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Partnership to honor Phil Vallone with Lifetime Achievement Award Story and Photos by Willow Baum
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usiness owner and community leader Phil Vallone will be honored with the Sullivan County Partnership’s Walter A. Rhulen Award during its 22nd Annual Meeting October 6 in Rock Hill. “We are delighted to recognize the Vallones’ contributions to our region,” said Marc Baez, President of the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development. “Every time the Partnership or Chamber asks for anything, Phil and (partner and spouse) Donna are always there,” said Baez of the Brooklyn and Queens-born duo whom in their youth spent summers on opposite mountains near Roscoe where they met. The Rhulen Award, presented annually, recognizes lifetime achievement by an individual for business excellence, community commitment and service to humanity. Investment and expansion of the Vallones’ flagship company in the region, Rolling V Bus Corp., and their willingness to take risks on new ventures, are “traits Walter (Rhulen) stood for,” said Baez. For more than 50 years Rolling V Bus Corp. has provided regional school bus services, charter coach and taxi transportation services. Of decades of achievements, Phil Vallone still takes most pride in “getting kids to and from school safely.” Some 4,500 school children, in fact, throughout Sullivan and Ulster County. “The Vallones have been here awhile, and have made a difference, especially in Roscoe,” said Baez. When Roscoe vied for the $25,000 first prize in 2011 as the Ultimate Fishing Town from the World Fishing Network
Please see VALLONE, page 5E
Reserve Annual Meeting & Celebration tickets by October 3
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INSIDE: President’s Message page 2
Tourism takes off in 2015; growing in 2016 page 3 Make reservations early for Annual Partnership Dinner page 5 Jacob Billig earns Distinguished Service Award page 8 August home sales up dramatically for Sullivan County page 9 Merger expands Rouis & Co. services and industry expertise pages 10 & 11 Local projects underscore investor confidence in Sullivan page 12 Local funeral director earns Leadership Academy degree page 14 Lovallo, PE joins JHA page 16 Grow your Neversink business by joining the chamber page 17 Of a lifetime of achievements, Phil Vallone takes most pride in “getting kids to and from school safely.” Rolling V Bus Corps, the Vallones’ flagship company in the region, serves some 4,500 school children throughout Sullivan and Ulster County for 37 years.