Approximately 150 Raymond residents filled the gym at
Jordan-Small Middle School at last Tuesday evening’s Raymond Town Hall meeting (6/4).
The purpose of a town hall meeting, which primarily takes place in New England
townships, is “a form of direct democratic rule established in the 17th century
where members of a community come together to legislate policy and budgets for
local government.”
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| Rep. Jessica Fay presents the Spirit of America Award to Sam Gifford |
However, it is also a time to honor those who have volunteered
their time and efforts, instigating a
collaborative and successful community. It
is for this reason Sam Gifford of Raymond, who is the brainchild of the Raymond
Vitalization Committee, received this year’s Spirit of America Award. Gifford
is also a member of the Raymond Select Board.
Briefly, the Spirit of America Foundation was the concept
of Maine Governor, John McKernan and became incorporated on October 16, 1990 to
promote volunteerism in Maine. According to the foundation’s website, the
Spirit of America Foundation Tribute is presented to and in honor of those who
have volunteered extensively – and is announced at annual town meetings.
Gifford’s idea for revitalizing Raymond’s economic,
business and residential community occurred in 2007 while a member of the Raymond
Planning Board. “I was having a conversation with an active community member,
Wayne Holmquist,” began Gifford. “I told him that we should have a committee to
look at revitalization to refocus efforts on Raymond’s future and expanding
business options.”
Within weeks, Gifford and Holmquist worked together to
establish a proposal that was presented to members of the Raymond Select Board.
Approved unanimously, the Raymond Revitalization Committee was born. Soon, the
committee began meeting with many nonprofits and volunteer organizations to
explore what the needs were and how the committee could be of assistance.
By identifying the community’s strengths and assets which
included one of Maine’s busiest highways, Route 302, as well as the cooperative
community spirit – the committee
considered the 2002 comprehensive plan results as their baseline for their revitalization
endeavors. “We felt there were no organizational efforts to address issues such
as sewage and Wi-Fi, which are both important to business success and cultivating
Raymond’s economic development,” Gifford said.
As the committee progressed, it was renamed and
established as the Raymond Vitalization Committee in 2015.
Marshall Bullock, also a member of the Select Board,
along with Sharon Dodson began working with the vitalization efforts in 2015. He
concurred with Gifford’s statement adding that the business vacancies along the
Route 302 corridor became a major impetus for the committee’s work. “In 2015,
there was a 25 percent vacancy rate along Raymond’s portion of 302,” Bullock
said. “But due to the work of the committee, the 302 corridor is now filled
with many businesses that include Chipman Farms, Beacon Pizza, Dunkin’ Donuts,
Raymond Car Wash and Storage and Paris Farmer’s Union. It is now down to a five
percent vacancy rate.”
Besides increasing business opportunities for Raymond,
other accomplishments of the Raymond Vitalization Committee include printing a
Raymond brochure for locals and visitors alike that include a list of
campgrounds, beaches and businesses as well as educational, family-oriented and
cultural organizations. They also sponsor a “Candidates Night” forum at major
elections cycles. But that’s not all.
“The committee
also helped to develop the ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ event,” explained Bullock.
“We handed it off to the Raymond Village Library in hopes that it would entice
local support, but due to the lack of volunteerism, the event was difficult to
move forward and has been discontinued.”
The committee previously met once a month but currently are
meeting on an as needed basis. “We are now monitoring high-speed broad band internet,
sewage issues and assessing the transportation needs of the community - especially
those who are aging in place,” stated Gifford.
The Raymond Vitalization Committee is working closely
with the Town of Raymond and other communities to bring in high-speed broadband
internet to the area in order encourage home-based and small business
entrepreneurship. At the present time, internet access for those in the greater
Lakes Region area is slow at best and often difficult to access. “I am aware of
an individual who is trying to grow her home-based business but has difficulty
with the internet that is available to Raymond residents,” Bullock said. “It’s
extremely slow and cannot keep up with the demands of website development and
marketing opportunities. We want to change that, and we encourage bringing in
high-speed internet.”
Economic development and community growth to the town are
the highest priorities of the committee. “Our goal is to encourage diverse
businesses to relocate to Raymond but to not compete with already established
businesses,” Gifford said. “Bringing in new and unique businesses brings with
it, affordable housing and superior educational opportunities for our students.”
And – it’s for this reason Gifford was honored for his commendable community service and was the recipient of this
year’s Spirit of America Award.
For information regarding the articles discussed and
passed at last Tuesday’s town hall meeting, please visit the town’s website at www.raymondmaine.org/content/town-meeting-june-4-2019
or reach out to the Town Clerk for written documentation at 207-655-4742, ext.
121.
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