Rutland Herald
May 05,2016
KILLINGTON — Town lawyers have told the
Select Board not to take any official action in support of the
Killington farmer facing criminal charges after his bull escaped and
caused a fatal car crash.
Killington Town Manager Deborah Schwartz said Wednesday attorneys for the town at Langrock, Sperry and Wool had advised it would be “inappropriate for the board to act, as a board, on a criminal matter.”
“Certainly the town, the Select Board members can act as individuals, in whatever capacity they chose ... but I wouldn’t be in a capacity to speak to that,” she said.
The decision by Rutland prosecutors to charge Craig Mosher with involuntary manslaughter after his bull escaped and caused a crash in last summer has been met in Killington with anger by many who consider Mosher an upstanding member of the community.
Killington resident Vito Rasenas brought the matter to the board April 19, suggesting the Select Board could help the town rally around Mosher. Another resident specifically suggested the board issue a statement on behalf of the town in support of Mosher.
“I know I certainly would personally — as a board, I would just want to check if there’s any doo-doo we would be stepping in doing such,” Select Board chairwoman Patty McGrath said at the time.
Killington Town Manager Deborah Schwartz said Wednesday attorneys for the town at Langrock, Sperry and Wool had advised it would be “inappropriate for the board to act, as a board, on a criminal matter.”
“Certainly the town, the Select Board members can act as individuals, in whatever capacity they chose ... but I wouldn’t be in a capacity to speak to that,” she said.
The decision by Rutland prosecutors to charge Craig Mosher with involuntary manslaughter after his bull escaped and caused a crash in last summer has been met in Killington with anger by many who consider Mosher an upstanding member of the community.
Killington resident Vito Rasenas brought the matter to the board April 19, suggesting the Select Board could help the town rally around Mosher. Another resident specifically suggested the board issue a statement on behalf of the town in support of Mosher.
“I know I certainly would personally — as a board, I would just want to check if there’s any doo-doo we would be stepping in doing such,” Select Board chairwoman Patty McGrath said at the time.
Comment: Such gratitude! Nevermind all the post Irene heroics, Craig Mosher, whether consciously or not, acted in accordance with the town's so called "Strategic Operating Plan", by creating a bucolic gateway to the town. He purchased a decrepit eyesore of a property and turned it into an inviting pastoral scene with grazing livestock which in turn became a much visited tourist attraction right at the edge of town. Many tourists stopped to observe and/or take pictures of the animals.
Craig's efforts with this land fulfilled several of the town plan's objectives, it beautified a critical venue in the town - literally its gateway, it attracted tourists, its made it more attractive to families- many of which were the one's stopping with their children to interact with this live diorama.
In part it is because of Craig's creation of this placid setting that he is in the legal pickle he find himself in.
Maybe we should all cease any activities promoting the town's plans if this is the kind of gratitude we can expect.
Vito
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