Commentary: Moving On Takes More Than Empty Promises

*Updated*

Opinion

Moving On Takes More Than Empty Promises

The Montpelier water budget overpayment mess as well as the lack of much earlier full and open public disclosure by political leaders smells rather fishy. However it is also too bad that fish as a species end up getting such a stinky rap due to what is actually the stench of Vermont politics at among its worse[worst], particularly at the local level.

Although it is most likely that citizens would have been angry with city officials concerning the initial error(s) that led to as well as followed the overpayment and the matter not being found for two years or so after the original error had been made, if it was properly disclosed to the public as well as pursued differently than was the case and, if political ambitions had not been a potential factor as it would appear it could have been, people would have eventually understood and forgiven those involved at the city level.

Except for merely more of the same old tired empty promises to do better next time around and that are not of a good enough standard, it is the apparent lack of trust, honesty and transparency when as well as how it mattered most, repeated breaches of which not easily forgotten or forgiven -- especially when not fully admitted and truly owned up to, which appear to be irking certain concerned citizens and voters the most.

Thus, as a concerned resident of the city of Montpelier, it is my opinion that Mayor Mary Hooper as well as each and every city councilor who at any point supported nondisclosure of this matter to the public should resign asap or otherwise be voted out of office when their next term comes up for re-election.

Morgan W. Brown
Montpelier


*Update*: Vermont Public Radio (VPR) Vermont Edition show for Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at Noon and 7:00 PM regarding Government Transparency, here.

(cross-posted to Green Mountain Daily blog, here)

*Note*: made spelling correction within first paragraph; last updated on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 5:42 AM (ET).

Montpelier Matters Now on Twitter

Follow Montpelier Matters on Twitter, here.

6th Annual Onion River Century Ride

The Onion River Century Ride is this weekend!

Once again, the Kellogg-Hubbard Library has teamed up with Onion River Sports to offer one of the most beautiful century rides in the Northeast! The Onion River Century Ride hits the roads of Central Vermont and the Northeast Kingdom this Saturday, July 25^th. This is a spectacular ride through the heart of rural Vermont with food stops, support vehicles, and many wonderful volunteers for your riding pleasure and an end-of-ride BBQ.

Our goal is to raise $7,500 for the Kellogg-Hubbard Library!

Choose from three rides: the 111 mile full century, 110k (68 mile) metric century or NEW 24 mile loop. Registration begins at 7:30 am on the day of ride. Enjoy clear streets with a police escort through Montpelier that leaves at 8:30 am from the Montpelier Rec Field. There are six food stops approximately every 20 miles (for full century, less for metric and short loop), support truck for mechanical and emotional support along the ride and a delicious end-of-ride BBQ. The food stop for the new shorter loop is at the Adamant Coop!

Entry fee is $65 and includes a ticket for the BBQ.

New entry fee option: You can pay $30 if you bring in $50 in pledges. The pledge money is due the day of the race – July 25^th.

We have registration and pledge forms at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library and at Onion River Sports on Langdon Street or online at : www.onionriver.com/century. There is a fee of $7.50 to register online.

Any questions? Call Carrie at Onion River Sports at 802-229-9409 or

Rachel at Kellogg-Hubbard Library at 802-223-3338.

Special City Ballot Vote: Tuesday, July 14th

The legal voters of the City of Montpelier, in City Meeting in Montpelier, in the County of Washington and the State of Vermont, are hereby warned to meet in the City Hall Council Chamber/Memorial Room, in said Montpelier, on the second Tuesday in July, July 14, 2009, at seven o'clock in the forenoon, and there and then to cast their ballot for matters that by law must be determined by ballot, and other matters as directed by the Council. The polls will be opened at 7:00 A.M. and shall be closed at 7:00 P.M.

ARTICLE I. Shall bonds or notes of the City of Montpelier in an amount not to exceed Seven Hundred Six Thousand Dollars ($706,000), contingent upon and subject to reduction from available state and federal grants-in-aid and other financial assistance, be issued for the purpose of completing sewer system improvements authorized at the 2009 annual City meeting, and for the purchase of a rodder/vacuum truck?

[...]

Read the entire notice, here [via official City of Montpelier Website].

Additional information available via Times Argus, here.

Washington County Human Services Outreach Teams Concept Presentation

New life

New life clinging to the shingle at Morse Farm; a beautiful time of year but you often have to look close to find these small beautiful flowers.

Morse Farm Wagon Rides

These beauties are coming to Morse Farm come for a ride and enjoy a Maple Creeme.