Current News

The Goddard College Board of Trustees has announced the appointment of Robert P. Kenny as the 11th president of Goddard College, where he has been serving in an interim appointment since April 30, 2014. The board recently voted unanimously to convert his interim contract to a three-year appointment as president starting July 1, 2015.

“Goddard has been in a time of transition since former president Dr. Barbara Vacarr stepped down in January of 2014, and we are pleased with the work Bob has done to bring stability to the College,” said Board Chair Avram Patt. “The College is on much stronger footing as a result of Bob’s collaborative leadership with faculty and staff. With their support, we are pleased to offer him the presidency.”

Vermont Gas Systems today announced that it has reached agreements with owners of about 85% of parcels in the Addison Natural Gas Project pipeline corridor. Vermont Gas is engaged in ongoing constructive negotiations or neutral third-party mediation with another 10% of landowners, which the Company believes will lead to more agreements. The Company has also taken an important and necessary step of starting eminent domain proceedings with two landowners who have not responded to Vermont Gas’ repeated attempts to communicate.

The U.S. Treasury Department has announced that Vermont is one of only three states to have fully deployed their federal State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) funds. In 2011, through the Small Business Jobs Act, Vermont received $13.2 million in SSBCI funding, to be administered by the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA). The other two states to have fully deployed their respective federal funds are Idaho and North Dakota.

“The fact that we were able to get these federal funds out to Vermont businesses so quickly is a real testament to the dedication of all VEDA Staff,” said VEDA Chief Executive Officer Jo Bradley. In Vermont, the $13.2 million in SSBCI funds leveraged an additional $133.3 million in local funds on projects totaling $146.5 million. VEDA made 156 loans to 129 companies with 3,931 employees. The companies expected to add 2,233 in additional jobs as a result of the financed projects.

Five Vermont communities will be able to make their downtowns safer and more beautiful, thanks to grants from the state’s Downtown Transportation Fund. Windsor, Bristol, Rutland, Waterbury and Barre were awarded a total of $388,245 for transportation-related capital improvements, including bike paths, sidewalks, and landscaping.

"We are delighted we can make these opportunities available to help continue to make our downtowns strong. Congratulations to these communities for their hard work and success," commented Patricia Moulton, Secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development.

by John McClaughry Last week, the Vermont House completed deliberations on a fiscal year 2016 general fund budget and an associated tax package. The appropriations committee, after months of intense work and no little agony, produced a budget that covers a $113 million deficit. The House-passed bill (H490) reduces the governor’s budget request by $53 million, and calls for $35 million in new revenues. It accepts Gov. Shumlin’s proposal for $10.8 million in labor force savings. Some $24 million in one-time money – including $5 million from the Rainy Day Fund - will go toward closing the gap.

Over Republican objections, the House voted to raise $35 million with two income tax increases (H.489). One caps itemized deductions to two and a half times the standard deduction. The other eliminates the deduction for state income taxes paid, which also hits high bracket taxpayers the hardest.

The Vermont Enhanced 9-1-1 Board joins a nationwide campaign to help Americans of all ages recognize the importance of 9-1-1 and the role they play in ensuring effective and efficient emergency response in times of crisis. Groups including the United States Congress and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), a leading public safety association, have also recognized April as National 9-1-1 Education Month, and are encouraging the media, the 9-1-1 community, the wireless industry, and public information providers to engage in 9-1-1 awareness and education activities this month.

by M Kathleen Shaw, DVM, Vermont Veterinary Medical Association Spring is almost here (really!) and with it comes parasites of all sorts that can infect your pet. Most dog and cat owners understand the importance of keeping their pets safe from parasites such as heartworms, intestinal worms, fleas, and ticks. However, pet owners are now being flooded with ads for generic products and these new brands are creating confusion. In addition, some of the other, better known products have disappeared leaving everyone even more confused. Exactly what parasite control products should you be using for your pets?

by Amy Ash Nixon vtdigger.org A House committee Friday voted down a controversial bill that sought to take away what was characterized by its lead sponsor, Rep. Kurt Wright, R-Burlington, as the “nuclear option” for teachers’ unions and school boards — strikes and contract imposition. The House General, Housing and Military Affairs Committee voted 5-3 against the bill, saying it either did not achieve a better outcome or that it wasn’t ready for passage in its current form.

The bill, H.76, was passed out of the House Education Committee recently on an 8-3 vote.

Over the past several months, Verizon Wireless has enhanced fourth generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) network coverage in communities throughout Vermont.

AT&T has invested nearly $60 million in its best-in-class wireless and wired networks in Vermont between 2012 through 2014, driving a wide range of upgrades to reliability, coverage, speed and performance for residents and business customers. As part of its Project Velocity IP (VIP), an investment plan focused on network enhancement and expansion, AT&T in 2014 made 15 wireless network upgrades in Vermont, including new cell sites, addition of network capacity, and new wireless high-speed Internet connections.

AT&T provides the nation's most reliable 4G LTE network today, covering more than 300 million Americans with 4G LTE service. AT&T's network also has the nation's strongest LTE signal.

Greg Dewey, PhD, President of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, announced today that former Vermont Governor James Douglas will be the commencement speaker at the May 17 graduation ceremony for the College’s Colchester Campus. This year’s commencement exercises will take place at 1 pm at the Champlain Valley Exposition.