Current News

NORTH FERRISBURGH, Vt. - John Anderson, a longtime Vermont architect who has been honored for his creative commercial and residential designs, has shifted gears to concentrate on the broad range of artwork that he creates. Anderson has launched a new Web site at www.johnandersonstudio.com to highlight this change in focus.
The new Web site features art that Anderson created over the last two decades, including mixed medium drawings and sketches, murals, photo collages, 3-D paper designs and photography. Some of the artwork relates to architecture and construction, while other pieces reflect Andersons travels over the years. The artwork ranges in size from the 15-inch-wide Paper as a 3D Object series to 28-foot-long murals.

The purpose of the Legislative Report Card is to clearly and succinctly depict the positions of Vermont's 180 legislators on important business issues. The Vermont Chamber works closely with members of all political parties to champion legislation that will help businesses prosper and stay in Vermont.
According to Duane Marsh, "We have found that many of our issues, the business communities, are the same issues facing all Vermonters - property taxes, roads and bridges, healthcare, and the cost of living within the state. With the current economic climate, it is even more important that business owners and all Vermonters understand how their legislators voted on the issues that affect their daily life."

www.vtchamber.com
Vermont Chamber of Commerce | Legislative Report Card

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Vermont's $182.9 Million Judgment on Behalf of Claimants and Creditors of Ambassador Insurance Co. Upheld on Appeal
Montpelier, Vermont --
(September 10, 2008) The U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion yesterday upholding a judgment of $182.9 million against PriceWaterhouseCoopers in favor of the courtappointed Receiver for Ambassador Insurance Co., Paulette J. Thabault, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration (BISHCA). Ambassador Insurance Co. (a Vermont domiciled surplus lines insurance company with headquarters in New Jersey) was seized in 1983 and placed into court-supervised rehabilitation and subsequent liquidation as a result of its insolvency. Since that time, the principal obligation of the Commissioner as Receiver has been to collect and distribute assets under court supervision in order to pay the rightful claims of persons insured and owed money by Ambassador.

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.