Gov. gets mixed reviews
Toolbox
By DANIEL BARLOW and Gordon Dritschilo Staff Writers - Published: August 28, 2009
Patrick Mayhew said he was sad to hear that Gov. James Douglas would not run again in 2010.
"I've met him a couple times," the Castleton State College freshman said. "I agree with a lot of his policies, though I don't like everything he's done. I think he's done a good job keeping Vermont together in these difficult economic times.
Mayhew said his home town of St. Johnsbury has benefited from state-funded road work, and he credits Douglas with the jobs created there.
Philip Lamy of Castleton said he suspected Douglas would have faced a tough challenge had he run again.
"It's a reflection of the turning political tide," he said. "Perhaps he's made a practical decision and seen the writing on the wall."
Mick Shortsleeves of Pittsford said it seemed Douglas may have run out of steam.
"He's probably a little disgusted because he hasn't had much help in his governorship," Shortsleeves said. "There's a pretty liberal base in Montpelier. It seems it'd be quite a struggle to continue."
Shortsleeves said he would remember Douglas proudly for vetoing gay marriage, as did Gilbert Robichaud of Clarendon Springs.
"He stood fast and Montpelier let him down," Robichaud said. "It's unfortunate. I wish him the best."
In Bennington, Charlotte Seymour said she would like to see a Democratic governor.
"It'll be nice to see some change," she said.
Mark Wilson called the announcement "the greatest thing that's ever happened." The Shaftsbury man said he called Douglas "Mr. Bobblehead" because he seemed to just nod along to whatever was said.
"I guess he finally realized the Republican Party is dead in Vermont," he said. "We live in a nice part of the country, I think, because there's a lot of liberal thought. If you're someone who cares about people, you have to belong to the Democratic Party."
On the other hand, Jeff Slade of North Bennington said Douglas had done a good job and he was surprised at the decision. He said he'd be interested in hearing why the governor would not run again.
"If it's for political reasons, I'd be surprised. I thought he had decent support," he said.
What always amazed Greg Worden of Brattleboro about Douglas is his memory.
Worden has seen Douglas shake countless hands at political events over the years.
"And he always remembers everyone's name," said Worden, a downtown Brattleboro businessman and former chairman of the town's Select Board. "It's amazing. Even if he had only met them once before … he remembered their name."
Peter Chojnowski of Winooski traveled to Montpelier Thursday and was spending the day reading a book on the sun. Sitting on a bench outside of the Statehouse just hours after Douglas' announcement, Chojnowski said the governor will leave behind a solid legacy.
"I voted for him every time," he said. "I even voted for John McCain."
Chojnowski said he appreciates Douglas' hard line on tax increases and his efforts to reduce the state budget in light of repeated revenue drops. He said the two veto overrides the governor experienced this year — one on same-sex marriage and the other on the budget — may have "taken the fun out of the job."
"He's tried to keep the budget under control and I think time will show that he was right," he said. "This really opens up the 2010 race."
Herald reporter Patrick McArdle contributed to this story.
daniel.barlow@rutlandherald.com
gordon.dritschilo@rutlandherald.com
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