WVTK Local & State News April 1, 2010

Union officials in Vermont say the Douglas administration's objections to a proposed labor contract for the Champlain Bridge project are unfounded. Vermont transportation officials last week rejected a so-called Project Labor Agreement that would govern labor practices on the $110 million project. While provisions in the PLA, in some instances, mandate the use of union labor, according to Teamsters representative Dan Brush, that doesn't mean Vermont contractors can't bid on the project. The PLA simply means that nonunion workers would temporarily work in a union framework. The dispute over labor rules will go to the Statehouse later this week when the Senate Committee on Economic Development convenes a hearing on the issue Friday.

A group charged with improving Rutland's quality of life unveiled their list of projects for the summer. The Rutland Creative Economy is a volunteer organization that develops, fundraises, and implements a variety of projects across the city. This summer's top priorities include improving Friday Night Live, adding more art to downtown, expanding the city Farmer's Market, and creating a city bike path.

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders announced energy efficiency and conservation grants totaling $5.8 million for 147 schools, towns, and cities across Vermont. The economic stimulus funds were distributed to the state through a federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants program. The program was created by legislation cosponsored by Sanders. The Vermont Department of Public Service and the state Clean Energy Development Fund reviewed applications and recommended the recipients. In Addison County, the grant winners and the amount of the awards include:

· Bingham Memorial School $50,000
· Bridport Central School $45,675
· Bristol Elem School $50,000
· Leicester Central School $50,000
· Lincoln Elementary School $35,429
· Middlebury Union Middle School $50,000
· Monkton Elementary School $50,000
· Mt Abraham Union High School $50,000
· New Haven (Beeman) Elementary School $46,553
· Shoreham Elementary School $32,175
· Starksboro (Robinson) Elementary School $49,785
· Whiting Village School $17,905
· Town of Granville $48,930
· Town of Lincoln $50,000
· Town of Middlebury $43,380
· Town of Shoreham $50,000
· Town of Starksboro $26,555


A debate is raging over whether to scrap the state's "Seal of Quality". The seal is given to Vermont products so consumers know there are getting genuine Vermont products. State agriculture officials say the seal's lost its meaning but some lawmakers say they're looking for ways to shore up the program.

A new program in Vermont schools will help students learn to safely navigate the web. iKeepSafe is a national program that teaches elementary kids about online safety. Kids are taught how to be careful with their personal information, cyber-bullying, social networking, and how to stay away from Internet strangers. Comcast is paying the cost to bring the program to Vermont.

Police are investing a bomb threat at South Burlington High School that was reported yesterday morning. Police say a note was found just before 9 AM. Students and staff were evacuated and sent to the Frederick Tuttle Middle School. Classes were not canceled. Police say they have collected evidence and are actively involved in a criminal investigation.

Vermonters who lost their homes to foreclosure will get some help thanks to a legal settlement. Countrywide Financial settled a 3-billion dollar lawsuit brought by 43 states. Vermont's share is 100-thousand dollars. The Attorney General's office says half of the money will go to borrowers whose loans were foreclosed upon. The rest will be used in general foreclosure relief efforts.

2 Vermont solders have been wounded in Afghanistan. Major General Michael Dubie offered a progress report yesterday saying 2 soldiers have been wounded by enemy fire in the last week. Both soldiers are expected to make a full recovery. Dubie added that a number of Vermonters have already received combat badges for their performance.

Captain Richard Phillips has written a book about his 5 days last year as a hostage of the Somali Pirates. The Underhill resident was taken hostage after the pirates tried to seize his ship, the Maersk Alabama. The 286-page hardcover, titled "A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALS and Dangerous Days at Sea," hits bookstores Tuesday.