Friday, January 12, 2018
Through his lawyer, Brooks McArthur, Shapiro denied any wrongdoing. McArthur issued a statement Friday that said Shapiro had expressed his displeasure with staff members over a serious "internal procedural error." As a result, one or more staffers filed a complaint with the Vermont Human Services Agency alleging that Shapiro created "a hostile or intimidating work environment," according to McArthur.
The public should understand that "this investigation and the allegations against him do not have any nexus to criminal activity nor involve any conduct of a sexual nature," McArthur's statement reads. "Dr. Shapiro will respect the investigative process and he looks forward to getting back to work."
Deputy Medical Examiner Elizabeth Bundock is handling some of Shapiro's responsibilities in the meantime. Shapiro went out on leave Tuesday.
Tags: University of Vermont Medical Center , medical examiner , Steven Shapiro , autopsies , Image , Web Only
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
Don Sinex and his partners at Rouse Properties expect to close on the purchase of the Macy's building at 67 Cherry Street in the next two or three weeks, Sinex said via email Tuesday. He would not disclose plans for the property, which is assessed at $11.1 million.
Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger said the purchase is good news. The deal means that the site will not sit vacant for an extended period, and that a team that has already proven its commitment to Burlington with the mall makeover plan will reimagine its future, Weinberger said via email Monday.
Tags: Burlington Town Center , Macy's , Miro Weinberger , Don Sinex , Image , Web Only
Monday, January 8, 2018
Dan Ukolowicz, who owns Simple Roots Brewing with his wife, Kara Pawlusiak, wrote a letter asking the city council and Mayor Miro Weinberger to rescind the tax because it unfairly burdens his company.
Ukolowicz, who started Simple Roots in his garage in 2014, said he pays $1,800 a year as part of the tax on his brewing equipment. The company has four part-time employees and operates out of the Ethan Allen shopping center in Burlington's New North End.
Tags: Kelly Devine , Burton , Miro Weinberger , Justin Worthley , Simple Roots Brewing , Burlington Business Association , Image , Web Only
Executives at Gannett, the Free Press' parent company, made the move after meeting with Finley, who joined the paper in 2016.
"Upon review, it was determined that Finley had violated the company’s social media guidelines on a number of occasions," the Free Press wrote in a story posted on its website Monday evening.
Tags: Denis Finley , Burlington Free Press , social media , Twitter , Image , Web Only
Sunday, January 7, 2018
A crowd of 250 people inside the Burlington High School auditorium roared with approval, waving "Miro for Mayor" signs as they gave their endorsement with a voice vote.
Weinberger avoided what could have been an awkward caucus. Independent mayoral candidate Carina Driscoll initially said she planned to seek the Democratic endorsement, but later backed down.
"Rather than attempting to pull off a political stunt unseating the Mayor in his own caucus, I am focused on engaging voters throughout the city and increasing participation on election day, Tuesday, March 6th," she said. Driscoll earned the endorsement of Burlington Progressives in December.
Tags: Miro Weinberger , Adam Roof , Carter Neubieser , Lizzie Haskell , James Lockridge , Ali Dieng , Chris Trombly , Chip Mason , Karen Paul , Town Meeting Day , Image , Web Only
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
The price increases reflect the higher costs that BT must pay to carry major national television networks such as CBS, FOX, ABC and NBC, according to BT spokesperson Abbie Tykocki. The changes have nothing to do with BT's sale to Schurz Communications, Tykocki said, though she admitted "it's really poor timing."
BT announced the increases in a December 22 letter to its customers. Five days later, the Burlington City Council approved a sales and management agreement with Schurz, ending a rollercoaster, months-long process wrought with controversy.
Tags: Burlington Telecom , Miro Weinberger , Abbie Tykocki , Image , Web Only
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
The case roiled UVM last fall and triggered a debate about free speech rights. Richter, through his attorney, Ben Luna, denied saying anything racist or threatening.
Luna issued a statement Tuesday saying the judge's decision was a win for his client and the Constitution. "This is a significant victory for free speech and the First Amendment," Luna said.
Tags: campus free speech , University of Vermont , race , higher education , Image , Web Only
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Dartmouth-Hitchcock on December 14 sent a letter to the Green Mountain Care Board arguing that the proposal should not trigger a permit review. The letter specifically seeks a "non-jurisdictional" ruling from the board to affirm that it agrees with the hospital's interpretation of the law.
The board has not responded or discussed the request but will do so within 30 days, board spokesman Conor Kennedy said Tuesday.
Tags: University of Vermont Medical Center , helipad , helicopter , UVM , Green Mountain Care Board , Tristram Coffin , DHART , Image , Web Only
Joseph Montagno will receive $30,000 as part of the agreement between the city and the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont, which represented Montagno after he was evicted from his Church Street apartment in 2016.
Because of the court's decision, "vulnerable people in Burlington will no longer lose their housing simply because they need police assistance," ACLU staff attorney Jay Diaz said in a statement Tuesday.
Burlington officials started tracking Montagno's calls to police in 2015 and labeled him a "frequent caller" and a "public nuisance." Montagno argued that he had been threatened and his apartment had been vandalized. City authorities allegedly pressured the apartment owner to evict Montagno by threatening to remove his certificate of occupancy.
Tags: Jay Diaz , ACLU , City of Burlington , Joseph Montagno , Image , Web Only
Monday, December 18, 2017
A regional center would combine the operations of up to eight municipalities — Burlington, Colchester, Essex, Milton, Shelburne, South Burlington, Williston and Winooski — depending on which ones vote in March to move forward. The existing system uses seven dispatch centers.
Burlington Fire Chief Steven Locke said the change could save between 60 and 70 seconds in response time on each 911 call. Depending on how many towns participate, the move could also save money, Locke told Seven Days.
Tags: Steven Locke , Brandon del Pozo , Max Tracy , regional dispatch , Image , Web Only