Interview: Rep. John Tracy
Steve Delaney talks with Representative John Tracy. Tracy is making a bid to be elected House majority leader in the newly configured Vermont House of Representatives. (Listen to the interview online.) (VPR)
Three-party races
Republican Brian Dubie won this week’s race for lieutenant governor with 41% of the vote. His Democratic and Progressive challengers split most of the remaining votes. Vermont Democrats are wondering if Dubie’s election is a sign of difficult days ahead. They say if Democrats and Progressives continue to split votes, Republicans will continue to win. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Dean, Douglas discuss transition
Governor Howard Dean and Governor-elect Jim Douglas met for over an hour on Thursday to discuss the gubernatorial transition. Dean says he’s confident that Douglas will be a good governor for the state of Vermont. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Douglas tours executive offices
Governor-elect James Douglas got a tour yesterday of what will soon be his new office. Outgoing Governor Howard Dean was the tour guide. The corner office on the fifth floor of Montpelier’s Pavilion Building has a commanding view of the Statehouse, and small personal quarters adjacent with what Dean called an incredibly uncomfortable pullout couch. (AP)
State revenues surge in October
A surge in consumption tax receipts combined with stronger than expected income tax withholding made October a good month for Vermont’s state revenue picture. Both the transportation fund and the education fund also exceeded expectations in October, but more modestly. (AP)
Resorts lure skiers
Vermont ski areas hope that a good winter, high-speed lifts and improved snowmaking will lure skiers this season. This season’s changes include new lifts, child care centers and terrain parks – special areas with jumps and other features especially popular with snowboarders. (AP)
Chittenden Corp. buys Granite State Bankshares
Vermont-based bank holding company, Chittenden Corporation, is buying Granite State Bankshares of Keene, New Hampshire. The two companies announced the $247 million deal last night. Granite State shareholders will get $46 a share plus, cash for fractional shares, or be paid half in cash and half in stock. (AP)
Ice cream plant purchased
A family owned ice cream company has agreed to buy the Ben & Jerry’s plant in Springfield. Ellsworth Ice Cream, of Saratoga Springs, New York, plans to make ice cream bars and other novelty products at the plant after Ben and Jerry’s leaves next spring. The company says it will hire 56 local workers. (AP)
Students study conflict resolution
Students from around Vermont gather at the Statehouse in Montpelier Firday for a conference on violence prevention and conflict resolution. A national group called Family, Career and Community Leaders of America began organizing in Vermont last spring. A group of students from Lyndon Institute will lead a workshop on their participation in the program and encourage other students to get involved. (AP)
Rutland voter turnout
The city of Rutland had the highest voter turnout for a midterm election in nearly 20 years on Tuesday. Fifty-seven percent of voters showed up at the polls, the highest turnout for a General Election in a year without a race for president since 1985. (AP)
Bow-hunting incident goes to court
A Middletown Springs man is due in court on Tuesday to face an involuntary manslaughter charge in a bow-hunting accident two years ago. Police say Joseph Teer shot an arrow that killed 36-year-old Thomas Fiske, who was hunting from a tree stand. (AP)
Lawyer disbarred
A Burlington lawyer has been disbarred for withdrawing up to $2,000 for himself from an account of the Chittenden County Democratic Party. Frederick Lane served as the group’s treasurer last year. He submitted a letter of resignation to the Vermont Bar in August. (AP)