Debate - Forum

Dear Friend; The Political Season Reaches a Peak As our leaf peeping races to it's peak, so does the race for state seats in the Senate and House. How appropriate. Multi-colored candidate yard signs are rapidly becoming buried in multi-colored fall foliage. The colors are peaking at the same pace as the messages shared by our politicians. Now is our best opportunity to catch both at their peaks.

Want to See More? If you want to catch the leaves in their prime, hop in your car and head out on any Franklin County road or simply sit and look out your front window. If you want to know how a candidate stands on a particular issue, pick up any county paper or attend any special outing and keep your ears open. It's in the air.    Debate - Forum The Chamber is partnering with several other local agencies and establishments to host our Franklin County Senatorial Candidates for an evening of questions and discussion. In addition, we have invited all Franklin County Representative Candidates to attend a meet and greet where you will have a first hand opportunity to share ideas. On October 9th, beginning at 5:00pm your candidates will be available in the Bliss Room of the St. Albans Historical Society and Museum for a peek at what they propose to bring to Montpelier.   Format From 5:00 to 5:30 the floor will be open for meeting all of the candidates. This time is set aside to allow for one on one conversations. Following the greeting time we will begin the formal forum with a couple of questions for all of the Senatorial Candidates to answer in front of the entire audience. This portion will be moderated by Marty Manahan. The final portion will be conducted in smaller groups. Each of the five candidates will spend 10 minutes at a set of tables and questions will be directed by a table host.   Questions  Last week we opened a survey to collect questions for the candidates. You can still have time to contribute at Ask a Question.   One or two of these questions will be used for the formal portion and the others will be shared with the table hosts for consideration during the small group forums. In addition, we will also be collecting other questions at the door.   Mark Your Calendars One month before the elections is a perfect time to get a sense of where our candidates stand on the issues. Bring your questions, your open mind and your enthusiasm. This your opportunity to take a peek as our candidates peak. Seating will be limited so please plan to arrive early.

Thank you for your continued support of the Chamber in your community.

Dave Southwick

 

Advocate

Dear Friend, Hats Off to a Job Well Done Earlier this week, I attended a Legislative Water Quality Forum hosted by Denise Smith from the Friends of Northern Lake Champlain and a couple of other like-minded organizations. The format included a plea for help from Ms. Smith, testimonies from a few subject matter experts and then a spirited and well focused question and answer period. Legislators, candidates and citizens alike had ample time to be heard. I was almost late for dinner.

The Topic was Water Quality - The Spirit was Advocacy It was made quite clear that we have a water quality issue in Lake Champlain and Lake Carmi as well as other Vermont bodies of water. No one argued the over arching issue. Some had feelings about the sources of the problem and the overall breadth of the problem, but no one denied that we have an issue. Save Lake Carmi!    Our Legislators and Candidates Get It I found it commendable that all of our current and prospective legislative members have supported or will support whatever it takes to make a difference in our water quality. While a few might feel that it has not been enough - for the most part, it is difficult to argue that our representatives and senators don't care.   Where's The Problem? The way I see it, the water quality problem is only perceived a problem in our corner of the state. Yes, we get some support from Grand Isle and parts of Chittenden county but there is a whole lot of the state that have other fish to fry (which they won't have if we don't clean up the water!). Not everybody in the state sees the water quality as the number one, number two or number three priority in their corner of the pasture.   Advocate  I left that forum with a big "ah ha" moment. If I don't share our concerns with others that I know in the state, how will they ever know that our problems even exist? This may seem obvious to some of you but to this simple bear I can do a better job of advocating beyond my county borders. I belong to a state wide organization of Chamber Executives. When something becomes important to our county, I plan to let these colleagues know that we would like their support with our problems. I plan to advocate to the other choirs. I'll write my very first letter this month.   Speaking of Advocating... It is not too late to join the St. Albans Raid Half Marathon as a spirited part of the 150th Raid celebration. On Sunday, September 21st, you can "Run Like a Bandit" through the streets and trails of St. Albans. Be part of the most unique start of any race anywhere when a round of musket fire sets you on your way. Register online at www.active.com - keyword "Raid Race" - there is still time.

Thank you for your continued support of the Chamber in your community.

Dave Southwick

Sesquicentennial

Dear Friend, Sesquicentennial - Not Just Fun to Say 150 years is a big deal no matter what you're talking about. Nobody, personally, remembers what happened 150 years ago. It's just not possible. That is why it is so important to have story tellers and re-enactors to bring to life events that took place just outside our ability to experience them yet still important enough to impact who we are today.

Why is the "Northern Most Skirmish" Important to Us Today? Franklin County can be defined by the re-telling of the story of how a community responded to a few bad guys shooting up our town. Great, great relatives jumped to arms. Friends of friends of friends rode out after the escapees. And witnesses left their written and verbal accounts for us to find.   The plaque outside the TD Bank Building lays tribute to the "stirring incident" that took place on that October day back in 1864 - 150 years ago. Stirring up a community and a past generation to action.   150 years later, Franklin County is still responding to skirmishes and stirring incidents with bravery, leadership and history changing action. Our police, firefighters, first responders, politicians, village leaders and everyday citizens continue to take on all challenges that come against our way of life and peaceful community.   History helps us define our future.    So, Get Involved From September 18th - 21st, Franklin County will be hosting the 150th Anniversary Commemoration of the St. Albans Raid. You can be a part of re-telling history. It's not too late to volunteer to help or join in on the celebration. Check out the www.stalbansraid.com for a calendar of events. Contact the organizers to find out how you can get plugged in.   OK, but I'd Rather Run That reminds me - the Chamber is hosting our second St. Albans Raid Half Marathon as part of the 150th celebration. On Sunday, September 21st, you can "Run Like a Bandit" through the streets and trails of St. Albans. Be part of the most unique start of any race anywhere when a round of musket fire sets you on your way. Register online at www.active.com - keyword "Raid Race" - there is still time.

Thank you for your continued support of the Chamber in your community.

Dave Southwick