After weeks of advertising, the DEDC found two applicants willing to return to the DEDC core committee. However, two selectboard members thought they should hold off on making a decision, because not everyone knew about the openings. But the selectboard relented after much discussion and went ahead with their appointments.
The DEDC sought to appoint four core committee members. The three-year terms belonging to Vincent Lewis and Randy Capitani, publisher of The Deerfield Valley News, had expired, while Magnus Thorrson and Laura Sibilia resigned from their two-and three-year terms respectively. DEDC chair Lisa Coneeny said Lewis and Capitani were both interested in serving their second three-year terms on DEDC core committee. However, selectboard chair Linda Holland and selectboard member Jim Martin thought that appointing Lewis and Capitani would be premature.
Holland said not everyone knew the positions were available because they were advertised in The Deerfield Valley News but not the Brattleboro Reformer. She advised the DEDC to advertise in both publications and see if that would generate additional interest. Coneeny expressed surprise, “Nobody ever told me this.” Holland explained, “I’ve talked to three or four people who said they didn’t see it because they don’t subscribe to The Deerfield Valley News. We need to put it in all official publications.”
Martin said he believed the DEDC would receive more applicants had they advertised in the Brattleboro Reformer. But one selectboard member thought that if the applicants were already well-qualified, they should go ahead and appoint them. “Why should (Lewis and Capitani) be left hanging? They’re already two core committee members. We don’t need to advertise all our appointments,” said selectboard member Adam Levine.
Holland and Martin assured Levine they were not questioning Lewis and Capitani’s qualifications. They believed not everyone knew about the availabilities because it was only advertised in one paper of record. “One ad wouldn’t do,” said Holland.
That prompted a response from Joan Black. “If I were applying, I’d be walking away if you told me we have to advertise them elsewhere,” said Black.
The selectboard went back and forth and finally agreed to approve Lewis and Capitani to three-year terms. As for the remaining two-and three-year terms vacated by Thorsson and Sibilia, the DEDC said they would advertise in The Deerfield Valley News and the Brattleboro Reformer.
Bill Anton, who was recently hired as the Dover School principal, introduced himself to the selectboard. Anton said he was briefed about the current activities between the DEDC and the planning commission as well as the recent resignation of the DEDC economic development specialist, Tricia Hayes. The DEDC and the selectboard have previously discussed how the town plan can be used for economic development purposes. Anton suggested the new economic development specialist work for the planning commission and help them develop the new town plan. The selectboard was supportive of the idea.
However two DEDC committee members thought that hiring a new economic development specialist should be the top priority.
Julie Wilson said re-evaluating the position would be “lost time” and reminded the selectboard they had already approved the position with a job description. William “Buzzy” Buswell liked the idea, but he still believed the town should seek Hayes’ replacement. “I think his philosophy is great, but we need to go forward with the economy. We need someone to come in the town as a specialist to market the town of Dover,” said Buswell.
The selectboard tabled the issue until the next selectboard meeting.
DEDC committee member Ken Black presented the new DEDC marketing plan. Some of the key objectives were to increase visibility, draw additional visitors to the area, seek out marketing experts to sell Dover, develop the Dover brand, support a national media campaign, and develop other small-scale media projects. To meet these goals the DEDC would “offer seminars on marketing and public relations strategies, develop programs to identify and reach niche markets and niche travelers, utilize ambassadors and spokespeople to tell the Dover story, partner with Mount Snow ski resort and the state of Vermont, and seek grants to enhance the overall program.” The selectboard approved the marketing plan.
In other news, the selectboard approved $7,500 for Taste of the Valley, an annual event showcasing Deerfield Valley restaurants. Celebrate the Valley Inc. is using the funds for marketing efforts. The event will be at Mount Snow, September 12, from 10 am to 4 pm.
The selectboard also approved $350 for additional plantings in flower barrels situated in the town of Dover. The beautification committee will use the funds to replace flowers damaged by the recent rainstorms.
Post a Comment