JACKSONVILLE — At its annual meeting on June 9, The Village of Jacksonville Electric Company honored Howard “Bud” Bemis with its Distinguished Service Award in recognition of more than 55 years of dedicated service on the Jacksonville Electric Board of Trustees.
At 95 years old, Bemis has decided to retire from the board, bringing to a close a remarkable chapter of service to the Village of Jacksonville, the town of Whitingham and the public power community of Vermont. For generations, Bemis has been a familiar face in Jacksonville. Throughout his years as a trustee and president of the Electric Company, he helped guide the utility through countless challenges and improvements while always keeping the best interests of the community at heart, according to a news release.
“Bud has been part of Jacksonville Electric for longer than many of us can imagine,” said General Manager James Weber in a statement. “His knowledge, leadership and dedication have helped shape the utility we have today.”
During the 1970s, Bemis played an important role in negotiating service boundaries with Vermont Electric Co-op (before they sold to Green Mountain Power) and led the project to locate the main feeder line that serves Jacksonville. Those improvements helped strengthen the electric system and laid the foundation for the reliable service that customers enjoy today, says Jacksonville Electric.
Over the years, Bemis helped Jacksonville Electric weather storms, adapt to changing technology and continue providing dependable electric service to local homes and businesses. Just as importantly, he shared his experience and wisdom with the many trustees, village leaders and employees who followed him.
“Fifty-five years of service is an extraordinary accomplishment,” the company said in the release. “Bud’s dedication reflects the spirit of small-town public service — neighbors helping neighbors and working together to leave things better than they found them.”