Word: vernon
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Twenty miles northwest of Augusta in hilly farm country, Mount Vernon is too poor to be a traditionally quaint New England town. At the start of the century, it had a flourishing sawmill, gristmill, tannery and barrel factory. By 1940, the industries were gone. Now the townsmen cut lumber or work in neighboring communities in shoe factories, mills or government offices. The average family income runs between $3,000 and $4,000 a year. "Downtown" is a cluster of frame buildings, including the abandoned log mill, a general store and a pizza joint. It was in Mount Vernon, where...
...Mount Vernon's people are nonetheless proud, independent and intent on keeping the town alive. At least part of their pride derives from the fact that they very literally govern themselves. There is also a sense of stability. Apart from minor vandalism there has not been a crime for years. Despite the poverty, a welfare budget of $1,000 suffices; few are willing to apply for public assistance...
...proposal to allot $600 to help the state root out a blight called pine blister rust went down because, as one man said: "We can do it better, and for nothing." One item on the "warrant," or agenda, suggested replacing Mount Vernon's 22 conventional street lights with 17 mercury-vapor lights to provide better illumination. When the first selectman explained that the change would increase the monthly electric bill by $25.90, a resident shouted: "Forget it!" It was unanimously voted down...
...disarray since 1967, when the selectmen did not bother to submit a financial report. "I wish to ask the town treasurer," one citizen snapped, "why there are so many discrepancies in her accounting." Mabel Smith, town clerk and treasurer, a sturdy, pugnacious widow who between meetings virtually runs Mount Vernon, crustily invited any doubters to check the receipts at the bank. One of Mrs. Smith's responsibilities is to record the town's deaths, births and marriages. These days, however, she publicly reports only the deaths, because she noticed a lot of her neighbors snickering at the short...
...Lightning. Before recessing for cookies and coffee provided by the Women's Auxiliary, the townspeople discussed their $64,000 school budget. Superintendent Perry Shibles reported that they would have to spend at least $6,000 on new teachers and raise the salaries of those already working in Mount Vernon. The townspeople gasped but went along with the proposal...