Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Secretary of State’s Office has announced the 2016 Vermont Public Service Awards. Every five years, this program honors individuals who have served as elected or appointed local officials, or as fire or police service, for 20 or more years. First established in 1999, this honorary program has recognized thousands of deserving Vermonters. The goal of the program is to highlight the vital role of public servants in the ongoing success of our cities and towns and to provide these valuable public servants the recognition they deserve. We hope it also serves to encourage all citizens to take a more active role in their local community.
Vermont’s local officials are largely volunteers who serve their communities year after year; often with little or no pay and without constant applause. They run our elections, set the grand list, and determine appeals. They keep the roads in good repair and passable even during the toughest Vermont winters. They maintain local records and help plan for the growth of our communities. They keep our towns safe, fight fires, respond to emergencies, serve on school boards, and many other vital and necessary roles which many of us may take for granted. They are a gift to our communities and deserve to be celebrated for their enduring work.
To honor these hardworking and selfless Vermont public officials, Secretary of State Jim Condos and other Legislators will be travelling around Vermont to host awards ceremonies in most counties throughout the state. Nominees will be receiving letters in the mail informing them of their award and recognition during these ceremonies. At the ceremony, they will receive a pin and certificate. The awards ceremonies are open to the public and all community members are welcome to attend and show their appreciation for the contributions of these dedicated local heroes, quietly making our local governments run smoothly, often at great personal sacrifice to their own free time.
2016 Vermont Public Service Awards Ceremonies
April 5th at Middlebury American Legion Hall: Addison County
April 14th at South Burlington High School: Chittenden County
April 28th at Vermont Technical College: Orange County and Northern Windsor County
May 10th at Castleton College: Rutland County & Northern Bennington County
May 11th at Lyndon State College: North East Kingdom (Orleans, Caledonia, and Essex)
May 19th at Fairfield Center School: Franklin County and Grand Isle
May (TBD): Windham County and Southern Windsor County
All ceremonies will be during the following times:
6:00pm – Registration for nominees
6:30pm – Awards ceremony begins
7:30-8:00pm – Socializing and light refreshments
If you have any questions about the 2016 Public Service Awards in your county, please feel free to reach out to Elizabeth Ryder.