The Burlington Free Press from Burlington, Vermont • Page 1

fSurlmgton Jftee BreM Saturday, July 31, 2004 -fr I Loco Custom Serving Vermont for 178 years www.burlingtonfreepress.com 50 cents 2004 The Burlington Free Press Hospital puts out welcome mat for nurses The plan: 100 nurses in 100 days Strategies in Fletcher Allen Health Care's push to hire scores of nurses by Nov. 9: SIGNING BONUSES: Temporary nurses who commit to Fletcher Allen for two years receive $6,000. So do former Fletcher Allen nurses who rejoin the hospital. Part-time nurses who become full-time receive from $3,000 to $6,000, depending on their increased work time. REFERRAL AWARDS: Fletcher Allen nurses who help recruit a new part-time nurse receive $1 ,000, while the reward for a full-time recruit is $2,000.

TUITION HELP: New graduate nurses who commit to a full-time position receive $5,000 toward their last semester of college. Existing full-time nurses' tuition reimbursement increases to $2,000 per year. COMMUTING ASSISTANCE: Fletcher Allen offers a new ferry subsidy to both existing employees and those newly hired. By Stephen Kiernan Free Press Staff Writer Fletcher Allen Health Care plans to resolve its chronic nursing shortage with a million-dollar campaign to hire 100 nurses in 100 days. Officials from the hospital and the local nurses' union stood together Friday to announce the plan, which includes an advertising campaign, bonuses for part-time nurses who switch to full-time, even help with the cost of commuting.

"Our recruitment message is simple," Chief Nursing Officer Mary Botter said. "Vermont's academic health center is a great place to work, and Vermont is a great place to live. Fletcher Allen is moving forward and we invite you to join our professional nursing team." The hospital hopes to attract new nurses and keep more of the existing nursing staff. Also, wage discussions between the hospital and the union will resume. "This is a positive step, and we look for- fer Henry, president of Fletcher Allen is expe-ward to reporting even the Vermont Federation riencing a nursing short-more progress to the of Nurses and Health age that mirrors a na-community," said Jenni- Professionals.

tional trend, Botter said. a deficit 4 "Maybe this phrase is overused, but he was a great American. The Marines that worked for him loved him." Maj. Randy Parker, Marine Corps Reserves spokesman Friends fondly recall Marine killed in Iraq The Burlington hospital has 180 open positions, the hours for which add up to 116 full-time jobs. The hospital has responded by hiring temporary nurses from around the country, 130 of them at present, for 13 weeks at a time.

This approach costs about $3 million annually. "This is a very expensive practice for our organization, and it is not our first choice because we have so many other See NURSES, 11A record. will Deficit figures fuel campaign debate New projections by the White House for the federal deficit will further fuel a campaign-season dispute over President Bush's handling of the economy. Federal budget projections 2004 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 billion, the largest ever billion SOURCE: The White House AP the third consecutive and ever-growing deficit under Bush, following four consecutive annual surpluses under President Clinton. Democrats said the turnabout underscored the damage done by Bush's tax cuts and his poor stewardship of the economy, and criticized the White House praise for the report.

The White House attributed this year's improvement to the collection of $82 billion more in revenue than anticipated, reflecting stronger economic activity. That was partly offset by $6 billion more in spending than expected, largely for Medicaid and Medicare. The projection, if accurate, would mean the government will have to borrow 19 percent of the $2.32 trillion it expects to spend this year. say that, partner Wearing Stetsons, firing six-shooters at the bad guys and toting nicknames straight out of the Old West, this group competes at marksmanship and costume design. In Vermont, Page IB OM 200 11 II 300 II I 400 11 Sports PLAYOFF RALLIES: Essex and SAL-Vermont pick up comeback wins as Legion baseball playoffs open.

Page 6B Vermont CHAIRMAN RESIGNS: The chairman of the Milton School Board has resigned, saying strained relationships among board members have interfered with district business. Page IB Business POWER FOR SUMMER: Vermont's electricity providers say they have enough juice to get through the summer, but potential shortages due to increased demand and transmission constraints could crop up as early as 2006. Page 4A Living THE SHOW IS THE THING: Phish is mum on specifics, but fans expect the usual antics and grand spectacle at the upcoming concert in Coventry. Page ID Late breaking Palestinians kidnappers free 3 church workers NABLUS, West Bank Palestinian gunmen abducted three foreign church volunteers, including an American, in the West Bank city of Nablus late Friday, releasing them several hours later under pressure from Palestinian authorities and other militants, Palestinian security officials said. Calif, overhaul cuts 12,000 state jobs SACRAMENTO, Calif.

A plan to reorganize state government proposes eliminating 12,000 state jobs and hundreds of state boards and commissions for a possible savings of $32 billion over the next five years. Details in the report obtained Friday by The Associated Press also included using private contractors for government work and requiring college and university students to perform community service. The Associated Press Weather "tpw TODAY: Hi: 82 Low: 68 Breezy, warm, showers. Volume 177, No. 213 Index Business 4A Horoscope 9D Classified 1C Living ID Comics 9D Movies Crossword 1IC Opinion Deaths 4B Sports Forum 9A TV list 2D 8A 6B 3D Printed in the U.S.A.

0 "'40901 "Ul OUT-" 2 Available lor horn or office delivery. Call toll-frM t-800-427-3126 1 44ff i ininnniiMMiii n.n Hit tf-fj 4 II III I il ALISON REDLICH, Free Press ABOVE: A U.S. flag hangs outside the home of Lt. Col. David S.

Greene in Shelburne on Friday. Greene was among the highest-ranking officers to die since the U.S.-led coalition invaded Iraq in March 2003. TOP: Lt. Col. David S.

Greene, 39, of Shelburne, is shown in August 2003. Shelburne man remembered as hard-working, reliable patriot By Matt Sutkoski Free Press Staff Writer SHELBURNE Lt. Col. David Greene's friends, neighbors and co-workers said they admired him for his reliability, stability, hard work, love of family and patriotism. Greene, 39, a Marine reservist from Shelburne, was piloting a Cobra heli-copter in Iraq on Wednesday when the craft took fire from the ground.

Greene was hit, said Maj. Randy Parker, a spokesman for the Marine Corps Reserves in Johnstown, Pa. He was the 12th service member with Vermont ties to die during the Iraq war since U.S. forces invaded the country in March 2003. He also was among the highest ranking officers to die in the war, Parker said.

People who knew Greene in the Marines, in his Shelburne neighborhood and at his workplace in Vergennes used nearly identical words to describe him: Dedicated. Hardworking. Solid. Devoted. Patriotic.

"Maybe this phrase is overused, but he was a great American. He was a fine example. The Marines that worked for him loved him. His supervisors and his peers were always impressed by him," Parker said. Greene became a Marine in 1986 and com- hit Republicans see progress; Democrats jump on data By Alan Fram The Associated Press WASHINGTON This year's federal deficit will soar to a record $445 billion, the White House projected Friday ina report provoking immediate election-season tussling over how well President Bush has handled the economy.

The administration's annual summertime budget update predicted shortfalls dropping to $331 billion next year, then fading to $229 billion by 2009. For each year, the red ink was smaller, than the White House envisioned six months ago. Administration officials hailed the figures as a solid improvement over the deficits analysts forecast early this year and said they were on their way to their goal of halving this year's shortfall in five years. The White House estimated a $521 billion budget gap for 2004 in February, while the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office predicted a $477 billion deficit. "This improved budget outlook is the direct result of the strong economic growth the president's tax relief has fueled," White House budget director Joshua Bolten said.

The shortfall will be Smile when you ALISON REDLICH, Free $445 Photo courtesy of Bill Hogan sion in Vergennes. He was program manager at Goodrich, said co-worker Ed Place. Place said Greene was responsible for making sure contracts and work proceeded smoothly between the company and contractors. Place said he didn't work directly with Greene, but knew him as a smart, highly productive worker. Word spread at the Goodrich plant Thursday that Greene had died in Iraq.

"We couldn't believe it," Place said. "We're in a grieving period right now." Flags at the Goodrich plant in Vergennes flew at half staff Friday. "Dave was not only a colleague to us, he was truly a friend. His love for his family and our country will stay with us See MARINE, UA said. "After 19 years in the United States Senate, my opponent has had thousands of votes, but very few signature achievements." Kerry fired back at Bush's criticism, dismissing it with a laugh as "the response to a positive campaign." He said he was behind "a long list" of legislation during his 19-year Senate career, including funding for more community police, See CAMPAIGN, 2A I I '1 Soldiers' stories Lt.

Col. David S. Greene's death brings to 12 the number of Vermont soldiers who have lost their lives in the Iraq war. Go to www.bur-lingtonfreepress.com to read their stories. Powell visits Iraq, 2A Notheast troops return to Fort Drum, 11A weeks a year, even after moving to Shelburne in 2001.

The Johnstown base was the nearest unit that featured Greene's operational specialty Cobra helicopters. Greene settled into his job at the Goodrich Aerospace, Fuel and Utility Systems divi themselves and leaving the rest of America out," Kerry said at an early morning rally along Boston Harbor. "We're going to change that around. Help is on the way for the average person in this country." Kerry did not directly refer to the president in making his point. Bush was more straightforward.

"My opponent has good intentions, but intentions do not always translate to results," Bush ot Vacations Bush, Kerry slam each other's records ALISON REDLICH, Free Press Bill Hogan of Shelburne remembers his friend and neighbor, Lt. Col. David S. Greene, a Marine Corps helicopter pilot, who was killed in Iraq on Wednesday. pleted active duty in 1997, Parker said.

He traveled to Johnstown once a month, and for two 2004 coast-to-coast trip across the country just eight hours after standing in a downpour of balloons and confetti at the end of their nominating convention. "Americans are playing by the rules while a whole group of people are writing the rules for A Lifetime By Nedra Pickler The Associated Press SCRANTON, Pa. President Bush and newly crowned Democratic standard-bearer John" Kerry wasted no time blasting each other Friday at the official start of the general election campaign, trading identical criticisms that the other is short on accomplishments. Kerry and running mate John Edwards embarked on a two-week OTTER CREEK Awnings Patio Kooms Press in Your Own Backyard We specialize in custom designed retractable window deck awnings, 3-season patio rooms and year round sunrooms. uuu tj-w -xvuv rcirawiu i wmnj ohhivki 1.

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