The Burlington Free Press from Burlington, Vermont • Page 15

3B Vermont Th BurfngKMjVt.) fr Pratt. WxWtdoy. taxuary 30, 1991 Wright tells Snelling his ideas on balancing budget tax plan, which he had wanted by aiarcn i. Meanwhile, Sen. Mary Just Skinner, D-Washington, the chairwoman of the Senate Finance Committee, has recommended an alternative to Snelling's tax plan to the Democratic caucus.

Skinner's proposal calls for a three-tiered state income tax, with the lowest at the current rate and the highest at 34 percent of the federal levy. Skinner's plan would raise the corporate tax, and a sales tax on telephone services that would raise about $13 million a year. Skinner said Democrats oppose Snelling's plan to increase and expand the sales tax. She said she wants to protect low- and middle-income taxpayers from across-the-board income tax increases. She asked the state Tax Department to produce figures for two plans: one that would raise the same amount as Snelling's income tax increases and another that would raise about $5 million more.

the income tax by one point to 29 percent of the federal levy, charging the wealthiest Vermonters more, and increasing the sales tax. But he said that raising some smaller taxes and continuing to rollover Medicaid funds would reduce the amount of a potential deficit In addition, he said, the state could continue to carry a small deficit into the next fiscal year. Gershaneck said Snelling conceded that the Legislature will need more time to come up with a Wright, who thinks Spelling's deficit projections are high, said he is opposed to any increase in the sales tax. House Democrats were briefed on an income tax plan that Wright said would be an alternative to increasing the sales tax from 4 percent to 5 percent The proposal would establish six levels of state income tax, which is figured as a percentage of the federal levy. Wright acknowledged that the Democratic plan wouldn't raise enough to make up for the money raised by Snelling's plan to raise Snelling and Wright met in the governor's Statehouse office for more than an hour.

"No options are foreclosed right now, and no option is favored," Glenn Gershaneck, Selling's press aide, said. "The governor said that they had agreed that a cooperative approach was necessary because of the magnitude of the problem." Snelling has proposed raising the state income and sales taxes to help offset what he predicts will be a $90 million deficit by the end of fiscal year 1992. Wetlands is found on planned jail site i si 4l.4it TT'" i in m- III 7 I i f. 1 I Ml What a dummy A mannequin in a shower has drivers and pedestrians doing double-takes as they go past Conant's Custom Brass on Pine Street in Burlington. A close look at the dummy shows her hair is caked with ice, but that's what she gets for showering outside.

Independent joins mayoral race By Susan Allen The Associated Press MONTPELIER State and federal officials are concerned about the discovery of several wetlands on the proposed site for a jail in Newport Carl Pagel, state wetlands coordinator with the Natural Resources Agency, said the wetlands appear to be along the road leading to the property which could affect the design of the drive up to the jail and on the hill above the road where the facility would be built. He said the agency found the wetlands during a visit to the site on a rainy day last fall. He said an independent consultant spent two weeks conducting a study of the site and will issue a report on the situation as early as next week. The study was requested by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pagel said.

A Corps spokeswoman in Essex Junction said Monday the Corps is awaiting the report and had no further information on the situation. Sen. Vincent Muzzi, R-Essex Orleans, chairman of the Senate Institutions Committee, said he is concerned about the discovery. "The question is: Can the project proceed without impacting on what is a wetland?" Illuzzi said. "It's a concern because we've got a situation where the governor is proposing to scrap the Windsor facility.

And now the only other one that has a green light from everyone involved is Newport, and that one may be in question," he Waste district hearing set for tonight The Chittenden Regional Solid Waste Management District will hold a public hearing tonight on its revised fiscal 1991 budget and the proposed fiscal 1992 budget. The proposed budget for next year stands at $3,103,345 compared to the revised 1991 budget of $2,168,187. It is more than three times the fiscal 1990 budget, which totaled less than $1 million $836,307. Some of the increases are in consultant and attorney fees and costs associated with operating the new household hazardous waste recycling facility in Burlington. The 1992 budget includes revenues of $1.6 million from bonds to be sold to pay for permitting costs for a new regional landfill.

District officials plan to ask voters in the 15-member communities to approve the bond issue later this year. The 1991 spending plan was revised upward to reflect a roughly $1.1 million increase in landfill planning costs. Those expenses were met with state planning funds. The hearing begins at 7 in the conference room of South Burlington City Hall. By Meg Dennlson The Associated Press MONTPELIER Republican Gov.

Richard A. Snelling and Democratic Bouse Speaker Ralph Wright had a cordial meeting Tuesday to discuss their differences over how to balance the state's budget The talk was good. We didn't get mad at each other," Wright told the Democratic caucus Tuesday afternoon. "The lines of communication are still open. We agreed that everything was on the table Morrisville family picks the winners The Associated Press MORRISVILLE An unplanned stop at a store, an inexplicable urge to buy a lottery ticket and a random number selection have earned a family $1.7 million in Tri-State Megabucks winnings.

The Gingras family won Saturday night's drawing by selecting all six of the winning numbers. The numbers drawn were 4, 8, 15, 22, 26 and 33. Cheryl Gingras buys about a half dozen lottery tickets a year. "There was no rhyme or reason," she said. "They are just numbers we picked out of the air." Gingras said the family had an ordinary Saturday night dinner.

Then she and her 7-year-old son went grocery shopping while her husband, Doug, stayed home with the couple's 11-year-old daughter. During an unplanned stop at Tomlinson's Store in Morrisville, Cheryl Gingras and her son decided to buy a Megabucks ticket "just for no reason at all." The duo then selected numbers that "came out of the air." Cheryl Gingras said her family will maintain their lifestyle. She works in a Stowe dental office, and her husband is a social studies teacher at Spaulding High School in Barre. "We've talked about it, and it's very important that we lead as normal a life as we did before," she said. The family decided to bank the prize money to help pay for the children's college education expenses, she added.

They have also decided to splurge and fly to Walt Disney World in Orlando, in April rather than drive down this summer as planned. While the family was still shaking off the feeling of disbelief Monday morning, Doug Gingras went back to work as usual. Cheryl Gingras, who has Mondays off, boarded a limousine, compliments of Tomlinson's Store, and headed for the lottery office in South Barre to claim the first of 20 annual prize payments. Gingras was driven home clutching a $68,000 check. The annual payment, before taxes, is $86,000.

More than $210,000 in lower-tier prizes were awarded. Essex woman hurt in highway crash A 27-year-old Essex Junction woman was treated for minor scrapes on her face and released from 'Central Vermont Hospital after a two-vehicle accident on Interstate 89 early Tuesday, a hospital spokeswoman said. Jennifer Brady, driving a BMW, collided with a tractor-trailer truck as it exited the Interstate at a weigh station north of the Waterbury exit at 7:30 a.m., a state police report said. Waterbury emergency crews used hydraulic rescue tools to extricate Brady from the car after the collision ripped the right side off the car, sending the vehicle spinning out of control off the Interstate, according to the report. The driver of the tractor-trailer, John W.

Eberling, 62, of Maryland, N.Y., was not injured, police said. Statehouse calendar TUESDAY House Passed M.21, on farmland use value appraisal and working farm tax abatement programs. Senate No action. TODAY House Scheduled to reconvene at 9:30 a.m. Senate Scheduled to reconvene at 1:30 p.m.

added. Illuzzi was referring to a' controversial state plan to build a jail in Windsor. That plan might be delayed while the state studies other options for housing its prisoners. Illuzzi said he hoped simple changes in the proposed design of the new facility at Newport would solve the problem. He said the state wanted construction to begin next fall.

"The reaction of the people from this part of the state is they want the facility built in Newport," Illuzzi said. "If there is a wetland problem, I'm hoping we can design around the problem." But Illuzzi added that he would not support any shortcuts in the environmental permitting process. "It's good for the state to go through what everybody else goes through," he said. Pagel noted that state lawmakers tightened Vermont's wetland laws last year, creating 10 criteria for determining the value of such property. The value of the wetlands found in Newport will be determined in part by those criteria.

State and the Corps' approval of the design is required. The proposal will be reviewed by the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pagel said. Newport City Manager Peter Robinson said he is not concerned about the discovery of wetlands on the property. He said he is confident, after talking with state officials, that the design plans can be altered to solve the problem.

Budget revisions Changes proposed Tuesday by the House Appropriations Committee in its review of the 1991 budget proposed by Gov. Richard A. Snelling: Emergency Board, reduce $50,000. State Information Systems (computing), reduce $41 1,000. Legislature, add $390,000 (restores two weeks of the session that Snelling proposed cutting).

Attorney general, reduce $6,103. Defender general, reduce $47,938. Uniform Laws commission membership, reduce $12,500. Secretary of state, reduce $35,000. Fire training, add $25,800.

Cracker Closeouts 99 each 400 Pine Street Burlington 863-3968 Open m. sat. El 8 KAREN PIKE. Free press Under Clavelle's administration, the city has pursued energy conservation, clean-up of Lake Champlain, citywide curbside recycling, transportation alternatives and a lined landfill in Colchester, the mayor said. Gregory attacked Clavelle's support for the widening of Main Street because of the environmental impacts of more pollution.

Gregory and Bedrosian oppose the widening project, which is under study by a task force Clavelle has appointed. Clavelle said he expects to receive the task force's recommendations within a month. Clavelle said he favors improvements to the street because it is one of the busiest, most congested streets in the state. "I continue to await the recommendations of the task force," Clavelle said. "The question is: What will be done to improve Main Street?" The city needs to strengthen its efforts to ensure affordable housing for needy and low-income residents, Gregory said.

But Clavelle said the city's affordable housing programs are "viewed as exemplary" across the nation. "If he's going to attack our record, I suggest he look for a weakness," Clavelle said. "I think affordable housing is one of the strengths of this administration." "If you have a two-year term, that means he is running for reelection almost from the time he is elected," Hoff said. In addition, Kunin said, the summer and fall of the first year are virtually the only time a governor has for comprehensive planning, Kunin said. "You have to act fast within the limited non-election period," she said.

"That's when we did Act 200. That's when we did state aid to education." Kunin said governors in states with longer terms have been able to govern more smoothly. "The governor is very visible, and accountable on a daily basis, especially in the state of Vermont. Think about how often you see your congressman and question him on a daily basis," Kunin said. sian, an 18-year-old high school senior, and Michael E.

Hackett, a candidate who has not won public office in 13 attempts, are challenging Clavelle. Hackett, who is running for a Ward 3 seat on the school board, could not be reached for comment Monday or Tuesday. Youth involvement is an important element of Bedrosian's campaign, but he has not issued many platform statements. Gregory has pledged to take a $25,000 pay cut if elected. Clavelle's salary is about $50,000 a sum Gregory said is "not in keeping with any real notion of public service." Clavelle said he does not think he is overpaid.

"It's an obvious gimmick," the mayor said of Gregory's pledge. "You get what you pay for," he said jokingly. Gregory charged that Burlington's environmental record is a disgrace a position with which Clavelle disagrees. Burlington should not "accept a local government that allows raw sewage to pour into the lake when it rains," Gregory said. Gregory suggested conducting Vermont-New York conference plan how to restore the lake's "pristine quality." Clavelle said Gregory has ignored the administration's environmental accomplishments and initiatives.

"This community has an' environmental record that is surpassed by few, if any, communities," the mayor said. By Ann E. Donlan Free Press Staff Writer A 27-year-old Burlington mayoral candidate has kicked off his campaign by criticizing incumbent Clavelle's spending habits. Daniel Gregory, an independent, announced his candidacy Monday. Gregory works at the Alpine Shop and at Pompanoosuc Mills in Burlington.

Gregory, who has called for a debate, said in a prepared statement that Burlington residents "simply can no longer afford Peter Clavelle." "The current administration has tinkered with plans to run gondolas to the Gaynes (Department Store) parking lot and pursued expensive land acquisitions on the waterfront at a time when 20,000 Vermonters find themselves out of work," Gregory said. Clavelle, who won his first term as an independent but is seeking his second as a member of the Progressive Coalition, said his financial record is strong. "There hasn't been a general property tax increase since I've been mayor, and I'm real proud of being able to keep property taxes down," he said. Clavelle has increased special property taxes, such as the police tax, that go into the city's property tax rate. Independents Haik J.

Bedro- Panel told to a to extend governor's term The two-year term instantly forces politicians to look at the two-year bottom Madeleine M. Kunin former governor By Meg Dennison The Associated Press MONTPELIER Vermont governors should be allowed four-year terms, two former chief executives told a Senate panel Tuesday. "The two-year term instantly forces politicians to look at the two-year bottom line," said Democrat Madeleine M. Kunin, who stepped down this month after three terms. The present system encourages a strong legislative branch and a weaker executive branch, Kunin told the Senate Government Operations Committee via telephone.

"The founding fathers probably wanted it that way," she conceded, but added that the practical result today is that governors, and voters, expect governors to serve two terms. Philip Hoff, who served as a Democratic governor for three terms in the 1960s and also was a state senator, told the committee the term should be longer because the governor's job is becoming increasingly complex. The panel is considering a con- 5,1 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30th DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS Children's Menu Always Available Soup and Sandwich Special Soup, Oriental Peanut Chicken wRice, Dessert Soup, Fried Scallops wMashed Potatoes, Dessert EVENING DINNER SPECIALS Includes Appetizer, Salad, Potato or Rice, Vegetable Chicken Margarita $10.95 Baked Haddock wLobster Sauce Prime Rib Au Jus M2.95 Gift Certificates Available Tonight in Patches Pub 9 p.m.-1:45 a.m. BIDDIE AND COMPANY Free Hors D'Oeuvres Williston So. Burlington AT THE CLOVERLEAF 863-6361 stitutional amendment that would extend the term to four years.

It is considering other measures, including giving the governor a line-item veto on the budget and limiting the number of terms a governor may serve. Republican Richard Snelling, who was governor for four terms before Kunin and has started his fifth term after reelection in November, thinks the four-year term is a good idea, his spokesman Glenn Gershaneck said. However, Gershaneck said Snelling is concerned about the governor's accountability and would not support the longer term unless at least some legislators were elected to four-year terms. Hoff and Kunin cited the pressures of campaigning as one reason for the four-year term. afflSfiBEseafe mmmzM0.