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Attorney general: Library Trustees chair violated Open Meeting Law No penalties issued, but Mitchell-Love advised to seek additional training

By Allison Teague/The Commons

BELLOWS FALLS—The Vermont Attorney General’s office says Rockingham Free Public Library Trustees Chair Jan Mitchell-Love had violated the Open Meeting Law several times this year, but said that there is no proof that she “knowingly and intentionally” did so.

That was the conclusion of Assistant Attorney General Bill Reynolds, who responded on Monday to complaints of violations of the law in a letter to Mitchell-Love.

The investigation stemmed from allegations filed in April, May, and June by Trustees Elayne Clift and Carolyn Frisa, and Adam and Debbie Wetzel.

Originally published in The Commons issue #234 (Wednesday, December 18, 2013). This story appeared on page A1.

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Snowshoe Magazine 2012-2013 articles

Here is a link to all the articles I did last year for Snowshoe Magazine, including the history of snowshoeing in the Northeast, the art of snow-shoeing profile of snowshoe artist Simon Beck, profile of Vermont’s Darn Tough Socks, and Tubbs Stomp to Romp last year at Stratton… as well as profiles of areas with snowshoe friendly services… enjoy!

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Rockingham Free Public Library, town take account of construction expenses Town attorney offers advice about public records

By Allison Teague/The Commons

BELLOWS FALLS—The addition and renovation to the Rockingham Free Public Library has ended up $153,089.60 over budget.

While Municipal Manager Willis “Chip” Stearns III told The Commons this week that the “when, how much, from where, ‘cash’ is coming is not a known set of information,” he added that “the RFPL trustees have this amount of cash held in accounts under their control already.”

Originally published in The Commons issue #230 (Wednesday, November 20, 2013). This story appeared on page A3.

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State Department of Libraries ‘very interested in helping’ RFPL trustees, state librarian says

By Allison Teague/The Commons

BELLOWS FALLS—“Libraries are unique among municipal government and among town departments,” noted State Librarian Martha Reid, speaking to The Commons about the recent issues surrounding the Rockingham Free Public Library.

Originally published in The Commons issue #230 (Wednesday, November 20, 2013). This story appeared on page A3.

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Out in the open Secretary of State comes to BF as part of statewide tour to teach the public and local officials alike about public-records and open meeting laws

By Allison Teague/The Commons

BELLOWS FALLS—Secretary of State Jim Condos and Deputy Secretary of State Brian Leven, an attorney, passing through town on their second Biennial Transparency Tour, stopped by with a message for Windham County public officials and government employees.

Originally published in The Commons issue #231 (Wednesday, November 27, 2013). This story appeared on page A1.

Artists as Vermonters, Vermonters as artists

Posted on Feb 15, 2013

The author’s father, R. Lewis Teague, at work in his Vermont studio in 1959. (Hanson Carroll)

The author’s father, R. Lewis Teague, at work in his Vermont studio in 1959. (Hanson Carroll) Artists as Vermonters, Vermonters as artists Growing up in the state in ’50s and ’60s, a third-generation artist saw the inspiration and isolation that Vermont had on her father, a painter. In the intervening years, the environment here has become much more appealing for artists. And artists, in turn, have stimulated the economy and helped…

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Waste not, Want Not : Vermont’s New Recycling Bill and the Committed Women Who Made it Happen

Solid waste may not sound like a women’s issue to you, but when Vermont’s H.485 was signed into law early in June, the number of women standing behind Gov. Peter Shumlin as he signed the bill was notable. Many had been involved in the long legislative process that led to this first-in-the-nation legislation to ban organic waste—meaning biodegradable waste from animals or plants—in landfills completely by 2020.