Governor Douglas Visits Retreat

More than 50 business and civic leaders from Windham County gathered at the Brattleboro Retreat on Thursday, March 5th, for a luncheon and Q&A session with Vermont Governor James Douglas.

Douglas was in town to take part in Governor's Day, an annual event sponsored by the Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce.

Prior to the luncheon, Douglas met privately with Retreat President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Rob Simpson to discuss issues related to healthcare funding and the Retreat's recently announced plans to open three new programs in the late spring and early summer.

During the luncheon portion of his visit Gov. Douglas responded to a host of questions ranging from the federal stimulus package to the future of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power facility in Vernon.

Following lunch Douglas was escorted by Dr. Simpson on an extensive tour of the Retreat, which included a look at the renovation projects currently underway in the Osgood and Tyler buildings.

"I was very pleased that Governor Douglas wanted to spend so much time visiting the units and asking incisive questions about our existing and new programs," said Simpson. "The children in the school were especially excited and very much enjoyed the governor's stopping by to engage them in conversation."