The Burlington Free Press from Burlington, Vermont • Page 9

1 The Burlington (Vt.) Free Press, Friday, March 23, 1990 3 3 State notes Vermont sty to back Smith DsffiocfBts pa on drugs. You don't have any guts; you don't have any vision. You just keep doing what it takes to rack up those PAC dollars." Fuller said Democrats were leery of entering a three-way race with Sanders because of the obvious competition for dollars and votes. Progressive Democrat Dolores Sandoval is considering entering the House race, although it is unclear whether she would receive the endorsement of the state party. "I've talked to Dolores and shared with her my view that the Democratic Party should sit this one out," Poirier said.

"We don't have a candidate that has a chance of winning." Although no decision has been made, Fuller said the party could endorse Sanders in the race. But Poirier said the state party should not endorse any candidate and instead leave the choice to the voters. Peter." Grimes, 'a lifelong friend of Smith's, and Wolk said they agreed with Smith's agenda emphasizing his efforts on education, generating funds for special education, as well as his willingness to buck the Bush administration on key issues. "I'd endorse him regardless of his opposition because I feel he's done a great job. I'd give him an Wolk said, a school principal.

"That's too bad," Craig Fuller, executive director of the state Democratic Party, said. "They can do whatever they want it's a free country. I would have liked for them to hold off making endorsements. "Sanders has been preaching our line for a long time. I think he's got a good shot at knocking off Peter Smith," Fuller said.

"But I think anybody can beat Peter Smith. "People are fed up with the same-old same-old," Fuller added, referring to Smith. "You do a little bit on education, a little bit leader who lost to Smith in the 1988 election, state Senate Democratic leader Richard Mazza of Grand Isle, former House Speaker Timothy O'Connor of Brattleboro, state Sen. David Wolk of Rutland, state Rep. Barbara Grimes of Burlington, and former state Sen.

Sallie Soule of Shelburne. Others are local party leaders, including David Coates of Peter Langrock of Middle-bury, Nancy Chard of Brattleboro and William Costa of St. Johnsbury. Citing Smith's efforts in the areas of education and the environment, the letter reads, "These are issues of great importance to all Vermonters, regardless of party affiliation. We ask that you get involved to whatever degree you feel most comfortable, but urge you to get involved." The letter comes on the heels of an announcement by other Democrats, including U.S.

Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, that they might support independent Bernard Sanders' bid to unseat first-term incumbent Smith. By Susan Allen The Associated Press MONTPELIER Ten prominent Democrats, convinced no viable Democratic candidate will step into the U.S. House race, are urging other party members to become involved in the reelection of Rep. Peter Smith, R-Vt.

In a letter to Vermont the group writes, "Yes, Peter is a Republican. More importantly, he is an effective legislator who truly has represented all Vermont. In many instances he has supported initiatives which each of us believes in Signing the letter, to be mailed later this month, are Paul Poirier of Barre, former House majority 3L February weather Attorneys, litigants moratorium on civil 50 'It has a disruptive effect on people every day. They're out there suffering individually, and they certainly continue Jerome O'Neill Vermont Trial Lawyers Association president -10 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18. 20 22 24 26 28 3 Maximum daily temperature Minimum daily temperature Average daily maximum temperature.

Average daily minimum temperature Monthly average temperature Normal monthly average temperature. TV PRECIPITATION Total for the month Normal monthly average total Total for the year. Normal average for the year SUNSHINE Normal percentage for the month Percentage for February Petitions available to Essex candidates Anyone interested in running for Essex town offices at town meeting May 1 can pick up a petition at the Town Clerk's Office. Candidates must obtain signatures of 30 registered voters, and return the petitions to the Town Clerk's Of ice by Monday. Offices up for election this year include a moderator, two selectmen and a treasurer.

Author to speak on race and gender A writer whose work explores race and gender in cultural expression will speak Thursday at the University of Vermont. Michele Wallace, author of "Black Macho and the Myth of Superwoman," will speak at 7:30 p.m. in the Billings Student Center Theater. Her talk is titled "Invisibility Blues: Cultural Literacy, Cultural Studies." Wallace has a column in the Village Voice newspaper. Her work has also appeared hi The Nation, the New York Times Book Review and Zeta Magazine.

The talk is sponsored by the Student Political Awareness and Responsibility Coalition. Professor to give lectures on Europe The St. Michael's College Adult Enrichment Series on Tuesday will present a lecture by political science professor George Olgyay, discussing the latest events in Central and Eastern Europe. Olgyay, who specializes in political philosophy and the study of the communist system, was born in Hungary. The lecture is from 10 a.m.

to 1:30 p.m. in the upper lounge of Alliot Hall. Registration is $10, including lunch. To reserve a seat, call 655-2000, ext. 2369.

The event is open to senior citizens and retirees. Democratic group elects chairmen Susan Wheeler and Richard Frothingham, both of Ward 4, have been elected co-chairmen of the Burlington Democrats Issues Group. Wheeler was re-elected, and Frothingham replaces Ion Laska-ris, who has been elected to the Board of Aldermen. Meetings are held monthly with a number of Burlington issues on the agenda. For information, call Wheeler at 864-6776 or Frothingham at 864-0607.

Libertarian Party convention slated George Mason University professor Walter Williams will speak April 7 at the Libertarian Party Vermont convention at the Burlington Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in South Burlington. Williams is the author of four books, including, "South Africa's War Against Capitalism." He also participated in numerous radio and television debates, including ABC-TV's "Nightline" and Cable News Network's "Larry King Show." Tickets for the 1 p.m. luncheon are $20. Tickets for the speech may be purchased only at the door at 1:30 p.m. for $10.

Student tickets are $5. For information, call Jackie Tidd at 879-9425. University, city to discuss pact At a forum next week, Mayor Peter Clavelle and University of Vermont interim President John W. Hennessey will discuss a recent agreement between the school and the city related to the school's expansion. The discussion, titled "A New Beginning," will explore the agreement's implications.

The forum will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Waterman Building on the UVM campus. The talk is sponsored by the newly formed Chittenden County Alumni Club of UVM. All UVM Chittenden County alumni are invited to attend. For information, call the UVM Alumni Office at 656-2010.

4 days had clear skies By Michael Tighe The Associated Press MONTPELIER Despite their initial complaints, attorneys and litigants are reluctantly accepting the Vermont Supreme Court's five-month ban on civil jury trials, court officials said Thursday. Superior Court clerks in Chittenden, Rutland, Washington and Windham counties said seven requests to override the ban have been filed. Five of those requests were denied; one was granted, and one is being decided. Despite the few attempts to skirt the ban, its effect is resonating throughout the court system, according to judges, lawyers, court officials and court clerks. During a typical six-month period, the state would have about 50 jury trials going to a verdict, Lee Suskin, director of trial court administration, said.

The state would call in 300 to 500 cases for jury selection in that period, he said. "I'm sure it's had a substantial impact on a number of litigants who would like to have their cases resolved, as well as a number of witnesses and everybody else involved in these cases," Suskin said. "For many people it is a serious problem. I would hope that there was no injustice being done." But Jerome O'Neill, president of the Vermont Trial Lawyers Association, said injustice was being done. The association has filed a lawsuit to overturn the ban, claiming that it violates Vermonters' constitutional rights to a speedy trial.

"It has a disruptive effect on people every day," O'Neill said. "They're out there suffering individually, and they certainly continue to." O'Neill said the people hurt 9 days had partly cloudy skies 1 5 days had cloudy skies Note: Temperatures are In Fahrenheit Source: National Weather Service Smith narrowly defeated Sanders for the House in 1988, receiving 41 percent of the vote. Sanders received 38 percent of the vote, and Poirier received 19 percent. Some of the Democrats endorsing Sanders, including Leahy and former Gov. Philip Hoff, said their endorsement hinged on no Democratic candidate entering the race and Sanders' willingness to stop bashing the party.

"Democrats are very free spirits. I think they are going to endorse whoever is worthy of endorsement," Gov. Madeleine M. Kunin said. "You're going to see a split in the Democratic Party between those people who lean toward the left and will go to Bernie, and the people who are the centrists who will support Peter Smith," Poirier said.

"Bernie has made his career 5 bashing Democrats. That is something I cannot put aside." Grimes said she chose to back Smith instead of "opting to go with someone they (Democrats) have to plead with to be nice to them. I don't have to plead with accept jury trials He also said the ban's effect would be felt long after it was lifted. "The attorneys that have jury cases are not giving attention to these files," Martin said. "It's an area of business that the attorneys are not addressing, because there's no push from the courts to do so." While the ban is in effect, courts throughout the state are diverting their attention to other cases, such as those concerning family matters.

"We just had to change gears," said Diane Lavallee, Chittenden County Superior Court Clerk. "We're not having a problem finding work." Gay Johnson, the Rutland County Superior Court Clerk, said courts might have trouble scheduling cases after the ban's end, because of summer vacations by judges, court staff and potential jurors. "July and August is not the best time of the year to concentrate on jury work," Johnson said. The Legislature is considering a budget adjustment act for the current fiscal year that would give the judiciary an extra $25,000. Suskin said that money' would pay for six-person civil jury trials to be conducted during May and June.

O'Neill opposed the plan because he said six-person juries were not representative. tertain any amendments that "went further" than those outlined by the Senate panel, which has spent the last month working on the changes. "Communities need to be able to develop their plans without the immediate pressure of losing funding," Kunin said. "If we expect towns to work together, then-we need to give them that time as well as the resources to do the job." Kunin denied the proposal simply delayed the effects of the law without substantially changing any of it. After five years, Kunin said she expected towns to have their plans approved or ready to be approved.

"My highest hope is that it won't be a problem in five years," she said. 865-8008 the Weekend section every Thursday in find out about all the concerts, plays, most by the ban were those whose cases involve critical monetary settlements, such as medical expenses and other debts. Civil cases typically involve divorces, property disputes, personal injury claims, malpractice suits and breaches of contract. Ironically, the association's challenge has been filed in the Vermont Supreme Court, where the directive for the moratorium was issued. The moratorium was imposed Jan.

22 because of cuts in the judiciary's budget. The courts were ordered by the state's government to make about $300,000 in cuts this fiscal year to help avert a state budget deficit. Suskin said the moratorium, which will last until the fiscal year ends June 30, is expected to save about $75,000. One condition of the ban allows litigants to' request an exemption. That request can be made to either the state's Superior Court judges or directly to Administrative Judge Stephen B.

Martin, who oversees the scheduling of jury trials in the state. Martin said Thursday that juries decide between 2 percent and 5 percent of the cases filed. The rest are settled out of court, typically when jury selection begins. "The importance of setting jury cases and jury hearings is to get the parties to come to terms and finally resolve the case," said Martin, who has granted one exemption and is considering another. "That's where the loss is." sideration in the Senate next week: Delaying for five years the requirement that towns that want to plan must submit their plans to a regional commission.

Giving conditional approval to towns in the planning process for five years and allowing them to collect state funds for planning. Streamlining the Act 250 process for towns that have Act 200-approved plans. Act 250 is the state's development-control law. Forming a study group to look at unresolved questions, such as the role of the regional commissions, who should sit on them and what powers they should have over local plans. The regional structure has been one of the most contested parts of the law.

Kunin said she would not en 33.0 14.0 18.1 Highest daily temperature was 48 on the 9th and 22nd. .2.82" .1.73" .5.18" .3.58" Lowest daily temperature was -6 on the 18th -47 .48 Most precipitation was .96 inches on the 15th-16th. Free Press NMODLEN LL hp LUB Kunin praises work on Act 200 THE WOOLEN MILL HEALTH CLUB OPEN HOUSE Saturday, March 24, Sunday, March 25 9:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M. A' Special Membership Rates A' 3 months $100 (save 3 5) 6 months 80 (save 60) 12 months $300 (save $100) never an initiation fee! 7k FREE A Workouts, Classes and Drawings Saturday March 24 Aerobics class (low) A.M. Aerobics class (med) P.M.

Sunday March 25 Aerobics class (medhigh) A.M. Aerobics class (med) P.M. Both Days Free use of pool, saunas, whirlpools and cardiovascular center. Free nautilus training by appointment only please. THE The Associated Press MONTPELIER Proposed changes to Vermont's growth-planning law on Thursday won enthusiastic backing from Gov.

Madeleine M. Kunin. "I think they strike precisely the right note," Kunin said Thursday. "I think what is needed is a back-to-basics approach." ii I praised the KUNIN work of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, but acknowledged that the proposal doesn't address every concern about Act 200, the growth-planning law. Among the changes up for con- owns a sign-building company, picked up the first installment of his prize Thursday.

The Holbrooks will get $161,000 annually for 20 years. His was one of three winning tickets in Saturday's Tri-State Megabucks, each worth $3.22 million. The $9.7 million jackpot was the largest in the history of the game, which covers New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont. No one has stepped forward with the winning ticket bought in Maine, lottery spokesman David Long said. Mr.

and Mrs. Keith Jones of Cornish, N.H., won with a ticket they purchased at the Charlestown, N.H., store. T'1' i N.H. family claims share of Megabucks Men's sauna and whirlpool not available for one week due to repairs. 20 West Canal Winooski, VT 655-2399 Coolers Freezers Icemakers Walk-ins Industrial Commercial Institutional NORTHEASTERN HEATING, VENTILATING, AIR CONDITIONING CORP.

CONCORD, N.H. When Bill Holbrook rewarded his son for helping him at work, he unknowingly laid the groundwork for a much bigger reward of his own a $3.2 million share of the Tri-State Megabucks jackpot. Holbrook said his son was helping him at work Friday by holding a ladder. As a reward, Holbrook bought him a candy bar at Store 24 in Salem. While there, they also bought two lottery tickets, and son Randy, 8, picked the numbers for one.

They turned out to be the winning combination of 1-3-13-14-16-19. Holbrook, 37, of Deny, who EVERY SUNDAY IN Wni J3urlirtston.f ree Press 863-3441 Comics Start your day with a smile Williston, VT Looking for something to do? Read The Burlington Free Press. You'll movies and other events. -f rfr fii i ftir.