News : Congresswoman Ashley Hinson stops in downtown Vinton

Mayor Bud Maynard, Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, Melody Snow of Vinton Unlimited, Sue and Larry Hart of Brickside Brew-N-Chew, Colleen Karrick of the Niche

Dan LaGrange of LaGrange Pharmacy spoke with Hinson at his store in downtown Vinton

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson made stops in downtown Vinton on Monday morning. Accompanied by Melody Snow of Vinton Unlimited and Vinton's Mayor Bud Maynard, she visited area businesses in downtown Vinton.

Stopping first at LaGrange Pharmacy, the Congresswoman visited with owner Dan LaGrange. The two talked about pharmaceuticals and suggestions or ways that services to residents could be improved. They shared a brief discussion about medications that might become available over the counter but then insurance companies might not cover the costs as well as other hurdles in the medication field. Hinson inquired about the workforce at the pharmacy. LaGrange shared that he has been fortunate with most employees being with him for a long time and hasn't had a labor shortage because of his dedicated workers.

Her next stop was next door at the Niche where owner Colleen Karrick shared the struggles that she faces with the costs to operate her small business. She said that shipping alone was extraordinarily high right now, a cost that she didn't feel she could pass along to shoppers. The two women discussed supply issues in getting supplies to the store in time for the holidays. The businesses sees visitors from all across the country thanks to tourism and families bringing their guests to the store.

Hinson also visited with Brickside Brew-N-Chew owners Larry and Sue Hart. Sue brought out the hostess in her and offered coffee to the guests to enjoy while they sat around the table, to visit. The business owners discussed the different treats that they provide including pastries, breakfast and lunch and the problems they faced in getting simple supplies like coffee cups.

Hinson is on the Jobs and Economy Task Force and is trying to find ways to help employers and give them tools to help their business. One of her plans is to try to amend the Fair Labors Act to help employers.

Larry Hart shared with Hinson how Brickside Brew-N-Chew is trying to support other businesses. They've been known to send customers over to the Niche, and are promoting a quilt that is on display in the shop and referring customers down the street to the Viking Sewing Center. They said that if they can send customers to other stores downtown they always look for an opportunity to do so.

Both businesses discussed the tax burden and the struggles they face to pay employees, pay the rent and still be able to provide for the community.

"Quality of life" is something that the city is trying to promote in Vinton said Mayor Bud Maynard. He shared with the Congresswoman that the city is working to bring more housing to the community.

One customer mentioned how he had moved here from upstate New York and brought along his generator. Then he found that he didn't need it in Vinton because we have our own electric plant that kicks in within minutes of an outage. Something that hit a chord with Hinson who was without power 9 days during the derecho.

Another customer in the shop inquired about the proposed trade of WNBA star Brittney Griner who is detained in Russia since February 17, 2022, for drug trafficking after Russian airport security allegedly found cannabis paraphernalia in her luggage. Victor Bout's name has been tossed around as potential trade for Griner.

Bout is a notorious Russian arms dealer known as the "Merchant of Death" serving a 25-year prison sentence in the U.S. Bout was sentenced in 2012 to 25 years in prison for attempting to sell millions of dollars in weapons to Colombian terrorists. "Today, one of the world's most prolific arms dealers is being held accountable for his sordid past," Attorney General Eric Holder said in 2012. "Viktor Bout's arms trafficking activity and support of armed conflicts have been a source of concern around the globe for decades." Bout earned his nickname, the Merchant of Death, for his notorious arms sales that contributed to the killings of innocent people around the world. He was known for running a fleet of Soviet-era cargo planes to conflict zones in African countries, inspiring the Hollywood film "Lord of War."

Hinson said of the two that both should be held accountable for what they've done. While Russia has been a bad actor, "I think it's dangerous territory to get into negotiations with the Russians right now, especially with the world stage right now."

At this point, Vinton Unlimited's Director received a call with the ringtone playing the theme song of the Andy Griffith show. Having just said that Vinton reminded her of Mayberry, Colleen Karrick said that she explains to her friends and family that Vinton is just like Mayberry. She said when they come to visit they agree that it indeed has that warm hometown feeling.

The discussion returned again to Vinton and how to promote the downtown. The group shared with Hinson the various activities that happen around the Christmas season in downtown Vinton and she shared ideas of events that she had seen in other towns.