The Newport Daily Express - Monday, 19 April 2010

On Friday, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve volunteer Carla Watson presented Bill Worth of Worth's Seamless Rain Gutters in Derby with a plaque for being a "patriotic employer" in his support of employee Staff Sargeant Dave Sanville, who depoyed to Afghanistan.  (Photo by Jennifer Hersey Cleveland)

By JENNIFER HERSEY CLEVELAND
Express Staff Writer

DERBY - Bill Worth of Worth's Seamless Gutters was awarded for his support of employee Staff Sargeant Dave Sanville of Brownington, who deployed to Afghanistan.  Carla Watson, a volunteer with the Vermont Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, presented Worth with a handsome plaque Friday at his place of business.  Sanville nominated his employer and said in his nominating statement, "My employer has never given me a hard time for training and no hassle on getting my job back when I came back last minute."

"Dave's a good worker, good with the public," Worth said.  "Dave just always has a good personality.  He's always telling jokes."

Worth is one of only a handful of Vermont employers to receive this honor, called a Patriot Award.  In presenting the award, Watson said, "I appreciate the work you are doing, sir."

The Uniform Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act of 1994 ensures that soldiers who are deployed are able to get their jobs back when they return and that they won't be penalized for attending training.  But unlike Worth, not all employers comply with the act.

"His van is sitting outside waiting for him," Worth said Friday.

Worth and his wife, Joanne, sent a care package of maple syrup and candy to Sanville and Ezra Glodgett, another soldier deployed with Alpha Troop to Kabul out of the Newport Armory.

A former Guardsman himself, Worth has a lot of respect for Sanville, who has worked for him since 2001, when not overseas.  Worth said Alpha Troop is expected back in Vermont by Christmas this year.

"I've noticed so much spirit of support from the community," Watson said.  A faith-based group has offered to paint houses for deployed soldiers, and employers are doing outstanding things to help families and stay connected, she said.

Sanville, a son of Donna Paul of Brownington and Wayne Wilcox of Glover, and husband of Desiree Sanville, is a crew chief at Worth's.  Worth said Sanville still calls and jokes with the ladies who work in the office at Worth's.  "All the guys working for me work really well together," Worth said.

WELCOME BACK DECEMBER 2010 - DAVE SANVILLE