By: T.J. Hug
The Village Reporter
The Montpelier Chamber of Commerce held their February regular meeting on Friday, February 13, and there was plenty for their board of directors to discuss.
Pastor David Tilley, who serves on the Chamber’s Board of Directors, had an uplifting, yet realistic message for his fellow board members. According to him, businesses leaving for greener pastures is a growing trend in the United States economy. It is the job of the Montpelier Chamber to do what it can to support those business owners who choose to stay in the area.
“You have to be the balloon that lifts up the Montpelier businesses.” Tilley claimed.
And the Chamber is not the only organization attempting to accomplish this aim.
Montpelier Mayor Steven Yagleski has put together a “Montpelier Task Force,” according to Chamber board members. This group will be comprised of village employees, local business owners, members of the town’s ministerial association, and others. Their goal is to find a way to help keep businesses in the village. They will hold their first meeting on Saturday, February 21, from 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. The meeting is not open to the public.
The chamber also welcomed two new members, thanks to the efforts of new Executive Director Susan Gearhart. Wilson Real Estate and Patriot Hills Golf Course were officially announced as a part on the Montpelier organization at the meeting.
The tenant situation in the Chamber’s building is finally to a point where the board no longer needs to concern itself with it. All rent is up to date, and all utilities have been put in the tenants’ own names.
Chamber President Jeanette Hull made a brief comment on the closing of the Montpelier branch of Certified Oil Company.
“There was no notification to us, the village, or the employees.” Hull stated. “It was a corporate decision, so there really isn’t anything we can do.”
A couple of changes will be made to this year’s Bean Days celebration. First, a problem involving traffic control at last year’s event has been addressed.
After meeting with Dan McGee and Dale Fritch two days prior to the February Chamber regular session, it was concluded that the route for the parade will stay the same. However, signs will be put in place to redirect traffic, so as to avoid the issue in the future.
Secondly, the parade itself will be changing its start time. This July, it will begin at 1:00 P.M. Also of note, the Bucket Brigade will bump its own start time down an hour, moving from 7:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
The board ended the meeting by going into Executive Session in order to discuss the acquisition of property. No action was expected.
T.J. Hug can be reached at
publisher@thevillagereporter.com.