One of the things that I have done a bit has been to talk with people who run small business about their businesses. One of those businesses is Belanger’s Hardware which has been on Water street in Fitchburg since 1946.
We come to the front door and prepare to enter.
For what is pretty much a one man operation it was really jumping that morning:
Bob has been working there since he was 13. He explains the difference between himself and a Home Depot.
The best judge of a place can be their customers, Clyde was willing to talk on Camera:
He and Bob talked a bit about his issue:
And as Clyde explains there can be specific advantages to someone who has done the job since the 50’s
We close with Bob explaining what the government can and should do to help small business.
The government would be smart to listen to a man who has seen it all since before the current president was born. It’s all a question of if they will listen.
The field guide returns with Chris “Smitty” Smith of The Other McCain:
It is impossible to meet Smitty or spend any length of time with him without realizing that he is a gentleman of the first order and a pleasure to be with.
Had a very good time at the Conservative Forum of the Commonwealth Meetup event last night. Met some dedicated conservatives from various parts of central Massachusetts and shared video from both CPAC and yesterday’s Tea Party protests on Main Street.
We talked about the Scott Brown race, the real impact of the average folk at CPAC and the obamacare bill. It was a very pleasant time and I look forward to the March 29th event that will be taking place at the Border Grille and Bar. (You know me any excuse to go to the Border is a good one for me!)
Of course me being me things would not be normal if I didn’t take some video and ask questions of those willing who attended.
I was not the only speaker, Dale Brown who is running as an independent in the 5th district (vs Niki Tsongas) was there and gave me a few minutes.
His health care plan is here. Brown maintains that it is likely that a republican in that seat rather than an independent would likely go back to business as usual. He stated that if elected he would caucus with Republicans for organizational purposes but would not be beholden to them in terms of fiscal responsibility
My final interview was with Charlie…
Being the modest man I am (hope you weren’t drinking when you read that) I got myself crossed up a bit after Charlie’s kind praise..
It was a very worthwhile evening, although two conflicting events (Glenn Beck film in Worcester and Republican party meeting in Leominster) affected turnout. I look forward to seeing them and you at the Border on the 29th.
It is rare enough for Fitchburg to have protests, It is even rarer for a group to have two protests in one day, but it is totally unheard of for Two different groups to be protesting two separate issues within a block of each other at the same time here.
The first of the two was the daily protest against Planned Parenthood’s attempt to open a clinic in Fitchburg. Ted Turner and his hearty band were once again standing tall. Every time I come down I see new faces but the message remains the same:
I’ve known Lorraine and her sister and her son for decades. I was surprised to see her.
Therese Cross comes down weekly to protest. she has no intention of giving up.
Ted spoke about the regular protests that have gone on since Feb 8th. He said it was a good experience and allowed him to meet a lot of good people. A new zoning resolution is going up before the city counsel tonight and he is hoping that regular order will be followed allowing the petition to pass to the zoning board without being blocked by the city counsel.
As for the tea party protesters down the block Turner and the rest of the regular group of protesters to a person expressed their support for their goals. When they left they expressed that support with a symphony of car horns.
Down the block I saw some familiar faces from the morning. Anne Andrews was there as was Michael Wertz. A local reporter showed up and asked a few questions, unfortunately for the group he left before the crowd reached its height.
I started my interviews with Kate Wirtz:
I never thought to ask if they were related. Joyce Jacobs talked to me as well.
Clark Straight had a perspective that most of the other people I talked to did not. Unlike everyone else I had met he was a long time activist who was active in Republican Political circles.
The big question is why now? We had smaller movements like Porkbusters during the Bush years but what has made the difference is? Ted Turner had one interesting thing to say. He suggested that the policies of President Obama lit a fire among the electorate. It motivated folks to get involved and an involved electorate is an informed one. You can’t have a healthy republic without one.
From what I’ve seen today, the republic is healthy indeed.
One of those businesses is Belanger’s Hardware which has been on Water street in Fitchburg since 1946.
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