ADDISON COUNTY — The blue wave in last November’s General Election swept two local incumbent Republican state representatives out of office, but GOP Gov. Phil Scott has made sure both will continue to have avenues to provide public service.
On Feb. 7 Scott announced 103 appointments to Vermont commissions and boards. Among those, Fred Baser was appointed to two posts and Warren Van Wyck was appointed to one. Baser is a Bristol Republican and Van Wyck is a Ferrisburgh Republican, and both were defeated at the polls.
Baser and Van Wyck were appointed to the District 9 Environmental Commission, which oversees Act 250 land development hearings. Another Ferrisburgh Republican and onetime state representative, Connie Houston, was also appointed to the District 9 Environmental Commission. Jeanne Richardson of Ferrisburgh left the board after long service on it.
Baser, a financial services professional who served on the House Ways and Means and the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, was also appointed to the board of the Vermont Housing Finance Agency. VHFA is a non-profit agency that finances and promotes affordable housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income Vermonters.
Baser has served on the boards of several other Vermont institutions, including the Bristol selectboard, the Addison County Economic Development Board, and the Addison County chapter of Habitat for Humanity.
“Fred was a champion of housing programs during his time in the Vermont House, and we are pleased to have him join the Board,” said VHFA Executive Director Maura Collins, in a press release. “His financial expertise and familiarity with the legislative process are great assets for VHFA’s board.”
There are nine members of VHFA’s Board of Commissioners. They include four ex officio members and five members appointed by the Governor of Vermont, representing private and public lending, real estate, housing and community interests.
Baser said he did not seek any post-election appointments.
“The Governor’s office sough me out,” he said. “I have not served in any development/environmental review capacity prior to my appointment. I view this as a positive. There are many people at the Natural Resources Board to assist me and other commissioners.”
Three other Addison County residents were also mentioned in the raft of appointments that the governor announced. They include:
•  Kevin Bourdon of Vergennes to the Electricians Licensing Board;
•  Marie Audet of Bridport to the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board; and
•  John Wheeler of Cornwall to the Veterinary Board.