By Polly Mikula
Killington Town Clerk and Treasurer Lucrecia Wonsor was given the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award last Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the annual Town Fair conference held at Killington Resort. Nearly 500 municipal officials from around Vermont gathered for the occasion.
“From time to time, VLCT presents its Lifetime Achievement Award to a municipal official or employee who has dedicated their career to serving local government, both within their community and through service at a statewide level on a board, commission, or the Vermont League of Cities and Towns,” said William (Bill) Frazer, president of the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLTC) introducing the awards at the luncheon at Snowshed Lodge. “Today’s honoree has served in the town office for 25 years. She started as a recording secretary for the Killington Planning Commission. Then served as assistant town clerk. And she’s been the clerk and town treasurer for the town of Killington for the last 22 years. Her family came to America from Portugal when she was a baby and she moved to Vermont in 1998, just a year before coming to work for the town.”
Lucrecia Wonsor has been a VLCT board member for the past six years, VMCTA executive committee member since 2009, and is a NE Association of City and Town Clerks member.
“Lucrecia has become an invaluable connector between clerks, state agencies, and statewide organizations,” Frazer continued. “She’s a past president of VMCTA, has been involved with VLCT municipal policy drafting, and has been the primary compiler of a state-mandated clerk fee report that has been used to advocate for appropriate fee increases. She was also the co-chair of the VLCT Equity Committee as it crafted the organization’s first equity strategic plan, equity toolkit, and equity training.”
“Lucrecia plans to retire at the end of the year, unless we can over ride that somehow,” Frazer joked to the crowd, garnering cheers and laughter. “So it seems fitting that we give her a Lifetime Achievement award here in own home town. Congratulations to Lucrecia Wonsor.”
Lucrecia Wonsor spoke at the VLTC Town Fair after accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Wonsor approached the stage with a standing ovation, signifying the respect and admiration she had earned from her peers over the years.
“I most especially want to thank my husband and family, without their support I couldn’t do what I do,” Wonsor began. “And I also want to thank the many clerks, treasurers and other town officials that have inspired me and always pushed me to do better and to do more. I attended my first town fair here in Killington 22 years ago, so it’s pretty amazing to be ending here in Killington.
“I never imagined that I would fall in love with this job as much as I did. I have loved what I do and I continue to love what I do and serving this community, as all of us that are here do ‘cause I don’t think any of us could do what we do unless we loved it; and loved the people that we serve,” she continued. “Just as my predecessor Judy [Hansen] was looking for her successor and wanted to ensure that the town was in good hands, I was looking for the same thing and I know that have one in Peggy [Neisner]… I think this award is really for Judy. I think what I’ve done, I’ve always done for her. Thank you,” Wonsor concluded.
A Municipal Service Award was given to all Vermont municipal road crews. It was accepted by Killington highway crew member Gerald Pfeifenberger and Killington Selectman Jim Haff.
