2005 BCM AWARDS

Each year at the Maine Bike Rally, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine holds its Annual Meeting and election. The best part is recognizing some of the amazing people who have made contributions to bicycling and walking in Maine through their volunteer work, actions, or careers. Recipients of this year's awards include:

Bicycle Safety Educator of the Year - Maureen Townsend
Maureen is one of the BCM's team of Bicycle Safety Instructors who go into Maine Schools each spring. She incorporates visual learning in her presentation style, using posters and props. She works with local police on an incentive program to encourage helmet use and good bike driving with ice-cream gift certificates. She is also a counselor at Coyote Hill Mountain Bike Camp in Vermont.

Bike Safety and the Law Award - Terry Goan, Brunswick P.D.
Terry has been instrumental in the development and instruction of the BCM's Bicycle Safety and the Law classes taught to police officers since 2003. (Over 15 classes have been taught, and Terry has helped with at least a third of them.) He has been on the Bike Patrol in Brunswick for 8 years serving as a great model bike ambassador. Terry is loved in his community, and his work is part of why Brunswick has been given the award of a Bike-Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.

Safe Routes to School Award - Marshwood Middle School, South Berwick
In addition to hosting the BCM for Bike Safety Education presentations numerous times, the staff at Marshwood have embraced the Safe Routes to School program. In May they implemented an incredibly successful pilot pedometer program and walk-to-school event. Principal Jerry Burnell and Physical Education teacher Craig Pollack have been the champions within the school, and we thank and congratulate them for their collaboration, efforts, and success.

BCM Volunteer Extraordinaire - Bob Bruce
Bob is the can-do guy plugged into just about everything biking-related. He volunteers with the Rally, Merrymeeting Wheelers, as well as the BCM. Not only is he involved everywhere, he does tons of effective work. And on his vacation this summer he has been coming into the BCM office weekly to help out! We nominate this guy for human cloning tests because he is amazing.

Rally Leadership Award
The Maine Bike Rally involves a great deal of planning, organizing, and promoting year-round. For the past two years that we've been in Belfast, Dan Avener and Amy Wagner have served as co-chairs and have been heroes. We also recognize Phyllis Buchanan, Skip Pendleton, and Peter and Carolyn Maruhnic for their hard work and fabulous support.

BCM Volunteer of the Year - John Andrews
What can anyone say about John Andrews that isn't immediately evident when talking with this remarkable advocate and visionary? He has a twinkle in his eye and a chuckle in his voice that wins many friends. Even his adversaries can't help but admire his persistence. John is an incredibly effective change agent. Founder and leader of the Eastern Trail Alliance, chair of the Trails for a Healthy Maine, John also volunteers remarkable hours for other organizations such as the Appalachian Mountain Club. Considering the successes of the past several years, John deserves this award many times over.

Public Servants of the Year - Vaughn Stinson and Maine Tourism Association
Since becoming the director of the Maine Tourism Association, Vaughn and his team have been wonderful partners in promoting bicycling in Maine to visitors. A huge scenic byway brochures plug for bicycling and BCM, bicycling info in "Maine Invites You," service as support crew for the Trek Across Maine, Sponsor of Maine Bike Rally and Lobster Ride and so much more. The Maine Tourism Association just plain "gets it" and does it!

Legislator of the Year - Senator Dennis Damon of Hancock County
Senator Damon has a remarkable breadth of experience from service as a County Commissioner to his leadership in the Maine State Senate. He is one of those special politicians that transcends party and polarization. He is also a natural and remarkably articulate and skilled advocate for bicycling, walking, and trails. In addition to being a lead co-sponsor of the Trails for a Healthy Maine Bond, Senator Damon is the Senate Chair of the legislature's Transportation Committee and has shown remarkable tact and talent to strengthen legislation for bicycling and walking. We are so grateful for his remarkable leadership and look forward to the years ahead.

Exceptional Leadership and Career Recognition - John Balicki
John is a true champion of biking and walking and gets the"big" picture. He walks with grace the challenging line between advocacy and bureaucracy. John has been instrumental in improving bicycling and walking in communities across the state. John's pioneering partnership with BCM to implement programs such as Bicycle Safety Education in schools, to police, and Safe Routes to School reflects his belief that a combined effort of infrastructure improvements and encouragement and safety is what will truly get Maine residents to walk and bike more often and more safely. He has fostered a unique relationship between the MaineDOT and the Bicycle Coalition of Maine that has led to best practices and successes that are modeled across the nation. He does this not only as his daytime job but John also serves as the Chair of the Brunswick Bike/Ped Advisory Committee and has volunteered in numerous ways to his community. He regularly bikes, jogs, and walks as part of his daily routine, even biking to work for his 60+-mile commute a few times each year (and van pools most of the rest of the time). We will miss having John serving in a key position but look forward to his assistance on various other projects. He will be missed, but he leaves behind a legacy of collaboration, innovation, and personal and professional commitment that will last well into the future. Thank you, John, for all you have done!

Harry Faust Leadership Award - Sue Ellen Bordwell
Established to honor one of BCM's earliest and most steadfast supporters and volunteers and longest-serving President--Harry Faust. From the inception of BCM until his death, Harry provided steady, caring, and unselfish support to the board, the staff, and bicyclists in Maine. A good friend of Harry's who also took the helm of BCM as President for the past 2 years, Sue Ellen Bordwell has shown remarkable leadership, dedicating incalculable hours and energy to the BCM's cause. She also is a leader in our legislative efforts and is one of our Bicycle Safety Instructors in the schools and Bicycle Safety and the Law classes. Now serving as Past President on the board, Sue Ellen's deep personal convictions and passion for bicycling will continue to help BCM reach its goals. Thank you, Sue Ellen, for everything you do!

Return to Table of Contents