The Board Members of the Bucksport Bay Healthy Communities Coalition
Board Officers
Dawn Elaine Danforth: Board President
Geoffry Bellows: Treasurer
Valerie Sulya: Board Vice-President
Jeannette Tardiff: Board Secretary
Board Members
Jim Boothby
Carol Carew
Paul Rabs
Leslie Wombacher
Margaret de Rivera
Helen Wardwell
Sarah Falvey
David Winchester
Donna Kelly
Paula Webster
Nick Tymoczko
Lester Stackpole
Dr. Tom Gaffney
Psychologist, Highland Sanctuary & Retreat
Dr. Tom Gaffney of Bucksport has been a practicing psychologist in Bucksport since 1983. He believes that recovery from mental illness is not a singular person's path, but involves the whole community.
Guided by this philosophy, Dr. Gaffney has volunteered extensively for Bucksport Bay Healthy Communities Coalition for more than ten years.
Pastor Norman Labonte says that "he always listens more than he speaks, but when he does voice his thoughts he speaks the truth in love." He has addressed underage drinking through education & intervention, after-school programs, "second-chance" programs, and youth leadership, all measurably lowering the rate of underage drinking and tobacco use. He has developed a "continuity of care" for the mental health needs of older adults through accessible housing, nutrition, public transportation, and a 16-bed long-term care program. More young children have access to school readiness & early literacy skills through the Bucksport Bay Early Childhood Network.
Dr. Gaffney would insist that no one person is responsible for these positive results; however, he has undoubtedly shepherded these services into existence or continued success.
Betty Gray, who also mentions that he runs an organic blueberry farm and a Christian retreat center "in his spare time," says that Thomas Gaffney "lives the meaning of the word community."
Board Members Emeriti:
Betty Gray has given more than two decades of service to others. She reached out as a foster mother who devoted herself to foster children in need of love and guidance. As a nurse she served as the Town Health Officer and provided public health services to the town of Bucksport and also brought home numerous animals for rescue as she brightened the community and made it a safer place.
As a school nurse, Betty understood the value of community health and helped to found the BBHC Coalition. She forged a partnership with Communities for Children and Youth in 1998 that paved the way for the coalition to secure a Vista Volunteer, funding to develop a youth after school and diversion program, and even RSU's 25's BARR grant. Whatever needs to be done, Betty makes sure it happens. Betty believes we have a responsibility to help others and her decades of volunteer service prove it. Thank you Betty!
Jeannie Grindle has given over a half century of community service to her community and church. She has worked to ensure that citizens would have the services needed locally by founding Bucksport Community Concerns and Bucksport Regional Health Center.
In 1995, she joined Betty Billings, Valerie Sulya, Betty Gray, Sharon Bray, Jack Corrigan and others in establishing the Healthy Communities Coalition. She has served the municipal government well by guiding numerous Community Development Block Grants, Housing Committee ventures, community assistance programs, and any other idea that Roger Raymond could think of. She aided the expansion of Bucksport Community Concerns through the Talk 'n Shop and Senior Companion Program. Most importantly, she provided warmth and commitment to those around her. Thank you Jeannie!