Student artists Hotel Jay show off work. evacuation leads 8 to charges. 14 the Chronicle THE WEEKLY JOURNAL OF ORLEANS COUNTY TWO SECTIONS, 56 PAGES VOLUME 43, NUMBER 20 MAY 18, 2016 ONE DOLLAR Is there Aliens attack NCUHS? SEC turns too much up heat on syrup? Quiros by Joseph Gresser by Tena Starr It’s been a banner year for maple Federal regulators turned up the syrup — by many accounts the best heat on Ariel Quiros Tuesday when in the history of the business. they filed an amended complaint in For many sugarmakers that the civil case against the owner of means it’s also a profitable year. Jay Peak Resort. Mr. Quiros, along Although the price of bulk syrup is with many of his businesses, and down somewhat, nearly everyone Bill Stenger, former president of Jay has more syrup to sell than they did Peak, were first charged with last year. violating federal securities laws in But others, particularly those connection with several EB-5 funded who are new to the industry, may be projects in a suit filed on April 12 by struggling to find a buyer for their the Securities and Exchange bulk syrup. What some have called Armed aliens Niko (Neva Watts, left) and G’bril (Martina Turgeon) keep Principal Commission. a glut of syrup also raises the Revere (Sarah Bilodeau) covered as she tells her unruly students that an In filing an amended version of question of whether maple interplanetary expeditionary force is starting a takeover of Earth at their high its initial complaint Tuesday, the school. Intergalactic tyrant Ya-Wi (Zach Robinstein) stood anticipating his production is outpacing its market, SEC sharpened its accusations inevitable triumph, little realizing that a squad of cheerleaders would soon be his against Mr. Quiros, specifically even though that market is growing. undoing. This unlikely series of events was played out Sunday when North Aliens vs. charging that he used investor “A lot of syrup has been Country Union High School students performed the one-act play Cheerleaders money from later phases of his eight produced this year, and a lot of the as part of their spring dance and drama concert. For more photos, big packers have got what they please see page eighteen. Photo by Joseph Gresser EB-5 projects to make up shortfalls need,” said Denise Marshall at D&D in the earlier phases. Sugarwoods Farm in Glover last The SEC has held all along that week. “Therefore, lots of Mr. Quiros misused, wrongly co- sugarmakers don’t have a place to Farmers favor new mingled and stole money from sell their syrup this year because foreign investors who sought there’s so much of it.” permanent residency status in the Ms. Marshall buys a couple DFA settlement plan U.S. by means of the EB-5 visa hundred drums of syrup each year program. Those investors and their class action suit that first came for use at her own business. She by Joseph Gresser families would be eligible for green before the court in 2009. buys more from local customers to cards if their $500,000 investments BURLINGTON — A crowd of While the new proposed resell to Butternut Mountain Farm in a business in a hard-up area of dairy farmers spent a day in federal settlement, like the two proposals in Morrisville, a much bigger packer the U.S. produced at least ten court here last week telling U.S. that preceded it, provides for $50- than she is, and a couple of others. permanent jobs. Judge Christina Reiss their million in compensation, it has a She said she finds herself in a Jay Peak financed extensive thoughts on the proposed settlement number of additional provisions tough spot because she’s had the developments, including three in a case against Dairy Farmers of intended to deal with issues left same customers for years and wants hotels, a water park, a skating arena America (DFA), a nationwide dairy unaddressed in the first version. to be loyal to them. But this season and numerous other vacation cooperative. Unlike the first fairness she’s been unable to buy all their properties, through the visa More than 30 farmers gave up hearing, held in February of 2015, syrup, because she has no market program. Mr. Quiros also used an ideal corn-planting day on farmers who spoke in favor of the for it, at least right now, and she’s money from the program to pay for a Friday, May 13, to weigh in on the agreement heavily outnumbered not quite sure what those hotel at Burke Mountain, and latest attempt at a resolution to a planned to build a biomedical facility sugarmakers will do. (Continued on page twenty-four.) “I really don’t know what they in Newport with EB-5 investment. will do,” Ms. Marshall said. “If The SEC claims Mr. Quiros took nobody will buy it, the sugarmakers $55-million for himself and could will end up with it and have to wait School leaders weigh in leave investors without their money until spring to sell it.” or a path to residency in the U.S. if To illustrate the problem, Ms. his most recent projects remain Marshall said that, for instance, she on OCSU merger plans unfinished. usually buys about ten drums from by Elizabeth Trail “I’d love to see a public debate In the amended version of its one of her regular customers. This about this, with speakers from both complaint, the SEC specified which Since early spring, representatives year, he brought in 18, she said. sides,” said Todd Rivver, principal of projects it claims Mr. Quiros stole of the Orleans Central Supervisory Another generally brings in 60 Albany Community School. “The from and details how he used the Union (OCSU) merger study drums; this year he had 120. supervisory union has done a very money he allegedly took. committee have been holding “How do you tell a sugarmaker effective job of presenting their side, The amended charges say Mr. informational meetings in anticipation but we really haven’t heard any Quiros and his associates took $6.5- (Continued on page twenty-six.) of the school district merger vote other point of view.” million more than they were entitled scheduled for June 7. Within the Orleans Central to from the project that built the golf Although the study committee is Supervisory Union, the debate, if clubhouse and a number of strongly recommending that any, is muted. condominiums at Jay Peak. Mr. communities vote for the merger, “I have the opportunity as Quiros also failed to invest a not everyone has bought superintendent to see the successes promised $3.8-million in the project, wholeheartedly into the committee and challenges each district the lawsuit claims. members’ arguments. (Continued on page thirty.) (Continued on page twenty-two.) Page Two the Chronicle, May 18, 2016 the Chronicle Help offered to people in crisis INDEX by Tena Starr and that’s what we’re there for. We’re there to Birth ..............................................................7B help, not to judge.” Kingdom Calendar ...............................12B-17B NEWPORT — A local couple, pastor Jim It’s open to more than addicts, she said. Letters to the Editor ....................................4-7 Hanson and his wife, Ann, and two addiction People who are grieving, who have suffered loss, Obituaries................................................4B-6B counselors who are relative newcomers to who have concrete needs, like clothing, or who Ruminations..................................................2B Vermont are welcoming people who struggle with have emotional needs — all are welcome, she Sports............................................................17 addiction, homelessness, or other crisis situations said. Sudoku Puzzle .................................................7 to visit them in the basement of the Newport Mrs. Humphrey said she is a long recovered Police Station. Advertising Sections cocaine addict who knows people and programs Judy Humphrey and her husband, Cedric, all over the country that can be helpful. Auctions & Real Estate ......................7B-9B, 25 moved to Vermont from Florida a couple of years “To begin with, we love them, right where Auto .........................................................32-35 ago after hearing on television about Vermont’s they’re at,” she said. Building Trades ....................................10B-11B opiate addiction problem. Once people explain their needs, Mrs. Classified Ads.......................................18B-19B They wanted to help. 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Instead, there appears to have been some said. overcompensation, and the couple ended up in The group was able to rent the Newport space Booster seats for kids! Vermont where they went through one of the inexpensively because the police knew there was coldest winters in recent memory. a need for the services they are providing, Mrs. Playing Friday, May 20 She said the intent of the foursome is to offer Humphrey said. throughCaptain America: Weds.,Civil War May 25 • (PG13) - 6:00 & 9:00*, whatever assistance they can to people in need. But the space is also used as a senior center. Sat. & Sun. Matinees: 12:00 & 3:00 The little center, called Love and Freedom She said they would prefer another space Angry Birds • (PG) - 6:10 & 9:10*, Ministries, is open on Thursdays, starting at 1 where they don’t have to pick up their music and Sat.