LONDONDERRY — On Nov. 30, Governor Phil Scott announced the appointment of Kelly MacLaury Pajala of Londonderry, as representative for the Windham-Bennington-Windsor District, serving the towns of Jamaica, Londonderry, Stratton, Weston, and Winhall.
Pajala, an independent, will fill the vacancy left when Rep. Oliver Olsen, I-Londonderry, stepped down this month.
On his Facebook page, Olsen cited the increased demands of his out-of-session job - working for a multinational software company - made it impossible to juggle his legislative duties with his work schedule.
Pajala has served as town clerk for the Town of Londonderry since 2012 and, for three years prior to that, was the assistant town clerk in Weston. Pajala also owned her own business, Dancing Hands Creations.
“Kelly has demonstrated an impressive commitment to serving her community through her time as town clerk, as well as through volunteer and other civic commitments,” said Scott in a news release. “She's shown a willingness to listen and be responsive to her constituents, and has an important understanding of the needs of her community.
“That, coupled with her business experience, will bring a valuable perspective to the State House, and I look forward to working with her.”
Pajala grew up in Weston and is a graduate of Burr & Burton Academy in Manchester. She holds a bachelor's degree in women's studies from Skidmore College.
For years, she has participated in volunteer activities, including as the chair of the Londonderry Parks Board, as a member of the West River Farmers Market Board, the Little School Board, the Weston Planning Commission, and as a part of the Pingree Park Revitalization Project.
“I am so honored to receive this appointment from Governor Scott and for the opportunity to serve the people of the district where I've spent most of my life, getting to know the people, challenges, and strengths of this region,” Pajala said in a prepared statement.
“My years of service with the town have taught me it's more important to listen than speak, to approach challenges with an open mind and to always be respectful,” Pajala added. “I look forward to bringing this approach to my new role as I represent the interests of the Windham-Bennington-Windsor District in Montpelier.”
The process for replacing an independent in the Vermont Legislature is different than that for replacing a Republican or Democratic member. County party committees normally make recommendations to the governor for appointments.
Since there is no independent party in Vermont, it was up to Scott to maintain the tradition of filling a vacated seat with a member of the same political affiliation, so he sought, with Olsen's help, to appoint another independent from the House district.
For Olsen, it is the second time he has resigned from the Legislature. He was appointed to the House by Gov. James Douglas in January 2010 to fill out the remainder of the term of Rick Hube, the longtime South Londonderry Republican who died suddenly at age 62 in December 2009.
Olsen, then a Republican, won the seat in 2010. but didn't seek re-election in 2012, citing family and career conflicts. Two years later, he ran again for his old seat, this time as an independent. He won in 2014 and was re-elected in 2016.