Rutland Daily Herald from Rutland, Vermont • 8

Rutland Daily Herald Rutland Region Saturday, January 16, 1999 12 Street Talk Rachel E. Klein Whats the best and worst thing about winter in Vermont? A- I like the snow, but I hate the below-zero temperatures. Michele Reed Rutland A passenger carrying his bag onto the Ethan Allen Express dining car takes a long step from the platform to the train. The platforms design left it 18 inches from the rails, an issue that will be fixed this spring. The Express Still Has A Few Bugs A.

I enjoy a lot of snow along with the winter sports, but winter tends to be a little too long. Susan Maravalli Rutland Town Sleet, Slop, Slush Things Get Messy As Weather Warms By RACHEL E. KLEIN and JOHN DOLAN Herald Staff The snow that returned Friday night may actually have been welcomed by a lot of people after the sleet and freezing rain that made life a slippery, splashing adventure during the day. Officials from the National Weather Service had predicted up to a foot of snow in the county by FViday morning. But warm winds from the Southeast pushed temperatures well above the freezing mark, surprising forecasters and allowing some state and municipal plow truck drivers a few hours to grab some sleep.

Although county schools were closed and some Rutland City businesses sent employees home early, it was by no means a day of rest for everyone. During the day, employees at the citys Department of Public Works fought overflowing catch-basins and flooding all over the city. Warren Conner, the citys DPW com-, missioner, said the heavy rain was a problem for the roads and his workers, It wasnt easy today, he said. They were out the night before with the storm so they were tired. The rain didnt help any.

We probably would have been better off if there was snow. Conner said there were no major flooding problems anywhere in the city, just a mess of flooded streets. The city had compiled a list of more than. 30 trouble spots at one point Friday afternoon. If the water doesnt drain downtown, it will all be an ice rink, said Rutland Mayor Jeffrey Wennberg.

No roads in the city were closed, and Vermont State Police at Rutland reported no roads were closed any- where in the county. Along with the floods, roads remained slick with ice throughout the day because temperatures lingered around 32 degrees. An icy driveway caused a bit of calamity for the citys Fire Department. After responding to a call just past 2 p.m. on Dorr Drive, the fire truck slid down the driveway while trying to get to a smoke-filled house with a malfunctioning furnace.

We went to an oil-burner, said Assistant Chief Gerald Lancour. We went up the driveway and it was glare ice and we slid right down Later Friday afternoon and the evening, however, slush that accumulated during the day caused dangerous road conditions for commuters as temperatures dropped. A two-car accident involving seven people on Route 7 north of Sawdis Steak and Seafood in Pittsford caused no serious injuries, police said, but destroyed a 1998 Dodge Daytona after it crossed the centerline of the road. At the Rutland State Airport in North Clarendon, manager Tom Trudeau said all three of Friday mornings arrivals wore cancelled. Those flights were to come from Boston as well as Hyannis and Augusta, Maine, where airports were shut down, although Boston was back in action by the afternoon.

Vermont Transit reported Friday evening that nearly every route in Vermont was canceled through the day except for the planned 9:15 p.m. arrival from Boston, which was still scheduled to run. Its pretty much our only bus today, said a spokeswoman in Rutland. Planes and automobiles were hampered Friday, and so were trains. Things are running slow and late, said Jerry Hebda, vice president ofVer-mont Railway.

He said switches were snowed in, crossings were frozen and train delays in Buffalo didnt help. By ALAN J. KEAYS Herald Staff Rutland City is getting closer to finishing its new downtown Am trak train station, and it hopes that when the doors open next month someone will be there to bring the bags in. Meanwhile, an engineering glitch that left 18 inches between the platform and the passenger cars wont be fixed until spring when the tracks can moved closer to the station. In the meantime, a stool will bridge the gap.

Currently, passengers who take the Ethan Allen Express have to take their luggage with them onto the train even though for the past several months the train has been pulling a large car reserved for baggage. The problem is that since Am trak service started running between Rutland and New York City, there has never been a system for checking luggage onto the train. Amtrak requires that only company personnel can handle luggage and put it in its baggage cars. There has never been an Amtrak attendant in Rutland. At one time, the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce even offered to pay for somebody to take the luggage in and out of the baggage car, only to be told that because of union rules only Amtrak personnel could perform that task.

We didnt want people to have to worry about lugging baggage with them onto the train, Thomas Donahue, chamber executive vice president, said Thursday. Tf great to have it (the baggage car) for the skis and bikes, but its still not as convenient as it can be. The policy is not unique to Rutland, Amtrak spokesman Rick Remington said. Many stops that are not staffed by Amtrak personnel require passengers to take their luggage on the train with them. The policy is that the baggage car is fully accessible for skis, snowboards and bikes, A.

I like the snow and hockey, but I dont like the very cold weather. Tamara Maravalli Rutland Town The Amtrak baggage car is empty, because its not being used. It wont be filled with luggage, skis, or bicycles until a baggage check-in system is in place and a person is hired. when the train pulls in and departs, its still not a guarantee that a baggage system will be in place when the station doors open. Thats our intent, said Karen Songhurst, state rail services administrator.

She added that the state jumped at the chance to get the baggage car even though there was no attendant yet in place. If the state passed up the opportunity it might have been quite a while before there was another chance to get one, she said. Also, she said, even though the baggage car doesnt handle luggage, its a lot more convenient now for skiers and bikers making the trip between New York and Rutland. Remington said of the Ethan Allen Express. Since Rutland is one of our unstaffed stations, thats the only exception we can make and that was done to make the service more marketable.

Amtrak, city and state officials are involved in negotiations over the staffing of the Rutland station once it opens. The facility is expected to open by mid-February in time for the busy Presidents Day ski weekend. Typically, the train sees an increase of New Yorkers headed up to Vermont ski resorts over the holiday. While all parties say they want to have Amtrak staff the station, at least around the time A. Best would be the skiing and worst would be car trouble.

Robert Pearo Rutland Thayer Makes It Three in Mayoral Race By ALAN J. KEAYS make city schools safe. region will get much support in Montpelier. A. The thing I like best about the winter is sitting in front of the fireplace; the worst is driving.

Randy Shutter Castleton He even had some words for Gov. Howard Dean. I call on the governor and the state Legislature to appropriate $5 million for the Rutland region, he said, so the regions leaders can come together and actively and aggressively recruit good-paying, environmentally sound industries and small businesses. Thayer joins two other announced candidates, Alderman Kevin Jones and John Cas-sarino, president of the Board of Aldermen, in the mayoral race. Alderman Barry Beauchamp promises to make it a four-way race.

He filed nominating papers with the eity clerks office Friday afternoon and is expected to officially announce his campaign next week. The crowded field is seeking to fill the post that will be vacated by Mayor Jeffrey Wennberg, who decided against seeking a seventh term. At least two of the candidates didnt think Thayers proposal of landing $5 million from the state to promote business in the Rutland Its a nice idea, Beauchamp said FViday night. But in all likelihood its not going to happen. Cassarino agreed.

I dont want to be negative, Cassarino said Friday night. But I dont think its going to happen. Jones could not reached Friday night for comment. Thayer defended the proposal. I think its likely to happen if we actively go after it, he said.

We have dire transportation needs and I dont hear anyone else talking about it. Thayer also came out in opposition to a recent bond proposal in the city to move the police department into a new home and repair City Hall. City leaders are currently debating bonding $1.9 million to move the police department into a Wales Street building and another $1.2 million to renovate City Hall. I dont have any opposition to it other than city taxpayers are strapped, he said. Herald Staff Rutland City now has a three-way race for mayor as the citys Republican chairman officially jumped into the campaign Friday.

City GOP chairman Gregory Thayer made his announcement at his River Street home in front of about 10 supporters and family members. He delivered his speech in the comer of family room while standing in front of a banner reading, Greg Thayer for Mayor, Common Sense Leadership with a Specific Vision. Today, I apply for a new job "Thayer said. A mayor that will positively move our community forward and into the 21st century. Thayer listed Mike Tiraboschi as his fiscal agent.

Throughout his speech, Thayer touched on several issues typically considered outside the realm of city government. He called on the state leaders to reduce the state income tax and said that, if elected, he would work to GET THE FACTS GET THE FACTS GET THE FACTS GET THE FACTS GODNICK'S a 0 undent UFFFT BRUNCH Winter Heat Served Every Sunday 1 OAM -2 PM outl (niou: Complete SalaaBar Fresh Fruit Homemade Pastry Chilled Juices Sausage Bacon Homefried Potatoes Eggs Benedict Fresh Seafood London Broil Grilled Chicken Fresh Pasta Omelets Eggs Cooked to Order Hand Carved Roast Beef, Ham Turkey Complete Dessert Station. At Godnicks, youll always get a great mattress value. Our Englander mattresses give you so much more quality, comfort and support for your money. Come 778-7000 OVJ JHi 130 S13VJ 3 Hi 139 S13VJ 3H1 130 S13V1 3H1 130 huge selection in 18kt from $235 compAtt Von Barrens Rt.

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