Vermont news

• Scott approves updated ethics code addressing sexual misconduct

  12-12-2017 23:51 via vtdigger.org
  ​Gov. Phil Scott​ speaks at a news conference. File photo by Erin Mansfield/VTDigger
  Gov. Phil Scott signed an executive order last week updating the code of ethics for the executive branch of Vermont state government, requiring his appointees to prevent workplace sexual harassment among other changes.
  The order follows in the wake of numerous revelations this year about widespread workplace sexual harassment in the public and private sector and an apparent shift in attitudes toward
  
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• MyWebGrocer announces layoffs at Winooski offices

  12-12-2017 23:20 via vtdigger.org
  Jerry Tarrant, chief operating officer and co-founder of MyWebGrocer, a Winooski-based Internet software company, spoke during a panel on patent law reform at Champlain College in Burlington on Monday. Photo by John Herrick/VTDiggerWINOOSKI — Tech firm MyWebGrocer is laying off 18 of its Vermont employees as part of a restructuring process it says will help to meet its customers’ needs.
  MyWebGrocer, located in the Old Woolen Mill building, provides online support to grocery businesse
  
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• Burlington mayor defends immigration policy against federal pressure

  12-12-2017 22:38 via vtdigger.org
  Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger. File photo by Morgan True/VTDiggerBURLINGTON — The mayor is standing by a city policy that has come under fire from the federal government.Last month the Department of Justice sent a letter to Mayor Miro Weinberger, Vermont Public Safety Commissioner Tom Anderson and 27 other jurisdictions in the country, alleging their laws may violate a federal law that ensures U.S. immigration authorities can get information about a suspect’s immigration status up
  
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• LISTEN: Vermont's Finest: What Are Your Favorite Made-In-Vermont Gifts? dlvr.it/Q5fFwy https://t.co/UeqP8Apv0d

  12-12-2017 22:20 via twitter.com
  
  LISTEN: Vermont's Finest: What Are Your Favorite Made-In-Vermont Gifts? dlvr.it/Q5fFwy https://t.co/UeqP8Apv0d
  
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• What Will The End Of Net Neutrality Mean For The Future Of The Internet? dlvr.it/Q5dwNF https://t.co/Ixnb8pLSvx

  12-12-2017 21:25 via twitter.com
  
  What Will The End Of Net Neutrality Mean For The Future Of The Internet? dlvr.it/Q5dwNF https://t.co/Ixnb8pLSvx
  
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• Friends of Digger will match the next $10,000 in donations

  12-12-2017 20:20 via vtdigger.org
  Join the many friends of VTDigger who support our reporting. 
  Click to donate
  Now is a great time to support real news in Vermont — a group of Digger’s friends has stepped forward and offered to match the next $10,000 in contributions to our annual fund drive dollar-for-dollar.
  Only $164,790 left to raise by Dec. 31
  VTDigger.org was recently called out by The New York Times, the Columbia Journalism Review and the Economist as one of the strongest regional news sites in the natio
  
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• Ohavi Zedek and Vermont Interfaith Action offer steps to address climate change

  12-12-2017 17:24 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Interfaith ActionDec. 12, 2017
  Contact:Debbie IngramExecutive Director of VIA(802) 651-8889Co-sponsors Ohavi Zedek Synagogue and Vermont Interfaith Action offer advice on “Harnessing the Power of the Burlington Community” on Tuesday, December 12 from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm at Ohavi Zedek, 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington. Mayor Miro Weinberger, Burlington Electric Department, and the local religious community will explore how members of the greater Burli
  
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• Burlington firm may bid for Ibex

  12-12-2017 17:10 via vtdigger.org
  (This story by John Lippman was published in the Valley News onDec. 12, 2017.)
  WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — The former head of the Vermont Teddy Bear Co. and a Burlington private equity firm said they hope to make a bid for the assets of Ibex Outdoor Clothing Co. to keep the company and its jobs in Vermont.RELATED STORIESBurlington firm may bid for IbexIbex Outdoor Clothing to liquidate
  Liz Robert, former chief executive of Vermont Teddy Bear, and Vermont Works, a private equity firm that makes
  
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• Today we're showcasing the handiwork of the Green Mountain State with a show dedicated to "Made in Vermont" gifts.… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

  12-12-2017 14:21 via twitter.com
  Today we're showcasing the handiwork of the Green Mountain State with a show dedicated to "Made in Vermont" gifts.… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…
  
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• Mayor Miro Weinberger’s public schedule for the week of Dec. 10

  12-12-2017 13:22 via vtdigger.org
  OFFICE OF MAYOR MIRO WEINBERGER149 Church Street | Burlington, VT 05401 | 802.865.7272
  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  December 8, 2017Contact:Katie Vane 802.734.0617
  Mayor Miro Weinberger’s public appearance schedule for December 10 – 15, 2017:
  Sunday, December 1011:00 am 37th Annual Pomerleau Holiday Party – Hilton Burlington, 60 Battery Street
  Monday, December 116:00 pm City Council Meeting (expected Executive Session from 6-7pm) – Contois AuditoriumTuesday, December 125:00 pm M
  
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• Gov. Phil Scott’s public schedule for the week of Dec. 9

  12-12-2017 13:20 via vtdigger.org
  Governor Phil Scott’s Public Schedule: 12/9/17 – 12/15/17
  Saturday, December 9
  No public events scheduled
  Sunday, December 10
  11:30 AM – 1:30 PMPomerleau Annual Christmas PartyHilton Hotel Burlington, VT
  Monday, December 11
  1:00 – 2:00 PMWeekly Press Conference: Progress on Bennington Waterline Construction495 Fairview Street, Bennington, VT
  Tuesday, December 12
  10:30 – 11:00 AMLeadership Champlain Government DayHouse Chamber, Vermont State House, Montpelier, VT
  Wed
  
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• Burlington Council approves sale in Bove’s restaurant deal

  12-12-2017 11:52 via vtdigger.org
  The empty Bove’s restaurant in Burlington would be demolished under a plan for a hotel and new apartments. Photo by Cory Dawson/VTDigger
  BURLINGTON — Burlington City Councilors voted Monday to approve the sale of a city parking lot to Richard Bove Jr., who has submitted plans to the city to raze the lot and his family’s adjacent Bove’s Italian restaurant on Pearl Street and use the space to build a hotel and apartments.
  Bove’s plan is to make space for a roughly 76-
  
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• Council irons out details in Burlington Telecom sale

  12-12-2017 11:40 via vtdigger.org
  Dave Hartnett, Burlington city councilor, apologized for blowing up at fellow councilor Jane Knodell. Photo by Bob LoCicero/VTDiggerBURLINGTON — Burlington City Councilors ironed out details of the new deal to sell Burlington Telecom during their first meeting since the sale Monday.The document detailing the sale of Burlington Telecom to Schurz Communications [was released Wednesday], documenting the sale the hastily arranged, late-night deal made at the last Burlington City Council meetin
  
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• Scott opens new water line in Bennington for residents with PFOA contaminated wells

  12-12-2017 11:25 via vtdigger.org
  Gov. Phil Scott speaks Monday in Bennington while celebrating completion of a section of municipal water line to address PFOA in local wells. With him are Reps. Kiah Morris, Alice Miller and Mary Morrissey, and Sen. Brian Campion. Photo by Holly Pelczynski/Bennington BannerBENNINGTON — Gov. Phil Scott on Monday helped celebrate the first new connection of a major water line extension project designed to address PFOA contamination of hundreds of local wells.
  “Today, we are here to cel
  
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• Railroad prevails in road salt storage dispute with Shelburne

  12-12-2017 02:47 via vtdigger.org
  The Vermont Railway road salt storage facility in Shelburne. Photo by Morgan True/VTDigger
  BURLINGTON — A federal judge has ruled Shelburne can’t enforce a town ordinance that likely would have shut down Vermont Railway’s operation that takes road salt from trains and loads it onto trucks for distribution around Vermont.
  U.S. District Judge William Sessions issued an order last week that permanently blocks enforcement. The ordinance would have allowed Shelburne to levy daily fi
  
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• Attorneys: Life-saving transplant still affecting firefighter facing charges

  12-12-2017 02:20 via vtdigger.org
  Brent M. Garrow in court. Pool file photo by Robert L. Layman/Rutland Herald
  RUTLAND — Attorneys for a city firefighter who is facing criminal charges for the second time in several months say their client is still dealing with the emotional aftereffects of a kidney transplant.
  “It’s never been mentioned what an emotional toll getting an organ transplant must have on a person,” attorney Sabina Smiechowski said of Brent M. Garrow, 31, outside a courtroom Monday where he wa
  
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• Statehouse rink resurrected with governor’s backing

  12-12-2017 01:27 via vtdigger.org
  A mock-up of the Statehouse skating rink with garlands, submitted as part of the revised proposal. Courtesy of the Capitol Complex Commission
  The ice skating rink on the Statehouse lawn has been approved for another year, just a month after a commission had spurned it. Gov. Phil Scott is getting credit for a role in the change of direction.
  The Capitol Complex Commission, which oversees the aesthetic integrity of the Statehouse grounds, declined last month to continue the skating rink beyond its
  
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• Felicia Kornbluh: Why not a Women’s Party?

  12-12-2017 01:05 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Felicia Kornbluh, an associate professor of history and gender, sexuality, and women’s studies at the University of Vermont. It first aired on VPR.
  Recent news about sexual harassment and violence have lit up every bulb on the political light string. The most discussed include mainstream Democrats, like Harvey Weinstein; aggressive conservatives, like Roger Ailes; white-nationalists, like Donald Trump; and left-liberals, like Al Franken and John C
  
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• Lynn St-Laurent: Hydro-Québec and its clean energy

  12-12-2017 01:00 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Lynn St-Laurent, a spokesperson for Hydro-Québec. 
  In the fight against climate change, opposition can be found in odd places
  The U.S. Northeast is transitioning towards cleaner energy. Faced with the impending retirement of several sources of baseload energy, the region is adding more solar and wind sources to its grid. Over the past six years, the use of these renewables increased 2 percent. That’s a small step, however, compared to
  
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• Barrie Dunsmore: Trump stirs up more trouble

  12-12-2017 00:55 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary by retired ABC News diplomatic correspondent Barrie Dunsmore first appeared in the Barre-Montpelier Times Argus and Rutland Herald Sunday edition. All his columns can be found on his website.
  I watch cable news a great deal – more, I’m sure, than is good for one’s mental health. But it does give me some credibility when I offer my choice of the most authentic and credible critic of President Donald Trump – veteran Republican strategist
  
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