The death
penalty, the war in Iraq and an election year that saw unprecedented campaign
spending are just a few of the issues Vermonters talked about in 2006. It was
the year International Paper conducted a test burn of tires in Ticonderoga
New York, over intense opposition from Vermont. The issues of illegal immigrant
farm workers in the state made news. A controversial sentence for child abuse
brought national attention to a Vermont judge, and the long quest for recognition
for Vermont’s
Abenaki Indians took a big step forward.
Join host, Steve Delaney as we
ponder these and other events of 2006.
Part
1 – Elections
The candidates
got into their races early in 2006. Voters made up their minds
early and were
un-swayed
by the most expensive
advertising campaign ever conducted in Vermont.
Part
2 – War
During the past year, the intensity of Vermont’s connection to the war
in Iraq diminished as more National Guard troops came
home. Causalties continued in 2006. The Governor made a surprise vist to
the
troops as an anti-war protest was being planned in Rutland.
Part
3 – Agriculture and the Environment
In 2006, a high percentage of our top stories were about farms, and forests,
and clean water. An Agriculture Secretary stepped down, tires were burned over
protest in Ticonderoga and a storm-water issue was solved in South Burlington
paving the way for development.
Part
4 – Crime
Crime made news frequently, and so did punishment. A death Penalty was deliverd,
a judge made a controversial ruling that made national headlines and an Essex
shooting spree left two dead and three wounded.
Part
5 – Mixed Bag
In 2006 Vermont was full of interesting stories of people and places, fom
the ups and downs at the Olympics to ups and downs
at the gas pump. A town changed its name, and a senator returned to Montpelier
after a near fatal car accident.
Part
6 – Milestones
Every year has its milestones. Some of them are goodbyes to people we knew well.
Others mark events that brought some enduring change. An icon of faith, activism
and influence passed. A historic Vermont restaurant burns to the ground. And
the Governor signed the tribal recognition bill for the Abenaki Indians.