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Bush Pardons Final Turkeys

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WASHINGTON — President Bush handed out his last Thanksgiving pardons at a Rose Garden ceremony on Wednesday to two Iowa turkeys, saving them from becoming a holiday feast.

The two toms, according the president, were to fly off on "Turkey One" to DisneyLand, where one was to be the grand marshal of the annual Disney parade.

"This is a tradition that dates back to the presidency of Harry Truman," Bush told the audience, which included children from Cloverly Elementary School. "Just to be safe, I will be pardoning a second bird in the unlikely event the main act chickens out," he said to laughter.

"Turkeys are not only the ones on edge this morning — you see, it turns out the Rose Garden is Barney's turf ... So the press corps is a little nervous, as well," said the president, referring to a recent incident in which Barney bit a Reuters reporter.

The turkeys, named Pumpkin and Pecan, were hatched at the Hill family farm in Ellsworth, Iowa. "After a long, drawn-out election season, when the people finally spoke, the name of the ticket sent here to the White House was Pumpkin and Pecan," said Bush. "Pumpkin is right there ... Pecan is in an undisclosed location."

Bush said he had much to be thankful for, such as the men and women who have served in uniform, compassionate volunteers, teachers, firefighter, pastors and police. And for his family and his mother, who is doing well after being hospitalized for stomach pain the other night.

"Most of all, I thank the American people for the tremendous privilege of serving as the president. In recent weeks, I've talked a lot about sprinting to the finish. Yet I've assured these turkeys they will not be trotting to their finish," said the president. "That's because in keeping with a longstanding tradition, Pumpkin and Pecan are hereby granted a full and unconditional presidential pardon.

"I wish all Americans a happy Thanksgiving, and may God bless you."


Top: President Bush stands between Paul Hill, left, of the National Turkey Federation, and his son, Nathan Hill, as he pardons a turkey named Pumpkin in the Rose Garden of the White House./White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
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Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.

Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.

The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.

Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is  appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.

Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.

Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.

Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.

The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.

The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.

Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.

Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years. 

He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.

Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.

Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve  a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.

Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.

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