BRATTLEBORO — Gov. Peter Shumlin received the second annual Timothy J. O'Connor Jr. Award last Friday from the Brattleboro Town Democratic Committee.
At an ceremony that took place at the Quality Inn on Putney Road, O'Connor, a former state Speaker of the House and a longtime fixture in Democratic politics in Brattleboro, explained the origin of the award that bears his name.
“Last year, when I received this award, I was told that former Gov. Howard Dean was coming to speak and that was the way they were able to get me to the meeting,” he said. “Not only was I honored by receiving the award, they actually named it after me. What a pleasure it was to meet with this year's committee and decide to give it to Gov. Shumlin.”
Why did the committee chose Shumlin?
“When you think about the last election and consider the fact that there was a five-way primary, and he won the party nomination, that takes a lot of ability,” said O'Connor.
In addition, “We don't often have a governor from southern Vermont, which is why it was such an honor to have [former Gov.] Thomas Salmon here for the presentation,” O'Connor said. “In a short amount of time, Gov. Shumlin has also managed to achieve a great deal.”
Shumlin was visibly moved as he accepted the award.
After the ceremony he said privately to those gathered, “I am incredibly honored to receive this award, especially because Tim O'Connor is a fine example of how to be a public servant.”
“This award will stay on my desk,” he said.
After the presentation, Shumlin harkened back to the campaign trail, speaking on three central themes: cell phone and Internet access in the state, education, and health care. As a Putney native, he was able to personally name many local people and businesses to illustrate his points.
“Vermonters are innovators. We were the first state to abolish slavery, to stop using billboards, to stand up for marriage equality.”
The governor said he hopes Vermont “will be the first state to rein in spending on health care by means of a single-payer system.”
“Some might say, 'What if it doesn't work?',” he said. “I ask, 'What if we don't try?'”
Following his remarks, Shumlin took questions from the audience of about 50 enthusiastic supporters.
After the meeting, Town Manager Barb Sontag said that “the governor has not forgotten where he is from, and I appreciate that.”
Before the award ceremony, Shumlin made a special stop at The Thompson House, a residential home for seniors on Maple Street. He toured a newly created walking path and nature area which features a golf cart for those unable to walk through the gardens and flowers available for view.
“You judge a state by their child and senior care,” he said.