Current News
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Hannaford sued over security breach
Two law firms have filed lawsuits against Hannaford Brothers Company after the grocery chain reported a data security breach of its computer systems that has left its millions of customers vulnerable to credit card theft. The Philadelphia based law firm Berger and Montague, and Bangor based attorney Samuel W. Lanham Junior have filed class action lawsuits against the company in Portland and Bangor, respectively. The lawsuits were filed on behalf of all customers whose credit or debit card information was stolen as a result of Hannafords negligence towards maintaining its computer datas security system.
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Passport To Wealth | Ultimate Tools For Success
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Speaker decides against capital gains tax increase
Democratic House speaker Gaye Symington disapproved any steps towards changing the current exemption from taxation that Vermont allows on the first 40 percent of taxpayers capital gains. Symington explained her decision was due to the growing uncertainty in the financial world, and asked the House Ways and Means Committee to find an extra $3 million to $5 million in state revenues without enforcing a new tax fee.
Symingtons decision ended the legislative session on three proposals for using the $21.4 million that was generated by eliminating the 40 percent exemption in new state revenues, which included her own initial plan. Her suggestion involved dividing the revenue three ways: $4.2 for targeted property tax relief, $8 million for the town highway and bridge program and $7 million to repay part of the $55 million owed by the state for school construction projects.
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Majority
of Vermonters Favor Four-Year Term for Governor
In testimony March 20, 2008, before the Government Operations
Committee of the Vermont Senate, Charlie Smith,
President of the Snelling Center for Government, presented the findings from 15
months of survey and outreach work on the question of whether Vermonts elected leaders should have
four-year terms of office. How we choose to be governed is a very
serious matter, Smith said. Should we place higher value on the
close accountability afforded by a two-year term? Or should we strive for the
possibility of more effective long term planning that might come with a
four-year term.
Smith said, Our primary conclusion is that more
than 58% of Vermonters favor a four-year term for the governor and statewide
elected officials. Further, Smith said, Support for changing the
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Governor Jim Douglas on Aviatron
Governor Jim Douglas congratulates a Vermont aviation firm, Aviatron of South Burlington, for landing a $6.2 million aircraft maintenance contract.
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New method helps Vermonters improve local internet accessibility
The Vermont Telecommunications Authority has launched a mechanism that allows Vermonters to help cover wireless access for their neighborhoods. Available on the VTA website (http://www.telecomVT.org), residents can sign up to offer their property silo, top of their barn, roof of their home or office, hilltop, and church steeple to an internet or service provider. Several farmers have already signed up and are offering use of their silos, and the Legislature has listed all of Vermonts public properties. Each site must match and maintain certain criteria, which is available in detail on the companys website. Once registered, an interested service provider will contact the lister directly to organize details. The sites can be offered for free, as public service, or for a lease fee. The new initiative is expected to dramatically increase internet access across the state.
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Over $209,000 awarded to preserve local agricultural buildings
Governor Douglas will award 23 barns $209,000 in Historic Preservation Barn grants to preserve their facilities and land. The grant program was orchestrated by the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation and offers up to $10,000 in matching funding to owners of agricultural buildings for roof, foundation, walls, and sills repairs and maintenance. Over the past 20 years the program has provided more than 200 historic agricultural buildings with $1.3 million. Some locations to receive the funding are historic Von Trapp Dairy Farm, the Grand Isle Harman Noble Barn, and Bettys Barn in Chittenden.
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President Bill Clinton singles out Bennington College at inauguration of Clinton Global Initiative University
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Following its purchase of it $8.5 billion acquisition of Commerce Bank in New Jersey, announced October 2, 2007, TD Banknorth announced today (March 19, 2008) that it will change its name to TD Commerce Bank. The new entity will give customers access to over 2,000 branches when combined with its Canadian parent Toronto Dominion, making it the seventh-largest network in North America.
The bank and all its US branches will change their nameplates and logos, including in Vermont. TD would not say if it would move its corporate headquarters from Portland, ME. Nor has a decision been made on if or to what the name of the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston will be.
Following is the press release from TD Banknorth announcing the name change:
PORTLAND, MAINE and CHERRY HILL, NEW JERSEY (March 19, 2008) - Today, Commerce Bank and TD Banknorth announced that following the close of their transaction they will be known as TD Commerce Bank-America's Most Convenient Bank.
by tim
Barre, Vt. - (March 17, 2008) - The Central Vermont Garden Show recently welcomed electricians from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 300 into the mix.
Seven IBEW Local 300 members volunteered nearly five hours apiece March 12 to help set up tables, chairs, displays and brand new electrical mats for the event. Volunteers included Kyle Brown, John Burditt, Tiffany Copley, Randie Dayton, Steve Edwards, Katy Ramstack and Greg Tessier. Copley, Edwards, Ramstack and Tessier are all central Vermonters.
"The IBEW was proud to partner with the Garden Show, as several of our constituents reside in the Barre area," said Local 300 Marketing and Business Development Director Matt Lash, a Granite City native. "Community service dovetails with our unions unwavering commitment to social responsibility and the common good."
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TD Banknorth Donates $48,000 to Vermont Charities
Burlington, VT - TD Banknorth, through the TD Banknorth Charitable Foundation, recently donated a total of $48,000 to several charitable organizations across Vermont. The funding will help strengthen Vermont communities through the support of the cultural arts, youth development programs and literacy initiatives.
"At TD Banknorth, we believe it's important to invest wisely with organizations that keep our communities strong and vital." stated Philip R. Daniels, President of TD Banknorth in Vermont. "But our commitment is more than just a financial investment. Our employees are committed to making a difference by volunteering their time to mentor a child, teach financial literacy or offer their business expertise to local non-profits. We're very proud of our employees and their commitment to the communities where they live and work."
TD Banknorth awarded grants to the following organizations: