| From today's Burlington Free Press: Robert C. Krebs of South Hero will fill Trombley's seat. Oliver K. Olsen will replace Hube in the House. Both will take the oath of office and their seats in the House chamber Tuesday.Krebs wasn't one of the three candidates recommended by the local Democratic Party, noted House Democratic Leader Floyd Nease, D-Johnson. "We're disappointed that the governor chose the local party's choice in three of four cases," Nease said. Douglas recently made appointments to three other legislative seats. "The one Democrat he was replacing, he didn't respect the wishes of the local party." Long-time readers will remember the saga of Jon Anderson. Back in 2007 there was a House vacancy in Montpelier when Francis Brooks stepped down to be Sergeant at Arms. The Montpelier Democratic Committee proposed three active Democrats to replace him but Douglas, rejecting the Town Committee's nominations, appointed Montpelier attorney Jon Anderson, who came in fifth out of five choices in Town Committee voting. In short order Anderson took office and in the space of about a week, voted with Douglas and against the entire Democratic caucus on an important veto override vote. Montpelier Democrats were virtually unanimous in criticizing this vote, although Anderson steadfastly claimed that there were no political considerations or payoff involved in his vote. Fast-forward to 2008. Montpelier Mayor Mary Hooper announces her House candidacy and Anderson comes in a weak third in the Democratic primary. Anderson's total time in office: just shy of two years, a time when he was almost totally ineffective because of his choice to alienate the entire Democratic caucus. Now the newest Democratic House member is about to take office in what is going to be a very difficult legislative session. I don't know Robert Krebs, I've never met him, and I really know nothing about his politics. Floyd Nease is saying that he's a good guy, which is definitely worth something. Still, especially given what things are going to be like in Montpelier this year, I predict that people will be paying close attention to his votes this year. |
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