Messages |
 Topics |
Attachments
This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
Topics - Chris Santee
16
« on: July 28, 2014, 02:46:38 PM »
DFR to conduct Vermont Household Health Insurance Survey
MONTPELIER –Susan L. Donegan, commissioner of the Department of Financial Regulation (DFR), announced today that the department will again conduct a confidential survey of Vermonters asking about health insurance practices beginning in early August. The Vermont Household Health Insurance Survey will be completed in November with preliminary results expected in early 2015.
Representatives from a survey company called Market Decisions of Portland, Maine, will make random phone calls to Vermonters on behalf of DFR and will ask questions pertaining to their health insurance needs, frequency of doctor visits and what may or may not influence their decision in seeking health care.
By getting the word out ahead of time, Donegan said she wants to make sure Vermonters know what to expect if they receive a call. Callers will askfor first names only, which will be kept confidential, and they will never ask for Social Security numbers, bank or credit card information.
“We urge people to take part in the survey,” she said. “The data we collect will give us a good picture of the state’s insured population and their health needs.”
She said that confidence in the integrity of Market Decisions and the survey and clear honest answers from Vermonters are key to the success of the survey.
“We hope that everyone who is contacted will be enthusiastic about taking part in this important study,” Donegan said.
Questions may be directed to DFR at 802-828-3301 or Dr. Brian Robertson, director of research at Market Decisions, 800-293-1538, ext. 102.To read the 2012 Vermont Household Health Insurance Survey, visit the DFR website: http://www.dfr.vermont.gov/insurance/health-insurance/vermont-household-health-insurance-survey-vhhis. For more information about Market Decisions, visit their website: www.marketdecisions.com.
17
« on: July 21, 2014, 11:27:03 AM »
VERMONT — The Vermont Sports Media Association chose a 72-year-old marathon specialist, a junior softball pitcher from BFA-Fairfax High School, and a junior track and field athlete from Mount Mansfield Union as its athletes of the month for May.
Elected in statewide balloting of VSMA membership were Newton Baker of Montpelier as the Open Division Athlete of the Month, Kayla Mathieu of BFA-Fairfax as the High School Female Athlete of the Month, and Alec Eschholz of Mount Mansfield Union as the High School Male Athlete of the Month.
Each was first nominated by a VSMA member for his or her outstanding efforts during May.
In that month, Baker — who has undergone knee, ankle and prostate cancer surgeries — completed seven marathons in a span of 14 days, including the New England Challenge of five marathons in five days in five states. Baker then finished the Shires of Vermont Marathon a day later and later added his 26th consecutive Key Bank Vermont City Marathon. Baker has run in all of the Key Bank marathons since the event was founded.
Also nominated for the Open Division award was Castleton State College freshman women’s lacrosse player Kim Gosselin.
In two of May’s biggest meets, Eschholz owned the hurdling events. In the Burlington Invitational he won the 110-meter high hurdles and 300 intermediate hurdles, setting meet records of 14.66 and 39.12, respectively. At that meet, Eschholz also won the long jump with a 21'6" leap, and his 5'10" high jump was good for third.
At the Essex Invitational, Eschholz won the 110m high hurdles in a meet-record 14.64, and then broke a state record set in 1987 in the 300 intermediate hurdles with a time of 38.34. He also took second in the long jump at 21'1.5".
Eschholz outpolled Poultney senior baseball player Sean Shepardson and Middlebury Union senior lacrosse player Sam Usilton.
In May, Mathieu, Vermont’s Gatorade Softball Player of the Year, dominated every lineup she faced, going 9-0 to improve her career record to 34-0 through the end of the month. For the month, her earned run average was 0.25, and she walked fewer than one batter per game while averaging 2.1 strikeouts per inning. At the plate, she batted .600 with a .696 on-base percentage and a 1.230 slugging percentage.
Mathieu earned the VSMA nod among a field of five nominees that included U-32 senior lacrosse player Nicole Lavigne, Otter Valley Union senior softball player Cortney Poljacik, and two senior track and field athletes, Katherine Furland of Essex and Hannah Merriam of Peoples Academy.
The three May winners will receive plaques from the VSMA’s sponsor of the organization’s Athlete of the Month program, Initial Ideas of Rutland.
More information about the VSMA is available from organization president Josh Kaufmann of the St. Albans Messenger at josh@samessenger.com.
18
« on: July 14, 2014, 07:05:56 AM »
15th ANNUAL
BFA Fairfax Hoop Camp
July 14-18
FOR: Boys and Girls entering grades 1-8. Campers will be grouped by age and/or ability to ensure maximum success.
COST: $70 per camper. Family of 2 - $120, Family of 3 or more - $175 (Fee includes Tuition, T-shirt, Basketball and Popsicles!)
SCHEDULE: Camp will begin at 9 am and end at 1 pm. All campers will need to report to the high school gym by each morning for announcements. Camp will be held in the elementary, middle and high school gyms.
EQUIPMENT: Campers will need to bring sneakers, shorts, T-shirt and athletic socks each day. Campers may also bring a lock and lockers will be provided to keep valuables.
CAMP DIRECTORS: Glen Button, Varsity Boys Coach, Alan Maynard, Varsity Boys Assistant Coach, Brad Gillilan, Varsity Boys Assistant Coach,
Seth McQuade, Amit Saini
DISCIPLINE: Any serious violations of camp regulations (damage to school property, disrespect to coaches or other behavior deemed detrimental to the group) will result in immediate dismissal from camp. If a camper is dismissed or withdraws from camp, there will be no refund.
SIGN-UP DATES: April 15th and 17th from 6-7:30 in the BFA-Fairfax High School lobby. Applications can also be found by visiting the BFA-Fairfax Athletics website at www.bfafairfax.com. Please call Coach Button with any questions (881-8687).
*Checks should be made payable to: BFA Hoop Camp
BFA HOOP CAMP 2014 APPLICATION
By enrolling a camper, a parent or guardian agrees that the camper is physically and mentally able to participate in all of the camp's activities and releases the camp and its staff from any liability thereof.
Campers Name:____________________________________________________
Address:______________________________Town:____________Zip:________
School:_______________________Grade/Sept:_____Age:______Gender:______
Date of Birth:______________ Phone Number:____________________
Physical Impairments (if any):_________________________________________
Medical Insurance:__________________________________________________
Policy Holder:__________________________Policy No.:____________________
Please Circle: T-shirt size YOUTH: S M L
ADULT: S M L XL
In case of emergency contact:_________________________________________
Home #____________________________ Work #________________________
X________________________________________________________________
Signature of parent or guardian who agrees to the conditions stated in this registration form.
19
« on: July 03, 2014, 09:34:49 AM »
On July 3, 2014, at 8:18 a.m. the St. Albans City Fire Department responded to Mac’s Quick Stop at 233 South Main Street for an explosion and fire at the gas pumps with one serious injury. Prior to the Fire Department’s arrival the fire was extinguished with a dry chemical fire extinguisher.
Responding Firefighters quickly secured the scene and determined that the underground gasoline storage tanks are in the process of being replaced and that a male employee of Champlain Oil Corporation (COCO) was in a pump pit alongside of the gas pumps cutting metal conduit with a metal cutting saw when a spark ignited gasoline fumes in the pit. A witness described a plume of fire shooting up out of the pit. The clothing of the employee in the pit at the time of the incident caught fire when the gasoline burst into flames. The employee’s clothing and the flames in the pit were extinguished with a dry chemical fire extinguisher prior to the arrival of Emergency Responders. The Vermont State Police Fire Marshal’s Office was called and responded to the scene.
The burn victim was transported to Northwest Medical Center by Am Care.
20
« on: June 14, 2014, 07:40:48 AM »
The Home Health quilters masterpiece for this year’s Quilt Raffle will have a public debut Thursday, June 19 at the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Mixer at Union Bank, sponsor of this year’s Quilt. The queen-sized quilt features a water-inspired design and batik fabrics and wave pattern in the quilting. The design, “Tropical Waves,” was created in response to this year’s Blue Jean Ball theme, “Blue Jeans in Paradise.”
Raffle tickets are 6 for $5 of $1 each and will be for sale at Union Bank during the Chamber Mixer. The quilt will remain at the bank, the sponsor for this year’s Quilt Raffle, on weekdays until July 3. Tickets will be sold at the Bank.
The quilt will tour the many events around Franklin County this summer and early fall, with many chances for you to buy tickets:
· June 29, Fairfax Pie and Ice Cream Social
· July 5, Richford Farmers’ Market, Barbecue and Parade
· July 5-18, Wood Meadow Market, Enosburg
· July 19, St. Albans Farmers’ Market
· July 27, Fairfield Jig in the Valley in the Meeting House on the Green
· August 16, St. Albans Farmers’ Market
· September 20-21, St. Albans City Hall, Antique Show during the St. Albans Raid event
You can also buy quilt raffle tickets at the Agency’s St. Albans office, 3 Home Health Circle, or online at www.fchha.org. There is a link on the home page to buy raffle tickets. The winning ticket will be drawn at the Blue Jean Ball on Saturday, October 25, at the American Legion. The winner does not have to be present to win.
Tickets are also on sale for the Blue Jean Ball for $50 or $400 for a table of eight. Proceeds from the Ball and the Quilt Raffle help ensure that all Franklin County residents, of all ages, receive the medical home health care they need, regardless of their ability to pay. Each year, the Agency provides $450,000 in charity and uncompensated care to our community. Fundraisers such as the Quilt Raffle and Ball, as well as Town allocations and gifts to the annual appeal, help meet this funding gap.
For more information about the Agency and their programs, call (802) 527-7531 or visit their website, www.fchha.org.
Mary Senior Harwood
Community Relations Coordinator
Franklin County Home Health Agency
3 Home Health Circle
St. Albans, VT 05478
(802) 527-7531
(802) 393-6717 (direct line)
mharwood@fchha.org
21
« on: June 08, 2014, 01:15:36 PM »
Georgia Mt. Community Wind Open House, Turbine Tours June 8, 2014
Milton/Georgia, Vermont ... Georgia Mountain Community Wind (GMCW) will host this year’s Open House and Wind Turbine Tours for community members on Sunday, June 8 from 1pm to 4 pm.
Last year’s Open House drew over 750 community members to view the wind turbines up close, dedicate the project and celebrate local renewable energy.
The 10 MW community wind farm consisting of four wind turbines became operational December 31, 2012 and provides approximately 8 percent of Burlington Electric Department’s (BED) energy demand through a long-term stably priced contract.
For the 2014 year to date, GMCW is running at a 45% capacity factor, making it one of the highest producing wind projects in the region.
GMCW is owned by two local business leaders and life-long Vermonters, renewable energy business leader and developer David Blittersdorf and Georgia Mountain Maples and Harrison Concrete owner, Jim Harrison/the Harrison Family.
More information on the project can be found at www.georgiamountainwind.com
WHAT: Georgia Mountain Community Wind Open House and Wind Turbine Tours - Celebrating Local Energy and Local Jobs
WHEN: Sunday, June 8th, 1 - 4 pm
WHERE: ALL parking is at the Husky facility located at 288 North Rd. in Milton and shuttle buses will run continuously from 1 to 4 pm.
22
« on: May 23, 2014, 09:42:48 AM »
Greater openness
May 23,2014
Rutland Herald
Gov. Peter Shumlin ought to tell the Legislature to try again in its effort to clarify the state’s open meeting law.
A bill passed by the Legislature awaits Shumlin’s signature. By vetoing it, he could send a message that it is the responsibility of public bodies to know the law and to follow it.
The bill represents an effort by the Legislature to bring clarity to the murky area of electronic communications and the ease with which public officials can carry out business away from the public eye. It happens nowadays that members of public boards find it convenient to attend board meetings remotely, by conference call or Skype. The new bill describes the protocol for that sort of meeting. For example, if a select board plans to meet, but a quorum of its members is not physically present, the law requires that at least one member be present at a predetermined public place so the public can also attend.
Those are useful modifications. But the bill goes to great pains to allow boards a way to escape responsibility for violations of the open meeting law. These violations can be damaging to public confidence in government. In recent months, serious controversy has troubled several towns, including Castleton, Middlebury and Rockingham. It is important for all sides in cases like these that the public knows that officials are not holding secret consultations, planning a course of action that it might spring on the public by surprise and foreclosing public discussion. An open democratic process allows the airing of bitter controversies; secrecy allows mistrust to fester.
The new bill allows a mechanism for public bodies that have violated the open meeting law to remedy its action within 14 days. If it takes remedial action, it is no longer subject to the (meager) $500 fine provided for in the law. But a lot of damage can happen within a two-week period of secret meetings. The law need not coddle town boards, whose job it is to know the law and to follow it. The remedy can happen without the interim coddling.
The law states that electronic communication among board members does not constitute a public meeting of the board. If board members are texting about what ought to be on the agenda, those texts remain public documents, but the public is not entitled to look over the shoulder of the texting board members. Common sense says there is a level of communication that is casual and not official, though an encounter of board members nevertheless constitutes a public meeting if public business is discussed, and it must follow the requirements of the open meeting law.
The new bill is rather loose on what constitutes an agenda. It apparently can be decided in rather casual fashion and then it can be changed at the outset of the meeting. The purpose of the agenda is to make the public aware of what is to be discussed so people can attend if they desire. Boards have a responsibility not to be too cagey about their plans, though it would seem there will always be ways for officials to work around the rules, whatever the rules are. The point is to establish as a best practice openness and clarity about the conduct of the public business.
As for executive sessions, the new bill states that minutes need not be kept. Since actions are not permitted in executive sessions, minutes would not be a record of decisions made. But a record of the participation of officials in the private discussion of an executive session would be useful at a later date when the minutes are eventually made public.
The new bill makes a peculiar exception to openness, allowing board members to retreat behind closed doors to discuss appointments to public boards. Open discussion of appointments would be a service to the public, which has an interest in knowing how board members arrive at their decisions on who serves where to conduct the public business.
The imperatives of openness in the conduct of public business did not weigh heavily enough with legislators this year. The governor can give them another chance.
23
« on: May 22, 2014, 03:38:10 PM »
Committee to Hold Hearing on Veterans Health Care
WASHINGTON, May 15 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs announced today that the committee will hold a hearing on Thursday May 15 titled “The State of VA Health Care.”
Sanders Statement on VA Health Care
BURLINGTON, Vt., May 16 – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs chairman, issued the following statement today on the resignation of Dr. Robert Petzel one day after the committee held a hearing on VA health care:
“Yesterday, we heard from every major veterans organization that the quality of health care at the VA is extremely good. I thank Dr. Petzel for helping to make that happen and for his years of service to veterans. Unfortunately, we also heard that there are serious problems regarding waiting times for access to VA health care, and that issue must be addressed immediately
24
« on: May 22, 2014, 03:07:45 PM »
On May 21, 2014, at approximately 9:56 a.m.
the St. Albans Police Department responded to Northwest Medical Center in the City of St Albans, VT
for the report of: a male threatening Emergency Room personnel with a knife.
The suspect was subsequently identified as 27 year-old Brandon Brown of Burlington, VT and South Toms River, New Jersey.
Brown surrendered the knife to a North West Medical Center Security Officer prior to the arrival of the responding Officers.
He was taken into protective custody and subsequently held for a Mental Health Evaluation.
Brown was issued a citation to appear in court on May 22, 2014 for assault by physical menace.
No one was injured during this incident.
25
« on: May 13, 2014, 12:41:18 PM »
CREATING OPPORTUNITY
By Gov. Peter Shumlin
This legislative session has created greater economic security, more opportunity, and a better quality of life for all Vermonters. We came together to make progress for those who elected us to serve. And together we made this biennium one of the most productive and successful in recent memory.
All over Vermont we are seeing the results of the work we’ve done together.
Vermont now has the second lowest unemployment rate in America, and we’ve created nearly 11,000 jobs since 2011.
Vermont is now home to one of the top ten most promising tech hubs in America, and our focus on making Vermont a leader in charting a cleaner, greener energy future is paying off. We lead the nation in per capita solar job creation. In 2013 alone, nearly 1,000 solar jobs were created, and in the past three years we have added four times the amount of solar onto the grid.
We’ve rebuilt for the future after Irene, ensuring Vermont is better prepared to withstand the storms that are headed our way. And we have invested in many of our downtowns, strengthening jobs, housing, and community all over the state. From Kaman Composites in Bennington to WCW in Manchester to GE in Rutland to Mylan in St. Albans, companies in Vermont are thriving, adding jobs, and making Vermonters proud.
But while all of this is good news we know that the job is not done. There are too many Vermonters working harder than ever in this economic recovery, but still struggling to make ends meet and get ahead.
These are the Vermonters who will benefit from the work we have done together these past two years.
JOBS AND ECONMIC OPPORTUNITY
This biennium we continued our focus on creating jobs and expanding economic opportunity for Vermonters. We created the Vermont Enterprise Incentive Fund so that we can act quickly to attract and retain jobs and compete with other states. We boosted VEDA’s Vermont Entrepreneurial Lending Program and doubled the capacity of the Small Business Offering Exemption to support small business investment. We doubled the Downtown Tax Credit Program to continue the growth and revitalization of Vermont’s downtowns and villages.
Building on the success we’ve had growing jobs through investments in renewable energy, we expanded net metering to allow more Vermont homeowners and businesses to cut their energy bills, reduce reliance on dirty fuels and create green jobs for Vermonters.
In addition, we made the biggest investment in state history in Vermont’s roads and bridges, growing jobs by repairing a record 100 bridges and over 370 miles of roads.
EDUCATION
As I said two years ago at the start of my second term, Vermont's future prosperity will be bright if we can take the great education system we have in Vermont and make it the best. During this legislative biennium we have improved education from the earliest years through professional training.
This year we expanded access to universal pre-kindergarten education to all three and four year-olds so every child in Vermont will have an opportunity to arrive at kindergarten ready to learn. Combined with a $37 million federal grant to support early childhood education programs, Vermonters born today will have a brighter future ahead than at any time in the history of our state.
We also expanded opportunities for Vermont students to prepare for the higher skill, higher wage jobs that 21st century employers offer, by providing personalized learning plans, internships and workforce training.
To ensure more working families are able to send their children to college, we’ve done something truly extraordinary that few states can match: Thanks to expanded dual enrollment, early college programs and the Vermont Strong Scholars Program you passed this session, Vermont students who go to college in Vermont and agree to work in the state after they graduate can now receive up to two years of free college education. As students and parents nationwide struggle with ever-rising student loan debt, we in Vermont are figuring out innovative ways to make college more affordable for middle class families.
We all know that kids cannot learn when they are hungry. I am proud to say that last year Vermont became the first state in the nation to provide free lunch for all low-income students.
HELPING VERMONTERS
The combination of the worst economic recession since the Great Depression and misguided federal cuts to important programs has dealt a blow to Vermont’s middle class. This biennium, we took a number of steps to turn the tide and help get working Vermonters back on their feet.
Recognizing that everyone who puts in a full day’s work deserves to make a wage that will give them and their family a fighting chance, we’re raising the minimum wage higher in each of the next four years, joining a growing number of states nationwide that are moving on their own in the face of congressional inaction.
And we’re taking steps to help the most vulnerable Vermonters by increasing the Vermont Rental Subsidy Program and Family Supportive Housing for families who need assistance to stay in permanent housing, by investing $300,000 to help support Vermont emergency shelters and increase seasonal capacity, and by increasing support for child care.
TACKLING OPIATE ADDICTION IN VERMONT
In my State of the State speech at the beginning of this legislative session, I said we can no longer afford to avert our eyes to the rising tide of heroin and other opiate addiction here in Vermont. We know this is a crisis every state faces, though few have wanted to talk about it openly. I know the conversation here has been difficult but important, and I am so proud of the progress we have made. Thanks to the legislature's hard work this session, Vermont is now leading the nation by finding innovative ways to address the addiction crisis.
Right now, we are eliminating waiting lists at drug treatment centers, primarily in Chittenden County, the Northeast Kingdom and central Vermont, ensuring treatment services are immediately available to every Vermonter in need.
We’re implementing statewide evidence-based assessments and pre-trial services to move addicted Vermonters who have committed certain crimes to support their habits into treatment when appropriate. Judges will now also have the option of tougher sentencing of individuals transporting drugs into Vermont and for those who use dangerous weapons to break into homes and steal property to support a drug habit.
These changes, along with others that enable us to treat drug addiction as a health care issue, rather than strictly a criminal issue, are critical in preserving the high quality of life that Vermonters enjoy, visitors seek, and companies prize when making decisions about where to grow.
I was also proud that the Legislature worked with me to add protections for Vermonters who are victims of domestic abuse, ensuring weapons relinquished by those subject to a relief from abuse order are stored safely and effectively. In addition, we updated the law to prohibit rapists from obtaining visitation or custody rights to children conceived as a result of sexual assault.
We took on tough issues, passing legislation allowing those with painful terminal illness to end their suffering on their own terms and making Vermont the first state in the nation to require the labeling of food produced from genetic engineering.
With the leadership of House Speaker Shap Smith and Senate President Pro Tem John Campbell, we pulled together on behalf of working Vermonters, employers, women, children, the environment, and strong communities. When we disagreed, we found compromise and set Vermont on a path for continued success.
This session we proved that democracy is alive and well in Vermont. There is still work to be done, and the road ahead will bring with it a new set of challenges. But thanks to our tradition of working together and focusing on the people who elected us to serve, we’ll meet those challenges head on.
26
« on: May 07, 2014, 11:16:55 AM »
Steve Hayes P.T., from Nordic Rehab & Wellness Physical Therapy, would like to announce that he will be joining Copley Hospital’s Rehabilitation Services.
Together they will be expanding the services offered to our community.
"Steve and I would like to thank all the providers, patients, and community for their patronage and support over the last nine years. We have enjoyed getting to know each of our patients and assisting in their pursuit to improved health. Steve will be available to provide a continuum of care for all his patients at Copley beginning May 21st.
We hope all of our patients are doing well and will call us at our new location at Copley Hospital (888-8303) if assistance is needed. Medical records may be obtained by mailing a request to: PO Box 152, Cambridge, VT 05444 or calling, 802-666-5803.
Thank you for your support, laughs, healing, friendship, memories, and patronage."
Judy & Steve Hayes
27
« on: May 06, 2014, 10:59:10 AM »
State Police were called to a single car crash.
Investigation revealed the driver had swerved to avoid turkeys in the road
and then swerved again to avoid a moose,
resulting in her losing control of the vehicle and crashing.
28
« on: May 06, 2014, 05:18:43 AM »
Vermont House Approves the Right to Organize for Vermont's Early Educators
MONTPELIER, VT -- The Vermont House today gave preliminary approval to S.316, a bill offering Vermont's Early Educators the right to organize and collectively bargain with the state. With a final vote of 70-64 the House has passed a bill that has been four years in the making.
The bill survived a motion to send it back to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration during debate on the floor. That motion failed with a vote of 55-81, and so debate continued for another few hours.
Kay Curtis of Happy Hands--a School for Little People, celebrated, saying, "Early care and education providers across Vermont and the families they serve are elated that the right to organize has been given this first round of approval by the House. We want to make sure that working families have the support they need and that Vermont has the best early education system in the country. We thank the Representatives for their support."
The House General, Housing and Military Affairs committee chose to accept the Senate version of the bill and to recommend to the full House of Representatives to approve the bill so that it could go straight to the governor's desk, once it is approved at third reading. Governor Shumlin and his administration have shown support for the bill throughout the year.
Stephanie Wheelock, Play 2 Learn Child Care in Rutland, who was listening to the debate online, enthused, "I so appreciate the House members who have shown support for our basic right to come together and organize. I am proud to be working with my fellow providers to improve quality for the children we serve and to ensure that we are paid fairly for the important work we do every day."
Heather Riemer, campaign manager with Vermont Early Educators United AFT Vermont, celebrated with providers who she has been working with, saying, "This victory has been four years in the making, and I am so proud of all of the early educators who have worked so hard to let legislators know how important this basic right to organize is for all of them and for the families they serve."
The bill is expected to move to the Governor's desk soon.
##
The American Federation of Teachers is a union of professionals that champions fairness; democracy; economic opportunity; and high-quality public education, healthcare and public services for our students, their families and our communities. We are committed to advancing these principles through community engagement, organizing, collective bargaining and political activism, and especially through the work our members do. In Vermont, American Federation of Teachers represents professionals in health care and higher education, and hopefully soon in early education. http://www.kidscountonme.org/
29
« on: May 05, 2014, 06:14:38 AM »
30
« on: May 05, 2014, 06:11:41 AM »
|
Show Posts
