Governor Peter Shumlin has announced that Sue Minter, Deputy Secretary of the Agency of Transportation, will replace Neale Lunderville as Irene Recovery Officer. Minter will step into the new post on January 6, as Lunderville returns to his job at Green Mountain Power.
‘Neale has been critical in bringing Vermont through the immediate aftermath of the worst storm to hit this state in nearly a century, and to help shape the recovery plan as we move into 2012,’ Shumlin said. ‘I appreciate his willingness to help his state in a crisis.’
Minter, the Governor noted, has also been a pivotal player in the Irene recovery effort, working with AOT Secretary Brian Searles and the transportation crews to get 500 miles of damaged roads and 34 closed bridges re-opened before the brunt of the winter season hit Vermont. The last road ‘ Route 107 ‘ re-opened today.
‘We’ve had very strong start, but recovery will continue for months and years ahead. Irene is not behind us,’ Governor Shumlin said. ‘We need a recovery leader who will be able keep the momentum swift and strong into the new year, and Sue Minter has proven that she has the commitment to the state and the leadership needed to carry the Irene recovery effort forward.’
More than 7,000 Vermonters have registered with FEMA following the storm, which hit on Aug. 28. Approximately 4,300 of those have received individual assistance. In addition, 1,500 homes were substantially damaged by the storm, and roads and bridges ‘ both state and municipal ‘ were severely impacted.
In addition to serving as Deputy Secretary of Transportation, Minter was a state representative from Waterbury (one of the communities hard hit by Irene) and worked in the state Agency of Commerce and Community Development for 10 years in community planning and revitalization.
‘I am honored to be asked to serve our state in this capacity at this critical time,’ Minter said. ‘I have the passion and determination to harness our ‘Vermont Strong’ spirit and to make government more effective and even better prepared for future events. Our work is not over until every Vermonter has recovered from Irene.’
Minter will report to the Governor through the Secretary of Administration. She will be a Cabinet officer with the responsibility and authority to oversee statewide recovery. Minter will work across agencies and with outside partners to sustain collaborative, mission-focused recovery efforts.