Lee University has received a $970,268 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish “The Story Program: A Collaborative Community Approach to Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer.” “We are thrilled to have this opportunity to lead such an innovative and important project,” said Paul Conn, president of Lee University. “Our thanks to Lilly Endowment for such generous funding. We’re eager to lead this effort with several local congregations in the Cleveland area. This grant will create some exciting possibilities for all of us, and I’m glad that with Lilly Endowment’s support, Lee University can once again lead the way.” The program is funded through Lilly Endowment’s Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative, a national initiative designed to help Christian congregations more fully and intentionally engage children in intergenerational corporate worship and prayer practices. The Story Program is a five-year program that will help congregational leaders and parents to create and integrate sensory-rich elements in worship that engage all children, including those with disabilities. Lee will collaborate with a group of partner congregations within the Southeast Tennessee community to encourage the inclusion of children in intergenerational corporate worship and prayer for the development of their faith. “The funding provided by Lilly Endowment will enable us to develop and initiate a multidisciplinary collaboration with an ecumenical group of partner congregations in the Cleveland area as we seek to encourage intergenerational worship and prayer,” said Lisa Long, project director and professor of practical theology in Lee’s School of Theology & Ministry, where the program is housed. “The Story Program, founded on the rich history of storytelling in our regional culture, will utilize stories and the arts as foundational program strategies for nurturing children as they learn to embrace the story of God.” There are five key activities that will be implemented to achieve the goals of the program: an annual training conference for ministry staff and lay leaders; workshops designed to offer strategies that congregations can adapt to their contexts; an intergenerational summer camp to engage children and adults in faith formation activities with storytelling and the arts (music, visual arts, drama); an annual community worship service that models fresh approaches to corporate intergenerational worship for congregations and worshippers throughout the community; and an 18-hour interdisciplinary minor in Children’s Ministry to educate and engage future ministry leaders and parents in the practices of including children in corporate worship. The committee members for this program are Bob Bayles, La-Juan Bradford, Shane Brown, Luke Gambill, Long, Julie Martinez, Mary Mathias-Dickerson, Debbie Murray, Lorinda Roberts and Ruthie Wienk. The program team will seek to involve multicultural congregations and perspectives in the planning and implementation, as well as children with various disabilities in all program activities. Lee is one of the 91 organizations being funded through the latest round of the initiative. They represent and serve congregations in a broad spectrum of Christian traditions, including Catholic, mainline Protestant, evangelical, Orthodox, Anabaptist, and Pentecostal faith communities. Several organizations are rooted in Black Church and Hispanic and Asian American Christian traditions. “Congregational worship and prayer play a critical role in the spiritual growth of children and offer settings for children to acquire the language of faith, learn their faith traditions, and experience the love of God as part of a supportive community,” said Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for religion. “These programs will help congregations give greater attention to children and how they can more intentionally nurture the faith of children, as well as adults, through worship and prayer.” Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. The principal aim of the Endowment’s religion grantmaking is to deepen and enrich the lives of Christians in the United States, primarily by seeking out and supporting efforts that enhance the vitality of congregations and strengthen the pastoral and lay leadership of Christian communities. The Endowment also seeks to improve public understanding of diverse religious traditions by supporting fair and accurate portrayals of the role religion plays in the United States and across the globe.
Nearly five years ago, most office workers in Canada went home to work. Office life as we knew it vanished in a pandemic instant. Remarkably, most of these workers didn’t skip a beat. Most people liked the flexibility and the work got done – comfortably from home. Now many employers want people to come back to the office. Some make it a requirement on set days, others let employees make their own schedules, but most have settled on some kind of hybrid in-person and remote work model. But many employees don’t want to go back, citing long commutes, traffic, crowded or inconvenient public transit, expensive parking and the impact on the environment. Plus, remote workers who moved far away just don’t see the point of coming in at all. However, recent studies, such as one led by Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom, report that reduces productivity by 10 to , while hybrid work . Without an in-person requirement, employers are concerned about losing out on productivity, communication, creativity and a strong company culture. So, what works and how can employers make people feel good about commuting and coming into the office again? Linda Duxbury, the Chancellor’s professor of management at the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University in Ottawa, says the key is to intentionally design the in-office experience, rather than just requiring people to show up without a clear purpose or plan. “One of the reasons people like coming into the office is to socialize with their colleagues – they enjoy the informality, team activities and discussions,” says Prof. Duxbury. “If employers want happier employees, then they have to manage the in-person days better than many do.” “Right now, it’s a dog’s breakfast. It can’t be just random, with people coming in and then spending all their time on video calls with co-workers who are at home. What works is requiring whole teams to come in on certain days to do activities that can’t be done remotely, maximizing collaboration, team building, coaching, mentoring, training and development.” At Universities Canada, a non-profit organization representing Canadian universities, all 108 full-time employees are required to work in-person for two days a week. Shortly after Gabriel Miller, president and chief executive officer, joined last June, the organization moved into new headquarters in downtown Ottawa, designed after surveying employees about what they wanted in their work environment. “The office has been thoughtfully designed with people in mind,” says Mr. Miller. “When you enter, there’s an open gathering space that connects to a big kitchen, where people can stop by for coffee or to eat lunch with everybody from the most senior employees to university interns.” “The office is full of green plants, which really humanizes the space and helps people feel at home. There’s a variety of work settings so people can choose what best suits their needs and a mix of meeting rooms equipped with seamless technology so it’s easy for people to access information, but also connect to people who aren’t present. What this office says to our people is that in every possible way, we want to support you being together as a team.” To minimize commuting woes, the new office is centrally located and well served by transit and includes lockers for employees who cycle to work. “We need to provide as many sustainable options as we can,” he says. “Being located in a place that our employees can get to with minimal inconvenience, whether by car, bike, bus or on foot is key. So far we’ve only allowed people to work remotely on a temporary basis, but overwhelmingly, we’ve held the line on [a minimum of two in-person days a week]. If you start chipping away at it, one person or project at a time, people would soon begin to doubt our commitment.” When people are together in the office, he stresses it’s important to have opportunities for them to connect and collaborate in ways that wouldn’t be possible to do from home. “I really believe you need to balance remote and in-person work to maintain productivity and relationships,” he says. “If you think back on your career, a lot of what we learned was the result of encounters and relationships that we built organically with the people around us. Especially for young people, in-person interactions are critical for mentorship and career development.” Toronto-based Accenture Canada takes a “one-size-doesn’t-fit-most” approach for its 6,500 employees, according to its chief human resources officer, Suehlan Yu. A 20-year veteran of the firm, she says remote/hybrid work isn’t new to the organization, as Accenture Canada has been doing it globally for decades, collaborating with clients, teams and people working remotely. “Our focus is on levelling the playing field, so that irrespective of where people are, they’re able to participate fully and bring their best to work,” says Ms. Yu. “We really started by listening to our people, and we do that through a robust listening framework that includes surveys, fireside chats and town halls. What the majority of our people say is that flexibility – when, where and how they work – is the top enabler for the successful future of work.” Ms. Yu says there’s no policy that requires everyone to be in the office on set days. Instead, leaders and teams work together to determine the unique mix of virtual and in-person work that’s best for them, guided by client needs, individual roles and responsibilities. “In-person connection is part of everyone’s role, but we don’t believe in being on-site for the sake of being on-site,” says Ms. Yu. “We like to make that purposeful for our people.” Offices at Accenture are designed with a focus on “we spaces” – collaborative areas with technology allowing remote employees to fully participate in meetings and team activities. There’s also a focus on friendly and accommodating workspaces to suit individual and diverse needs, as well as meditation rooms, mothers’ lactation rooms and wellness rooms equipped with yoga balls and table tennis. To encourage in-person socialization, the firm hosts a quarterly event that they call “stacked events” – a full-day at the office packed with engagement activities, panel discussions and learning sessions, ending with a social event. “People get to meet leaders, network with peers and maybe find their next staffing opportunity,” says Ms. Yu. “We also have Gen AI and industry and function learning days, lunch and learns, and employee resource group events constantly happening and encouraging people to come into the office. Everything’s available virtually as well, so people can be involved wherever they are at that time.” One caveat remote workers might consider is that many jobs that can be done at home may also be easily done by AI. That might inspire some to put in more office time. “There’s a recent article in Harvard Business Review that says first,” says Prof. Duxbury. “That’s because much of the type of work that can be done at home is the kind of thing that has sequential structure, doesn’t require a lot of creativity, discussion with other people, negotiation or to be front-facing. So perfect for AI too.”
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THE KING beamed as he arrived at the Royal Albert Hall for the Royal Variety Performance this evening. King Charles arrived without Camilla following news the Queen had to miss the performance because of "lingering post-viral symptoms" from a recent chest infection. 6 King Charles III attends the Royal Variety Performance at Royal Albert Hall Credit: PA 6 The event will see Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish present a musical number from their new show The Devil Wears Prada Credit: PA 6 The King meets Iris King-Taylor and Louie Cooper, children of Royal Variety supporters Credit: Reuters 6 The King received the show's programme from 10-year-old Louie Cooper Credit: Getty The King received a posy of flowers meant for Camilla from eight-year-old Iris King-Taylor as he arrived at the event on Friday evening. The flowers were picked from the gardens of the Royal Variety charity's nursing home Brinsworth House, in Twickenham. The King wished "everyone a very enjoyable evening" as the Royal Variety Performance started at the Royal Albert Hall. The King seemed amused as he laughed at comedian Matt Forde's impression of Donald Trump on the stage of the Royal Variety Performance. Read more on Royals GLAM MANDY Amanda Holden flashes abs in sequin top and skirt at Royal Variety Performance GET WELL SOON Camilla suddenly pulls out of Royal Variety show while battling infection During the show, the comedian referenced the unfounded claims Donald Trump repeated during his presidential debate against Democrat candidate Kamala Harris earlier this year, that illegal immigrants from Haiti were eating locals' pets in the small Ohio city of Springfield. Matt Forde exclaimed in the president-elect's voice: "They're eating the cats, they're eating the dogs!" He then turned to address Charles from the stage, saying in Mr Trump's voice: "Your Majesty King Charles, you're named after a Spaniel - be very careful, they'll eat you alive." The King was seen laughing in response to the joke from the royal box of the Royal Albert Hall. Most read in Royals CASE RULING McGregor sexually assaulted rape accuser in Dublin hotel, civil case jury rules TAN CAM RAID Scots Turkish barbers raided after 'sunbed spy cam' discovered in shop STORM ON Storm Bert to bring 'multi-hazard event' to Scotland amid 'danger to life' alerts HAIL HAIL Bizarre moment Celtic fan abruptly stops AGM for a Hoops-themed PRAYER In a statement from Buckingham Palace, the King said he was "delighted" to accept the position as patron of the Royal Variety Charity earlier this year, following in the footsteps of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II. It is the first time Charles has attended the event as patron. He said in the statement: "The charity's crucial work in assisting those who have fallen ill, had an accident or hit hard times is as essential now as it ever has been. "I would like to thank all of those who have worked so hard to stage this year's production and wish everyone a very enjoyable evening." It is the latest high-profile event that Camilla has not been able to attend because of her illness, having also had to miss Remembrance events earlier this month. The King received the show's programme from 10-year-old Louie Cooper before taking the stairs up to the royal box in the auditorium. Presenters Amanda Holden and Alan Carr led the stars arriving at the 2024 Royal Variety Performance. The event will see Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish present a musical number from their new show The Devil Wears Prada - based on the 2006 Oscar-nominated film. Sir Elton John, who is introducing his West End adaptation, told the King: "I'm very happy to be here." Cast members Vanessa Williams, who plays Miranda Priestly, and Matt Henry, who stars as art director Nigel, were among those posing on the red carpet. The variety show will also see debuts from British singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor with her hit track Murder On The Dancefloor while Eurovision winner Nemo is also featured on the bill. Also posing on the carpet were US magicians and comedy duo Penn and Teller, whose performance marks their 50th anniversary. Comedy will come from Ted Lasso star Ellie Taylor, writer and comic Scott Bennett, Scottish comedian Larry Dean and political comic Matt Forde - who posed on the red carpet with a crutch after undergoing surgery for cancer on his spine. Watch emotional King Charles lead the nation in remembering our fallen soldiers at today's poignant Remembrance Sunday ceremony Among the arrivals was TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, who will make an appearance in this year's show with her Change And Check Choir led by Wet Wet Wet singer Marti Pellow. The choir, made up of women from across the UK who detected their breast cancer through Kelly's campaign, will perform Love Is All Around, which is being re-released to raise awareness of breast cancer early detection. It comes hours after Camilla insisted the "show must go on" after pulling out of attending the performance on Friday evening as doctors advised that she should prioritise rest. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: "Following a recent chest infection, the Queen continues to experience some lingering post-viral symptoms, as a result of which doctors have advised that, after a busy week of engagements, Her Majesty should prioritise sufficient rest. "With great regret, she has therefore withdrawn from attendance at tonight's Royal Variety Performance. His Majesty will attend as planned." A royal source said the Queen was "naturally disappointed to miss the evening's entertainments and sends her sincere apologies to all those involved, but is a great believer that 'the show must go on'". "She hopes to be back to full strength and regular public duties very soon," the source added. Read more on the Scottish Sun COMIC'S CASTLE Still Game star takes £150,000 hit to offload luxury £4m Scots castle HITTING THE HIGH NOTES Much-loved pub named best music bar in Scotland The Royal Variety Performance will air on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player in December. Money raised from the show will go to help people from the world of entertainment in need of care and assistance, with the Royal Variety Charity launching an initiative to help those with mental health issues this year. 6 King Charles III meets Jack Philpott who plays Oliver in ‘Oliver The Musical’ Credit: PA 6 It is the latest high-profile event that Camilla has not been able to attend because of her illness Credit: Getty5 top tech gifts for the holidays
The government is advised to halt implementing big-ticket stimulus measures as the economy is on track for continued recovery, according to the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI). Nonarit Bisonyabut, a research fellow at the TDRI, said the private sector is in a state akin to being addicted to steroids, requiring constant government stimulus measures. This weakens the private sector's competitiveness, he said. Mr Nonarit said the government should end new stimulus measures as economic growth is at 2.6-2.8%, which is close to its potential of 3%. This means there is little need for stimulus, he said, or it should be limited to small-scale projects costing 10-20 billion baht, similar in size to the Khon La Khrueng (half-half) co-payment subsidy scheme or the "We Travel Together" campaign. Large-scale projects such as the 10,000-baht cash handout are excessive, said Mr Nonarit. He said his research found many stimulus projects, such as year-end shopping programmes allowing tax deductions, are highly inefficient -- even less effective than cash handouts. Such schemes are a waste of resources, said Mr Nonarit. "I believe the business sector needs to strive for its own survival. If enterprises depend primarily on handouts, it won't benefit the country or the government's fiscal status," he said. Regarding this year's economy, Mr Nonarit described it as a gradual recovery. Before the pandemic in 2020, Thailand's economic potential was 3.6%. However, after 2021 analysts from various institutions downgraded Thailand's potential economic growth to 3% a year based on factors like the US-China trade war and an ageing society, which slowed global trade and affected the global and Thai economies. He said the forecast for economic growth this year, which is estimated at 2.6-2.8%, depends on how each institution assesses the impact of the first phase of the 140-billion-baht cash handout. Most projections remain at less than 3%, highlighting that the economy is still striving to reach the 3% benchmark. For next year, Mr Nonarit said key risks include the "Trump Effect" and the state of the Chinese economy. Trump's "America First" policies, including import tariff hikes against China and other countries, and threats to heavily tax BRICS-aligned nations avoiding the dollar, are expected to hinder global trade and economic growth, he said. The state of China's economy must also be monitored, as growth has been sluggish for some time, partly attributed to longstanding structural issues such as a real estate bubble. China was affected by the global economic slowdown, which reduced demand for its goods. As China's economy slows, the impact is inevitably felt in Thailand, said Mr Nonarit. "When the global economy slows, it means the economic pie shrinks in size. For countries to survive, they must devise strategies to secure the largest possible share of the pie for their own benefit," he said. "The question is do we have strategies to cope with these changes? If we are still underperforming or relying on outdated approaches, history shows that global crises often bring significant changes, and Thailand has repeatedly failed to adapt to these shifts. This led to a steady decline in economic growth -- from 7-8% in the past, to 3.6% before the pandemic, and now less than 3%." Thailand must rev up the restructuring of the economy and business operations to adapt to a changing world, said Mr Nonarit. "We need to reexamine the strengths of Thailand's economy and determine what we can offer the world as the global economic pie shrinks. As technologies change, the automotive industry is shifting to electric vehicles, and the electrical appliance industry, which was previously closely tied to Japan, is no longer thriving," he said. "The Thai government wants to enter the chip manufacturing industry, but we lack the necessary expertise. "The tourism sector remains the only area that still shows promise, but we must also invest in new machinery and tools to drive the economy, generate income and significantly boost exports for the country."
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-1 has slapped a ₹ 11,000 penalty on a Manimajra-based liquor store for selling expired beer to a customer that left him with food poisoning. The complainant, Vishal Singhal, a resident of Sector 12, Panchkula, took “The Liquor Estate” to court, submitting that after purchasing four bottles of Hopper Witbier beer on July 10, 2023, for ₹ 280, and another four the next day, he started feeling unwell later that night. He experienced stomach aches, vomiting, and developed symptoms of food poisoning. Singhal, who suspected the beer was the culprit, eventually discovered that the beers sold to him were old, stale and expired, unfit for human consumption. After undergoing an ultrasound and blood tests, he was shocked to be diagnosed with liver inflammation, which he blamed on the beer. He also underwent a gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) test, used to diagnose liver or bile duct issues, which revealed high concentration of toxins in his bile ducts. To add to his woes, the beer bottles lacked important details like the maximum retail price, import dates, and contact information for the importer and distributor. The opposite parties, including The Liquor Estate and Ozark Merchandising Pvt Ltd, contested the complaint, arguing that the receipt only showed the purchase of “four beers” and didn’t specify the brand. They also pointed out that Singhal had no concrete proof connecting them to the sale. A notice was also sent to Brindco Sales Pvt Ltd in New Delhi, but no one appeared on their behalf. Thus, they were proceeded against ex parte. Meanwhile, the Belgian brewery behind the beer, De Brabandere, confirmed that the beer was manufactured in October 2021, exported in November 2021, and had a best-before date of January 6, 2023. They argued they couldn’t be held liable for the expired stock being sold in India. The commission noted that the main grievance of the complainant was that after consumption of four Hopper Witbier beers, he felt uneasiness and stomachaches, and started showing symptoms of food poisoning. Later, he came to know that the beer bottles were manufactured on October 6, 2021. So he alleged that he was sold and supplied expired beer. It further observed that the bill issued to the complainant was not in pursuance with Rule 5 of the Consumer Protection (General) Rule, 2020, and the opposite parties also indulged in unfair trade practices as per the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The commission, though, noted that the medical reports/tests did not definitively prove that the expired beer caused the food poisoning. But for the lack of proper labelling and bill, it directed The Liquor Estate, Ozark Merchandising Pvt Ltd and Brindco Sales Pvt Ltd to jointly pay ₹ 6,000 for causing mental agony and harassment, apart from ₹ 5,000 for litigation costs.Sean 'Diddy' Combs' third bid to be released on bail won't be decided until next week
Mohamed Salah and Liverpool finally reach compromise over contract to end saga - Liverpool.comThe next clash in a contentious zoning battle in Middlebury will hinge on how a state judge reads a state law tailored to the block the development of a proposed 670,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution complex on the former Timex headquarters property. The Middlebury Small Town Alliance and two neighboring property owners are claiming in court filings that wetlands and zoning approvals for the controversial project violated that 2023 state law that was stealthily enacted at the request of state Rep. William Pizzuto, R-Middlebury, a nearby homeowner and an open opponent of the proposed development. The law limits the size and location of warehouse and distribution operations in Middlebury. Pizzuto leveraged his vote for a bipartisan two-year, $51.1 billion state budget to get local zoning restriction on the statute books. He lives within 500 feet of the Christian Road entrance to the Timex property in the private Avalon Farms neighborhood and publicly opposed the Southford Park project. The Middlebury Planning and Zoning Commission, the Middlebury Conservation Commission, and developer David Drubner and business partners in Southford Park LLC are counter claiming in court filings that the 2023 law does not apply to the proposed development project. Southford Park received approvals to build a 539,500-square-foot building and a smaller 130,000-square-foot building. Hundreds of town residents opposed the project, and some opponents formed the Middlebury Small Town Alliance to fight it. The Middlebury Small Town Alliance and the two sets of neighboring property owners are also contesting a lot line revision that critically reconfigured the project site, disputing the proposed development is a permitted use under zoning regulations, and alleging a violation of the state’s minority representation law involving the political makeup of the Middlebury PZC. Arguments are scheduled for 3 p.m. today in Waterbury Superior Court in three consolidated cases that Middlebury Small Town Alliance and the neighboring property owners have brought against the two land-use commissions and Southford Park. THE CONSOLIDATED APPEALS present the first opportunity for a state court to interpret and apply the 2023 law that Pizzuto got quietly inserted into the bipartisan budget package that Gov. Ned Lamont and General Assembly leaders negotiated. No legislation proposing the zoning restriction was ever introduced or given a hearing. Pizzuto and House Republican leaders capitalized on Lamont’s desire for a bipartisan budget vote to get the provision inserted in the 832-page budget bill at the last minute. He has denied exchanging his budget vote for the zoning restriction. He was re-elected to another two-year term in November as an unopposed candidate_ The law imposes a size limit of 100,000 square feet for “warehousing or distributing facilities” on one or more parcels that are less than 150 acres in towns with a population between 6,000 and 8,000 that also contain more than 5 acres of wetlands and are situated within two miles of an elementary school. If all criteria apply, it bars the siting, construction, permitting, operation or use of a larger warehouse or distribution center in the town. The Middlebury PZC and Conservation Commission each determined that the 2023 law is inapplicable based on two legal opinions that concluded that the wetlands condition does not apply following a lot line revision to the project site. The Middlebury Small Town Alliance disputes those interpretations of the law. The trial court will decide which side is legally in the right. TIMEX GROUP USA and Southford Park completed a $7.5 million sale in August 2023 for much of the nearly 93-acre Christian Road property that had been the site of the Timex world headquarters since 2001. In addition, the development group acquired a neighboring 18-acre property on Southford Road belonging to another Drubner family partnership. A lot revision filed at the same time combined the two properties. The revised lot lines resulted in a 77-acre parcel and a 35-acre parcel subject to a conversation easement. The larger parcel contained 3.8 acres of wetlands and the smaller one contained 3.9 acres. In separate legal opinions, attorneys Mark Branse of the Hartford law firm of Halloran & Sage and Gail E. Taggart of the Waterbury law firm of Secor Cassidy & McPartland concluded the 100,000-square-foot size limit is not applicable to either parcel because each contains less than 5 acres of wetlands. Each opinion also concluded the revised lot line map depicts separate parcels that are owned by two separate property owners, so they must be considered as separate The Middlebury Small Town Alliance and the neighboring property owners are challenging both conclusions in court filings, saying the interpretations of the 2023 law are erroneous, and calling the lot line revision an impermissible end run to ensure neither parcel had more than 5 acres of wetlands to trigger the statute and the resulting two parcels inextricably linked as one project site. SOUTHFORD PARK ARGUES in its court filings that the Middlebury PZC properly found the 2023 law did not apply based on a plain reading of the statute and its proper reliance on two legal opinions that concluded the law was inapplicable. The developers also dispute the court has jurisdiction to hear the associated lot line claims. The Middlebury PZC denies in its court filings that its approvals for the Southford Park project violated the 2023 law, the commission improperly interpreted its zoning regulations and approved the lot line revision, and the commission’s political makeup violated the minority representation statute. Southford Park also disputed the latter two claims in its court filings. The Middlebury Small Town Alliance and the neighboring property owners are claiming the Middlebury PZC was illegally constituted at its Jan. 4 meeting when members approved a site plan for the Southford Park project, a zone text change concerning building height, and an excavation permit the development group needed to proceed with its plan because an alternate Republican member was seated violating minority representation requirements. The Middlebury PZC not only disputes this claim, but also argues in court filings that the challenged Republican alternate chosen was the only alternate member of the commission who attended all of the hearings and meetings on the zoning applications. The death of a Democratic commissioner before the Jan. 4 meeting necessitated the appointment of an alternate.
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