Statement from Governor Phil Scott on the resignation of Senator Richard T Mazza

Nick Godaire, Dick Mazza, Mark Godaire (Mazza's manager) and Phil Scott at the Vermont Grocers Awards in 2013. Dick Mazza's General Store on Lakeshore Drive in Colchester has been a staple for groceries and politics for generations. Courtesy photo

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement following the resignation of his good friend and mentor, Senator Richard T. Mazza, after 42 years of service in Montpelier, including the last 39 representing Colchester and Grand Isle County in the Vermont Senate. In part, Senator Mazza said: "Due to health reasons, I am unable to provide the quality of service and dedication I have always given to my constituents and the State of Vermont." He is stepping down today. 

See Mazza's resignation letter below.

Scott said: “It would be difficult to find a Vermonter who has been more impactful, committed or dedicated to public service over the past four decades than Senator Dick Mazza.

“When I was first elected to the State Senate 24 years ago, one person, Senator Mazza, immediately took me under his wing. It didn’t matter that I was a Republican and he was a Democrat. He put his faith and trust in me, as I did with him. He hasn’t left my side in the two decades since.

“It’s hard to put into words just how effective Senator Mazza has been in Montpelier. He knows when to speak up, and when to do so deliberately. And when he does, everybody listens. Senator Mazza has had the unique ability to command the respect and attention of his fellow senators and beyond. He has often been described as the ‘Conscience of the Senate,’ a perfect summary of the man he is.

“The Senate will not be the same without his humor, enthusiasm, practicality and dedication.”

President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth today issued the following statement:

"Senator Mazza's resignation truly marks the passing of an era. He has been a giant of a legislator over the decades, as well as a wonderful colleague. His work as the long-time Chair of Transportation stands out, of course, but within the Senate he was perhaps most valuable as our Third Member of the Committee on Committees, a role that required representing all members of the Senate, regardless of party. In that role, he advocated for every senator, and preserved order in his own signature low-key way.

"I will personally miss Senator Mazza's friendship, expertise and steady hand. He is honestly one of the most generous human beings it's ever been my privilege to know, and his service to the public has been incalculable."

Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) released the following statement:

“Vermonters would be hard-pressed to find a public servant who cares more about doing good for everyday folks than Senator Richard Mazza. He is among the most impactful members of the Vermont General Assembly in the past forty years–when he spoke, we listened. He set a cultural tone deeply embedded in profound respect of everyday Vermonters, and was a moral touchstone for so many.

“As Governor Scott rightfully notes, Senator Mazza was the ‘Conscience of the Senate’, and it was an honor to serve with a man who’s practical, Vermont values raised the bar for all of us.

“Dick Mazza’s enduring respect for our communities and commitment to bipartisanship was a gift to our state and sets an exceptional example–and very high bar–for Vermont's current and future public servants.”

Vermont Chamber of Commerce President Betsy Bishop said: Vermont Chamber of Commerce President, Betsy Bishop: “With the announcement of his resignation today, Senator Mazza leaves behind a legacy of public service that has shaped policy work for decades. In my 30 years in the State House, Senator Mazza showed strength and expertise in his desire to pass balanced policy and his keen understanding of the needs of the Vermonters, often delivered with a serious tone or a bit of humor that has been an inspiration to many.”

Senator Dick Mazza