THE WINOOSKI BRIDGE
11/1/2012 - Vol. 1 No. 9
E-News for Winooski in English, French
& Arabic
E-mailed first & third Thursdays /
Guy Page, editor & publisher
or
go to blog at http://thewinooskibridge.blogspot.com/
Editor's note: the Bridge is having translator problems. The tri-lingual version will be posted asap.
Editor's note: the Bridge is having translator problems. The tri-lingual version will be posted asap.
85 years ago this week, Great Flood 0f 1927
destroyed Winooski Bridge, flooded Champlain Mill
This
past week, Winooski and the rest of Vermont held its breath, expecting the
worst from Superstorm Sandy. When asked Thursday Nov. 1 if any damage occurred
in Winooski, a city police department spokesperson answered with a flat “no.”
Like most of Vermont, Winooski had dodged Mother Nature’s worst blows.
Eighty-five
years ago this week, exactly the reverse occurred. A natural disaster of
unprecedented proportions descended with little warning on Winooski and elsewhere. The Great Flood of Nov. 3-4, 1927 raged the
length of the Winooski and Connecticut Rivers, wreaking storm-related death and
destruction unknown. According to Vermont Historical Society historian Paul
Carnahan, 85 Vermonters died, 55 in the Winooski River basin alone, 9,000 were
left homeless, and property damage topped $30 million in 1927 dollars. Lt. Gov.
Hollister Jackson was among the fatalities.
In
Winooski, the river flooded the Champlain Mill and destroyed the Winooski
Bridge. A stunning photograph
on the Lake Champlain Basin Project website shows the furious river at grade level with
the Main St., Winooski Bridge, with the Champlain Mill looming behind. It’s the
same bridge depicted, on a calmer 1927 day, on the face page of www.thewinooskibridge.blogspot.com.
According
to one historical account, “After three straight days of rain, workers crossing
the bridge on the morning of November 4 noted that the river was only three
feet below the roadway ‘and coming up fast.’ At 9 a.m. waves began crashing
over the bridge. Police stopped all pedestrian and automobile traffic. Water
coursed through the ground floors of the mill buildings that lined the river.
At 3 p.m. the bridge collapsed and was swept downriver.”
Ray
Collins of Colchester, a star pitcher for the Boston Red Sox in the early
1900’s, was the last person to drive across the bridge before the river swept
it away, according to his son, Dr. Ray Collins Jr., now of Middlebury. A
Colchester Center dairy farmer, Collins was trying to drive his daily milk to a
Burlington dairy when a policeman warned him to not cross. The man whom Detroit
Tigers star Ty Cobb called the toughest pitcher he ever faced had already
decided that nothing like a flood would stand between him and a daily milk
check. Collins reportedly said, “I’m crossing that bridge,” and such was his
personal determination and presence that the policeman allowed him to cross –
safely, as it turns out.
Stunning
photos of the damage inflicted by the Great Flood in Winooski and elsewhere can
be seen at this University
of Vermont digital archive. Images
include a screenshot from a movie made using actual footage from the 1927 flood.
It shows the pontoon bridge actually in use after it was erected by the Army to
temporarily replace the Winooski-Burlington bridge that was wiped out in the
flood.
FOR
PHOTOS OF TECH JAM, ST. FRANCIS STUDENTS, & 1927 BRIDGE, go to:
No City Hall solar panels – this year; luxury-high rise construction underway
The City
Council will not contract with a solar power construction firm, SunCommon, to
erect solar panels on the south face of City Hall.
The concept
is appealing but some of the financial specifics needed addressing, city
officials said in October. However, the door was left open for reconsideration
of a solar project at a future date.
Construction
is underway, however, for the 72 unit luxury high-rise apartment Riverhouse
project along the Winooski River waterfront boardwalk, just east of the
Cascades building. After receiving the green light from the City Council this
fall, Riverhouse developers Catamount/youkel LLC broke ground within a week. Completion
is expected by September, 2013. The principals are Doug Nedde and Alain Youkel.
Not so fast with the big tax bill, city
tells State Auditor
The City of
Winooski does not owe the $1.5 million tax bill the Vermont State Auditor says
it owes, according to a statement issued Oct. 18 by City Manager Katherine
“Deac” Decarreau.
State
Auditor Tom Salmon says the city has underpaid $1.5 million in education
property taxes because it miscalculated the amount of “Tax Increment Financing”
incentive. Use of this incentive allows municipalities developing downtown
business districts to keep for themselves some property tax revenue that would
otherwise have gone to the state education fund.
Deac says
the city has followed all of the state’s advice and guidelines about the TIF,
and that it doesn’t owe the $1.5 million. Although the two parties would appear
to be in a stand-off, Auditor Salmon is not seeking re-election and it is
unknown whether either of the two major candidates for auditor, Vince Illuzzi
or Doug Hoffer, will pursue the issue when he takes office in January.
City Manager
Decarreau took the opportunity to plug Winooski’s progress in attracting
high-tech employers to the redeveloped downtown:
“The State
of Vermont is seeking to expand our technology industries. The Governor is
rightfully proud of the knowledge workers who find their way to Vermont – or
back home to Vermont – and take high paying, yet unfilled jobs at places like
MyWebGrocer, Biotech, Reading First, Fuse Marketing, SemiProbe, and the many
other regional employers. Many of these people find the urban lifestyle
available in Winooski attractive for our location and walkability.
“Our new
downtown is able to house a large, diverse group of people in a relatively
small area around a gorgeous waterfront served by pristine hiking trails. This
project, awarded for its Smart Growth principles, saves the green country side
and allows us to welcome (or welcome back) more people to Vermont while
maintaining our signature countryside. We are committed to finishing the
project.”
School superintendent not seeking contract
renewal
According to
the minutes of the Oct. 10 school board meeting, Supt. Mary Lundeen will not be
seeking contract renewal after June 30, 2013 – the end of the current school
year. After a letter announcing this news was read to the board, Chair Mike
Decarreau said on behalf of the board he appreciates Mary’s service to the
school district.
In other
news, the school district continues to search for a webmaster for the
district’s website. After a public comment at the Oct. 10 meeting saying the
district’s web page is in disarray – for example, no information could be found
on one of the school principals – Supt. Lundeen said at present several people
are posting to the website, and a job description for a new webmaster is being
put together. In the meantime, Sandy Metevier is a contact for those wishing to
have information on the site.
Also, The
Partnership for Change hopes to have a final draft on its planning document by
next June. Actions plans were scheduled to be on the district website by the
end of October. A major objective of the document is to include broad
stakeholder support in defining graduation expectations.
Good readers dress down at St. Francis
Saint
Francis Xavier School recently recognized summer readers in grades kindergarten
through sixth by rewarding them with one of the time honored prizes of a
Catholic school: a Dress Down Day.
School
Librarian Kathleen Finn was pleased that so many students not only maintained a
regular routine of reading throughout the summer months, but took the time to
document their efforts. “We always emphasize that learning and reading never go
on vacation, so we offer an incentive for our students to keep doing both
throughout the summer. Those students who had documented their summer reading
activity were allowed to wear non-uniform attire for one day of school, which
is an easy and fun way to reward their reading efforts.”
Saint
Francis Xavier School was founded in 1862 and offers academic excellence
to
students from Pre-Kindergarten to eighth grade.
The school community is celebrating its 150th anniversary
this school year.
Teen Center offers tutoring, free dinners,
Harvest Dance
Located at
the O’Brien Community Center on Malletts Bay Avenue, the Winooski Teen Center's
operations are in full swing for the fall semester. The center is offering
tutoring on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 3-5:30 pm and 6:30-8 pm.
Also, there are free dinners for youth and teens on Tuesdays and Thursdays at
5:30 pm. Drop-in hours for high school
age youth take place on Wednesday from 6-9 pm and Friday 6-11 pm.
A special
event November 16, from 8-11 pm for high school age youth, will be a Harvest
Dance. We would love to see you down at
the O'Brien Community Center taking part in our teen center programming! Any inquiries for additional information or
questions can be directed to Sarah at americorpstwo@winooskivt.org or (802)
655-1392 ext. 10.
Library will move to former Good Luck
Market site
Later this
year, the Winooski Memorial Library
will take residence in the former location of the Good Luck Market, next to the
YMCA, on Malletts Bay Avenue. The space is currently being remodeled to
accommodate the library. Stay tuned for a grand opening date.
The lighting
is being upgraded, windows are being added and carpeting is being installed.
The librarian and Library Advisory Board are considering upgrades to the
furniture and shelving. Though the new space will have less square footage than
the current space, the new location offers many exciting possibilities,
including working closely with the adjacent Community Center and the many
agencies already housed there.
A book sale
was recently held to help raise funds for new equipment, over $350 was raised.
Books are still for sale at the library, now located in the Champlain Mill.
The staff
encourages all Winooski residents to obtain a library card. With a library
card, patrons have access to books, audio books, DVDs, magazines and
interlibrary loan service. Patrons can also access our online services,
including: Our
online catalog; downloadable audio books and e-books;
Mango
Languages, an online language learning program offering more than 40
foreign language courses and 15 English language courses for speakers of other
languages; Universal
Class, which offers online classes covering a wide variety of topics for
personal and professional growth. To sign in to Universal Class enter
2VSRA00000XXXX, use your 4-digit library card number in place of the X’s.
To obtain a
library card, just bring a piece of mail, personal identification or a lease to
show residency, to the library. Library hours are Tuesday 10-7, Wednesday 3-7, Thursday
10-6, Friday 10-6, and Saturday 10-1. For more information call 655-6424.
Free flu shots and more at Winooski Health
Fair Nov. 10
Winooski
residents may receive free flu shots, blood pressure checks, glucose tests, and
more on Saturday, November 10, at the Winooski Health Fair. The fair will be
held from 9 am – noon at the O’Brien Community Center (32 Mallets Bay Avenue)
and will feature fun and informative health-related activities and materials
for both adults and children.
The health
fair is supported by the University of Vermont, the Visiting Nurse Associations
of America, and the Winooski Coalition for a Safe and Peaceful Community.
WINOOSKI BRIDGE
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Nov.
1 – Parent/Technology meeting in high school library, 6:30 pm.
Nov.
7 – Monthly meeting of Winooski Coalition, 6-7 pm at the O’Brien Community
Center on Malletts Bay Avenue. Discuss current projects, including public
health and civic engagement initiatives. Every meeting is free and open to the
public.
Nov.
10 – Health Fair, 9 am – noon, at the O’Brien Community Center at 32 Malletts
Bay Avenue. Free flu shots, blood pressure and glucose tests etc.
Nov.
14 - Sit down with the community for a free evening of togetherness and holiday
spirit at the Winooski School District Cafeteria on Normand Street. Dinner will
be served from 5:30 to 7:00. As always, all are welcome to attend. Please be
aware that, although the WCSPC’s Community Dinners normally take place on the
third Wednesday of the month, November’s dinner will be a week early to avoid
conflict with the Thanksgiving holiday.
Nov.
14 – school board meeting, 6:30 pm, high school.
Nov.
16 – Teen Center Harvest Dance at O’Brien Center, 8 – 11 pm, for high school
age students.
Nov.
17 - 30th annual Winooski P.T.O. Craft Fair will be held at the Winooski
Educational Center 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Click HERE for
more information.
Nov.
18 – WWII history author Joseph Covais will discuss his book, “Battery! C.
Lenton Sartain and the Airborne GIs of the 319th Glider Field
Artillery”, noon to 1:30 pm at the Winooski Senior Center. Before losing his
vison, Mr. Covais produced precise replica clothing for museums, historic
sites, and the movie industry. Today he teaches psychology classes at CCV and
works as a psycho-therapist for blind and visually impaired persons. He holds a
masters degree in clinical psychology from St. Michaels College. “Battery!” is
his first book, but he has authored numerous articles on clothing, photography,
and military history.
New to the Winooski Bridge: past issues posted on blog
The
number of subscribers to the Winooski
Bridge, Winooski’s community e-newspaper published twice monthly, grows
daily. Anyone interested in receiving each issue by email is encouraged to
write to winooskibridge@yahoo.com and request this free service.
Also, the Bridge now offers archives
of most (but not all) past issues on www.thewinooskibridge.blogspot.com. The Winooski Bridge Facebook
site also will be maintained at a basic level, but the blog page is easier for
tech-challenged editor and publisher Guy Page to maintain, and offers a more
“newspapery” appearance and readability than Facebook.
The
Winooski Bridge blog also features Winooski
weather forecasts and links to popular Winooski websites, such as the Winooski
Memorial Library. Other new features include at least one current photo of
Winooski life in the upper right hand corner.
Planned
new features include a FREE Winooski business and community services directory.
Winooski-only businesses and community services wishing to be listed are
encouraged to send their business name, type of business, address, phone,
website, and (optional) email address and fax number to: winooskibridge@yahoo.com. Inquiries may be sent to the
same email address.