The Times Argus from Barre, Vermont • 7

THE TIMES ARGUS, BARRE-MONTPELIER, VT, SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1982 SEVEN ermont Gas Price War Is Boom To Motorists, Tourist Industry By MICHAEL WILSON Gas station attendants these days are spending nearly as much time lowering price figures on their signs as squeezing out gas at the pumps. Across the state, the combination of dropping prices and abundant supplies presents a situation unique since the Arab oil embargo of 1973-74. If the views of attendants and state officials are any indication, consumers can keep on smiling until midsummer as the. cost of filling up continues to fail. Gasoline prices have been rolled back to 1980 levels, and some station managers are privately predicting the cost of a gallon of regular will fall to about $1 by midsummer.

State officials see the trend as a contributor in what could be a record-breaking year for the tourist industry. A survey of stations in the Barre-Montpelier area suggests that a gallon of regular is averaging about $1.25. Unleaded is selling for 4-5 cents per gallon more. The stations show a range of about 10 cents in prices. Reports in the Springfield area suggest similar price levels.

In Rutland, low-price stations quoted figures of $1,219 for regular and $1,289 for unleaded. According to state Energy Office statistics, the last time gas was this cheap statewide was in 1980. Propelled by a worldwide oil glut, a chain of price cuts is finally reaching the pumps. Were beginning to realize a pass-through of whats happening at the wholesale end, from OPEC right to you and me at the pump, Roger P. Dumas, an official with the state Energy Office, said Friday.

According to Dumas, it takes a month or more for price decreases at the world level to be felt at the pump. Suppliers generally deplete high-priced inventories before making a change. Because the various oil companies and wholesalers have differing inventories, price breaks are unevenly transmitted to the stations. However, all stations feel the pinch of competition and some are dragged into the fray before their own costs fall. Whatever the pinch felt by stations, tourist officials are licking their chops at the thought of plentiful supplies and dollar-a-gallon gasoline.

Thats kind of like the frosting on the cake, commented Christopher G. Barbieri, executive director of the state Chamber of Commerce. Adding the fall in gasoline prices to the tourist industrys strong winter showing and the states promotional program, Barbieri predicted a very strong year which could turn out to be a record-breaker. Barbieri emphasized that falling prices are less important to the industry than stable prices and adequate gasoline supplies. "The price of fuel, he said, is not a significant factor in the overall cost of a vacation.

Early in the summer of 1979, a gas shortage dealt a blow to the industry from which it couldnt recover by years end. Dumas, a fuel management specialist for the Energy Office, would not speculate how low the cost of gasoline might go, but he said the outlook is good for failing prices to continue. Referring to the price of gasoline futures at the Port of New York, Dumas concluded, What it tells me is that supply appears to be good for sometime in the future and theyre (the traders are) bidding accordingly. More oil is being produced than is being consumed, causing oil stocks to soar. With that glut, Dumas said, the basic forces of supply and demand" are once again in control.

Dumas suggested that increased production from non-OPEC areas Alaska, Canada and the North Sea in particular have helped weaken the oil cartels lock on prices. Furthermore, conservation by consumers has contributed to the oil stocks. Weve got a good inventory situation, he observed, one of the best situations since the 1973-74 embargo. Dumas also credited President Reagan, who accelerated decontrol of oil prices early last year, for softening up the oil market. Although retail gasoline prices in Vermont soared in the first two months after deregulation, jumping to an average of $1,402 for regular and $1,448 for unleaded, they have been on the decline since that time.

Higher prices under deregulation spurred American production and conservation, Dumas said. Statewide gasoline prices for March have yet to be issued by the Energy Office. But Dumas expects them to be down significantly from the $1,362 and $1,412 levels registered for regular and unleaded in February. While Dumas was optimistic the price drops would continue, he also warned against predicting what actions OPEC nations might take in an attempt to end the glut. Back in 1979, consumers were jolted when the cost of a gallon of regular shot over a dollar, rising more than 30 cents in one year.

Two years later, consumers are likely to be elated at the prospects of dollar-a-gallon fuel. Roundup Formula Recall In Vermont Infant formula being distributed by the Vermont Health Department to some clients of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) food program is among formula that has been recalled by the federal government. A department spokesman said containers of the Nursoy brand infant formula were given to WIC recipients in all counties but Chittenden since Feb. 22. The problem with the formula is that it does not contain the vitamin B6, which is essential to health.

The government announced Wednesday a recall of the formula, which is manufactured by Wyeth Laboratories in Philadelphia. The formula has been distributed in 13-ounce cans of Nursoy concentrated liquid and 32-ounce cans of Nursoy ready-to-feed. It can be identified by single line codes on the ends of the cans. The suspect codes read A26M, B2M or B9M on the 13-ounce cans and A28M or B11M on the 32-ounce cans. Each code may be preceded by a number such as 1,2 or 3.

A typical can may read Nursoy Concentrate 2A26M. The department is locating all families who may have received the formula. Any WIC recipient who has a Nursoy container with the listed code numbers should contact his or her local district office of the Health Department. Any person who has bought a container of Nursoy with the code numbers should return it to the pharmacy or retail store where it was purchased. The absence of B6 in infants for more than a few weeks can cause serious health effects, such as irritability and in more serious cases, convulsions, the federal government warned.

Key Aide Quits Snelling Staff Beardsley Succeeds Parker WATERBURY Ken Squier, owner of radio station WDEV, announced Thursday that Thomas Beardsley has been named general manager of Radio Vermont Inc. The 30-year-old Beardsley, formerly program director, assumes the duties of the late Craig Rusty Parker, who died about a month ago several days after suffering a heart attack on the air. Beardsley has been with WDEV for 9 years. He will continue to broadcast the early morning program he inherited from Parker. Squiers said Beardsleys understanding of the operation will allow the staion to retain the flavor and texture of WDEV, which makes it unique in broadcasting.

Beardsley said he intends to make no programming changes yet, but that additional emphasis will be placed on the news and sports departments. Beardsley lives in Waterbury. United Press International R. Paul Wickes, a key aide to Gov. Richard Snelling, announced Friday he will resign from the administration this summer to join an Oklahoma City law firm.

Wickes, 33, will join the firm of Watson, McKenzie and Moricoli, which specializes in representing the oil and gas industry. He will follow former Deputy Attorney General Gregory McKenzie, who resigned last fall to join the law firm. Wickes was appointed tax commissioner during Snellings first term, in 1977 and 1978, and has been Snellings legal counsel since February, 1980. He came to Vermont in 1973 after graduating from Harvard Law School, and has also served as chairman of Burlingtons Church Street Marketplace District Commission which oversaw a $6.5 million reconstruction project in downtown Burlington. He has not set a specific date for leaving the administration, and no successor has been named.

Dentist Accused Of Tax Evasion BURLINGTON A Bennington dentist has been indicted on two counts of income tax evasion in U.S. District Court here by a federal grand jury, U.S. Attorney George Cook announced Thursday. Dr. William J.

Burnham, 48, is accused of reporting only $67,564 of taxable income in 1975 instead of $93,188.08, and only $57,134 of income in 1976 instead of $79,777. According to Cook, Burnham evaded paying a total of $23,590 in those two years. Each of the two counts is punishable by a maximum of five years imprisonment, a $10,000 fine or both. States Rights? Yes; City Rights? No Although Fridays moderate temperatures did not start the maple sap flowing everywhere In Vermont, some syrup makers reported noticable trickles. A few more warm days will almost certainly see the beginning of the season.

The sugarmaker who hung these buckets in Washington is ready for it when it comes. (Watkin photo) Judge Wants A Silent Press Bene fits Extended BOSTON The U.S. Department of Labor has added Vermont to a list of 22 states in which unemployed workers who have exhausted their regular weekly unemployment benefits can apply for extended benefits. According to Department of Labor Regional Information Director John Chavez, extended benefits are automatically triggered when the statewide insured unemployment rate reaches 5 percent. Chavez said extended benefits will continue to be paid at least 13 weeks in Vermont and perhaps longer.

With the addition of Vermont, extended benefits are now being paid in Puerto Rico and 23 states. Unemployment compensation is administered by the Unemployment Insurance Service of the U.S. Department of Labors Employment and Training By ANDREA HERZBERG United Press International A Superior Court judge presiding over the murder trial of 17-year-old Wade Willis of Morgan said Friday he will ask the news media not to report on jury selection until the entire panel is picked. Willis goes on trial Monday for first-degree murder. He is charged with beating his 15-year-old girlfriend and neighbor to death with a baseball bat and shovel because he thought she was pregnant with his child.

Defense lawyer Duncan Kilmartin has requested that the entire pool of potential jurors be sequestered until the jury is chosen so none will be prejudiced by media coverage of the selection process. "Of course that would be a Hemley, who represents the Rutland Herald, the Barre-Montpelier Times Argus and the Burlington Free Press, said his clients will oppose any move to bar the press from covering the jury selection. But Hemley noted the judge had not threatened to do so. Rutland Herald Publisher Robert Mitchell said he was opposed to any agreement to hold publication of stories about the jury selection. We just dont think it would be a good precedent to set, Mitchell said.

Should the media refuse to agree, Morse said he has not yet decided what action he will take. His options, he said, would include denying the defense motion to sequester the panel and barring news tremendous expense, said Judge James Morse, adding that if he granted the defense motion the state would have to pay motel. bills for between 85 and 100 people. The judge said he decided he would ask the news organizations planning coverage of the trial to hold stories and broadcasts about the selection process until it was over, a request that has spurred three Vermont newspapers to hire a lawyer to represent them in Morses court Monday. Morse said he was just wondering if the media would agree to his request voluntarily.

It wasnt an order. It was just a suggestion. Burlington lawyer Robert Vermont Press Bureau Gov. Richard A. Snelling claimed Thursday his recent opposition to the idea of Burlington enacting a local rooms and meals tax in no way represented a conflict between his concepts of federalism and localism.

The governor has been a leading advocate of the "federalism philosophy of returning to states home rule control over services and programs. But recently he has fought the Burlington tax proposal that has been advocated by Burlington Mayor Bernard Sanders with much of the same "home rule gusto. At a press conference Thursday, the governor defended his stance, claiming he was very strongly in favor of the state negotiating with towns the proper assignment of responsibilites. But he couldnt advocate allowing towns to usurp broad-based taxing powers on which the state itself relies. The governor noted that Vermont ranks fourth highest in the nation in the percentage of tax money raised by the state that goes into support for local services.

He suggested the states ability to provide that support would be seriously eroded if communities were allowed to levy their own broad-based taxes. He also noted if the state is responsble for equalizing tax burdens among communities in providing such support as educational aid. then we have to have access to broad-based IN MEMORIAM In Loving Memory of AimeCoupal Who passed away on March 6, 1981 No one knows the silent heartaches, Only those who have loved can tell The grief we bear In silence For the one we loved so well. Lovingly Remembered by Wife, Daughter Panel Kills Local Power Bill Vermont Press Bureau The House Commerce Committee has rejected a proposal that backers of the West River hydro project believe is crucial to their plans. On a 9-2 vote, the Commerce Committee rejected a Senate bill to allow all municipal associations the right to use the distribution system of private utilities.

The measure would allow a newly-formed municipal electric system to use the lines owned by the private system serving that area without going through condemnation procedures. Representatives of the West River Basin Energy Committee have been lobbying hard for the measure, but the Commerce Committee has killed several similar measures in the past. The Senate passed the measure last year on a voice vote, and no senators voiced objection to it when the vote was called. Wednesday, the West River project backers began distribution of a letter urging all lawmakers to support the measure. In the letter, Herbert Schachinger, the chairman of the West River energy committee, said the measure is vital not only to our West River towns, but to all other municipal associations and to independent generators of electric power.

Schachinger said the municipals and independent geneartors are willing to pay for the right to use the private utility lines, and he pointed out that towns and private landowners have donated rights of way to private utilities. He said the issue is one of local control. coverage of the jury selection. "Thats a pretty extreme measure, he added, There would have to be a showing that there would be a danger that we would not get an impartial jury and that the danger outweighed the press right to be there. Morse has twice rejected plea bargain agreements reached by the defense and Orleans County States Attorney Philip White.

The lawyers say Willis agreed to plead guilty to the first-degree murder last May of Terri Lynne Weed in exchange for a zero to 25-year sentence. But Morse said he could not accept the zero minimum sentence because Willis would be eligible for immediate parole. parental liability for the crimes of children. H.518 Would limit the ability to subpoena legislative employees. H.637 Would allow the public safety commissioner to deny permits for large public assemblies.

Killed H.242 Would prohibit the use of corporal punishment in schools. H.472 Would reinstitute the death penalty. LODGES AND CLUBS WILLIAMSTOWN Summit Lodge 104 4 A Annual Communications Election of Officers, Wednesday, March 10,8 p.m. Legislative Log Obituaries taxes. The Vermont House recently handed Burlington a major victory in refusing to amend the citys charter to exclude the right to levy a local meals and rooms tax.

Snelling, however, stuck by a contention Thursday that Burlingtons charter, as is, does not specifically allow the city that taxing right now. He said no town he is aware of has the specific power through charter to levy these taxes, and suggested if Burlington or any other community attempts to create a broad-based local tax, the issue will be challenged in court. Democratic Forum The Montpelier City Democratic Committee will present a public forum at 7:30 p.m. March 11 in the Memorial Room of Montpelier City Hall with Rep. Peter Giuliani, Rep.

John Corskie and Rep. E. Patrick Clifford giving their views of the current legislative session and answering questions from constituents. ROAST BEEF SUPPER Saturday, Mar. 6 DANCE 9 'TIL 1 New England Express V.F.W.

POST 792 MONTPELIER $5.00 Per Person Members 8. Legal Guests 'BREAKFAST SPECIALS 2 Eggs, Ham, Sausage or Bacon, Toast, Jelly or Peanut Butter 1.50 Breakfast Special Served tillll Mon-Sat. 'til 12 Noon Sunday OPEN DAM Y7AM-9PM SOUP GREENS HAHDV HOMEMADE FCX Grand Union Shopping piaj Barre, Vt. CAergy Opposes Death Penalty United Press International A group of church leaders is opposing a bill to allow the death penalty to be imposed in Vermont under certain circumstances. "The state of Vermont should not be in the business of willfully taking human life.

Such a final act may be mistaken, and from that there is no second chance, said a letter the clergy sent lawmakers. The bill, overwhelmingly rejected by the House Judiciary Committee last week, is expected to come up for debate by the full House. The measure would make the death penalty mandatory for persons convicted of two unrelated first-degree murders. Representatives of the Vermont Ecumenical Council, the State Conference of the United Church of Christ and the states Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopalian and Roman Catholic communities signed the letter urging its defeat. March 5, 1982 SENATE Passed JRS.56 A resolution urging changes to Vermont bar examination procedures.

S.30 Deals with electric utility service areas. Advanced S.53 Places restrictions on abortions. THE HOUSE Passed H.652 Would allow the defender general to enter into contracts with assigned counsel. H.713 Would change employment training regulations. Advanced H.85 Would increase BARRE LODGES 4 CLUBS National Council Seniors card party, Sunday, March 7, at 2 p.m.

Washington Apartments Clubrooms. Members and guests. Refreshments. y.f.w. Pon am Montpelier, VT DANCE SATURDAY t-1 Music By "Linda And The Lost Highway" Memberv Legal Guests Rodney W.

Brown Rodney W. Brown, age 43, of Dayton, Ohio, died Friday at St. Elizabeths Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio. He was employed by B.D.M. as an engineer, He is survived by two daughters, Lorain and Susan, and one son, Larry, all at home; his parents, Mr.

and Mrs. Stanley Brown, Montpelier; three sisters, Mrs. Beverly Keith, Tempe, Arizona, Mrs. Dennis (Linda) Williams, Napa, and Mrs. David (Judy) Stacey, Montpelier; his grandmother, Mrs.

Ethel Lewis of Vermont. The funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, at the Schlientz 4 Moore Funeral Home, Centerville Chapel, 820 West Centerville Ohio. Dr. Allen Foster will officiate.

The family will receive friends from 2:30 p.m., Sunday until time of service. SKYVIEW CASINO Williamstown MARCH 6 9-1 "HEADWAY" Picture ID' i Required B.Y.O.B.No Kegs Tel. 476-8570 or 433-8303 l.iarvstioni H.ld Until til Louis R. Duprey Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. March 8 for Louis R.

Duprey, 44, of 70 Highgate Apartments, Barre, who died at Central Vermont Hospital in Berlin Friday following a heart attack. Duprey was born in Nor-thfield Aug. 21, 1937, the son of Ernest Duprey and Chrissie Dupree. He had been employed by the TLC Oil Company in Hartford, and moved with his family to Barre in May, He is survived by his widow, Marion Abare Duprey; six children, Debbie DeForge, Michael, Clifford and Tammy Duprey, all of Barre, Robin Young of East Windsor, and Louis Duprey Jr. of Norwich, Conn; four grandchildren, Jamie and Tanya Mae DeForge, both of Bhrre, and Sue Ann and Sherry Young, both of East Windsor, four brothers, Ernest of St.

Albans, Oliver of North Wolcott, Francis of Graniteville and Eddie of Barre, and a sister, Arlene, of Springfield, Mass. He was a member of the Rock of Ages bowling team and was on the Friday Night Mix-Up, a local bowling league. Visiting hours will be from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. March 7 at the Pruneau-Polli Funeral Home, 58 Summer Barre.

The Lobster Pot Restaurant A Montpelier tradition. Ideal for casual dining or gala parties. Famous for its delicious seafood menu as well as all your favorite dishes. Plus a unique salad boat filled with over 32 items from which to choose. Burlington Vote Set March 23 BURLINGTON (UPI) The political balance of power in Vermonts largest city will be decided in a special run-off election set for March 23.

Races for two seats on the Board of Aldermen ended inconclusively Tuesday night when no candidates received the 40 percent of the vote needed. Supporters of socialist Mayor Bernard Sanders picked up three seats at City Meeting, giving them a total of five on the 13-member panel. The Republicans have four seats and the Democrats, who dominated Burlington politics for decades, retained only two. MAIN MONTPELIER 223-3961 i i i.