The Town Meeting Day Recess is over and Vermont Lawmakers are back at the capitol to tackle a number of key issues, the biggest being the budget. The state is facing a $150-Million deficit. To save money, lawmakers are looking at consolidating the state’s 260 school districts into 16 much larger districts. There will be a public hearing tonight from 5 to 8 at the statehouse to discuss the school district consolidation plans.
Voters in Hinesburg have approved a slight increase in the school budget. The proposed budget of over $7.6-Million was approved by voice vote Monday Night after an hour of questions and debate. The approved spending plan represents a 1 percent increase over this year’s budget.
Rutland's economy took a major hit last year, but business leaders are more optimistic about 2010. The 17th annual business expo had the biggest turnout ever Tuesday. The expo gives local companies, a chance to network with other businesses. Organizers say there's light at the end of the tunnel and businesses are taking advantage of every opportunity.
The Environmental Protection Agency is reconsidering its approval of the Lake Champlain clean-up plan. The EPA signed off on the state's plan in 2002, but paperwork filed Monday signals it does not think the state has made adequate progress in reducing pollution levels. Governor Douglas called the decision an insult to everyone who has worked to clean-up the lake. Douglas says more than $100 million has been spent on clean-up efforts.
The area's first four-year nursing degree program launches in the fall. Castleton State College already has a large stack of applications for the program, aimed at new and established nurses alike. The school has long offered a two-year associate's degree in nursing, but coordinator Kimberly Ratelle said nurses looking for further education have faced trips to University of Vermont, Southern Vermont College or Norwich.
An anti-nuke group is asking Vermont regulators to close Vermont Yankee now while it is dealing with a tritium leak. The Safe & Green Campaign wants the nuclear reactor in Vernon shut down till the source of the leak is found and repaired. A spokesman for Vermont Yankee says there’s no threat to public health or safety and therefore no reason to shut down now.
Doug Hoffman will once again take on Bill Owens for 23rd Congressional District seat. Bill Owens won the seat in a special election last year. Hoffman said his focus will be reining in government spending and reducing taxes on small business. Hoffman has formally announced that he will again try to win the congressional seat in New York’s 23rd District.
Teachers in the Franklin Central Supervisory Union have a tentative agreement on a new contract. Terms of the deal will not be released until it is ratified by the teachers. The district covers schools in St. Albans City and Fairfield.
A UVM faculty union claims the school pays its female professors less than their male colleagues. The United Academics union has filed a grievance, charging the school discriminated against five female assistant clinical professors. The dispute will be held Thursday by the state's Labor Relations Board.
Berlin Pond is at the center of a fight between Montpelier and a Barre man. Rick Barnett says he's gotten a state permit for an ice fishing derby late this month on the pond, which supplies Montpelier's drinking water. City officials say they'll defend the city's right to restrict public use of the pond.
A week after his boss left, the acting New York State Police Superintendent is also retiring. First Deputy Superintendent Pedro Perez is stepping down after 28 years, following Harry Corbitt, who left the top spot last week because of the scandal surrounding Governor Patterson. Perez says his departure has nothing to do with the attorney general's investigation.
One of Vermont's largest ski resorts has been hit with a hefty environmental fine. Mount Snow has agreed to pay $95,000 to settle a civil case brought by the Attorney General's Office. According to the state, the ski resort improperly handled and mismanaged hazardous materials in 2008. The state says the resort has since fixed the problems.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, March 8, 2010
WVTK Local & State News March 8, 2010
Workers laid off from Monahan Filaments can apply for federal aid. The U.S. Department of Labor announced Friday that the former employees at Monahan had been declared eligible for "worker adjustment assistance." The program, part of the Trade Act of 1974, provides training and job placement services to workers whose jobs have been sent overseas. Monahan first said it would lay off roughly half its Vermont employees last year before it announced it would close its Middlebury plant entirely. The company, which makes filaments for products from toothbrushes to industrial brushes, also announced partnerships with Chinese and Indian companies.
Governor Jim Douglas be leading a delegation to Canada this week to discuss a bilateral relationship with Quebec. Douglas, along with Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie, and some business leaders will be meeting with Quebec government officials. Douglas says it's important for the state and province to build on their economic, trade, energy and environmental ties.
Police are still investigating a snowmobile accident in Dannemora that clamed the life of one of the riders. Police say 41-year-old Everett Willis of Brainardsville was involved in a collision and died at the scene. Police arrested another member of the group, 43-year-old Roger Wilcox, and charged him with operating a snowmobile under the influence of alcohol.
An early morning fire yesterday morning did moderate damage to a snack bar in Ticonderoga. Fire fighters were called to the Wind Chill Factory on Route 9N just after 1 am Sunday and found a fire burning in the back of the building. The snack bar was closed for the season. Fire fighters were able to put out the flames but say there is extensive damage inside the building.
The town of Vergennes has received a $500-thousand grant that will help with a much needed senior housing project. The grant brings the town one-step closer to fully-funding the 25-unit project. The total cost of the project is about $6 million. Project Managers say they expect to see the first residents move into their new homes in the Spring of 2011.
Experts say a 19th century painting that once hung on a wall in a committee room of the Vermont Statehouse could be worth $1.5 million. The painting called "The Quack Doctor" was created by Montpelier painter Thomas Waterman Wood. The painting has been moved to the legislative lounge, where it is less likely to be damaged accidentally.
A car accident Saturday Morning in Ferrisburgh sent four people to the hospital. Police say around 8 AM, Saturday Morning, the driver of a green Honda Civic hit another car after he fell asleep behind the wheel. The accident forced police to shut down a 3-mile stretch of Route 7 for about 2-hours.
Both Shaw’s and Hannaford’s have pulled a number of items off the shelves because they contain Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein. The FDA says the popular food flavoring additive may contain salmonella. Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein is included in more than 50 dips, soups, and snacks.
St. Albans was named one of the top 50 of America's best affordable suburbs by Bloomberg Business Week in a survey published last week. Despite the down economy, Vermonters looking to buy real estate turn to St. Albans as an option due to its proximity to Burlington. St. Albans also scored high points for a low unemployment rate of 6.8 percent.
Vermont Secretary of State Deb Markowitz is officially kicking of her campaign for governor. The Democrat will hold a noon-time rally today at the Barre Auditorium. Markowitz is one of 5 Democrats seeking the party nomination ... to run for the seat being vacated by Governor Jim Douglas.
The Rutland Herald is legally challenging a City Hall decision to deny access to some records related to computer pornography investigations at the Rutland Police Department and Department of Public Works. In a five-page complaint prepared Friday, Burlington attorney Robert Hemley argues that the newspaper and the public should have access to disciplinary records regarding employees punished for looking at Internet pornography while at work. The complaint, expected to arrive at Rutland Superior Court today, follows on the heels of a records request submitted by the newspaper in February.
Governor Jim Douglas be leading a delegation to Canada this week to discuss a bilateral relationship with Quebec. Douglas, along with Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie, and some business leaders will be meeting with Quebec government officials. Douglas says it's important for the state and province to build on their economic, trade, energy and environmental ties.
Police are still investigating a snowmobile accident in Dannemora that clamed the life of one of the riders. Police say 41-year-old Everett Willis of Brainardsville was involved in a collision and died at the scene. Police arrested another member of the group, 43-year-old Roger Wilcox, and charged him with operating a snowmobile under the influence of alcohol.
An early morning fire yesterday morning did moderate damage to a snack bar in Ticonderoga. Fire fighters were called to the Wind Chill Factory on Route 9N just after 1 am Sunday and found a fire burning in the back of the building. The snack bar was closed for the season. Fire fighters were able to put out the flames but say there is extensive damage inside the building.
The town of Vergennes has received a $500-thousand grant that will help with a much needed senior housing project. The grant brings the town one-step closer to fully-funding the 25-unit project. The total cost of the project is about $6 million. Project Managers say they expect to see the first residents move into their new homes in the Spring of 2011.
Experts say a 19th century painting that once hung on a wall in a committee room of the Vermont Statehouse could be worth $1.5 million. The painting called "The Quack Doctor" was created by Montpelier painter Thomas Waterman Wood. The painting has been moved to the legislative lounge, where it is less likely to be damaged accidentally.
A car accident Saturday Morning in Ferrisburgh sent four people to the hospital. Police say around 8 AM, Saturday Morning, the driver of a green Honda Civic hit another car after he fell asleep behind the wheel. The accident forced police to shut down a 3-mile stretch of Route 7 for about 2-hours.
Both Shaw’s and Hannaford’s have pulled a number of items off the shelves because they contain Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein. The FDA says the popular food flavoring additive may contain salmonella. Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein is included in more than 50 dips, soups, and snacks.
St. Albans was named one of the top 50 of America's best affordable suburbs by Bloomberg Business Week in a survey published last week. Despite the down economy, Vermonters looking to buy real estate turn to St. Albans as an option due to its proximity to Burlington. St. Albans also scored high points for a low unemployment rate of 6.8 percent.
Vermont Secretary of State Deb Markowitz is officially kicking of her campaign for governor. The Democrat will hold a noon-time rally today at the Barre Auditorium. Markowitz is one of 5 Democrats seeking the party nomination ... to run for the seat being vacated by Governor Jim Douglas.
The Rutland Herald is legally challenging a City Hall decision to deny access to some records related to computer pornography investigations at the Rutland Police Department and Department of Public Works. In a five-page complaint prepared Friday, Burlington attorney Robert Hemley argues that the newspaper and the public should have access to disciplinary records regarding employees punished for looking at Internet pornography while at work. The complaint, expected to arrive at Rutland Superior Court today, follows on the heels of a records request submitted by the newspaper in February.
Friday, March 5, 2010
WVTK Local & State News March 5, 2010
Links to suspected child pornography files found on a Vermont Police Academy trainer's computer in January show they were imported from a portable device plugged into David McMullen's computer, according to an affidavit attached to a newly released state police search warrant. The warrant, returned to Middlebury District Court on Thursday, was executed almost two months ago at McMullen's home in Cornwall. State police have said that hours after police searched the home on Jan. 15, McMullen shot and killed himself on the academy's Pittsford grounds.
Hundreds of Vermont troops, still training in Indiana, will be going to Afghanistan within the next 10 days. The troops, that are still in Indiana, had to stay longer because the transport planes were diverted to Haiti to help with relief efforts. As for the mission change to combat duty from training roles, Vermont's Guard commander says his men and women are ready.
Another member of Governor David Paterson’s team has resigned. Communications Director Peter Kauffmann is the third person to leave the Paterson administration in two weeks. Kauffmann says he cannot continue in the administration plagued by the scandals that threaten the jobs of Paterson and those he directed.
Due to cuts in state-aid and soaring costs, a number of schools in our area are looking at cutting staff and programs in order to keep budgets down. Salmon River Central School may cut 41, Peru Central School may let go 25, and Tupper Lake Central School might have to say goodbye to 32 positions. School officials say they don’t feel right in asking taxpayers to foot the bill.
Vermont's "Cash for Appliances" rebate program starts on Saturday. People turning in old refrigerators and washing machines are eligible for up to $200 in rebates if they purchase Energy Star efficient appliances. Vermont was allotted about $600,000. That means when the money runs out, so does the program.
The Douglas Administration and the Vermont State Police Officers Union have reached a deal on a new contract. The one-year contract includes a pay freeze and a number of other cuts which equal the 3 percent cut that other state employees are taking. The concessions will save the state almost 1-Million Dollars.
Vermont lawmakers have scheduled a final vote for next week on a bill that would grant anonymity to donors who give to the University of Vermont or other public colleges. The confidentiality exemption --- which is only for those who seek it --- wouldn't be available if within 3 years of making the gift, the person does more than $10,000 worth of business with the school.
It looks like it could get more expensive for students at Plattsburgh State to live on campus. As part of the renovation plans for the PSU dorms, room rates for standard double rooms are likely to rise an additional $125 per semester. The prices are expected to go up for each dorm as each one is renovated, starting next fall.
The Vermont Department of Health said its efforts against the H1N1 outbreak were a success but it's still asking people to take precautions. Nearly a third of the state was vaccinated this season. During the outbreak, 149 people were hospitalized with a flu-like illness. Health officials say the peak flu season maybe over but they will continue to monitor flu activity throughout the summer.
Spring may be a couple weeks away but some Maple Sugar Makers are getting an early jump on the season. With the warmer days and cooler nights, the sap has started to run, and that has sugar makers starting to collect and boil the season’s first run of syrup.
Hundreds of Vermont troops, still training in Indiana, will be going to Afghanistan within the next 10 days. The troops, that are still in Indiana, had to stay longer because the transport planes were diverted to Haiti to help with relief efforts. As for the mission change to combat duty from training roles, Vermont's Guard commander says his men and women are ready.
Another member of Governor David Paterson’s team has resigned. Communications Director Peter Kauffmann is the third person to leave the Paterson administration in two weeks. Kauffmann says he cannot continue in the administration plagued by the scandals that threaten the jobs of Paterson and those he directed.
Due to cuts in state-aid and soaring costs, a number of schools in our area are looking at cutting staff and programs in order to keep budgets down. Salmon River Central School may cut 41, Peru Central School may let go 25, and Tupper Lake Central School might have to say goodbye to 32 positions. School officials say they don’t feel right in asking taxpayers to foot the bill.
Vermont's "Cash for Appliances" rebate program starts on Saturday. People turning in old refrigerators and washing machines are eligible for up to $200 in rebates if they purchase Energy Star efficient appliances. Vermont was allotted about $600,000. That means when the money runs out, so does the program.
The Douglas Administration and the Vermont State Police Officers Union have reached a deal on a new contract. The one-year contract includes a pay freeze and a number of other cuts which equal the 3 percent cut that other state employees are taking. The concessions will save the state almost 1-Million Dollars.
Vermont lawmakers have scheduled a final vote for next week on a bill that would grant anonymity to donors who give to the University of Vermont or other public colleges. The confidentiality exemption --- which is only for those who seek it --- wouldn't be available if within 3 years of making the gift, the person does more than $10,000 worth of business with the school.
It looks like it could get more expensive for students at Plattsburgh State to live on campus. As part of the renovation plans for the PSU dorms, room rates for standard double rooms are likely to rise an additional $125 per semester. The prices are expected to go up for each dorm as each one is renovated, starting next fall.
The Vermont Department of Health said its efforts against the H1N1 outbreak were a success but it's still asking people to take precautions. Nearly a third of the state was vaccinated this season. During the outbreak, 149 people were hospitalized with a flu-like illness. Health officials say the peak flu season maybe over but they will continue to monitor flu activity throughout the summer.
Spring may be a couple weeks away but some Maple Sugar Makers are getting an early jump on the season. With the warmer days and cooler nights, the sap has started to run, and that has sugar makers starting to collect and boil the season’s first run of syrup.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
WVTK Local & State News March 4, 2010
Despite hard economic times, Vermont voters are giving the thumbs-up to school budgets, even those with significant tax increases. The Vermont Superintendent's Association reports that 230 budgets passed, only 14 were defeated on Town Meeting Day.
Voters in the Moriah Central School District passed a $10 million school improvement project yesterday. The vote was 405 to 150. The capital project will cost local taxpayers nothing. 100-percent of the project is being paid for with state funds. The new project will replace the school roof and heating boilers and renovate the school swimming pool.
Central Vermont Public Service Corp. spent an estimated $4 million cleaning up after storms last week. Snow Tuesday and wind Thursday knocked out power to 66,000 customers, getting more than a third of them twice for a total of more than 91,000 outages. The last was repaired Sunday evening, according to the company, and the longest anyone was without power was about 80 hours.
The scandal surrounding Governor David Paterson is getting worse. An ethics panel has charged Paterson with a violation for accepting free Yankees' tickets for last year's World Series. This on top of accusations he interfered with a domestic violence case involving one of his former top aides.
With Colchester's Camp Johnson as the backdrop, Governor Jim Douglas has signed into the Military Parent Protection Act. The bill allows for temporary custody orders while a parent is deployed; and a return to a pre-deployment arrangement when they return from duty. The new law takes effect immediately.
Town Meeting Day voters in Rutland passed term limits. By a 2-to-1 margin, city residents approved adding a 10-year term limit for the mayor and members of the Board of Aldermen. Supporters say change is good every few years to keep fresh ideas at City Hall. Two members currently on the Board of Aldermen have served for longer than 10 years.
The Chittenden County prosecutor says he won't file criminal charges against a Bristol police officer who handcuffed a woman to a wall outside the South Burlington jail. The officer handcuffed her to a wall in an unheated garage for about 30 minutes while he went outside to call his department to ask what to do because the jail refused to take her.
A federal judge says a 28-year-old Starksboro man accused of being the "hired muscle" for a crack cocaine ring in should remain in custody while he awaits trial. Judge William Sessions III issued the ruling after a woman who had agreed to take in David M. Dean changed her mind. Dean is among 20 people charged with being part of a drug ring broken up last month.
For the thousands of people living in communities around the Burlington Airport, it's going to be a quieter-than-usual summer. That's because the eight-thousand-foot runway will be undergoing its once-in-a-decade resurfacing project. Much of the work will be done overnight, meaning the airport shuts down during that time, starting in early June. As for the Vermont Air National Guard F-16 fighter jets stationed there, most will take off in May for training in Idaho and later in New Hampshire. Those jets will be gone through the summer, and are not scheduled to return until after Labor Day. Instead, most of the summer training will be out of Pease Air National Guard Base near Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
More than a dozen foodmakers have been put on notice by the FDA to check nutritional claims made on food labels. Among the companies receiving warning letters were baby food makers Gerber and Beech-Nut. The FDA cites labels that claim baby foods are "Healthy as Fresh," an "Excellent Source of Vitamin A" and have "No Added Sugar." While not saying the statements are wrong, the agency said regulations don't allow the claims for products specifically intended for children under two years of age. Warning letters were also sent to Diamond Foods related to health claims made for omega-3 fatty acids found in the company's walnut snacks. Spectrum Organic Products received a letter citing labeling of its vegetable shortening. Even Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream came in for scrutiny. The Food and Drug Administration is getting ready to press for new package labeling to make it simpler for ordinary people to understand the nutritional content of food. The full list of companies that received warning letters from the FDA is posted on the agency's website FDA.gov.
Voters in the Moriah Central School District passed a $10 million school improvement project yesterday. The vote was 405 to 150. The capital project will cost local taxpayers nothing. 100-percent of the project is being paid for with state funds. The new project will replace the school roof and heating boilers and renovate the school swimming pool.
Central Vermont Public Service Corp. spent an estimated $4 million cleaning up after storms last week. Snow Tuesday and wind Thursday knocked out power to 66,000 customers, getting more than a third of them twice for a total of more than 91,000 outages. The last was repaired Sunday evening, according to the company, and the longest anyone was without power was about 80 hours.
The scandal surrounding Governor David Paterson is getting worse. An ethics panel has charged Paterson with a violation for accepting free Yankees' tickets for last year's World Series. This on top of accusations he interfered with a domestic violence case involving one of his former top aides.
With Colchester's Camp Johnson as the backdrop, Governor Jim Douglas has signed into the Military Parent Protection Act. The bill allows for temporary custody orders while a parent is deployed; and a return to a pre-deployment arrangement when they return from duty. The new law takes effect immediately.
Town Meeting Day voters in Rutland passed term limits. By a 2-to-1 margin, city residents approved adding a 10-year term limit for the mayor and members of the Board of Aldermen. Supporters say change is good every few years to keep fresh ideas at City Hall. Two members currently on the Board of Aldermen have served for longer than 10 years.
The Chittenden County prosecutor says he won't file criminal charges against a Bristol police officer who handcuffed a woman to a wall outside the South Burlington jail. The officer handcuffed her to a wall in an unheated garage for about 30 minutes while he went outside to call his department to ask what to do because the jail refused to take her.
A federal judge says a 28-year-old Starksboro man accused of being the "hired muscle" for a crack cocaine ring in should remain in custody while he awaits trial. Judge William Sessions III issued the ruling after a woman who had agreed to take in David M. Dean changed her mind. Dean is among 20 people charged with being part of a drug ring broken up last month.
For the thousands of people living in communities around the Burlington Airport, it's going to be a quieter-than-usual summer. That's because the eight-thousand-foot runway will be undergoing its once-in-a-decade resurfacing project. Much of the work will be done overnight, meaning the airport shuts down during that time, starting in early June. As for the Vermont Air National Guard F-16 fighter jets stationed there, most will take off in May for training in Idaho and later in New Hampshire. Those jets will be gone through the summer, and are not scheduled to return until after Labor Day. Instead, most of the summer training will be out of Pease Air National Guard Base near Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
More than a dozen foodmakers have been put on notice by the FDA to check nutritional claims made on food labels. Among the companies receiving warning letters were baby food makers Gerber and Beech-Nut. The FDA cites labels that claim baby foods are "Healthy as Fresh," an "Excellent Source of Vitamin A" and have "No Added Sugar." While not saying the statements are wrong, the agency said regulations don't allow the claims for products specifically intended for children under two years of age. Warning letters were also sent to Diamond Foods related to health claims made for omega-3 fatty acids found in the company's walnut snacks. Spectrum Organic Products received a letter citing labeling of its vegetable shortening. Even Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream came in for scrutiny. The Food and Drug Administration is getting ready to press for new package labeling to make it simpler for ordinary people to understand the nutritional content of food. The full list of companies that received warning letters from the FDA is posted on the agency's website FDA.gov.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
WVTK Local & State News March 3, 2010
Towns across Vermont took up the issue of Vermont Yankee during Town Meeting Day. Even though it was a non-binding vote, residents said they don’t want to see the nuclear power plant re-licensed for another 20-years. 16 towns passed the resolution this Town Meeting Day. 3 voted no. And 4 voted to table the measure.
Gov. Jim Douglas is stepping down as governor this year, but not as moderator of Middlebury’s town meeting. Douglas, who has presided over Middlebury’s town meeting for 23 years, was elected to the post for another year at town meeting Tuesday. It wasn’t close: He received 531 votes and was unopposed. Elsewhere, turnout was down around Addison County, but communities mostly supported passage of town and school budgets. In a nod to economic hard times, Vergennes voters agreed to allow residents a 15-day grace period for paying sewer and property taxes by a 295-49 margin. The grace period means those who pay their tax or sewer bill less than 15 days after the due date will avoid the 1 percent late fee they otherwise would have had to pay. Ferrisburgh voters agreed to put $62,000 left over from revenue collected by the town in the last year in a reserve fund for a new town garage the community hopes to build in two or three years.
Middlebury:
• Proposed town budget: $5,571,874 (to be raised in taxes), up 2.7 percent, passed.
• Selectboard: Two candidates for three, three-year terms: Nick Artim (574), Janelle Ashley (557), incumbents, and Travis Forbes (89) elected to three-year terms, defeating Brian Bauer (86).
• Items: Voters agreed, 532-223 to phase out the business personal property tax over six years, rejected adding $5,000 to budget for Humane Society; agreed to add $1,500 to budget for Addison County Readers, a program to encourage reading by younger children.
Vergennes voted in favor of district consolidation with neighbors. Vergennes school budget passed.
Ferrisburgh also voted in favor of school district consolidation, joining Vergennes. Ferrisburgh passed the school budget as well.
The Charlotte Central School budget was defeated. Voters approved the municipal budget of by voice vote after passing an amendment.
Ripton school budget passed on a voice vote.
Shelburne school budget passes 890-791. Shelburne also OK'd money for new school bus. Town budget passed. Bond for fire truck also was approved.
Shoreham approved school budget 69-38.
The Champlain Valley Union High School budget passed, 3,084-2,144.
The Clinton County Sheriff's Department says someone has been making phone calls asking for money. The caller identifies himself as "Ryan," and he asks for donations for an annual fundraiser for the Clinton County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff’s Department says they are not currently doing any fundraising. They also remind people to keep their personal information private.
IRV or Instant Run-Off Voting has been repealed by the voters of Burlington. This means the mayor in Burlington will go back to being elected under the old system in which a candidate only needs 40 percent of the votes to win. The measure to repeal IRV passed by only 303 votes.
Olympians from Vermont were honored in Washington, D.C. Senators Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders took time yesterday, on the Senate floor, to congratulate more than a dozen people from the Green Mountain State who participated in the Vancouver games. Leahy said, "They’ve been great ambassadors for the United States.”
The Tupper Lake Central School District may have to cut nearly 3 dozen positions. That's about a quarter of the district's instructors. School officials say the layoffs are necessary to avoid a 33 percent increase in the tax levy. The cuts would save a half million dollars and would be divided amongst all of the district's schools.
In Stowe, voters agreed with the town auditors. The town's three auditors had recommended that their positions be eliminated. They say the work they've been doing can be done by the Select Board staff and the town's external auditors. Voters in Stowe agreed. The three positions were eliminated, a move that will save the town money.
New York State Police Superintendent Harry Corbitt is abruptly retiring effective Wednesday amid a domestic violence scandal threatening Governor David Paterson. Corbitt announced his retirement yesterday and says intense media scrutiny played a role in his decision. He is the second law enforcement official claimed by the scandal.
Gov. Jim Douglas is stepping down as governor this year, but not as moderator of Middlebury’s town meeting. Douglas, who has presided over Middlebury’s town meeting for 23 years, was elected to the post for another year at town meeting Tuesday. It wasn’t close: He received 531 votes and was unopposed. Elsewhere, turnout was down around Addison County, but communities mostly supported passage of town and school budgets. In a nod to economic hard times, Vergennes voters agreed to allow residents a 15-day grace period for paying sewer and property taxes by a 295-49 margin. The grace period means those who pay their tax or sewer bill less than 15 days after the due date will avoid the 1 percent late fee they otherwise would have had to pay. Ferrisburgh voters agreed to put $62,000 left over from revenue collected by the town in the last year in a reserve fund for a new town garage the community hopes to build in two or three years.
Middlebury:
• Proposed town budget: $5,571,874 (to be raised in taxes), up 2.7 percent, passed.
• Selectboard: Two candidates for three, three-year terms: Nick Artim (574), Janelle Ashley (557), incumbents, and Travis Forbes (89) elected to three-year terms, defeating Brian Bauer (86).
• Items: Voters agreed, 532-223 to phase out the business personal property tax over six years, rejected adding $5,000 to budget for Humane Society; agreed to add $1,500 to budget for Addison County Readers, a program to encourage reading by younger children.
Vergennes voted in favor of district consolidation with neighbors. Vergennes school budget passed.
Ferrisburgh also voted in favor of school district consolidation, joining Vergennes. Ferrisburgh passed the school budget as well.
The Charlotte Central School budget was defeated. Voters approved the municipal budget of by voice vote after passing an amendment.
Ripton school budget passed on a voice vote.
Shelburne school budget passes 890-791. Shelburne also OK'd money for new school bus. Town budget passed. Bond for fire truck also was approved.
Shoreham approved school budget 69-38.
The Champlain Valley Union High School budget passed, 3,084-2,144.
The Clinton County Sheriff's Department says someone has been making phone calls asking for money. The caller identifies himself as "Ryan," and he asks for donations for an annual fundraiser for the Clinton County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff’s Department says they are not currently doing any fundraising. They also remind people to keep their personal information private.
IRV or Instant Run-Off Voting has been repealed by the voters of Burlington. This means the mayor in Burlington will go back to being elected under the old system in which a candidate only needs 40 percent of the votes to win. The measure to repeal IRV passed by only 303 votes.
Olympians from Vermont were honored in Washington, D.C. Senators Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders took time yesterday, on the Senate floor, to congratulate more than a dozen people from the Green Mountain State who participated in the Vancouver games. Leahy said, "They’ve been great ambassadors for the United States.”
The Tupper Lake Central School District may have to cut nearly 3 dozen positions. That's about a quarter of the district's instructors. School officials say the layoffs are necessary to avoid a 33 percent increase in the tax levy. The cuts would save a half million dollars and would be divided amongst all of the district's schools.
In Stowe, voters agreed with the town auditors. The town's three auditors had recommended that their positions be eliminated. They say the work they've been doing can be done by the Select Board staff and the town's external auditors. Voters in Stowe agreed. The three positions were eliminated, a move that will save the town money.
New York State Police Superintendent Harry Corbitt is abruptly retiring effective Wednesday amid a domestic violence scandal threatening Governor David Paterson. Corbitt announced his retirement yesterday and says intense media scrutiny played a role in his decision. He is the second law enforcement official claimed by the scandal.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
WVTK Local & State News March 2, 2010
Today is Town Meeting Day in Vermont and many school districts this year are either proposing smaller budgets or only modest increases. For the first time in decades, school spending will actually decline this year if every budget passes by point 1 percent. Some 135 districts statewide are looking to decrease school spending-- 45 more than last year. Get the complete list of polling places and times for Addison & Rutland Counties on the Area Calendar Page.
The latest round of layoffs at Pfizer now has over 200 people looking for a new job. The layoffs include 115 employees at the Rouses Point Plant and 86 at the Chazy Research Facility. Pfizer officials say once the facilities in Plattsburgh, Chazy and Rouses Point are closed, a total of 645 employees will be out of work.
Vermont business owners will get another break on workers' compensation insurance. The new rates that will take effect April 1 will mark the fourth consecutive year in which rates have decreased. The rate changes vary by industry. Governor Jim Douglas says the decreased rates would not be possible without employers' continued attention to the need for workplace safety.
An economic-impact report prepared for the Essex County Board of Supervisors says the Moriah Shock Incarceration Facility pumps about $8 million a year into the local economy. Board members are taking the new report with them to Albany to meet with area legislators over the proposed closure of the shock camp.
Police in Essex are looking for the person responsible for firing a stray bullet that entered a home early Sunday morning. Police say they believe the person was trying to shoot a deer. While only one person was at the Curve Hill Road home at the time, no one was injured. Essex officials are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact them.
About 280,000 Vermont adults – nearly 60 percent – are overweight or obese. This has prompting the state Health Department and the Attorney General's office to jumpstart efforts to encourage people to exercise and improve their daily diets. This follows the Attorney General's past health-related initiatives on senior issues, lead in the environment and anti-tobacco efforts.
IRV or Instant Run-Off Voting goes before the voters in Burlington today. IRV asks voters to rank the candidates instead of voting for just one. Mayor Bob Kiss was re-elected last year using the IRV system after not getting a 50% majority when the votes were first counted. Voters will decide today whether or not Burlington continues using the voting system.
34 Senior Centers across the state will receive $500,000 in grant money. Senator Bernie Sanders made the announcement yesterday. He says that money will go a long way. Most of the money will go toward Meals on Wheels programs which are just one of the vital programs centers provide, often on a cash strapped budget.
A soldier from Tupper Lake is recovering after being injured in Afghanistan. 24-year-old Bergan Flannigan was inspecting a motorcycle with a trailer attached to it last week, when someone detonated a bomb. The Army First Lieutenant lost her right leg in the blast. Flannigan is receiving treatment at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
A sure sign of spring is the blossoming of flowers, and some hope is budding along with bunches and bunches of bright yellow daffodils being sold by the American Cancer Society. Daffodil Days is an annual fundraiser, which usually brings in about 160-thosuand dollars which stays in Vermont, with 81 cents of every dollar going directly to patient care and research. Flowers can be ordered from now until Friday, March fifth. The daffodils will be delivered the week of March 15th.
The latest round of layoffs at Pfizer now has over 200 people looking for a new job. The layoffs include 115 employees at the Rouses Point Plant and 86 at the Chazy Research Facility. Pfizer officials say once the facilities in Plattsburgh, Chazy and Rouses Point are closed, a total of 645 employees will be out of work.
Vermont business owners will get another break on workers' compensation insurance. The new rates that will take effect April 1 will mark the fourth consecutive year in which rates have decreased. The rate changes vary by industry. Governor Jim Douglas says the decreased rates would not be possible without employers' continued attention to the need for workplace safety.
An economic-impact report prepared for the Essex County Board of Supervisors says the Moriah Shock Incarceration Facility pumps about $8 million a year into the local economy. Board members are taking the new report with them to Albany to meet with area legislators over the proposed closure of the shock camp.
Police in Essex are looking for the person responsible for firing a stray bullet that entered a home early Sunday morning. Police say they believe the person was trying to shoot a deer. While only one person was at the Curve Hill Road home at the time, no one was injured. Essex officials are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact them.
About 280,000 Vermont adults – nearly 60 percent – are overweight or obese. This has prompting the state Health Department and the Attorney General's office to jumpstart efforts to encourage people to exercise and improve their daily diets. This follows the Attorney General's past health-related initiatives on senior issues, lead in the environment and anti-tobacco efforts.
IRV or Instant Run-Off Voting goes before the voters in Burlington today. IRV asks voters to rank the candidates instead of voting for just one. Mayor Bob Kiss was re-elected last year using the IRV system after not getting a 50% majority when the votes were first counted. Voters will decide today whether or not Burlington continues using the voting system.
34 Senior Centers across the state will receive $500,000 in grant money. Senator Bernie Sanders made the announcement yesterday. He says that money will go a long way. Most of the money will go toward Meals on Wheels programs which are just one of the vital programs centers provide, often on a cash strapped budget.
A soldier from Tupper Lake is recovering after being injured in Afghanistan. 24-year-old Bergan Flannigan was inspecting a motorcycle with a trailer attached to it last week, when someone detonated a bomb. The Army First Lieutenant lost her right leg in the blast. Flannigan is receiving treatment at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
A sure sign of spring is the blossoming of flowers, and some hope is budding along with bunches and bunches of bright yellow daffodils being sold by the American Cancer Society. Daffodil Days is an annual fundraiser, which usually brings in about 160-thosuand dollars which stays in Vermont, with 81 cents of every dollar going directly to patient care and research. Flowers can be ordered from now until Friday, March fifth. The daffodils will be delivered the week of March 15th.
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