150-Million Settlement Is Reached
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Sneak preview Expert at Highland questions value Center. of EB-5. 1B 19 the Chronicle THE WEEKLY JOURNAL OF ORLEANS COUNTY TWO SECTIONS, 48 PAGES VOLUME 44, NUMBER 16 APRIL 19, 2017 ONE DOLLAR EB-5 $150-million Easter fire ruins Brighton home settlement is reached by Joseph Gresser A year and a day after the federal and state governments filed civil charges connected with Jay Peak’s EB-5 projects, the receiver in the case announced a settlement intended to pay money owed to contractors and return the money invested in some failed enterprises. Michael Goldberg, who was appointed to oversee businesses and other assets owned by Ariel Quiros, appeared at a press conference April 13 in Montpelier with Governor Phil Scott to announce an agreement with Raymond James & Associates, Inc., that could be worth as much as $150-million. The same day, Raymond James posted the text of the settlement reached with Mr. Goldberg in a filing with the SEC. As a publically traded company, the financial services firm is required to Mark and Sharon (Campbell) Biron were in bed Sunday night when Ms. Biron heard what sounded like raindrops disclose events, such as legal settlements, that on the ceiling. The odd noise turned out to be the opposite — fire. The couple unsuccessfully tried to fight what might have started as a chimney fire with a hose and fire extinguishers before realizing how serious it was and may affect its business prospects. calling the fire department. Ms. Biron said the couple lost everything, including valuable books and research Although it agreed to pay, Raymond James papers. For Ms. Biron’s account of the fire, please see page twenty-five. (Continued on page seventeen.) Photo courtesy of Sharon Biron Four vie for at large seat on VEC board by Tena Starr meaning a balance between his decades of Mexico University. experience in the utility industry and the maybe Mr. Bailey is now retired. He’s been Four candidates are running this year for the more limited experience of newer members. president of the co-op for nine years but in a East Zone director at large for the Vermont Mr. Bailey has spent more than 30 years phone interview said that he wants to remain a Electric Cooperative’s (VEC) board of directors. working in the electric utility industry. director and “offer my experience to try to keep That huge zone, which covers about half of VEC’s In a bio posted on VEC’s website, he says his rates and expenses low.” service area, runs from Albany in Orleans County main area of expertise is controlling electric One of the biggest challenges for Vermont to much of Essex County, as well as parts of utility operating and construction costs as well as Electric, and other utilities, at the moment is net Caledonia County. purchasing wholesale electric power in the New metering and integrating renewables into the England and Quebec markets. grid, he said. Tom Bailey He says he has a bachelor of science degree VEC has been through a lot, but is currently Twelve-year incumbent Tom Bailey said he from Clarkson University in engineering and in good shape, Mr. Bailey said. sees himself as providing balance on the board, management and an MBA from Eastern New (Continued on page sixteen.) Local schools vandalized Orleans students learn Two area schools, Glover and not specify what the damage was. Brighton, were vandalized in Evidence was found at the separate incidents on Sunday and scene, police said. how to make a difference Monday, State Police reported. On Monday morning, staff at the by Elizabeth Trail prepare a presentation, and do a At 8 a.m. on Sunday, April 16, Glover Community School reported project under the supervision of a the State Police responded to that someone had used a handicap ORLEANS — How do ordinary mentor. reports of a burglary at Brighton parking sign to break an exterior people go about trying to solve big Last week, the students put the Elementary School. Trooper Calvin window at the school. problems, like hunger, cancer and final touches on the displays they’ve Burns said the building had been According to a report by Trooper homeless cats? created and spent the day teaching entered without use of force, and the Marie Beland, the incident is That’s the question that Andrea other students, teachers, and family offender or offenders damaged believed to have occurred between 6 Gratton’s mostly sixth-grade members what they’ve learned. property inside the school. He did p.m. on Sunday, April 16, and 7 a.m. language arts students at Orleans Students start by choosing a on Monday, April 17. Elementary School set out to nonprofit. They can pick one from Trooper Beland classified the answer each year. Ms. Gratton’s list, or they can incident as an act of vandalism. The project, called “Make a choose an organization they already Anyone with additional Difference,” pairs each student with know about. information about the above a nonprofit organization. Students “I ask them what’s a problem in incidents is asked to call her at the study the nonprofits they’ve chosen, Derby barracks at 334-8881. (Continued on page thirteen.) Page Two the Chronicle, April 19, 2017 the Chronicle Tony Pomerleau donates INDEX Birth ............................................................11B $82,000 to Newport centennial Crossword Puzzle............................................8 Kids’ Corner ................................................16B Kingdom Calendar ...............................12B-17B Letters to the Editor ....................................5-8 Obituaries................................................4B-6B Perimeter......................................................3B Ruminations..................................................2B Sudoku Puzzle .................................................5 Advertising Sections Auctions & Real Estate ............................7B-9B Auto .........................................................25-27 Building Trades ....................................10B-11B Classified Ads.......................................18B-19B Hair................................................................21 Jobs................................................................23 Pets................................................................22 Restaurants & Entertainment..............13B-15B Burlington developer Tony Pomerleau (left) unveils a marker honoring his donation of Pomerleau Park to the city BOOKING BY of Newport. Newport Mayor Paul Monette (right) was among those who gathered on April 14 to welcome Mr. Pomerleau back to the community that gave him his start. Mr. Pomerleau brought his own gifts, including a framed THE WEEK. photograph of Newport’s Main Street in the early twentieth century and a pledge to contribute $82,000 toward the celebration of the city’s centennial next year. Mr. Pomerleau, who will celebrate his hundredth birthday this year, was born in 1917, a year before the city was chartered. Photo by Joseph Gresser Waterfront Plaza, Newport • 334-2610 www.CityCinemaNewport.com Wednesday is date night! All seats only $5.50 Booster seats for kids! 5025 U.S. Route 5 united christian Academy 65 School Street, Newport, Vermont 05855 Newport, VT 05855 COME FOR A VISIT! 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