Akol Aguek: A journey to freedom pg. 3
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Taxpayer funds to help Bristol commerce park $500k in federal taxpayer funds awarded By Lou Varricchio EDITOR
BRISTOL | Two economic development projects in Addison and Essex Counties are receiving significant infusions of federal funds, according to U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy’s office. Two awards, $500,000 to the town of Bristol and $390,130 to the Northeast Kingdom Development Corporation, were announced last week. “The award to Bristol will help advance development plans for a commercial park as part of a public-private partnership between the Town and local developers Kevin Harper and David Blittersdorf who are partners in Stoney Hill Properties, LLC,” according to Leahy’s office. “Bristol has a solid track record of incubating successful businesses that ultimately chose to expand in other communities because of a lack of commercial space in town. The federal (taxpayer) funds can support the construction of infrastructure such as a roadway, communication, and storm drainage.” Stoney Hill is a Vermont Domestic Limited-Liability Company
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The Stoney Hill property was purchased by the town of Bristol two decades ago with plans for a future business park; now the project can move ahead. Photo by Lou Varricchio and was created in 2015. The registered agent on file for the company is Kevin T. Brennan, PLLC, located at 1317 Davis Rd., in Monkton. The company’s principal address is 579 Frank
Orvis Rd. in Bristol. The company has two principals on record: David Blittersdorf of Charlotte and Kevin Harper of Bristol.
Gov. Scott salutes local country stores Vermont Country Store Month By Lou Varricchio EDITOR
Orwell volunteer firefighter Sandy Korda: “A survey of EMS heads of service revealed that over 86% of Vermont EMS agencies utilize volunteers, but two thirds of all EMS agencies in the state felt that they were understaffed.” Pictured: Younger volunteers join seasoned members of the Granville Fire Department in Addison County. Photo courtesy of Granville F.D.
WHERE ARE THE VOLUNTEERS?
‘on the job’ for decades. It’s getting even harder to draw the attention and keep the interest of a younger population of responders who will remain as committed as that of generations before.” Korda added that it’s more than just volunteering; By Lou Varricchio it’s getting younger people to view being volunteer EDITOR first responders as a career move. “In an article posted on ruralhealthinfo.org, Ken MIDDLEBURY | According to Assistant Fire Chief Reed, the director of a North Dakota EMS agency said it Mark Gebo of the Orwell Volunteer Fire Department, best, ‘EMT is a health career; it’s not a simple program. “Our membership has been steady. We have been at It’s two to three times the hours required for a certified nursing assistant, and you 21-22 members for a while now. don’t see any volunteer CNAs,” We had a couple long-term Korda said. “We are asking members resign, but took on people to become healthcare a couple more. We do not have ...a survey of EMS heads professionals, essentially. people beating on our doors. of service revealed that over 86% The difference with EMS is And we have a lot of senior of Vermont EMS agencies utilize that we are asking them to be members that are at the age of volunteers, but two thirds of all under-compensated healthcare resigning. We definitely could EMS agencies in the state felt that professionals.’ And a survey of use some new faces.” they were understaffed.” EMS heads of service revealed Sandy Korda, another vetthat over 86% of Vermont EMS eran Orwell firefighter, has agencies utilize volunteers, but been thinking about the issue two thirds of all EMS agencies of dwindling volunteers for years. in the state felt that they were understaffed.” “For the last decade or more, the media has been Recently, the Vermont Legislature called for a reporting on the dwindling membership of both EMS and the fire service with many communities now report on the volunteer crisis; it found that emerfacing limited manpower as it is, much less anyone gency calls across the state have increased while in town being available to respond during work days, “eight out of 10 services are currently reporting difor on weekends,” he said. “Many of those that are ficulty with recruitment and retention.”
Fire, EMS units facing declining membership
available are now in their 60s and 70s and have been
See BRISTOL COMMERCE PARK » pg. 5
See VOLUNTEERS » pg. 3
BRIDPORT | Last week Gov. Phil Scott signed a proclamation declaring October to be Independent Country Store Month in Vermont, recognizing how important the state’s country stores are to the cultural, economic and social lives of Vermonters. Scott joined the Vermont Retail and Grocers Association and members of the Vermont Alliance of Independent Country stores to sign the proclamation. Popular country stores such as Pratt’s in Bridport, WAGS in West Addison, and Buxton’s in Orwell, among many others in our area, are hubs for convenience shopping as well as community interaction in rural towns. “My parents met in a country store, so I appreciate the value of
these stores for towns, villages and families around the state,” Gov Scott said. “Independent country stores are important contributors to our economy and culture and serve as community centers where people come together to solve problems and help their neighbors. I’m pleased to help celebrate Independent Country Store month.” The more than 180 Vermont country, general and village stores have a long, storied tradition. Several Vermont stores date back to the 1700s and still serve as needed hubs for rural Vermonters providing goods and services and places for civic gathering over cups of hot coffee and pastry. T he Ver mont A l l ia nce of Independent Country Stores and Cabot Creamery are hosting Vermont Independent Country Store Day on Oct. 26 as a celebration of Vermont’s iconic stores and the hardworking dairy farm families that provide milk to Cabot for its award-winning cheese. You can find a list of participating stores at: cabotcheese.coop/ countrystore. ■
Vermont country stores are the centers of many rural communities. This month, the state is honoring over 180 stores around the area. Pictured: The staff of Pratt’s Store & Deli located Routes 22A and 125 in Bridport.
Photo by Lou Varricchio
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