Not long ago, Horacio Ballesteros had a rapidly deflating tire.
The Staples High School Spanish teacher was on his way to work. He got off I-95, looking for a place that would patch it.
Slowly, he drove to garages and auto repair shops. First in Bridgeport, then Fairfield: nothing.
The places that were open didn’t do it. The places that did, were not open.
Finally, in Westport, he struck gold. Vautrin Auto Service — next to Goodwill — does not officially open until 7:30. But they were happy to help.
Horacio limped in at 7:05 a.m. By 7:30 he was at Staples — ready for his first class.
Hmmm….first class. What a coincidence! That’s exactly how every Westporter who has had the pleasure of being helped at Vautrin would describe this week’s Unsung Heroes, too.