#MIDDLEBURY #MEMORIALDAY #VETERANS
May 3 Vote
Middlebury voters will cast ballots for or against the town budget and the Region 15 school budget Wednesday, May 3. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Shepardson Community Center at 1172 Whittemore Road.
The proposed town budget is $10.6 million; the proposed Region 15 budget is $67.5 million.
Remove valuables, lock cars
Despite frequent reminders from Police Chief Fran Dabbo, residents are still leaving valuables in their unlocked vehicles parked on the road or in their driveway overnight, and thieves are going through town and helping themselves to whatever they find in those cars. This past weekend, a number of vehicles were entered. A purse, wallet, passport, some cash and a credit card were taken from one of the vehicles.
EIDC mails business survey
The Middlebury Economic and Industrial Development Commission mailed a three-page survey to Middlebury businesses in late April. On the first page, the survey asks business owners to rate the importance of two dozen factors in doing business in Middlebury. Factors range from the rural nature and appearance of the town to tax rates, safety, utilities and services, and the school system. The second and third pages present open-ended questions asking owners to tell the commission what should be done to promote a better business climate and ask about difficulties in starting a business and keeping it profitable.
The survey was constructed from the best ideas seen in surveys used by neighboring towns. The responses will be read in full by the commissioners and then compiled into action items.
The mailing list of about 300 businesses was culled from a database of 635 businesses provided by Assessor Chris Kelsey, eliminating out-of-town leasing companies, “bedroom” LLCs, and other businesses that don’t directly serve local customers. Middlebury businesses owners who do not receive a survey by May 1 should email eidcchairman@middlebury-ct.org or visit middleburyeconomicdevelopment-ct.org.
Seeking Vietnam War Veterans
The town honors all veterans at Memorial Day celebrations each year, but this year is the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, and Parks and Rec Director Betty Proulx, a Navy veteran, is encouraging all Middlebury Vietnam War and Vietnam War Era Vets to lead the Middlebury parade as honorary parade marshals. The parade lineup begins at 4 p.m. at the corner of Bronson Drive and Whittemore Road; the parade steps off at 5 p.m.
Middlebury has 119 Vietnam War Vets. Vets who want to march or ride in the parade are asked to call 203-758-2520 to let Proulx know you’d like to participate. Other veterans may also call and register, particularly if they will need a ride in the parade.
Flags for veterans
The Middlebury Lions Club provides Memorial Day flags for Middlebury veterans’ grave sites. Anyone who during the last year has lost a family member who was an armed services veteran and is buried in Middlebury can contact Lion Ray Sullivan at 203-758-9939 to be sure an American flag will be placed on the veteran’s grave Saturday, May 27.
Veterans Memorial Day Ceremony
Sunday May 28, at noon, the Middlebury Lions Club will honor war veterans in a ceremony at the Midlebury Cemetery on Route 64 behind the Middlebury Garage. The Middlebury Lions Club will pay homage to our fallen military heroes, and all those who have served our nation’s military, at the Middlebury Cemetery. Please come join them in honoring all who have served our country.
The ceremony will include an honor guard and rifle salute from the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Local boy scouts will raise the flag at the start of the ceremony and lower it as taps are played. Prayers of invocation and benediction will be said by local clergy, followed by comments from Middlebury’s Selectmen, and a reading of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address as we honor those who have served and sometimes given their lives for our freedom.
Middlebury Memorial Day Events – Sunday, May 28
• Middlebury Lions Club Memorial Day Ceremony honoring veterans
When: 12 p.m.
Where: Middlebury Cemetery behind Middebury Garage at 1126 Middlebury Road (Route 64).
• Middlebury Veterans Reception – All veterans are welcome.
When: 4 p.m.
Where: Corner of Bronson Drive and Whittemore Road.
• Middlebury Memorial Day Parade
When: 5 p.m.
Where: Parade starts at Bronson Drive and goes to Town Hall for a ceremony in front of Town Hall. Features Middlebury veterans, marching bands, town organizations, sports clubs, Scouts and local businesses.
