Scott Wheeler: Giving a Voice to Vermonters in Montpelier

Ted Chaffee is another person I helped honor this year. A World War II veteran, Ted, who is a very good friend of mine, is nearing his final days. Ted has been, and is, a great inspiration to me and he has been a great example of America’s Greatest Generation. I wrote the following dedication to Ted and asked some of my colleagues to sign onto the letter. Several weeks ago, after framing the letter, I went to Ted’s house and bestowed it onto him. He was very touched, calling it one of the best things that has ever happened to him in his life. Wow, what a feeling that it meant so much to him. He deserved it!

Edwin “Ted” Chaffee

Many people of our generation take our freedom so lightly. However, you know first hand that freedom is not free. The men and women of your generation, the World War II generation – the Greatest Generation – responded to the call to duty when the world erupted into war.

Thank you Ted for putting your life on the line in the U.S. Navy during the war, not only to protect your country, but to protect the freedom of future generations of Americans. Even when your patrol boat hit that mine off the coast of France, and you were forced to swim ashore to an uncertain fate, we have little doubt that even in your fear you knew you were doing the right thing.

Your country, your state, and the people of our generation, and future generations, owe you a thank you for the sacrifices that you made.

Thank you for your service.

There are many tough parts about the job of a legislature, but one part I enjoy the most is recognizing people who deserve recognition. In reality I enjoy doing this whether in my legislative role or not. The news is filled with “bad news” so I like to recognize good when I see it. A couple weeks ago I and other local legislators had the honor of recognizing Bill Woolsey of East Charleston, a man who saved the life of one of his fellow community residents. The following is a joint House/Senate resolution that we recently bestowed upon Mr. Woolsey. The man that he saved was in attendence at the celebration.

House concurrent resolution recognizing the lifesaving efforts of William Woolsey

Offered by: Representatives Wheeler of Derby and Lewis of Derby

Offered by: Senators Illuzzi and Starr

Whereas, the bitterly cold winter day of January 28, 2008 proved eventful in the lives of William Woolsey of East Charleston and Carroll Silloway of East Charleston, and one they will long remember, and

Whereas, on this morning, Silloway took advantage of nearby Echo Lake’s solidly frozen surface and snowmobiled across it, and

Whereas, at approximately 11 a.m., as Silloway drove up a ramp in an attempt to leave the lake, his snowmobile tipped over and he was pinned on his back under the vehicle, and

Whereas, the force of the accident ripped away his jacket and shirt, exposing his bare skin to the frigidly cold frozen lake for a period that stretched on for five hours, and

Whereas, in the early afternoon, Woolsey, also an East Charleston resident, was walking on Echo Lake and thought he heard a faint cry for help but was uncertain of the sound’s source or even its authenticity, and

Whereas, nonetheless Woolsey shouted out for the person to repeat the call for help, but there was no audible response in reply, and

Whereas, after being home for only a few minutes, Woolsey became extremely concerned and dashed back outside, shouting out “if someone needs help say something”, and

Whereas, this time Silloway called out for help loud enough to be heard, but even so, Woolsey later commented that had he stopped following the sound of Silloway’s voice two feet shorter, he would never have discovered the badly injured Silloway, who appeared to be drifting in and out of consciousness, and

Whereas, recognizing Silloway’s precarious situation, Woolsey decided he should not move the injured man on his own despite Silloway’s continued pleas for help, and

Whereas, Woolsey quickly returned home and gathered blankets and phoned the Charleston fire chief, who, along with his brother, proceeded by truck and foot to the scene of the accident and contacted the state police, and

Whereas, the firefighters and Woolsey, who had returned to the scene, removed Silloway from under the snowmobile and wrapped him in the blankets, and

Whereas, an ambulance soon arrived, and the injured man was taken first to North Country Hospital and then airlifted to the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, and

Whereas, despite the severity of his injuries, Carroll Silloway is recovering at home in East Charleston, and Bill Woolsey, though modestly wishing no recognition for his effort, clearly deserves a special commendation, now therefore be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:

That the General Assembly recognizes the timely and effective lifesaving efforts of William Woolsey in his rescue of Carroll Silloway, and be it further

Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to William Woolsey, Carroll Silloway, and the Charleston Fire Department.

This evening I was interviewed for a show by a TV segment that will air this fall across the nation, possibly around the world. Much of it involves life on the border since 9-11. The TV folks asked me to take part because of my many roles in the border community – resident of many generations, history writer, and state legislator. I have had many opportunities to tell the world through these types of media appearances – in the U.S. And Canada, - my love for Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom.

The Democrats move to override Gov. Douglas’ veto of campaign funding reform passed by the legislature earlier this year failed by one vote. There is no doubt in my mind that there is far too much money being spent on campaigns in Vermont, however, because of the way the “reform” was made to work, I had serious concerns that it would benefit rich candidates who were capable of funding their campaigns with their own riches. Make me feel more comfortable that the reform won’t benefit the rich while putting a roadblock in for the poor, and I might be able to support it the next time around. I think we need more working class folks in the State House, not less.

It appears that there will be two Democrats running in my district along with Bob and I this year. I have had a good conversation with one of them. I have known her for quite sometime and think she is a good person. It appears that she agrees with me that running on one’s merits is the best and most honorable way to run a race.As for the other Democrat, although it is common knowledge that he is running, he has yet to make his announcement - very possibly because of the role he currently serves in. Like the other candidate, I have known him for a number of years.