Peter Freyne, 1949-2009

Peter was instrumental in encouraging me... (4.00 / 2)

...to get more heavily into blogging after the whole Rainville thing.  It was kind of cool.

Musician, Web Designer, Photographer

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by: JulieWaters @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 06:49:04 AM CST

RIP Peter Freyne (4.00 / 2)

He was a one-man government and media accountability squad. These are huge shoes to fill and I hope GMD et al can do his legacy justice.

I remember meeting him at the Feb 2002 "stop the Iraq War" protest in Burlington. He was standing on a corner doing a crowd count, explaining that the numbers reported in the Freeps would be a "conservative" estimate, in every sense of that word.

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by: Randolph06 @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 07:28:09 AM CST

whoops -- feb 03 (4.00 / 1)

double whoops-- he said the police estimate would be low and the papers would report it as fact.

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by: Randolph06 @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 09:50:05 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Already missing him (4.00 / 2)

I remember a time when I would anxiously await the hardcopy print version of 7days to read Peter's sardonic take on the state of politics in Vermont. At some point years ago, I found www.7dvt.com and would visit weekly for his report instead of collecting the paper at the grocery store. At some point, much to my amazement and excitement Peter wrote about a phenomenon new to him called blogs, and soon after he created Freyne Land. Although I believe the two of us came to discover blogging later than most readers of this forum, it was his blog that has forever transformed the way that I receive information. I followed along as he learned to add photos (Peter had a great eye), spoke lovingly of reuniting with his sister (the "artist") and while he documented his trials and tribulations with cancer. One thing his blog taught me was that Peter was not only the biting sarchastic political beat reporter that I'd read, heard and followed for years. Peter was also an amazingly vulnerable, courageous human being whose desire to connect with the world was as endearing as it was familiar. I suspect that I am one of many people who never had a single conversation with Peter but feel as though if I had it would be as if I were talking to an old friend. Bless Peter and may he, his friends and family find peace.  

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by: farjas @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 09:09:43 AM CST

What a shame (0.00 / 0)

He was a strong voice for the little guy and didn't take any BS from the people he was covering. My thoughts are with his family.

Beware the Everyday Brutality of the Averted Gaze

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by: mataliandy @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 10:42:34 AM CST

Today (4.00 / 1)

I read many remembrances about Peter Freyne and he will be missed .
One of the uniting themes is that he 'held politicians feet to the fire'in that light here is a quote from a major Burlington newspaper reporter in a tribute to Peter Freyne that illustrates much about the present state of reporting in Vermont .
" He was a passionate political junkie, which I admired, and it was always great theater watching him use the press conference format to ask a politician an uncomfortable question, just to see how the person would react."
A reporter unafraid to ask a press conference question that makes a politician uncomfortable can't very well hold anyone's feet to the fire .
How is it or when did the comfort or discomfort of a politician at a press conference become a reporter's concern ?

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by: BP @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 11:02:57 AM CST

He'd be embarassed (0.00 / 0)

at all this positive gush. I worked at the Vanguard Press with him in the 80s. He was a bit full of himself, but as willing to take it as dish it out. I remember once running some comments for a story by him, hoping I'd done enough (low pay, high stress, short deadlines at the Vanguard) to which he replied, "Well, if you want to carry [politician's] water, you could leave it at that." And then made suggestions as to who else I should talk to.

He was sexist as hell when I worked with him. And he loved to rile other people up particularly by pushing their PC buttons. He fancied himself as Vermont's Mike Royko (Google it, youngsters: Chicago columnist champion of the regular guy; bane of political bullies and corruption). On the other hand, he supported Civli Unions

I just heard this on VPR's lunchtime broadcast, shocked.

NanuqFC
In a Time of Universal Deceit, TELLING the TRUTH Is a Revolutionary Act. - George Orwell

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by: NanuqFC @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 11:12:03 AM CST

I met (0.00 / 0)

Peter in the late `80s and loved his work at the Vanguard. He dissed Bernie and other Progs (along with everyone else) but was rarely mean spirited about it (except for his characterization of Dean & Terry as the Self-Righteous Brothers, which I found unfortunate because they were two of the smartest, best prepared, most committed public servants I've ever known).

I looked forward to his column in Seven Days but was frustrated that he tended toward gossip, although it was usually grounded in important policy matters. But he made no bones about this.

For example, I did some work (as a consultant) for former State Auditor Ed Flanagan in the late `90s. Ed invited various reporters in to discuss the latest report skewering someone or other. Peter came in and listened politely for a few minutes as Ed described the key findings. When Ed was done, he asked Peter (who had not taken any notes) if he had any questions. Peter just chuckled and said "Ed, you know I don't do substance". This was an exaggeration of course but even Ed laughed.

I often blind copied Peter on my periodic missives with data & analysis about various issues but he almost never used any of it. I asked him about it once and he admitted that he disliked "all the numbers". He was people person and I think Royko would have been proud of Peter's considerable output and his willingness to challenge the powerful.

I learned a few years back that Peter and I shared an affection for Leonard Cohen. Although pleased, it made me wonder what else I didn't know about this guy.

It's not for me to say whether Peter made a difference, but he certainly made things more interesting. Go in peace brother.

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by: Doug Hoffer @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 12:15:00 PM CST

Hoffer (0.00 / 0)

What a strange post by such a smart guy - - I'm surprised at Hoffer.

To complain about PF not being a numbers guy is like complaining about Doug Hoffer not gossiping enough in a post after he passes away.

Guess we've got two ends of the spectrum here.

Peter broke many important stories that would never have come to light without his extensive knowledge of Vermont politics, politicians, and his connections. He got the stories from his connections because they knew that he would be the only journalist in Vermont that would check it out and publish it, even if it would make waves.

Wish we had more of people like him.

pj

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by: Peter Joes @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 16:19:50 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Chill, dude. (0.00 / 0)

He's not complaining, just musing aloud. It was clearly an affectionate comment. No need to push back.

Nullius perfectus est

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by: odum @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 16:53:56 PM CST

[ Parent ]

thank you (0.00 / 0)

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by: Doug Hoffer @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 19:02:44 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Chilly dude (0.00 / 0)

OK OK - - I think I over-reacted.  I apologize to Doug who I respect quite a bit.  

PJ

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by: Peter Joes @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 19:54:00 PM CST

[ Parent ]

no problem (0.00 / 0)

thanks

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by: Doug Hoffer @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 21:40:49 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Peter the Hero (0.00 / 0)

To me Peter was a true Vermont Hero.  I have seen no one else on the media scene call our illustrious governor to task to his face.

Even in the past few weeks the governor has lied about Vermont as the highest taxed state and the media simply reports it.

Peter kept a lot of Vermont politicos from going too far astray or he would call them to task.

This is a great loss for Vermont.

We don't have a lot of heroes.

Bye Peter

PJ

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by: Peter Joes @ Wed Jan 07, 2009 at 15:49:15 PM CST

Beige book (0.00 / 0)

They says that Peter Freyne does a great in journalism, he wrote irreverent, insightful analysis, personal perspective and voice, and a commitment to progressive values especially in politics and government. Then I salute him for doing a great job. Lets just hope that many journalists idolize him for his bravery and truthful writer. We really need like Peter most now we are still in so much economic downturn. In relation to states economy, The Beige Book is a semi annual report made by Federal Reserve's central banks that gives a sketchy report or our economy.  It isn't completely concrete, so you don't have to worry about getting a no fax cash advance to pick up a copy.  It isn't exactly all kittens and rainbows, but the newest one says that the decline is slowing.  Still, the credit market is dreadful. The figures for manufacturing, the retail sale industry, and commercial real estate are horrid, but things aren't plummeting as fast as they were.  It doesn't mean you shouldn't look into mortgage loan modification because of a not as bad Beige Book report.  

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by: tyronf @ Thu Apr 23, 2009 at 02:41:20 AM CDT