August 10, 2025
by Mark Tiler Richmond, Politics & Law Correspondent
A delegation from New Brick City, Rhode Island, has just wrapped up its first visit to the Realm of Bricklyn, Vermont.
From left to right in Bricklyn’s Historic Throne Room:
Bricklyn Welcome Committee: Bricklyn Eagle Editor Walt Brickman; Bricklyn Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Brickorti; Bricklyn Federal Council President Hilma Plater-Zybrick; and Bricklyn Federal Chancellor Malter Thurnbrick (wearing hat) // New Brick City Delegation: Mayor Clark Brickson (with Key to New Brick City); DR & Co. CEO Lisa Brickman; and New Brick City YouTube influencer BlitzBriks.
During their visit to Bricklyn this week, members of the New Brick City delegation focused their attention on key issues that Bricklyn has faced.
Mayor Brickson and others in the New Brick City delegation expressed particular interest in Bricklyn’s transportation initiatives and its innovative bicycle and pedestrian network (the “red tile pathway”) that links all key locations within the Tripartite Realm of Bricklyn.
The visitors also saw the controversial Bricklyn Loop Monorail, and were briefed on the challenges in its construction.
Also discussed were issues related to housing affordability and economic development.
Delegates toured the Northside mixed-use complex, and also gained an in-depth look at the key role that Dunk Them Donuts has played in Bricklyn’s economy,
The delegation met with Dunk Them Donuts CEO, David Tiler Broffmans and visited several Dunk Them Donuts facilities, including its state of the art donut production plant. See photo below.
Photo by Ann Tiler Anderson with assistance of Dall E AI.
The New Brick City delegation also witnessed — with some bafflement — an event apparently unique to Bricklyn: a “head pop-off.” This occurs when teenagers race in front of Brick Rail trains in order to be hit by the train engine, often resulting in their head popping off their body.
Medical crews are located nearby. But given the rigid plastic nature of LEGO minifigures, serious damage very rarely occurs, and the boy’s (or girl’s) head can be quickly popped back on — resulting in only a mild headache. Unfortunately, however, this teenage dare-you game can lead to delays in Brick Rail service, inconveniencing many Bricklynites.
Mayor Clarkson concluded the group’s visit by presenting Bricklyn Federal Council President Hilma with a ceremonial Key to the City, and inviting her and others from Bricklyn to visit New Brick City this Fall.
Before the New Brick City delegation headed back to Rhode Island, the Bricklyn Eagle spoke with three of the New Brick City visitors.
The Bricklyn Eagle (Mark Tiler Richmond): Mayor Brickson, you were recently elected on a “smart growth” platform. What does that mean for New Brick City’s future?
Mayor Brickson: The previous City administration, unfortunately, ignored smart growth principles. We were headed in the wrong direction by lowering taxes too much.
While this was popular with a number of residents it had unfortunate consequences for the city. It harmed our ability to construct desperately needed affordable housing. It also prevented the city from implementing needed transit upgrades, negatively impacting New Brick City’s economic development and future growth. When voters elected me as mayor last November, they showed their support for a dynamic, smart growth agenda.
Our aim is to provide more housing, and allow for higher density development. Two new skyscrapers, which will also have include retail uses on the ground floor, are already on the drawing board.
Better transit options are also essential to not only support new housing, but also to help our local businesses grow.
Lisa Brickman (CEO of DR & Company): Let me add my agreement with what the Mayor just said. Our company develops a wide range of high-tech products. We want to grow our business.
In fact, we are grateful that our visit to Bricklyn has resulted in an invitation to become a member of the League of Inland Cities, an organization founded by Bricklyn that focuses on fostering commerce and the flow of goods between LEGO cities and realms.
Mayor Brickson: To add a note to what Lisa just said, we’re pleased to announce that Dunk Them Donuts will be opening a deluxe donut shop in New Brick City. We hope this is one modest indicator of the benefits New Brick City will receive through its inclusion in the League of Inland Cities. I’m looking forward to signing a resolution from our governing body in the coming weeks authorizing us to join the League.
The Bricklyn Eagle: We’ve heard that New Brick City fosters ethnic diversity, and that you, BlitzBriks, as a young LEGO influencer have been at the forefront of this effort.
BlitzBriks (LEGO influencer): Yes, we’re proud that we’re an inclusive, ethnically diverse city. One area that has taken off is the variety of ethnic food offerings now found in New Brick City.
Most recently that has included a new sushi shop; a fantastic pizzeria; and a a Middle Eastern kebab restaurant.
That’s all in addition to a beautiful burger bar; a delightful deli; and a powerfully potent pub.
We’re also looking forward to Dunk Them Donuts opening up and providing their mouth-watering treats to New Brick City residents.
I also had the opportunity to have lunch at TJ’s trolley car diner while in Bricklyn, and learned how Chef TJ and his crew converted a vintage Bricklyn trolley into a busy take out location.
As you can see, I also brought along samples of some tasty New Brick City burgers which Chef TJ defrosted and grilled to perfection!
Finally, I do need to mention the wild head pop-off we witnessed yesterday along Brick Rail’s main line, close to TJ’s diner.
While it was kind of exciting to see, I’m not going to recommend it to my followers since it can really have a big negative impact on train service, when EMS workers need to take the time to go onto the track to scoop up the head and body, and then reconnect them.
The Bricklyn Eagle: Thank you all for speaking with us — and for those Bricklyn Eagle readers who would like to follow New Brick City influencer BlitzBriks, you can find him on his YouTube channel. ✥
We welcome Letters to the Editor. Please email to: bricklynvt@gmail.com
To the Editor: So glad to see the forward thinking of New Brick City’s Mayor Brickson. Good planning is essential to having a healthy, vibrant city or town!
As my Realm (Brickover, New Hampshire) is a member of the League of Inland Cities (LIC), I look forward to New Brick City’s entry into the LIC. By the way, the LIC through its Inland Sports League (ISL), sponsors an active program of friendly inter-city competition. I heard that New Brick City influencer BlitzBriks is also an active youth league soccer player. Every year the ISL runs exciting tournaments among its member cities in soccer, baseball, basketball, and even pickleball. — Jonathan Bricklegs, Brickover, NH.
To the Editor: To follow up on your reporting, the League of Inland Cities has formally added New Brick City, RI, as its newest member! We look forward to NBC’s participation in LIC activities. — Respectfully yours, Lars Brickmussen, Presiding Official, League of Inland Cities.
To the Editor: The Bricklyn Chapter of the Alliance Française is delighted to hear that New Brick City values diverse cultures and foods. New Brick City residents who visit Bricklyn will delight in the joie de vivre and fine cuisine represented in Bricklyn by both the highly rated Étoile du Nord restaurant in South Bricklyn overlooking the Great Bricklyn Chasm and Pastries by Patsy in downtown Bricklyn. While Bricklyn is best known for its donuts, don’t lose sight of our French dining locales — which will only be enhanced now that Bricklyn has become part of the French Republic! — Bill Tiler French, South Bricklyn, VT.
Photos above by Bricklyn Eagle’s Ann Tiler Anderson, with assistance of Dall E AI.
To the Editor: Why are you writing about Bricklyn and this New Brick City? Why don’t you tell your readers instead, Mr. Editor, about the terrible thing that happened here in Bricklyn to my son Homer! I know he’s a bit of a rabble rouser. But why for Pete’s sake was he arrested for taking a few donuts from the police station? I hear those hard-to-resist treats were just sitting there on the counter!
Why are we talking about shipping thousands of donuts to this New Brick City? Never even heard of that place before. We need to keep our donuts here in Bricklyn, or us Simpsons will be moving back to Springfield! — Abraham Jebediah “Abe” Simpson II, aka Grandpa Simpson, Bricklyn, VT.
