When he included these words in his speech at the State Fair in Syracuse, New York in 1903 he could have been speaking of Vermont's many hardworking local officials. Our municipal officials devote their free time to everything from hearing zoning disputes and writing land use plans to assessing the value of property in the town and collecting delinquent taxes. Without them, our communities would not function and our system of self government would come to a standstill.
Local officials serve mostly as volunteers.
We couldn't buy it, at any price. It is important every now and then to take the time to thank our officials for their contribution to our communities and to the State of Vermont. Throughout the year, the Secretary of State's Office will be honoring long serving appointed and elected local officials of all fourteen counties at the Vermont Public Service Awards . Over the course of the year we will be going to each county in Vermont to hold a ceremony and to present certificates of recognition to the qualifying local officials. I want to give a special thanks to the town clerks who have helped make this program success by identifying the local officials in their communities who qualify for the award.