The Burlington Free Press from Burlington, Vermont • Page 15

Desire for Freedom Convinced Berster to Leave Behind The News LLrj By NEIL DAVIS Free Press Staff Waiter With dimming hopes of starting a new iife in the United States or Cuba, Kristina Berster called it quits last week on her six-year self-imposed exile from West Germany. "I don't want to be exiled for the rest of my life," the woman, 29, had said during a September interview at the New York City jail, which was beginning to seem too much like home. Since her arrest in Alburg in July 1978, the West German fugitive had been piling up bills for her legal defense at an alarming rate and no end was in sight. One of her lawyers recently said her debt was more than $20,000 probably much more. That worried her greatly.

"It looks very bad," she said. "I'll probably have to pay for many years." She said she tried to turn aside thoughts that "my whole life is ruined," but often fell into periods of despair. More than her growing debt, the boredom of jail life where the escapist fare of television lures the weak into addiction frightened her. She said she was in danger of being lulled to the point of losing all self-discipline, of giving up plans for a productive future, of becoming attitudinally institutionalized. It made her shudder.

What might await her in West Germany where authorities were waiting to interrogate her about alleged ties with terrorists and to try her as a political criminal became less awesome than the thought of indefinite imprisonment in New York while fighting deportation. Doreen Kraft of Burlington, the Vermonter who kept most closely in touch with Miss Berster, said last week the West German woman gradually put aside her reservations about going back because her mental health was at stake. Miss Berster was reluctant to be an accomplice in West German Social Democrats' bid to appease young voters by offering leniency to a few leftists who had gone into hiding, Miss Kraft said. First Astrid Proll, then Marion Folkerts, both formerly accused by West German authorities of involvement in terrorism, were able to obtain light sentences after returning to the country for trial. Knowing she would be "the third gesture, since the request was having no effect.

Miss Berster's lawyers then filed petitions in two West German courts to have charges against her dismissed and received some assurances from the government that she could expect favorable results if she would surrender. In the meantime, security at Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York was increased to the point where Miss Berster could not move without an escort and was restricted almost entirely from seeing visitors or making telephone calls. Miss Kraft speculated the appearance of the Shah of Iran in New York for cancer treatment at roughly the same time may have sparked the heightened interest in keeping Miss Berster incommunicado. When arrested in Vermont after entering from Quebec in mid-1978, she was carrying an Iranian passport. Among her visitors at the New York jail were several Iranian-Americans.

After the Shah's arrival, Miss Berster's movements and contacts became more restricted, Miss Kraft said. At the same time, Cuban officials who had been receptive to the idea of taking in Miss Berster if she chose to try to go to the Latin American island rather than back to Germany suddenly became cool toward her, Miss Kraft said. Their change of attitude corresponded to public statements, drawing international attention, by the Carter administration about the presence of an allegedly new Soviet combat brigade in Cuba. "The tide turned 180 degrees," Miss Kraft said. "They were not going to make any waves." With other acceptable options evaporating and the opportunity of returning to West Germany under favorable circumstances materializing, Miss Berster made up her mind.

She left Wednesday. She carried guilt feelings with her, according to Miss Kraft and others who knew her well. Miss Berster said she was uncomfortable with the idea of being treated "as one of the good ones" as contrasted with others with anti-administration views who have fared worse. Despite the reservations, she opted for the only course that could clear her slate of menacing criminal person to be used (by the Social Democrats) to promote this liberal image," Miss Berster nevertheless was compelled "for the sake of her own sanity" to take advantage of an implied offer of gentle treatment, Miss Kraft said Miss Berster wrote to West German Interior Minister Gerhart Baum, essentially throwing herself on the mercy of the Social Democratic administration, although she asked directly only for justice. Baum released the letter to the West German news media, sparking a flurry of editorials taking a sympathetic position toward Miss Berster's case.

Before she decided to return voluntarily, West German authorities withdrew their request for her extradition, apparently as a symbolic KRISTINA BERSTER ends self-imposed exile charges. Miss Kraft termed the return to West Germany "the only way for Kristina to purge herself of the past." Desire Implementation as Planned Farm Bureau Backs Land Use Tax $142 million and supported the development of a uniform milk testing procedure and uniform penalty for violations. The group also recommended that foreign absentee ownership be limited and said the bureau should keep a current survey of land purchases and uses. Among the recommendations regarding national issues were support for repeal of tax provisions on heirs to farmland included in the 1976 Tax Reform Act, and a request that the Farmers Home Administration concentrate on financing farm loans. The farmers honored Mr.

and Mrs. John H. Belter Jr. of South Burlington as the farm family of the year in the under-30 category and Mr. and Mrs.

Dale Somerville of Norwich in the over-30 group. Rupert Chamberlin of Barton was re-elected to his sixth term as president. Other officers are Robert Simpson, Randolph, first vice president; Albert Ranney, Dummerston, second vice president; and Ildah Warner, Georgia, secretary-treasurer. The farmers renamed their organization, dropping the term "state" from the Vermont State Farm Bureau Inc. membership, also endorsed a resolution that would have the state pay farmers for losses caused by state-protected wildlife.

Other resolutions adopted by the bureau support use of pesticides, compensation for damage done by coyotes, permission for farmers and others to kill dogs damaging property and encouragement of agricultural development. The bureau recommended that state and local officials find a use or a buyer for the Georgia whey plant and that the state develop a plan and encourage loans that would allow young farmers to finance farms. The farmers supported using a net personal income factor as a criterion in distribution of state aid to education, but opposed the sale of state property without a public hearing to review the best use of the land. The group asked that the workmen's compensation law be changed provide short-term insurance iiians for seasonal workers, and opposed strikes by public employees. On the federal level, the bureau came out against national health insurance.

The court system should be reformed, minimum sentences should be required, bail should be prohibited for any homicide case and capital punishment for first-degree murder should be an alternative, according to the farmers. On dairy issues, the bureau recommended the program that provides milk to underprivileged persons be funded at the 1979 level of Free Press Special Photo by GREGCkY GERDR A MODEL OF THE ADDITION TO THE HARWOOD HIGH SCHOOL Jit southern exposure and greenhouse provide "solar gain," according to the architects Harwood School District to Vote On Addition of Classroom Space brtens Inc. 'First in Beauty" NOTICE Despite skepticism voiced by some members of the Vermont Farm Bureau Inc. about the state's land use taxation plan, the organization approved Saturday a resolution asking that the bill be implemented on schedule. The law.

enacted in 1978 and scheduled to go into effect in April 1980. is designed to offer property tax relief to the owners of productive forest and farm land, in an attempt to curb development of such lands. During the bureau's annual state meeting at a South Burlington motel, some members said they doubted if the law would work, but the majority agreed the state should try it before changes are attempted. Responding to comments by lawmakers that there may be attempts in January to change the law, the Kilmers said they would oppose such a' tempts. Some legislators iwve said the state could lose as muci: $13 million if the law is bureau, with a 3.800-faniiK Cone Continues Probe of Charges Against Police The Associated Press MOXTPELIER Public Safety Commissioner Warren Cone said he is still investigating charges of a coverup of state police misconduct.

one said he has ordered three more polygraph tests early this week as part of that probe. Since his appointment by Gov Richard Snelling last summer. Cone has been looking into charges against the state police. The probe was prompted by a yearlong investigation of the state police by the attorney general's office. Last month.

Cone suspended State Police Sgt. Stanley Merriam for allegedly lying in 1974 about his knowledge of the activities of discredited narcotics agent Paul Lawrence. Merriam is appealing his suspension. Cone said lie is still looking into charges that Merriam's superiors covered up his alleged involvement. in another aspect of the investigation.

Cone last month took disciplinary action against several state police troopers in St. John-sbury, in connection with charges that they had received stolen drill bits. Bui he said he had found no evidence that any current members of the Public Safety Department had covered up that incident. Former Teacher To Run for Seat On Rutland Board RUTLAND Albert "Monk" Martin, a former city teacher whose nomination as a school com MARTIN im Presents Our Kardei MeckMizeJ filinj Systen Servicf representative Waitsfield and Moretown by lour cents. The smallest increases would come in Wjrren and Fayston.

an estimated two-cent rise. The total cost of the project will be approximately $607,000, of which the state is expected to contribute 30 percent. The proposed design calls for instruction of the addition at the north end of the existing building. The new building would be a separate -structuie. attache'! to the present building by two covered corridors.

Three classrooms, two science Libs, a junior high home economics room, a teacher preparation area, several offices and "flexible spaces" for classes or conferences are p'anued. Restoration of the junior and senior hish zones at the school will be possible with the new space, Shropshire said. While some interaction between jun ior and senior high students is inevitable because of shared athletic, cafeteria and shop facilities, the additional classrooms would ease tue scheduling difficulties that have required more compromise of the zoning principle than teachers, administrators and many parents have liked. Because recent population projections tor the Washington West communities indicate a stabilization of the school-aged group, the addition has been designed for the present student body of 90(1, Montgomery said. Consideration had been given earlier to designing an addition that would accommodate up to 1.000, the maximum number that Harwood's core facilities are supposed to handle.

If the bond issue is approved, construction could begin in the spring and the addition might be ready for occupancy by December 1980. according to Sam Miller, chairman of the Harwood Board ot School Dire tors. Defeat of the bond issue would only delay construction of the much-needed space, at a higher cost to the taxpayer because of the continuing rise in building costs. Miller said. The School Board's original proposal for the addition was defeated last spring by three votes.

By GREGORY GERDEL Special to the Free Press SOUTH DUXBURY Voters in the Harwood Union School District will be asked Tuesday to approve a $425,000 bond issue for constructing an addition of classroom space at the high school. School officials say the addition is "long overdue" for the grades 7-12 school, where 900 students are enrolled in a facility designed a dozen years ago for a maximum of 750. Because of the overcrowding, Harwood has been operating on waivers from the state board and making use of whatever space they could for several years The people have got to give us that space. It is a matter of necessity and in no way a luxury," said Principal Tom Shropshire, who taught at Harwood for several years before his recent appointment as principal. The addition, designed by Circus Studio architects of Waiisfield, is a metal-framed and -sided building that aims it cost-efficient construction and energy efficiency.

Not on.y will the building be well-insulated, but windows along the southern exposure and a greenhouse in one uf the science labs are expected to provide considerable "solar gain," said architect Ted Montgomery, the project director for Circus Studios. The polls in all six member towns in the union district will open at 10 a.m. Tuesday and close at 7 p.m. Voting will be by Australian ballot at the customary polling place in Duxbury, Moretown, Fayston, Warren, Waitsfield and Waterbury. The outcome will be determined by a majority of all votes cast.

Projected increases in the local tax rates vary from town to town. But Superintendent William Lincoln predicts the effect of the bond and increased maintenance costs for the addition will be modest. The greatest increase in the tax rate is expected in Duxbury, at six cents. Lincoln expects the project will increase the tax rate in Waterbury by five cents; in All (8) O'brien's Salons will be closed Nov. 5th.

We are having an educational seminar, relating to all the newer fashion looks in beauty this so we may serve you better. Burlington Middlebury Essex Junction Montpelier Shelburne Stowe Vergennes Barre Bill Winter "He's even lonelier P.O. BOX 305 S3 Ctmrctt Sf. 863-2868 The first combination woodstove that makes sense. Planned Parenthood Will Apply For Money From the United Way Will fit in 90 of oil fireplace openings Only for local delivery and hookup Twenty year written warranty Soapstone cooking griddle, non-stick for toast, eggs, port-cakes (optional) Heating cubic feet, weight 250 and 390 lbs.

GARRISON II '425 GARRISON I $525 the new GARRISON III '325 missioner was flatly rejected by the School Board, announced Friday he will definitely run" for a seat on the nine-member school panel next March. Martin, a mathematics teacher for 29 years at Rutland High School, declared he would welcome a match up with Robert Dikeman, who is expected to fill a vacant board slot denied to Martin last month. Dikeman is a Central Vermont Public Service Corp. employee whom Mayor Gilbert G. Godnick nominated after his original choice, Martin, was vetoed by the School Board.

School commissioners acknowledged Martin was rejected because of the candidate's former ties to the Rutland Education Association, which is in an unresolved contract dispute that led to a strike in funding, but. "I'm also aware of other people who feel quite the opposite. "It's had some spill over effect up here. It's not an easy issue to deal with." Franklin County has a higher percentage of teenage pregnancies than any other Vermont county has. About 21 percent of all babies are delivered by teenagers, compared to 14 percent statewide.

The St. Albans office has a budget of about 30,000 a year, and would like to add $5,000 to form "special programs," Ms. Geller said. Those programs would consist of setting up workshops to educate the family on reproductive health and developing a support group for young women, she said. "No one has taken the responsibility for these things before," Ms.

Geller said. "They need to be taken care of." About 750 patients have gone to the St. Albans clinic this year for a combhed 1,500 visits. While anti-abortionists arc exerting lobbying pressure on legislators to cut Planned Parenthood funding, Ms. Geller and Ms.

Chase do not expect a high-pressure fight in Franklin County. By JOHN DONNELLY free Priu Staff Writer ST. ALBANS Amid political furor surrounding Planned Parenthood of Vermont funding, the St. Albans office plans to apply for United Way money for the first time. Anti-abortionists have begun a drive to strip the group of more than $500,000 in federal and state funds its 16 offices receive because one clinic offers an abortion service.

With the recent opening of United Way in St. Albans, Planned Parenthood officials will vie for more than $5,000 in funds from the organization. The clinic missed the first United Way deadline in July because the state board of directors did not meet in time to approve the application. "But we will be reapplying for it at the next deadline," said Berta Geller, director of the office. Barbara Chase, Franklin County UniteU Way director, said the next application deadline probably will be before next year.

Fourteen other organizations are receiving funds this year, she said. Ms. Chase said she is aware of the national and state drive to strip Planned Parenthood of federal 100 DORSET ST. MALI 864-4136 658-4900 ON THE BARRE-MONTPEUER RD. 476-4905.