The Vermont Chamber of Commerce is
stepping into the battle over the F-35 fighter jet.
The statewide business group is
starting a petition drive in support of bringing the new jets to Vermont.
The Vermont Air Guard was named as a
preferred site for one of the first deployments of the stealth fighters. The
Air Force is collecting final environmental impact data before issuing a final
report.
Some neighbors of the Burlington
airport are concerned about noise from the jets, and anti-military activists
are lobbying against the planes.
But the Chamber says landing the F-35
is important to securing the future of the air guard base and the tens of
millions of dollars in direct and indirect economic benefits it generates for
the state.
"Not only the
retention of 1,100 personnel and the relating $53 million payroll, but we're
also trying to highlight, assuming a full build-out according to Lockheed
Martin, there are additional jobs and additional payroll associated with
that," said Chris Carrigan of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber is accepting
signatures for the petition until the end of August.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:48 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:48:36 GMT
Bennington Rural Fire Station was packed with people and support for the 15 members recently suspended over their part in an annual stunt. "Do you realize these are the real heroes of America?" askedMore >>
Bennington Rural Fire Station was packed with people and support for the 15 members recently suspended over their part in an annual stunt.More >>
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:21 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:21:21 GMT
An award winning journalist from Vermont has died.Michael Hastings was killed early Tuesday morning in a car accident in Los Angeles.Hastings was best known for his Rolling Stones article on General StanleyMore >>
Michael Hastings was killed early Tuesday morning in a car accident in Los Angeles.More >>
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:41 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:41:56 GMT
Former Bennington Rural Fire Department chief Joseph Hayes pleaded not guilty Monday to embezzlement charges stemming from a department-sponsored raffle when he was chief. Participants told police theyMore >>
A former chief at the Bennington Rural Fire Department faces embezzlement charges and 16 volunteers are in hot water over another incident. As allegations of misconduct stack up, some residents are worried about their safety.More >>
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:54:27 GMT
Court documents indicate New York's Chinese mafia may be involved in prostitution at a Chittenden County spa. Tuesday morning, landlord Thomas Booska pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge. A tenantMore >>
A landlord has denied charges related to prostitution at an alleged sex spa in Williston. And court documents indicate New York's Chinese Mafia may be involved in prostitution in Vermont.More >>
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:13 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:13:18 GMT
A Hopkinton, New York man is behind bars, accused of promoting prostitution. Police say Monday, they searched 60-year-old Dean Lamphere's house and business -- Lamphere's General Trucking and Repair.More >>
A Hopkinton, N.Y., man is behind bars, accused of promoting prostitution.More >>
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:00 AM EDT2013-06-18 14:00:51 GMT
A New Haven man says he was trying to stop another man from cutting down his neighbor's trees, but police say firing shots wasn't the way to do it. Police say on Sunday, 72-year-old David Milson firedMore >>
A New Haven man says he was trying to stop another man from cutting down his neighbor's trees, but police say firing shots wasn't the way to do it.More >>
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:36 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:36:08 GMT
Police in the Vermont city of Burlington say an officer has suffered minor injuries after a woman threw a knife at the officer after she was hit by a stun gun.More >>
Police in Burlington say an officer suffered minor injuries after a woman threw a knife at the officer after she was hit by a stun gun.More >>
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:09 AM EDT2013-06-18 14:09:41 GMT
A former state police trooper in prison for padding his timesheets will never serve as a police officer again in Vermont. The Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council voted to decertify Jim Deeghan asMore >>
A former state police trooper in prison for padding his time sheets will never serve as a police officer again in Vermont.More >>
