Current News

by John McClaughry The Vermont House is, for the seventh time over 37 years, trying to enact a primary seat belt law for over-18 drivers.  Worse yet, this time its backers are trying to slip their cherished bill through where it won’t be noticed. Fortunately, it’s been noticed.  Here in Q&A format is what you need to know on this subject.

Q: Isn’t wearing an automobile seat belt a good thing?

A: Except in very rare cases, like cars submerged in water, seat belts can save lives. Long ago, before seat belts became original equipment, I bought one at the auto parts store and  bolted it into the floor board of my 1953 Plymouth.

Q: Then why doesn’t everyone buckle up for their own safety? 

Vermont Business Magazine The Regional Prevention Partnerships (RPP) of the Northeast Kingdom, which includes Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) Prevention Services, was recognized as the 2019 Vermont Prevention Champion by Vermont Governor Phil Scott on Wednesday, May 2 at a statehouse ceremony. The recognition was for the ongoing collaborative work in the Northeast Kingdom regarding substance use and misuse.

In addition to NVRH RPP Coordinator Cheryl Chandler and Prevention Specialist Tennyson Marceau, the award recognizes the RPP of Newport at Northeast Kingdom Learning Services (NEKLS). Together, these RPPs serve Orleans, Caledonia and Essex counties. The grants are a customized regional response to reduce alcohol and drug use among adolescents, teens and young adults in collaboration with State of Vermont Department of Health and local community partners.

Vermont Business Magazine On March 21, Cynthia Turner, Vice President of Human Resources at Vermont Federal Credit Union, and Keiko Holtz, Human Resources Specialist, accepted the 2019 Governor’s Excellence in Worksite Wellness Award at the Worksite Wellness Conference. These annual awards create a standard of excellence for worksite wellness initiatives, and recognize employers’ efforts to enhance productivity, bolster a healthy environment and improve employee wellbeing, something Turner says is of great importance to the Credit Union.

“Our members, staff, and community all benefit from happy, healthy employees.” Turner added, “To us, receiving the gold level worksite wellness award confirms our program is creating a worksite culture of wellbeing, something we all can benefit from.”

Vermont Business Magazine In honor of National Nurses Week, which runs from May 6-12 (Florence Nightingale’s birthday) to honor and recognize the contribution of all nurses, BAYADA Hospice in Norwich, VT recognizes all hospice nurses who make a difference in their patients’ lives. One nurse in particular, office clinical manager Jeanette Leavitt, RN, was recently recognized as a finalist for BAYADA’s prestigious Ann Baiada Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership—a national award. Leavitt, a resident of White River Junction, VT, was nominated for exemplifying the highest standards of nursing excellence. 

Vermont Business Magazine Members of the Bennington Lodge 567 donated a portion of their 150^th anniversary grant to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, a part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC). The donation amount, $250, was chosen to reflect both organizations’ years of existence.

Vermont Business Magazine This year’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day - held on Saturday, April 27 - yielded more than three tons of unused, unwanted and expired medication for disposal, turned in by Vermonters at nearly 70 collection sites statewide. The 6,562 pounds of collected prescription medication is the highest total out of Vermont’s previous Take Back Days.

Vermont Business Magazine Three Vermont ski areas were recognized for safety, sustainability and marketing excellence when the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) presented industry awards at its annual National Convention last week in San Diego, CA. Sugarbush Resort won the Climate Change Impact Award, part of the Golden Eagle Awards for Sustainability. Established in 1993, the Golden Eagles are the highest honors bestowed on resorts for environmental performance. Stratton and Killington also were honored.

Vermont Business Magazine North Star Leasing Company in Burlington announced today that it achieved a 54 percent increase in originations year over year through April 30th. April also marked the largest funding month on record in the company’s nearly 40-year history. Fiscal year 2018 saw North Star Leasing fund $50 million with $7 million through longstanding syndication partners. People’s United Bank continues to support the company’s growth through a previously announced $60 million expandable Senior Revolving Credit Facility.

Vermont Business Magazine In May 2019, the State of Vermont is offering the opportunity to win two $5,000 scholarships for attendance at a Vermont college or university. One scholarship is sponsored by Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC), which provides an array of grant, scholarship, and loan programs for students. The second scholarship is sponsored by the Association of Vermont Independent Colleges (AVIC). College scholarships are paid directly to the educational institution in the entrant’s account to be used for tuition and/or books for the Spring 2020 session.

To be eligible to enter, you must be admitted to a Vermont college or university and by June 1, 2019, commit to attend full-time (12 credit hours or more per semester) in a graduate or undergraduate program. Entrants must have committed to a Vermont college or university between January 1, 2019 and June 1, 2019.

Vermont State Police Police charged 19 year old James Luce of Quechee with 1st Degree Aggravated Domestic Assault, Aggravated Assault, Reckless Endangerment, and Resisting Arrest overnight as a result of events that occurred at the residence located at 4536 Quechee West Hartford Road.Just after 7pm Sunday night, Hartford Police were dispatched to 4536 Quechee West Hartford Road for a domestic assault where the suspect was alleged to have a shotgun in his possession. While enroute to the home, police received updated information that the man had fired the shotgun at the house and fled on foot into the nearby woods. The suspect received minor injuries in an officer-involved shooting.

Vermont Business Magazine Community Bank NA recently presented a $1,000 donation to Pathways Vermont to support its annual fundraising breakfast, to be held May 30 at the South Burlington DoubleTree Conference Center. All proceeds from the event will further Pathways Vermont’s mission to transform the lives of Vermonters experiencing mental health and other life challenges by supporting self-directed roads to recovery and wellness in an atmosphere of dignity, respect, choice and hope.

Photo (left to right): Community Bank N.A. Commercial Banking Officer David Blow and Pathways Vermont Development Director Patrick Gallagher.

Vermont Business Magazine US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will present 31 citizenship candidates to the US District Court for Vermont at a ceremony at Neshobe School in Brandon on Tuesday. Chief Bankruptcy Judge Colleen A Brown will preside over the ceremony and administer the Oath of Allegiance. Students of the school will participate in the ceremony. The Neshobe school 5^th and 6^th grade Chorus will perform special musical selections together with local women’s chorus, “Maiden Vermont.” Neshobe School’s 5^thgrade class will recite the Preamble to the Constitution.