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A Changing Of Seasons And Of The Guard: The Little City Bids Farewell To Mayor Mike Daniels

photo by Cookie Steponaitis Always together and a team, Mayor Mike watch over the moving of a historic Vergennes Train Station to its new location beside the park and ride. Mayor Daniels was always present to showcase the life in the Little City to both locals and visitors.

Tuesday March 12, 2013

By Cookie Steponaitis

The appearance of Town Meeting Day, the yearly New England age old tradition of voicing opinions and voting on matters of local importance reflects one of the miracles of living in a functioning democracy which isa peaceful transition of power. On Town Meeting Day Mayor Mike Daniels will be stepping down and a newly elected mayor will take her or his place in the city leadership. The transition is to most Vermonters and Americans merely the event that happens and there is nothing unique or miraculous about it. Yet to millions around the world the freedom to voice opinions and possessing the ability to peacefully transition power at various levels as the result of an election is but a dream.

Vergennes Mayor Mike Daniels entered into political life when he was elected as an Alderman in 2001 and reelected for a two year term in 2002. While Daniels did not run in 2003-2006 he was approached by State Representatives, Chief Ralph Jackman and many others encouraging him to run for Mayor in 2007. Daniels served from 2007 to 2013 running unopposed in 2009 and 2011. Daniels, who is no stranger to community and civic leadership, brought to the position years of service on the Vergennes Fire Department and his experience as one of the founders of the Vergennes Area Rescue Squad.  He was born and raised in Vergennes,is fiercely proud of the “Little City” and remarked about his link to the city, “My family has decades of history here beginning with the Daniels’ Steamboat Line. Vergennes is where my roots are.”As Mayor Daniels worked hard to improve life in Vergennes and feels that during his tenure, “Vergennes has reestablished respect from Montpelier.  We aren’t where we need to be but we are on the right path.  We had a stable tax rate even when everything around was going up in price.  We added events that drew people from Addison County of all ages.  We addressed legal concerns of citizens with a win-win attitude which led to a win-win solution.  We had citizens from Middlebury come and ask‘What are you doing in your city that makes it such a wonderful city to live, work and play?’ ” While his official title as Mayor will pass to new hands both Mike and Judi Daniels plan to stay as involved with the Little City as possible. “We want to continue with the Lighting of the Falls,” remarked Mayor Daniels. “Also the Haunted Forest, Pumpkins in the Park, the Website and as our events grow we want to help adjust to the demands of the event.”

One striking hallmark of the Daniels Mayoral ship was that the taxpayers really got two for one. Never far off the port bow at any events was his wife Judi Danielswho took on the role of writing and editing the quarterly newsletter “Vergennes City Voice” by soliciting for articles and assembling it on the computer. “You could say I was his all-around Administrative Assistant,” shared Judi Daniels. “Whether it was creating his spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations or as a contributor in the design, format, content and testing of the City’s new website as well as maintaining the content.”

Always active in civic service recruitment Mayor Daniels also took the opportunity to pass along to other citizens of the Little City a message of encouragement about the positive role people have in the quality of life and direction of the Little City. “Don’t wait to be asked to help,” concluded Mayor Daniels. “Get and stay involved with your communities as what you do today is tomorrow’s history.  Our towns and city in Addison County are known for our leadership in setting the paths to the future.  Be part of this success; you are the present that will become the future.”

The Valley Voice thanks both Mike and Judi Daniels not only for their over forty years in civic service but for all the events yet to come. As he remarked during the opening of ceremonies at the Memorial Day Parade this year, “It is my honor to work with people who call this city their home.” Indeed, Mike and Judi Daniels the honor goes both ways!

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