Gov. Shumlin Appoints Tommy Walz to Fill Vacant House Seat

MONTPELIER, Vermont – Gov. Peter Shumlin announced today that he has appointed Tommy Walz of Barre to fill the seat in the Vermont House of Representatives that had been held by Rep. Tess Taylor.

A retired educator, Walz was chosen from a list of three candidates submitted to Gov. Shumlin by the Barre City Democratic Committee.

“I am pleased to appoint Tommy Walz to fill this opening,” Gov. Shumlin said. “His long-term commitment and service to the Barre community will make him an excellent voice for his constituents in the Vermont House of Representatives.”

“I am proud to be joining the Barre contingent in the Vermont House of Representatives,” Walz said. “Barre has given us much and Leslie and I have had the chance to return some small measure through volunteering and serving on local school boards. Representing the people of Barre City in the Vermont House provides yet one more way for me to serve my community.”

Walz first came to Barre in 1967 to teach English and German at Spaulding High School. Since then he and his wife Leslie have moved several times, living and working for a time in Germany. Walz came back to Vermont in 1979 where he again taught English at Spaulding High School and later worked in computer sales and data consulting.

An active member of the Barre community, Walz serves on the Barre Supervisory Union Board and the Spaulding High School Board. He also volunteers as a judge for the Vermont High School Debate Tournament. He and his wife live in Barre City and are retired.

Walz is expected to be sworn in for service promptly.

Gov. Shumlin urges anti-hunger donations for holiday season

Highlights Food Shelf job training program

Burlington, Vermont – Gov. Peter Shumlin toured the Community Kitchen Academy job training program at the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf today and urged Vermonters to remember their less fortunate neighbors who are struggling to feed their families, with donations of money, gift cards, food and volunteered time.

“Thanksgiving is the time to raise awareness about the Vermonters struggling to feed their families nutritious meals during this holiday season and throughout the year,” Gov. Shumlin said. He noted that the Chittenden food shelf alone plans on helping 2,700 families on Thanksgiving – and a total of 12,000 over the course of a year. There are food shelves in communities across the state, in partnership with the Vermont Foodbank in Barre, working throughout the year to keep about 86,000 Vermonters fed.

Gov. Shumlin, advocates and lawmakers call for additional funding for LIHEAP

Burlington, Vermont - Gov. Peter Shumlin, joined by key lawmakers and advocates, yesterday called for adding $8.8 million in state funds to the fuel assistance program known as LIHEAP to help low-income families stay warm and safe this winter.  Over 28,000 low-income Vermont families rely on fuel assistance to help pay a portion of their winter heating bills.

In addition, the Governor announced that his administration has changed the way benefits will be issued to clients and their fuel suppliers.  In the past, benefits were paid once a month for everyone who was eligible.  Under a new payment system, as families become eligible for assistance, their benefits will be paid each night, eliminating what was a one or two month wait to for heating help.