Wed Noon News Script

Wed 10-MAR-2010 Noon News Script

1} FINANCES2_VO

Burlington officials say despite a reduced credit rating the city is not in financial trouble. With Burlington Telecom unable to repay the city the 17-million dollars it borrowed from pooled cash, a credit rating agency raised concerns about the city's fiscal health -- and dropped its credit rating two notches. The city's Chief Administrative Officer says the city is having no trouble paying its bills.

2} LEOPOLD_SOTVO

(( tc :59 - :10 Jonathan Leopold, Burlington CAO: "The situation with our cash flow is pretty similar to what it's been for the last 18 months, actually 2 years, and we manage our cash flow very carefully.")) Leopold says a cash flow outlook predicts the city will be fine through the end of the fiscal year - on June 30th. The reduced credit rating could end up being expensive for the city -- because it will have to pay higher interest rates on the money it borrows. And as for that 17-million Burlington Telecom owes the taxpayers -- so far there is no plan for paying it back -- or dealing with B-T's broader financial problems.

3} LAKE_VO

The Douglas administration is angry that it's Lake Champlain cleanup plan has been called into question. The Environmental Protection Agency is now reconsidering it's approval of the state's total maximum daily load program -- in place since 2002. Governor Douglas called the decision an insult to everyone who has worked to clean-up the lake.

4} DOUGLAS_SOTVO

((Jim Douglas/Governor-VT: whats so disappointing is we're the only place in the country that has taken it this seriously there are other TMDL's that have been approved and other watersheds across america but none other has been funded as well as ours has been worked on as diligently by public and private organizations so why the lake champlain TMDL when we're making this commitment and this progress.)) Douglas says more than 100-million dollars has been spent on clean-up efforts. He also notes that the EPA continues to endorse the exact same clean-up strategy on the New York side of Lake Champlain. The change of heart from the EPA follows strong lobbying -- and a lawsuit -- from the Conservation Law Foundation. The environmental group believes Vermont has not done enough to reduce the amount of pollution flowing into the lake.

5} CANADATRIP_WHITE

Governor Douglas is in Quebec today -- along with a delegation of Vermont business leaders. The group plans to meet with provincial government officials - including Premier Jean Charest. Senior political reporter Kristin Carlson is covering the conference. She will be reporting live from Quebec City tonight on the Channel 3 News at six.

6} SCHOOLS_WHITE

We told you last night that Littleton High School in New Hampshire has been flagged as a "persistently low-achieving school" -- eligible for federal assistance. Today we have the list of Vermont's low performing schools. Bridport, Fair Haven, Johnson, Mount Abraham and Northfield schools are on the list. As are -- Otter Valley, Rutland, Windsor, Winooski and Burlington's H.O. Wheeler Elementary. These schools have all failed to make adequately yearly progress on student assessment tests for the past several years. They are now eligible for federal grants -- but they will have to take one of four actions -- close the school, reopen as a charter school, fire the principal and half the teachers or submit a restructuring plan.

7} CONSOLIDATION_VOFO

A proposal to drastically reduce the number of Vermont school districts will be up for public discussion tonight. Under a bill backed by the Board of Education, Vermont would go from 300 districts to fewer than 20. The idea is to save money thru reduced staffing and shared resources -- and to improve education quality thru uniform curriculum. Lawmakers are holding a public hearing on the bill tonight from 5 to 8 in State House Room 11. And we'll have more on the story tonight at 6, 10 and 11.

8} LOTTO_VO

A Ticonderoga man is "set for life" after hitting the jackpot in a state lottery game. 46-year-old Michael Vice claimed his five million dollar prize yesterday. He bought a $10 scratch off ticket in the "Set For Life" game at a convenience store two weeks ago. Vice said he scratched the ticket in the car -- and couldn't believe his eyes.

9} VICE_SOTVO

(("It still hasn't settled in, the reality of it all. I'm looking forward to not having to worry about money to do this or do that, or manage it. It's not like the end of working or anything, but it certainly gives me a lot more options in life.")) Vice will get 171-thousand dollars a year after taxes for as long as he lives.

10} GRANNYD_VO

New Hampshire has lost one of it most colorful political figures. Doris Haddock -- known to most people simply as Granny D -- died Tuesday night at her home in Dublin, New Hampshire. She was 100 years old. Haddock gained fame late in life -- when at the age of 89 she walked across the country to draw attention to campaign finance reform. At age 94, she ran for the U-S Senate. Even since reaching the 100 mark she still attended weekly meetings of an election reform task force.

11} WHITENOSE_VO

There's growing concern that a bat pandemic in our region -- could sweep across the country. Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy delivered that warning to the Interior Department Secretary yesterday. Leahy urged the secretary to increase funding for research into White Nose Syndrome. He says the disease has the potential to wipe out bat species. And that could devastate farmer's crops -- and impact quality of life for people.

12} LEAHY_SOTVO

((21:10:00 agricultural areas are just going to be devastated and human populations are because of the huge increase in flying pests.)) White Nose Syndrome first appeared near Albany, New York in 2006 -- and spread to Vermont caves the following winter. Last month -- it was found as far south as Tennessee.

13} LAKECARS_MAP

This early spring weather has authorities warning people to keep their vehicles off frozen lakes. The ice is much thinner than it normally would be at this time of year. Some people learned that the hard way on Schroon lake this past weekend. State officials say a pickup -- a Jeep -- and an ATV all broke through the ice. The drivers all got out safely but the jeep and the ATV sank to the bottom.

14} FORECAST

Today: Sunny Highs: 43 to 50 Wind: Light & variable Tonight: Clear skies Lows: 20 to 27 Wind: Light Thursday: Some AM sun Increasing clouds Chance for showers late Highs: 45 to 52 Wind: S 5 to 15 mph Extended: Friday: Mostly cloudy Chance for showers Lows: 30s Highs: 45 to 52 Saturday: Some AM sun Increasing clouds Chance for rain, especially south Lows: 35 to 40 Highs: 40s Sunday: Periods of rain, especially south Lows: 35 to 40 Highs: 40s Hyper-Extended: Monday: Partly sunny Lows: 25 to 35 Highs: 40s Tuesday: Partly cloudy Lows: 25 to 35 Highs: 40s

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