Tim Smith has served as the mayor of St. Albans, Vermont, since 2018, having been re-elected most recently in 2024 for another term. A lifelong resident with deep community ties, he is the executive director of the Franklin County Industrial Development Corporation. .
Smith has focused on sustaining downtown revitalization, supporting local businesses, and improving neighborhood conditions through initiatives like building inspections. His leadership emphasizes inclusivity, as seen in his public statements supporting the LGBTQA+ community.
Myers Container Service Corp. is the area's most reliable in garbage removal and recycling services. We are a locally owned company with 12 years of industry experience. Every week here on the Trash Talking and Giving Back Podcast, we highlight local heroes and organizations that are doing great work in our community.
Smith has focused on sustaining downtown revitalization, supporting local businesses, and improving neighborhood conditions through initiatives like building inspections. His leadership emphasizes inclusivity, as seen in his public statements supporting the LGBTQA+ community.
Myers Container Service Corp. is the area's most reliable in garbage removal and recycling services. We are a locally owned company with 12 years of industry experience. Every week here on the Trash Talking and Giving Back Podcast, we highlight local heroes and organizations that are doing great work in our community.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
Hey everybody, and welcome to the Trash Talking and Giving
Back Podcasts. I am Aaron Colefield Barker, joined by my
co host Joe Snagra. He gets it done at Myers
Wasted Recycle. He's got a job title, but I and
said like to say that he just he gets everything done.
Podcast host. You caught the checks, You make sure people
(00:35):
are working, put out fires that come with working at
a business. Literally a little bit of everything, a little
bit of everything. Every day is a new fun days.
What's been new over there? It's been really really hot
here and I can't imagine my garbage, Like my garage
even the three year old was like it stinks in here.
So I can't imagine what it is like for your
(00:55):
guys right now.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Yeah, it's really hot, and you know, the guys get
to start a little early when it's this hot, and
you know, we take precautions for the guys, liquid IV
stuff and you know, more going out. Jeff has been
out on the road visiting with our employees on routes,
giving them gatorades and water and stuff like that. Just
it's been really hot. So thankfully I'm an office guy,
(01:20):
so it's been a little cooler for me inside here.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
Yeah, you've got that heat pump in your office. I've
seen it. But that's so great that Jeff just like
goes out and bops around. And usually when you're working,
you'd be like, oh, I don't want to see the boss,
but they're probably like so relieved when they see Jeff
coming down with a nice little ice chess full of
gatorade and things like.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
That exactly, you know, and it brings up an interesting thing,
you know, like you see all these concers and everything
going on around town, and I know you've recently been
to a show. I recently been to a show and
it got me thinking about concert etiquette and the show.
I went to people sitting directly in front of me,
(01:58):
We're talking the whole show, oh, like making small talk,
just like oh, what's going on this or that? And
I know you mentioned you had etiquette of people standing up,
So what is the concert etiquette?
Speaker 1 (02:11):
I really don't know. So yeah, So I went to
a concert and it was actually like it was me
and like six girlfriends and a lot of them were
like right wanting to stand up and dance, and we
weren't like in the pit. We were like up you know,
on the second level, and I like, I just I
felt bad for the people sitting behind them, right, And
so as a group of girls, we were very divided
(02:32):
on what is appropriate. Right most of them are like whatever.
We came to her at a concert, like get up
and dance, but like sitting right behind them. At one
point it was like a dad and his daughter who
was probably like eleven, and they're just here trying to
enjoy their you know, it could be her first concert.
And so I ended up actually we had like kind
of weren't totally even in our paid for seats, and
(02:54):
so I actually went to them and I'm like, hey,
do you guys want to come sit over here instead?
And so that made me feel about our to like
solve the problem, but like, I don't know, because they're
not wrong in being like, we paid for our seat
and we're at a concert and we want to dance,
but you can't help, but not just like feel bad
for the people sitting behind we're seeing thing. I went
to Shelburne Museum for Jason Rasman, You're and people behind
(03:17):
me were like on a first date and just like
chit chatting, And I actually ended up saying something. I
think I was pregnant at the time, so they got
like hormonal erin and the guy was so rude back,
and I wasn't even that mean, but I was just like, dude,
like you guys mind, like you know, we came here
to listen to the singing. And his response was really rude,
(03:38):
like just go on YouTube and listen. And it's like
I wanted to pay money to go on YouTube and listen,
But like I don't know what the right answer is
or where do you like draw a line on like
what's appropriate and what's not, Like what if you.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
Say something, yeah, but why is it contrad any different
than like a sparking event. You're at a baseball or
football game and people are standing and yelling and chit
chatting and everything, So a double standard sometimes, I.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
Mean a little bit, but like you know, at like
a football game and people they're not like standing and
yelling the whole time, like when a big play happens,
they might get up, and so like, I don't know,
maybe it's a double standard, but I feel like that's
more acceptable than if you're at a concert and they're
just standing up dancing the entire time. Because now suddenly
you paid for a seat, but you're having to stand.
(04:22):
And maybe the solution is they make like designated like
dance sections and sitting sections and so you don't have
to worry about it.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
Well, once again, Aaron, we prove that if the world
just make us king and Queen, we would solve all
the problems of the world.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Right, And I mean, I'm having empathy for people, right,
Like my girlfriends were kind of like I love all
of you if you're listening, because they know I do
this podcast and they might be, but like I was like, guys,
like I feel bad for the people, and they they
at one point got and went down to like another
group of people that were dancing like four rows ahead
of them. They'll like give them high fives because they
were like so pumped that they were also dancing. But
(05:01):
then the then the wheels fell off and someone's filled
a dream guns on one's head.
Speaker 3 (05:05):
And there was a.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
Lot more that went down at this concert. But we
are engaged to hear what people think and maybe leave
us some comments or shoot his notes on what you
consider the proper etiquette talking though like not.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Cool, like yes, for that's what happened at our show.
To two guys in front where just non stop talking back,
so you know, the whole show, like not even listening
to the show.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
Yeah, not like oh I love this song like it
reminds you this, just like yeah, see that. To me,
that's where it's kind of like all right, which friends
got yelled at for that too, But I just sat
there with my Michael Wolt and I was like, Okay, anyway,
let's bring in Tim Smith, who was our guest today,
because maybe he's got a little opinion on this. I
know he's the mayor of sen Alvans, but for longer
than that, he's been the executive director of the Franklin
(05:51):
County Industrial Development Corporation, so he's, uh, he's kind of
a public figure too, right, So I'm curious to hear
his take because I wonder if he'd be kind of
like me where it's like, I don't know, I feel bad.
We got to kind of like do the right thing here, Tim,
What have you had any bad concert experiences with dancers
in front of you? Where are you a dancer at concerts?
Speaker 4 (06:12):
I don't know, I was gonna say, Aaron, as you
were speaking, I was like, no one asked to worry
about me dancing in front of them. You know, I
think Joe might be in that same group.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
I'm with you, But Tim, I I do see you
often your Saint Albans music in the park at Tower
Park there, so I see you out there mingling.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (06:36):
No, they we started concerts two weeks ago, and I
always admire those people that can get up and dance
in front of the band and just have two of them.
I need a I need a pack that I can
sort of infiltrate and get in the middle of it.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
So I'm not so conscious you do like the dad.
The dad like sway a little bit, but any like,
concerts in the park are great because it's like it's
not like stadium seating where it's like you have no
choice and you're like stuck in the seat. At Lea's there,
it's like people can get up, go up front and
dance if you want to dance, and then sit if
(07:14):
you are.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
Okay, you can set your chair up wherever you want.
You know, you can be on the side and do
the dance thing. So yeah, it's not quite the same
at all, But.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
No, I like, so I was so frustrated. I was
literally sitting at the concert, and this is a whole
nother topic for you, Joe, Like what time is it
appropriate to still like text or call people? And I
was like, I can't forget that this is the thing
I want to talk about on the podcast. So I
send you an email from my seat at the Chris
Stapleton concert at like ten thirty at night. So people
(07:43):
seeing it at concerts we got to talk about. Okay,
So Tim tell us a little bit about for folks
who maybe don't know what the FCIDC is, what is
kind of the elevator pitch on what you guys are
all about.
Speaker 4 (07:59):
Sure, So there's twelve we call Regional Development Corporations throughout
the state of Vermont short RDC. So we we all
all twelve do things a little bit different, but for
the most part, we're all about strengthening the economy in
our regions. So for us, for Franklin County industrial Development,
(08:21):
we spend a lot of time developing industrial parks, attracting
new business.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
And when I say business, it's more on the.
Speaker 4 (08:30):
Value added manufacturing as compared to retail. Although I think
we'll get into our mission has changed a little bit,
but for the most part, We're all about strengthening the
economy through working with business and strengthening the workforce as well,
which is a little bit more difficult now than it
(08:51):
was in the past for a variety of reasons. So
we're that's what we all do. There's twelve of us.
We all we meet monthly, We interact with the state.
We'd like to think of ourselves as a one stop
shop for business. So if someone's starting a business, they're
growing a business when we try to assist them in
their mission as well.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
So now Tim talk about I know in Franklin County
we've been seeing a lot of growth happen over the years,
and a lot of it is you know, employers both
expanding but also coming to the region. Talk a little
bit about some of your success stories. You know, you've
seen some great growth in places like Georgia and Saint Albans.
Speaker 3 (09:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:34):
I just went to the Greater Burlington Industrial Corp Annual
meeting last night and they had they had a placard
on the on the table which says that Franklin, Grand
Island Chitney County is responsible for forty three percent of
the economy of the state of Vermont, so it gives
you an an indication of what's the impact in Northwest
is Obviously Chittingen is a driving force with that. But
(09:58):
we've been very fortunate. We're on the Board of Canada
as everyone knows, so we do. Our success has been
with attracting Canadian businesses that want to be I don't
know if that's the case anymore, but you know, but
we we had a great history over the over decades
of attracting Canadian business And the one that comes to
(10:21):
mind is Peerless Clothing, which you're familiar with. Joe four
hundred and fifty employees, one of the larger private employers,
and they distribute men's clothing, mainly suits sportcoats around the country.
I think they are responsible for about ninety five percent
of the men's attire in the state, excuse me, the country.
(10:42):
So that's been and that we recruited them before my
time to fifteen hundred square foot space and now they're
in a three hundred thousand square foot building that houses
four point two million suits and they distribute both to
hip and to you know, the nacis of the world
(11:05):
and cold and whatnot. So that's probably one of the
bigger successes Ben and Jerry's obviously is one very calible
as a Canadian business that started was one of the
first companies in the industrial parker first or second. So yeah,
we're very fortunate to location location, location, right. So we've
been very fortunate from that perspective.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
Well, and it certainly helps, you know when you guys
continue to energize and put efforts into making Franklin County
a great place to live. Right, Like, people work, they
need to make a living, so there's opportunities to work.
But you guys also have a lot of cool things happening,
I know, especially like in the Saint Albans area with
(11:47):
the music in the park we mentioned, there's different festivals
and things that you guys are really doing a great
job of making it like a place people want to
not only work, but live and stay and spend their
spare time as well.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
I'm chuckling, Aaron, because like that's like you nailed, you
nailed the promo. I mean it was, that's exactly what
we So we are. Mission changed four years ago two
more because it's difficult to find employees companies to find,
so we we shifted our mission a little bit to
(12:20):
more of a play spase economic development. So we to
your point, we worked with communities. We we do sort
of we do grants that are we like to think
of them as catalysts for moving projects forward. There's a
number of them going on now, you know, and they're
small grants ten thousand dollars for the most part, but
(12:43):
it really kickstarts a number of other projects to move forward.
And our theory is that people will want to live
in franklinkin. The more people that can live here, you know,
it's better for our employers to have access to a
workforce they can grow their business.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
So you nailed it. You know, we were talking music.
Speaker 4 (13:04):
I think you could find a free concert in Franklin
County almost any night of the week. East Fairfield, Saint Albans, Highgate, Swanton, Enesburgh.
I mean there's the summer. If you want music, Franklin
County will add no charge for anyone.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
So so, Tim, you have a couple of exciting projects
that are going on through FC. I see, you know
Brigham Academy and some other projects. Maybe bring people up
to speed on some of that. And I know we
have some photos too to go along with it.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (13:40):
Sure, Brigham Academy, which is on screen now. The individual
Peter Bent Brigham was a native of Bakersfield and he
left Bakersfield when he was eighteen years old, went to
Boston and hit it big in real estate, and he
(14:00):
set aside money to create a high school for the
town of Bakersfield. Just interestingly, he is also the Brigham
in Brigham Women's Hospital, so he donated a significant money
in Boston as well for that hospital.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
So it's that connection.
Speaker 4 (14:20):
My sister was there for a while, so it's interesting
for me to see that connection to Franklin County for sure.
But the building's been vacant for the most part, on
and off for about thirty years or more, and we're
looking we're working with the Town of Bakersfield along with
Northwest Region Planning and Kathy Levoi to try do Housing's
a big issue right in the state, so we're trying
(14:41):
to convert that building to sixteen or eighteen units. We've
done some preliminary work. We've awarded a grant to Bakersfield
for that as well to do some architectural stuff. So
still in the preliminary stages, but we're optimistic that something
will be happening with that building in the near future perfect.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
And then another project that you guys have going on
is up in Enisburgh.
Speaker 4 (15:07):
Fall Sure in Nusburg Falls on Main Street is a
pearly block. And once again when we talked playspace, this
was a building that was vacant for.
Speaker 3 (15:20):
Five or six years. We bought the building, we.
Speaker 4 (15:23):
Renovated it, and what you're looking at now is we
raised the roof on the back part of the building
to add four apartments. The building has will have twelve apartments,
two retail spaces, and four thousand feet of office space,
all occupied at this point, and that was not the
case three years ago. This is how it looked before
(15:43):
we bought it. So we've managed to flip the building,
not flip, but turn it around in the sense that
it's productive. It's on main street, you know, So we're
trying to that play space where we try to bring
people to the community, let them see what the smaller
towns of Franklin County have to offer. And I think
(16:05):
this was a prime example of doing that correctly well.
Speaker 1 (16:10):
And I think that's such a big thing because everyone,
right especially in Vermont here, you drive through a lot
of small towns and I think one of the most
charming things about Vermont is when you discovered discovered these
like cute little small towns with a really vibrant downtown area.
But then on the flip side, it's unfortunate, but there
are downtown areas that have fallen on hard times or
(16:31):
look a little bit like rougher and that they need
some help. And so you guys, you know, being being
a corporation or a group that really tries to help
right dig out out of that bad spot for places
and make it feel like it's not such a difficult
project and hey, we're gonna like help you, help you
get there and do what we can. I think it's
(16:53):
really great.
Speaker 4 (16:54):
Yeah, I think you're seeing that in many towns, Swanton
being one. Joe, I don't know if Green Mountain Bistro
is a new restaurant that's really really hit it out
of the park, along with a bakery there the Ace
Hardware store. So downtown Swanton's not nearly what it was
three years ago. It's it's improved extensively and people people
(17:17):
are going to Swanton now for the restaurant, for the bakery,
for the concerts. So uh, they've seen some growth in
their downtown activity. So those are the successes that we'd
like to see. We're hoping that's gonna be the case,
and I think it is a case for Enusburgh. And
you know, after we finished with the Pearly blog, we'll
be looking for some other opportunities as well.
Speaker 2 (17:40):
Now, you know Aaron in front of that Pearly block building.
Just a couple of weeks ago they had cow pop
bingo on the street. So if you've never been Aaron,
it's it's a fun event to go to. Definitely a
few times.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
Well, I mean it is like what is it?
Speaker 4 (18:02):
So they mark out I don't know, one hundred and
fifty squares on the main street in Enosburgh and it's
fenced off and you can buy a square with your
number on it, which might you know whatever, one to
one fifty. And then they let a cow after feeding
him extensively, and I don't know if there's some laxatives
in there or not, but they let the cow loose
(18:24):
in that square, and wherever the cow plops, his first
PLoP would be the and it has to be the
majority of the PLoP in your square. You would win
the winnings, which I don't know how much it is,
but that's that's like a standard for the Dairy Day
festival in Nusburgh.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
I mean that's amazing. It's like roulette like cowpuh, yeah
exactly kind of you pick your number. And I did
not know such a thing existed, but that is amazing.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
And if you drive down the street four months later,
the markings are still on the roads, you know, the
squares are still on the road, so you can see it.
So yeah, it's great. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
They like circle it like like you know, if there's
like a crime scene, they like circle the body like
this is where last year, Like you could like be
strategic like these are in history. They gotta do. They
gotta just start painting it every year where it was
like this is twenty twenty five, PLoP, this is twenty
twenty four PLoP. And then people.
Speaker 4 (19:26):
If there's any correlation between where it always happens.
Speaker 1 (19:30):
Yes, data driven world these days, guys, we got we
gotta get strategic here and picking our numbers, you know.
Speaker 2 (19:36):
Tim, One of the things I think that FCD I
see is lucky and the City of Saint albans Is
is your dual role between being mayor Saint albans You know,
you talk about housing and development. You know, the industrial
park in Saint Albans is so close in proximity to
some new housing that Saint Albans has brilliant embraced in
(19:59):
your Lake Street. Housing has been ongoing now for a bit,
and I know people are starting to move in. So
I really think how important that is, that connection of living,
where working, where you can live, and proximity to public
transit and things like that.
Speaker 3 (20:16):
Yeah, I know for sure.
Speaker 4 (20:18):
I think our city manager for the City of Saint
Alman's Dominic Cloud. You know, he's had a vision from
day one. He's been with the city for fifteen years.
I think he's the best city manager or town administrator
in the state. He loves pulling these projects together. I
(20:38):
mean what you see in Saint Albans, the hotel, the
parking garage, as hardware, and the list goes on and on.
Those are He truly enjoys pulling a project together. And
I think he enjoys it more when he comes across
a he has a hurdle or he has an issue
that needs to be a resolved. So he's great for
(21:00):
the city and to your point, Joe, we just they're
working through. It took us a while, but we had
to clean up the Fonda site, tore down a building,
cleaned it up from brownfields, and now we're seeing activity
there which includes thirty four senior housing from with Cathedral Square.
(21:22):
Then we're working with another developer for eighty two units
of marketplace housing, and then you mentioned the seventy two
on Lake Street. So I think we're doing our part
relative to housing. I think we'll pay dividends for us
not only on our tax rates moving forward, but also
in the attraction of bringing or allowing some of our
(21:42):
youth to stay here because they can't find a place
to live and they can find good jobs as well.
Speaker 1 (21:48):
So a lot of these projects you're talking about, I know,
involved things that cost money, right Like it you can't
tear down a building and get everything out of there
for free, and so where does where does the money
to do some of these projects come from.
Speaker 3 (22:03):
All these came through the TIFF process.
Speaker 4 (22:06):
So the tax Incremental Financing Initiative we just it's a
ten year period. We just came to the end of
ten years. But there's a new program called CHIPS with
the state legislature, which I think we'll be tapping into
for a couple other projects moving forward. So the tiff
allows you to with a city vote to take a
(22:26):
bond out and then you pay it back with a
portion of your incremental increase in your tax property taxes,
so it's nothing on the residents of the community. It
comes from the growth on the development, so that's where
the money comes from. It's been very successful. It's probably
(22:46):
one of the best tools, if you will, in the
state of Vermont for communities to have an impact.
Speaker 2 (22:55):
That's great, Tim, You know, we're wrapping up a little
bit here. Is there anything that you know we haven't
talked about that you want to tell us about, either
with the fc DIC or the city or anything in general.
Speaker 4 (23:07):
Yeah, I mean we've we'll have some challenges. I don't
want to make it sound like it's all Candyan Roses,
but you know, we have the announcement probably three or
four months ago regarding Parago. Parago was another one of
our largest private employers that made baby formula in Georgia,
(23:27):
and they'll be closing their plan. So we'll be focused
on how do we address trying to attract new business
to that facility.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
It's a little premature now.
Speaker 4 (23:40):
They still they're not leaving till July of twenty seven,
but it is something that will be focused on. The
good side is that I think we still are seeing
the Canadian business, maybe not to the extent that it was,
but I think we're slowly we'll begin to work through
some of that and I think we'll see more Canadians
(24:01):
throughout the summer. So but I think that's about it.
The city is open for business, as is other parts
of the Franklin County and encourage people to come.
Speaker 3 (24:12):
For dining, shopping and.
Speaker 2 (24:15):
Recreation without a doubt.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
I know in the summer there's the water right down
by the water, there's like at.
Speaker 4 (24:21):
You got the Ayday event when the Great Race is
coming up July third or fourth or fifth, I'm not
sure of the date.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
They all all blend together, not really right or the
July we could all just kind of blend together.
Speaker 4 (24:34):
And then we have farmers' markets throughout the area as well.
I think we've just recently received a letter from someone
who was visiting Burlington ended up in St. Albans and
they just loved it. They have a great tour up
at Brandon's in Fairfield. They love Saint Albans. So that's
the stuff that really makes you proud.
Speaker 1 (24:53):
All right, well, thank you so much for taking a
little bit of time to join us here on the
podcast this morning.
Speaker 4 (24:57):
We really appreciate it, and thank you for your time,
and thanks for having me exactly.
Speaker 1 (25:05):
I'm sure well chat soon. I learned a fun fact.
I did not I knew about Parago being up there.
I did not know about Perlos. I've seen it right
p E R L I S.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
Yeah here clothing.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
Yeah, I've heard of that company. I just didn't realize
that that's where it's all made.
Speaker 2 (25:21):
Yeah, enormous, enormous building, right, first building in the industrial park.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
Yeah, interesting, didn't know. And you are a you're a
Franklin County guy. You recently moved, but that was your
home for that's where you reach your kids.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
Right, where are my kids?
Speaker 4 (25:36):
You know?
Speaker 2 (25:36):
My wife's a native born in sant Albans And yeah,
we spent twenty plus years, so both my kids were
born and at Northwest. So yeah, St. Alban's close to
my heart. I lived actually more or less walking distance
from the industrial Park.
Speaker 1 (25:52):
Okay, Well, and have you driven by lately because I
remember on an earlier podcast you said that you found
yourself just kind of driving by to check it out.
Speaker 2 (25:59):
I did, Yeah, of course I did. Of course I did.
But I know we're running out of time and we
do have to play our new favorite game, trash here
or not. So I have a good one for you,
and I think it might be fitting for you because
you've been traveling a little bit and I have, and
I know you're planning on some travel coming up. So
trash he are not making change in the tip jar.
(26:22):
Oh so you want it? You know, you go, you
get a coffee or whatever it is, and you want
it tip the barista. And I found myself, you know,
wanting to tip, and I only had a five dollar bill,
so I don't. I know, I can tip or five dollars,
but I rather not tip five dollars. So is it
trashy for me to put the five dollars in then
take four, you know, three or four singles out? Or
(26:44):
do I just not tip that all?
Speaker 1 (26:46):
See, that's an interesting one because I feel like it's
like a little bit odd. But at the same time,
if you're then more likely to just not give them anything,
I think that the person on the receiving end of
the tip would rather you make change out of their
tip jar and give them the dollar than the four.
I think where it probably gets a little tough though,
is like people just digging their hands in and if
(27:08):
someone's not like watching, like maybe the way around it
is you ask for ask the register for change, and
let them dip into the jar to do it.
Speaker 2 (27:20):
Well, my wife called me a cheap bastard on Tuesday,
so we ended up tipping the five dollars.
Speaker 1 (27:27):
Of course, don't be cheap joke, tip the five. What
I mean it's because you're deal in cash, right, This
isn't a problem I have. You don't deal in cash.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
You don't have, but you know you go away to
make sure you have you know, a small bills. Well,
you know, you stay in a hotel, so you guys
have small bills for you know, a half keeping and
then the valet. You need small bills there, so you know,
I make a point to have some small bills. So
small bills in my world are one five.
Speaker 1 (27:54):
I'm gonna let you fib to all of our listeners
and viewers here, but we both know that you don't
only carry small bills. Or if a small bill is
one hundred dollars pill then that's great.
Speaker 2 (28:05):
But the first I experienced for the first time, they
had QR code to tip housekeeping in the hotel. I
never had that. Huh, Yeah, I get.
Speaker 1 (28:15):
My nails done. Sometimes they have cute or they have
like their Venmo scan codes.
Speaker 2 (28:19):
Yeah, which actually I appreciate. I didn't, but I appreciated that.
So you're saying not trashy or trashy picking.
Speaker 1 (28:27):
So I think I think it's kind of track. I
think it's trashy, but it's trashier to not tip if
it's a service where you should be tipping. So it
just depends. I guess what level of trash you want
to be.
Speaker 2 (28:41):
I think our game we might have like a trash meter.
How far up?
Speaker 1 (28:47):
Yeah, so I'll put I'll put I'll put it like
halfway up for the making the change, but then I'll
put it a little higher. As a former like server
and someone who works in a world where you want
to get tipped, that the not tipping is trashier, then well.
Speaker 2 (29:01):
And I almost brought it up because the statue limitation
is gone. But my in laws used to work at
the trubble factory in Saint Albans. What Tim was just
talking any truck that shows up has to be empty.
So a traffic trailer comes from another location can't be
(29:22):
you know, can't have anything in it. So they had
a traffic trailer show up with a large quantity of
blue Bunny ice cream that they couldn't accept because it
was on the truck. So they were going to throw
it all away. So my father and all call it
and he's like, hey, I know you ice cream. There's
thousands of ice cream sandwiches in the middle of the summer,
(29:45):
so you know, so a large number of people showed
up there and helped themselves to ice cream sandwich. So
you know, once again, trashy or not.
Speaker 1 (29:57):
No, not, that's just being like resourceful. Food waste is
not good and that food couldn't get donated because it
was so someone had to enjoy the ice cream. Speaking
of tractor trailers for the first time, I was driving
the other day and I passed a Meyer's tractor trailer.
I was like, whoa, I've never seen one of these before.
Speaker 2 (30:13):
Well, yes, and that tractor trailer is bound for Canada
with sheet rock that's being turned into quickie dry, you know,
like the stuff you spread. You know, when you have
an oil week and you spread you know spread it
on the ground to clean up the oil, so sheep
rock turned into quickie dry.
Speaker 1 (30:30):
Fun recycling fact we'll leave everybody with for today's podcast.
While you're here, like us, subscribe to us, share us,
keep on coming back for more because Joe and I
are here every single week for your entertainment and education,
teaching you a little bit about trash a lot about
giving back in our community. We'll see you next time.
Hey everybody, and welcome to the Trash Talking and Giving
Back Podcasts. I am Aaron Colefield Barker, joined by my
co host Joe Snagra. He gets it done at Myers
Wasted Recycle. He's got a job title, but I and
said like to say that he just he gets everything done.
Podcast host. You caught the checks, You make sure people
(00:35):
are working, put out fires that come with working at
a business. Literally a little bit of everything, a little
bit of everything. Every day is a new fun days.
What's been new over there? It's been really really hot
here and I can't imagine my garbage, Like my garage
even the three year old was like it stinks in here.
So I can't imagine what it is like for your
(00:55):
guys right now.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Yeah, it's really hot, and you know, the guys get
to start a little early when it's this hot, and
you know, we take precautions for the guys, liquid IV
stuff and you know, more going out. Jeff has been
out on the road visiting with our employees on routes,
giving them gatorades and water and stuff like that. Just
it's been really hot. So thankfully I'm an office guy,
(01:20):
so it's been a little cooler for me inside here.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
Yeah, you've got that heat pump in your office. I've
seen it. But that's so great that Jeff just like
goes out and bops around. And usually when you're working,
you'd be like, oh, I don't want to see the boss,
but they're probably like so relieved when they see Jeff
coming down with a nice little ice chess full of
gatorade and things like.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
That exactly, you know, and it brings up an interesting thing,
you know, like you see all these concers and everything
going on around town, and I know you've recently been
to a show. I recently been to a show and
it got me thinking about concert etiquette and the show.
I went to people sitting directly in front of me,
(01:58):
We're talking the whole show, oh, like making small talk,
just like oh, what's going on this or that? And
I know you mentioned you had etiquette of people standing up,
So what is the concert etiquette?
Speaker 1 (02:11):
I really don't know. So yeah, So I went to
a concert and it was actually like it was me
and like six girlfriends and a lot of them were
like right wanting to stand up and dance, and we
weren't like in the pit. We were like up you know,
on the second level, and I like, I just I
felt bad for the people sitting behind them, right, And
so as a group of girls, we were very divided
(02:32):
on what is appropriate. Right most of them are like whatever.
We came to her at a concert, like get up
and dance, but like sitting right behind them. At one
point it was like a dad and his daughter who
was probably like eleven, and they're just here trying to
enjoy their you know, it could be her first concert.
And so I ended up actually we had like kind
of weren't totally even in our paid for seats, and
(02:54):
so I actually went to them and I'm like, hey,
do you guys want to come sit over here instead?
And so that made me feel about our to like
solve the problem, but like, I don't know, because they're
not wrong in being like, we paid for our seat
and we're at a concert and we want to dance,
but you can't help, but not just like feel bad
for the people sitting behind we're seeing thing. I went
to Shelburne Museum for Jason Rasman, You're and people behind
(03:17):
me were like on a first date and just like
chit chatting, And I actually ended up saying something. I
think I was pregnant at the time, so they got
like hormonal erin and the guy was so rude back,
and I wasn't even that mean, but I was just like, dude,
like you guys mind, like you know, we came here
to listen to the singing. And his response was really rude,
(03:38):
like just go on YouTube and listen. And it's like
I wanted to pay money to go on YouTube and listen,
But like I don't know what the right answer is
or where do you like draw a line on like
what's appropriate and what's not, Like what if you.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
Say something, yeah, but why is it contrad any different
than like a sparking event. You're at a baseball or
football game and people are standing and yelling and chit
chatting and everything, So a double standard sometimes, I.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
Mean a little bit, but like you know, at like
a football game and people they're not like standing and
yelling the whole time, like when a big play happens,
they might get up, and so like, I don't know,
maybe it's a double standard, but I feel like that's
more acceptable than if you're at a concert and they're
just standing up dancing the entire time. Because now suddenly
you paid for a seat, but you're having to stand.
(04:22):
And maybe the solution is they make like designated like
dance sections and sitting sections and so you don't have
to worry about it.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
Well, once again, Aaron, we prove that if the world
just make us king and Queen, we would solve all
the problems of the world.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Right, And I mean, I'm having empathy for people, right,
Like my girlfriends were kind of like I love all
of you if you're listening, because they know I do
this podcast and they might be, but like I was like, guys,
like I feel bad for the people, and they they
at one point got and went down to like another
group of people that were dancing like four rows ahead
of them. They'll like give them high fives because they
were like so pumped that they were also dancing. But
(05:01):
then the then the wheels fell off and someone's filled
a dream guns on one's head.
Speaker 3 (05:05):
And there was a.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
Lot more that went down at this concert. But we
are engaged to hear what people think and maybe leave
us some comments or shoot his notes on what you
consider the proper etiquette talking though like not.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Cool, like yes, for that's what happened at our show.
To two guys in front where just non stop talking back,
so you know, the whole show, like not even listening
to the show.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
Yeah, not like oh I love this song like it
reminds you this, just like yeah, see that. To me,
that's where it's kind of like all right, which friends
got yelled at for that too, But I just sat
there with my Michael Wolt and I was like, Okay, anyway,
let's bring in Tim Smith, who was our guest today,
because maybe he's got a little opinion on this. I
know he's the mayor of sen Alvans, but for longer
than that, he's been the executive director of the Franklin
(05:51):
County Industrial Development Corporation, so he's, uh, he's kind of
a public figure too, right, So I'm curious to hear
his take because I wonder if he'd be kind of
like me where it's like, I don't know, I feel bad.
We got to kind of like do the right thing here, Tim,
What have you had any bad concert experiences with dancers
in front of you? Where are you a dancer at concerts?
Speaker 4 (06:12):
I don't know, I was gonna say, Aaron, as you
were speaking, I was like, no one asked to worry
about me dancing in front of them. You know, I
think Joe might be in that same group.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
I'm with you, But Tim, I I do see you
often your Saint Albans music in the park at Tower
Park there, so I see you out there mingling.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (06:36):
No, they we started concerts two weeks ago, and I
always admire those people that can get up and dance
in front of the band and just have two of them.
I need a I need a pack that I can
sort of infiltrate and get in the middle of it.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
So I'm not so conscious you do like the dad.
The dad like sway a little bit, but any like,
concerts in the park are great because it's like it's
not like stadium seating where it's like you have no
choice and you're like stuck in the seat. At Lea's there,
it's like people can get up, go up front and
dance if you want to dance, and then sit if
(07:14):
you are.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
Okay, you can set your chair up wherever you want.
You know, you can be on the side and do
the dance thing. So yeah, it's not quite the same
at all, But.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
No, I like, so I was so frustrated. I was
literally sitting at the concert, and this is a whole
nother topic for you, Joe, Like what time is it
appropriate to still like text or call people? And I
was like, I can't forget that this is the thing
I want to talk about on the podcast. So I
send you an email from my seat at the Chris
Stapleton concert at like ten thirty at night. So people
(07:43):
seeing it at concerts we got to talk about. Okay,
So Tim tell us a little bit about for folks
who maybe don't know what the FCIDC is, what is
kind of the elevator pitch on what you guys are
all about.
Speaker 4 (07:59):
Sure, So there's twelve we call Regional Development Corporations throughout
the state of Vermont short RDC. So we we all
all twelve do things a little bit different, but for
the most part, we're all about strengthening the economy in
our regions. So for us, for Franklin County industrial Development,
(08:21):
we spend a lot of time developing industrial parks, attracting
new business.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
And when I say business, it's more on the.
Speaker 4 (08:30):
Value added manufacturing as compared to retail. Although I think
we'll get into our mission has changed a little bit,
but for the most part, We're all about strengthening the
economy through working with business and strengthening the workforce as well,
which is a little bit more difficult now than it
(08:51):
was in the past for a variety of reasons. So
we're that's what we all do. There's twelve of us.
We all we meet monthly, We interact with the state.
We'd like to think of ourselves as a one stop
shop for business. So if someone's starting a business, they're
growing a business when we try to assist them in
their mission as well.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
So now Tim talk about I know in Franklin County
we've been seeing a lot of growth happen over the years,
and a lot of it is you know, employers both
expanding but also coming to the region. Talk a little
bit about some of your success stories. You know, you've
seen some great growth in places like Georgia and Saint Albans.
Speaker 3 (09:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:34):
I just went to the Greater Burlington Industrial Corp Annual
meeting last night and they had they had a placard
on the on the table which says that Franklin, Grand
Island Chitney County is responsible for forty three percent of
the economy of the state of Vermont, so it gives
you an an indication of what's the impact in Northwest
is Obviously Chittingen is a driving force with that. But
(09:58):
we've been very fortunate. We're on the Board of Canada
as everyone knows, so we do. Our success has been
with attracting Canadian businesses that want to be I don't
know if that's the case anymore, but you know, but
we we had a great history over the over decades
of attracting Canadian business And the one that comes to
(10:21):
mind is Peerless Clothing, which you're familiar with. Joe four
hundred and fifty employees, one of the larger private employers,
and they distribute men's clothing, mainly suits sportcoats around the country.
I think they are responsible for about ninety five percent
of the men's attire in the state, excuse me, the country.
(10:42):
So that's been and that we recruited them before my
time to fifteen hundred square foot space and now they're
in a three hundred thousand square foot building that houses
four point two million suits and they distribute both to
hip and to you know, the nacis of the world
(11:05):
and cold and whatnot. So that's probably one of the
bigger successes Ben and Jerry's obviously is one very calible
as a Canadian business that started was one of the
first companies in the industrial parker first or second. So yeah,
we're very fortunate to location location, location, right. So we've
been very fortunate from that perspective.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
Well, and it certainly helps, you know when you guys
continue to energize and put efforts into making Franklin County
a great place to live. Right, Like, people work, they
need to make a living, so there's opportunities to work.
But you guys also have a lot of cool things happening,
I know, especially like in the Saint Albans area with
(11:47):
the music in the park we mentioned, there's different festivals
and things that you guys are really doing a great
job of making it like a place people want to
not only work, but live and stay and spend their
spare time as well.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
I'm chuckling, Aaron, because like that's like you nailed, you
nailed the promo. I mean it was, that's exactly what
we So we are. Mission changed four years ago two
more because it's difficult to find employees companies to find,
so we we shifted our mission a little bit to
(12:20):
more of a play spase economic development. So we to
your point, we worked with communities. We we do sort
of we do grants that are we like to think
of them as catalysts for moving projects forward. There's a
number of them going on now, you know, and they're
small grants ten thousand dollars for the most part, but
(12:43):
it really kickstarts a number of other projects to move forward.
And our theory is that people will want to live
in franklinkin. The more people that can live here, you know,
it's better for our employers to have access to a
workforce they can grow their business.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
So you nailed it. You know, we were talking music.
Speaker 4 (13:04):
I think you could find a free concert in Franklin
County almost any night of the week. East Fairfield, Saint Albans, Highgate, Swanton, Enesburgh.
I mean there's the summer. If you want music, Franklin
County will add no charge for anyone.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
So so, Tim, you have a couple of exciting projects
that are going on through FC. I see, you know
Brigham Academy and some other projects. Maybe bring people up
to speed on some of that. And I know we
have some photos too to go along with it.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (13:40):
Sure, Brigham Academy, which is on screen now. The individual
Peter Bent Brigham was a native of Bakersfield and he
left Bakersfield when he was eighteen years old, went to
Boston and hit it big in real estate, and he
(14:00):
set aside money to create a high school for the
town of Bakersfield. Just interestingly, he is also the Brigham
in Brigham Women's Hospital, so he donated a significant money
in Boston as well for that hospital.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
So it's that connection.
Speaker 4 (14:20):
My sister was there for a while, so it's interesting
for me to see that connection to Franklin County for sure.
But the building's been vacant for the most part, on
and off for about thirty years or more, and we're
looking we're working with the Town of Bakersfield along with
Northwest Region Planning and Kathy Levoi to try do Housing's
a big issue right in the state, so we're trying
(14:41):
to convert that building to sixteen or eighteen units. We've
done some preliminary work. We've awarded a grant to Bakersfield
for that as well to do some architectural stuff. So
still in the preliminary stages, but we're optimistic that something
will be happening with that building in the near future perfect.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
And then another project that you guys have going on
is up in Enisburgh.
Speaker 4 (15:07):
Fall Sure in Nusburg Falls on Main Street is a
pearly block. And once again when we talked playspace, this
was a building that was vacant for.
Speaker 3 (15:20):
Five or six years. We bought the building, we.
Speaker 4 (15:23):
Renovated it, and what you're looking at now is we
raised the roof on the back part of the building
to add four apartments. The building has will have twelve apartments,
two retail spaces, and four thousand feet of office space,
all occupied at this point, and that was not the
case three years ago. This is how it looked before
(15:43):
we bought it. So we've managed to flip the building,
not flip, but turn it around in the sense that
it's productive. It's on main street, you know, So we're
trying to that play space where we try to bring
people to the community, let them see what the smaller
towns of Franklin County have to offer. And I think
(16:05):
this was a prime example of doing that correctly well.
Speaker 1 (16:10):
And I think that's such a big thing because everyone,
right especially in Vermont here, you drive through a lot
of small towns and I think one of the most
charming things about Vermont is when you discovered discovered these
like cute little small towns with a really vibrant downtown area.
But then on the flip side, it's unfortunate, but there
are downtown areas that have fallen on hard times or
(16:31):
look a little bit like rougher and that they need
some help. And so you guys, you know, being being
a corporation or a group that really tries to help
right dig out out of that bad spot for places
and make it feel like it's not such a difficult
project and hey, we're gonna like help you, help you
get there and do what we can. I think it's
(16:53):
really great.
Speaker 4 (16:54):
Yeah, I think you're seeing that in many towns, Swanton
being one. Joe, I don't know if Green Mountain Bistro
is a new restaurant that's really really hit it out
of the park, along with a bakery there the Ace
Hardware store. So downtown Swanton's not nearly what it was
three years ago. It's it's improved extensively and people people
(17:17):
are going to Swanton now for the restaurant, for the bakery,
for the concerts. So uh, they've seen some growth in
their downtown activity. So those are the successes that we'd
like to see. We're hoping that's gonna be the case,
and I think it is a case for Enusburgh. And
you know, after we finished with the Pearly blog, we'll
be looking for some other opportunities as well.
Speaker 2 (17:40):
Now, you know Aaron in front of that Pearly block building.
Just a couple of weeks ago they had cow pop
bingo on the street. So if you've never been Aaron,
it's it's a fun event to go to. Definitely a
few times.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
Well, I mean it is like what is it?
Speaker 4 (18:02):
So they mark out I don't know, one hundred and
fifty squares on the main street in Enosburgh and it's
fenced off and you can buy a square with your
number on it, which might you know whatever, one to
one fifty. And then they let a cow after feeding
him extensively, and I don't know if there's some laxatives
in there or not, but they let the cow loose
(18:24):
in that square, and wherever the cow plops, his first
PLoP would be the and it has to be the
majority of the PLoP in your square. You would win
the winnings, which I don't know how much it is,
but that's that's like a standard for the Dairy Day
festival in Nusburgh.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
I mean that's amazing. It's like roulette like cowpuh, yeah
exactly kind of you pick your number. And I did
not know such a thing existed, but that is amazing.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
And if you drive down the street four months later,
the markings are still on the roads, you know, the
squares are still on the road, so you can see it.
So yeah, it's great. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
They like circle it like like you know, if there's
like a crime scene, they like circle the body like
this is where last year, Like you could like be
strategic like these are in history. They gotta do. They
gotta just start painting it every year where it was
like this is twenty twenty five, PLoP, this is twenty
twenty four PLoP. And then people.
Speaker 4 (19:26):
If there's any correlation between where it always happens.
Speaker 1 (19:30):
Yes, data driven world these days, guys, we got we
gotta get strategic here and picking our numbers, you know.
Speaker 2 (19:36):
Tim, One of the things I think that FCD I
see is lucky and the City of Saint albans Is
is your dual role between being mayor Saint albans You know,
you talk about housing and development. You know, the industrial
park in Saint Albans is so close in proximity to
some new housing that Saint Albans has brilliant embraced in
(19:59):
your Lake Street. Housing has been ongoing now for a bit,
and I know people are starting to move in. So
I really think how important that is, that connection of living,
where working, where you can live, and proximity to public
transit and things like that.
Speaker 3 (20:16):
Yeah, I know for sure.
Speaker 4 (20:18):
I think our city manager for the City of Saint
Alman's Dominic Cloud. You know, he's had a vision from
day one. He's been with the city for fifteen years.
I think he's the best city manager or town administrator
in the state. He loves pulling these projects together. I
(20:38):
mean what you see in Saint Albans, the hotel, the
parking garage, as hardware, and the list goes on and on.
Those are He truly enjoys pulling a project together. And
I think he enjoys it more when he comes across
a he has a hurdle or he has an issue
that needs to be a resolved. So he's great for
(21:00):
the city and to your point, Joe, we just they're
working through. It took us a while, but we had
to clean up the Fonda site, tore down a building,
cleaned it up from brownfields, and now we're seeing activity
there which includes thirty four senior housing from with Cathedral Square.
(21:22):
Then we're working with another developer for eighty two units
of marketplace housing, and then you mentioned the seventy two
on Lake Street. So I think we're doing our part
relative to housing. I think we'll pay dividends for us
not only on our tax rates moving forward, but also
in the attraction of bringing or allowing some of our
(21:42):
youth to stay here because they can't find a place
to live and they can find good jobs as well.
Speaker 1 (21:48):
So a lot of these projects you're talking about, I know,
involved things that cost money, right Like it you can't
tear down a building and get everything out of there
for free, and so where does where does the money
to do some of these projects come from.
Speaker 3 (22:03):
All these came through the TIFF process.
Speaker 4 (22:06):
So the tax Incremental Financing Initiative we just it's a
ten year period. We just came to the end of
ten years. But there's a new program called CHIPS with
the state legislature, which I think we'll be tapping into
for a couple other projects moving forward. So the tiff
allows you to with a city vote to take a
(22:26):
bond out and then you pay it back with a
portion of your incremental increase in your tax property taxes,
so it's nothing on the residents of the community. It
comes from the growth on the development, so that's where
the money comes from. It's been very successful. It's probably
(22:46):
one of the best tools, if you will, in the
state of Vermont for communities to have an impact.
Speaker 2 (22:55):
That's great, Tim, You know, we're wrapping up a little
bit here. Is there anything that you know we haven't
talked about that you want to tell us about, either
with the fc DIC or the city or anything in general.
Speaker 4 (23:07):
Yeah, I mean we've we'll have some challenges. I don't
want to make it sound like it's all Candyan Roses,
but you know, we have the announcement probably three or
four months ago regarding Parago. Parago was another one of
our largest private employers that made baby formula in Georgia,
(23:27):
and they'll be closing their plan. So we'll be focused
on how do we address trying to attract new business
to that facility.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
It's a little premature now.
Speaker 4 (23:40):
They still they're not leaving till July of twenty seven,
but it is something that will be focused on. The
good side is that I think we still are seeing
the Canadian business, maybe not to the extent that it was,
but I think we're slowly we'll begin to work through
some of that and I think we'll see more Canadians
(24:01):
throughout the summer. So but I think that's about it.
The city is open for business, as is other parts
of the Franklin County and encourage people to come.
Speaker 3 (24:12):
For dining, shopping and.
Speaker 2 (24:15):
Recreation without a doubt.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
I know in the summer there's the water right down
by the water, there's like at.
Speaker 4 (24:21):
You got the Ayday event when the Great Race is
coming up July third or fourth or fifth, I'm not
sure of the date.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
They all all blend together, not really right or the
July we could all just kind of blend together.
Speaker 4 (24:34):
And then we have farmers' markets throughout the area as well.
I think we've just recently received a letter from someone
who was visiting Burlington ended up in St. Albans and
they just loved it. They have a great tour up
at Brandon's in Fairfield. They love Saint Albans. So that's
the stuff that really makes you proud.
Speaker 1 (24:53):
All right, well, thank you so much for taking a
little bit of time to join us here on the
podcast this morning.
Speaker 4 (24:57):
We really appreciate it, and thank you for your time,
and thanks for having me exactly.
Speaker 1 (25:05):
I'm sure well chat soon. I learned a fun fact.
I did not I knew about Parago being up there.
I did not know about Perlos. I've seen it right
p E R L I S.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
Yeah here clothing.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
Yeah, I've heard of that company. I just didn't realize
that that's where it's all made.
Speaker 2 (25:21):
Yeah, enormous, enormous building, right, first building in the industrial park.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
Yeah, interesting, didn't know. And you are a you're a
Franklin County guy. You recently moved, but that was your
home for that's where you reach your kids.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
Right, where are my kids?
Speaker 4 (25:36):
You know?
Speaker 2 (25:36):
My wife's a native born in sant Albans And yeah,
we spent twenty plus years, so both my kids were
born and at Northwest. So yeah, St. Alban's close to
my heart. I lived actually more or less walking distance
from the industrial Park.
Speaker 1 (25:52):
Okay, Well, and have you driven by lately because I
remember on an earlier podcast you said that you found
yourself just kind of driving by to check it out.
Speaker 2 (25:59):
I did, Yeah, of course I did. Of course I did.
But I know we're running out of time and we
do have to play our new favorite game, trash here
or not. So I have a good one for you,
and I think it might be fitting for you because
you've been traveling a little bit and I have, and
I know you're planning on some travel coming up. So
trash he are not making change in the tip jar.
(26:22):
Oh so you want it? You know, you go, you
get a coffee or whatever it is, and you want
it tip the barista. And I found myself, you know,
wanting to tip, and I only had a five dollar bill,
so I don't. I know, I can tip or five dollars,
but I rather not tip five dollars. So is it
trashy for me to put the five dollars in then
take four, you know, three or four singles out? Or
(26:44):
do I just not tip that all?
Speaker 1 (26:46):
See, that's an interesting one because I feel like it's
like a little bit odd. But at the same time,
if you're then more likely to just not give them anything,
I think that the person on the receiving end of
the tip would rather you make change out of their
tip jar and give them the dollar than the four.
I think where it probably gets a little tough though,
is like people just digging their hands in and if
(27:08):
someone's not like watching, like maybe the way around it
is you ask for ask the register for change, and
let them dip into the jar to do it.
Speaker 2 (27:20):
Well, my wife called me a cheap bastard on Tuesday,
so we ended up tipping the five dollars.
Speaker 1 (27:27):
Of course, don't be cheap joke, tip the five. What
I mean it's because you're deal in cash, right, This
isn't a problem I have. You don't deal in cash.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
You don't have, but you know you go away to
make sure you have you know, a small bills. Well,
you know, you stay in a hotel, so you guys
have small bills for you know, a half keeping and
then the valet. You need small bills there, so you know,
I make a point to have some small bills. So
small bills in my world are one five.
Speaker 1 (27:54):
I'm gonna let you fib to all of our listeners
and viewers here, but we both know that you don't
only carry small bills. Or if a small bill is
one hundred dollars pill then that's great.
Speaker 2 (28:05):
But the first I experienced for the first time, they
had QR code to tip housekeeping in the hotel. I
never had that. Huh, Yeah, I get.
Speaker 1 (28:15):
My nails done. Sometimes they have cute or they have
like their Venmo scan codes.
Speaker 2 (28:19):
Yeah, which actually I appreciate. I didn't, but I appreciated that.
So you're saying not trashy or trashy picking.
Speaker 1 (28:27):
So I think I think it's kind of track. I
think it's trashy, but it's trashier to not tip if
it's a service where you should be tipping. So it
just depends. I guess what level of trash you want
to be.
Speaker 2 (28:41):
I think our game we might have like a trash meter.
How far up?
Speaker 1 (28:47):
Yeah, so I'll put I'll put I'll put it like
halfway up for the making the change, but then I'll
put it a little higher. As a former like server
and someone who works in a world where you want
to get tipped, that the not tipping is trashier, then well.
Speaker 2 (29:01):
And I almost brought it up because the statue limitation
is gone. But my in laws used to work at
the trubble factory in Saint Albans. What Tim was just
talking any truck that shows up has to be empty.
So a traffic trailer comes from another location can't be
(29:22):
you know, can't have anything in it. So they had
a traffic trailer show up with a large quantity of
blue Bunny ice cream that they couldn't accept because it
was on the truck. So they were going to throw
it all away. So my father and all call it
and he's like, hey, I know you ice cream. There's
thousands of ice cream sandwiches in the middle of the summer,
(29:45):
so you know, so a large number of people showed
up there and helped themselves to ice cream sandwich. So
you know, once again, trashy or not.
Speaker 1 (29:57):
No, not, that's just being like resourceful. Food waste is
not good and that food couldn't get donated because it
was so someone had to enjoy the ice cream. Speaking
of tractor trailers for the first time, I was driving
the other day and I passed a Meyer's tractor trailer.
I was like, whoa, I've never seen one of these before.
Speaker 2 (30:13):
Well, yes, and that tractor trailer is bound for Canada
with sheet rock that's being turned into quickie dry, you know,
like the stuff you spread. You know, when you have
an oil week and you spread you know spread it
on the ground to clean up the oil, so sheep
rock turned into quickie dry.
Speaker 1 (30:30):
Fun recycling fact we'll leave everybody with for today's podcast.
While you're here, like us, subscribe to us, share us,
keep on coming back for more because Joe and I
are here every single week for your entertainment and education,
teaching you a little bit about trash a lot about
giving back in our community. We'll see you next time.
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