Wednesday, March 25, 2015

WVTK Local & State News March 25, 2015

The Vermont Attorney General's Office is filing a lawsuit against Dean Corren for campaign finance violations. According to the office, the violations stem from Corren requesting contributions to his campaign for lieutenant governor in 2014. The requests, with the help of the Vermont Democratic Party (VDP), were allegedly made through an email distribution list of between 16,000 and 19,000 people. Attorney General Bill Sorrell says Corren qualified for public financing for his campaign and received more than $180,000 in campaign finance grants from the state of Vermont. A condition for receiving these grants, is candidates are prohibited from soliciting or receiving contributions.

Some educators are calling for the resignation of the Superintendent David Adams. In front of a packed gymnasium last night in Lincoln, educators from six different districts got together to show disappointment with their leadership. A spokesperson for the Addison Northeast Education Association said, “Based on the AOE competency standards, the Addison Northeast Education Association believes that Superintendent Adams is no longer the right fit for our community, our school, and our kids." A vote of no confidence was held and passed 163 to 1. A community petition is now circulating, calling for Superintendent Adams to step down.

The Rutland City Police Department has started their Park, Walk, and Talk initiative. A press release says the Park, Walk, and Talk initiative is designed to allow officers time to walk designated neighborhoods in the city and make contact with the residents. The department says the goals of the initiative include, allow officers to better get to know the residents in our community; listen to and address any concerns/issues that may be affecting the neighborhood; answer any questions residents may have about the Rutland City Police Department and the current public safety strategies; and provide higher visibility in neighborhoods and at the times when they are experiencing an increase in calls for services.

A county health ranking shows that Vermonters' health varies from region to region. The national county health rankings released Wednesday by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation show Chittenden County is the healthiest county in Vermont, based on length and quality of life, health behaviors, clinical care and the physical environment. Addison County came in second in the Green Mountain State.