Archive - Dec 2009
December 22nd
I am not exactly what one might call a dedicated composter. I don’t water it on a regular basis, turn it, or measure the temperature in the center to make sure the microbes are happy little critters. I’ve been known to throw weeds, seeds, and even (heaven forfend!) dairy products into the mix. Because I am careless about maintaining the correct proportions of “greens” to “browns,” (i.e. fresh organic matter with decayed material or dirt), my compost bins smell quite charming, even in the depths of winter.
December 21st
ADDISON COUNTY — The U.S. Department of Agriculture late last week announced that emergency aid payments, approved by federal lawmakers earlier this fall, will soon be on their way to struggling dairy farmers.
The new Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Payment (DELAP) program will distribute $290 million to dairy farmers across the country. The funding is part of a $350 million dairy assistance measure Congress approved in October at the request of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.
ADDISON — New York and Vermont transportation authorities have tentatively set Wednesday, Dec. 23, as the date on which an Idaho-based company will demolish the Champlain Bridge.
Details were still being firmed up as the Addison Independent went to press on Friday.
MIDDLEBURY — Only a few months ago, the Middlebury Union High School’s Tigers’ Print student newspaper — and indeed, the journalism program itself — was in jeopardy of folding.
But, after the eleventh-hour infusion of a savvy instructor and 11 sharp students, the Tigers’ Print has not only continued to publish, but also has flourished with some national exposure and a new on-line edition.
MIDDLEBURY —Pomfret Republican Len Britton has served on some statewide boards to which he was appointed, but this year decided to make his first run for elective office — and he is not starting small.
Britton will take on none other than Vermont’s senior U.S. senator, Democrat Patrick Leahy, who has been in office since he was elected in 1974 and who currently serves as the chairman of the senate Judiciary Committee.
MIDDLEBURY — Middlebury selectmen have agreed on a series of capital improvement reductions and salary adjustments in the proposed fiscal year 2011 general fund budget that, if approved by voters, would allow the town to preserve the same municipal tax rate for the second year in a row.
FERRISBURGH — Last Tuesday’s sit-down in Ferrisburgh town offices with town and Vergennes officials to discuss a possible sewer extension deal did not produce an immediate meeting of the minds, but both sides said afterward they would keep lines of communication open.
“It definitely wasn’t, ‘No, we don’t want it,’” said Ferrisburgh selectboard chairwoman Loretta Lawrence on Wednesday. “We want to keep it in discussion.”
Mayor Michael Daniels also said afterward he hoped talks would continue, although it appeared the city’s proposed split of tax revenue might be a sticking point.
MIDDLEBURY — After the Middlebury Union High School team opened on Dec. 2 with a 3-0 loss to Montpelier, co-coach Tim Howlett was not upset. The Tigers had an edge in shots on goal, and Howlett thought the team he heads with co-coach Wendy Leeds had played hard and well.
“That kind of effort will win us a lot of games this year,” Howlett wrote in an email.
The Tigers — a team that won three games last winter and finished 0-20 the year before — have not lost since.
