In the Spring of 2017 I started alerting the Town of Brattleboro and related parties to the increasing tire accumulation in the wetland just off the West River Trail . Last Fall Kathy Urffer , Steward of Connecticut River Conservancy , and a pirate crew of volunteers, including our local Fire Dept , set out on a cold rainy morning in our first attempt of tire retrieval . I believe we brought in around 133 tires that day .
On May 4th this Spring, volunteers from The West River Trail, S.E.Vt Watershed, Conn River Conservancy, and Brattleboro Fire Dept came to help along with volunteers from related area businesses, independent individuals , and also, VERY ENCOURAGING, a young man from our local school system . We got over 138 tires that day, this was more challenging then before as the tires were more spread out and in deeper water.
I want to humbly thank every single person involved , and take the opportunity to specifically acknowledge folks who supported the effort to bring this issue to the community . Coverage with Kris Radder’s accurate ariel drone photos, and Bob Audette,s concise reporting ( Reformer), and BCTV producer Maria Dominguez, and video volunteer assistance of Russ Gerabiec , brought this issue to the forefront early in the Spring of 2018.
Area business & land owners Denise Smith ( Marina ), Kelly Corbeil ( WTSA ) Katrina Wilson ( Integrated Solar ) gave their support and cooperation from the beginning .
Marina manager, Kate Theriault provided us all hot meals after the first wet, cold clean up, a God save to say the least ! Jim Woolnough ,also a longtime time Marina employee, used the Marina’s boatyard fork lift to relocate the removed tires. Dan Deits of Brattleboro Tire went way beyond the call of duty, using his own traitor & winch to help haul out tires throughout this last year. Both these gentlemen saved us hours of hard labor and deserve a lot of credit !
Hats off also to town employees Sue Fillion and Brian Bannon . ( Town Planning )
Again, I graciously thank everybody and apologise to anyone I overlooked . In a world , right now, where things can seem so discouraging and bleak, this local team effort and camaraderie was personally uplifting, may we not underestimate the magical possibilities of community .
Vive la Brattleboro !!! ( :
One more to thank, ahem.
There is much rightful thanking going on in the above, but there is a glaring omission – the biggest thanks needs to go to Terry Carter herself for caring enough to do something.
This is a great example of one person being able to shine a light on something, allowing others to take notice and join in to accomplish a simple goal.
This is good for the plants an animals in that area, and for all of us dumb people, too.
What shall we accomplish next?