…Patricia Moulton Powden is leaving the department of labor.
Powden’s come up a a few times in the past here, for suggesting that the unemployed should just keep calling when they can’t get through the phone lines (“Think of it as a radio contest“).
But the best part of this is where she’s headed.
Anyone willing to hazard a guess?
Per The Boston Globe (I might have missed it but I didn’t see this in any Vermont paper):
Labor Commissioner Patricia Moulton Powden has announced she is stepping down to become vice president of public affairs at the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.
That somehow just… fits.
as a revolving door contest.
Douglas remarks on her strong points on Powden’s new role for the Chamber.
Given the insensitivity of her “radio contest” quip at the height of Vermont’s unemployment crisis maybe her new role isn’t too much different from her old role.
Read more: http://www.burlingtonfreepress…
in the morning! Goooooooood Morrrrrning Veeeeermoooont! Dubie Dog Dubie ‘The Sky Captain’ here with me (heckling, sound effects, fart noises) this morning. What a horrible day in Vermont today. The weather sucks, all our businesses packed up and are leaving, and the VT seal of quality means nothing anymore! What a morning we have on tap. Remember when you here the dialtones and cash register sound – call call call for our ‘Unemployed Summer’ Contest. Its like a radio contest, on the radio. Now over to Patty ‘Pow Pow’ Moulton with last week’s winner, down at a warm and glowing beach on the CT river in Vernon… take it away Pow Pow….
Cut to mobile reporter:
Hey Big D (static, fuzz) and (more static) Dubie Dog! Whazzzz Up under the McMonty P Golden Arches Dome? I’m down here snacking on an egg McMuffin (static) (fuzz) .. garbled… Whoa. Seems like our broadband connection sux down here. (static) – Anyway – you there?
Cut to radio studio:
Yeah, were here (horn noises, laughter).
Back to mobile reporter:
Well, I’m sitting here sipping a Monster Energy Rock Art Morning Brew with Billy. He won last weeks contest by calling in when he heard the dialtone and cash register.
(static). He’s not working the rest of the summer! And he’s registered in our grand prize drawing for a lifetime’s supply of lottery tickets!
Billy – how does it feel to win?
Cut to winner:
Actually, its kind of nice to finally get my unemployment benefits. Its been 4 weeks of dialing. I only had another week left before my cell phone was going to be turned off cuz I haven’t been able to pay the bills, so it came just in time. You guys rock! Thanks for running this contest – and to all the other contestants – keep on dialin!
Cut to radio studio:
(applause, laughter, horns)
Billy, Big Jim D here – hey man, sorry about those RIF notices… need to meet the challenges this state has ya know? Anyway, we’re sending you some syrup and a pair of autographed ribbon cutting scissors… enjoy your unemployment! And remember – greener valleys are just around the corner! Listen to Big Dog Dubie’s show later this year for more info!!!
(hoots, hollers, noises)
Hey Pow Pow – see you soon babe!
Now to the weather….
It is fine to poke fun at the many issues of the Douglas administration now led by Dubie, but there is a slight enlightenment arising from the VT Chamber. Considering the dark years of the Chamber led by the old time undertaker, a Chamber led by Betsy and Pat will at least present a somewhat reasonable position now and then. That is good news for both the Chamber and the state.
She’s found a safe home among her peeps. No more unwashed rabble, just the sweet clink of clean coin.
Leave the Douglas Administration and the Chamber and Ms. Bishop (and Mr. Torti, Ms. Moulton Powden and all the others) will welcome you with open arms. I guess after suckling the Chamber’s teat for all these years, it’s a natural progression, albeit a very scary one.
Doug, did you miss the terms; “slight” and “somewhat?”