Current News
by tim
The law firm of Valsangiacomo, Detora and McQuesten, P.C., opened a full-time branch office in Burlington. VD&M's new office is located in the historic Maltex Building at 431 Pine Street.
The trial firm, headquartered in Barre, opened the new office earlier this year to better serve its growing client base in Chittenden County.
"We've established a solid reputation in Central Vermont for straightforward and cost-effective representation," said Oreste Valsangiacomo, Jr., a founding partner. "And that's earned us a growing number of clients in Burlington. This new satellite office allows us to be more accessible and more responsive to our northern clients."
VD&M was founded in 1977. Its seven staff attorneys offer experience in many areas of the law but the firm's major areas of emphasis are personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death cases.
by tim
On Nov. 12 and Nov. 15, representatives from Champlain College will host open house sessions to view plans for a welcome center, residence halls and other campus expansion proposals in conjunction with its master plan. The sessions are open for neighbors and community members.
In March 2007, Champlain completed its master plan with the vision to support future growth as a flexible, desirable, and attractive institution. This vision was designed with the goal not to negatively impact the residential or historic character, or the high quality of life on The Hill.
Attendees are welcome to stop by on either day for any duration during the hours of 6 pm and 8 pm on Nov. 12 and 9 am and noon on Nov. 15.
by tim
Michael Lane, co-founder and chief operating officer of Dealer.com will speak as part of Champlain College's "Speaking from Experience" lecture series on Tuesday, Nov. 18. The lecture series is sponsored by the college's "Bring Your Own Business Program" (BYOBiz).
The lecture will take place in the Hauke Family Center at Champlain College at 7 pm.
Lane will talk about his Burlington-based company that has experienced large growth since it began in 1998. Dealer.com creates web-based marketing campaigns and supports thousands of online marketing solutions across North America for the automotive industry. The company is the recipient of numerous awards including the 2007 Inc. 5000's "Fastest Growing Private Companies of America."
All events are free and open to the public.
by tim
FairPoint Communications Reports Third Quarter 2008 Results
by tim
Grimes Named to National Steering Committee
Barbara Grimes, general manager of Burlington Electric Department, has accepted an invitation from the Washington-based Alliance for Climate Action to serve on the steering committee of ACA's new Municipal Clean Energy Project (MCEP).
The MCEP is a 3-year, nationwide initiative of ASE, in close collaboration with the American Public Power Association (APPA), the Large Public Power Council (LPPC) and other partners to promote efficiency and renewable energy as the way to meet this country's energy needs.
"I was very pleased to be asked to join many luminaries in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy from around the country on this steering committee," said Grimes. "With our great work in the field of efficiency and our goal to achieve 100 percent renewable power BED, despite its small size, has a national reputation."
by tim
JONATHAN WOOD appointed secretary of natural resources
DOUGLAS THANKS crombie for Service
Montpelier, Vt. - (November 7, 2008) Governor Jim Douglas today announced that Forest, Parks and Recreation (FPR) Commissioner Jonathan Wood has been appointed Secretary of Natural Resources.
Wood replaces George Crombie who, after nearly two years as secretary, is pursuing other opportunities.
Governor Douglas thanked Crombie for his service. "I appreciate the time George dedicated to our state and the work he did to advance my climate change initiatives and the Clean and Clear Action Plan," Governor Douglas said. "I wish him well in his future endeavors."
Governor Douglas said Wood, who he appointed FPR commissioner in 2003, brings a wealth of policy knowledge and management experience to his new post.
by tim
Chris Graff: Douglas, Obama produce historic election results
by Chris Graff
VBM Political Coumnist
That Democrat Barack Obama won 67 percent support from Vermonters is stunning. That Republican Jim Douglas fought off the Obama tide to gain 55 percent of the tally in the governors race is amazing.
Obama's win in the state spanned the spectrum:
- Exit polling showed he won 95 percent of Vermont Democrats, 71 percent of independents and 11 percent of Republicans;
- 93 percent of those Vermonters who consider themselves liberal voted for Obama while 65 percent of the moderates and even 32 percent of the conservatives backed his candidacy;
by tim
Beginning Farmers Get Support from Federal, State
and Private Agriculture Groups
Montpelier, Vt This week, representatives from Farm Service Agency (FSA), Yankee Farm Credit and the Agency of Agriculture signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to help beginning farmers get financial assistance to establish viable farming operations.
The MOU solidifies an agreement between the parties to provide cooperation and participation in joint funding between FSA and Yankee Farm Credit with the assistance of the State of Vermont for beginning farmers. Assistance will be provided for qualified beginning farmers through the use of the Down Payment Loan Program or guaranteed loan programs.
by tim
Perfect Landing At Harris Hill Ski Jump
Organizing Committee Secures Additional Funds for Construction
BRATTLEBORO, VTAt a Brattleboro Selectboard meeting, Harris Hill Ski Jump Co-Director Pat Howell announced that Harris Hill has received a gift of $188,000, totaling the funds needed to complete the construction of the jump.
"This is more than a gift, it's a miracle," said Howell. "The town of Brattleboro should be very proud of the confidence in our community that this gift represents."
by tim
Bridge Managers Optimistic About Improving Bridge Conditions
DES PLAINES, Ill., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For the first time
since 2005, highway engineers are optimistic about reducing the number of
structurally deficient and functionally obsolete bridges. The information
comes from an annual survey of highway professionals in 50 state
Departments of Transportation and the District of Columbia conducted by
Better Roads magazine and sponsored by Contech Bridge Solutions, Inc. The
study, which provides the most current data available on bridge conditions,
shows that increased funding, initiated after the I-35 bridge collapse in
Minnesota, is finally working its way into the system. More than 60 percent
of respondents felt that they would be able to reduce the number of
functionally obsolete and structurally deficient bridges in the next year,
compared to just 40 percent in 2007.
by tim
Astronomer/Cosmologist O'Meara, collaborates with 8 other scientists
Saint Michael's physicist receives $300,000 NASA grant to determine how galaxies are born and how they change over time
Assessing data sent to earth by the Hubble Space Telescope, Dr. John O'Meara, Saint Michael's College assistant professor of physics, and eight colleagues at four universities, will study how galaxies are born and how they change with time.
Dr. O'Meara learned last week that his proposal to do this analysis had been funded by the Space Telescope Science Institute of NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Two, two-year grants, one for $158,891 and one for $146, 733, will provide funding to O'Meara, the principal investigator (PI), and colleagues from the University of California, Santa Cruz; Notre Dame, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, and the University of Chicago, to explore thorny issues about the galaxy.