VITAL PATHWAYS

Vital Pathways Welcomes the Town of Orient to it's Memeber Towns

NEW MEMBER

Vital Pathways looks to Expand Membership

Vital Pathways is looking to expand their service area and the Town of Orient recently became the newest member of the Healthy Communities organization.

Vital Pathways Chairperson Don Collins explained why the timing is right for an expansion.

“Our original coverage area encompassed townships within MSAD #29 and 70 school districts,” he informed. “However, a number of towns and organizations throughout Southern Aroostook have contacted us recently to inquire about joining Vital Pathways’ membership.”

Collins went on to say that Vital Pathways is in an ideal position to provide service to these townships and organizations.

“By increasing our service area we increase participation,” he commented, “and that dialogue engenders good ideas. Vital Pathways can help put those ideas into action, and therefore better help find solutions to issues and concerns.”

Vital Pathways has been in existence since 1994, and many of its members have been working together for years.

 “We currently have projects in the works with area lake associations, the Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District, the Maine Forest Service, Reed School in Amity, and many others,” Collins added. “This collaboration is a really nice fit for Vital Pathways and our member towns have benefited as a result.”

Vital Pathways Community Liaison Andrea Newman echoed Collins’ comments in stating that the future looks bright for the organization.

“Partnerships are a crucial part of every success story,” Newman stressed, “and we’ve had quite a few this year. Vital Pathways has a tremendous Board of Directors and we all work wonderfully together. The communities we serve have so much to offer and we looking forward to bringing even more towns into the Vital Pathways family.”

Both Collins and Newman said Vital Pathways is excited about welcoming the Town of Orient to their membership and feels their relationship with the town will be a win-win situation.

“I had the pleasure of attending two of Orient’s Town Meetings recently and I enjoyed every minute of my time there,” Newman noted. “Even though we were conducting business, we all had a terrific time talking about our plans and goals. I know I speak for our entire board when I say that we are excited about bringing even more municipalities into the fold.”

Vital Pathways Vice-Chairperson Christy Fitzpatrick offered enlightenment on the organization’s history with the Town of Orient.

“It’s exciting to be adding a new member town,” Fitzpatrick stated. “We actually have had a relationship of sorts with Orient as they participated in the community grant program we did a few years ago. Since Vital Pathways is experiencing a surge of energy and activity right now, it seemed like a great time to formalize our relationship. The more towns we can unite under the Vital Pathways’ umbrella, the better job we can do in addressing issues that really concern all of us in Southern Aroostook.”

Orient Board of Selectmen Chairperson Marybeth Foley said joining Vital Pathways is a move in the right direction for the town.

“We’re trying to look out for our residents’ best interests,” Foley said, “and we felt Vital Pathways could help us accomplish this.”

Townships wishing to learn more about Vital Pathways may contact Newman at (207) 532-3071 or via email at vital.pathways@yahoo.com. For more information on Vital Pathways’ projects and programs go to www.vitalpathways.org.

(October 1, 2007)