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Capitol Steps returns to Paramount Theater for some satire Feb. 1
Residents urged to look out for missing Maryland kitty in Ludlow
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Green Mt. Power union OKs contract By Lou Varricchio
newmarketpress@denpubs.com RUTLAND — Green Mountain Power and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 300 announced Jan. 16 that the company's union employees voted to ratify a new five-year contract. The contract brings all union employees together under a single contract for the newly merged utility company. Central Vermont Public Service merged with GMP in the autumn. The company is Canadian owned. "It is highly unusual that newly merged companies are able to combine union contracts and blend so quickly and effectively to form one strong working unit," said Mary Powell, president and chief executive officer of Green Mountain Power. Jeff Wimette, IBEW Local 300 business manager, said, "Union members and GMP management both acknowledged the importance of reaching a contract that benefited customers while honoring and respecting matters of importance to union employees." Green Mountain Power and Central Vermont Public Service, which merged in 2012, have employees who are members of the same union, but had separate union contracts that were not changed by the merger. The company and its union members worked hard to create a new contract for all union employees. The new contract takes effect this month.
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Gun owners push back against gun control By Lou Varricchio newmarketpress@denpubs.com MONTPELIER — Over 300 pro-gun supporters, including hunters and other citizens, turned out for a vocal rally in support of the U.S. Second Amendment. The supporters in Vermont joined forces with others for the national Guns Across America rally held at the state capitol in Montpelier, Jan. 19. Eric Reed, the national event coordinator, described the events, including Vermont’s, as “a peaceful demonstration against any, and all, future gun control legislation that would restrict gun rights.” Rally attendee Tom Marcal, 53, of Williston said he was there because he is a responsible gun owner. He has three girls ranging in ages from 15 to eight. “I am law abiding citizen like the others here today. We care about protecting our families from mentally ill people and criminals carrying illegal guns. We want to protect ourselves, our families, and our property. The police are not able to do it all.” “Restricting the constitutional right to bear arms will not stop gun violence,” Reed said in a national address. “It will endanger their lives and property. We hope we inspired law-abiding gun owners to get more involved on a local, state, and national level in protecting their second amendment rights,” said Reed. The Montpelier rally played out predicted; it was a peaceful event and displayed the faces of a cross section Dick Phillips, owner of Vermont Field Sports in Middlebury, holds up large caliber bullets during an ammo shortof law-abiding Vermonters—including Republicans, De- age in early 2009. The shortage was triggered by the first election of President Obama. Vermont gun sellers are mocrats and Independents, who value the Constitution of seeing a brisk trade in guns and ammo following threats by Obama, and others, for stricter gun controls that the United States and the safeguards provided by the Sec- many say threaten the Second Amendment. NMP photo ond Amendment. U.S. Patrick Leahy, a liberal Democrat on most issues, was quiet Jan. 19 about his party’s push for more gun conSenators Sanders' and Leahy's offices. trol. Leahy is a gun owner and maintains a private shooting range on his According to Vermont-based Second Amendment advocate Anthony Vermont property. Commo, “Stricter gun control will not solve the greater problems of vioPetitions were available for attendees to sign, which were sent to both U.S. lence, and mental illness in our society today.”
GOP nominate candidates for Clarke’s House seat By Lou Varricchio newmarketpress@denpubs.com
Greg Clarke
VERGENNES — Republican voters of the Vergennes-area Addison 3 Legislative District nominated Warren Van Wick and Mary Ann Castimore as candidates for Gov. Peter Shumlin (D) to consider to replace the late Republican State Rep. Greg Clarke. Clarke died at the age of 65 in a roadside accident in November. Both candidates have been active in local Republican activities. While tradition has it that Vermont governors replaced retired or deceased elected lawmakers with a member of the same party as the passing member, some Addison County Republicans appeared dubious about Shumlin’s partisan intentions. “I think Shumlin always has an agenda,” said Martha Olbers, a Republican voter from Panton. “But if he does the right thing, he will appoint one of these two Republicans to fill out Greg’s term.” Shumlin has been asked to select one of the two Addison County GOP candidates. The decision is expected to be made after Jan. 18. Clarke was killed a few weeks after his re-election to the State House.