Kathy Sarnes with Connecticut River Bank in Springfield is VHFA's top mortgage loan originator in Windsor County for 2008. Susan Laferriere with Union Bank in St. Johnsbury took the honor for Caledonia and Essex counties.

VHFA's fiscal year ends June 30, so summer is when we announce all our top originators for the previous year. We'll be announcing our remaining top originators later this month.

Congratulations, Kathy and Susan!

The Center for Rural Studies (CRS) at the University of Vermont, VHFA's partner in developing the Vermont Housing Data Web site, is conducting an online survey of the site's visitors.

Take the survey now for a chance to win an Apple^® iPod^® nano!

CRS's survey, which will run into the fall, is the first step in a grant-funded initiative to improve content and usability of the site.

Don Waterman with Wells River Savings Bank/Northeast Home Loan in Bradford is VHFA's top mortgage loan originator in Orange County for 2008.

VHFA's fiscal year ends June 30, so summer is when we announce all our top originators for the previous year. We'll be announcing the rest of our top originators throughout the summer.

Congratulations, Don!

Vermont's Congressional delegation held a joint press conference Monday to speak about rising home heating costs.

"If we don't dramatically increase funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, senior citizens on fixed incomes, the disabled, and low-income families with children will go cold this winter," said Sen. Bernie Sanders (right). "We cannot let that happen."

Sanders joined Sen. Patrick Leahy (center) and Rep. Peter Welch at the event.