I’ve lived in Broome County my entire life and I really can’t imagine it any differently.
My whole family is all right here. My wife and I both grew up in Broome County and have been able to watch our children grow up here too, all while creating good lives for ourselves and those we care about. For most of my adult life, I’ve been a truck driver for Maines Paper & Food Services, Inc., starting right after high school. Some friends of mine worked for Maines at the time so I started working part-time, which eventually turned into a full-time position. The college route just wasn’t for me. I couldn’t imagine having an office job and being surrounded by four walls all day. I only wanted to be out on the road and drive trucks.
Maines allowed me to do just that.
I feel like I’ve grown here; I’ve learned everything I know from working at this job. When I started, I didn’t even know how to drive a standard transmission vehicle–I only had a basic automobile license. However, my supervisors worked with me and taught me how to drive a truck, allowing me to get my commercial driver’s license in no time. I’ve made a good living over the last thirty years and I’ve driven over a half a million miles. From Billy Maines down to the transportation department, everyone has treated me well, and fairly, throughout my career here. A few years ago, they got me my own special truck to honor my time and dedication to my job.
I really can’t thank Maines enough for all they’ve done for my family and I since the day I started working here. They respect how important your personal life is and go out of their way to help you and your family if they can.
My life in Broome County has been marked by my career, but also by the enjoyable, good life I’ve had here surrounded by friends and family. We live out on a calm and beautiful 75-acre property in Castle Creek where I always feel safe. In my free time, I like to hunt right on my property and fish both in and outside of Broome. My family and I also like to go out and eat a lot too. We don’t have a favorite restaurant since there are so many great places to eat around here, whether at The Loft at 99 in Binghamton or Moxie in Conklin.
I’m a country man at heart though, so I like being able to easily get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Binghamton when I go home. In Broome County we really do feel like we have the best of both worlds with a quiet home life only ten minutes away from big city amenities like restaurants, breweries, stores and more.
Maybe I don’t know any better since I’ve lived here my whole life, but I’ve traveled outside the area almost daily since I started at Maines–for twenty years I drove the route for the state of Maine–but I knew I wouldn’t want to move away from Broome County.
There’s nowhere else I could’ve imagined living, working or raising my family besides this area. I’ve enjoyed my life here and I hope to retire and spend the rest of my life right here in Broome County.
Maines is part of why #Broomeisgood.