SBA honors outstanding disaster recovery efforts

    An Aroostook County town manager who knocked on doors to encourage at-risk residents to evacuate as floodwaters rose was one of four recipents presented with Phoenix Awards on May 19 during the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Week 2009 in Washington, D.C.     Fort Kent Town Manager Donald Guimond received the Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery by a Public Official. Heavy spring rains washed away the winter’s 200 inches of snow in Maine’s Aroostook County, causing the St. John and Fish rivers to rise beyond the 25-foot flood stage on May 1, 2008. Guimond took proactive steps to hasten the evacuation of at-risk areas as city workers built temporary dikes. Once the town was out of danger, Guimond gave disaster survivors timely information about recovery resources, serving as the link between the townspeople and agencies providing assistance. He guided Fort Kent through a historic disaster by functioning as a calm and capable leader in the midst of a stressful and dangerous situation.
    “These individuals displayed tremendous courage and resourcefulness in the midst of the several devastating disasters,” said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills.  “The Phoenix Award acknowledges their heroic efforts, and is a token of appreciation for their contributions to the recovery of their communities.”