Current News

by Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts As we enter a new year, many Vermont dairy farmers, as well as farmers nationwide, continue fighting through their economic fog. Trapped in an antiquated federal dairy pricing system, Vermont’s hard-working stewards of the land are at the whim of a highly competitive global structure. Compensation for their milk is out of farmers’ control and unpredictable, while honor and stability are considered the cornerstones of good business.

The State of Vermont, Congressional delegation, consumers and farmers themselves will all need to work together to solve this mammoth problem with international roots.

Vermont Business Magazine Consolidated Communications (NASDAQ: CNSL), a leading broadband and business communications provider and the largest telecom provider in Vermont, has announced it is partnering with SimpliSafe, the nation's fastest growing home security company, to bring award-winning security services to residential and small business customers across its service area.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Wealth & Retirement, a South Burlington, Vermont-based Registered Investment Advisory, headed by Tim Carney, CFP has been acquired by Connecticut-based Hammond Iles Wealth Advisors, headed by Greg Hammond, CFP, CPA and Scott Iles. Hammond Iles has clients in 32 states and recently placed in Connecticut’s largest RIA Industry Awards.

Vermont Business Magazine Commissioner of Health Mark Levine, MD, announced today the appointment of Kelly Dougherty to be the next deputy commissioner for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs at the Vermont Department of Health. Dougherty will begin in her new position on February 18, 2019. She fills the position vacancy left by the retirement of former Deputy Commissioner Barbara Cimaglio.

Kelly Dougherty has extensive experience in the public health, health care and social service fields. For the past four years, Dougherty has served as executive director for Steps to End Domestic Violence, a prevention and advocacy organization dedicated to helping those who have experienced domestic violence achieve safety and independence. She previously worked at the Health Department in local health capacities and as public health programs administrator with the Blueprint for Health.

Public Assets Institute We ask a lot of our legislators. They’re part-time, have little staff, often have other jobs, and have to confront hundreds of issues every year. As they head back to work next week, they’ll be trying to figure out how to tackle all the issues in front of them. Prioritizing the state’s challenges is hard. There are immediate issues facing the state, but long-term investments are important too. When children, the mental health care system, the environment, and workers all need attention, it can be difficult to know where to start.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Thomas J Donovan announced today that his Office has reviewed the officer involved shooting incident that occurred on October 18, 2018 in Pownal, Vermont. The Office is declining to prosecute Vermont State Police Trooper Thomas Sandberg for charges related to the non-fatal shooting of Bernard D Rougeau, Jr In reaching this decision, the Office reviewed all the materials provided by the Vermont State Police, who conducted the investigation.

The Office of the State’s Attorney for Bennington County also conducted an independent review and has declined to file criminal charges against Tpr. Sandberg.

Accordingly, Tpr. Sandberg will be returning back to full duty with the Vermont State Police.

Senator Patrick Leahy We are in the thirteenth day of the Trump Shutdown. Thirteen days that nine of fifteen federal departments and dozens of agencies have shut their doors. Thirteen days in which hundreds of thousands of Americans have been furloughed or are working without pay, and thirteen days that Americans have been denied government services on which they rely on and pay their taxes for. The President is holding federal government funding hostage in an attempt to force Congress to pay for an ineffective and expensive wall on the southern border, a wall he promised that Mexico would pay for. Unfortunately, the American people are paying for the price of the Trump Shutdown, and he seems not to care.

Vermont Business Magazine Minutes before taking the oath of office to represent Vermont in Congress for a seventh two-year term, Representative Peter Welch (D-Vermont) recorded a video message to Vermonters to express his gratitude and outline his priorities for the new Congress, including fixing a broken institution—beginning with reopening the federal government—and an agenda focused on rebuilding middle class.

“This past election, the American people made a decision to change the majority in the House from Republican to Democratic. I see this as an opportunity for us, by the way we govern, to earn the trust of the people who made that call.”

Transcript of Welch Remarks

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan announced today that Raymond LeBlanc of Berlin, Vermont, a sergeant with the Vermont State Police, was arraigned today in Washington County Criminal Court on one count of misdemeanor stalking. LeBlanc, represented by attorney Oreste V Valsangiacomo, Jr, entered a plea of not guilty. Superior Court Judge Mary Morrissey, presiding over the arraignment, set conditions of release and the matter has been scheduled for a status conference on March 12, 2019.

As a result of the charges, LeBlanc faces a potential maximum period of incarceration of up to two years, or a maximum fine of up to $5,000, or both.

The charge involves an allegation of stalking by LeBlanc concerning his course of conduct directed at his wife during the timeframe of May of 2018 through December of 2018. The matter was investigated by detectives of the Vermont State Police.

Vermont Business Magazine The US Senate Wednesday night confirmed retired Essex Police Chief Brad LaRose as Vermont’s next US Marshal. He was unanimously confirmed with other noncontroversial nominees in the final hours of the just-expired congressional session. A new Congress begins on Thursday. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) and Governor Phil Scott (R) had jointly recommended LaRose to President Trump in January 2018 to fill the vacancy, and the President nominated him in June. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the nomination in November. Leahy is a leading member of the Judiciary Committee and has shepherded the nomination through the confirmation process.