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Media Note: Freeps Owner Soaring on Wall Street

by Paul Heintz Posted on September 13, 2012 at 6:52PM

Guess what local Burlington company hit its 52-week high on Wall Street this week! Nope, not Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, though they're back up to $31.48, from a low of $17.11 in July.

After NEA Backs GOPers, Pearson Asks to be Un-Endorsed

by Paul Heintz Posted on September 13, 2012 at 6:42PM

Pearson, who heads the Progressive Party's House caucus, also took issue with the NEA's endorsement of Illuzzi over Democrat and Progressive Doug Hoffer. He noted that Illuzzi supported a 2007 law requiring voters to vote twice on school budgets that increased more than a percent point higher than the rate of inflation — a position at odds with the NEA's.

The Most Interesting Man in the World to Host Obama Fundraiser in Burlington

by Tyler Machado Posted on September 13, 2012 at 4:03PM

He keeps a catamount as his house cat. He knows how to get there from here.

No Nuke of the North: Québec's Parti Québécois Will Close Gentilly-2 Reactor

by Ken Picard Posted on September 13, 2012 at 11:17AM

Just a week after gaining control of Québec's provincial government, Canada's Parti Québécois announced that it will keep its election promise to shut down the Gentilly-2 nuclear reactor in Bécancour, the Montreal Gazette reports. The announcement, by a PQ spokesperson, came just hours before the premiere of a new documentary by two Montréal filmmakers about the health and safety concerns of residents living near the nuke plant along the St. Lawrence River.

In This Week's Issue: September 12, 2012

by Tyler Machado Posted on September 12, 2012 at 12:23PM

Here are the news and politics stories you'll find in this week's dead-tree edition: With the Democratic primary finally over with, we turn our attention to the Republican candidate. Andy Bromage profiles Jack McMullen (pictured), who's trying to put two previous electoral failures — and the spectre of Fred Tuttle — behind him.

It's D-Day at Shelburne's Harbor Hide-A-Way

by Kathryn Flagg Posted on September 12, 2012 at 12:20PM

A Shelburne landmark — or eyesore, depending on your point of view — is slated for demolition this week. If your morning commute took you past this Route 7 curiosity across from Almartin Volvo, the shuttered, tumbledown restaurant probably still appeared much as it does in the photo at right: a hodgepodge of boarded-up doors and shattered windows topped, improbably, by a rickety faux-lighthouse.

Media Note: Party of Two at VPR Gubernatorial Debate

by Paul Heintz Posted on September 12, 2012 at 9:56AM

Among the reasons supporters of environmentalist Annette Smith sought to write her in as the Progressive Party's gubernatorial candidate was to secure her inclusion in this fall's debates. They figured she'd give voice to positions not shared by Gov. Peter Shumlin on wind power, the F-35 bed-down and Green Mountain Power's merger with CVPS.

The Fact Checker: Does Phil Scott Oppose a Woman's Right to Choose?

by 7D Staff Posted on September 12, 2012 at 8:00AM

With the 2012 campaign season in full swing, Seven Days has teamed up with VTDigger.org to create a fact-checker feature to test the "truthiness" of claims made by the candidates who want your vote this November. CLAIM: Republican Lt. Gov. Phil Scott is “against a woman’s right to choose.” — September 7 fundraising email by Jerry Greenfield, campaign treasurer for Progressive/Democrat Cassandra Gekas FACTS: Last week, Ben & Jerry’s cofounder Jerry Greenfield served up some reasons to give money to Cassandra Gekas’ campaign for lieutenant governor. Most amounted to attacks on Phil Scott, the Republican incumbent.

Charlotte Solar Farm Poised for Possible Approval

by Kathryn Flagg Posted on September 11, 2012 at 2:23PM

A controversial solar farm proposed in Charlotte has moved a step closer to reality. A hearing officer for the Vermont Public Service Board is recommending the PSB give the go-ahead for the Charlotte Solar Farm, a 2.2-megawatt project that's tentatively slated for a field off Hinesburg Road in East Charlotte.

Video: Shumlin Launches Reelection Campaign Monday at Nectar's

by Paul Heintz Posted on September 11, 2012 at 6:44AM

Gov. Peter Shumlin capped off his first official day on the campaign trail by touting his economic record to a rowdy crowd of supporters at Nectar's Monday evening. "We're growing jobs, we're delivering on promises to get tough things done, and we are making extraordinary progress to make this state a better place to get a job, a better place to make a living and a better place for our kids to prosper," Shumlin said.