Patrick's blog

The People Speak: Constitution Reading

Nearly a year ago, a large group of more than 40 community members came together in the studio to read the United States Constitution. Looking back, that feels like it was during a whole different era, one in which larger gatherings were OK, before the COVID-19 pandemic rocked our world and physical distancing became the norm. Spearheaded by Cavendish resident and former Okemo Valley TV Board member Wendy Regier, the concept went like this: each person reads a short section on camera, and then the station’s staff would edit it together as one cohesive piece, called “The People Speak”. When the editing was completed, a screening would be held in the studio for all who participated, and then it would be released to the world.

“It seemed an oral reading (of the Constitution) might generate a more careful look at what is truly written as well as thoughtful discussions of what it means to live in a democratic republic, for the people and by the people," said Regier.

Well, it's become clear that an in-person screening is not going to happen anytime soon. But in the interest of getting it “out there” for people to see, Okemo Valley TV will instead premiere “The People Speak” on our community access TV channel (Comcast 1076 & VTel 166) and You Tube channel on Tuesday, October 27^that 7PM, one week prior to Election Day. It will continue to televise periodically through November and will also be available for viewing here on the website.

This special program nicely augments all of our election-oriented programming, at a time when people are really thinking about voting and democracy. Our Education & Government channel (Comcast 1086 & VTel 167) is ripe with programs featuring local and statewide candidates, including candidate statements being recorded in Okemo Valley TV’s studio, as well as candidate forums and debates for statewide office. All of the election programs are also available to watch here on the website (you can view the entire collection of election programming here).

Election Coverage Features Local Candidates

Okemo Valley TV has been helping to provide a platform to candidates for local legislative offices while informing voters at a time when, due to the pandemic, such opportunities are otherwise lacking. Now through Election Day, local candidates for local House seats and the Windsor County Senate District are being featured on the Okemo Valley TV. As of this writing, several candidates have recorded their statements in the Okemo Valley TV studio, as well as on location in the field.
All candidates running for Windsor County Senate seats and House seats within the station’s service area encouraged to record a statement of their own. Appointments may be made by calling 228-8808 or emailing Executive Director Patrick Cody at pcody@okemovalley.tv. Okemo Valley TV is a regional community television station, primarily covering the Towns of Ludlow, Mount Holly, Plymouth, Cavendish, Andover, & Reading.

In addition to the local candidate statements, Okemo Valley TV has also been able to televise interviews and forums with candidates for statewide office, thanks to its colleagues at other community access TV stations in the State.

Tune into election coverage programming one of the following ways:

on TV: Government Access channel- VTel 167; Comcast 1086. (Go to Schedules page to see what's on when).
on the Videos page of this website at okemovalley.tv/videos. (To find local election programming, simply type “election coverage” as the “Series Name” on that page)
on our You Tube channel (where we've created a playlist for the local candidate statements)

Okemo Valley Magazine Article

Thanks to the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce & the team at Okemo Valley Magazine for the featuring us in the latest edition, which is out now!

And the photo on Page 6 of our new Board President Noah Schmidt is from the one & only Russ Hurlburt Photography. There's so much talent around here.

Thank You Sharon Bixby- 20 Years of Service

A founding member, Sharon served for 20 consecutive years on the Board and held so many different roles in the organization during this time. As her last term ended, it was a bittersweet departure; we are happy that she will have a little more time to herself & her family after all these years, but it was difficult not to be able to formally bid her farewell in person. We were, however, able to do this little tribute during our teleconferenced annual meeting:

Awards Night

Here is the recording of our 2020 Producer Awards ceremony, held immediately before the Annual Meeting on June 25th. It was a virtual event this year, recorded over teleconference.

Thanks to the following annual Producer Award winners:
Producer of the Year- Pat Moore
Youth Producer- Mt. Holly After School
Outstanding Achievement- Susan Haefner
Community Service- Kata Welch

And this year, we gave out a special award, in recognition of giving back during the current pandemic:
Volunteer Impact Award- Dr. Linda Thomson
Check out samples of the work of our award recipients in the recording!

Annual Meeting Re-Cap & Board Election

Okemo Valey TV's Board of Directors held its annual meeting on Thursday, June 25th. The meeting was held over Zoom teleconferencing and included the Board election. Current member John Cama was re-elected to another term. Joining the board this coming year (starting July 1st) are Sharon Huntley of Cavendish & Pat Moore of Ludlow.

We also paid tribute to outgoing Board members Fra DeVine, who has served for the past 6 years, and Sharon Bixby, a founding member of the orgnaization, who has served on the Board for 20 consecutive years.

In other news, the FY2021 budget was adopted as a level-funded version of the pas year's budget, with the stipulation that it will be revisited and amended at the end of the 1st quarter (September 30th). These are unusual times calling for unusual circumstances. There are still a few unkowns related to the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on our operations, and we will have a better picture within the next few months.

The 1st Board meeting of the new fiscal year - and among the new Board - will be Wednesday July 22nd at 5:30pm. As always, the meetins are open to the public. Agendas are always posted on the "Documents" page.

GMUHS Graduation

We are teaming up with SAPA-TV to cover Green Mountain Union HIgh School's physically-distant "drive up" graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 on Friday, June 19th. The event will be streamed live on SAPA's You Tube channel

Board of Directors Election

Voting is open for the annual Board of Directors election. This year, all voting is being done electronically. Anyone age 14 & up living in Ludlow, Plymouth, Cavendish, Mount Holly, Andover, or Reading is eligible to vote. We have a 3 person committee overseeing the process. Your information and vote are kept confidential - more detail is provided on the ballot itself. Ballots must be submitted by 7PM on Thursday, June 25th, the time of the Annual Meeting .

Click here for the ballot & to cast your vote in the Board of Directors election

Annual Meeting & Awards Night- June 25th

The Okemo Valley TV Annual Meeting & Awards Night is on Thursday, June 25th at 6:30pm. It is open to all community members. It will be to be held via Zoom teleconference. Log in / dial in information is on the agenda. All residents of Ludlow, Plymouth, Cavendish, Mount Holly, Andover, & Reading are welcome and invited to participate. If you would like to join, please RSVP by pcodyokemovalley.tv (subject: Annual%20Meeting%20RSVP) (emailing Patrick) or call the station at 228-8808. The event will also be streamed live on our You Tube channel and will broadcast live on our Comunity Access channel (COmcast 1076 / Vtel 167).

Click HERE for the agenda.

Voting is now open for the Board of Directors election....For those unable to join the Annual Zoom meeting, you can cast your ballot in our election now. To be eligible vote, you must:

be at least 14 years of age
reside in one of the following Towns: ludlow, Plymouth, Cavendish, Mount Holly, Andover, or Reading

On the ballot, you will be asked to provide your name and address, in order to certify that your eligibility. Your information will remain confidential - ballots will only be seen by our 3 member Election Committee and no one else. We take your privacy seriously.

Click here to access the ballot and cast your vote.

Due to the cirumstances surrounding the pandemic this year, electronic voting will only be available.

For more information on the Board of Directors, click here.

An Evening with Susan Haefner

The concert will be premiered Saturday, May 30tth at 7PM. You can view online on our You Tube channel or on TV, on the Community Access channel (Comcast channel 1076 / VTel channel 166)

Search form

You are here

Pages