Current News

Clean and Clear offers ecosystem restoration grants
WATERBURY (September 9, 2008)- Governor Jim Douglas announced today that the Center for Clean and Clear at the Agency of Natural Resources is making up to $500,000 in grants available for its Ecosystem Restoration Program.
Governor Douglas said the newly expanded program broadens the range of eligible projects to more fully encompass the multitude of strategies and techniques available for improving water quality in the state, with special emphasis on reducing phosphorus and sediment pollution associated with wet weather runoff.
"These grants will help our watershed partners do the work that improves water quality town by town across Vermont," said Julie Moore, director of the Center for Clean and Clear. "The improvements we make on land have direct impacts on protecting our rivers, streams, ponds and lakes."

ROTARY TO SPONSOR TRIP FOR 4 TO TAIWAN
Group Study Exchange Program for Local Professionals
In its ongoing effort to support cultural and professional exchange, the local Rotary will be sponsoring an all-expense paid, month-long paid trip to Taiwan. Four individuals from the ages of 25 to 40 living in Vermont, New Hampshire or Quebec will be selected to participate in the international professional and cultural exchange program. Rotary's District 7850 will sponsors the trip to Taiwan which will be conducted during the spring of 2009 with participants traveling to half of northern Taiwan and a third of central Taiwan.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for international social and occupational networking," stated Sara Sprayregen, Director of the Group Study Exchange Program. "It will truly promote understanding and goodwill between our countries."

Vermont Chamber of Commerce to Release the 2007/2008 Legislative Report Card
Duane Marsh, President and Mike Belyea, Legislative Director at the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, will hold a press conference Wednesday September 10, 2008, to release its 2007/2008 Legislative Report Card. The conference will begin at 10 am in the Cedar Creek Room at the State House.

$800,000 In State Grants Available For Planning Projects
Municipal Grants Program Now Administered Entirely Online
MONTPELIER, Vt. - The state is making more than $800,000 in grants available to communities across the state for municipal planning and other special projects.
Officials at the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) announced the Municipal Planning Grants of up to $15,000, which can be used for a variety of planning projects.
"These grants help Vermont's cities and towns craft plans that promote economic and housing development in our downtowns and village centers, while protecting Vermont's working landscape from sprawl," said Kevin Dorn, Secretary of Commerce and Community Development, whose agency includes DHCA.
Through a competitive process, towns can be awarded grants for such traditional planning activities as updating town plans, maps and zoning bylaws.

DR. ROGER YOUNG ELECTED TO NATIONAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OF MARCH OF DIMES
Burlington, Vermont - Roger C. Young, MD, PhD, Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and Director of Vermont Perinatal Care at Fletcher Allen Health Care, has been elected to the national Board of Trustees of the March of Dimes Foundation, during their annual summer meeting.
March of Dimes trustees, who serve as volunteers, represent the public in governing the organization and advancing its mission and serve five-year terms.

"Dr. Young is committed to the core mission of the March of Dimes. We look forward to working with him over the next five years,'' said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, President of the March of Dimes.

Food Network's Neelys broadcast Vermont stories Tuesday
Food Network's favorite new husband and wife team - Pat and Gina Neely of the hit show Down Home With the Neelys - take to the road on a cross-country search for the best local, hand-crafted foods on their new primetime Road Tasted with the Neelys, which premiered Tuesday, July 22nd. Next stop? VERMONT! Pat and Gina are an awesome couple who have been instantly embraced by Food Network's audience, and this episode highlights some great places they visited while in your backyard.

Road Tasted with the Neelys follows the fun-loving couple as they highlight specialty stores and family-run businesses that make one-of-a-kind edibles. With the knowledge of what it takes to launch a successful family business and a passion for all things food, they'll also show viewers how to get these fabulous food finds delivered right to their doors. I have attached their bio, which gives a better idea of what they are all about.

Governor Douglas Announces Landfill Gas To Energy Project at Moretown Landfill
Moretown, Vt. September 9, 2008 - A new landfill gas to energy project that will provide renewable energy, create new jobs and enhance the environment began construction in Moretown today, announced Governor Douglas, Interstate Waste Corporation, PPL Renewable Energy and Green Mountain Power.
Governor Douglas said the project, located at Interstate Waste Corporation's (IWS) Moretown landfill, would generate 3.2 megawatts of electricity from methane, a gas that contributes to global warming. Methane is created when refuse in landfills decomposes and is currently being flared at the Moretown landfill.
"The impact on the environment of a landfill gas to energy project this size is equal to reducing 21,600 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. It is also equal to removing 3,600 cars from the road or eliminating the need for 2.2 million gallons of gasoline," Governor Douglas said.

Stern Center addresses Workplace Challenges at Gallagher, Flynn's HR Forum
Blanche Podhajski, Ph.D., President of the Stern Center for Language and Learning in Williston, presented "Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficits in the Workplace" on September 3rd at the HR Forum at Gallagher, Flynn & Company, an independent a business consulting and CPA firm in Burlington. Human resources professionals from educational, financial, and nonprofit companies attended the presentation, which offered insights to help employers work more effectively with staff members who have learning differences.

The Stern Center for Language and Learning is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to helping children and adults reach their full potential. Through high-quality direct service, professional development and research, the Stern Center is committed to enriching the lives of learners, because all great minds don't think alike.

COLCHESTER, Vt. -- AcroDesign Technologies today announced the release of their downloadable, native, NIV iPhone bible. The feature rich AcroBible costs $28.99 and is a download rather than an online, annual-fee based Bible. This means that users pay just once, and can access the bible anywhere, on planes, busses, etc. AcroBible is an offline Bible and needs no Wi-Fi connection. Special features of the AcroBible include the ability to search for words or phrases, create bookmarks, attach notes to any verse, and highlight verses in up to six colors.

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Noyes Named Acting Commissioner of Housing and Community Affairs
MONTPELIER, Vt. - The former Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development has been named the acting Commissioner of Housing and Community Affairs.
William Noyes will take charge of the department when acting Commissioner Molly Dugan steps down later this month, according to Commerce and Community Development Secretary Kevin Dorn.
Dugan, who has been deputy housing commissioner since 2006, has been filling the top slot since former housing commissioner John Hall stepped down this spring.
"Bill's experience within our agency will serve him well in his new role," said Dorn, whose agency includes both the housing and economic development departments. "He is familiar with the people and the issues and will be able to hit the ground running."

Vermont Milk Commission Issues Proposed Order to Establish a "Retail Fluid Milk Premium"

Hearing Scheduled for September 9, 2008
The Vermont Milk Commission has issued a proposed Order to establish a Retail Fluid Milk Premium, and scheduled a hearing on the proposed Order for September 9, 2008, 9:00 a.m. The hearing will be held in Room 11 of the Vermont State House.
The formal Notice of the proposed Order includes the following summary statement:
Summary Statement of the Matters at Issue: