About 27 percent of the more than 600 survey respondents gave their support to Republican Sen. Randy Brock.

The poll, conducted by Castleton Polling Institute, also showed President Barack Obama would win over Republican contender Mitt Romney by a similar margin (59.3 percent to 27.5 percent). Lt. Gov. Phil Scott has 56.5 percent approval rating, according to the poll. The Legislature got a 57.5 percent approval rating, and about 31.5 percent disapproved of lawmakers’ performance in the 2012 session.

Brock’s media consultant, Robert Wickers, issued a statement downplaying the significance of the poll and attributed Shumlin’s good showing to high name recognition.
“What the poll does not show is the concern voters have about his failed record on jobs, the economy, health care, and energy,” Wickers wrote. “These poll numbers are similar to the poll numbers at the start of Randy Brock’s 2004 campaign for State Auditor, which he went on to win by 10 points.  The campaign for governor has just begun.  As Vermonters learn more about Randy, and hear his positive message of economic growth and prosperity, this race will tighten.”

VTDigger

Miro Weinberger, mayor of Burlington. Shayne Lynn Photography. http://www.shaynelynn.com. © 2011 Shayne Lynn. Used with permission.

Only days before more than 100 residents showed up at Burlington High School to speak their minds about racial inequality and harassment in the schools.
 
Some people called for Superintendent of Schools Jeanne Collins to resign. Collins recently issued a public apology, but added that she does not intend to step down.  
 
“To those of you who believe action has taken too long,” she wrote, “and particularly to students in our district who have suffered from the racism which I know continues, I say that I am sorry.”
 
Progressive Vince Brennan, one of the first to call for Collins’ replacement, suggested on Monday that safety and other race-related problems are being swept under the rug.
 
Mayor Miro Weinberger is about to release a statement about Collins and the school.

Mayor says noise a “limited” factor for F-35s

On Tuesday, the mayor defended his most controversial decision to date: support for basing 18 to 24 F-35s at the airport. Last week, Weinberger opted not to send a statement to the environmental impact hearing. Instead, he issued his decision in the days that followed in a rolling response to media inquiries. 
 
Weinberger aide Mike Kanerick acknowledged that there was no press release, but insisted that it wasn’t a calculated move.
 
The period for public comment on the F-35’s impacts has been extended until June 20, according to the Air Force. This is mainly due to a request from Maine for a hearing. A number of Vermont public officials, including Gov. Peter Shumlin and Lt. Gov. Phil Scott, haven’t waited and are already on board, mainly touting economic benefits and the need to protect National Guard. Although there is no official link between where F-35s are based and the future of the Vermont Guard, many backers assume that cutbacks are more likely if Vermont is not chosen, or even seems less than enthusiastic.
 
Vermont’s congressional delegation has expressed pride in the past about being considered for the F-35s. More recently, they have issued careful statements about balancing “legitimate concerns” with the value, services and excellence of the Guard. Little has been said about the aircraft itself.
 
Weinberger, a leading member of the Airport Commission before his election as mayor, said he decided to wait until after the hearing just in case “anything new” emerged in the discussion. That said, he feels the benefits of the Guard to the city and region are obvious and enormous, while “the environmental impacts have been limited.”
 
“Having reviewed the Environmental Impact Statement and listened closely to the public reactions to it, I do not believe that this balance will substantially change,” his statement says. “I support the Air Guard in its efforts to base the F-35As here.”
 
In response to VTDigger, Weinberger acknowledged that “some people will be more impacted than others,” and said he respected the concerns and views offered during the hearing, and at other stages of the process. He bristled, however, at the suggestion that housing will be lost as a consequence of accepting the aircraft.
 
“Not a single person will lose housing because of this,” he insisted. The airport’s decision to purchase nearby residential properties is not linked to the F-35s, he added. “These properties are impacted not only by takes offs and landings, but also by a variety of impacts on the ground.”
 
“The most significant F-35 impact is potentially increased noise,” he added. “I’m not ignoring that, but it is a limited impact.”
 
On Monday, the City Council authorized Weinberger and airport officials to purchase up to 14 properties near the airport for “anticipated growth, environmental compatibility (noise), and in the interest of public benefit.” Reimbursement is anticipated through FAA grants.
 
The F-35 environmental impact statement (EIS) says that up to 1,300 properties will be affected adversely by the noise, to some extend and depending on how many fighter jets ultimately arrive. The nature and intensity of the impacts, plus the fact that lower-income areas will disproportionately feel the effects, are at the heart of the debate.

In Winooski on Monday night the City Council officially asked the Air Force to “clearly identify the potential impact on the economic health” of Winooski. They also want to know why Burlington’s airport is a preferred alternative to “areas that may have fewer adverse impacts.”

A controversial ordinance to fine protesters

Although the Burlington council also heard briefly from the Air Force, the focus in Contois Auditorium was on the healthcare buffer zone proposal, sparking debate over another question of balance – between free speech and access to health services.   

Ultimately, the Council voted 13-1 to send the proposal on to the Ordinance Committee for review before its expected passage. The topic nevertheless dominated an intense, extended but civil Public Forum period. If the measure passes protesters could be fined between $50 and $500 for violating a 35-foot “sphere of protection” extending in all directions around reproductive health facilities in the city.
 
Planned Parenthood supporters said protests have been a bigger problem since the regional headquarters for the women’s health clinics moved from Mansfield Avenue to a downtown location.
 
Anti-abortion activists insist that the protests are not obstructive. They say they want to pray, grieve and offer a different choice. 
 
Weinberger calls the Public Forum period, which often covers a range of topics, “democracy in action.” In this case, however, he didn’t need more input before taking a stand.
 
“I took a public position early in favor of the ordinance,” he noted, and he agrees with the basic findings as explained in the draft: “the exercise of a person’s right to protest or counsel against certain medical procedures is a First Amendment activity that must be balanced against another person’s right to obtain medical counseling and treatment in an unobstructed manner.”
 
During the forum several speakers criticized what they described as limitations on speech rights and preferential treatment. Comparisons were drawn with the Occupy encampment that was briefly permitted in City Hall Park last fall, and more recent picketing outside the door of the Citizens Bank.
 
Paul Decelles, a Republican councilor who has emerged as a major critic of liberal stances since the departure of his counterpart Kurt Wright, took up the comparison and ran with it. “What would we do if banks felt intimidated and wanted a buffer zone?”
 
He called the proposal a form of unnecessary “spot zoning.” Democrat Norm Blais objected to the comparison.
 
In an April 29, 2012 statement Occupy Burlington announced plans to develop a permanent picket line outside the Citizens Bank until it closes and leaves. Since then activists with signs and handouts have gathered each weekend to talk with bank patrons and get the word out.
 
“Ultimately, our goal is for there to never be a time when someone can bank at Citizens Bank without first crossing a picket line,” says the groups’ “Resolution for the Ejection of Citizens Bank from Burlington, Vermont.”
 
Bram Kranichfeld argued that existing legal tools – mainly trespass and disorderly conduct statutes – are not adequate to deal with the main problem. Anti-abortion protests he said could have a “chilling effect” on people facing difficult life choices.
 
Progressives Rachel Siegel and Max Tracy support the buffer zone. Vince Brennan, the third progressive, looked for a way to reconcile his belief that “protest is positive” with an equally strong sense that health care is a human right.
 
“I’m not an anarchist,” Brennan said, “but we need a place where that voice can be heard.”

Occupy movement wants new encampment

 
The Occupy Burlington movement is also looking to expand its protests. In addition to picketing outside the Citizens Bank the Occupy movement wants to establish a new encampment this year. An attempt in early May to set up tents at Pomeroy Park in the Old North End was interrupted by the police. The group continues to hold General Assemblies, and uses social networks to organize events and show solidarity. Members of Occupy, often with signs, have been present recently whenever people gather to address officials.
 
“Even though I have sympathy toward goals of the Occupy movement, the events of last fall brought it home that that we as a community need to be clear,” Weinberger explained. Although he expressed support for free speech and free assembly, “and those rights need to be respected, I intend to enforce regulations for all groups.” That means an encampment will not be allowed in City Hall Park or other public locations where overnight camping is prohibited.
 
However, Weinberger also mentioned that the rules and ordinances on camping are not uniform throughout the city. Asked whether there are circumstances or places under which a permanent presence might be legally possible, he suggested that interested parties consult the statutes.
 
So far, however, Weinberger said “no one has come to me about camping on public lands.”

VTDigger

Gov. Peter Shumlin holds up the new "I am Vermont Strong" license plate during his State of the State Address. VTD file photo/Josh Larkin

Sometimes a story comes down to a single word.

“Inhale” is one that comes to mind, a la Bill Clinton.

In this case, the word in question is “sold” vs. “distributed,” “produced” or “manufactured.”

Last week Peter Hirschfeld of the Vermont Press Bureau reported that Gov. Peter Shumlin erroneously claimed the state had sold 25,000 Vermont Strong license plates at a press conference last month. (Governor’s office press release.)

What’s in 25,000 plates? For the Shumlin administration a potential credibility gap with the public — and for his political enemies a stick to beat him with in the upcoming campaign season.

Not to mention the potential sullying of a good cause.

The WCAX account made it appear that Shumlin was overstating the case and grabbing headlines.

Previous gaffes helped to make the story stick. Shumlin once mistakenly claimed that 30 percent of Germany’s energy came from solar power (it’s actually 1 percent), and he said in his 2012 state budget address that the job growth rate in Vermont grew by 62 percent over the prior year. The figure Shumlin used actually referred to the percentage increase in job openings.

But was Shumlin engaging in hyperbolic politispeak in this instance? Sources say there could be a political undercurrent at work here — since the story was shopped around to at least three reporters.

Let’s recap.

The April 5 announcement was part of a dog and pony show, in which Rob Ide, the commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles, handed Shumlin the 25,000th plate. The governor duly purchased and donated the Vermont Strong plate to a Barre firefighter.

Trouble was, 25,000 plates hadn’t actually been sold. And since this is a story about parsing the parsing, let’s just say that money had not yet changed hands.

Thousands of plates had been distributed to area grocery stores, Vermont Life and Department of Motor Vehicle outlets around the state, and in some cases bills had been issued, but the fact was money wasn’t exactly pouring in to benefit the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund and the Vermont Foodbank.

The bottom line? Money had been collected for 7,832 plates as of May 15, according to Glen Button, deputy commissioner of the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, and the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund had received $140,976 and the food bank $15,664. The objective is to sell 50,000 plates in all for a total of $1.25 million — $1 million of which would go to Irene victims. So far, about 28,000 have been manufactured.

On May 7, a week before the Vermont Press Bureau story broke, Ide told VTDigger that as far as he was concerned the plates were as good as sold. The department had distributed 9,990 plates to large vendors like Shaw’s, Price Chopper and Hannafords. At that point, he said, the department had billed out $327,500 to vendors.

“If we give them an invoice,” Ide said. “In my book I’ve sold them.”

A week later, Ide, who helped to plan the celebratory presser with Shumlin’s press secretary Sue Allen, said “we miscommunicated.” Ide meant to say that 25,000 had been manufactured and put into the distribution stream — not sold.

Email, he said, is not his best form of communication. Ide apparently didn’t interpret the email from Allen with the subject line “Any chance we could sell the 25,000 license plate on Thursday?” the same way she did. But in a previous email he named a date and exact time for when the 25,000th plate would be sold: 11:18 a.m. on April 4.

“It is what it is,” Ide said. “It was clearly a miscommunication, and I’m very apologetic about that.”

Who is at fault here? No one, according to Allen. In an interview, she called it “an honest mistake.”

“The governor’s been very candid,” Allen said. “When things go right, he gets all credit. When things go wrong he gets blame. It was a mistake and we’re sorry.”

Ditto, Alex MacLean, Shumlin’s campaign manager and secretary of Civil and Military Affairs: “I’m not going to point fingers.”

Chris Graff, an executive with National Life Insurance Group and a member of the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund board, says the story was a tempest in a teapot. What really matters is ensuring that the state continues to sell as many plates as possible for Irene victims.

“We were disappointed to see we hadn’t sold 25,000 plates, but I know that the event itself was done in good faith that the governor and everyone in the office truly thought the 25,000th plate was being sold because they contacted us,” Graff said.

Graff said it was an embarrassment for the administration and “it’s on something you don’t want to really affect.”

“We need to do everything possible to raise money for Irene survivors and the administration feels that sharply,” Graff said. “They have been incredibly aologetic for this mistake.”

Allen couldn’t agree more. “We just want people to go out and buy the plates,” she said. “They don’t just mean financial assistance for Irene victims, they are a reminder to people who are still trying to recover.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Motor Vehicles is waiting for sales to catch up with inventory. Ide says the manufacture of new Vermont Strong plates has been put on hold until the state moves more of the roughly 20,000 plates it has on hand.

VTDigger

Every year, as the General Assembly works toward final adjournment, legislators know that they must pay very close attention to every bill coming up for action, as efforts to attach or hide various provisions in pieces of legislation becomes a favored way of doing business.

That said, the shenanigans started early this year – in the Fiscal Year 2013 Appropriations bill as it passed the House, and its relationship to this year’s health benefits exchange bill and our state’s health care reform efforts, in general.

When it was introduced earlier this year, the Health Care Reform Implementation Act included provisions to repeal the Catamount Health program and the Catamount Assistance program. At the same time, though, it maintained the Catamount Employer Assessment, the monthly assessment that employers must pay to fund the program.

When some members of the House Health Care Committee objected to this, the repeals were removed entirely.

Unfortunately, the FY 2013 budget, as passed the House did, in fact, eliminate the Catamount program (though not in bill language, just in a line item), but kept in place the employer assessment, and transferred those funds to the State Health Care Reform Fund (SHCRF). We now find that the elimination and transfer language was nestled into the 2012 budget adjustment bill, a bill that usually deals only with minor adjustments to the current year budget and avoids matters with significant policy implications.

It is simply unfair to collect $9.8 million from our state’s small businesses to pay for a program that no longer exists. If our newest health care reform efforts require an additional $9.8 million, that money should come from the General Fund.”

In addition to the objections to the shifty way this was done, there are two significant issues about which to be concerned.

The first is simple fairness. It is simply unfair to collect $9.8 million from our state’s small businesses to pay for a program that no longer exists. If our newest health care reform efforts require an additional $9.8 million, that money should come from the General Fund.

The second issue is even more significant. As has become clearly evident, one of the primary goals of our state’s health care reform effort is to decouple health care benefits from employment. In fact, throughout this past year in the debate surrounding health care reform, both the administration and legislative leaders have been very vocal encouraging employers to drop their coverage once the health benefits exchange is in place in 2014. They would like as many Vermonters as possible to enter into the individual exchange market.

But, with the employer assessment still in place, employers who drop their coverage as the administration and Legislature have been encouraging them to do, will be required to pay the monthly assessment – again, for a Catamount program that no longer exists!

Make no mistake, our health care system needs to be reformed. Vermonters cannot continue to afford double digit premium increases. But if any reform is going to work, it must be fair and it must be transparent. This proposal is neither.

VTDigger

Vermont small businesses may be missing out on $45.64 million annually in health care tax credits available under the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to a new report released by Families USA and the Small Business Majority.

The ACA provides for federal tax credits for small businesses with fewer than 25 full-time employees and average annual wages of less than $50,000. The report estimates that in 2011 Vermont had approximately 10,350 small businesses eligible for the credit, employing 47,200 workers. The average credit per worker is estimated to be $966 annually.

Despite what some groups have been saying, the Affordable Care Act is good for small businesses. This tax credit offers real money to small businesses struggling to provide health insurance for their employees.”

Despite what some groups have been saying, the Affordable Care Act is good for small businesses. This tax credit offers real money to small businesses struggling to provide health insurance for their employees. We hear from small businesses all the time who want to provide health insurance to their employees but who are not able to do so. This tax credit could really help them. It also could free up money that small business owners could use to reinvest in their business.

To qualify for the tax credit, the small business must pay for at least 50 percent of the employee’s health insurance premiums. The tax credit is worth up to 35 percent of the cost of the health insurance, increasing to 50 percent in 2014 when the health insurance exchange is up and running.

The tax credit is one tool the ACA offers small employers to make it easier to provide insurance. However, if they are not able to or chose not to, their employees will be able to buy insurance through the exchange. Small businesses do not have to pay a penalty if they do not offer insurance. Premium tax credits are available for income up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) and cost-sharing subsidies are available up to 250 percent. Four hundred percent FPL is approximately $92,000/year for a family of four and $45,000 for an individual.

VTDigger

WASHINGTON, May 22 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today introduced legislationto prohibit banking industry executives from serving as directors of the 12 Federal Reserve regional banks.

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) is an original co-sponsor of the measure to end conflicts of interest involving regulators and the financial institutions they regulate.  She joined Sanders at a Capitol news conference. Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) also is a co-sponsor of the bill.

A Government Accountability Office audit – conducted pursuant to a Sanders provision in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform law – found that allowing members of the banking industry to both elect and serve on the Federal Reserve’s board of directors creates “an appearance of a conflict of interest” and poses “reputational risks” to the Federal Reserve System.

The recent multi-billion-dollar trading loss at JPMorgan Chase underscored the need to structurally reform the Federal Reserve System to make a more democratic institution responsive to the needs of ordinary Americans, not just Wall Street CEOs.

“It is a blatant conflict of interest for Jamie Dimon, the CEO and chairman of JPMorgan Chase, to serve on the New York Fed’s board of directors,” Sanders said. “If this is not a clear example of the fox guarding the henhouse, I don’t know what is.”

“Allowing bank presidents to play such an important role at the Fed – the institution that regulates their industry – is a conflict of interest, plain and simple, and it must come to an end.  This legislation will help restore the confidence of the American people that the Fed is a truly independent entity,” Boxer said.

The Federal Reserve is responsible for both supervising the financial services sector and deciding whether to provide bank holding companies low-interest loans through the discount window.

Under current law, two-thirds of the Federal Reserve Bank board members are directly appointed by the financial services industry and one-third of the Fed directors are employed in the financial services industry that the Fed is in charge of regulating.

Under the legislation, no one who works for or invests in a firm eligible to receive direct financial assistance from the Fed would be allowed to sit on the Fed’s board of directors or be employed by the Fed.

The measure also would prohibit Federal Reserve employees or board members from owning stock or investing in companies that the Fed oversees, regulates and supervises without any exceptions or waivers.

VTDigger

Smuggler’s Notch, VT – May 22, 2012… Well accustomed to carefully tracking snow storms throughout the winter season, the northern Vermont ski area and vacation destination Smuggler’s Notch Resort will now be tracking something new— the sun.

Smugglers’ has installed 35 Vermont-made AllSun solar trackers, which use GPS and wireless technology to follow the sun throughout the day, boosting energy production.

The solar energy is a new step in the resort’s environmental commitment.  The 150kW project will produce approximately 205,000kWh per year and supply the energy for most of the resort’s Village Lodge, which houses Bootleggers’ Lounge, Riga-Bello’s Pizzeria, the Green Mountain Deli, and the Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop.

“We’re always looking for ways to increase our sustainability in energy and other areas, so when we were approached by AllEarth Renewables the project seemed worthy of exploration. It’s a good second step to follow our first smaller solar project, the eight panel solar hot water generator on a condominium building, which is saving about 1000 gallons of propane a year,” said Mark Delaney, Smugglers’ vice president for corporate development.

Smugglers’ was designated an Environmental Leader by the state of Vermont in 2006 and has been recertified each year since.  The resort’s first entry into solar generation occurred in 2007, when a small solar hot water installation went on the roof of one of the North Hill community’s Tamaracks buildings.

The new solar installation is made up of AllSun Trackers manufactured locally by AllEarth Renewables of Williston, Vt., which use innovative technology to boost solar energy production by up to 45 percent over roof-top installations.  The ground-mounted solar systems are designed for homes, businesses, non-profits, and commercial-scale installations.

“Not only do our ski areas have an invested interest in environmental stewardship, but they also have a platform to model energy leadership to hundreds of thousands of people a year.  It’s exciting to see Smuggler’s walking the talk here,” said David Blittersdorf, CEO of AllEarth Renewables.

“With the scope of operations here at Smugglers’, there are unlimited opportunities to demonstrate good environmental stewardship. And with ongoing innovations in green technology, we’re looking forward to many more exciting projects that complement our stewardship priorities,” added Delaney.

Smugglers’ Notch Resort is a year-round family vacation destination located 50 minutes northeast of Burlington, Vermont. In summer the resort offers pools and waterslides, all-day children’s programs, guided hiking and more. Winter fun features skiing on 78 trails spread across three mountains. Smugglers’ has received local and national recognition for its environmental stewardship.

AllEarth Renewables, named Vermont’s fastest growing company in 2010 and 2011, employs 25 full-time staff, and has designed, manufactured, and installed over 1,200 complete grid-connected solar tracker systems.  Blittersdorf, CEO of AllEarth Renewables, was recently listed by Business Week as one of “America’s Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs of 2011.”

The AllSun Tracker was recently selected as a top-10 green product for 2012 by BuildingGreen magazine.

VTDigger

The Vermont National Guard’s Fallen Heroes Memorial and the Vermont Veterans Memorial Library and Museum will be open to the public on Saturday and Monday, Memorial Day from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm to give Vermonters an opportunity to visit and pay respect to the Vermont National Guard’s Fallen Heroes in commemoration of the Memorial Day holiday.  There will be no visiting hours on Sunday.

The Fallen Heroes Memorial, which is located at Camp Johnson in Colchester, was formally dedicated on September 11^th, 2008.   The Vermont Veterans Memorial Library and Museum, which is also located at Camp Johnson, showcases the history of the men and women from the State of Vermont from the time of the American Revolution to current military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Visitors to Camp Johnson will be required to provide a valid photo ID at the security gate to gain access to Camp Johnson and the Fallen Heroes Memorial.

VTDigger

May 22, 2012 – Burlington, Vt. – Seven Days is proud to announce that $6000 will be donated to the Vermont Foodbank as a result of Vermont Restaurant Week. This popular event was presented by Vermont Federal Credit Union and organized by Seven Days, publisher of 7 Nights, the statewide guide to Vermont’s restaurants and bars.

“We are proud to be the presenting sponsor of this annual event that supports our local economy and those in need,” said Bernard P. Isabell, president/CEO of Vermont Federal Credit Union. “In addition to the business boost for local restaurants and food purveyors, this event also raised $6000 for the Vermont Foodbank, which will provide 36,000 meals for families throughout Vermont.”

There were several ways to donate this year. Texting the phrase “FOODNOW” to the phone number 52000 made a $10 donation each time. “Liking” the Vermont Federal Credit Union on Facebook contributed a dollar. All proceeds from the Sweet Start Smackdown, a dessert competition among 10 of the state’s most talented pastry chefs, went to the Vermont Foodbank as well as donations from the Salon, a meetup at Burlington’s New Moon Café with renowned author Barry Estabrook and food writer Marialisa Calta.

“This year’s record donation will help provide 36,000 meals for Vermonters in need of food help, and couldn’t come at a more important time,”  said John Sayles, Vermont Foodbank CEO. “More than 1 in 7 of our neighbors struggles with hunger, and during the summer months, with an absence of free school meals, families find it even harder to make ends meet.”  Sayles added, “To Seven Days, its readers, the restaurateurs, and all the sponsors — thank you for your support in the fight against hunger!”

Da Capo Publishing Inc., dba Seven Days, was founded by Pamela Polston and Paula Routly in 1995. In addition to its award-winning publications, the company also produces two annual events: Vermont Restaurant Week and the Vermont Tech Jam, a job fair and tech expo. In 2000, the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce selected then-5-year-old Seven Days as Business of the Year. Eight years later, the Burlington Business Association did the same, citing the company’s exemplary business practices, contributions to the community, and promotion of a positive image for Burlington, as well as business success.

VTDigger

Montpelier, Vt. — Do you know a Vermont teacher who has inspired you and who deserves statewide recognition? For ten years, the Vermont Humanities Council has honored such teachers with the Victor R. Swenson Humanities Educator Award, which recognizes a Vermont educator in grades 6 through 12 who exemplifies excellence in the teaching of the humanities. VHC seeks nominations for the 2012 award. Nominating letters are due June 15.

The recipient receives a $1,000 check and public recognition at VHC’s  fall conference on November 9 at the Stoweflake Mountain Resort in Stowe. Last year’s winner was Steve Barrows, who teaches literature, journalism, and film at U-32 High School in East Montpelier. The first recipient of the award was Graham Newell of St. Johnsbury Academy in 2003.

The award is named for Victor Swenson, VHC’s first executive director, whose twenty-eight years of service helped nourish the humanities across the state. 2012 will mark the tenth presentation of the award.

“For ten years the Council has been pleased to honor Vermont teachers whose distinguished teaching and passion for their humanities subject area inspire their students in profound ways,” said VHC Executive Director Peter Gilbert. “Such teachers truly change lives. . . .  I hope that former and current students, parents, principals, and others know and have been inspired by such teachers, and that they will nominate that outstanding teacher to receive the Swenson Humanities Educator Award. It’s a wonderful way to let them know what a profound difference they’ve made.”

VHC seeks an educator who inspires his or her students and encourages in them intellectual curiosity and a lifelong love of learning. The teacher should possess extraordinary knowledge, ability, and accomplishment in the teaching of language, literature, history, social studies, or other humanities fields. The educator should exhibit infectious enthusiasm for his or her subject and learning in general, and embody a commitment to the highest standards of achievement, for him or herself and students.

Any community member may make a nomination, including parents, coworkers, current and former students, and school administrators.

The nomination process begins with a letter of nomination due at VHC’s Montpelier office by June 15, 2012. (Individuals may not nominate themselves.) Nominations may be made online at www.vermonthumanities.org or mailed to Vermont Humanities Council, Victor R. Swenson Humanities Educator Award, 11 Loomis Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05602 or e-mailed to info@vermonthumanities.org. To learn more, visit vermonthumanities.org.

Letters of nomination should be at least one page, but not more than two. The nomination letter should thoroughly describe the accomplishments that qualify the nominee for the award, including his or her passion for teaching, achievements, and professional experience. (Current members of the VHC board and staff and members of the judging committee are not eligible to receive the award.) After reviewing the nominations, the judging committee will seek additional supporting material. The award will be announced in October 2012.

For more information, contact the Vermont Humanities Council at info@vermonthumanities.org, call 802.262.2626, or visit www.vermonthumanities.org.

The Vermont Humanities Council is a private nonprofit working to bring the power and the pleasure of the humanities to all Vermonters—of every background and in every community. The Council strives to make Vermont a state in which every individual reads, participates in public affairs, and continues to learn throughout life.

VTDigger