Robotics
Open studio
CVU engineering team expands to include more students
Artists, craftspeople throw open their doors to visitors
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September 22, 2022
POSTAL CUSTOMER
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Weekly news coverage for Charlotte and Hinesburg
Discrimination allegations embroil rescue, fire transition
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thecitizenvt.com
Dead Creek Wildlife Day
COREY MCDONALD STAFF WRITER
Allegations of sexual discrimination against the Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service’s former deputy chief have added controversy to the town’s push for a municipally operated fire and rescue department. Specifically, the accused former officer, Rob Mullin, wants to get paid to help with the transition. At its last meeting, the selectboard heard from Thomas Gates, a volunteer with the service who claimed it was common knowledge in the department that female employees “had been passed over for promotion” by Mullin, who had been terminated in April. In a story published earlier this month, The Charlotte News cited anonymous sources claiming a drop in the number of female employees and volunteers was due to sexual discrimination by Mullin, who passed over women with equal training credentials to their male coworkers. “I’ve been on Charlotte Fire and Rescue for four years, and I worked with Mr. Mullin at the Burlington Fire Department for a quarter of a century, so there is clearly no reason whatsoever that I’m vindictive. I’m not,” Gates, the only person to go on record in The Charlotte News story, said at the selectboard’s Sept. 8 meeting. “These are facts that took place, facts which can be verified. There are multiple witnesses.” See DISCRIMINATION on page 12
COURTESY PHOTO
Many of the activities at this year’s Oct. 1 Dead Creek Wildlife Day are tailored to children. See page 3 for more.
One apple at a time
Picking away across the Champlain Valley ABIGAIL CARROLL COMMUNITY NEWS SERVICE
Apple-picking season is back in Vermont, and orchards across the state are starting to come alive with visitors — and apples. The Citizen checked in with three
orchards across the Champlain Valley to see what their owners think about this year’s fall fun.
Yates Family Orchard, Hinesburg In the Hinesburg-Monkton area, Jessika Yates has been running Yates Family Orchard since 2008. She started out with
2 acres and now manages four times that amount. Yates thinks this season will be good for business. Her orchard boasts 28 kinds of apples that ripen throughout the fall. Jessika’s overall favorite? Northern Spy. See APPLES on page 8
HOWARD CENTER PRESENTS
Recognizing & Recovering from
BURNOUT with Dr. Alice Chen and Ferene Paris Meyer
Howard-Center-Burnout_BANG-strip-10.25x1.5in.indd 1
Oct. 12 6-8pm
802-488-6913 howardcenter.org
Free & Open to the Public
WITH SUPPORT FROM
9/19/22 2:12 PM