14 in Chester honored for 20-plus years of service

By Shawn Cunningham
© 2016 Telegraph Publishing LLC

Before getting down to a regular agenda on Wednesday, Aug. 3, the Chester Select Board took a few minutes to recognize 14 people who have served the town of Chester for as many as 35 years.

The Vermont Public Service Award is given every five years by the Secretary of State’s office to honor people who have served as elected or appointed local officials, or as fire or police for 20 years or more. According to Secretary of State Jim Condos’ office, the program highlights “the vital role of public servants in the ongoing success of our cities and towns and to provide these valuable public servants the recognition they deserve.”

While not everyone who received an award was able to attend, eight honorees were on hand to accept certificates and pins that listed years of service.

Awardees are:

• Matt Wilson, 20 years with the Fire Department;
• Ruthie Douglas, 23 years as Justice of the Peace;
• Laurie Cloud, 23 years with the Ambulance Service;
• Jeff Holden, 25 years with the Ambulance Service and Fire Department;
• Red McAllister, 25 years with the Fire Department;
• Eric Richardson, 26 years with the Fire Department and Ambulance Service;
• Dan Cook, 26 years with the Ambulance Service;
• Wanda Purdy, 27 years as Lister;
• Pat Jewell, 28 years with the Fire Department;
• Deb Aldrich, 32 years as Town Clerk and Assistant Town Clerk;
• Erron Carey, 34 years as a Trustee of Public Funds and serving on the Budget Committee, the Union School Board and
  the Town School Board;
• Tom Bock, 35 years on the Select Board, Planning Commission, Budget Committee and as Justice of the Peace;
• Rick Cloud, 35 years in Emergency Services; and
• Ken Barrett, 35 years as Cemetery Sexton and Justice of the Peace.