Current News
by tim
MAINE REGULATORS TO RE-CONSIDER TERMS OVER FAIRPOINT'S ACQUISITION OF VERIZON
(January 16, 2008) -- The Maine Public Advocate is suggesting that the states regulators revisit the conditions they approved earlier this month for Fairpoints acquisition of Verizon. The readjustment was suggested after The Vermont Public Service Department agreed on a deal with Fairpoint that differed from terms made between the company and Maine.
The Vermont Public Service Department, which represents consumers, reached an agreement with the phone companies on January 8. That agreement is now before the Vermont Public Service Board, which acts as the states regulatory body and has the final say in the decision.
by tim
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) announces a program to link students approaching graduation from Vermont colleges and universities to exciting job opportunities with member companies. With a grant from the Department of Labor, VBSR will create paid internships at companies that are creating new job opportunities.
"If you're a young, growing business, you have absolutely no time to create and manage an internship," says Executive Director, Will Patten. "If you're graduating from school in Vermont and are interested in finding work here, you don't know where to turn. We are pleased to be in a position to bring together businesses and students approaching graduation."
by tim
January 15, 2008
VERMONTS TWO LARGEST UTILITIES MEET
RIGOROUS EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS GOALS
COLCHESTER/RUTLAND, VT... Central Vermont Public Service and Green Mountain Power today announced they have both
successfully reduced greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with their
commitments as members of the Chicago Climate Exchange® (CCX), a voluntary,
legally binding multi-sector market for reducing and trading greenhouse gas
emissions.
"Climate change is one of the most compelling issues
in the world today, and we are pleased with our success in reducing emissions
and in helping to change the way utilities reduce greenhouse gas emissions
through a trading market," said Chris Dutton, President and
Chief Executive Officer of Green Mountain Power.
by tim
BURLINGTON, Vt.--Ecopixel, a Web services firm in Burlington, Vt., announced in January the launch of a new commercial Web site at www.Skimaven.com. The site features a ski blog written by local skier and writer Kris Surette. It provides ski trip reports and images, information on resorts and backcountry trails, and insight into on-snow activities around Vermont.
Providing Vermont businesses with a new online advertising venue, Skimaven.coms target audience is alpine, backcountry and cross-country skiers, both inside and outside of the state.
Ecopixel is a Web services firm that delivers compelling, easy-to-manage Web sites, reliable hosting, and targeted online visibility and marketing.
by tim
"As a member of the law firm she has worked with CVMC over several years, gaining the respect of many on the senior management team," stated Judy Tarr, CVMC president and CEO. "Patty's background and expertise are in human resources."
Prior to working as Counsel for Primmer, Piper, Eggleston & Cramer, Patty worked as general counsel for Marlin Management Services, Inc., a company providing operational and financial services to nursing homes and other businesses. Prior to that, she worked as a paralegal.
"Patty comes to us well versed in human resources law, procedures and policy. We are happy to have her on-board," Judy stated.
Patty lives in Burlington with her son Drew.
by tim
The Vermont Foodbank reported that during the last weeks of 2007, demand for charitable food out paced product donation- and food shelves and pantries across the state were struggling to meet the need of their communities. VSECU heard the reports and being a strong supporter of the Vermont Foodbank's charitable mission, responded with an additional generous gift.
"On behalf of our members, staff and volunteers at VSECU, I am pleased to be able to donate an additional $5,000 to the Vermont Foodbank for 2007," said Steven D. Post, VSECU's Chief Executive Officer. "It is clear that too many Vermonters find themselves in crisis this time of year as fuel and other needs further draw on the family's financial resources, so we hope our donation will be of particular help to these families. VSECU thanks the staff of the Vermont Foodbank for all their hard work to feed the hungry in our state."
by tim
JAMES H. DOUGLAS
State of Vermont
OFFICE OF THE
GOVERNOR
State of the State Address
Achieving Prosperity through
Affordability
Rethink,
Revitalize and Reform
Mr. President, Madam Speaker, Members of the General Assembly, my fellow Vermonters:
As 2008 opens, the hope of a new year -of a new beginning- unfolds before us, touching the horizon of a new generation. For centuries, our people have been held by a faith in tomorrow, by the glory of God's gift: the promise of Vermont.
As public servants, we are stewards of this promise, a responsibility we bind with an oath, and why we have gathered in the people's house today. I welcome you back to Montpelier and offer my sincere wish that we may work together with the shared duty of improving the lives of our fellow Vermonters.
by tim
CVPS wins national award for storm response
SCOTTSDALE, AZ The worst storm in Central Vermont Public Service history brought national acclaim for the company, as CVPS recently received the electric industrys highest honor for emergency response.
CVPS President Bob Young was presented the Edison Electric Institutes Emergency Recovery Award for the companys response to the April 2007 noricane, a devastating storm with hurricane-force winds.
The company responded to unprecedented damage to its system by more than doubling its workforce overnight and effectively deploying those workers so that the power was back on as quickly as possible, with no injuries to workers or the public, said EEI President Thomas R. Kuhn. CVPSs effort in the face of this devastating storm offers a terrific example of a company bringing all of its resources to bear in order to get the lights back on.
by tim
ESSEX, VT (January 8, 2008) Dale Carnegie Training recently recognized Sarah Jo Willeys outstanding sales performance for 2007 by awarding her with a Sales Club Award. The award, given to consultants who produced between $300,000 and $500,000 in sales, was presented at Dale Carnegie Trainings annual international convention in Acapulco, Mexico. Sarah Jo is a Training Consultant at Vermont Training Solutions, Inc., the Dale Carnegie Training office for Vermont, Northeastern New York, and Western New Hampshire.
by tim
FairPoint Reaches Agreement with Staff of the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission
CHARLOTTE, NC (PRNewswire-FirstCall) -- FairPoint Communications, Inc. today (January 24, 2008) announced an agreement has been reached between FairPoint, Verizon and the staff of the Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (PUC) regarding FairPoint's proposed acquisition of Verizon's wireline operations in New Hampshire. The settlement agreement in New Hampshire is consistent with material terms of the amended stipulation agreement with the Maine PUC and the settlement agreement with the Vermont Department of Public Service and contains other terms and conditions specific to New Hampshire. In the agreement, FairPoint, Verizon, and the staff of the PUC recommend the New Hampshire PUC approve the settlement agreement.
by tim
BURLINGTON, Vt. -- Cristian Balan of Plattsburgh, N.Y., has been named the new director of the Computer & Digital Forensics program at Champlain College. Balan joined the Champlain faculty in July and now steps up to direct a nationally recognized program that was built by founding director Gary Kessler.
Kessler will now focus his attention full time on the Champlain College Center for Digital Investigation, a US Department of Justice-funded center at the college, which has been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education.
Balan is the owner and operator of a computer networks administration and security consulting business and he has extensive experience with the New York law enforcement community. He is also the chief of the Vermont Army National Guard Computer Network Defense Team.
by tim
Come celebrate the launch of The Nature Conservancys Corporate Conservation Council of Vermont, a program designed to bring together and recognize businesses that support conservation. Learn about the strategic nature of conservation and the importance of investing in the natural world. Businesses interested in finding out more about the Council and how the Conservancy works in Vermont and around the world are welcome to attend. Keynote speakers include Bill Stritzler, owner and managing director of Smugglers Notch which is the first resort recognized as a Vermont Business Environmental Leader, and
Bob Klein, Executive Director of the Vermont chapter of The Nature Conservancy. The luncheon will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Burlington on January 18, 2008 from 12PM to 2PM. For more information and to register, contact Jessica at 802-229-4425 ext 113, or email us at [email protected].