Weekly Dispatch with Mayor Sullivan

JOYOUS FESTIVITIES

Tod Pronto kicked off the holiday festivities with his singing at the Hometown Holidays on November 30. Paired with his wonderful entertainment was shopping along Main Street and letters to Santa. And thank you to Recreation Director and his team for the drive-thru light display at Gardner Park.

But wait! There’s more! Saturday, December 7, will be he tree lighting and Santa and his reindeer will be be at Pomerleau Park between 4-5 PM. The Mayor has her list for Santa — I personally know that the Mayor wants joy and happiness and unity for all of Newport’s residents—Kindness and love and joy to the world! See you there so bring your list too!

Do not forget the NEK North Pole Express. It includes a ride around town, hot chocolate, and The Polar Express reading at the library! Be sure to get your tickets in advance as that how you board the Express. Holiday shopping will continue along Main Street with live music and letters to Santa at the Memphremagog Market from 5-8 PM. And yes, you can still drive through Gardner Park to see the light display.

Be sure to check in at the flag pole circle in front of the statute building where the train will take you through the light show in Gardner Park and end at the Goodrich Memorial Library for a reading of “The Polar Express.” It is advisable to arrive at least 10 minutes early to check in and receive your complimentary hot chocolate.

Saturday, December 14, from 5-8 PM keeps the NEK North Pole Express still available and all of the shopping and music and letters to Santa will continue, including the light display at Gardner Park. We are so fortunate to have such a gem of a community.

ANNIVERSARY TIME

December 2 at 5:00 stop by the Nevermore Bookstore on East Main Street as they ready for their 10 year anniversary party. I always loved and will always love receiving Books as my holiday gift. The gift of life, love, history and adventure – imagination and so much more. They hope to see you there!

SAFETY AS A PRIORITY

A huge shout out to our Police Chief, Travis Bingham, and his team and to our Interim Fire Chief, Kevin LaCoss, for being 24-hour ready to watch over us all and be sure we are safe-not only through the holiday season, but every day of the year!

Thank you to DPW team for salting the streets timely so that our driving hazards are mitigated, and our families and friends have less road worries. Stay safe!

HAPPY DECEMBER

The Council is hard at work, and we have full agendas for the year end Council meetings as we ready for future budget preparation. Civility and unity as a City is what we are about and what the message sent across all of Vermont and everywhere should be. So, keep your productive comments coming (remember it is not a question-and-answer period or a venue to attack fellow residents and elected officials or spread rumors.) Instead, let the Council do their work and have this Council time, which is the only time they can discuss business of the City together, do their jobs—Newport benefits with the Council’s amazing work and without the outside indiscernible drama.

As your Mayor, I am continuing to work each day with the Dept Heads and our stakeholders to get the City ready for good things to come. Thank you to Council member Clark Curtis for your hard work and to Council President Vachon for working alongside the Mayor on these much needed issues. We are also looking forward to further discussions on the revitalization plan for Newport. Thank you, Council member Rick Ufford Chase, for taking the lead on this approved Council partnership with the City.

The Mayor and the President of the Council, Chris Vachon, are addressing many issues that needed immediate attention and are working on potential opportunities for the betterment of the City. Continue to join me at the Mayor’s hours on Monday’s from 9-11:00 AM at the Council Room and on Wednesday’s by appointment. I have been addressing the tax payment plans and delinquent tax issues. For those of you who did not hear back when you called or wrote over the past months to the delinquent tax collector, please reach out to me and we will work out a plan. I believe I have gotten back to you all now; however, please reach out again if we have not connected.

As we continue to roll through this festive season, as your Mayor, your fellow resident and friend, I wish to share my warmest thanks for the opportunity to serve you. The Council appreciates you and your ongoing support as we tackle the good and the more difficult aspects of running our precious City. And so from us all, we wish you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season. As your Mayor, I wish you love, light and laughter as we work together to pull Newport out of the past, move it through the present and look towards its future together.

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