March 26, 2009
Kathy’s spring
She welcomed me with a smile and warm gestures of camaraderie. She accepted me into her place of work, her life, her home and her most intimate moments. I became her peer in the workplace and learned from her experiences. She gave me an opportunity. Her ears were always available to listen without the interference of ego. She openly confided in me with trust. She laughed often and made it easy for me to laugh with her. She was open to adventure and sought out ways to taste the world. She encouraged me to pursue my dreams and to allow myself to let go. She was always willing to try and not afraid to fail. She was strong in so many ways and did not allow the weak moments to break her spirit. She allowed herself to cry out and ask for help. In the end, she helped me. That is how I remembered Kathy eight hours and 16 minutes into the vernal equinox of 2009.
The day was sunny, but crisp. The birds sang with glee at Kathy’s freedom from pain. The verdant land prepared a soft bed for Kathy’s landing. The oaks, birches and maples stood tall and prayed in honor of a beautiful woman. The snow upon the mountain peaks slowly melted as they cried in awe of a terrible loss.
Kathy’s long winter solstice has finally come to an end as spring opened its doors and Kathy took her last breathe of hope and renewal. And then, the high cirrus clouds moved aside and the blue sky smiled upon Kathy as it wrapped its arms around her delicate frame to carry her home.
Kathy resided and lived in Williston for several years. She will be missed by many.
Melissa H. Cronin
South Burlington
Editor’s note: Kathy Shea was a Williston resident and longtime nurse for the Williston School District. She passed away on Friday. Letter writer Melissa Cronin read this tribute at Shea’s funeral on Monday. A story about Shea is on page 3.
Beware of cap and trade
A new “carbon tax” is coming and it will result in the rationing of fossil fuel products. The end result will not cause any reduction in carbon dioxide emissions but will cause a significant and regressive tax disproportionably affecting lower income Vermonters. Energy intensive jobs, like most remaining manufacturing positions, will be outsourced overseas where energy can be produced more cheaply.
Today, 85 percent of our energy comes from fossil fuels. New base load electrical power costs will be many times higher than they are today — that is, if you can find somebody that is selling. This limitation will effectively prevent or limit all future economic growth. Farm and food costs will sharply rise while productivity and availability will shrink.
Cap and trade bills are nothing short of a government reengineering of the American economy, moving an ever increasing percentage of wealth away from your family and to the government. Wood is a carbon based fuel and is unlikely to avoid the new tax scam.
Ken Lay of Enron said cap and trade “could do more to promote Enron’s business than almost any other regulatory initiative.” Enron is gone but an endless parade of financial speculators are anxious to squeeze more and more money out of your energy requirements without producing anything but middleman profits from new and endless energy regulations. As if the financial speculators haven’t messed things up enough already.
Shelley Palmer
Williston
A grateful board
The Champlain Valley Union school directors would like to express our gratitude to the CVU community for its support in the recent budget vote. In this difficult economic time, we are thankful to live in a community which makes the education of its children a priority.
A special thank you to Williston resident Dan Grey, who served as a “Budget Buddy” over the 2.5-month budget development process. He studied reams of data, sat through multiple meetings, questioned expenditures and provided valued opinions as the board debated budget adds and deletes.
We would also like to thank voters for approving the release of funds for the auditorium improvement project. This fall we will have an exciting, up-to-date performing arts center for the entire community to use and enjoy.
CVU’s mission is to prepare every student to succeed in the complex and competitive 21st century. Thank you for your support.
Jeanne Jensen, Meg Hart-Smith, Jonathan Milne, David Rath
Champlain Valley Union High School Board
