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by Bill Schubart I’ve finally reached that mind-body equilibrium we all seek. I’m both a Roads Scholar and a Gravel-road Slalom competitor. You’re probably not familiar with either unless you live at the end of four miles of a dirt road in Vermont and live here year-round. For many of us the primal terror of “mud season” faded with the invention of Tyvek, now underlying the uppermost gravel layer on our back roads. The white lingerie gracing many unfinished homes in our backwoods turned out also to be a boon for those of us living on back roads where in spring the water-table overtakes the road surface. Tyvek has drastically reduced the boggy swales that mired our cars each spring.

​Vermont Business Magazine This year the Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame celebrates its 16th year and will expand its nomination criteria to reflect the evolving face of Vermont agriculture. For the first time ever, nominations will be accepted in three categories: Emerging Leaders, Ag Innovators, and The Lifetime Achievement Award.

Vermont Business Magazine US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) issued the following statement after President Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on Mexico, the European Union and Canada.

Vermont Business Magazine In 1918, the Allies declared victory in World War 1, Babe Ruth pitched 29 1/3 scoreless innings for the Red Sox in the World Series, Woodrow Wilson was president, color movies were invented, and Effie Ballou opened the Wayside on the Barre-Montpelier Road. Originally just a roadside eatery, the Wayside Restaurant has withstood the test of time and is ready to celebrate its 100th Anniversary this year. In an industry where 70 percent of all restaurants fail after 10 years, the Wayside has defied the odds.

Vermont Business Magazine A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” of National Guaranty Insurance Company of Vermont (NGIC) (Burlington, VT). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) remains stable. The ratings reflect NGIC’s balance sheet strength, which A.M. Best categorizes as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

Leonine Public Affairs The second week of the special session of the Vermont General Assembly came to a close on Friday with the governor and legislative leaders still at an impasse over education finance and budget matters. See statements made Friday by Governor Phil Scott's communication's director and Speaker Mitzi Johnson below.

Vermont Business Magazine Northern Power Systems Corp (TSX:NPS), based in Barre, announced Thursday that on May 24, 2018, it received a letter from the Toronto Stock Exchange notifying the company that the TSX had initiated a review of the company’s eligibility for continued listing on the TSX. It is questionable as to whether the company will be able to continue as a going concern.

Vermont Business Magazine University of Vermont President Tom Sullivan today announced the appointment of Richard L Page, MD, as the 18th dean of the Larner College of Medicine at UVM, effective October 1, 2018. Page is currently the George R and Elaine Love Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Page will succeed Frederick Morin, MD, who has served as dean of the Larner College of Medicine since August 2007.

A nationally-recognized specialist in cardiac arrhythmias with interest in treatment of atrial fibrillation and sudden cardiac arrest, Page has led a department at the University of Wisconsin that is committed to professionalism in the pursuit of patient-centered care, transformational research, and innovative educational programs.

Vermont Business Magazine On Tuesday afternoon, Governor Phil Scott joined Vermont’s Congressional Delegation and Vermont Agency of Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts to encourage dairy farmers to take a hard look at the revised Margin Protection Program. “On June 1, farmers in Vermont and across the nation face an important deadline. Farmers could receive financial help if they enroll in the Margin Protection Program (MPP). Vermont is ready to help with financial support for the farmers who sign up,” Scott said.

by Governor Phil Scott Undoubtedly, many of you are aware of the disagreement between me and the Legislature over increasing statewide property tax rates. As I’ve said, I cannot accept an increase in statewide property tax rates and here’s why: I ran for office understanding state government needed to focus more of our efforts on making Vermont more affordable and growing the economy.

Last year, with the help of the Legislature, we passed a budget without raising a single tax or fee, without cutting services and while investing in economic growth. It was the first time this was achieved in decades, and we did it while addressing revenue shortfalls.

Vermont Business Magazine Copley Hospital in Morrisville and the United Nurses and Allied Professionals Local 5109 confirmed Friday morning that they have agreed to a new contract. A tentative agreement on the contract was reached on Thursday, May 24, and was ratified unanimously by union members on Wednesday, May 30, 2018. The contract runs through May 2021.

Vermont Business Magazine Below is an update on actions taken by Governor Phil Scott and sent by his office on bills between Saturday, May 26 and Wednesday, May 30. These include vetoes of S.281, An act relating to the mitigation of systemic racism; S.222, An act relating to miscellaneous judiciary procedures; and S.273, An act relating to miscellaneous law enforcement amendments.