Current News
by tim
On July 1, Jeffrey Wimette started a three-year term as the union's business manager and financial secretary. Wimette, who holds a degree in architectural engineering from Vermont Technical College, previously served as assistant business manager. He has been a licensed Local 300 electrician since 1999 and has an extensive military history with the United States Army Reserves. Wimette currently resides in Bristol with
his wife and three children.
I am honored that our membership placed its confidence in my leadership capabilities and pledge to further cultivate this organization with the
full cooperation of our signatory employers and existing members, Wimette said. In today's economic climate, unions will certainly ensure that working Vermonters are employed by socially responsible businesses that pay a living wage, healthcare and retirement benefits.
by tim
Merchants Bancshares Inc Declares Dividend, Election of Danaher as New Bank Director
SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT-Merchants Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: MBVT), the parent company of Merchants Bank, has announced that its Board of Directors declared a dividend of 28 cents per share, payable August 21, 2008, to shareholders of record as of August 7, 2008. Merchants plans to release earnings on or about July 30, 2008.
by tim
Springfield, VT Rep. Peter Welch joined representatives from the Southern Vermont Health and Recreation Center (SVHRC) to announce $121,000 in federal funding he recently secured.
The funding will support the Recreation Center's highly successful community health programs.
I am pleased this federal support will help the Recreation Center continue to improve their community health and wellness programs. The center provides an invaluable service to the region and serves thousands of area residents young and old, said Welch.
Welch added, My goal is to help match federal support with priorities identified by communities around the state.
Joining Welch was former State Senator Edgar May, SVHRC's Executive Director Christian Craig, Chair of the SVHRC Board George Lamb, SVHRC Board Member Bob Flint, and other members of the community.
by tim
Governor Douglas and CONEG Rally Regional Support for Senator Sanders' LIHEAP Bill
Urge Federal Government to Provide Billions in Additional LIHEAP Funding in FY2008
Waterbury, VT-The Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG), chaired by Governor Jim Douglas, has urged the federal government to increase-by billons-federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding in FY08.
The Governors lent their support to Senator Bernie Sanders' (I-VT) efforts to provide an additional $2.73 billion in FY2008 funding for LIHEAP in regular program and contingency funding.
Further, they supported House-led efforts to increase funding for the program by $3.12 billion, which would fund the program at its fully authorized level and is an important step toward addressing the substantially increased demand for LIHEAP assistance in the wake of skyrocketing home heating prices.
by tim
Jobless rate drops two-tenths to 4.7 percent
Montpelier -- The Vermont Department of Labor announced today that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for June 2008 was 4.7 percent, down two-tenths of a point from the revised May rate of 4.9% and up nine-tenths of a point from a year ago.
"Vermont's labor market showed mixed results in June with annual job growth essentially flat, but a drop in unemployment rate due to a relatively strong start to the summer employment season" said Patricia Moulton Powden, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Labor. "National and regional economic conditions may make job growth a challenge in the short-term."
by tim
TRUCK RESTRICTIONS ON LEBANON, NH - HARTFORD, VT BRIDGE
US ROUTE 4 BRIDGE OVER THE CONNECTICUT RIVER
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Vermont's General Fund finishes year with surplus; Education, Transportation down
Montpelier, VT - Secretary of Administration Michael K Smith announced on July 18, 2008, the fiscal year 2008 revenue results for the state of Vermont: the General Fund surpassed fiscal year 2008 revenue targets by $9.87 million; transportation and education fund revenues were below target for the fiscal year.
General Fund
by tim
Exterus Technology for Business of Shelburne announced that Nik Crapo was hired as a Systems Engineer. Mr. Crapo joins us from the San Diego, CA area. Having been in the US Navy for four years, he is an accomplished Microsoft LAN Administrator and has strong technical and analytical skills. While in the Navy, he worked both on shore and on deployment in the Persian Gulf. As an IT Network Administrator in the Navy, Mr. Crapo was responsible for maintaining 250+ nodes, both remotely and directly. He also helped supervise the Naval Communication and Telecommunication Stations Help Desk in his first year. He has achieved his A+ Certification and is well on his way to achieve more.
To contact Nik directly call 802.658.8225 x221 or email [email protected]
Visit www.exterusbusiness.com for more information on our products and services.
by tim
Congress Overrides Bush Veto on Medicare
WASHINGTON, July 15 Congress overrode President Bushs veto of a bill (HR 6331,the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act) that would protect doctors from cuts in their Medicare payments. The Senate vote to override the veto was 70 to 26. US House overrode the president's earlier Tuesday, 383 to 41.
The legislation prevents a 12.3 cut in Medicare reimbursements planned by the federal government, including for Vermont physicians.
President Bush vetoed the bipartisan legislation early Tuesday, thus leading to the override votes.
by tim
CVPS proposes innovative renewable plans, grants
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Governor Announces Free Software for Students and Teachers
Promotes Enhanced Science, Technology, Engineering and Math as Economic Development Tools
Montpelier (July 16, 2008) Governor Jim Douglas announced today that Vermont's students and teachers will soon be eligible for free access to some of the world's most powerful design and mechanical engineering software as part of the Real World Design Challengea partnership between the State of Vermont, the US Department of Energy, the Federal Aviation Administration, Parametric Technology Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Corporation and Flomerics, Inc.
Governor Douglas said the partnership, and the challenge at the center of its curriculum, would help generations of young Vermonters obtain the skills they need to succeed in this century and help Vermonts economy grow.
by tim
(July 16, 2008) The Vermont Department of Labor reports that there were 712 new regular benefit claims for Unemployment Insurance last week, a decrease of 60 from the week before. Altogether 7,139 new and continuing claims were filed, 190 more than a week ago and 999 more than a year earlier.
The Unemployment Weekly Report can be found at: http://www.vtlmi.info
Previously released Unemployment Weekly Reports and other UI reports can be found at: http://www.vtlmi.info/lmipub.htm#uc