WVTK Local & State News March 9, 2010

Vermont's democratic primary for governor may be crowded, but there is still just one republican in the race, Lt. Governor Brian Dubie. Dubie continued his jobs tour Monday with a stop here in Middlebury. He met with area employers, getting their feedback on how to keep and retain jobs. He says the top things he's hearing from people in Middlebury are just as big everywhere else.

In a noontime rally Monday in Barre, Secretary of State Deb Markowitz told a crowd of about 80 supporters she’s in the governor’s race to win. Kicking off her statewide campaign Monday, the Montpelier resident is one of five Democrats seeking the party nomination. She talked about winning six straight elections since becoming secretary of state, and says that experience can help her with bringing jobs to Vermont, as well as saying it’s her managerial experience which sets her apart from the other Democrats running.

For the second month in a row Vermont state revenues have fallen short of the projections. Secretary of Administration Neale Lunderville says general fund revenues for February were nearly 18 percent short of the mark set by two consulting economists just a month earlier. This is raising concerns among state officials about the state's economy and fiscal outlook.

Two local men have hit the lottery. A man from Altona won almost $80-Thousand in the Take Five drawing held on February 27. And a self-employed general contractor from Ticonderoga is claiming a $5-Million prize from an instant game. The $5-million winner from Ticonderoga will be introduced at news conference later today.

The Community Health Center of Burlington will be offering from medical exams this Sunday from 8 AM to Noon. Volunteers and other professionals at the center also will provide free blood pressure tests and glucose screening along with a number of other services. To schedule one of the 100 appointments available that day, call the center by Friday.

Democratic leaders in the House and Senate say they are going to follow the will of the Burlington voters and approve the charter change repealing Instant Runoff Voting. When Burlington residents voted to repeal IRV, it still needed to go through one more step to become final. The legislature must approve any and all charter changes.

The U.S. Navy has another ship named after Montpelier native George Dewey for his service during the Spanish American War. The guided-missile destroyer, U.S.S. Dewey, was commissioned Saturday at the U.S. Naval Weapons Station at Seal Beach, California. This is the third Navel Vessel to carry his name.

The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum might be opening a branch in the former Moran Power Plant on the Burlington Waterfront. After the Green Mountain Children’s Museum pulled out of the project in November, the city started looking for a third tenant. City officials say the Maritime Museum would be the best fit. The main campus in Ferrisburgh would not be affected.

Burlington Telecom's outstanding debt is now affecting the City's credit rating. Moody's Investors services knocked Burlington's rating down two notches because of concerns over BT's inability to repay 17 million dollars in debt, which it borrowed from the city. If BT cannot repay the money, experts say the City may face long-term cash flow issues.

A South Burlington police office has filed a law suit against the Chittenden County Prosecutor. Police Officer Jack O'Connor claims T.J. Donovan spread rumors about O'Connor trying to ruin his reputation. O'Connor also says Donovan threatened to run the officer out of Chittenden County. Donovan denies having a vendetta against O'Connor.