Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin today announced a four-day series of commemorative events to celebrate how far Vermont has come in recovering from Tropical Storm Irene since August 28, 2011, and acknowledge the work still needed to fully recover and build Vermont back stronger.
‘Vermonters have a lot to celebrate on the one-year anniversary of Irene,’said Gov. Shumlin, noting that 500 miles of roads have been repaired, dozens of bridges replaced or repaired, more than 1,000 families have found housing, and flood-damaged businesses have reopened. ‘But we also need to recognize that many people and communities still need our help.’
Irene Recovery Officer Sue Minter agreed. "The one-year anniversary marks an important step in the healing process from Irene's devastating impacts and is also an opportunity for Vermonters to reinvigorate the amazing Vermont Strong spirit to maintain the long term recovery process,’she said.
The governor announced the following as part of the anniversary commemorative:
· The governorwill spend four days from August 25 to 28 visiting many of the communities severely impacted by the storm. He will be presenting officials in each town with an I Am Vermont Strong license plate, which are being sold to raise money to help Vermonters hit by the storm.
· The governor is calling on churches, town halls and others to participate in a statewide bell-ringing for 30 seconds, beginning at 7 pm on the night of August 28.
· A free statewide commemoration event featuring music, storm videos, and more will be held on August 28 at 7 pm at the Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph. An exhibit of artwork and photography will be on display at the Chandler starting at 4:00.Randolph was among the more than 200 towns impacted by Irene.
· Governor Shumlin and the Vermont Long Term Disaster Recovery Group, are urging Vermonters to purchase the VTStrong license plates to support those who still need help.
· Vermonters can visit the new Build Up Vermont web site (www.BuildUpVT.com) to view photographs of the storm and the disaster recovery efforts. Visitors to the site are also asked to vote for the best photograph; the winner will receive free tickets to the Grace Potter concert as part of the in Grand Point North Festival at Burlington’s Waterfront Park in September.
· Many local communities and recovery groups are planning Irene anniversary events. For a listing of many of those events and a wide range of information on the ongoing recovery, visit www.vtstrong.vermont.gov.
Governor Shumlin will be visiting the following communities as part of the Irene Anniversary tour. Details, including times and specific locations of events, will follow soon.
Saturday, Aug 25:
Rockingham
Brattleboro
Wilmington
Stratton
Jamaica
Sunday, Aug. 26:
Granville
Hancock
Rochester
Stockbridge
Pittsfield
Bethel
Monday, Aug. 27:
Mendon
Rutland
Killington
Quechee
West Hartford
Woodstock (Keegan Bradley golf event)
Tuesday, Aug. 28:
Waterbury
Moretown
Waitsfield
Northfield
Randolph (anniversary event at the Chandler)
Source: Governor's office, MONTPELIER ‘8.14.2012. Photo: Route 4 East of Rutland by Steve Costello