Staff Writer
During the annual Caribou Chamber of Commerce and Industry dinner, held last week at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center, Richard Lagasse was named Caribou’s Citizen of the Year for 2008. The award was presented by Kathy Mazzuchelli, superintendent of the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department who worked very closely with Lagasse regarding the extensive ATV trails now available in and around Caribou.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Kathy Mazzuchelli superintendent of the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department presented Richard “Dick” Lagasse with the Caribou Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 2008 Citizen of the Year Award at the annual dinner held last week. Lagasse was responsible for an enormous amount of hours and labor working on the ATV trail (Lagasse Connector) which formally opened last fall.
Mazzuchelli introduced Lagasse in the following words.
“Caribou has always been a hub for recreational enthusiasts, from the early days of racing horses on the river to the development of a northern Maine trails plan for a burgeoning snowmobile industry in the late 1970s to leading all of northern Aroostook in working with the state of Maine to secure and develop abandoned rail lines into multiple use recreational infrastructure for future generations. More recently, the growing all-terrain vehicle industry presented a dilemma for Caribou. With the terminus, or beginning, depending on your philosophical persuasion, of two major rail trails in Caribou, ATV use was stymied due to the lack of connection between the two major systems.”
“Enter the newly formed Caribou ATV Club. Once formed, the club began the task of working to develop connectivity. Working with the Parks and Recreation Department and the city’s Trails Feasibility Study, over a three-year period, they negotiated, coordinated and facilitated the work involved. I will acknowledge at this time that working with the Caribou ATV Club on this particular project was one of the high points of my career.”
“Now although the Caribou ATV Club was the driving force behind bringing a truly unique and wonderful project to fruition, there was one key individual, Richard Lagasse, who made significant contributions to this project, which is one of the reasons we are here.”
“For those folks that know Dick, they understand that he is a man of drive and vision. Much like the early pioneers of Caribou, Dick displays resilience, tenacity and creativity. And, he is a team player and leader, for during this project, whether it was a simple or complex task, his tenacity and drive created the teamwork necessary to achieve what proved to be very successful results.”
“Due to Dick’s creativity and resourcefulness, Caribou now has total trail connectivity as well as some unique features, including an ATV off ramp off a state roadway and a removable bridge or wharf — as well as the accolades of area clubs for the accomplishments.”
Mazzuchelli continued, “A three-year project can become a challenge but with Dick as the leader on this project he was able to create an astounding synergy that made the load seem a bit lighter, kept everyone’s eyes on the goal and helped us all reach this milestone.”
“Dick led the way with great tact and dependability. He stands out as a true leader. He motivated others to perform at their best, leading the Caribou ATV Club toward their ultimate success — all this while struggling with stage IV multiple myloma.”
“So, it was truly an honor and a pleasure to be asked to be here tonight to bestow this Citizen of the Year award to Dick Lagasse, who truly does represent the ever present and unique character of the Caribou community.”
