january 2009 courier volume 23, number 1 rrcc/redc … · next month: mixer at the vermont country...

January 2009 Courier Volume 23, Number 1

Business Show 2009 Page 5Computer Ease Page 3From Our Members Page 4Meeting Schedule 1Membership Director's Update Page 9Merchants: Be Alert Page 10Thank You To Our Contributors Page 7Upcoming Events Page 6VCB Update Page 11Web Report Page 5Welcome New Member Page 2Workers' Comp. Corner Page 6Workforce Investment Board Page 8

In This Issue

Calendar/Buy Local Inserted

Next Month: Mixer at The Vermont Country StoreFebruary 10, 2009 ~5-7pm

RRCC/REDC Begin Legislative Events

~ Hors d'oeuvres~Door Prizes~

invites you to the

January Chamber Mixer!Tuesday, January 13, 2009 ~ 5-7pm

Location: 21 US Route 4 East, Mendon, VT

The Rutland Region Chamber of Com-merce and Rutland Economic DevelopmentCorp. unveiled their joint Public Policy State-ment for 2009 at the annual Legislative Recep-tion with the Rutland County Delegation hostedby RRCC, REDC and Rutland Region Trans-portation Council and sponsored by theRutland Herald on December 2, 2008. ThePublic Policy Committee statement addresses11 important topics and is available by callingthe RRCC office or visitingrutlandvermont.com.

Thank you to the following Legislatorswho attended the Legislative Reception: Rep.

Peg Andrews, Rep. Joe Baker, Rep. Bill Canfield, Sen. Bill Carris, Rep.Gale Courcelle, Rep.Andrew Donaghy, Rep. Peter Fagan, Rep. Peg Flory, Rep. Eldred French, Rep. Steve Howardand Rep. Patti Komline.

The RRCC/REDC Legislative Breakfast Series sponsored by TD Banknorth will kick off onJanuary 5, 2009-7:30am at South Station Restaurant featuring Governor Jim Douglas. A RSVP

RRCC/REDC Public Policy Committee Chair LarryJensen addresses members of the Rutland County

Delegation and community leadersat the Annual Legislative Reception

will be required ($10.00pp). The remaining breakfastswill take place at the Franklin Conference Center onFebruary 2nd - Topic: Energy, March 16th - TopicTransportation and April 13th - Hot Topic. Our annualbus trip to Montpelier sponsored by OMYA will takeplace on February 11th.

For more information on the Public Policy Com-mittee or Legislative Breakfast series call 773-2747.

StaffThomas L. Donahue

Executive Vice President/CEO

Penny J. IngleeMarketing & Project Manager

Joan HillDirector of Membership Development

Ann Marie CliffordInformation & Finance Manager

The Courier is published monthlyby the:

Rutland RegionChamber of Commerce256 North Main Street

Rutland, VT 05701.Phone 773-2747 / Fax 773-2772

E-mail: [email protected]

Editor - Thomas L. DonahueLayout/Content - Penny J. Inglee

Deadline: 2nd Friday of every monthCirculation: 1,200 copies monthly

Public Policy CommitteeLarry Jensen

747-1611

Membership DevelopmentSteve White

775-0510

Special EventsDonna Blight

775-6062

Tourism Marketing773-2747

Transportation/Airport Joe Giancola

773-6251

Crossroads of VermontPartnership/ RegionalMarketing Program

Tom Donahue773-2747

Winter In AugustDonna Blight

775-6062

Committee Chairs

Welcome New Members Courier January 2009

JJJJJanananananuaruaruaruaruaryyyyy Chamber Meetings Chamber Meetings Chamber Meetings Chamber Meetings Chamber Meetings

& Events& Events& Events& Events& Events5 RRCC/REDC

Legislative Breakfastfeaturing Governor JimDouglas, South StationRestaurant, 7:30am.$10 pp - RSVP Required

6 Special EventsCommittee, 8:30am

12 Public PolicyCommittee, 7:30am

13 RRCC Mixer @ AllenPools & Spas, 5-7pm


28 RRCC Board ofDirectors, 12:15pm

January 2009 Courier Page 11

The RutlandRegion Chamber

of Commercefielded 856

phone inquiriesduring the month

MICHAEL HENRYMICHAEL HENRYMICHAEL HENRYMICHAEL HENRYMICHAEL HENRYBUSINESS BROKERS, INC.BUSINESS BROKERS, INC.BUSINESS BROKERS, INC.BUSINESS BROKERS, INC.BUSINESS BROKERS, INC.

“OUR BUSINESS ISSELLING BUSINESSES”

94 Businesses Sold Since 1988!PO Box 1018Rutland, VT 05701

TEL: 802-775-4337Email: [email protected]

www.michaelhenrybroker.com

of November 2008

Vermont Convention Bureau UpdateGigi Valley, Director of Sales

Vermont Convention Bureau Celebrates 20 Years

December Chamber Mixer

The VCB held its twentieth annual meeting onDecember 9, 2008 at the Inn at Essex. Donna Wikstrandof Conference Hotels Unlimited was the keynote speaker.Donna, an independent meeting planner from the Bos-ton area gave a presentation titled Tough Times Don’t

Last Tough People Do: Surviving the Times We’re In. Donna offeredinsight, ideas and encouragement on how to get through the challengingtimes. Presentations were also given by Paul Richey, Chair of the VCBboard of Directors, Gigi Valley, VCB Director of Sales and Tim SheaInterim Executive Director. Attendees enjoyed a visual production ofthe bureau’s history.

Jim Glanville, Vice President & General Manager of the Inn atEssex was presented with the VCB Member of the Year award forserving an unprecedented two terms as chair of the Vermont Conven-tion Bureau. The Woodstock Inn Sales Team was presented with theVermont Convention Bureau’s Southern Vermont Sales Team of theYear award. The Doubletree Hotel was the winner of the VermontConvention Bureau’s Northern Vermont Sales Team of the year award.

With more than 120 state wide members, the Vermont Conven-tion Bureau’s mission is to market the state as the preferred meeting,convention and event destination. For twenty years the VermontConvention Bureau has connected meeting planners from across thecountry with Vermont’s hospitality professionals. In the last decadealone the VCB along with member properties have bookedmore than 260,000 room nights with an economic impact of76 million dollars for the state of Vermont. We look forwardto continuing to serve meeting planners and the Vermonthospitality community in the years to come.

Coviello’s Pizza ExpressRob Johnson orAndrew Coviello

97 Center St.Rutland, VT 05701

Ph: 747-4777Email: [email protected] New York pizza made byreal New Yorkers. Fresh madepulled pork. Monday is pizzanight, $10.00 1 large 1 toppingpizza. Grandma's home made

meatballs are the best. Cateringavailable. New York Bread &Vermont cheese and sausage.

Leo’s Inc. dba Waffle CabinIngrid Heyrman

20 Moonbrook Dr.Rutland, VT 05701

Ph: 773-9575 Fax: 773-9575Email:[email protected]

www.wafflecabin.comManufacturer and retailer of

specialty Belgian sugar wafflescatering to ski resorts mainly in

New England.

Southern VermontEndodontics

Cheryl Lang Ullman, DMD71 Allen St.

Rutland, VT 05701Ph: 773-7767 Fax: 775-7667

Email: [email protected]

Dr. Ullman has been practicing endodontists since1980 and practicing in Vermont since 1990. Anendodontist is a dentist who specializes in rootcanal treatment to remove damaged tissue from

inside the root canals of a tooth. Practice islimited to Endodontics.

Chamber Membersenjoyed the great foodand holiday cheer at

the December HolidayMixer held at HeritageFamily Credit Union.

Pictured (L to R): Karen Craig and Jan Rousse of Castleton State Collegeand Bill and Debbie Scranton of Scranton Appraisals

Board of Directors2008-2009 Officers

PresidentJohn Valente

Ryan Smith & Carbine, Ltd.First Vice President

Glenda HawleyRutland Herald

First TreasurerJack MerolaTD Banknorth

Second TreasurerMarleen Cenate

Heritage Family Credit UnionImmediate Past President

Larry JensenRutland Health Foundation

2008-2009 Directors

Bill AckermanVermont Country Store

Phil AldermanAlderman’s Superstores

Eric AllenSherman V. Allen, Inc.

Erik BohnOMYA, Inc.

Marleen CenateHeritage Family Credit Union

Dave CorrellMember At LargeSteve Costello

Central VT Public Service, Corp.Bill Hanley

Casella Waste SystemsMary Ann GouletteTown of West Rutland

Brian GradyGE-RutlandJim Goss

Kenlan, Schwiebert,Facey & Goss, PCJerry HansenSIGH EnterprisesWhitney LamyMember At Large

Ex-Officio Members

Mark BlucherRutland Regional

Planning CommissionMichael Coppinger

Downtown Rutland PartnershipJamie Stewart

Rutland EconomicDevelopment Corp.

Tom MacaulayRutland Redevelopment

Authority

January 2009 Courier Page 10 Courier January 2009

Merchants: Be Alertby James P. Mongeon, State’s Attorney

NEW YEAR: New Deals

Computer EaseBy: Larry Gold

File Sharing...'tis the season to shareWith the New Year comes the opportunity for business owners to review

the business for the past year and make changes for the upcoming year. Somechanges are sought by the merchant. But some changes happen whensomeone contacts the merchant offering a business plan or contract forservices. The services can range from advertising to financial services.

Know the Product. In the current business climate, salesmen can be particularly vigorous. Thefirst issue for you is to know the product that is being proposed to you. What is the general productline is always the first question. Ask yourself:How can you make a decision if you do not know the general product?How can you decide if the proposal is a good one if you do not know the general product?

Compare Products. Taking your time to look around and compare products can have twobenefits: 1) You can get a superior product and 2) You can save money on a cost-benefit analysis.After all, it’s YOUR money.

Know the Vendor. Do you know the vendor, reputation of the vendor, local location of the vendor?Your opportunity to control matters for now and for the future ends when you sign the contractand give the vendor your money or access to your account for monthly billing.

Read the Contract. Occasionally I am approached by a person who has signed a contract andnow find that it is a very bad financial deal. In difficult financial times, those bad deals can makea difference in the bottom line. But once the contract is signed, it is a done deal. Even a challengeto the contract can be an expensive legal battle since the vendor will not willingly surrender to yousince others may follow your lead.

The basic premise we start with is, that there are fileson one computer that you would like to make availableto all of the computers on the network. What does “onthe network” mean? Typically, this is the situation. Youhave some kind of high-speed internet access, and you

have a router. The router is what makes the internet available to all thecomputers that you have connected to it. Guess what? It also means thatall the computers connected to the router, should be able to talk to eachother. In the November issue, we covered this. So, if all the computersare in the same workgroup, and have different names, than the next stepis to enable file sharing on the computer that has the files you want to share.Go to the folder that has the files, and right click on it. In the menu youget, choose “sharing and security”. In here, you click on the link that saysenable file sharing, and if you get a warning, choose, “just enable filesharing”. Now you can choose “share this folder”, and give it a name. Tomake it easy, use a short description that you will recognize from the othercomputers. Also, check the box “allow network users to change my files”,and OK your way out of there. Now, go to one of the other computers,and open “My Network Places”, and start looking for the new networkshare. In time, Windows will display the share automatically, but if youwant to go there directly, go up to the address bar and type “//name ofthe other computer” and hit the enter key. What you should see now,operative word being should, is the folder being shared by the othercomputer. Double click to open it, and there are the files that are now beingshared with the network. Word to wise, everyone on the network can nowsee those files, so backup often!

For additional information, call Larry Gold at 773-6065 or go towww.computer-ez.net

Sofas ’n More Value Center Showroom

Free Rent For A YearGrant Contest

The Downtown Rutland Partnership isoffering free rent for a yearthrough their grant contest.

For an application go towww.rutlanddowntown.com

or call 773-9380.

Sofas ’n More has opened their ValueCenter Showroom in recognition of

today's economy. The mission of theValue Center is to offer low priced

furniture and accessories at the bestpossible prices by working with their

vendors and minimizing costs.

Pictured (L to R): Jeremy Griffin; Earl Haynes, Rutland Herald; Anthony Epps; Joan Hill,RRCC; Barbara Chapleau; Mike Keogh; Denise Lafond; Norman Lash, owner; Pat

Martin; Charlen Grobben; Angela Biederman

Courier January 2009 January 2009 Courier Page 9

Membership Directors Update ~ Joan HillFrom Our MembersHi Everyone,Happy New Year everyone!

Thank you to the Heritage Family Credit Union for hosting the Decemberholiday mixer. The attendance was great and food was terrific.

Each month in the newsletter I will be highlighting a different chamberbenefit to keep you informed of the advantages of being a member of the

Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce.

January’s Benefit of the Month is Cigna competitive health insurance program. This plan isoffered through the Vermont State Chamber of Commerce and offers small businesses theopportunity to purchase health insurance. For more information, please call me at the Cham-ber office.

Welcome to our new members Coviello’s Pizza Express, Southern Vermont Endodon-tics and Waffle Cabin. Congratulations to Rob Macpherson, DVM new owner of RutlandVeterinary Clinic and Surgical Center.

The Legislative Reception at the South Station sponsored by the Rutland Herald was agreat success with many legislators present. The program was very informative and SouthStation did a wonderful food presentation.

The Legislative Breakfast Series sponsored by TD Banknorth will kickoff on January5th at 7:30am with guest speaker Governor Jim Douglas at the South Station Restaurant.Please call the chamber office to reserve your seat.

New Perk Card Additions: Coviello’s Pizza Express is offering a 10% discount on anypizza and the Hampton Inn offers 10% discount off meeting room rental and 10% off hotelguest rooms (this cannot be combined with any other discount).

Congratulations to the Killington Ski Area on celebrating their 50th anniversary and toThe Village Porch on their 2nd anniversary.

Join a committee, offer perk card discounts and get involved to receive the most ben-efits from your Chamber. I look forward to seeing you all at our next mixer at Allen Pools &Spas on January 13th.

Comfort Inn is offering roomsto Chamber Members for $39 pernight for winter emergency travelaccommodations. Call 775-2200for more information.

Mount St. Joseph Academy isin need of volunteers for their De-velopment Office. If you have ba-sic office and/or computer skillsor would like to help at one of theirevents call 775-0151.

Rutland Area Visiting NurseAssociation and Hospice has beennamed to the HomeCare Elite com-pilation of the most successfulMedicare-certified home healthcare providers in the United Statesfor the third year in a row. Thisannual review identifies the top25% of agencies ranked by an analy-sis of performance measures inquality outcomes, quality improve-ment and financial performance.

Rutland Area Visiting NurseAssociation and Hospice recentlyrecognized Audrey Eary, RN, COS-C as its 2008 Employee of theyear. Eary was honored for hersuperior work ethic and commit-ment to the agency. Also honored

were recipients of RAVNAH’sHEALTH Matters awards includinghome healthcare aides NanetteDaly, LNA and Patricia Tripp, LNAwho shared the Honesty award;home healthcare aid Roberta Will-iams, LNA, Excellence award; pe-diatric high-tech manager MonaRickert, RN, Attitude award; clini-cal support technician MarciaFeiereisen, Teamwork Award; andhomecare nurse Margaret Bersaw,LPN, Helpfullness award. Infor-mation systems specialist HeatherBourque received the Special Rec-ognition award for her significantcontributions to technologicallyadvancing the agency.

Rutland United MethodistChurch is pleased to announce thatRev. Deborah Estey was appointedpastor of the church recently. Rev.Estey served for 13 years in theShaftsbury and Bennington UnitedMethodist Churches. For more in-formation call 773-2460.

Rutland Veterinary Clinicand Surgical Center announcesRob Macpherson, DVM is the newowner and medical director of theclinic. The current staff and veteri-narians Patricia Hannegan, RobinCrossman and Heidi Horvath re-main with the practice.

Thrive Center of the GreenMountains is pleased to an-nounce that Dr. Joseph Donohueis now accepting State of Ver-mont Health Insurance for Chi-ropractic Care. For more infor-mation call 466-2499.

Town of Rutland PlanningCommission will hold a meet-ing on Rutland Town’s economicfuture on January 15th - 6pm at theRutland Town Office. This willbe a facilitated discussion to pro-vide the Rutland Town PlanningCommission with guidance asthey develop a section of the TownPlan that clearly states the townsgoals and strategies. For moreinformation call 773-2528.

VIT Worldwide Videoconferencing, the state’snonprofit videoconference ser-vice reminds local businesses thatvideoconferencing is available inRutland at Stafford TechnicalCenter. VIT can connect peoplethroughout the world and is a highquality service and a low costalternative to traveling. For moreinformation call 728-1455 oremail: [email protected].

Advanced Discounted BowlingAdvanced Discounted BowlingAdvanced Discounted BowlingAdvanced Discounted BowlingAdvanced Discounted BowlingTickets available through theTickets available through theTickets available through theTickets available through theTickets available through the

Chamber Office.Chamber Office.Chamber Office.Chamber Office.Chamber Office.Rutland Bowlerama isRutland Bowlerama isRutland Bowlerama isRutland Bowlerama isRutland Bowlerama is

offering tickets for $2.50 peroffering tickets for $2.50 peroffering tickets for $2.50 peroffering tickets for $2.50 peroffering tickets for $2.50 pergame, $1.00 offgame, $1.00 offgame, $1.00 offgame, $1.00 offgame, $1.00 off.....

**Free**Notary Services

for ChamberMembers

Monday-Friday8am-5pm at the

RRCC offices,256 N. Main St. Rutland.

Call 773-2747for more information

Great MemberBenefit

RRCC is no longer selling Movie Passes as CinemanorthCorporation has ended the discounted pass program

Cape Air daily flights to and from Boston connect you to over 15 JetBlue cities on one itinerary. Save time and check baggagethrough to convenient Rutland Airport. Book on jetblue.com.

Cape Air and JetBlue® are moving mountains.

1-800-352-0714 • (508) 771-6944 • flycapeair.com


1. Attractions 7362. Lodging 7113. Restaurants 6234. Retail 3645. Real Estate 168

Top Chamber Web Site Member Listing Page Views

Calendar 1,204Photo Album 585

www.rutlandvermont

.com

6. Services 1337. Health 758. Automotive 589. Associations 5610. Consultants 50

Other Top Page Views of Interest

November 2008 Website Report

Things To Do 743Shopping 501

Rutland Region Workforce Investment BoardNancy Burzon, Executive Director

Jobs 226Wedding 137

Call Now to Advertise773-2747


“Looking for help with your Job Search?Help is on the way!”

Jobseekers can get valuable help with their search through a series ofworkshops offered by The Leddy Group beginning in January. Peg Gibbudand her staff are professionals in the field of human resources and placementand are very familiar with the needs of employers in the greater Rutland region.

As a service to jobseekers, they are offering weekly workshops in a small group setting that willprovide successful tips and techniques as well as individual counseling to participants.

Topics will include the following:

* How to prepare a resume* How to complete an application form (including a check list of the information needed for this

process)* Examples of cover letters and other correspondence* Conducting a successful interview and tips to handle potentially sensitive areas of your

experience, such as disabilities, criminal history, etc.* Questions you might be asked and questions you might want to ask* Good practices for following up with potential employers* Getting off to a good start in your new job.

The Rutland Herald, the Vermont Department of Labor and the Rutland Regional WorkforceInvestment Board are supporting and endorsing the workshops. There is no charge to participate.Look for additional information on dates and times in the Rutland Herald or for additionalinformation, contact Peg Gibbud at [email protected].

RRCC Business Show Set for March 10thSign up now to reserve your space at the

Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce BusinessShow 2009. The show is sponsored by RutlandRegional Medical Center.

This years show will be held at the Holiday Innon March 10, 2009 from 4:00-7:30pm. With 85vendor spaces available we’ve been able to sell theshow out each year and expect the same this year.

The RRCC Business Show exhibitors areusually a diverse group of members who havechosen to exhibit everything from home services,air services, real estate and new and used cars. It’sa great way to get your business name out tohundreds of people.

An exhibitor contract is enclosed in this issueof the Courier. Spaces are sold on a first come,first pay basis with a limit on electricity and walllocations, so get your form in early.

Call the Chamber office at 773-2747 for moreinformation or go to www.rutlandvermont.com.

Enman Engineering New LocationThe ribbon is cut at the new location of Enman Engineering, PC

located at 61 Prospect St., Downtown Rutland.

Pictured (L to R): front: Tom Donahue, RRCC;Mike Coppinger, Downtown Rutland Partnership;Rep. Peg Flory; Blair Enman, owner; Claudette

Enman, owner; Nicole Kesselring, Engineer; TomMacaulay, Rutland Redevelopment Authority; Cen-ter Row: Marlene Cenate, Heritage Family CreditUnion, RRCC Board of Directors; John Lapre,Tecnician; Alderman Joanne Slattery; AldermanDavid Dress; Back Row: Jerry Hansen, SIGH

Enterprises, RRCC Board of Directors; Senator BillCarris; Larry Jensen, Rutland Health Foundation,

RRCC Board of Directors

East Creek Catering offers foodsamples at the RRCC Business

Show 2008

Vermont Country Storedisplays their products at theRRCC Business Show 2008

Courier January 2009 January 2009 Courier Page 7

Sponsored by Poulos McCullough InsuranceFor more information or rates on Workman'sCompensation or any other business insurance

contact Chuck Rose at Poulos Insurance. 775-4443

Workers' Comp. CornerWorkers' Comp. CornerWorkers' Comp. CornerWorkers' Comp. CornerWorkers' Comp. Corner

January 5: RRCC/REDC LegislativeBreakfast, featuring Gov.Jim Douglas, South StationRestaurant, 7:30am

January 13: RRCC Mixer @ Allen Pools& Spas, 5-7pm

February 2nd: Legislative Breakfast onEnergy @ FranklinConference Center, 7:30am.

February 10: RRCC Mixer @ VermontCountry Store, 5-7pm

February 11: RRCC/REDC LegislativeBus Trip to Montpelier.

2009 UpcomingChamber Events

Informed Chamber MembersRead the RRCC Courier

Thank You To Our Contributors

Want SignificantExposure for Little Money?

Banner ads available onrutlandvermont.com

Last Year 260,533 Visitors**Only $305.00 for 12 Months**

Call Joan Hill773-2747 ext. 203

Great Member Benefit

Available for your business.Competitive rates

and options.Call Joan Hill, 773-2747

ext. 203 for details.

Chamber CignaChamber CignaChamber CignaChamber CignaChamber CignaInsuranceInsuranceInsuranceInsuranceInsurance

The Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce would like to thank those who contributearticles for The Courier throughout the year.

These individuals provide vital business, education and health information to our member-ship on a regular basis: Jim Mongeon, State’s Attorney; Nancy Burzon, Rutland RegionWorkforce Investment Board; Gigi Valley, Vermont Convention Bureau; Larry Gold, Com-puter-EZ; Lisa Donohue, Thrive Center of the Green Mountains.

The indisputable fact, based on extensive research is: traffic crashes are the leading causeof death in the workplace.

Today’s workplace is not the workplace of a generation ago when the primary focus wason manufacturer’s production lines, or businesses dependent on repetitive motion or action toproduce a product, or movement of materials within a shipping, receiving or storage area.

Today’s workplace has expanded way beyond the commonly held belief that on-the-jobinjuries occur on the assembly line. Today’s workplace has become mobile and has moved tothe highways and byways that crisscross our state and nation.

By definition, a workplace is a place where commerce is conducted. This means our highwaysare workplaces and motor vehicles are tools used for the delivery of products and services.

The proper use of tools in the workplace ensures safe working conditions. The ripple effectof that is a reduction in the cost of doing business and an increase in production enhancing thebottom line of a business.

Project Road Safe

Jack MerolaTD Banknorth

Courier January 2009 January 2009 Courier

Sponsored by Poulos McCullough InsuranceFor more information or rates on Workman'sCompensation or any other business insurance

contact Chuck Rose at Poulos Insurance. 775-4443

Workers' Comp. CornerWorkers' Comp. CornerWorkers' Comp. CornerWorkers' Comp. CornerWorkers' Comp. Corner

January 5: RRCC/REDC LegislativeBreakfast, featuring Gov.Jim Douglas, South StationRestaurant, 7:30am

January 13: RRCC Mixer @ Allen Pools& Spas, 5-7pm

February 2nd: Legislative Breakfast onEnergy @ FranklinConference Center, 7:30am.

February 10: RRCC Mixer @ VermontCountry Store, 5-7pm

February 11: RRCC/REDC LegislativeBus Trip to Montpelier.

2009 UpcomingChamber Events

Informed Chamber MembersRead the RRCC Courier

Thank You To Our Contributors

Want SignificantExposure for Little Money?

Banner ads available onrutlandvermont.com

Last Year 260,533 Visitors**Only $305.00 for 12 Months**

Call Joan Hill773-2747 ext. 203

Great Member Benefit

Available for your business.Competitive rates

and options.Call Joan Hill, 773-2747

ext. 203 for details.

Chamber CignaChamber CignaChamber CignaChamber CignaChamber CignaInsuranceInsuranceInsuranceInsuranceInsurance

The Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce would like to thank those who contributearticles for The Courier throughout the year.

These individuals provide vital business, education and health information to our member-ship on a regular basis: Jim Mongeon, State’s Attorney; Nancy Burzon, Rutland RegionWorkforce Investment Board; Gigi Valley, Vermont Convention Bureau; Larry Gold, Com-puter-EZ; Lisa Donohue, Thrive Center of the Green Mountains.

The indisputable fact, based on extensive research is: traffic crashes are the leading causeof death in the workplace.

Today’s workplace is not the workplace of a generation ago when the primary focus wason manufacturer’s production lines, or businesses dependent on repetitive motion or action toproduce a product, or movement of materials within a shipping, receiving or storage area.

Today’s workplace has expanded way beyond the commonly held belief that on-the-jobinjuries occur on the assembly line. Today’s workplace has become mobile and has moved tothe highways and byways that crisscross our state and nation.

By definition, a workplace is a place where commerce is conducted. This means our highwaysare workplaces and motor vehicles are tools used for the delivery of products and services.

The proper use of tools in the workplace ensures safe working conditions. The ripple effectof that is a reduction in the cost of doing business and an increase in production enhancing thebottom line of a business.

Project Road Safe

Jack MerolaTD Banknorth


1. Attractions 7362. Lodging 7113. Restaurants 6234. Retail 3645. Real Estate 168

Top Chamber Web Site Member Listing Page Views

Calendar 1,204Photo Album 585

www.rutlandvermont

.com

6. Services 1337. Health 758. Automotive 589. Associations 5610. Consultants 50

Other Top Page Views of Interest

November 2008 Website Report

Things To Do 743Shopping 501

Rutland Region Workforce Investment BoardNancy Burzon, Executive Director

Jobs 226Wedding 137



“Looking for help with your Job Search?Help is on the way!”

Jobseekers can get valuable help with their search through a series ofworkshops offered by The Leddy Group beginning in January. Peg Gibbudand her staff are professionals in the field of human resources and placementand are very familiar with the needs of employers in the greater Rutland region.

As a service to jobseekers, they are offering weekly workshops in a small group setting that willprovide successful tips and techniques as well as individual counseling to participants.

Topics will include the following:

* How to prepare a resume* How to complete an application form (including a check list of the information needed for this

process)* Examples of cover letters and other correspondence* Conducting a successful interview and tips to handle potentially sensitive areas of your

experience, such as disabilities, criminal history, etc.* Questions you might be asked and questions you might want to ask* Good practices for following up with potential employers* Getting off to a good start in your new job.

The Rutland Herald, the Vermont Department of Labor and the Rutland Regional WorkforceInvestment Board are supporting and endorsing the workshops. There is no charge to participate.Look for additional information on dates and times in the Rutland Herald or for additionalinformation, contact Peg Gibbud at [email protected].

RRCC Business Show Set for March 10thSign up now to reserve your space at the

Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce BusinessShow 2009. The show is sponsored by RutlandRegional Medical Center.

This years show will be held at the Holiday Innon March 10, 2009 from 4:00-7:30pm. With 85vendor spaces available we’ve been able to sell theshow out each year and expect the same this year.

The RRCC Business Show exhibitors areusually a diverse group of members who havechosen to exhibit everything from home services,air services, real estate and new and used cars. It’sa great way to get your business name out tohundreds of people.

An exhibitor contract is enclosed in this issueof the Courier. Spaces are sold on a first come,first pay basis with a limit on electricity and walllocations, so get your form in early.

Call the Chamber office at 773-2747 for moreinformation or go to www.rutlandvermont.com.

Enman Engineering New LocationThe ribbon is cut at the new location of Enman Engineering, PC

located at 61 Prospect St., Downtown Rutland.

Pictured (L to R): front: Tom Donahue, RRCC;Mike Coppinger, Downtown Rutland Partnership;Rep. Peg Flory; Blair Enman, owner; Claudette

Enman, owner; Nicole Kesselring, Engineer; TomMacaulay, Rutland Redevelopment Authority; Cen-ter Row: Marlene Cenate, Heritage Family CreditUnion, RRCC Board of Directors; John Lapre,Tecnician; Alderman Joanne Slattery; AldermanDavid Dress; Back Row: Jerry Hansen, SIGH

Enterprises, RRCC Board of Directors; Senator BillCarris; Larry Jensen, Rutland Health Foundation,

RRCC Board of Directors

East Creek Catering offers foodsamples at the RRCC Business

Show 2008

Vermont Country Storedisplays their products at theRRCC Business Show 2008

Courier January 2009 January 2009 Courier

Membership Directors Update ~ Joan HillFrom Our MembersHi Everyone,Happy New Year everyone!

Thank you to the Heritage Family Credit Union for hosting the Decemberholiday mixer. The attendance was great and food was terrific.

Each month in the newsletter I will be highlighting a different chamberbenefit to keep you informed of the advantages of being a member of the

Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce.

January’s Benefit of the Month is Cigna competitive health insurance program. This plan isoffered through the Vermont State Chamber of Commerce and offers small businesses theopportunity to purchase health insurance. For more information, please call me at the Cham-ber office.

Welcome to our new members Coviello’s Pizza Express, Southern Vermont Endodon-tics and Waffle Cabin. Congratulations to Rob Macpherson, DVM new owner of RutlandVeterinary Clinic and Surgical Center.

The Legislative Reception at the South Station sponsored by the Rutland Herald was agreat success with many legislators present. The program was very informative and SouthStation did a wonderful food presentation.

The Legislative Breakfast Series sponsored by TD Banknorth will kickoff on January5th at 7:30am with guest speaker Governor Jim Douglas at the South Station Restaurant.Please call the chamber office to reserve your seat.

New Perk Card Additions: Coviello’s Pizza Express is offering a 10% discount on anypizza and the Hampton Inn offers 10% discount off meeting room rental and 10% off hotelguest rooms (this cannot be combined with any other discount).

Congratulations to the Killington Ski Area on celebrating their 50th anniversary and toThe Village Porch on their 2nd anniversary.

Join a committee, offer perk card discounts and get involved to receive the most ben-efits from your Chamber. I look forward to seeing you all at our next mixer at Allen Pools &Spas on January 13th.

Comfort Inn is offering roomsto Chamber Members for $39 pernight for winter emergency travelaccommodations. Call 775-2200for more information.

Mount St. Joseph Academy isin need of volunteers for their De-velopment Office. If you have ba-sic office and/or computer skillsor would like to help at one of theirevents call 775-0151.

Rutland Area Visiting NurseAssociation and Hospice has beennamed to the HomeCare Elite com-pilation of the most successfulMedicare-certified home healthcare providers in the United Statesfor the third year in a row. Thisannual review identifies the top25% of agencies ranked by an analy-sis of performance measures inquality outcomes, quality improve-ment and financial performance.

Rutland Area Visiting NurseAssociation and Hospice recentlyrecognized Audrey Eary, RN, COS-C as its 2008 Employee of theyear. Eary was honored for hersuperior work ethic and commit-ment to the agency. Also honored

were recipients of RAVNAH’sHEALTH Matters awards includinghome healthcare aides NanetteDaly, LNA and Patricia Tripp, LNAwho shared the Honesty award;home healthcare aid Roberta Will-iams, LNA, Excellence award; pe-diatric high-tech manager MonaRickert, RN, Attitude award; clini-cal support technician MarciaFeiereisen, Teamwork Award; andhomecare nurse Margaret Bersaw,LPN, Helpfullness award. Infor-mation systems specialist HeatherBourque received the Special Rec-ognition award for her significantcontributions to technologicallyadvancing the agency.

Rutland United MethodistChurch is pleased to announce thatRev. Deborah Estey was appointedpastor of the church recently. Rev.Estey served for 13 years in theShaftsbury and Bennington UnitedMethodist Churches. For more in-formation call 773-2460.

Rutland Veterinary Clinicand Surgical Center announcesRob Macpherson, DVM is the newowner and medical director of theclinic. The current staff and veteri-narians Patricia Hannegan, RobinCrossman and Heidi Horvath re-main with the practice.

Thrive Center of the GreenMountains is pleased to an-nounce that Dr. Joseph Donohueis now accepting State of Ver-mont Health Insurance for Chi-ropractic Care. For more infor-mation call 466-2499.

Town of Rutland PlanningCommission will hold a meet-ing on Rutland Town’s economicfuture on January 15th - 6pm at theRutland Town Office. This willbe a facilitated discussion to pro-vide the Rutland Town PlanningCommission with guidance asthey develop a section of the TownPlan that clearly states the townsgoals and strategies. For moreinformation call 773-2528.

VIT Worldwide Videoconferencing, the state’snonprofit videoconference ser-vice reminds local businesses thatvideoconferencing is available inRutland at Stafford TechnicalCenter. VIT can connect peoplethroughout the world and is a highquality service and a low costalternative to traveling. For moreinformation call 728-1455 oremail: [email protected].

Advanced Discounted BowlingAdvanced Discounted BowlingAdvanced Discounted BowlingAdvanced Discounted BowlingAdvanced Discounted BowlingTickets available through theTickets available through theTickets available through theTickets available through theTickets available through the

Chamber Office.Chamber Office.Chamber Office.Chamber Office.Chamber Office.Rutland Bowlerama isRutland Bowlerama isRutland Bowlerama isRutland Bowlerama isRutland Bowlerama is

offering tickets for $2.50 peroffering tickets for $2.50 peroffering tickets for $2.50 peroffering tickets for $2.50 peroffering tickets for $2.50 pergame, $1.00 offgame, $1.00 offgame, $1.00 offgame, $1.00 offgame, $1.00 off.....

**Free**Notary Services

for ChamberMembers

Monday-Friday8am-5pm at the

RRCC offices,256 N. Main St. Rutland.

Call 773-2747for more information

Great MemberBenefit

RRCC is no longer selling Movie Passes as CinemanorthCorporation has ended the discounted pass program

Cape Air daily flights to and from Boston connect you to over 15 JetBlue cities on one itinerary. Save time and check baggagethrough to convenient Rutland Airport. Book on jetblue.com.

Cape Air and JetBlue® are moving mountains.

1-800-352-0714 • (508) 771-6944 • flycapeair.com

Board of Directors2008-2009 Officers

PresidentJohn Valente

Ryan Smith & Carbine, Ltd.First Vice President

Glenda HawleyRutland Herald

First TreasurerJack MerolaTD Banknorth

Second TreasurerMarleen Cenate

Heritage Family Credit UnionImmediate Past President

Larry JensenRutland Health Foundation

2008-2009 Directors

Bill AckermanVermont Country Store

Phil AldermanAlderman’s Superstores

Eric AllenSherman V. Allen, Inc.

Erik BohnOMYA, Inc.

Marleen CenateHeritage Family Credit Union

Dave CorrellMember At LargeSteve Costello

Central VT Public Service, Corp.Bill Hanley

Casella Waste SystemsMary Ann GouletteTown of West Rutland

Brian GradyGE-RutlandJim Goss

Kenlan, Schwiebert,Facey & Goss, PCJerry HansenSIGH EnterprisesWhitney LamyMember At Large

Ex-Officio Members

Mark BlucherRutland Regional

Planning CommissionMichael Coppinger

Downtown Rutland PartnershipJamie Stewart

Rutland EconomicDevelopment Corp.

Tom MacaulayRutland Redevelopment

Authority


Merchants: Be Alertby James P. Mongeon, State’s Attorney

NEW YEAR: New Deals

Computer EaseBy: Larry Gold

File Sharing...'tis the season to shareWith the New Year comes the opportunity for business owners to review

the business for the past year and make changes for the upcoming year. Somechanges are sought by the merchant. But some changes happen whensomeone contacts the merchant offering a business plan or contract forservices. The services can range from advertising to financial services.

Know the Product. In the current business climate, salesmen can be particularly vigorous. Thefirst issue for you is to know the product that is being proposed to you. What is the general productline is always the first question. Ask yourself:How can you make a decision if you do not know the general product?How can you decide if the proposal is a good one if you do not know the general product?

Compare Products. Taking your time to look around and compare products can have twobenefits: 1) You can get a superior product and 2) You can save money on a cost-benefit analysis.After all, it’s YOUR money.

Know the Vendor. Do you know the vendor, reputation of the vendor, local location of the vendor?Your opportunity to control matters for now and for the future ends when you sign the contractand give the vendor your money or access to your account for monthly billing.

Read the Contract. Occasionally I am approached by a person who has signed a contract andnow find that it is a very bad financial deal. In difficult financial times, those bad deals can makea difference in the bottom line. But once the contract is signed, it is a done deal. Even a challengeto the contract can be an expensive legal battle since the vendor will not willingly surrender to yousince others may follow your lead.

The basic premise we start with is, that there are fileson one computer that you would like to make availableto all of the computers on the network. What does “onthe network” mean? Typically, this is the situation. Youhave some kind of high-speed internet access, and you

have a router. The router is what makes the internet available to all thecomputers that you have connected to it. Guess what? It also means thatall the computers connected to the router, should be able to talk to eachother. In the November issue, we covered this. So, if all the computersare in the same workgroup, and have different names, than the next stepis to enable file sharing on the computer that has the files you want to share.Go to the folder that has the files, and right click on it. In the menu youget, choose “sharing and security”. In here, you click on the link that saysenable file sharing, and if you get a warning, choose, “just enable filesharing”. Now you can choose “share this folder”, and give it a name. Tomake it easy, use a short description that you will recognize from the othercomputers. Also, check the box “allow network users to change my files”,and OK your way out of there. Now, go to one of the other computers,and open “My Network Places”, and start looking for the new networkshare. In time, Windows will display the share automatically, but if youwant to go there directly, go up to the address bar and type “//name ofthe other computer” and hit the enter key. What you should see now,operative word being should, is the folder being shared by the othercomputer. Double click to open it, and there are the files that are now beingshared with the network. Word to wise, everyone on the network can nowsee those files, so backup often!

For additional information, call Larry Gold at 773-6065 or go towww.computer-ez.net

Sofas ’n More Value Center Showroom

Free Rent For A YearGrant Contest

The Downtown Rutland Partnership isoffering free rent for a yearthrough their grant contest.

For an application go towww.rutlanddowntown.com

or call 773-9380.

Sofas ’n More has opened their ValueCenter Showroom in recognition of

today's economy. The mission of theValue Center is to offer low priced

furniture and accessories at the bestpossible prices by working with their

vendors and minimizing costs.

Pictured (L to R): Jeremy Griffin; Earl Haynes, Rutland Herald; Anthony Epps; Joan Hill,RRCC; Barbara Chapleau; Mike Keogh; Denise Lafond; Norman Lash, owner; Pat

Martin; Charlen Grobben; Angela Biederman

StaffThomas L. Donahue

Executive Vice President/CEO

Penny J. IngleeMarketing & Project Manager

Joan HillDirector of Membership Development

Ann Marie CliffordInformation & Finance Manager

The Courier is published monthlyby the:

Rutland RegionChamber of Commerce256 North Main Street

Rutland, VT 05701.Phone 773-2747 / Fax 773-2772

E-mail: [email protected]

Editor - Thomas L. DonahueLayout/Content - Penny J. Inglee

Deadline: 2nd Friday of every monthCirculation: 1,200 copies monthly

Public Policy CommitteeLarry Jensen

747-1611

Membership DevelopmentSteve White

775-0510

Special EventsDonna Blight

775-6062

Tourism Marketing773-2747

Transportation/Airport Joe Giancola

773-6251

Crossroads of VermontPartnership/ RegionalMarketing Program

Tom Donahue773-2747

Winter In AugustDonna Blight

775-6062

Committee Chairs

Welcome New MembersPage 2 Courier January 2009

JJJJJanananananuaruaruaruaruaryyyyy Chamber Meetings Chamber Meetings Chamber Meetings Chamber Meetings Chamber Meetings

& Events& Events& Events& Events& Events5 RRCC/REDC

Legislative Breakfastfeaturing Governor JimDouglas, South StationRestaurant, 7:30am.$10 pp - RSVP Required

6 Special EventsCommittee, 8:30am


13 RRCC Mixer @ AllenPools & Spas, 5-7pm


28 RRCC Board ofDirectors, 12:15pm

January 2009 Courier

The RutlandRegion Chamber

of Commercefielded 856

phone inquiriesduring the month

MICHAEL HENRYMICHAEL HENRYMICHAEL HENRYMICHAEL HENRYMICHAEL HENRYBUSINESS BROKERS, INC.BUSINESS BROKERS, INC.BUSINESS BROKERS, INC.BUSINESS BROKERS, INC.BUSINESS BROKERS, INC.

“OUR BUSINESS ISSELLING BUSINESSES”

94 Businesses Sold Since 1988!PO Box 1018Rutland, VT 05701

TEL: 802-775-4337Email: [email protected]

www.michaelhenrybroker.com

of November 2008

Vermont Convention Bureau UpdateGigi Valley, Director of Sales

Vermont Convention Bureau Celebrates 20 Years

December Chamber Mixer

The VCB held its twentieth annual meeting onDecember 9, 2008 at the Inn at Essex. Donna Wikstrandof Conference Hotels Unlimited was the keynote speaker.Donna, an independent meeting planner from the Bos-ton area gave a presentation titled Tough Times Don’t

Last Tough People Do: Surviving the Times We’re In. Donna offeredinsight, ideas and encouragement on how to get through the challengingtimes. Presentations were also given by Paul Richey, Chair of the VCBboard of Directors, Gigi Valley, VCB Director of Sales and Tim SheaInterim Executive Director. Attendees enjoyed a visual production ofthe bureau’s history.

Jim Glanville, Vice President & General Manager of the Inn atEssex was presented with the VCB Member of the Year award forserving an unprecedented two terms as chair of the Vermont Conven-tion Bureau. The Woodstock Inn Sales Team was presented with theVermont Convention Bureau’s Southern Vermont Sales Team of theYear award. The Doubletree Hotel was the winner of the VermontConvention Bureau’s Northern Vermont Sales Team of the year award.

With more than 120 state wide members, the Vermont Conven-tion Bureau’s mission is to market the state as the preferred meeting,convention and event destination. For twenty years the VermontConvention Bureau has connected meeting planners from across thecountry with Vermont’s hospitality professionals. In the last decadealone the VCB along with member properties have bookedmore than 260,000 room nights with an economic impact of76 million dollars for the state of Vermont. We look forwardto continuing to serve meeting planners and the Vermonthospitality community in the years to come.

Coviello’s Pizza ExpressRob Johnson orAndrew Coviello

97 Center St.Rutland, VT 05701

Ph: 747-4777Email: [email protected] New York pizza made byreal New Yorkers. Fresh madepulled pork. Monday is pizzanight, $10.00 1 large 1 toppingpizza. Grandma's home made

meatballs are the best. Cateringavailable. New York Bread &Vermont cheese and sausage.

Leo’s Inc. dba Waffle CabinIngrid Heyrman

20 Moonbrook Dr.Rutland, VT 05701

Ph: 773-9575 Fax: 773-9575Email:[email protected]

www.wafflecabin.comManufacturer and retailer of

specialty Belgian sugar wafflescatering to ski resorts mainly in

New England.

Southern VermontEndodontics

Cheryl Lang Ullman, DMD71 Allen St.

Rutland, VT 05701Ph: 773-7767 Fax: 775-7667

Email: [email protected]

Dr. Ullman has been practicing endodontists since1980 and practicing in Vermont since 1990. Anendodontist is a dentist who specializes in rootcanal treatment to remove damaged tissue from

inside the root canals of a tooth. Practice islimited to Endodontics.

Chamber Membersenjoyed the great foodand holiday cheer at

the December HolidayMixer held at HeritageFamily Credit Union.

Pictured (L to R): Karen Craig and Jan Rousse of Castleton State Collegeand Bill and Debbie Scranton of Scranton Appraisals

January 2009 Courier Volume 23, Number 1

Business Show 2009 Page 5Computer Ease Page 3From Our Members Page 4Meeting Schedule Page 11Membership Director's Update Page 9Merchants: Be Alert Page 10Thank You To Our Contributors Page 7Upcoming Events Page 6VCB Update Page 11Web Report Page 5Welcome New Member Page 2Workers' Comp. Corner Page 6Workforce Investment Board Page 8

In This Issue

Calendar/Buy Local Inserted

Next Month: Mixer at The Vermont Country StoreFebruary 10, 2009 ~5-7pm

RRCC/REDC Begin Legislative Events

~ Hors d'oeuvres~Door Prizes~

invites you to the

January Chamber Mixer!Tuesday, January 13, 2009 ~ 5-7pm

Location: 21 US Route 4 East, Mendon, VT

The Rutland Region Chamber of Com-merce and Rutland Economic DevelopmentCorp. unveiled their joint Public Policy State-ment for 2009 at the annual Legislative Recep-tion with the Rutland County Delegation hostedby RRCC, REDC and Rutland Region Trans-portation Council and sponsored by theRutland Herald on December 2, 2008. ThePublic Policy Committee statement addresses11 important topics and is available by callingthe RRCC office or visitingrutlandvermont.com.

Thank you to the following Legislatorswho attended the Legislative Reception: Rep.

Peg Andrews, Rep. Joe Baker, Rep. Bill Canfield, Sen. Bill Carris, Rep.Gale Courcelle, Rep.Andrew Donaghy, Rep. Peter Fagan, Rep. Peg Flory, Rep. Eldred French, Rep. Steve Howardand Rep. Patti Komline.

The RRCC/REDC Legislative Breakfast Series sponsored by TD Banknorth will kick off onJanuary 5, 2009-7:30am at South Station Restaurant featuring Governor Jim Douglas. A RSVP

RRCC/REDC Public Policy Committee Chair LarryJensen addresses members of the Rutland County

Delegation and community leadersat the Annual Legislative Reception

will be required ($10.00pp). The remaining breakfastswill take place at the Franklin Conference Center onFebruary 2nd - Topic: Energy, March 16th - TopicTransportation and April 13th - Hot Topic. Our annualbus trip to Montpelier sponsored by OMYA will takeplace on February 11th.

For more information on the Public Policy Com-mittee or Legislative Breakfast series call 773-2747.

january 2009 courier volume 23, number 1 rrcc/redc … · next month: mixer at the vermont country...

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