Recently, students from Proctor High School and Stafford Technical Center’s Vermont Teen Leadership Program, and Rutland High School’s Green Mountain Teen Institute Program linked up with the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles to heighten awareness of the dangers in speeding. The partners came together at the Rutland DMV Office, where they placed a couple of hundred “Slow Down, Stick Around” ribbons and attached information cards for DMV patrons to take. The ribbons can be used as bookmarks and are there to reinforce the message every time someone looks at the ribbon.
The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles is so committed to this effort that they have offered SADD chapters in areas of the state where there are DMV offices the opportunity to replicate this partnership locally. DMV was well represented at the kick-off of this program, with new Commissioner Robert Ide being joined by Sgt. Joseph Arduca and Inspector Adam Pockette as well as Rutland DMV District Office Supervisor Robin Delong. Cameo Bixby-Clements, a Rutland High student represented GMTI. Proctor High School’s SADD Chapter was represented by student Amanda Zuber and advisor Claire Molner. The Stafford Technical Center SADD team consisted of student Kayla Stewart of West Rutland and advisor John D’Esposito. Troopers Mark Perkins and Rene Klementowski of the Vermont State Police and Rutland County Sheriff Stephen Benard represented the law enforcement community.
Rutland County’s partnership between law enforcement, youth, and the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles represents another locally developed concept to solve a problem which will be replicated through Vermont, and perhaps through the nation