It’s not often that I find myself agreeing with Emerson Lynn; but because I understand the value of having a local independent newspaper I like to give him credit on the rare occasions when I think he gets it right. With this in mind, his editorial in Friday’s Messenger (also VT Tiger), addressing Douglas’ suspension of the Vermont Quality Seal Program is worthy of mention here. It appears that this is one gubernatorial budget cut to which Mr. Lynn takes exception, as well he should.
Everyone seems to agree that credibility of the Seal and the Vermont “brand” as a whole has been undermined by a lack of meaningful regulation. Unlike Governor Douglas, those who recognize the intrinsic value of Vermont’s reputation for excellence know that the answer is not to eliminate the program altogether, but rather to establish a regulatory process that will restore confidence in the Seal. This should not have to be done at the expense of education or social service funding. Since all would benefit from the enhanced market prestige that a meaningful and effective quality assurance program would bring to Vermont products, funding might be efficiently managed as a shared cost of doing business in Vermont. In a state that still needs much improvement with regard to joblessness, employment created in the process should be regarded as a plus rather than a burden.
On every possible occasion Douglas has loudly proclaimed his lack of confidence in Vermont’s viability; and his opposition to anything resembling business regulation is well-known. It is therefore not surprising that he would be willing, even eager to abandon the Vermont Seal of Quality Program rather than embracing the kind of regulation that would actually validate the Seal.
Democratic gubernatorial candidates Deb Markowicz and Doug Racine quickly went on record opposing the Governors’ position, which Markowicz describes as “anti-business;” and in an interesting departure from his usual position on the Governor’s coattails, even the Lt. Governor has objected to the proposal to scrap the Quality Seal.
This is one issue on which Vermonters of every stripe should be able to agree. Vermont’s economic future will be built on the reputation of its products and services. Doing everything possible to defend and further that reputation should be a high priority for the Governor’s office, no matter who happens to occupy it.
Douglas has proved beyond all doubt, that he should never, ever, ever work in marketing.
Ever.
For a short time Brian Dubie took a stand against the Governor’s abandonment of the Vermont Seal of Quality program. He even issued a statement Thursday saying that he “disagreed with the Douglas administration’s decision to retire this important program.”
But on Friday Governor Douglas and Sec. Allbee had a little chat with Brian and got his mind right on the subject. ‘Nice little campaign you have there Brian, be a shame if something were to happen to it ‘
The Lt.Governor Dubie apparently suffered no intellectual whiplash from the sudden change of direction.
Independence on hiatus while adjustments are made.
http://www.burlingtonfreepress…
Vermonters have built a brand, which we have controlled, which now has a lot of value. Control of that value can be given away, to people who want to extract money from it. The way that’s usually done is to shout about it, while cheapening the product, getting as much money as possible from the suckers, before they realize the value is gone.
Look at Energy Star. Back before consumer law was gutted, it had some meaning. Now, business realizes there’s no cosequence to putting the star on anything they want to sell, and calling it green.
It’s an old, old scam: Grab anything of value, tout its value loudly, until its value goes up. Then dump it. Accuse others of destroying its value. That destroys its value, dropping the price. Grab it again, and repeat.
We’re too busy splitting hairs to notice we’re going bald.
with most of the comments posted. I think that it is important to note that the seal of quality has been so watered down that it means nothing.
I actually think that this is an opportunity to make sure the Vermont Brand actually means something. I hope folks will get involved in the process so that the next iteration of the program actually has some teeth.
We had seals that basically allowed all out-of-state ingredients to be processed in a facility in Vermont that would then allow the product to bear the seal. We also allowed companies based here, but with most manufacturing out of state, to use the seal as well.
I hope that we take charge of our brand and make sure it remains authentic so that our future in exporting (a huge part of a succesful Ag sector in the future) products to southern NE and the northeast megalopolis is the integrity of the product.
This sounds like an example of a state program that Douglas ignored through his entire tenure in office, and is now ditching because it “doesn’t work”.