Vermont Business Magazine Governor Peter Shumlin has ordered that the Vermont State flag fly at half-staff from Monday through Wednesday following the tragic death of Department of Children and Families (DCF) employee Lara Sobel. The full order is included below. Shumlin, Secretary of Human Services Hal Cohen, and DCF Commissioner Ken Schatz attended a vigil for Sobel in Barre Sunday. Monday, the governor will spend time meeting with DCF and other state employees affected by this tragedy.
Where the flags will be lowered:
The Vermont State House, all Federal and State Facilities around the state and public buildings and grounds around the state.
Which flags will be lowered:
The Vermont State flag
Date the flags are to be lowered: (at sunrise):
Monday, August 10, 2015
Date flags are to return to full staff: (at sunset):
Wednesday, August 13, 2015
Name of person being honored/Reason to Lower Flag:
In honor of Lara Sobel, a Vermont Department of Children & Families caseworker who was killed in Barre on Friday, August 7, 2015.She dedicated her life to Vermont’s most vulnerable children and to strengthening their chance of success.
Also on Monday, Governor Shumlin spoke with close members of the family of Regina and Rhonda Herring, and their mother, Julie Ann Falzarano, who were slain over the weekend. At the family’s request, the governor is asking the media to respect the privacy of the Herrings. In addition, members of the Herring family urged people to avoid social media fundraising sites alleging to pay for funerals or any other purpose connected to the tragedy. No legitimate fund-raising sites have been established at this time.