Vice president announces plans to visit The Valley
The big news in February was that Vice President JD Vance announced plans to visit the Mad River Valley and ski at Sugarbush.
On February 24, The Valley Reporter broke the story about the VP’s visit including staying at the Pitcher Inn in Warren and skiing at Sugarbush. Vance was initially slated to stay at the Pitcher Inn in Warren Village but those plans were changed once the size of Warren Village and the location of that inn became known.
The Vance family changed its plans to move to a private home in Fayston. Local and state reactions were strong and the Warren Select Board met on February 25 to sort out local logistics – before the family’s new digs were reported. In response to objections about the vice president’s visit, the board issued this statement.
"The town of Warren is proud to share with the Vance family a community that embraces diversity and inclusion, supports the arts, champions local farms and businesses, prioritizes environmental sustainability, and offers world-class recreational opportunities.”
At Sugarbush, resort spokesperson John Bleh did not elaborate on what weekend visitors could be expected at the mountains, but did report that details of Vance’s visit would be limited and confidential.
Waitsfield hires Haverkamp as new town administrator
After a lengthy period without a town administrator, Waitsfield hired York Haverkamp in February. He relocated to The Valley from Knoxville, Tennessee. Haverkamp stepped in at a time when the town has been without an administrator since the former administrator Annie Decker-Dell’Isola left in May 2023.
Haverkamp has experience in public administration, policy development and local government and has served in municipal government as a former vice-mayor of Norris, Tennessee. Additionally, he worked extensively with the National League of Cities in Minnesota and Arkansas. He has a master's degree in public administration and policy from American University, a bachelor of human studies degree from Warren Wilson College and a certificate from the Harvard Kennedy School for senior executives in state and local government.
Haverkamp is from upstate New York and his partner is from Connecticut. She attended Marlboro College in Marlboro, Vermont, and they met in Alaska. They have five children.
Jared Young is new Waitsfield-Fayston fire chief
At 30 years old, Jared Young, Waitsfield, was one of the younger chiefs to lead the Waitsfield-Fayston Volunteer Fire Department when he was sworn in. Young has been a member of the department since he was 15 when he started as a junior firefighter.
Young steps into the position held by Tripp Johnson for six years. He comes from a long line of volunteer firefighters, including his grandfather former Chief Delbert Palmer and his mother Shawn Young.
Over the years, Young progressed through the ranks, completing the 200-hour fire academy and receiving all the requisite certifications. When he turned 18, he became a regular firefighter for nine years, then a lieutenant in the department for two years, followed by terms as second assistant and fire assistant chief and now chief.
Young is a Waitsfield native, who lives here with his wife Abby. They have three daughters, Gerrianna, Ellie and Sophie.
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