Monday rains and the forecast for worse on Tuesday has washed out the Chamber’s family mixer at the Montpelier Rec Field. Chamber officials and committee members are exploring options for another date. At this point, we only know that Tuesday’s event is off, and won’t take place any earlier than mid-July, if at all. Additional information will be provided as soon as it is available.
Thanks to Denis, Ricker & Brown. The Montpelier insurance agency has added its support to next month’s media campaign urging area residents to buy locally and to enjoy local sites and attractions. Save money, save fuel and support the local economy are themes of the campaign. Central Vermont businesses can participate by pledging support online at:
www.cvregion.net/shoplocal
The Central Vermont Brownfields program will finance environmental assessment of a site in East Montpelier that is being proposed to host the new fire station. Managed by the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission the program can determine the extent of environmental hazard, if any, and design a mitigation plan for suspect sites. The brownfields board voted Thursday to participate in the East Montpelier project. Information on the program posted at:
www.centralvtplanning.com/brownfields.html
Burgers, hot dogs and smiles are on tap Tuesday when the Chamber’s annual family mixer fires up at the Montpelier Rec Field. Everyone attending will receive a ticket to the Mountaineer’s game at 6: 30 pm. Sponsored by Northfield Savings Bank, the mixer is expected to host mascots Skip, Bump and Clover. Reservations by calling 229-5711 or email cvchamber@aol.com. Adults $10, children free.
Millstone Hill takes a giant leap forward this summer by adding outlet stores and museum exhibits to its growing trails network. Already well known for its hiking and biking trails, a renovated historic building now boasts Vermont Butter & Cheese, Vermont Smoke & Cure, Highland Sugarworks, Vermont Flannel, artifacts from the Vermont Granite Museum and an exhibit of local artwork across from the Post Office in Websterville, Vermont. Directions can be obtained at the nearby Rock of Ages Visitors Center. Grand opening festivities are June 27-28, and details are posted at…
www.central-vt.com/millstonehill.pdf
Governing boards have begun considering a proposed statement of participation and committee structure the Central Vermont Chamber circulated to municipalities in the region’s urban core. The committee would pursue regionalization of public safety services. If approved by all five core towns, it would create a committee of 13 to begin meeting July 16 and make its first report to the towns August 20.
Barre City & Town, Montpelier, Berlin, and East Montpelier public officials meet Thursday to discuss regional public safety services. Jim Fay of the Champlain Water District shared his experience with an 8-town commission. Participants concluded a regional committee should determine which services could be successfully managed via a regional board.
New law limiting pharmaceutical advertising to Vermont physicians has merit, but it ignores the much larger campaign to influence the general public. Billions are spent urging the public to pop a pill to stop sneezing, enhance sex, dissolve clots, strengthen bones, lower cholesterol, surpress herpes, overcome depression and restore memory function. A pill - or two or three – provides utopia in a bottle, available by prescription only. Just talk to your doctor. Until pharma is prohibited from lobbying patients to lobby physicians for more, newer, expensive pills, skyrocketing consumption will continue unabated.
Congratulations to the Vermont ATV Sportsmen’s Association on its purchase of the former “George’s Place” in South Barre. The Chamber thanks and applauds the association’s investment in the Central Vermont community.
Downtown is a social center. Barre organizes a number of events to draw people downtown. While the city does not need folks shouting obscenities or threatening passers-by, it should want positive social activities - certainly the goal of the proposed teen center. The city may wish to reinforce appropriate conduct with conditions, but permit denial is unwarranted – as the majority of those present expressed. A special meeting with better attendance makes sense.