I'm Deborah Markowitz, Secretary of State, and this is my first Town Officer Educational Conference as Secretary. I am, of course, not new to TOECs or town officer education, and I'm proud to say I know many of you and count myself fortunate in regarding you as my friends. It's not easy to take a new job and be expected to know everything on the first day. I hope I can count on you to help me see and do my duty, and I promise you, you will never be ignored if you have any question or criticism of my office. Because I accept the full responsibility for serving as your resource in Montpelier.
Governance is tough.
Because it's so easy to do. A state highway truck. It's not fair, but it's fun. You almost never see a federal official. State officials are a little more obvious, in those orange trucks, or green cars with the lights on the top, but still with a part time legislature and a small work force in Montpelier, you could almost miss the presence of the state, at least in person.