Week in review
Toolbox
Published: June 20, 2009
Our thoughts on the news of the week:
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While it took a court injunction, 18-year-old Todd Geraci was able to walk with his senior class at Peoples Academy graduation this week. Geraci, who is autistic, had completed his academic work toward a high school diploma, but not his social and other goals required under his individual education program. For that reason, school officials tried to block Geraci from walking with his class at the ceremony, arguing that all students must meet their requirements to ensure graduation ceremonies have meaning.
The teen's classmates stepped in and petitioned that he be allowed to participate in the ceremony, and even sat in the courtroom in support of his effort. It was moving to see these young people applauding the judge's ruling that Geraci be allowed to walk with them on graduation night. They clearly did not feel their diplomas would be devalued because Geraci was allowed to stand with them at graduation.
One of the reasons many of us choose to live in Vermont is its small, human scale. Unlike big urban areas where there is less ability to bend rules, that's not the case here. We know our neighbors and their individual circumstances; we in Vermont are able to adjust the rules to do the right thing. In this case, a disabled student who worked hard perhaps harder than many other students to complete his academics deserved to have that accomplishment acknowledged.
Congratulations, Todd Geraci and the members of his senior class. You've learned more through this experience than any diploma could reflect.
Barre Mayor Thomas Lauzon and the city council decided this week to crack down on the owners of abandoned properties and dangerous buildings city-wide. The council, prompted by some Brooklyn Street residents who are tired of watching their neighborhood deteriorate, toured the area and was appalled by the condition of at least two buildings. The panel is considering an ordinance that would allow the city to take steps in those types of cases. That's a good move.
And that's where the council should draw the line.
Lauzon said he might suggest the city target properties with less serious problems, adding properties considered to be a "nuisance," perhaps with peeling paint or broken windows that are not replaced. That idea raises all kinds of red flags and even constitutional issues (and opens the door to the council acting as home "dιcor" police).
It's appropriate to take action on properties that are dangerous, abandoned and being used by drug dealers or users, or in some other way jeopardizing the community's safety. But the council should resist any call to move on "nuisance" properties, at least not without a thorough public debate on that point.
It's worrisome that police officers, including Northfield Police Chief Jeffrey Shaw, are missing required training on issues, including firearms and first aid (more worrisome still that Shaw stated in letters to the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council that he received that training).
Shaw got away with barely a slap on the wrist a three-week suspension as part of a settlement agreement with the Council. Fortunately, he's required to study management principles and professional ethics.
But Shaw's case highlighted similar problems in other departments statewide officers who fail to stay current on their training as required, or who fail to properly document the training they do receive.
It's vital that law enforcement stay up to date on every aspect of their jobs, especially firearms and first aid. Officers are often the first at the scene where injuries are involved; they are required on occasion to draw a weapon.
Their lives can depend upon their skills, and our lives can depend upon their skills.
The Council also needs to be vigilant in making sure these requirements are met and if not, that the penalties present an appropriate consequence.
We have great respect for police officers in our local communities and across Vermont. It's very important that our faith in those officers and our confidence in their abilities to keep our communities safe is warranted and unshaken.
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