Current News

Vermont Auditor of Accounts Tom Salmon, who was rebuffed by the Democratic leadership last spring, announced today that he was switching parties and will join the Republican Party. Salmon won the position of state auditor as a Democrat in 2006 when he beat one-term incumbent Republican Randy Brock. That race saw Brock apparently win re-election in a very tight race, before a re-count gave the race to Salmon by 102 votes. Salmon cited the lack of fiscal responsibility among legislative leaders during the debate over the state budget. Salmon had offered to mediate discussions between Republican Governor James Douglas and the Democratically controlled Legislature, but was turned down by Speaker of the House Shap Smith. He said the Republicans are better able to manage the fiscal matters of the state, as represented by Governor Douglas.

Burlington's WBKM (www.wbkm.org) has signed on as the first affiliate station of the "Floydian Slip" radio show. "Floydian Slip," an hour of Pink Floyd hosted by Craig Bailey, will resume production Sept. 19 with Show #702. WBKM, which stands for "Burlington's Kinda Music," will carry the show 10 p.m. Saturdays.
"Floydian Slip" went off the air June 7 after a more than 13-year run on Champ 101.3 in Burlington. Bailey had produced the show for other stations prior to Champ, going back to his senior year of college in 1989.
Since Champ cancelled the show citing the station's changing format and the show's lack of sponsorship, Bailey has been working to bring it back to the air on multiple stations as a syndicated offering under the moniker of the Random Precision Radio Network.

A 14-member delegation of small and medium business owners and government officials from Shanghai will visit Vermont over the Labor Day weekend (September 6 to September 8). Hosted by the Vermont Chamber through its Shanghai Trade Office, the group will tour Vermont attractions and develop business partnerships with Vermont companies.
"We are developing a strong brand for Vermont in China's major east coast cities," said Chris Barbieri, Director of the Vermont Chamber Shanghai office. Our ongoing relationship with China will help many of our small businesses expand the sale of their products into the Asian market and will give Vermont the international recognition that it deserves.

Governor Jim Douglas today announced that another 14 energy efficiency projects have been selected to receive almost $150,000 in funding from the Vermont Community Climate Change Grant Program. All told, these projects will reduce about 100 tons of greenhouse emissions – the equivalent of taking 16 cars off the road or not burning more than 10,000 galloons of gas, the Governor said.
“It’s inspiring to see such strong grass-roots interest in energy efficiency and for doing Vermont’s part to combat climate change,” the Governor said. “From Shrewsbury to Strafford, Vermonters are making improvements that will not only keep CO2 out of the air, but will also save individuals and taxpayers money.”
In one project, Harwood Union High School is teaming up with Freeaire Refrigeration Systems of Warren to significantly reduce the cost and energy needed for the cafeteria’s refrigerators.

PETA is presenting Price Chopper CEO Neil Golub with a Compassionate Action Award for pulling the supermarket chain's funding for the Nerger Lion and Tiger Show's appearance at the Champlain Valley Fair. Golub pulled the company's sponsorship after receiving complaints from Burlington residents who pointed out that the show is exploitive and inhumane. Golub claims that fair officials misled him about what Price Chopper would be sponsoring and that Price Chopper would never voluntarily support any form of animal abuse.

For nearly five decades, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce has annually awarded an individual who has gone above and beyond his or her daily requirements to better the state of Vermont through self-sacrifice, service and volunteerism. In the crowded field of awards given to Vermont community members, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award is one of the most prestigious. This year, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce proudly presents the Citizen of the Year Award to Mr. Edwin Colodny of Burlington.
Mr. Colodny is a native Vermonter who spent his early years in Burlington where his family owned a grocery store. Much of Colodny s career was embedded in the airline industry. In 1975, after working his way up in the ranks, he was named President and CEO of US Airways. Under his leadership, the company was reshaped into a major national carrier.

Four Vermont projects will receive grants or loans from the USDA to help reduce energy consumption. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the department is making available $13.04 million in loans and grants for 233 renewable energy projects in 38 states under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
Under President Obama s leadership, USDA is working to increase the availability of renewable energy, which not only will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but also strengthen our economy nationwide, Vilsack said. The funding announced today will help expand America s renewable energy industry, which is a key part of the nation s long-term strategy for continued economic prosperity and energy independence.

Governor Jim Douglas today announced the appointment of Marc D. Brierre as Rutland County State s Attorney. Marc is replacing Jim Mongeon who retired last month.
I m pleased to appoint Marc to this important position, said Governor Douglas. I believe that Marc has the skills and experience necessary to continue the good work being done to keep Rutland safe.
I want to thank Governor Douglas for the opportunity to serve the people of Rutland County in this new role, said Brierre. I will work hard as I always do to ensure that Rutland County is a safer place to live and raise a family.

As of 3 pm, today, the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant in Vernon is at 100-percent power (~ 615 megawatts MWe). The plant has operated continuously since returning to service from the October 2008 refueling outage – a total of 297 days.
On Monday, Vermont Yankee notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that a supervisor tested positive during a random fitness for duty test Monday morning. The employee was a supervisor in the plant’s maintenance department. The employee’s site access has been revoked, and a review of previous work is being performed. The fitness for duty program is regulated by the NRC and applies to all persons who work in the nuclear industry. VY has a fitness for duty program that helps ensure a drug and alcohol free workplace. There was no threat to public health or safety as a result of Monday’s incident.

Where can you safely and profitably invest your money in today s turbulent marketplace? As you ponder that question, you can start with a small but empowering step. Learn where not to invest your money.
Each year the Vermont Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities & Health Care Administration (BISHCA) broadcasts the top ten investor traps to avoid. These have been identified by the Enforcement Trends Project Group of the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), of which BISHCA is a member. The types of offers on the Top Ten list may especially appeal to cash-strapped investors hungry to recover lost financial ground. BISHCA Commissioner Paulette Thabault said, Lesson number one is, verify everything and everyone before you part with your money. Despite promises of high returns, these offers provide little if any disclosure of significant risks. What you can count on is that they pay high commissions to aggressive sales

A new study released by Bankrate, Inc. (Nasdaq: RATE) shows that the cost of getting a mortgage has fallen nationwide, a reflection of the price shift in the housing market. Nationwide, the average origination and title fees on a $200,000 mortgage this year totaled $2,732, down from $3,118 in 2008. In the study's geographical breakdown, Texas leads the nation at an average fee of $3,855, with New York City, Florida, San Francisco and Oregon rounding out the top five. Nevada is the least expensive area with an average fee of $2,276, replacing North Carolina at the bottom of the list. To view the complete study and analysis of the data, as well as tips on what to look for in closing costs when getting a mortgage, go to http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/state-by-state-closing-costs8-....

Chief Recovery Officer Tom Evslin announced today that five Vermont organizations have applied for over $130 million of stimulus grants and loans for last mile broadband projects that could, in the aggregate, reduce the number of Vermont households without available high speed Internet to less than 5% of the total. Technologies proposed by the various applicants include fiber to the home, DSL, and wireless.