DELHI — Delaware County Business Alliance President, Todd Pascarella, began the awards portion of the evening with a promise and a statement of beliefs. The beliefs are that Delaware County is a melding of natural resources, authentic communities, and rural life with open spaces and amenities. He states that our county's residents are independent, hard working and neighborly. That they are driven by collective action. And that the business community is battle tested with a strong work ethic, connected to the community and mutual support. And that the alliance is an indispensable voice for the private sector, providing essential connections.
The promise was that our county's businesses are built differently, with an independent spirit. Therefore they need a champion: a strong private sector voice for managed growth, an advocate for civic connections and fair rules, a partner in skills development, an organization that convenes and celebrates. He promises that the alliance will be all these things.
Some may not recognize the rebranded name, the Delaware County Business Alliance. This organization started life as the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce in 1963.
I spoke with some members before the dinner and awards, and there was a common message, that their business joined to support the local community and to network for success, not simply for their business, but for the betterment of Delaware County.
Peter Curran of Margaretville Telephone Company informed me that MTC joined the business alliance "because we believe in supporting our local community." The value in membership is the connection to the other members, "it's not just supporting the community, but the community supporting us through membership." Glen Faulkner from MTC echoes Curran's sentiments, saying that they have been members "for a long time. The business community is so important to our whole communities. We need to make sure they remain healthy, and working collaboratively, having networking opportunities and showing some recognition, it is all beneficial. That's why we are here. "
Zach Haverly, the Code Officer for Delhi, represented DCT at the dinner. He attended with his wife, Stacy Haverly of DCEC, the Delaware County Electric Cooperative, one of the companies recognized with a Business Award at the dinner. "DCEC, we're rural power, started as dairy farmers in the 1940s, stringing them through the fields." Due to the nature of their business, they can't grow as a business, but they are members in the alliance "because we love to support our community," Stacy says.
Ken Prestidge was there, representing the Delhi Telephone Company, another of the night's award winning businesses. He explains that they maintain a seat on the Alliance, working closely with past presidents Valerie Nichols, who has served in the organization for "seven to ten years," as Ken remembers; and Ray Pucci, and now with Todd Pascarella. Ken joined the Chamber, now the Alliance, about three years ago. "We want to know what is going on in the business community, so we can be attuned to what is happening as well. One of the best ways to do it is to stay active with your business members, stay in the meetings and see what is going on. It is an avenue to know what [a person or company] is developing from these meetings. We serve Walton with fibers, so if a company is at the chamber meeting, I'm going to find out where they're going, what they're doing, how they're building, who is providing them with service. It is very beneficial to our community. The Alliance is trying to enhance the businesses in our local community and I think they are doing what they should be doing. We're trying to build stronger relationships with everyone across the community." Ken would like to see more members joining. To businesses that have yet to join the Alliance, Ken says, "What are you waiting for, come see us.
In presenting the award, Pascarella gave some history of the Delhi Telephone Company. " Th