Richard Mazza

Richard Mazza
Mazza in 2019
Member of the Vermont Senate
from the Chittenden-Grand Isle district
In office
January 9, 1985 – April 8, 2024
Preceded byGeorge Coy
Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from District 14-3
In office
January 3, 1973 – January 4, 1977
Preceded byJoseph Mazza
Succeeded byTheresa Feeley
Personal details
Born
Richard Thomas Mazza

(1939-09-04) September 4, 1939 (age 84)
Colchester, Vermont, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseDorothy Darling Hinds
Residence(s)Colchester, Vermont, U.S.

Richard Thomas Mazza (born September 4, 1939) is an American businessman and former politician from Vermont. A Democrat, he served as a member of the Vermont Senate from 1985 until 2024, making him the body's dean, or longest-serving member. Mazza represented the Chittenden-Grand Isle district, which includes the town of Colchester in Chittenden County and all of Grand Isle County.[1]

Biography[edit]

Mazza was born in on September 4, 1939, and is a lifelong resident of Colchester.[2] He was educated in the public schools of Colchester and graduated from Winooski High School.[2]

Mazza is the owner and operator of Dick Mazza's General Store in Colchester.[2] His civic memberships have included member of the Champlain Valley Fair board of directors and president of the Colchester Senior Citizens Housing Project.[2] Mazza served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1973 to 1977 and was a member of the Transportation Committee and the Legislative Council Committee.[2]

In 1984, Mazza was elected to the Vermont Senate. He was reelected every two years through 2022, and served continuously from 1985 until his 2024 resignation.[2] From 1991 until 2024, he served on the Transportation Committee, including terms as chairman.[2] He also served on the Institutions Committee from 1991 until 2024, including terms as vice chairman.[2]

Mazza has been a member of the legislature's Joint Transportation Oversight Committee, including terms as chairman.[2] From 1997 until 2024, he was the third member of the Senate's Committee on Committees.[2] The Committee on Committees includes the lieutenant governor, senate president, and a third member chosen by the full senate, and is responsible for committee assignments and assignment of chairpersons, vice chairpersons, and clerks.[2]

Mazza is married to the former Dorothy D. Hinds.[2] They are the parents of one son and one daughter, and the grandparents of four.[2]

On April 8, 2024, Mazza announced his resignation from office, to take effect the same day, citing health concerns as the reason for his departure.[3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Bove's Build Milton Sauce Plant". burlingtonfreepress.com. December 7, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Biography, Richard Mazza". Legislature.vermont.gov. Vermont General Assembly. 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  3. ^ "Statement from Governor Phil Scott on the Resignation of Senator Richard T. Mazza | Office of Governor Phil Scott". governor.vermont.gov. Retrieved 2024-04-08.