Current News

by Robert Macauley, MD This is the time of year for conflicting messages. One day we’re eating turkey with family and friends, giving thanks for all that is good in our lives. The very next day, though, we’re bombarded with ads for all the things we don’t have. It’s tempting to move on quickly — some Black Friday sales actually begin on Thanksgiving itself! — but in doing so we’d miss the opportunity to deepen our sense of gratitude, and improve our health, too.

"Thanks are the highest form of thought, and … gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” — GK Chesterton

by Nancy Stearns Bercaw UVM More than two million Americans experience some type of a cardiac event every year. Whether they’ve had a heart attack or coronary revascularization procedure, such as bypass surgery or coronary stent placement, doctors typically recommended these patients participate in Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) as outpatients. However, despite the proven benefits of increased longevity and reduced hospitalizations with CR, only 20 to 30 percent of eligible patients actually participate.

Philip Ades, MD (Photo: Larner COM Design & Photography)

Why are the rates for this comprehensive secondary prevention program so low?  And how can they be improved?

by Governor Peter Shumlin One of the key responsibilities of governing is crafting a budget that reflects Vermonters’ priorities and lives within our means as a state. As we transition this important responsibility to the incoming Administration, it’s worth reviewing the last six years of financial management. Let’s remember where we started. Before I took office, Vermont’s budget routinely grew at upwards of 7 percent. In 2004, the total funds budget grew by 7.8 percent above the year before. In 2005, it grew by 13.4 percent. In 2006 it grew by 7 percent. Then the Great Recession hit, decimating state budgets, just as it did family budgets, around America. Because of that economic contraction, the first budget I inherited as Governor included a $176 million shortfall. Six years later, by practicing fiscal discipline and making difficult choices, we have righted the ship.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Police is receiving numerous reports of icy road conditions throughout central and eastern Vermont, particularly on Interstate 89 between Middlesex and Berlin, and on Interstate 91 south of St. Johnsbury.  Troopers are responding to multiple reports of crashes and other vehicles off the roadways. Traffic was at a stand-still on Interstate 89 near exit 8 (Montpelier) due to icy conditions about 8:30 am, both north and southbound lanes.

Also, State Police in the St Johnsbury area want to reinforce that road conditions presently pose a significant hazard for travel. Roads throughout the surrounding area are very icy and slick. State Police have responded to numerous motor vehicle accidents. Also, motorists have found themselves stranded awaiting road treatment before being able to proceed with their trip. The public is encouraged to remain at their home or business and avoid travel unless an emergency arises.

by Bill Schubart I’ve tuned out of the endless forensic analyses of how news media failed the electorate. In fact, other than having misread the political and cultural pulse of many Americans, I’m not sure the serious news organizations failed us at all. Many of us were just absent. Watching a Trump supporter on the PBS Evening News say that she’d liked the idea of a woman in the White House until she learned from her sister’s Facebook page that five people Hillary knew had recently been murdered, I was curious about the news item and found its source in an article in the The Guardian.

Vermont Business Magazine Patients’ needs and a growing emphasis on population health prompted an expansion to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center’s (SVMC) Diabetes Education Program over the last several months. The addition of a third full-time Certified Diabetes Educator allows the hospital to offer prevention education and specialized diabetes consultations for patients, nurses, and physicians in primary care offices, some hospital practices and departments, inpatient units, and at the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation.

by Courtney Harkins US Ski and Snowboard Association In front of a huge hometown crowd and her entire family, Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, CO) shone under pressure to win the Audi FIS Ski World Cup slalom at Vermont’s Killington Mountain. Shiffrin’s win capped off a successful weekend in the east coast that will impact ski racing for decades to come. Shiffrin is the reigning Olympic slalom champion who skied at the Burke Mountain Academy. More than 30,000 fans took in a weekend of world class skiing.

Vermont Business Magazine Allegiant Airlines will discontinue service between Burlington International Airport (BTV) and Orlando next year, but BTV has secured a long-term contract with the other airlines serving the airport. BTV has been working over the past 12 months with all airlines serving the airport to establish a new contract agreement. Today, the airport announced that the long-serving airlines of BTV have agreed to the terms of the new, five year lease, and the airport expects to have the contract fully signed by the end of the year. The airport has not had a signed airline lease for approximately 20 years. The current agreement between airport and airlines is strictly a month-to-month contract.  A summary of the new, five year lease can be found below.

Vermont Business Magazine As another holiday season arrives, Vermonters’ generous spirits will be on full display, especially their charitable giving. But Vermonters should be careful. Many donations made through paid fundraisers—companies hired to solicit charitable donations—result in a fraction of the gift going to the chosen cause: only about 27 percent for gifts to Vermont-based charities in the latest fiscal year.

“This time of year, many of us look to help those in need or give to a favorite cause,” said Vermont Attorney General Bill Sorrell. “Vermonters should remain aware that if their donations are made through a paid fundraiser, in most cases the bulk of that gift is going straight to the caller, not the charity. Just being aware of this can help folks make decisions that maximize the charitable impact of their dollars.”

Vermont Business Magazine Patricia (Trish) M Sears of Lowell has been named publisher of the Newport Daily Express (NDE). The announcement was made to employees Friday, who were anxiously waiting to hear who would be taking over as leader of the news organization. Sears has a long history of successfully leading organizations. Among many other achievements Sears was the founder and executive director of the Newport Renaissance Corporation (NCRC).

Sears is also a business consultant with Northeast Kingdom Tamarack, Inc’s (NEKTI) consulting business, a firm she founded with her husband, Steve Mason. They are founding riders and hosts for the acclaimed FreshTracks Capital Road Pitch’s ‘BarnPitch’ site, in Lowell. The Road Pitch brings renowned business investors and experts to 10 stops around the state, including BarnPitch, amplifying statewide awareness of local entrepreneurs and their businesses.

Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims last week and remained below levels from last year. Claims had been above year-to-year results most of this year, but have recently been running below last year's levels. Among industrial sectors, Construction saw the largest increase. Looking ahead, the holidays typically produce wild swings in unemployment claims, because of an increase in hiring in the Service sector, from retail to delivery-related businesses, and then an abrupt round of layoffs after Christmas.

For the week of November 19, 2016, there were 692 claims, up 150 from the previous week's total and 103 fewer than than they were a year ago.

Altogether 4,294 new and continuing claims were filed, an increase of 567 from a week ago, and 344 fewer than a year ago.

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office has settled with three landlords in southern Vermont for violations of Vermont consumer protection and lead laws. “Many Vermont landlords continue to ignore the law on lead paint. Today’s enforcement actions are another warning to those landlords,” said Attorney General Bill Sorrell.

Every landlord with pre-1978 rental properties is required to submit annual compliance statements which show that the landlords have performed the essential maintenance practices (known as EMPs) and that the properties are in compliance with the lead law.