WAITSFIELD - Perhaps it was fitting that one of the loudest speakers at the first formal gubernatorial debate of the election year was the torrential rain pouring down outside.

Under a metal-roofed pavilion next to American Flatbread, Progressive Anthony Pollina and Democrat Gaye Symington pelted the governor with questions and criticism of his record over the last three terms, on issues from development to Lake Champlain cleanup, composting regulations and dealing with Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant.

Douglas, a Republican, gave little ground, however. And to add spice to the event, perennial Liberty Union Candidate Peter Diamondstone showed up but was taken away by a Vermont State Police trooper because he was not invited to be part of the debate.

He objected, saying before being taken off the stage that as a candidate for governor he also had a right to participate. But organizers said they restricted the debate to the presumptive Democratic, Republican and Progressive candidates to keep the event from being unwieldy. Diamondstone was later cited for disorderly conduct and trespassing, state police said.

A hot topic was the fate of two composting companies, Vermont Compost in Montpelier and the operation by the Intervale Foundation in Burlington where Speaker of the House Symington worked as development director until she left the job earlier this year. Both are at risk of closing after the state has questioned whether they are in compliance with state laws.

"Compost is an example of a product that turns waste into something valuable," Symington said. "I will work with all businesses to help them comply with our environmental regulations regardless of the politics of the people who may be involved."

Pollina said the state was looking in the wrong place in regulating those taking food waste and manure and turning it into fertilizer.

"We will allow Vermont Yankee to crumble and get away with it, but we go after Vermont Compost," he said, referring to the company's being ordered to halt work by the state Natural Resources Board for not having an Act 250 permit.

Full Story: http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080721/NEWS01/807210347/1002/NEWS01

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