Current News
by tim
The Addison County Chamber of Commerce recognized local businesses, organizations, and individuals with its annual awards during the Chamber’s annual meeting held on September 8th at the Middlebury Inn. Four awards were presented in front of a crowd of 100 attendees which included Chamber members, local business people and other dignitaries. In addition to the award presentations, the Chamber membership voted on a new board of directors.
Vermont Hard Cider Company was presented with the Business of the Year Award which is given to a business located in Addison County that demonstrates excellent business practices and provides a positive impact on the community. According to Andy Mayer, Chamber president, ‘Vermont Hard Cider’s growth, commitment to Addison County, and commitment to the environment, while enhancing theVermont brand make them a natural choice for the award.’
by tim
The University of Vermont Transportation Research Center has just released the 2010 Vermont Transportation Energy Report, a comprehensive look at transportation energy use and expenditures in the state. This annual report provides policy makers with relevant and timely data on topics related to transportation energy use, including levels of fuel consumption, trends in vehicle fleet composition and Vermonters' travel patterns. The large percentage of energy consumed and emissions generated by the transportation sector in Vermont makes it an important policy focus within the state.
by tim
The US Small Business Administration announces today that federal economic injury disaster loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes located in Addison, Bennington, Chittenden and Rutland counties in Vermont as a result of excessive rain, flooding and cooler than normal temperatures that occurred from March 1 through June 1, 2011.
"These counties are eligible because they are contiguous to one or more primary counties in New York. The Small Business Administration recognizes that disasters do not usually stop at county or state lines. For that reason, counties adjacent to primary counties named in the declaration are included," said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA's Field Operations Center East in Atlanta.
by tim
The unprecedented level of devastation sustained by Vermont as a result of tropical storm Irene has captured the hearts of Americans.
Donations of food, emergency equipment and money have been received from all parts of the nation and will be distributed by way of grants.
Today the Vermont Legislature’s Joint Fiscal Committee (JFC) voted to provide a one day approval process for these grants in order to hasten hurricane relief efforts.
‘Our actions today will ensure that donations of assistance and materials, which have come from across the street and across the nation, will get to those who need it now, not a month from now’, stated Senate President Pro Tem John Campbell. ‘Speaker Smith and I are committed to provide assistance to those Vermonters whose lives have been seriously affected by this storm.’
by tim
Miro Weinberger announced his candidacy today for the 2012 Burlington mayoral race, promising the opportunity for a fresh start in City government.
Joined by his wife Stacy, daughter Li Lin, and a crowd of supporters in downtown Burlington, Weinberger, a Democrat, pledged to put Burlington’s fiscal house in order, restore accountability to City government, and provide strong, vocal leadership on important priorities.
‘It is critical that we succeed as a City at putting our fiscal house in order and restore trust to our government. Without fiscal responsibility, little progress will be made on other important priorities,’ said Weinberger.
by tim
Due to damage from Tropical Storm Irene, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) has closed the approximately 1.5 mile section of Route 107 in Stockbridge between Tozier’s Restaurant and Lambert’s Chainsaw Repair to all traffic except emergency vehicles.
The stretch of Route 107 in this area was completely washed away by Tropical Storm Irene. Roadway reconstruction efforts have been hampered by recent rains, which destabilized roadway embankments and caused trees to collapse into the construction area.
Restoring access to Route 107 is a state priority. Crews are working diligently to repair the road, stabilize the embankment and clear trees that are in danger of falling into the roadway. Although crews are allowing emergency vehicles to traverse the roadway if necessary, the area is not safe for public use and remains closed to all personal vehicles, including local traffic.
by tim
Governor Peter Shumlin today announced his appointments to the Green Mountain Care Board, a body that is central to the implementation of health reform in Vermont. The Board is responsible for creating the first single payer health care system in the country, which will control costs and guarantee coverage regardless of employment status.
‘In putting together this team, I looked for five really smart people who are fully committed to the goal of controlling health care costs, achieving universal coverage, and who can work as a team,’ Gov. Shumlin said. ‘I also looked for people who could think creatively about how to encourage and reward Vermonters and Vermont health care practitioners for improving health and getting the most value out of our health care dollars.’
by tim
A gift from James Edward "Ted" and Danielle "Dani" Virtue of Rye, New York, will fund construction of a new synthetic turf field on the campus of the University of Vermont.
Virtue Field, as the new facility will be called, will serve as the home for the UVM men's and women's lacrosse and men's and women's soccer teams and will also be used for campus recreation activities. It is the first phase of a planned stadium project that will include grandstand seating for 3,000 spectators, game-day locker rooms, public restrooms, concessions, and storage space.
by tim
Heather Anne Caulfield of Hinesburg, Vermont, is the winner of the 2011 Ralph Nading Hill, Jr. literary prize awarded annually by Green Mountain Power and Vermont Life magazine.
Caulfield's winning story, titled "Fetching Lambs," describes a teenager on a Vermont family farm leading the sheep into the shed for the night. As she walks in the frosty darkness, her path illuminated by her flashlight, starlight, moonlight and the glow through the window of the distant farmhouse, she thinks about the family's life on the farm through the seasons.
Mary Hegarty Nowlan, editor of Vermont Life, commented that the judges were taken by the strong sense of place that came through in Ms. Caulfield's writing. "We were impressed with her ability to perfectly capture a scene and evoke a feeling that is familiar to anyone who has spent some time on a farm in Vermont. Her unadorned, precise prose made her story an absolute pleasure to read."
by tim
The Vermont Department of Health has not seen an increase in gastrointestinal or respiratory illnesses since Tropical Storm Irene hit Vermont on August 28.
Sediment, mud and dust is usually not any more contaminated than the soil that was there before a storm - unless it's near a source of contamination that was disrupted by flooding such as agricultural fertilizers, industrial chemicals or raw sewage. The Health Department advises Vermonters to stay away from contaminated areas that require professional cleanup.
"We do anticipate there will be sporadic or individual cases of respiratory and gastrointestinal illness, but we rarely see outbreaks of these types of illnesses in the wake of flooding in the United States," said Health Commissioner Harry Chen, MD.
by tim
Head to Vermont’s towns and mountains this fall for a slew of seasonal "Bests." The state is proud to celebrate harvest season over several weekends packed full of events. Come enjoy crisp mornings with warm cider next to fiery red and orange mountainsides. Customize your trip with family events, Oktoberfests or romantic concerts and dining. Here are some crowd pleasers:
Tunbridge World's Fair, Tunbridge
September 15, 2011
www.tunbridgeworldsfair.com/
Colors of the Kingdom Festival, St. Johnsbury
September 17, 2011
www.vermont.com/events.cfm?eventId=3258
Stowe Rotary's Oktoberfest, Stowe
September 23, 2011
www.stoweoktoberfest.com/
Vermont Fine Furniture & Woodworking Festival, Woodstock
September 24, 2011
by tim
Comcast and Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin will host a press conference to kick off the Internet Essentials Program in Vermont, a new initiative that helps connect low-Income families with children who are eligible for a free lunch under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to the Internet. The goal of Internet Essentials is to help get more American families online and help close the digital divide.
WHO: Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin - CONFIRMED
Vermont Senate President Pro Tempore John Campbell (invited)
Vermont Speaker of the House Shap Smith (invited)
City of Winooski Mayor Michael O’Brien - CONFIRMED
City of Winooski Superintendent of Schools Mary Martineau - CONFIRMED
Mary Alice McKenzie, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Burlington - CONFIRMED