Friday, December 14, 2018
Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George told Seven Days via email Friday that Maier’s case was referred to the Burlington Community Justice Center.
"CJC referrals are pre-charge, so he’s not officially 'charged,'" George wrote, "but we didn’t decline to prosecute it either. If [Maier] completes CJC then he won’t have to appear in court. If he does not, he will be officially 'charged' and have to appear in court."
Maier, who performed with the recently disbanded psych-pop quintet Madaila, was arrested December 5, more than a month after he allegedly used a chemical solution to destroy parts of the mural depicting Caucasian people’s faces. Margaux Higgins of Burlington was arrested November 7 on suspicion of being an accessory to the crime.
Tags: Eric Maier , Sarah George , Brandon del Pozo , Church Street , vandalism , mural , Madaila , Rapid Intervention Community Court , diversion , crime , Image , Web Only
Thursday, December 13, 2018
In a bare conference room at the Agency of Education headquarters in Barre, a three-member panel, comprised of two school administrators from other districts and a member of the public, listened to a full day of testimony from BHS educators, a student and a University of Vermont employee. It was the second day of hearings involving Macias and will continue on Friday.
Following a yearlong investigation, the Agency of Education in September cited Macias, the BHS guidance director, for allegations that include: falsifying a student transcript, creating a hostile work environment, behaving inappropriately with a college student and impeding the investigation by "inappropriately engaging" a student witness about the charges against him.
Macias, who was hired in the summer of 2016, was placed on administrative leave in September 2018 pending the conclusion of the investigation. The Agency of Education, which laid out its case on Thursday, has recommended revoking Macias' license. The panel is expected to return a decision in early 2019.
Macias did not take the stand Thursday but is expected to testify in his defense on Friday, according to his attorney, Francisco Guzman.
Tags: Burlington High School , Agency of Education , Mario Macias , Image , Web Only
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Ali Dieng (D/P-Ward 7) fired off the accusation in a tweet around midnight Tuesday, shortly after his proposal to provide increased support to the city's Neighborhood Planning Assemblies failed in a 6-6 vote.
"Thank you to all the councilors that voted to support the motion calling for an open process to strengthen our NPAs," Dieng wrote. "The motion failed 6-6 because it came from @diengali the only back [sic] councilor in #BTV."
Tags: Kurt Wright , Ali Dieng , Joan Shannon , Burlington City Council , Image , Web Only
Monday, December 10, 2018
Burlington officials are once again considering a plan to redevelop the old coal-fired power plant, which has sat vacant on the Lake Champlain waterfront for more than 30 years and seemed destined to be demolished.
This time, the city is proposing a partial redevelopment — not a full renovation, said Neale Lunderville, interim director of the city's Community and Economic Development Office. And unlike previous, divisive proposals, the idea was met with unbridled enthusiasm by city councilors at a meeting Monday night.
Under the plan, the basement of the old structure would be filled in and most of the brick exterior would be removed. The remaining structural steel skeleton and roof would create an open-air space for concerts or events, a skating rink or public park. It would be built and run by the city and would cost between $5.2 and $5.5 million.
Tags: Moran Plant , Miro Weinberger , Neale Lunderville , Sharon Bushor , Dave Hartnett , waterfront , Image , Web Only
Sunday, December 9, 2018
The former vice president and senator avoided all but an ambiguous hint when it came to discussing a possible 2020 presidential run, and he steered clear of any direct attacks on President Donald Trump — even as he came to the home turf of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a possible 2020 competitor.
Instead the 76-year-old appeared intent on offering a more personal message. For those who are grieving or bereaved, he told a packed house at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, "There's a reason for hope, believe it or not."
Tags: Joe Biden , Flynn Center for the Performing Arts , 2020 presidential campaign , Jodi Picoult , Image , Web Only
Friday, December 7, 2018
Eric Maier, 32, faces a felony and misdemeanor charge of unlawful mischief; he’s due in court next week. Cops also cited Margaux Higgins, 21, as an accessory to the crime.
Police believe Maier spray painted the word “Colonizers” across the public art on October 19. Then on Halloween, police say, Maier used a solvent to remove the faces of the white people leading the parade depicted in the 124-foot-long mural and spray painted pink dollar signs in their places.
“Damage is estimated at $5,000 to $10,000 and may not be repairable,” Burlington police Det. Thomas Chenette wrote in a press release Friday announcing the arrests.
Tags: Burlington , Eric Maier , Madaila , Everyone Loves a Parade! , mural , vandalism , Burlington police , Church Street , Margaux Higgins , Image , Web Only
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Carter will seek both the Progressive and the Democratic nominations in his run for the Central District seat, he said in his campaign announcement Thursday. He's contending for one of four council seats up for grabs on Town Meeting Day in March.
Carter is hoping to unseat longtime incumbent Councilor Jane Knodell (P-Central District), who has served for nearly 20 years on the council, including two stints as its president.
Tags: Jane Knodell , Jared Carter , Town Meeting Day , Burlington City Council , Image , Web Only
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
“This deal is illegal,” said Dean Corren, a former candidate for lieutenant governor and one of the six citizens fighting the sale before state regulators.
Tags: Burlington Telecom , Dean Corren , Schurz , ZRF Partners , Public Utility Commission , Image , Web Only
Porter Airlines will not run its skier-friendly seasonal service into Burlington from Toronto, BTV aviation director Gene Richards told Seven Days Wednesday.
The flights typically start in mid-December and run for eight to 10 weeks. Richards characterized the suspension as a one-year break and said he hoped Porter would be back next winter.
So is the "International" in the airport's name still legit given the suspension of the flight service to Canada?
Tags: Burlington , airport , skiing , BTV , Porter Airlines , Image , Web Only
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Beginning Friday and lasting through Christmas, developer Don Sinex and business partner Brookfield Asset Management will spend $72,000 to cover free four-hour parking at the College Street and Lakeview garages; two-hour parking at street metered spaces; free weekend parking at the city's Elmwood lot; and additional parking benefits for employees of downtown shops and restaurants.
"We’re really rolling out the red carpet to support the great local businesses downtown," said Chapin Spencer, director of the Department of Public Works. The promotion is "much greater and much broader than last year's effort," he added.
Tags: CityPlace Burlington , Chapin Spencer , Don Sinex , parking , Image , Web Only