Williston
ECRWSS PRSRT STD US Postage
PAID
Permit #15 Williston,VT 05495 POSTAL CUSTOMER
FEBRUARY 16, 2023
WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
WWW.WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM
‘Shooting ranges will close’ Gun club president wary of new firearms bill BY JASON STARR Observer staff
Shooting at the North Country Sportsman’s Club on Old Creamery Road is regulated by the Town of Williston’s noise ordinance. A new Senate bill could give towns more tools to limit use of the range. OBSERVER FILE PHOTO
The head of Williston’s North Country Sportsman’s Club is concerned that a bill just introduced into the Vermont State Senate could be used to regulate the nonprofit shooting range out of existence. S.57 is a short bill, barely over a page in length, but it would make a key change to the relationship between municipalities and sport shooting ranges, allowing towns to adopt ordinances to limit or reduce the discharge of firearms at
School district unveils new strategic plan
Draft document will be up for school board approval BY JASON STARR Observer staff
Throughout the course of this school year, Champlain Valley School District Superintendent Rene Sanchez has led an initiative to create a new strategic plan for the district in hopes the school board will approve it this spring. The plan was published in draft form in January and is set to be up for school board consideration in March. It follows months of online community forums, a district-wide
survey completed by about 400 people and help from a Vermont School Boards Association consultant. The draft plan identifies a new set of values, vision and mission for the district, as well as priorities and objectives. The draft can be viewed at www.cvsdvt.org. “We are focusing on the strategic plan to make sure all of our systems are functioning and that we are all pulling in the same direction. We are reviewing every aspect of who we are,” Sanchez explained when introducing the initiative during an online community forum in November.
Sale In-Store & LennyShoe.com
Rene Sanchez
In his second year as superintendent, Sanchez is ready to streamline the district’s current mission statement, which is more
than a decade old: “To develop citizens who think creatively and critically, live responsibly and respectfully, learn actively and collaboratively, contribute positively to their community and pursue excellence.” “That mission needs to be potentially updated,” he said. “It works out pretty well now. But we want to make sure, is that the way we are going to get to our ideal future?” The new draft mission statement is more concise: “Educate and equip all students with the skills and knowledge to successsee CVSD page 5
Winter Clearance Now In Progress
Savings for the whole family! Up to 30% off winter hats, gloves & flannel shirts Barre, Williston, St. Albans & Plattsburgh, NY Open M-F 10-6, Sat 10-5 Save on select items while supplies last.
50% OFF WINTER JACKETS “Ski coats.” Excludes bibs and ski pants.
25% OFF WINTER BOOTS
from The North Face, Baffin & Columbia
gun ranges. It was introduced by a group of Democratic senators and referred to the Senate Government Operations Committee. The bill would not allow municipalities to prohibit shooting, but Bob Otty, president of the North Country Sportsman’ Club on Old Creamery Road, said it would eventually lead to the closure of shooting ranges. Otty sent a letter — published in its entirety by the Vermont Daily Chronicle — to the bill’s sponsors explaining why. “I can tell you with certainty that ranges will close if this bill becomes law,” he wrote. “Shooting ranges are businesssee RANGES page 2
Champlain Valley School District CURRENT MISSION
“To develop citizens who think creatively and critically, live responsibly and respectfully, learn actively and collaboratively, contribute positively to their community and pursue excellence.” NEW MISSION (DRAFT)
“Educate and equip all students with the skills and knowledge to successfully navigate a complex world.”