At a recent workshop, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Milford (CCGM) requested funds from Milford City Council to offset the cost of fireworks for the annual Riverwalk Freedom Festival. Before the request, Jo Schmeiser, Executive Director of the Chamber, spoke to council.
“I’m going to try to get through this before Angela Dorey, our Riverwalk festival chairperson, gives the presentation,” Schmeiser said. “I just want to say, from the bottom of my heart, that, as you know, I’m retiring April 30 and I want to say thank you to all of you. Everybody in this room plus others. I know from working over the last 19 years with Chambers of Commerce throughout the state and all over the country, that many of them don’t have the relationship that we do with the municipality here in Milford and other organizations here. They just don’t support each other. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much.”
Schmeiser stated that she would miss everyone, but she would be back, joking that Angela Dorey had already told her she would be volunteering for the Riverwalk Festival.
“Before Angela starts, Jo, because we may not get a chance,” Councilman Jason James said. “We just want to applaud you and thank you for all that you have invested in the city of Milford. We are better because of your presence and your involvement with the Chamber. So, thank you.”
Riverwalk Chairperson Angela Dorey took over the presentation at that point.
“That is a tough act to follow,” Dorey said. “This is my 16th year as chairperson, and I have returned to the Board of Directors as president. City Council has been extremely supportive of the festival, and I hope all of you have had an opportunity to attend and see how it brings our community together. Just listening to the other presentations, the library, the museum, the fire department. It takes so many different parts and it all brings us together for one day.”
Dorey stated that CCGM was asking for the same funding as previous years to offset the cost of the fireworks show. She explained that the festival took over 180 volunteers. She also explained that the chamber had helped her grow her own business.
“I owe a lot of my success to the roles I have been placed in at the Chamber” Dorey said. “I never imagined I would be entrusted with something so important that touches so many people. We’ve been blessed with wonderful weather the past few years.”
There were no questions from council although there was a comment.
“I think we all know how great that event is, how well its run and what it means to downtown,” Mayor Todd Culotta said. “You guys have done a great job year after year.”
The request will for funding will be discussed at budget hearings planned for May or June.
