WEST BRATTLEBORO — The West Brattleboro Association (WBA) presented its fourth annual Community Leader of the Year award to Bill and Judy Daley, owners of the Vermont Country Deli, during its annual holiday party on Dec. 11 at The New England House.
After living for 10 years in Central Vermont, the Daleys came to Brattleboro to purchase the popular delicatessen in 2007. Bill grew up in Cleveland. Judy grew up in Brattleboro. They met at Ohio's Miami University. She is the daughter of Sylvia and the late John Hunter, who was president of the Vermont National Bank.
Since buying the deli seven years ago, the Daleys have made it thrive even more. They've added many features, including a quick-stop facility with extra parking next door.
The new market is becoming a Vermont Ambassador Welcome Center and is adding a Brattleboro Savings & Loan ATM in January 2015.
Both Bill and Judy work full time in their deli. When presented with the award, the Daleys said they were humbled at the honor, and rather than it being about themselves they wanted it to be more about the community and all the West Brattleboro projects that are adding to the area's positive qualities.
To wit, at the grand opening celebration for the deli's new annex earlier in the day, they sponsored a raffle fundraiser for the purchase of a new groomer for the ski hill at Living Memorial Park.
The Daleys said their goal, much like that of the WBA, is to help portray the qualities that make West Brattleboro truly “the gateway to Vermont.”
Previous Community Leader winners have been the Rasheds of Rached's Garden Center, the staff and board of the Brattleboro Housing Authority, and Todd Darrah of Chelsea Royal Diner.