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
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
- ^ "Bove's Build Milton Sauce Plant". burlingtonfreepress.com. December 7, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.