had two RBIs.

S.D. Ireland Legion Baseball Schedule

Thursday: at Twin City (Montpelier Recreation Field), 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: TWIN CITY, noon
Tuesday to Thursday: Coopers Cave Tournament, Glens Falls, N.Y

HOME GAMES (CVU FIELD) IN CAPS
Schedule subject to change

Obama’s speech misses the mark

June 30, 2011

United States President Barack Obama’s June 22 announcement regarding our presence in Afghanistan was a short one. I got the feeling that this speech was more of a reelection move than anything else. And, to be honest, it was an empty speech of fancy phrases and adjectives. Obama’s speechwriter tries to paint a picture of a deep, reflective president.

I don’t want a smooth-talker for a president. Come on, if you’re going to make a speech about what you’ve done in Afghanistan and Iraq, and your plans for Pakistan, do it straight up – just the facts, nothing overly eloquent. It is so obvious that he (or his speech writer) is trying too hard to sound pensive.

But, this is nothing new. I have rarely been impressed by any of Obama’s speeches because they are chocked so full of descriptive and inspirational words that you spend the whole speech trying to wade through them!

Perhaps the thing that grabbed my attention the most was the part when Obama said, “…Some would have America retreat from our responsibility as an anchor of global security….”

Hold up!
I don’t recall us being legally obligated to that. Yes, we are a world leader. And yes, we are often willing to provide aid and protection to countries that ask for it, but responsibility? I’m not so sure that’s fair.

We can’t be selective with our “responsibility.” We can’t look at some countries’ situations and proclaim, “That’s not our business or responsibility,” and turn around and preach to ourselves that we are a world leader with a responsibility to take care of the rest of the world. We are not! As far as I am concerned, our main priority should be our own nation – not what we look like to other countries.

Either way, we look bad. We either insert ourselves into situations, or we ignore them. We need to work on only participating when our help, advice, protection, troops, etc. are solicited or if it’s a matter of immediate danger to our country.

Another good Obama line: “When threatened, we must respond with force.” He then said when the force could be targeted; we do not need to deploy large troops overseas. It looks like someone is trying to justify Libya air strikes?

The president also said that our supportive actions in Libya are giving Libyans the chance to determine their own destiny. What? We’re only over there because we have oil at stake – it has nothing to do with wanting to help Libya “determine their own destiny.”

I found it ironic that Obama mentioned our need to spend within our means, while he has proposed many unnecessary policies that do not do this.

I am pleased that Obama is trying to appeal more to both parties by inching toward the center, but I am not sure what to make of it. Is he truly moving toward the center? Is he getting nervous and reacting to the pressure to appear more centered? Is he just trying to gain reelection brownie points? All of the above?

I think Obama is grasping to solidify his presidency. Our unemployment rate has not gotten much better, and he is struggling with that. It’s not an easy task to drop our unemployment rate – I get that – but he made it sound like he was going to come to America’s rescue. He has not delivered.

The approximately 13-minute announcement was kind of a publicity thing. But that’s to be expected.

Williston resident Kayla Purvis is a 2011 graduate of CVU High School.

Leaving Afghanistan

June 30, 2011

Just under ten years ago, our undeclared war in Afghanistan began.

The war against the Taliban and al Qaeda was a righteous one. Our actions there were supported by most Americans and by much of the international community. But even a righteous war takes its toll.

More than 1,500 American soldiers killed; almost 11,000 wounded, $427 billion spent. All of these numbers are “as of this writing.”

With the death of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, it is time for us to leave Afghanistan. Or, at the very least, it’s time to begin the long, slow, deliberate process of pulling out.
Fortunately, U.S. President Barack Obama announced that he is ready to begin that drawback.

Currently, the United States has about 100,000 troops stationed in Afghanistan. In his speech on June 22, Obama informed America, and the world, of our plans for some of those troops.

Beginning next month, pullouts will begin, and over the next year, Obama indicated that 33,000 US troops would be coming home. This still leaves a significant U.S. military presence in Afghanistan. But it is a start.

The announcement, if you listened closely, did not say when we would be out of Afghanistan completely. Indeed, many Americans forget that we are not currently “out” of Iraq, so even though many consider that conflict over, it is not. Unfortunately, our continued presence in Korea and Europe, following the Korean War and World War II, may be a signal that it might be generations before we fully leave Afghanistan and Iraq.

The President did say that after the initial 33,000 come home, additional troops will leave “at a steady pace.” The mission of U.S. troops will transition “from combat to support.” The President said that by 2014, the transition will be complete, and Afghan troops will be fully responsible for their own security. Undoubtedly, however, our support role will not have ended, and we can expect to be in Afghanistan for the long haul.

What we did in Afghanistan was necessary; we have a commitment to stay there as long as it takes to make the nation able to stand on its own, and hopefully, in the long run, be a full and solid ally in the fight against terrorism.

I don’t want us to pull out of Afghanistan or Iraq too early, leaving behind chaos that could haunt us in the future. Were that to happen, all the blood that has been spilled and all the money that has been spent will have been in vain. But we cannot be the parent to these nations. We must have a plan, a strategy, to eventually pull out for good. The President also announced an international summit, to be held in May, to start making such plans for Afghanistan.

The President’s announcement is a step in the right direction. I wish he had made more firm commitments to pull out larger numbers sooner, and perhaps he will be able to make such moves as time wears on.

The President did rightly warn that the United States would continue to use its influence for the good of not only our people but of all people. He said that he would not bow to pressure from those who take a more isolationist stance, or from those who take a more interventionist stance.

“We must chart a more centered course,” he said.

“We must be as pragmatic as we are passionate,” he continued. “As strategic as we are resolute. When threatened, we must respond with force. But when that force can be targeted, we need not deploy large armies overseas. When innocents are being slaughtered and global security endangered, we don’t have to choose between standing idly by and acting on our own. Instead we must rally international action, as we’re doing in Libya.”

And there’s the rub. We’re currently involved in three major conflicts. As in the cases of Afghanistan and Libya, we don’t always have the luxury of choosing when and where we fight. But because conflicts like the Libyan one will continue to crop up even as we are engaged elsewhere, we must always have a mind to the endgame.

The homecomings for those 33,000 troops now expected to be home by next summer will be bittersweet. For some troops, the departure will be the last time they step foot on foreign soil in a uniform. The homecomings, however, must also be a reminder of all those still serving “over there,” and a renewal of our commitment to bring them all home.

Steve Mount has been a Williston resident since 1996. He is a software engineer at GE Healthcare and is devoted to his family, his country and his Constitution. You can reach Steve at [email protected] or read his blog at http://saltyrain.com/ls.