Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Washington County State’s Attorney Scott Williams and Attorney General William H Sorrell announced today that they have completed separate independent reviews of an incident involving police use of deadly force that occurred on September 11, 2015, in Fayston, Vermont. Both offices have concluded, as a matter of law, that Vermont State Police Trooper Christopher Brown was legally justified in the use of deadly force when he discharged his firearm at Robert Smallidge. The legal standard for the use of deadly force is whether the officer reasonably believed that he or a third party was in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury, and that deadly force was necessary to respond to the danger.

Vermont Business Magazine A new solar farm powering a local retirement community is helping fund the gift for a Make-A-Wish child in Vermont. The 500kW solar project sited on the farm owned by Bristol's Livingston family now powers 20 percent of operations at Wake Robin, a nearby continuing care retirement community. Vermont-based AllEarth Renewables manufactured solar trackers locally and oversaw design/construction for the project, and SolarSense served as the developer of the project. Addison County-based contractor Smith & McLain installed the project.

Through its “Watts for Wishes” charitable donation program, SolarSense is donating $7,500 to Make-A-Wish Vermont to help fund a future wish. The “Watts for Wishes" charitable donation program connects the renewable energy industry with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to provide children with life-threatening illnesses the funding to fulfill their wishes.

Vermont Business Magazine Saying the state should drop Vermont Health Connect and transition to the federal health exchange and at the same time reduce state spending to 2 percent, Bruce M Lisman today kicked off his gubernatorial campaign at the Green Mountain Dairy Farm in Sheldon. Lisman outlined his views of the challenges facing Vermont and the necessary solutions to head Vermont in a new direction. “For those who are 25 looking for their first career job, for those who are 45 and working but can’t afford to stay here, and for those who are 65 and can’t afford to live in their home and for those of any age who are thinking of leaving our state – I ask you to stick with me – I believe I have the answers,” said Lisman. SEE FULL SPEECH BELOW.

Vermont Business Magazine A three-judge Licensing Board of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Thursday granted the State of Vermont’s request that Entergy provide additional details to the State regarding reimbursements from the Vermont Yankee Decommissioning Trust Fund. Entergy filed a license amendment request a year ago to remove the requirement that it provide 30 days notice to the State and others of its intent to withdraw money from that fund. When the Vermont Attorney General and the Vermont Department of Public Service moved for a hearing on the matter, the Licensing Board agreed and granted the State’s request.

Vermont Business Magazine Killington only closed up in June and now it's all downhill from here. Killington kicked off its 2015-16 winter season at noon on Sunday, becoming the first North American resort to open for skiing and snowboarding. The first turns of the season were dedicated exclusively to Season Pass and Express Card holders, and the resort welcomed the general public on Monday, October 19, at 9 am. Killington’s operating schedule for the remainder of the week will be updated in real time at www.killington.com/conditions. Killington Resort is the largest four-season resort in Eastern North America. It's called "The Beast of the East."

Vermont Business Magazine AFT Vermont reported Friday that the members of the Vermont State Colleges Part Time Faculty Federation have overwhelmingly voted to ratify their new contract, which will be in effect until August 31, 2017. The contract includes many new gains, including 5 percent retroactive salary increases and increased compensation for graduate courses and overload work. Union negotiators also preserved other important benefits for faculty, such as 7% matching retirement contributions and tuition waivers for faculty and their dependents.

by Mike Smith At least one person in every campaign must have the responsibility of providing the candidate with an unvarnished assessment of his or her strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes it’s the campaign manager. In some situations it is a spouse. But often this responsibility falls to a longtime friend the candidate trusts.

The job requires someone who can objectively evaluate data, perhaps from polls, is a good listener and observer, and has keen political instincts. Most importantly, this person must be able to dispassionately synthesize all information in order to convey accurate and candid feedback to the candidate in a way that is taken seriously enough to solicit a change or create action, if that is what is required. If this adviser does the job right, the candidate — who often may not like what he or she hears — will value the advice and more easily navigate the path to victory.

Vermont Business Magazine Business Bikers, participants in Road Pitch 2015, and the Vermont community are invited to join the Candidates running for Governor of the State of Vermont at Gov Pitch 2016. In keeping with the spirit of Road Pitch 2015 – each Candidate will give a 3 minute “pitch” on how they plan to stimulate the entrepreneurial environment in Vermont.

Gov Pitch 2016 will be held on Monday, October 26, 2015, 6 pm to 8 pm, Flynn Space, 153 Main St, Burlington, Vermont. Tickets are $15.00 and are available at http://www.flynntix.org/Productions/Details.aspx?perfNo=12872&perfCodePrefix=OFZ16G. All proceeds will benefit United Way of Chittenden County.

Vermont Business Magazine Ski Vermont has expanded its brand relationships. It works with Vermont brands and companies that share a goal to reach skiers and riders in a unique way. Ski Vermont has had long-standing relationships with brands like Cabot cheese, Ben & Jerry’s, Long Trail and Woodchuck Cider and has announced two new partners and an expanded partnership for the 2015-16 ski and ride season. Skida headwear has become the official hat of Ski Vermont, Dale of Norway is a new clothing partner and Burton has expanded their support supplying the Ski Vermont team with snowboards and apparel, bags from their Durable Goods line, and helmets and goggles from anon.

Skida Headwear

Vermont Business Magazine Former Reddit staffer Victoria Taylor is among the speakers at the ninth Vermont Tech Jam, a free job fair and tech expo which takes place Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24, 2015, at the Sheraton Burlington Hotel and Conference Center. Taylor, former Reddit talent manager and coordinator of its popular Ask Me Anything series, will emcee a series of short talks called the Tech Tank.

by Representative Tom Stevens Since the legislature adjourned this spring, my friends, neighbors and constituents have asked me what their elected officials did this year to help "the little guy." In most cases, they are referring to middle and working class Vermonters who are striving to pay their bills, keep their families healthy and safe, and meet the day-to-day demands of jobs, homes, and communities. It’s an important question, and one that’s worth digging into. Distinguishing the middle class​ ​in Vermont is ​difficult ​because our income groups don't diverge all that much. Most of us consider ourselves "the little guy" and the facts bear that out. ​In a state of 314,000 income tax payers, ​most of us – about 270,000 ​ – make less than $100,000 a year​. More starkly, ​a​bout​ 200,000 of our Vermont taxpayers make less than ​$​50,000 – that’s 63%.

Vermont Business Magazine Marlboro College has launched the Renaissance Scholars program, a full tuition scholarship that seeks extraordinary students from across the nation who possess intense intellectual passions, a desire to leave the world better than they found it, and the tenacity to realize their most ambitious goals. The Renaissance Scholars program will award a full tuition scholarship to a single student in all 50 states, and the District of Columbia. Scholarships are valued at $38,000 per year and are renewable for four consecutive years of study, contingent of good academic and community standing. Selection criteria are based on each student's leadership, innovation, perseverance, and community service.