Hi Folks,
A friendly reminder that our next meeting is coming up. We're hoping that Rep. Maxine Grad will be on hand to meet everyone, to hear from you, and perhaps to give an update on what's cooking in the legislature.
It will also be the morning after the Curtis Awards with Keynote Speaker, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Connecticut). Should be a great evening, and no doubt there will be reports from the event.
See you all soon!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Northfield Delegates Selected for State Convention
Northfield Democrats caucused at the Common Cafe this Saturday morning, March 22, 2008. We joined our fellow Democrats around the state meeting up to decide who will represent our town at the Vermont Democratic State Convention on May 24, 2008. Delegates to the State Convention will elect delegates to the National Convention August 25-28 of 2008.
Based on voting results at Town Meeting Day, Northfield is entitled to 14 total delegates to the State Convention: 8 for Sen. Obama; 6 for Sen. Clinton.
Members of the Northfield Town Committee met for an hour Saturday morning and elected the following slate of delegates:
Obama Delegates: Denise MacMartin, Carolyn Stevens, Brad Denny, Mary Denny, Aaron Rhodes, Christopher Curtis
Clinton Delegates: Mike Kerin, Sonya Rhodes, John Stevens, Siobhan Smith
Our delegate selection sheets will be filled out and returned to the State Democratic Party and we will be seated at the State Convention for the first time in recent memory. Congratulations to our delegates!
Based on voting results at Town Meeting Day, Northfield is entitled to 14 total delegates to the State Convention: 8 for Sen. Obama; 6 for Sen. Clinton.
Members of the Northfield Town Committee met for an hour Saturday morning and elected the following slate of delegates:
Obama Delegates: Denise MacMartin, Carolyn Stevens, Brad Denny, Mary Denny, Aaron Rhodes, Christopher Curtis
Clinton Delegates: Mike Kerin, Sonya Rhodes, John Stevens, Siobhan Smith
Our delegate selection sheets will be filled out and returned to the State Democratic Party and we will be seated at the State Convention for the first time in recent memory. Congratulations to our delegates!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Town Meeting Day!
** Cross-posted at Exit Voices. Worth checking out to post your own town meeting day stories.
*******************
Just finished up Northfield Town Meeting. My son’s first town meeting day (he’s just 5 months old)! Felt great giving him a front-row seat to democracy in action.
Most items passed without much debate. The exception? A proposal to establish a $500 fund for picnic tables at recreational areas in town. Small town democracy at its finest!
I was particularly pleased that the town voted in favor of establishing a conservation commission, something a small, dedicated band has worked on for about a year now. They’ve already secured some grant funding for surveys of the Dog River and trail- work on Payne Mountain. Commission status will boost their grant potential for other projects in the future.
It’ll be interesting, too, to see how the other big items fare: There’s a ballot item for a new police station, and of course the school budget. The former went down last time, but there is renewed interest b/c of the building’s dilapidated condition; the latter is almost always a close, 50-50 vote with one side or another eeking out enough to carry the day (followed by a series of re-votes, ugh!).
Rep. Anne Donahue was there… so was Sen. Bill Doyle. Didn’t see any other political glitterati, however.
I was pleased to see most members of our Democratic Town Committee were present for the meeting.
Wonder how much a meaningful, contested primary this year boosted town meeting attendance. It would be interesting to find out. Do people just turn out to vote? Or, do they stick around to discuss the details with their neighbors at the town meeting? What do you think? Anybody else observe greater numbers at the meeting? I’m sure the overall vote tallies will be substantially higher - probably record numbers.
As for a wish list item for the ballot, here’s mine: One thing I would love to see is the elimination of the recall rule. It requires a legislative fix, but currently Northfield voters can overturn a result by getting a small number of petitioners to call for a re-vote (think it’s 5 or 10%, or something). This means that even when we get a majority vote, a tiny minority can call it back and rely on a much smaller turnout the second time around (because special elections frequently have smaller turnout either because folks don’t know, or forget a special vote is happening, or because there aren’t other elections/candidates/ballot items to bring people out to the polls). This happens frequently when we do happen to pass the school budget. It’s a real thwarting of democracy, and a deceptive way to go about doing town business.
*******************
Just finished up Northfield Town Meeting. My son’s first town meeting day (he’s just 5 months old)! Felt great giving him a front-row seat to democracy in action.
Most items passed without much debate. The exception? A proposal to establish a $500 fund for picnic tables at recreational areas in town. Small town democracy at its finest!
I was particularly pleased that the town voted in favor of establishing a conservation commission, something a small, dedicated band has worked on for about a year now. They’ve already secured some grant funding for surveys of the Dog River and trail- work on Payne Mountain. Commission status will boost their grant potential for other projects in the future.
It’ll be interesting, too, to see how the other big items fare: There’s a ballot item for a new police station, and of course the school budget. The former went down last time, but there is renewed interest b/c of the building’s dilapidated condition; the latter is almost always a close, 50-50 vote with one side or another eeking out enough to carry the day (followed by a series of re-votes, ugh!).
Rep. Anne Donahue was there… so was Sen. Bill Doyle. Didn’t see any other political glitterati, however.
I was pleased to see most members of our Democratic Town Committee were present for the meeting.
Wonder how much a meaningful, contested primary this year boosted town meeting attendance. It would be interesting to find out. Do people just turn out to vote? Or, do they stick around to discuss the details with their neighbors at the town meeting? What do you think? Anybody else observe greater numbers at the meeting? I’m sure the overall vote tallies will be substantially higher - probably record numbers.
As for a wish list item for the ballot, here’s mine: One thing I would love to see is the elimination of the recall rule. It requires a legislative fix, but currently Northfield voters can overturn a result by getting a small number of petitioners to call for a re-vote (think it’s 5 or 10%, or something). This means that even when we get a majority vote, a tiny minority can call it back and rely on a much smaller turnout the second time around (because special elections frequently have smaller turnout either because folks don’t know, or forget a special vote is happening, or because there aren’t other elections/candidates/ballot items to bring people out to the polls). This happens frequently when we do happen to pass the school budget. It’s a real thwarting of democracy, and a deceptive way to go about doing town business.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Obama in Vermont?
According to the Washington Post, Sen. Barack Obama is taking time out of his Texas/Ohio schedule to campaign in both Rhode Island and Vermont. Here's what the Post had to say:
"In a testament to the importance being placed on every state and delegate in the hard-fought Democratic contest, the candidate will take time away from Texas and Ohio to stump in this state as well as in Vermont, which will also hold a primary on Tuesday."
Anyone else out there have any information on this?
"In a testament to the importance being placed on every state and delegate in the hard-fought Democratic contest, the candidate will take time away from Texas and Ohio to stump in this state as well as in Vermont, which will also hold a primary on Tuesday."
Anyone else out there have any information on this?
Friday, February 29, 2008
G-O(Bama)-T-V
Thanks to everyone who turned out for our snow-covered meeting on Wednesday night. Special thanks to Emily Polak and Ben Palkowski, our guests. If anyone would like Obama materials please contact me as Emily left some for us at the meeting.Just received this message from Matthew Lesser, one of Obama's Vermont staffers:
The Obama Campaign needs volunteers to get out the vote in the last 72 hours of the campaign. These last 72 hours are absolutely crucial to the campaign's success, as we will be working to make sure our supporters turn out. If you have any time at all on Saturday, Sunday, Monday or Tuesday we can use your help. Volunteers will be assembling at 10am. We need volunteers for our Barre and Montpelier offices.
If you are interested in volunteering in the Barre Office, please call Matt Lesser at 802-881- 4961. The Barre Office is located in Martin & Associates, at 104 N. Main Street in Barre City.
If you are interested in volunteering in the Montpelier Office, please call Emily Polak at 603-521-5588. The Montpelier Office is located above That's Life Soup, at 41 Elm Street in Montpelier.
We really appreciate the strong support we've received in Northfield, and just need to make sure we have the volunteers on hand to win the election.
Best, Matt
Matthew Lesser
Washington County (VT) Organizer
Obama for America
41 Elm Street, Second Floor Montpelier
(802) 881 4921
****************
If anyone has information from, or about the Clinton camp, I welcome it. I got a phone call from one of their staff people, but have not heard back. I post this because the Obama folks have reached out to us, but I am sure there are folks in town supporting Hillary Clinton and I welcome submissions, or posts, or other information that could help her camp before Tuesday. CC
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Legislative Update by Rep. Maxine Grad
Here is Rep. Maxine Grad's most recent Legislative Update:
Committee Work:
H.859 An Act Relating to Increasing Substance Abuse Treatment. We are looking at this bill from the Institutions and Corrections committee. This would create a pilot project for court ordered substance abuse screening of those accused of a crime. The questions we addressed are: should this screening should be mandatory from the court, voluntary, and at what point in the judicial process? For example, should it be prior to conviction for use in pleas bargaining or should it be post conviction to use only for sentencing purposes. The Court Administrators office would like to see a screening project used early in the process to get people identifiend, the help they need and divert them from the court process. Therefore, the Court Administrator wants to consider if a judge should have the authority to mandate at arraignment if screening can be a condition of release into the community.
Probate Judges, Sherriffs and Deputy States Attorneys and Constable Qualifications
We voted out a bill that would require a candidate for probate judge to be an attorney admitted to practice in Vermont at time of election; a deputy state’s attorney and assistant attorney generals be an attorney admitted to practice in Vermont at time of appointment; and constables and sheriff meet minimun training standards established at the Vermont criminal justice training council parior to exercinsing law enfoecemnt authority. Elected officials who are in office on the effective date of the act are grandfathered. Currently, there are no sitting sheriffs who are not trained.
The bill originally did not include probate judges. However, the president of the probate association asked that the judges be added.
Constables were also not included, but my committee received requests from those in the law enforcement community, municipalities, and the constable association asking us to require that constables have law enforcement training if they are to engage in law enforcement duties.
We received the following email testimony that was read into the record.
The first is from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns:
“Representative Lippert had asked if we supported requiring law enforcement training in order for elected constables to perform law enforcement responsibilities. We do support that requirement and our board of directors has voted to support the measure.
We are concerned that if an elected constable does perform a law enforcement activity for which he or she is not qualified, that the towns be protected from liability for his or her actions.”
From Colonel James W. Baker, Director, Vermont State Police:
“As the Director of the Vermont State Police I support the elimination of the training exemption for Constables and Sheriffs.
In the current environment that law enforcement operates in no person should be allowed to function as a law enforcement officer without a minimum amount of training.”
From R. J. Elrick, Executive Director, Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council, Vermont Police Academy:
“I support the elimination of the current training exemption for elected law enforcement officers (Constables and Sheriffs). At present, the law makes training for Constables and Sheriffs "optional". In this day and age, it is unfathomable that we have individuals who may be performing law enforcement functions without requisite training and certification.
At a minimum, this creates the opportunity for tremendous liability to municipalities and the potential for unknowing violation of the rights of our citizens. The elimination of the last sentence in Section 2358 of Title 20 will be a huge step forward in furthering the
professionalism of the Office of Sheriff and Constable. If an individual is to perform law enforcement functions in our state, they should be held to the same basic training and certification standards.
I have personally spoken with the leadership of the following organizations who support this action:
Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police
Vermont Sheriffs' Association
Vermont State Police
Vermont Constable's Association
Vermont Police Association
Vermont League of Cities and Towns.”
Finally, from Nelson Tift, President Vermont Constables Association, President Rutland County Law Officers Association:
“I have spoken with the Elected officers, past president and several current members of The Vermont Constables Assoc. and we all favor the elimination of the current exemption of mandated training for elected constables, with the provision that there be a method in place that would insure that once Constables have completed the part one phase that there be in place a method for them to complete parts two and three. Currently it is nearly impossible, as few, if any agencies are will to field train personnel that are not hired for their department. This is largely due to liability, currently only one Vermont Constable is a certified FTO. Obviously the fact that the constable has only authority in his elected jurisdiction is also a problem in that if an agency in another town would be willing to take on the training, the constable would still not have enforcement powers in their town to work with their training officer. If these obstacles can be overcome, we would wholeheartedly support this move.”
We appreciated Mr. Tift’s testimony and determined through conversations with Mr. Elrick that we can resolve his concerns. We have also made the effective date of the bill 2010 to help people get trained and learn about the law.
We also continued our work on guardianship, juvenile proceedings, and lead in housing, and death certificates.
Please stay in touch. I look forward to seeing you at Town Meeting. 828-2228 or maxjg@wcvt.com
Committee Work:
H.859 An Act Relating to Increasing Substance Abuse Treatment. We are looking at this bill from the Institutions and Corrections committee. This would create a pilot project for court ordered substance abuse screening of those accused of a crime. The questions we addressed are: should this screening should be mandatory from the court, voluntary, and at what point in the judicial process? For example, should it be prior to conviction for use in pleas bargaining or should it be post conviction to use only for sentencing purposes. The Court Administrators office would like to see a screening project used early in the process to get people identifiend, the help they need and divert them from the court process. Therefore, the Court Administrator wants to consider if a judge should have the authority to mandate at arraignment if screening can be a condition of release into the community.
Probate Judges, Sherriffs and Deputy States Attorneys and Constable Qualifications
We voted out a bill that would require a candidate for probate judge to be an attorney admitted to practice in Vermont at time of election; a deputy state’s attorney and assistant attorney generals be an attorney admitted to practice in Vermont at time of appointment; and constables and sheriff meet minimun training standards established at the Vermont criminal justice training council parior to exercinsing law enfoecemnt authority. Elected officials who are in office on the effective date of the act are grandfathered. Currently, there are no sitting sheriffs who are not trained.
The bill originally did not include probate judges. However, the president of the probate association asked that the judges be added.
Constables were also not included, but my committee received requests from those in the law enforcement community, municipalities, and the constable association asking us to require that constables have law enforcement training if they are to engage in law enforcement duties.
We received the following email testimony that was read into the record.
The first is from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns:
“Representative Lippert had asked if we supported requiring law enforcement training in order for elected constables to perform law enforcement responsibilities. We do support that requirement and our board of directors has voted to support the measure.
We are concerned that if an elected constable does perform a law enforcement activity for which he or she is not qualified, that the towns be protected from liability for his or her actions.”
From Colonel James W. Baker, Director, Vermont State Police:
“As the Director of the Vermont State Police I support the elimination of the training exemption for Constables and Sheriffs.
In the current environment that law enforcement operates in no person should be allowed to function as a law enforcement officer without a minimum amount of training.”
From R. J. Elrick, Executive Director, Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council, Vermont Police Academy:
“I support the elimination of the current training exemption for elected law enforcement officers (Constables and Sheriffs). At present, the law makes training for Constables and Sheriffs "optional". In this day and age, it is unfathomable that we have individuals who may be performing law enforcement functions without requisite training and certification.
At a minimum, this creates the opportunity for tremendous liability to municipalities and the potential for unknowing violation of the rights of our citizens. The elimination of the last sentence in Section 2358 of Title 20 will be a huge step forward in furthering the
professionalism of the Office of Sheriff and Constable. If an individual is to perform law enforcement functions in our state, they should be held to the same basic training and certification standards.
I have personally spoken with the leadership of the following organizations who support this action:
Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police
Vermont Sheriffs' Association
Vermont State Police
Vermont Constable's Association
Vermont Police Association
Vermont League of Cities and Towns.”
Finally, from Nelson Tift, President Vermont Constables Association, President Rutland County Law Officers Association:
“I have spoken with the Elected officers, past president and several current members of The Vermont Constables Assoc. and we all favor the elimination of the current exemption of mandated training for elected constables, with the provision that there be a method in place that would insure that once Constables have completed the part one phase that there be in place a method for them to complete parts two and three. Currently it is nearly impossible, as few, if any agencies are will to field train personnel that are not hired for their department. This is largely due to liability, currently only one Vermont Constable is a certified FTO. Obviously the fact that the constable has only authority in his elected jurisdiction is also a problem in that if an agency in another town would be willing to take on the training, the constable would still not have enforcement powers in their town to work with their training officer. If these obstacles can be overcome, we would wholeheartedly support this move.”
We appreciated Mr. Tift’s testimony and determined through conversations with Mr. Elrick that we can resolve his concerns. We have also made the effective date of the bill 2010 to help people get trained and learn about the law.
We also continued our work on guardianship, juvenile proceedings, and lead in housing, and death certificates.
Please stay in touch. I look forward to seeing you at Town Meeting. 828-2228 or maxjg@wcvt.com
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Damn the Torpedoes Edition!
It's snowing... hard. Old Man Winter must be a Republican! But our efforts to meet will not be thwarted!I've been following the storm and it appears that it will subside sometime late tomorrow afternoon. As a result, we are going to stick to our plan and try to squeak in a February meeting. I'm bringing the pizza.
Hope to see you all at the Brown Public Library from 6pm - 7:30pm tomorrow evening.
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