Cheers to the Pub

“Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name…and they’re always glad you came.” We all remember the familiar “Cheers” jingle from the 80s. But for a few of us Norfolkians, the ballad rings true. The news of the Speckled Hen Pub closing its doors was very sad for us. The final meal at “our place” was like saying goodbye to an old friend. The Pub has been there for it all: drinks and haystacks with friends, our first date, our rehearsal dinner and while we were expecting our son. Surely we will miss our lovely waitress and the Fire Department gracing us with their annual rendition of “Friends in Low Places” on karaoke night. Thank you, to Mr. Davis and the staff of the Pub. Although we may not know all of your names like the old sitcom song conveys, you have truly been an important part of our lives for years. We’re not quite sure how we’re going to go about cooking for ourselves on Friday evenings, but when the wounds heal, I’m sure we’ll manage. Best of luck to you all. You will be greatly missed! Kailyn, Ben and Carter Nadeau

Only So Many Slices in the Emergency Services Building’s Pie

There have unfortunately been some misconceptions about the new Emergency Services Building, which will house the Resident State Trooper and Norfolk Lions Club Ambulance. In response to Veronica Burns’s article “Back to the Drawing Board,” I would like to clarify a few points. First, an independent committee was charged with assessing the building needs of all emergency services, including fire, thus the committee’s name: The Emergency Services Building Committee. They determined that the ambulance building was most in need of replacement, as it could not meet the needs of its members. Multiple attempts were made to create a design that could house all three services. However, it was determined that no town-owned property could reasonably house such a building. The article refers to a $750k cost, but it does not mention the fact that $400,000 will be paid by a state grant. Nor was the projected four million dollar cost of a combined facility mentioned. Our building needs are based on State and Federal requirements, primarily training. All of our frequent trainings are mandatory, and all are meant to be held in-house. Unfortunately, our current 50-year-old facility is woefully inadequate. We have not been able to hold meetings, much less trainings, there for some time. I can be reached at chief@norfolkambulance.com if anyone would like to discuss this further. I remain immensely proud of, and in my involvement with, this group. Sincerely, Marc Tonan, Chief of Service, Norfolk Ambulance