Rutland County politicians salute Douglas
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Gov. James Douglas waves from the back of a motorcycle during the Killington Classic Motorcycle Rally in Rutland in 2007. File / Rutland Herald |
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By Gordon Dritschilo Staff Writer - Published: August 28, 2009
Gov. James Douglas has been good for Rutland, Mayor Christopher Louras said Thursday.
"It's not good news for the Rutland region," Louras said of Douglas' announcement he would not seek another term. "Gov. Douglas has been a friend to the county and more specifically to the city. I can only hope his successor pays as much attention to the area."
Louras said Douglas responded quickly to the natural disasters in Rutland over the past three years and helped the city get aid fighting the influx of heroin and crack cocaine.
"Basically, any time Rutland has been in need, Gov. Douglas has been there," he said.
Rutland County political figures largely reacted to the announcement with surprise.
"In hindsight, when I heard he was only going to be in for eight years, it made all the sense in the world because he is good to his word," said Democratic Sen. William Carris. "He said that when he was elected the first time."
Rep. Steve Howard, a Rutland City Democrat, said that while he thought Douglas had some positive accomplishments, like working with Democrats on Catamount Health, he was ready to see the governor depart.
"I think it's a good thing for Jim Douglas and a good thing for the state," he said. "I think it's time for him to go on to new things and for the state to have a new leader."
Howard said he thinks the next governor will need to be someone with legislative experience and solid relationships with legislators, as well as significant business experience.
On the other side of the aisle, Rep. Margaret Flory, a Republican from Pittsford, said she was sad to hear the news.
"I think he's done a lot for Vermont as governor and in his previous elected positions," she said. "That being said, he has his first grandkid. I hope he takes time and enjoys his family. I don't blame him a bit."
Republican Sen. Kevin Mullin, also said he would miss Douglas.
"He's probably one of those individuals who, whether you agree with him or disagree with him politically, you have to respect him," Mullin said.
Mullin also said the announcement completely changes the political landscape.
"I think there are going to be a lot of conversations between politicians and their families," he said. "The governorship in Vermont has really turned into a once-in-a-decade opportunity. … There's no question I'm trying to see where those chips are falling."
Mullin said he has been asked to run for Congress, but views Republican candidates for those offices in Vermont as sacrificial lambs. He said he would be interested in running for governor or lieutenant governor, but is waiting to see what some other people do before deciding.
"I would not take (Lt. Gov. Brian) Dubie on in the primary," he said. "I think he is the strongest Republican candidate."
Mullin also said it would be a "logical progression" to move from the state Senate to the lieutenant governor's office.
Former Rutland Mayor Jeffrey Wennberg, who served for a time as Douglas' commissioner of environmental conservation, said he understands Douglas' decision because he has a sense of the way the governor has sacrificed having a "normal" life.
"Jim Douglas never turned down an invitation to attend a community event if there was a way for him to be there," Wennberg said. "It didn't matter if it was a Saturday or a Sunday or a 7 a.m. breakfast."
Wennberg said he heard jokes that Douglas needed clones of himself to maintain his personal appearance schedule.
"What he had given up is the personal time, the downtime, the time with his wife and family," Wennberg said. "My hat's off to them. His commitment must be matched by theirs."
While he thinks Vermont would be well-served if Douglas sought congressional office, Wennberg said he would not surprised if this is the end of Douglas' political career.
"My sense for him is governor has always been his dream job," he said. "He's done it. He's accomplished that."
gordon.dritschilo@rutlandherald.com
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