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The Bill Sutton Story Page 2 of 6 pages |
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| In 1971, I became a member of the Port Jervis Country Club and was elected to the Board of Governors. This provided an active social life and a controlled environment for our children to participate socially and in sports. In the spring of 1972, I started a small business repairing golf cars for the members of the club. Each member owned their own private golf car which made the business profitable, as I was not responsible to the club. The skills I learned in the Air Force were very beneficial to my business. Attended a course in drafting (night school) through NYS (BOCES) Continuing Education; attended Syracuse University to study Waste Water Treatment Plant Management - certified as Grade II Plant Operator.; 1975 classes at Orange County Community College to study Language (Spanish); Syracuse University to study Public Water Treatment Plant Management - certified as a Grade II Operator. Health Department employees state-wide lobbied the N.Y. State Assembly to create a cross-over in the Civil Service career ladder to provide advancement. The state law was amended April 1, 1975. Attended Orange County Community College for a course in college math; attended the State Technical Institute at Memphis, TN to study backflow prevention devices - Registered Technician; Empire State College, N.Y. State University at New Paltz, N.Y. (External Degree Program) for evaluation of education and life experiences. Advised to enroll full-time for two semesters for a B.S. in Environmental Health. |
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| 1981 - Permission granted by Civil Service to take examination for Public Health Sanitarian without a degree. Passed exam and was promoted to the position. 1984 - Successfully passed exam for Senior Public Health Sanitarian. This position requires a Masters Degree and five years experience. I was fortunate enough to place second on the exam out of a group of twenty college graduates and was appointed to the position. I would like to mention that none of this would have been possible without the encouragement and support of one man, Mr. Matthias J. Schleifer, P.E., Commissioner of Environmental Health, Orange County Health Department. Matt Schleifer is one hell of a man and friend. He guided me throughout my career of twenty-six years and helped me achieve the goals I had set. Business My small part-time business, William Sutton Company, had grown from one golf course to five with three people working, repairing, and customizing golf cars. We were really on a roll now and needed a place to work. In 1984,my one helper and I built a two and one-half bay garage on the rear of my property and we were in business. We worked in a shop and off a completely equipped truck and trailer (just like I did at Kadena AFB with Bob Wolfington). E-Z-Go Textron helped me so I could sell new cars, purchase vandalized cars for about $50.00 which sold for around $2,000.00 when rebuilt. We sold about 25 cars a year and gradually included an inventory of parts, batteries and tires to sell other mechanics and golf courses |
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| By 1988 the small business had reached a point where it was more profitable than the Health Department and I was looking forward to a government pension. That is when I made an almost fatal mistake. Barbara and I went on a vacation, the first in many years, to Lake George upstate New York, where we were struck broadside by a drunken driver. The accident totaled our “Caddie” and put us in the Glens Falls hospital with multiple injuries. The accident ended my 26 year career with the County and I was forced to take a disability pension. Needless to say, I could no longer work on golf cars and was unable to sell out, so I closed the doors and walked away. |
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