June 2002 Press
Release
Press Release
For Immediate Release Contact: Marianne Lynch
802-828-2148
June 14, 2002
Secretary of State Deb Markowitz and Vermont's Veterans Organizations Kicked Off the Vote in Honor of a Veteran Program
Vote in Honor of a Veteran is a new project established by the Secretary of State and the Vermont Department of
Veterans Affairs to honor veterans this November on Election Day
MONTPELIER- Today, in honor of Flag Day Secretary of State Deb Markowitz and Vermont's veterans organizations kicked off the Vote in Honor of a Veteran program. Vote in Honor of a Veteran is a new project established by the Secretary of State and the Vermont Department of Veterans Affairs to honor veterans this November on Election Day.
At a ceremony held on the steps of the Vermont Statehouse Secretary Markowitz said "We are pleased to offer Vermonters the opportunity to honor those who have proudly served this country in the military on election day. It is important for us to recognize the important contributions our veterans have made to keep our democracy strong." Markowitz added, "This is an effort to increase voter participation by connecting the right to vote with the important part our veterans have played to safeguard our democracy."
Secretary Markowitz's comments were echoed by the key note speaker, former Norwich University Commandant and current service officer for the Veteran of Foreign Wars, Leonard Doscinski. "Honoring veterans while exercising those rights so dearly won and protected by the sacrifices of thousands of our military men and women is certainly most appropriate."
The Vote in Honor of a Veteran program enables Vermonters to honor a specific veteran of their choice by requesting a button from the office of the Secretary of State that states "I'm voting in Honor of a Veteran." The button is personalized with the name of the veteran the individual wishes to honor.
According to Clayton Clark, Director of the Office of Vermont Veteran's Affairs, "we are pleased to work with the Secretary of State to offer this new program that gives Vermont's citizens an opportunity to go to the polls and vote in honor of a veteran, perhaps a family member, a neighbor or a favorite military hero." Williston Town Clerk, and National Guardswoman, Deb Beckett said, "Vermont's town clerks will be helping to get the word out this summer and fall about the Vote in Honor of a Veteran program."
Secretary Markowitz said "Especially after September 11th we think it is important to make an effort to vote on Election Day. Our Veterans worked to keep our democracy safe - now its up to us to keep it strong."
To obtain a personalized button honoring your veteran send a completed request form to the Office of the Secretary of State. Request forms are available from your town clerk or local veteran's organization or by calling the Secretary of State at 1-800-439-VOTE or download a request form at www.sec.state.vt.us.
www.sec.state.vt.us.
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Press Release
For Immediate Release Contact: Sarah Alberhgini
802-828-2148
June 28, 2002
Secretary of State and Clerk's Association Present Best Practice Standards For Town Clerks
Best Practice Standards For Indexing Land Records Issued To Get Clerk's Offices Ready For Future Computerization
Randolph. Today, at the Vermont Municipal Clerks and Treasurer's Association Spring Meeting at Vermont Technical College, Secretary of State Deb Markowitz and Manchester Town Clerk Linda Spence announced the publication of the Best Practice Standards For Indexing Land Record Instruments.
Secretary Markowitz said, "in 1999 my office issued a report of a summer study committee on the Computerization of Land Records. The committee found that Vermont's land records could not effectively be computerized because every town uses a different indexing standard. The committee recommended that as a first step toward future computerization, the Vermont Clerks and Treasurers' Association work with my office and the Public Records Division to identify recommended uniform standards for the indexing of Vermont land records. We are pleased to announce today the publication of those standards."
Linda Spence, the President of the Vermont Municipal Clerks and Treasurer's Association (VMCTA) added, "The Best Practice Standards For Indexing Land Record Instruments is not binding on our towns. Nevertheless, this guidebook provides Vermont's town clerks with a set of standards to encourage uniform indexing of land records in towns across Vermont." Spence added, "The VMCTA is planning to begin a program of "certifying" clerk's offices - and we plan to use this Best Practice Standards as a tool in this process."
Markowitz added, "Reliable and clearly indexed land records are essential to ensure the economic well-being of Vermont. Land records document transactions that have a tremendous impact on Vermont's financial health. Every year there are more than 40,000 property transfers, involving more than $1,500,000,000 and generating over $17,000,000 in property transfer taxes. While we recognize that every town has different needs, we also know that Vermont cannot move into the future - a future that could include computerization- without some uniformity."
The new Best Practice Standards is the product of over a year of hard work by a committee that was convened by the Secretary of State and the Vermont Municipal Clerks and Treasurer's Association. Committee members include, in addition to Linda Spence and Secretary Markowitz, Mark Reeves of the Department of Public Records, Gregory Sanford, State Archivist, Town Clerks; Jessica Alexander, Jehrico, John Cushing, Milton, Nicole Daigle, Derby, Tim Hanson, Ripton, Deb Russo, Northfield, Deborah LaRiviere, Bolton, Joyce Mazzucco, Randolph, Pattie McCoy, Poultney, Lindy Wells, Worcester, Paralegals Barbara McVicar and Tina Wyles, Attorneys, Liam Murphy and Andrew Mikell (Vermont Attorneys Title Corporation) and Land Surveyor, Peter Chase.
For a copy of the Best Practice Standards For Indexing Land Records, please call (802) 828-2363 or get the online publication at www.sec.state.vt.us.
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