The Working News
The Monthly Newsletter of

Johnson Works…
our community action group

March 25, 2002 Input, Communication, Action, and Outcome Volume 1 Issue 1

Welcome to the inaugural issue of The Working News, the monthly newsletter of Johnson Works. Those of us who have been working to bring Johnson Works to reality have unofficially adopted as our operating principle the statement Input, Communication, Action, and Outcome. As such, this newsletter’s aim is to Communicate with the Johnson Community of news, activities, and coming events of Johnson Works, various governmental bodies, and the Community at-large.

Like Johnson Works, this newsletter is in its infancy and is certain to grow, change, and evolve over the coming months and years. We welcome your Input on how we can improve and better serve the community. Enjoy! -the editor

Johnson Works News

What is Johnson Works? Building upon recent collaborative successes in Johnson, such as the Municipal Building, the Main Street planning project, and the “Old Mill” recreational field, Johnson Works will be a positive and proactive organization to support and promote Johnson, the Johnson Business Community, and the Community At-Large. There is a growing level of spirit and energy within the community and Johnson Works’ aim is to direct this spirit and energy into a cohesive body to take Action and achieve real Outcomes.

After a couple months of planning, Johnson Works had its first public meeting on Thursday, March 13th, before an interested audience of local business owners and residents. Besides hearing informational updates from the Main Street Committee and the Town Selectmen (thank you Greg and Eric), Johnson Works set right to work on achieving Outcomes, establishing three Working committees: Marketing, Events, and Organizational. Without missing a beat, the Committees have taken the Input they received from the meeting and have begun taking Action. The following are their Outcomes…

Johnson Works Marketing Committee:

A lively meeting was held Wednesday morning. March 20th, at Ryan Books; while Input was given on a variety of topics including brochures, a web site, maps, etc. The committee decided to focus its first Actions on group advertising, with an immediate Outcome of placing local print ads. Many ideas were discussed concerning content, layout, size, etc, and that the ads should have the long term Outcome of promoting “Johnson” and be interactive with the reader. It was agreed that attention must be given to developing a consistent and sustainable message, choosing the media, design work, variety of ads, and tracking of advertising efforts.

The next scheduled meeting of the Committee is 8:30AM Wednesday, April 3rd, at Ryan Books. Please contact Stacy Burke of Ryan Books or Lucy Marvin of Butternut Mt. Farm, if you are interested in helping the Committee or want to participate in the initial rounds of advertising.

Johnson Works Events Committee:

On Tuesday March 19th, at Plum & Main, the Committee began tackling the exciting job of planning some special events. After much Input, it was agreed that any sponsored event should have as it’s overriding goals to promote and support local businesses and the community at-large, and be “fun”.

The Committee began focusing on two ideas. First, is to lend support and participate in the Powerhouse Bridge Community Day project. This event will mark the end of construction and the official opening of the bridge. This celebration will take place some time before July 1 (depending on construction progress). Secondly, it was proposed that a combination sidewalk sale and street fair be held. This event will not only give high visibility to the businesses in Johnson, but will also give Johnson Works the opportunity to really give back to the community by providing live music & entertainment, food, and other activities for the family. The group is looking to make this a reality for some time in May(?).

The next scheduled meeting of the Committee is 8:00AM Tuesday, April 2nd, at Plum & Main. Please contact Greg Stefanski at Laraway School if you are interested in lending a hand or have Input you wish to share.

Johnson Works Organizational Committee:

This “nuts and bolts” committee has begun investigating the various formative and organizational issues surrounding the creation of Johnson Works. Items being addressed include the legal structure of the organization, membership and dues, insurance, bylaws, and leadership. Contact Walter Pomroy, CPA if you can help.

Mark Your Calendar- The next scheduled public meeting of Johnson Works is for Wednesday, April 17th at 7:00PM at the Johnson Municipal Building. The tentative agenda is:

1. Reports from the Marketing, Events, and Organizational Committees.

2. You’re reading it, The Working News, so what do you think? How can we improve it? Where do we go from here? Formation of a Newsletter Committee?

3. More on the Main Street Committee and its work to date. Also what Actions can Johnson Works do to jump start the process and begin seeing immediate Outcomes.

4. And More…

Should you have any questions, or want to learn more about Johnson Works please feel free to contact any of our steering committee members: Walter Pomroy, CPA (chair pro-tem); Lucy Marvin, Butternut Mt. Farm; Stacy Burke, Ryan Books; Greg Stefanski, Laraway School; John Sullivan, LEDC; Jon Gregg Vermont Studio Center; Laurie Persico, Plum & Main; and Bobbi Rooney, Tangles Salon.

Community News

Don’t forget, the Johnson Village Meeting is Tuesday April 2nd, at 7:30PM at the municipal building. Participation by the citizenry is the cornerstone of democracy.

The Johnson PTA is a growing, energetic and dedicated group of parents and staff of Johnson Elementary School whose goals include supporting school programs, sponsoring special school and family events, bringing volunteers into the school and fostering better communication between the school and the community. Though the PTA was formed less than one year ago, we have already held several events including a Family Fun Festival and Family Movie Night. Many more events are currently in the works, including a performance by Jon Gailmor on April 19th for the students.

The officers of the Johnson PTA are: Sue Lenel President; Diana Osborne Vice-President; Gail Barrows Treasurer; and Kate Riley Secretary. Please feel free to contact any officer if you have any questions, suggestions, or want to get involved.

The Johnson Pharmacy has to date collected $165 for the rebuilding of the Powerhouse Bridge. Thank You Rick!

The Johnson SkatePark got underway last summer, thanks to the support of the Selectmen, Ken Harvey, and many downtown merchants. Keith Bradley at Bradley’s Store, deserves special mention for allowing the kid’s to register and sign-in as SkatePark users. SkatePark rules and conditions of use have been defined to promote user responsibility and establish the SkatePark as a drug, tobacco, and alcohol free place where good citizenship and courtesy are expected. By registering, kids agree to abide by these expectations as well as providing us with emergency contact information. Kids and adults worked to build ramps and other equipment; Emery and Coty Hill donated a half-pipe and a basketball hoop and a new coat of asphalt was generously donated last September. Johnson State College has been a steady partner, President Barbara Murphy and Service Learning Director Ellen Hill joined a posse of JSC students for several HOT hours of digging and moving perennial flowers from the meadow to the park entrance. We finished the season with a big party, the first annual SkateFest and SmokeOut, which was funded with a Tobacco Task Force grant, and held in partnership with the Cambridge Teen Coalition.

Current plans include building a small building for lavatories and storage, an all-terrain bike track in the adjoining meadow, hiring a supervisor for this summer in a very "hands-on" role with the kids, and another SkateFest and SmokeOut for next September.

The SkatePark Committee reports to the Selectmen, current members are: Casey Romero (chair), Ken and Rosie Brier, Terry Callahan, Brooke Lockwood-Cole, Mike Patch, Elliot and Emmerson Rocheleau, and Andy Romero. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to contact any SkatePark Committee member.

The Johnson Woolen Mill has been selected by Yankee Magazine for recognition as an “Editor’s Pick”. Congratulations Stacy!

The Johnson Fire Department has submitted a grant proposal for fire safety and fire fighting with FEMA.

Goodbye Nancy!! It’s with a sad heart that we say goodbye to Nancy Jewett of the Union Bank. After 16 years with the Bank, Nancy is retiring at the end of the month. Since the Johnson Branch opened, Nancy has been a mainstay behind the counter cheerfully serving the residents of Johnson. Thank You and Bon Voyage Nancy!

… and Congratulations to Greta Meyers, who is succeeding Nancy as the new Branch Supervisor.

Community Calendar

(Unless otherwise noted, all public meetings are held at the Johnson Municipal Building)

2 April 7:30PM Annual Johnson Village Meeting

2 & 16 April 7:00PM (1st & 3rd Tuesday of every month) Johnson Elementary School Board meeting, JES library

4 April 6-7:30PM Johnson Elementary School Arts Night, an exhibit of student artwork in the JES gym.

4 & 18 April 6:30PM (1st & 3rd Thursday of every month) Johnson PTA meeting, JES library

8 April 7:00PM (2nd Monday of every month) Village Trustee’s meeting

9 April 6:30PM (2nd Tuesday of every month) Recreation Committee’s meeting

11 April 6:00PM (2nd Thursday of every month) Planning Commission meeting

15 April 7:00PM (3rd Monday of every month) Board of Selectmen’s meeting.

17 April 7:00PM Johnson Works monthly public meeting (see above description)

19 & 20 April 7:00PM, JSC Dibden Center for the Arts, Celebration, By Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, the same team that produced the Fantastiks, I Do, I Do, and 110 in the Shade. This is an intimate parable that involves the solstice, New Year's eve, the loss of innocence, endings, and new beginnings. Directed by Bessie Award winning Tim Tavcar, who is also the executive director of the Vergennes Opera House. $5 general admission, $2 seniors and under 16

21 April 2:00PM, JSC Dibden Center for the Arts, Celebration, (as above)

24 April 1:00PM, JSC Dibden Center for the Arts, Cinderella, free and open to the public. Directed by Professor Russ Longtin.

If you would like to have your event/meeting included in the community calendar, have news you would like share, or want to inform us about the work of your organization, please send your submission to Walter Pomroy at wpomroy@together.net.

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