Current News
by tim
Vermonter Produces Top Radio Spot In National
Competition
(Montpelier, VT) An independent audio producer and
voice-over talent from Montpelier recently produced a
sixty- second radio commercial for Vanguard Records
that earned "Best Radio Spot" in a national
competition. The National Association of Radio
Merchandisers (N.A.R.M.) awarded the prize to
Vanguard Records for the commercial promoting their
artist Mindy Smith. The spot was produced and voiced
by Jody Petersen.
Petersen says "The N.A.R.M. award means a lot,
considering the competition. These are big time music
people judging the ads- Im just thrilled that
Vanguard hired me to produce a spot for an artist like
Mindy Smith." N.A.R.M. is a not for profit trade
association who's nearly 400 member companies
represent retailers, wholesalers, and distributors of
prerecorded music in the United States. Its mission is
by tim
Governor & Attorney General to Sue FDA Over Drug Reimportation
Montpelier, Vt. -- Governor Jim Douglas and Attorney General William
Sorrell announced August 10 that Vermont will file suit against the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) in U.S. District Court over the issue of
importing drugs from Canada. Vermont is the first state in the nation to
sue the FDA for blocking a responsible reimportation proposal.
Vermont had sought a waiver from the FDA authorizing a legal drug
reimportation plan. The goal of the pilot project was to demonstrate how
a plan could be safely implemented, and ultimately serve as a model for
other states to implement similar programs.
Douglas and Sorrell agreed the suit was necessary, saying the federal
government's grounds for denying the waiver request are illegitimate.
"Vermont presented a legal and responsible plan to import prescription
by tim
The John A. Russell Corporation Opens New York Facility
Rutland, Vermont- The John A. Russell Corporation recently opened a
specialty metal fabrication shop in Glens Falls, New York thus creating
Russell Industrial Services of New York, a wholly owned subsidiary.
With a staff of 15 talented fabricators Russell Industrial Services of New
York offers a full range of specialty metal fabrication services to
commercial construction clients as well as heavy industrial clients in
mining, paper, food processing, power generation, and general industry.
The John A. Russell Corporation, Vermont's oldest general contractor, has
been the innovative leader for construction and industrial services since
1934. Russell Construction Services offers Design/Build, Construction
Management and General Contracting services throughout the northeast.
Russell Industrial Services offers industrial repair, maintenance and
by tim
BURLINGTON, Vt.Champlain College has named Robert Lee Edwards, JD, of Colchester as the new director of the Criminal Justice program.
Edwards brings more than 32 years of experience in international, urban and rural law enforcement, as well as roles as an attorney and college professor. Most recently, Edwards has been a member of the Independent Judicial Commission in Bosnia and Herzegovina as the head of office in Tuzla. His team investigated complaints of misconduct of judges and prosecutors, verified applications for appointment to judicial posts, and reviewed proposed legislation relating to judicial procedure.
This was fulfilling, history-making work that was highly appreciated by the citizens, Edwards said. The courts had been ethnically cleansed and politicized and we reversed a substantial portion of that sad piece of the history of Bosnia.
by tim
State Seeks Additional Partners In Major Marketing Venture
MONTPELIER, Vt. - A total of 15 Vermont businesses and the Vermont
Department of Tourism & Marketing (VDTM) are making plans to head south
to
tap into one of the world's most lucrative consumer venues and they are
looking for more partners to join them.
Beginning October 1 and running through November 15, these businesses
will
display their products and services at the 9th Annual Epcot
International
Food and Wine Festival at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando,
Florida.
The event is expected to draw between 1.5 and 2 million people during
its
45-day run. State officials say they still hope to attract a few more
businesses to join this effort.
"We're very pleased with the response we've received so far from a wide
variety of Vermont businesses," said Tourism & Marketing Commissioner
Bruce
by tim
DATE: August 9, 2004
CONTACT: Kenn Sassorossi Housing Vermont, 863-8424
John Powell Lake Champlain Housing Development Corporation, 863-5248
Waugh Opera House Rehabilitation Construction Begins
- Senator Leahy Visits Site -
[St. Albans, VT] A historic, four-story building located in the heart of downtown St. Albans is undergoing a complete rehabilitation. When completed, twenty affordable apartments will be constructed on the top three floors of the former Waugh Opera House on Main Street, also known as the Doolin Building. Co-partners Housing Vermont and the Lake Champlain Housing Development Corporation are leading the $3.7 million renovation.
US Senator Patrick Leahy joined developers and funders today in a tour of the Waugh Opera House property. Leahy was instrumental in obtaining federal HUD funding for the project. Senator Leahy was joined by City of St. Albans Mayor Peter Delauriers and City Manager Brian Searles.
by tim
Vermont Sees Mixed Results, Positive Indicators From DNC
MONTPELIER, Vt. - Unpredictable weather appears to have had a dampening
effect on the expected surge of visitors from the Boston area to Vermont
during the Democratic National Convention (DNC), but state officials say
there are many positive indicators showing that the Vermont message was,
and
continues to be, well received.
"Weather has clearly been a factor all summer, and has particularly
impacted
those events and attractions that are weather dependent and we suspect
this
was true during the DNC as well," said Vermont Tourism and Marketing
Commissioner Bruce Hyde. Hyde said that the good news is that people
appear
to be responding to the state's marketing efforts and that Vermont's
overall
tourism economy continues to perform well in relation to many other
states.
by tim
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM ANNOUNCED
Municipalities to Compete for Remediation Assessment Funding
MONTPELIER Vermont municipalities seeking to study the feasibility of
restoring property located in a town or village center may apply for
grants up to $10,000 under a new grant program announced by the
Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
Activities may include environmental assessments, building
conditions analysis, corrective action planning, cost
estimating, engineering or other professional evaluation of
land, buildings or property infrastructure components required
to ascertain the suitability of the property for renovation,
construction, or utilization for a specific purpose. Grant
recipients are required to provide a 25% match.
Our downtowns and village centers offer tremendous reuse
by tim
VBR Releases Third Quarter, 2004 CEO Economic Outlook Survey Results
So. Burlington, VT- Results from the Vermont Business Roundtable's (VBR)
third quarter, 2004 CEO Economic Outlook Survey, show that, compared to
the previous quarter results, more of our member CEOs are planning
increases over the next six months in two important measures: capital
spending and employment. While projections for company sales are
optimistic, compared to the previous quarter results, a higher percentage
of business leaders feel that sales are more likely to remain stable for
the next six months.
Douglas J. Wacek, President & CEO of the Union Mutual of Vermont Companies
in Montpelier and Ernie Pomerleau, President & CEO of Pomerleau Real
Estate in Burlington are members of the VBR. When asked to comment on his
CEO Economic Outlook Survey responses, Wacek stated that "continued growth
by tim
Central Vermont reports second quarter earnings
RUTLAND - Central Vermont Public Service (NYSE: CV) has reported consolidated second quarter earnings of
$3.5 million, or 27 cents per basic and diluted share of common stock. This compares to second quarter
2003 earnings of $5.1 million, or 40 cents per basic and diluted share of common stock.
For the first six months of 2004, CV reported earnings of $13.9 million, or $1.10 per basic and $1.09 per diluted
share of common stock, a $3.8 million increase from a year ago. Earnings for the first six months of 2003 totaled
$10.1 million, or 80 cents per basic and 79 cents per diluted share of common stock.
by tim
CVPS Cow Power" links farms, renewables and customers
Central Vermont Public Service customers who want to support renewable energy and Vermont dairy farms have a new energy choice -- CVPS Cow Power". The Vermont Public Service Board has approved CVPS Cow Power", which is intended to help promote development and reliance on renewable energy in Vermont by creating a market for energy generated by burning methane from cow manure.
By enrolling in CVPS Cow Power", customers will help support Vermont dairy farms that develop generators that run on methane from cow manure, renewable generation in the region, or incentives to farmers to get into the business.
by tim
"COW" FOLLOWS PHISH TO COVENTRY,
VERMONT CONCERT DATES
Verizon Wireless Network Prepared to Accommodate Concert Crowds
BURLINGTON, VT When Phish fans gather to welcome the Vermont-based rock
band back home at the final shows of the band¹s Summer 2004 Tour, Verizon
Wireless will be on hand with a "COW," a portable cell site called "Cell
On Wheels," which is used to increase network capacity for special events
where significant cell phone usage is anticipated. The Phish concerts are
scheduled for August 14 and 15 at the Newport State Airport in Coventry.