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Vol. 5 No. 4 • January 23, 2013
Community News, Sports, Arts, Entertainment and Food for Rutland and Southern Vermont
Union at Vermont gun owners push back against Obama plans By Lou Varricchio Green Mountain Power ratifies contract newmarketpress@denpubs.com
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.
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 a 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 See GUN OWNERS, page 3
Dick Phillips, owner of Vermont Field Sports in Middlebury, holds up large caliber bullets during an ammo shortage in early 2009. The shortage was triggered by the first election of President Obama. Vermont gun sellers are seeing a brisk trade in guns and ammo following threats by Obama, and others, for stricter gun controls that many say threaten the Second Amendment.
2013 Vermont Farm Show coming to Essex Junction Jan. 29-31 By Lou Varricchio
newmarketpress@denpubs.com ESSEX JUNCTION — The annual Vermont Farm Show returns to the Champlain Valley Expo
grounds in Essex Junction Jan. 29-31. The free, statewide event—Vermont’s largest agricultural showcase—attracts many consumers as well as agribusiness workers and experts from Addison and Rutland counties. The 2013 edition of the big show will celebrate its 81st year.
Being among one of the nation’s most venerable statewide agriculture expos, the show will make its second showing at the Champlain Valley Expo. Attendees may fondly remember the show at See FARM SHOW, page 2
Capitol Steps: ‘all politics is funny’
Capitol Steps, a politically diverse group of Senate staffers who quit their day jobs in order to set out and satirize the very people and institutions that had employed them, returns to the Paramount Theater in downtown Rutland, Friday, Feb. 1, at 8 p.m.
RUTLAND — Capitol Steps, a politically diverse group of Senate staffers who quit their day jobs in order to set out and satirize the very people and institutions that had employed them, returns to the Paramount Theater in downtown Rutland, Friday, Feb. 1, at 8 p.m. To paraphrase the late Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill, “all politics is funny.” For 30 years, the group has performed for audiences across the country, including the last five presidents, and five annual National Public Radio Broadcasts. "Having just wrapped up a contentious, exciting election year, this is the perfect time to bring this group back to our community," said Eric Mallette, the Paramount’s programming director. “I hope this show will provide the audience with a chance to laugh and maybe even learn a little about American politics." As comedians, nothing is off limits. They mock everyone from presidential candidates such as Newt Gingrich to Vice President Joe Biden. The group was born in December 1981 when some staffers for the late Illinois Senator Charles Percy were planning entertainment for a Christmas party. This event is sponsored, in part, by Vermont Public Radio. Tickets ($29.50-$39.50 plus tax) for this and all other Paramount Theatre events are available by phoning the theatre box office at 775-0903. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.paramountlive.org or at the Paramount Theatre Box Office at 30 Center St.
THIS WEEK Cat missing in Ludlow ....3 Religious Services ........3 Op-Ed............................4 Classifieds ..................6 Puzzles ........................7 Vt ranks no. 1 in pets ....8
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