Members of the Connecticut Vending Association spent a day at the Capitol in Hartford, Conn. to educate legislators about their businesses and how legislation affects the industry. Members provided school approved items showing everyone how far the industry has come to help with the obesity problem. The message today was that the vending industry wants to be a partner, and need to be heard before, and not after legislation passes.
Members met with numerous legislators, including state senators Joe Markley and Len Suzio, state representatives Dan Rovero, Ed Jutila and John Larson, and legislative aides from House Speaker Chris Donovan. Members also met with Secretary of State Denise Merrill, Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, and Governor Dannel Malloy.
The association thanked brokers John Derrick from Burdette Beckman Inc. and Mike Santos from Harold W. Young Inc. for their support, along with manufacturers who helped supply samples, and Vistar Corp.’s Sharon Connors.
Photo caption, left to right: John Derrick, Burdette & Beckman, Manchester, Conn.; State Sen. Len Suzio, R- Meriden, Conn,; Mike Santos, Harold W. Young Inc., Natick, Mass.; Sharon Connors, Vistar Corp., East Windsor, Conn.; Mark Lathrop, Lathrop Vending, Uncasville, Conn.; Scott Miller, Maple Hill Farms, Bloomfield, Conn. and Eric Mueller, United Snack Group, Cheshire, Conn.
Editor’s Insight: Connecticut is one of several states with strong vending associations that are critical to the survival of the vending industry. Vending operators everywhere need to support their state associations. State and local governments continue to propose excessive taxes and regulations on the vending industry.
Lawmakers will show no mercy to any industry that fails to make its voice heard in the manner that the Connecticut Vending Association has. Congratulations to all state association members, and shame on any operator who fails to support their association. 03-15-12 By Elliot Maras
