The Brattleboro Reformer from Brattleboro, Vermont • 1

SPORTS Hyundai 2008 al 1 Celebration time Rallv planned for Celtics fans in "City of Champions PAGE 13 Wall Eaulttea N.I StrWtal ARTS ENTERTAINMENT COUNTRY HYUriDRI I MM 1 Qmnnfirid hit Off HI 14,31 7743 1 32 INSIDE TODAY Irattteboro Mormer 60 cents Thursday, June 1 9, 2008 Brattfeboro, Vermont www.reformer.com 20 pages Volume 96, No. 94 2008 New England Newspapers Inc. Douglas kicks off re-election Gov. James Douglas speaks with Jennifer Rosa of New-fane at the Top of the Hill Grill on Putney Road in Brattleboro, Wednesday. Zachary P.

Stephens Related story, P. 3 By CHRIS GAROFOLO Reformer Stall BRATTLEBORO Although Gov. James Douglas has had success in his gubernatorial campaigns since 2002, he has not been able to pull off a victory in Windham County in the previous three elections. Attempting to break his streak of bad luck in the bluest corner of the state, Douglas stumped in Brattleboro Wednesday afternoon as part of his "Every County Counts" tour, stopping for lunch at Top of the Hill Grill on Putney Road. Douglas said he plans to Each Vermonter has concerns or challenges to face and the current administration can best translate those concerns into action, he said.

"1 believe that every county counts and every voice must be heard as we work to ensure that all Vermont families prosper by growing a stronger and more innovative economy, reducing energy and health care costs and restraining the tax burden," he said in a statement during his re-election drive. During the campaign stop, he spoke See DOUGLAS, Page 6 capture the Democratic stronghold by highlighting the accomplishments during his tenure in office, specifying his commitment to downsizing the state government, putting a hold on tax increases and setting forth the E-State Initiative. The governor also plans to reach out to all Windham County voters with a common sense approach to all ends of the political spectrum. "It's important to recognize everyone in Vermont has a voice," said Douglas. Upper body strength Parking rates set to go up Armed thief eludes police Suspect robbed store, stole gas, 2 vehicles By NICOLE ORNE Reformer Staff BRATTLEBORO Police are still looking for a man who allegedly robbed a store at gunpoint, drove off without paying for gas, stole two cars and led officers on a lengthy chase throughout two states Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

The suspect is described as roughly 5'9" with brown hair in a crew cut and brown eyes, wearing a sweatshirt. According to Vermont State Police, a man -robbed-the Neighbor Mobil on Route 30 in Dum-merston at about 8:11 p.m. Tuesday with a handgun. It is unclear what was stolen at this time, but no one was harmed, police said. Representatives from the gas station could not comment Wednesday.

Vermont State Police Detective Sgt. Richard Holden said it did not Zachary P. StephensReformer Alicia Brelsford Dana rides her handcycle on Tavern Hill Road in Putney, Wednesday afternoon. Recapturing a dream Local woman tries out for Paralympics Cycling Team appear the man made any threats to use the gun, but brandished it during the robbery. The suspect reportedly fled in a Chevrolet Silverado dual wheel pick-up dump truck reportedly stolen from Cheshire, Conn.

New Hampshire State Police Capt. Russell Conte said it is unclear at this time when the truck was stolen or under what circumstances. The suspect then drove to Mort's Trading Post on Route 9 in Chesterfield, N.H., Anyone with information or who sees someone meeting the description of the suspect is advised to use extreme caution and notify the Vermont State Police at 802-257-7101 or the New Hampshire Slate Police at 603-271-3636 inimediatelv. By BOB AUDETTE Reformer Staff BRATTLEBORO A $90,000 deficit in the town's parking budget could turn into a $7,000 surplus by the end of the next fiscal year, which starts July 1. Any turnaround in the enterprise fund would be due to an increase in parking fees, which the Selectboard approved at its Tuesday night meeting.

The parking budget is an enterprise fund, meaning there is no impact on the town's taxpayers because it receives its operating budget through fees. The new rates will take effect starting July 11. The reason the parking budget is running a deficit this year is because of snow plowing, a result of the Vermont's third snowiest winter on record. It cost the town $75,000 last winter to plow out its parking lots, said Rebecca Gagnon, bus coordinator. On-street meters will cost a penny a minute when the new rates take effect.

That means 30 minutes will cost 30 cents now. Previously, that rate was 25 cents. The cost at the town's 10-hour meters will go up to one half cent per minute. One hour of meter time will now cost 30 cents at those meters. At the High-Grove, Elm and Depot streets parking meters, 60 minutes will cost 30 cents, up from 25 cents for 75 minutes.

At those lots, 10 cents will now only buy 20 minutes of parking time, down from 30 minutes and 5 cents will get 10 minutes, down from 15 minutes. Parking fees at the town's Pay and Display lots will also be going up. At Harmony Lot, 60 minutes will cost 60 cents, 10 cents will buy 10 minutes and a nickel will now only buy 5 minutes. At the 10-hour meters in the High-Grove Lot and the Brattleboro Transportation Center, 25 cents will buy 50 minutes, 10 cents will buy 20 minutes and 5 cents will get 10. At the Preston Lot, 60 minutes will cost 60 cents, 10 cents will get you 10 minutes and 5 cents will get you 5 minutes.

There will be no changes to the 10-hour See PARKING, Page 6 She won a spot on the national team, beat the reigning female champion and placed fourth in the world championship in Germany. In 2002, she became pregnant and for the past five years Jias raised her daughter Willa in their home in Putney. See CYCLING, Page 6 By HOWARD WEISS-TISMAN Reformer Staff PUTNEY Alicia Brelsford Dana is ready to race again. Before she fell 40 feet out of a tree and broke her back in 1986, Brelsford Dana passionately competed in bicycle competitions. She won national races, and at the time of the accident at age 17, was just entering her prime as a racer.

The fall paralyzed her instantly from the waist down. And for a few years cycling became one of the many things she looked back on as something she did before the fall. She discovered handcycling in the mid-1990s, when the sport was in its infancy and technology was just starting to develop sleek, fast cycles for disabled athletes who could power the machines with their upper bodies. police said, where he allegedly drove off without paying for roughly $90 in gas. "That could be enough for a full tank, but at $4 plus a gallon, who knows?" Conte said.

"I think the intention was to get far enough away, but who knows?" Police said the suspect then allegedly robbed at gunpoint the Big Discount Store on Route 78 in Winchester, N.H., at about 9 p.m., getting away with cartons of cigarettes. The truck was soon located by Bernardston, where it was involved in a chase up and down Interstate 91, crossing back into New Hampshire on Route 10 up to the entrance of Pis-gah State Park, where the driver reportedly See ARMED, Page 6 3eW jj -v. Blikulv Home sales slow, but prices remain stable in town Index Trinkley, of Berkley and Veller, because owning property in the Green Mountain State has a certain cachet. That sentiment was echoed by Susan Bellville, of Coldwell Banker Bellville Realty. "Vermont has always been a destination for people who are making lifestyle choices from cities and more congested areas," she said.

See HOME, Page 6 away with 100 percent mortgages and adjustable rate mortgages like in other parts of the country." Foreclosure rates in Vermont aren't even coming to close to those rates around the United States, he added. "Vermont continues to be a very attractive place to buy," said Jerard. A pair of local real estate brokers agreed with Jerard. Vermont may be weathering the storm better than other states, said Marcia borhoods. Most recently, appraisers have been visiting properties in the Greenleaf, Green Meadows and Country Hill neighborhoods.

Those appraisers are expected to be moving on to South Street and Bonnyvale Road soon, said Jerard. "Values have been holding pretty well," he said, at 10 to 30 percent over the values assessed in 2005. "It's maybe a positive comment on the mortgage lending practices in Vermont. We don't get as carried By BOB AUDETTE Reformer Staff BRATTLEBORO Sales for homes in Windham County may be down, but the value of those homes is not dropping, said Brattleboro 's lister "Volume is down significantly from a year or two ago," said Al Jerard. "But we're not seeing a decline in prices." Jerard and his staff are conducting a townwide reappraisal, starting with the Carriage Hill and Sherwood Circle neigh Calendar Page 10 Classifieds Page 16 Comics Page 18 Lotteries Page 2 Meetings Page 10 Obituaries Page 12 Opinion Page 4 Sports Page 13 Weather Page 20 Calendar, Meetings Notices should be emailed to: calendarreformer.com Brattleboro Reformer WEEKEND CUSTODIAN WANTED Building maintenance and housekeepeig duties.

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