Vermont National Guard soldiers were honored for their service in Afghanistan in 2010. A vote against a wind energy project proposed for Seneca Mountain, near Island Pond, raised questions about the project’s next steps. Public health officials told Vermonters that it’s not too late to get a flu shot.
The governor delivered his annual budget address and Republicans responded. Lawmakers spent two days studying education policy. And one Vermont educator received the $25,000 Milken Educator Award.
These were some of the voices in this week’s news:
Vermont Guard Unit Honored For Service In Afghanistan
(Captain Jason Boyd) “Afghanistan runs through my head every single day in some way. I’ve always known the quality of this unit and this just affirms official recognition for us.”
Vote Against Wind Project Raises Questions About Future Development
(Seneca Wind project manager John Soininen) “We would like to extend our thanks to all our supporters for their efforts and for taking the time to cast their ballots. At this point Seneca Mountain Wind will need to evaluate the results and consider our options moving forward.”
Flu Season Is Underway In Vermont
(State epidemiologist Patsy Kelso) "It’s not as effective as some of the other vaccines that are available. But it is still the best protection that we have against flu and it’s what public health officials recommend as the best thing people can do to avoid getting the flu.”
Controversial Use Of 'One-Time' Funds Eases Budget Pressures
(Gov. Peter Shumlin) "It invests in areas critical to our most vulnerable and to our future jobs growth while rejecting broad-based tax increases on hardworking Vermonters."
(Rep. Don Turner) “Proposing a budget that exceeds the growth rate of Vermont’s economy and the paychecks of taxpayers wallets is bad policy and not financially sustainable.”
Shumlin On Ed Financing: Identify The Problem Before Voting For A Solution
(House Speaker Shap Smith) “I think Vermonters are willing to spend a significant amount of money on the education for their kids. And I don’ t think that we can divorce the question of quality from the question of financing. Those two issues must be tied together.”
Barre Teacher Receives Milken Educator Award
(Spaulding High School teacher Katie Sedore) “I think it’s important to show teachers all across the country that what we do on a daily basis, whether it feels like it every day or not, that we’re making a difference.”
