Weekly Dispatch with Mayor Sullivan

Hello Newport! I had the opportunity to join former Legislator Marty Feltus and others on Sunday on the Northern Cruise to learn about Lyndon State College Foundation and the many scholarships that they have for NEK students. The scholarship program was set up to provide additional funds for scholarships for NEK students so that they could apply during any year of their education and with the intent to help with retention of students.

The City Council is continuing its search for a Fire Chief. This is a deliberative process that involves input from our fire department and other professionals that work in tandem with our responders. The candidates are going through a series of interviews advancing them forward through the process. Thank you to Council member Rick UffordChase, the liaison to the Fire Dept, for working to move this process forward.

The Mayor is in discussions with the proper representatives from the State about questions about the prison water usage. Reliance on random PRA requests and subjective information from those with no standing is not relevant. The Mayor is working to oversee operations and disruption by those without standing is nothing more than a time-consuming distraction. These are not litigious situations. These are operations and financial situations in the normal course of business. As the CEO of the City, I am working with the Treasurer to show right information and put policies in place with the Council members.

The Mayor’s hours are amazingly informative. Thank you all for coming and speaking with me. Your time, your voice. Thank you to NEKTV for filming “from the desk of the Mayor” every Tuesday. As your Mayor, I am working to keep you as informed as possible. In addition, NEKTV and I began “Walking with the Mayor.” We began last week going to the business on East Main Street and will continue our interviews with as many businesses as possible throughout Newport.

These filmed episodes are identifying what products and services are available in Newport and recommendations and suggestions from our business owners so that the Council can address what the City needs. Let’s continue to work together to move Newport productively forward. As the best kept secret in the Northeast Kingdom, it is time to make Newport known for the gem that it is. And thank you to our Council President, Chris Vachon, and Council member Clark Curtis for working hand in hand with me to address issues and analyze financials with me so that Newport can get out of the quicksand style situation that the new council inherited. Our Treasurer has identified many of these issues and is working closely with me and the Council to get the City financially stable.

Thank you to Orleans County State Attorney Farzana Leyva and Sheriff Jen Harlow and Police Chief Travis Bingham for joining me in an excellent Human Trafficking and Crime Update forum that was held on Sept 25 at the Gateway. Highly informative information and an excellent panel.

Council President, Chris Vachon will be working with the Mayor to bring the second forum on the Water/Sewer and climate matters. Watch for that date and for the panel announcement. Remember to get to me and the President of the Council your nominations for “The Extra Mile.” You all know someone deserving of this nomination. We look forward to hearing from you so that we can make those selections.

Your voice it’s important. Your Council members care.

Thank you for your confidence— Your Mayor, Linda Joy Sullivan