Title win
Fungi fun
Boys’ lacrosse captures Division I championship
Mycology educators leads walk through town forest
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Page 6
June 20, 2024
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Weekly news coverage for Charlotte and Hinesburg
thecitizenvt.com
Charlotte employees mobilize for a union LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
“And as Drake said, when writing the story of your life, don’t let anyone else hold the pen.” McGrath was one of 330
After a turbulent budget season last year that left the town of Charlotte divided over employee health care costs and wages, Charlotte’s municipal employees are now looking to join a union. According to a petition from the Vermont Labor Relations Board that was discussed in executive session at last week’s board meeting, 10 town employees — library workers, the zoning administrator and town planner, assistant town clerk, and volunteer coordinator at the Charlotte Senior Center — are looking to be represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 93. According to the petition, AFSCME Council 93 is requesting an election by the Vermont Labor Board in Charlotte as a majority of the town’s employees had indicated their intent to join the union. Jim Durkin, director of legislation and political action at the council — which represents workers across New England — said that the entire process of joining a union, like anything else, typically
See GRADUATION on page 10
See UNION on page 4
PHOTO BY AL FREY
The Champlain Valley Union High School Class of 2024 assembles at Patrick Gym on the University of Vermont campus for its commencement on Friday.
Champlain Valley celebrates Class of 2024 LIBERTY DARR STAFF WRITER
Hundreds of people packed the University of Vermont’s Patrick Gym last week to send off Champlain Valley Union’s 2024 gradu-
ating class, but no graduation ceremony would be complete without a few tears and laughs, bagpipes, words of wisdom from the rapper Drake, and, of course, a harmonica serenade. “To the graduating class of
2024 and everyone who has come here to support us, let us celebrate our accomplishments, the small moments, good and bad, and look forward to the bright future,” graduating senior Clare Stackpole-McGrath said in her farewell speech.
A celebration of all things pink, just in time for the Summer season.
Live music • food specials • LOTS of rosé • pink drinks.
Wednesday June 26th 5-9pm
Wear pink and get access to a $5 glass of rosé! $1 per special glass of rosé will be donated to Dragonheart Vermont.