Once every five years the state of Vermont holds regional celebrations to honor local officials. The tradition began in 2000, and this year, 29 Shelburne officials will be honored.

"The awards are to honor local officials who served 20 or more years in office," said Secretary of State Deb Markowitz. "It is a way to honor existing officials and to encourage new people to step up to the plate."

The award ceremony takes place on Friday, April 23, in South Burlington.

"These people are giving up their most precious commodity, their time," said Markowitz. "This is a way for the community and the state to say, ‘thank you.' "

Shelburne volunteers and officials
Tom Bessette 27 years: CWD commissioner­-27, Selectboard­-8, health officer­-17, and constable­-7
Cullen Bullard 42 years: volunteer firefighter
Lynn Carlson 20 years: volunteer EMT
Frank Cole 43 years: volunteer firefighter-43, water commissioner­-3
Peg Coutu 27 years: recreation committee
Peter Gadue 26 years: water commissioner­-26, emergency management chair­-14
Paul Goodrich 45+ years: road commissioner
Colleen Haag 27 years: Town clerk/treasurer
Catherine Hogan Spaulding 21 years: Justice of the Peace
Fritz Horton 21 years: Historic preservation and design committee
Julia Jacques 25 years: volunteer EMT
Tom Koerner 27 years: zoning board­-18, historic preservation and design committee­-9
Jennifer Leopold 29 years: Justice of the Peace
Rick Lewis 30+ years: water superintendent
Sandra Lewis 20+ years: assistant Town treasurer
Tom Little 20+ years: Justice of the Peace 14, moderator­-9, zoning board­-10
Dave McLellan 34 years: volunteer firefighter
Ruth Morrow 54 years: auditor­-7, library trustee­-11, election official­-46, cemetery commission­-22
Stuart Morrow 27 years: cemetery commission­-11, historic sites­-21
George Nichols 24 years: volunteer EMT
Kristy Oxholm 20+ years: volunteer firefighter
Fred Schmidt 23+ years: Justice of the Peace­-23, planning commission­-17, CCTA-10, bike path committee­-4
Marvin Thomas 30 years: recreation committee
Greg Thweatt 25 years: volunteer EMT
Wendy Turner 21 years: volunteer EMT
James Warden 24 years: police chief
David Webster 34+years: Justice of the Peace­-34, historic sites­-6
Bill White 30+ years: Selectboard­-12, Justice of the Peace 30+, natural resources-5
Craig Wooster 31 years: chief, volunteer firefighter