www.towntimes.com
Volume 23, Number 17
Friday, July 26, 2019
‘CASH MOB’ IS COMING
Effort aims to boost local business By Everett Bishop Town Times
The town of Durham is preparing to double down on community spirit with the help of cash mobs.
Kimberly Garvis with her completed application for MMC.
Everett Bishop, Town Times
Town clerk receives international accreditation By Everett Bishop Town Times
Kimberly Garvis, Durham’s town clerk received international recognition as a Master Municipal Clerk on Monday, July 15. This was awarded to her by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks after she completed a year of studying, learning and applying. Garvis was one of the first in the state to
Town clerks undertake many administrative duties at town “IIMC grants the MMC des- hall such as issuing licenses ignation only to those muand permits, keeping and nicipal clerks who complete maintaining town records demanding education reand overseeing town elecquirements; and who have a tions. By becoming an record of significant contriMMC, part of the application butions to their local govern- requires the applicant to ment, their community and agree to continue with edustate,” said Stephanie cation as new laws and techCarouthers Kelly, IIMC pres- nologies are introduced. ident, in an email. receive this accreditation.
See Clerk, A10
A cash mob is an organized group of people who are sent to a particular business in order to spend as much as they can to boost the business’ revenue. It’s similar to a flash mob, except instead of dance moves, people are offering cold hard cash. “I think it’s really important. If we don’t support (our businesses) they’re not going to be here anymore,” said Janet Morganti, of the Economic Development Commission. “We’ve had a couple places closing, a couple places for sale. It’s not just us who are having those issues, the big box stores are closing, the malls are going to start closing. So these people are important.” Durham’s cash mob has become more than a oneoff project. The EDC has dubbed the cash mob as
the Local Weekend Warrior initiative and it will run every other Saturday beginning Aug. 3 to Sept. 14, with the exception of a cash mob on Thursday, Sept. 5. “We are hoping that it will be a catalyst for positive action in the community,” said Christine Michaud, director of the Durham Public Library. Michaud found inspiration for the project back in January after reading “This Is Where You Belong” by Melody Warnick. The book is based on research Warnick did as to how to create a sense of community where you live. Michaud passed the book along to Morganti and to First Selectwoman Laura Francis. “Building community and building your local economy … this book addressed many things I heard percolating in different areas in the community,” Michaud said. Michaud also made this book part of the library’s See Business, A10
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