NEWS & VIEWS EDITORIAL: Vermont State Auditor Elizabeth Ready has asked Kevin Dorn, Secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, (ACCD), to conduct a review of expenditures made by our Eastern Vermont Gateway Regional Marketing Organization (RMO) suggesting the Agency may wish to determine if all money expended was done in accordance with its contract. And a 7 page questionnaire was sent to Reverend Jane Wilson, President of our Eastern Vermont Gateway RMO, requesting clarifications regarding Ms Ready’s concerns.

Our RMO is the recipient of large annual grants, intended to be spent promoting tourism interests in our designated 30 town region, on the Vermont side of the Upper Valley.

The Eastern Vermont Gateway RMO’s Board of Directors is primarily made up of Randolph, Woodstock, Quechee/Hartford town chambers, this Upper Valley Regional Chamber and the Wells River Action Program (WRAP) also run by Wilson.

Annual agreements are executed, between our RMO and ACCD, spelling out exactly how those grants are to be spent. Our RMO then documents and submits middle and year-end reports explaining what actually occurred.  ACCD subsequently sends out more funds, the amount determined by tax revenues derived from the businesses in our 30 towns. And a new fiscal year begins.

The Auditor's Office, however, is in possession of documents indicating possible discrepancies in our RMO reports to ACCD. Ready acknowledges that according to the contract, the RMO has the ability to accrue money and carry forward funds to the next fiscal year as long as it has approval from the Agency but
states there is nothing on file that (her) Office received from the Agency that indicates such an approval was granted, or even requested.

Ready says documents seem to indicate that the accrued money may have then been used to provide bonuses to some of our RMO Board participants "ratherthan putting the money into promoting local businesses and drawing people to visit that part of the State. Existence of a "bonus" process also seems to be absent from official contracts, or reports to the State.

Nor do reports clearly specify who got paid, for what, or how much when executing contractual projects, but internal documents for our RMO do reflect four or so locations repeatedly receiving administration fees over the course of 4 years.

The Upper Valley Regional Chamber’s concerns, regarding the grant’s utilization, arose as the result of being outvoted when proffering a regional promotion concept that would spend funds on a required project and in spending the funds as intended, there would be no need to solicit anyone, in the 30 towns, for any more
money, to get the project done.

The majority of the Board spoke against it, however, expressing reluctance to spend, the need for a rainy day fund and the desire to further conserve funds due to the uncertain future of the RMO program.

Oddly when a different version of the project was agreed to, which did actually require more money from businesses in the region, only certain towns, represented by those Board members, seemed to reap the most benefits from the promotion.

As our RMO is supported by the region's taxes, the Upper Valley Regional Chamber and its Vermont business members have already paid to play. Any delays, in achieving true regional promotion, mean that many of our tourism businesses, while supporting the program, are getting nothing in return.

For example, after two years the Upper Valley Regional Chamber still hasn't received exposure in the regional marketing publications. And only after a lot of squawking, did we finally receive a link from our RMO website.

The Upper Regional Valley Chamber believes the region’s interests, as a whole, are getting short changed and will question the validity and effectiveness of our RMO Board’s expenditures so long as only select interests are being supported with those grant funds.

So while the State is inquiring into Fiscal Year(s) 1999, 2000, & 2001, the Upper Valley Regional Chamber is simultaneously seeking a court order requiring our RMO to pen its fiscal years 2002 - 2003 accounting records.

RMO President Wilson, who also manages the White River Junction State Welcome Center on behalf of our RMO Board, wrote to the Upper Valley Regional Chamber that we (the rest of the RMO Board?) are not comfortable giving the Regional Chamber access to the accounting information requested as our employees have a right to privacy.

Yet under our RMO’s Bylaws the Upper Valley Regional Chamber, a charter member of the RMO Board, has oversight of all RMO operations. Denied access to present fiscal year books, makes legal action necessary because this Chamber is equally responsible for accounting and expenditure representations being made
to the State by our RMO.

Thought it is not certain, at this time, how ACCD will decide to handle its findings, we have suggested they place operational and funding control, for Fiscal Year 2004, with the Upper Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, thereby mitigating substantial administrative redundancy, pre-empting the potential for bonus
programs and guaranteeing broader regional representation.

However, having given Wilson until May 16th,  Kessler has expressed his understanding that the Agency is waiting response from her, before making any determinations.

Ironically, if the State's concerns are substantiated, in effect, certain of the Board may have established a system that worked best, for them, when tax dollars, meant to be spent promoting the region, went largely unspent, perhaps to insure enough money to make bonus awards. Off the cuff guesses could place bonus totals at a possible $70,000 and with administration type payments on top of that, substantial sums to our region are due to come under scrutiny.

Some, at the State level, suggest that the potential Eastern Vermont Gateway RMO situation could even indicate the need for an accounting/accountability overhaul within the State wide program, which consists of 11 RMOs, run by Vermont’s Department of Tourism, under ACCD.

Speculations aside, two facts are certain. One: Though curious to find out where it went, the Upper Valley Regional Chamber did not receive any of the funds under State investigation. Two: The Upper Valley Regional Chamber continues to incur costs, in effect having to run a parallel regional promotional effort, but utilizing only private sector dollars, while hoping the balance of our RMO Board will more readily allow the Upper Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, and its constituency, fair and equal participation in the State funded regional tourism program.

GREAT NEWS!

Mr. Geoffrey S. Ross, Chairman of the Upper Valley Bi-State Regional Chamber of Commerce, has been given a National Leadership Award. As a result, he has also been asked to act as Vermont State's Honorary Chairman to the National Business Advisory Council in Washington, D.C.

The purpose of that Council is to have its members respond to congressional issues and legislative initiatives, on the national level, that are relevant to business.

Mr. Ross will be meeting with Vermont's congressional delegation on issues of concern to the business community at large. As member to the Council he is also asked to meet with senators and congressmen in Washington D.C. to express personal opinions and to share input from the various organizations and businesses within our region.

Members of the Council will also be polled by legislators on initiatives that they are reviewing or sponsoring, at which time Ross, as a Council member will help to actively shape legislation in Washington D.C.

As an outgrowth of this wonderful opportunity, the Upper Valley Regional Chamber is creating the Upper Valley Business Leadership Council, (UVBLC). The UVBLC will work with Mr. Ross and the Chamber, to facilitate a broader poll of opinions, and to provide a conduit from the Upper Valley to the legislators in
Washington.

Though we will be extending invitations to a number of area business leaders to participate, if you are also interested in participating on the Upper Valley Business Leadership Council, but have not been contacted by the Chamber, please don’t hesitate to convey your interest to us.

We will be notifying the National Business Advisory Council (NBAC) of those business leaders who have accepted a position on the Upper Valley Business Leadership Council. The names of those participants will then be forwarded to Washington D.C. for appropriate recognition.

We also welcome the opportunity to hear from all our Chamber members who would like to comment on pending legislation. To facilitate this process we are setting up a specific page on our new website in order for you to read and respond to the most current issue the Council is addressing. This format will also allow you to
send your suggestions or comments to the Chamber, to be relayed, by Mr. Ross, to Congress.

Again, congratulations, Geoffrey Ross, for your personal recognition and the great opportunity this affords Upper Valley businesses.
 

Vice Chairman, AJ Paige has been appointed to the Governor's council on Veterans affairs. For the next eight years AJ's position entails representing all Gulf War Veterans in the state, focusing not just medical and economic issues to the attention of the Governor, but also issues involving Veterans and business. AJ
will be meeting with Governor Douglas once a month to discuss relevant topics pertaining to Vermont's Veterans specifically.

AJ has also just been named this year's Veteran's Advocate of the Year by the Small Business Administration. He will receive this award in June from SBA, Senator Jeffords, and Governor Douglas.

Catherine Carter, President of the Chamber, has accepted a position on the Connecticut River Watershed Council's Connecticut River Birding Trail Steering Committee, a new four-state effort to build a conservation education and community development program, connecting people to nature and the outdoors.

Please Welcome Trisha Wilson, our new Administrative Assistant at the Chamber. She will be contacting everyone shortly to check about what brochures or business cards you want at our two Welcome/Information log cabins. She will also assist you with any questions you may have and help you bring your membership
status up to date.

GREAT OUR SPONSORS:
Alden Country Inn, Lyme, NH
Bargain Building, Fairlee, VT
Billings Farm and Museum, Woodstock, VT
Chelsea Green Publishing, WRJ, VT
Clear Channel Communications, Lebanon, NH
Coach an' Four, WRJ, VT
Country Quilters Emporium, WRJ, VT
Dale's Homes, WRJ, VT
Dana Robes Wood Craftsmen, Enfield, NH
Dowd's Country Inn, Lyme, NH
Farm-Way, Bradford, VT
GlobeInt.com, Inc., Lebanon, NH
Mad Prophet, Hartford, VT
McLaughry Associates, Norwich, VT
Miller Construction, Windsor, VT
Northeast Waste Services, Hartford, VT
Perma-Chink Systems, Inc., Clinton, ME
Randy's Sunoco, WRJ, VT
Real Log Homes, Hartland, VT
Richards Electric, Wilder, VT
Round Barn Shoppe, Piermont, NH
Scott Hawkins Group, W. Lebanon, NH
Shapes Fitness Center, WRJ, VT
Simon Pearce, Windsor, VT
Sovernet, Winooski, VT
Valley News, W. Lebanon, NH
VOX Radio, W. Lebanon, NH
White River Toyota, WRJ, VT
WNNE-TV, WRJ, VT
WYKR-Radio, Wells River, VT

BECOME A GOLD CLUB MEMBER
What does it mean to be a GOLD CLUB MEMBER? Your Business is listed as a GOLD CLUB Member in the "Chamber News & Views," which will also appear in It's Classified.  A story about your Business will be featured. You are high lighted in Bold in TWO Chamber Web Site Directories located at www.uppervalleychamber.com. Then you receive a Hyper-Link from both Directories. You also receive Recognition at Chamber Functions & Special Seating For Members Only, for you and your employees.

How Can I Become a GOLD CLUB Member?  Your Business can be enrolled in the GOLD CLUB FOR $ 40 plus base Membership Fees! Your contributions are placed in our "Rainy Day" funds.

GOLD CLUB MEMBERS
Alden Country Inn, Lyme, NH
Bargain Building, Fairlee, VT
Bear Ridge Speedway, Bradford, VT
B & B on the Connecticut, Lyme, NH
Cannan US Speedway, Cannan, NH
Carriage Shed, WRJ, VT
Chapman's Store, Fairlee, VT
Clear Channel Communications, Lebanon, NH
Dana Robes Wood Craftsmen, Enfield, NH
Dowd's Country Inn, Lyme, NH
Farm-Way, Inc., Bradford, VT
GlobeInt.com, Inc., Lebanon, NH
House Lines, Woodstock, VT
K & L Graphics, WRJ, VT
Kinney-Pike Insurance, Hartford, VT
Lake Morey Inn, Fairlee, VT
Mascoma Savings Bank, Lebanon, NH
McLaughry Associates, Norwich, VT
Miller Construction, Windsor, VT
Northeast Waste Services, Hartford, VT
Real Log Homes, Hartland, VT
Sargent Photography, Wilder, VT
Scott Hawkins Communications, W. Lebanon, NH
Shapes Fitness Center, WRJ, VT
TMCI, Norwich, VT
VOX Radio, W. Lebanon, NH
Winslow Printing, Hartford, VT
WLTN-Radio, Littleton, NH
WNNE-TV, WRJ, VT
Worksite Solutions, Newport, VT
WYKR-Radio, Wells River, VT


NEW MEMBER SHOWCASE!

Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee, VT - Full service 4 season resort & country club

Regency Inn & Suites, WRJ, VT - Newly renovated, 135 guest rooms, indoor pool

Shapes Fitness Center, WRJ, VT - Health Club under new management

TMCI, Norwich, VT - Environmental consulting
 

Check out the great changes on your Regional Chamber website.

Our new sponsor GlobeInt.com,Inc. has updated our website, created a new look with more information and formatted to be more user friendly. Please take a look at the website. We appreciate any input you might have.

As a member you will now get a listing in three locations, by membership enrollment, by the service you offer and by the town your business exists in. The Upper Valley Towns link from the main page is still under development. If you don’t see your business listed, contact us and let us know so we can add your business name to the appropriate listing.

We have also enclosed a flier about GlobeInt.com,Inc. to inform you about the chamber membership specials they offer. Don’t hesitate to contact them directly for more information about their services.

IF YOUR MEMBERSHIP ISN’T CURRENT FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR, WE WILL BE DELETEING YOUR BUSINESS INFORMATION
FROM OUR DATA BASE.

SO

PLEASE - CONTACT THE OFFICE TO MAKE SURE YOU DON’T MISS OUT ON ALL OUR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES.

THE MORE EXPOSURE YOUR BUSINESS RECEIVES

THE MORE SUCUSSFUL YOUR BUSINESS WILL BE!

What's New?

- The Upper Valley Bi-State Regional Chamber Information Log Cabin is now heated and fully operational. Volunteers have been manning the Cabin and greeting guests for a number of weeks. With spring really sprung traffic to the Cabin has begun to climb we are assisting a up to 30 visitors on sunny days. If you or someone you know is interested in greeting visitors to the Upper Valley, please contact the Chamber to learn more about time and date availability.

- SoVerNet and the Upper Valley Chamber have entered into a partnership aimed at reinvigorating Vermont’s economic strength. Vermont businesses contribute to the state’s financial well-being by increasing economic activity through payments received for the goods and services they produce and sell. In today’s telecommunications dependent environment this means that a portion of all business revenue pays for voice telephone and data service expenditures. When a
Vermont business sells a product or service, inevitably, a portion of the proceeds pays the phone bill.

- SoVerNet, through its wide variety of high speed Internet, and telephone services keeps the economic revenue in-state, contributing to the economic health of Vermont. Goods and services produced by Vermonters, for Vermonters, is good for all of us.

- SoVerNet representative, Greg Noble, estimates, that in the telecommunications industry alone, millions of dollars leave Vermont each month, in the form of payments to out-of-state providers. Noble makes a convincing case, that when Vermont businesses utilize a Vermont-based phone company for their voice and data needs, the in-state cash flow generated, provides job for Vermonters while strengthening Vermont's economy.

Greg Noble can be reached by calling 1-877-877-2120. Send email to: grgnoble@sover.net

The Upper Valley Bi-State Regional Chamber of Commerce can be reached by calling 1-802-295-6200. Send email to: info@uppervalleychamber.com

RAFFLE TICKETS

The Upper Valley Chamber is running a number of Raffle Ticket opportunities.

First: We are offering a Two Night Stay for two, including Breakfast, at the New Regency Inn and Suites in White River Junction. Tickets cost $10 and the winning ticket will be drawn June 15, 2003. The Regency Inn as an in-door swimming pool and the winner will really appreciate the ability to cool off.

Second: We are also offering 500 SCRATCH TICKETS for only $10 dollars!!! Drawings will occur at the end of each 100 raffle tickets sold. Think of the potential winnings! You could win big on this one...Win 500 scratch tickets for only $10. With a 1 in 100 chance to win you can’t find better odds in the Upper Valley.

Lottery tickets are available at Chapman's Gift Shop in Fairlee, VT, the Round Barn Shoppe in Piermont, NH, and the White River Junction Texaco across from the V.A. in White River Junction. And, of course, tickets are also available at our office.

Tickets can also be cut from this news letter and/or "It's Classified" and mailed directly to the Upper Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 697, WRJ, VT 05001.

Be sure to indicate which Raffle opportunity you are purchasing by checking the appropriate box. If you wish to join both raffles, check each and a duplicate entry will be made on your behalf, at the office. It’s $10 to play either game, $20 to play both.

Thank you and good luck.

Contact Us to Play!

Past Newsletters:

Winter 2002