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Published: December 10, 2009

BARRE – You can add an airborne iPhone to Thomas Lauzon's lengthy list of mayoral accomplishments.

This week, Barre's often unpredictable mayor put a proverbial checkmark in that improbable box when City Manager John Craig's phone started vibrating a few inches from his left hand.

Without hesitation Lauzon plucked up Craig's iPhone and tossed it into a nearby corner while the manager was down the hall retrieving information for the council's consideration.

Seems Craig's wife, who was casually watching Tuesday's meeting on television, mistakenly thought the council had adjourned for the night when she saw her husband get up and leave the room. She called so the kids could say goodnight to their dad.

Of course he didn't answer.

Neither, technically, did Lauzon, though it appeared for the briefest of moments that he might. Instead, the mayor turned the manager's phone into a Frisbee, calmly explaining its absence upon Craig's return.

"Your phone was vibrating so I took care of it for you," he said without elaborating.

Councilor Steven Mackenzie took it from there.

"How good is your warranty?" he asked.







READER COMMENTS


I find it interesting that since I don't agree with Lauzon's out of control, childish and bullying behavior it means that I'm not doing anything for my City. Quite the contrary. I have lived in Barre my entire life and work hard to make it a better place - however, as I have stated previously, I do not want to post too much information as I have been harassed due to my beliefs posted - with young children at home, I really fear the safety of my family from those of you who are so quick to throw accusations and insults around. I am liberal, but all that means is that I believe you should not be peeking into the homes of others and passing judgment - live and let live.....do what you want as long as you are not infringing on the rights of others...ie....make marijuana legal; same sex marriage supporter and pro-choice...and proud of all of it.
-- Posted by Can't Stand Ignorance on Mon, Dec 14, 2009, 7:34 am EST

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They do not have anything better to do, they are liberal trash talkers. I think its good there distracted with this, otherwise they would be destroying another sector of the country.

ML
-- Posted by Jeff Perkins on Sat, Dec 12, 2009, 11:29 am EST

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He apologized come on people give it a break. Don't you have anything better to do this is like rubbing the dogs nose in crap a week later. He's done more for Barre than most of you.

Sincerly

Mike Braun
-- Posted by none none on Sat, Dec 12, 2009, 9:25 am EST

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Lauzon has been good for Barre.
Not that I particularly like his style.

But he puts Barre on the map.

The major disappointment I have is that he is not able to get rid of the Lash Furniture awning.

.
-- Posted by A None on Fri, Dec 11, 2009, 11:40 pm EST

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The over use of cell phones is annoying. People cannot put them down. Texting and driving, talking in the line at the grocery store. Get a life!!!
-- Posted by Proud Republican7 on Fri, Dec 11, 2009, 11:13 pm EST

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Barre is lucky to have Lauzon. He cares about Barre. It doesn't matter that he is gruff. He deals with nitwits every day. He's the best thing that happened to Barre.
-- Posted by Olde Man on Fri, Dec 11, 2009, 9:08 pm EST

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Whether or not Lauzon has done good things for the city isn't the focus of the article from TA. The fact that Lauzon committed a childish act is the concern; the cell phone did not belong to him and he shouldn't have touched it, let alone tossed it into a corner. If the man would do this, while being recorded and seen by the citizens of Barre, do we really want him as our Mayor? I'm glad he apologized, but if he had thought through his actions before he threw the cell, then he wouldn't be in this current position.
-- Posted by Heather B. on Fri, Dec 11, 2009, 8:03 pm EST

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Mel,

You really have to get over yourself.

ML
-- Posted by Jeff Perkins on Fri, Dec 11, 2009, 7:03 pm EST

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Thank you for proving my point Mel. You sloth. You can't even make a list of the things you do. People that volunteer and give are unique humanbeings. How does that Theodore Roosevelt quote go? "[c]redit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena..." I don't want to continue this argument any further. I just thought it was time someone spoke up a bit and called you out on your non-stop criticism of everything and everyone. This will be my last post. Thank you for the excitement.
-- Posted by Vtintheblood Na on Fri, Dec 11, 2009, 5:24 pm EST

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I would be happy to list the things I've done for my community, but it would be repetitive since I've done that in one of my earlier posts (not on this subject, but another one). You see, it's not just tempermental brats who are civic minded.
-- Posted by Mel Parker on Fri, Dec 11, 2009, 4:51 pm EST

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Much ado about nothing......
-- Posted by Olde Man on Fri, Dec 11, 2009, 3:53 pm EST

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Mel, I actually snorted out loud when I read your posting that I was either "Mrs. Lauzon or a family member." In fact, I am not. However, it's an interesting statement since you make an incorrect assumption that anyone who supports Lauzon is a family member or Mrs. Lauzon. I think it would be interesting Mel Parker and "Cant Stand Ignorance" if you were able to list a handful of things you did for the public good in 2009. My assumption would be that you did absolutely nothing for the public or the City of Barre except criticize and play monday morning quarterback. There are other words for people like yourself, but I think you get the point.
-- Posted by Vtintheblood Na on Fri, Dec 11, 2009, 3:32 pm EST

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Vtintheblood NA, you must either be Mrs. Lauzon or another family member...
-- Posted by Mel Parker on Fri, Dec 11, 2009, 2:44 pm EST

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Please point out some things that Mayor Lauzon is personally responsible for in Barre that are actually good and I'd be happy to commend him. However, I see him spending money on lawsuits after he decides to violate someone's civil right; single-handedly determining whose property is kept up to his standard and should or should not receive fines; fighting with a pie-yielding Santa Claus; intoxicated at a St. Patrick's Day celebration and butting into the Police removing an individual which resulted in him knocking over Bill Doyle (who we all know is about 187 years old). Not exactly the man I want running our City...unfortunately, my vote against him wasn't enough.
-- Posted by Can't Stand Ignorance on Fri, Dec 11, 2009, 12:50 pm EST

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After reading the TA Online for the past year, I always find it humorous all the comments that people make about articles. Usually I learn something interesting. What is really surprising to me is the petty comments and personal attacks on Lauzon. It's funny how the majority of comments focus on things that make no real difference in anyone's life. Rarely do any of the comments commend him on his hard work. We have had some good mayors in Barre, but none of which are as hard working and dedicated to making this City better as Lauzon. I noticed in some of the really positive things he has done recently that the critics were quiet. Well, except for the normal loudmouths like CJ. In any event, I am on my lunch hour and need to get back to work. I just felt that I should comment about how ridiculous you all are that commented throughout your work day when you really ought to be working. CJ must have been sleeping.
-- Posted by Vtintheblood Na on Fri, Dec 11, 2009, 12:28 pm EST

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I'd bet anything 'IF' Thom Lauzon replaces the cell phone that he destroyed, it will be on the tax payers dime. He will slip this 'expense' into the budget somewhere.
-- Posted by Purple Monkey Dishwasher on Fri, Dec 11, 2009, 12:19 pm EST

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According to media reports, the City Manager had his phone on vibrate, so there would be no distractions to those around him. The fact that he left it behind when he left the room did not give Mr. Lauzon the authority to arbitrarily create a policy that allows him to possibly destroy someone else's property. I also wonder, is this really the City Manager's personal cell phone or is it, like with so many of us, a cell phone provided by his employer? In which case, it would be city property that Mr. Lauzon was throwing around and that would be a slap to all taxpayers in the city, as well.

At any rate, Mr. Lauzon's behavior cannot be forgiven by some lame excuse. I only wish I lived in Barre City because I would be out campaigning for anyone to run against this moron.
-- Posted by Mel Parker on Fri, Dec 11, 2009, 11:46 am EST

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Improper cellphone use? Come on......come up with something better than that.
-- Posted by Can't Stand Ignorance on Fri, Dec 11, 2009, 11:26 am EST

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A bigger concern is improper cell phone use and when is it inappropriate to have such a distraction. I think a City Council meeting, shut the damn thing off. That's what they make voicemail for. The putz in front of me at the movie theatre? I'd like to give his a toss as well.

Kudos to the mayor for disallowing this during an official city meeting.
-- Posted by Barre City Resident on Fri, Dec 11, 2009, 10:40 am EST

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What is it that Dr. Phil says? The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior? Well, Mr. Lauzon, I'd say you've demonstrated too many times that your impulsive behavior is disrespectful, arrogant, childish, and makes you not fit to be an elected official representing one of the largest municipalities in the state. I hope the constituents of Barre City agree and vote you out of office. It would be a disgrace if the voters allow your erratic behavior to continue to give the City of Barre a black eye.
-- Posted by Mel Parker on Fri, Dec 11, 2009, 10:27 am EST

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Mayor Lauzon, in retrospect this is just another example of your impulsive behavior, rather than rational thinking. As a citizen of Barre, I am tiring of your "holier than thou" personality and apologizing after the fact, doesn't make the fact acceptable...prove to us you have the ability to control your actions rather than constantly getting in to hot water.
-- Posted by Can't Stand Ignorance on Fri, Dec 11, 2009, 9:31 am EST

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In retrospect, while it seemed amusing at the time, tossing John's iPhone into the corner wasn't amusing at all - it was just mean and I was wrong to do it. By the time this article came out, I had already apologized to John.

The fact that Harper was calling Dad to say goodnight makes it even worse.
-- Posted by Thom Lauzon on Fri, Dec 11, 2009, 6:27 am EST

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I have always wondered what people, in this case Lauzon, act like behind closed doors if they are not afraid to act badly in front of people. Just a thought
-- Posted by keepthechange2012 on Thu, Dec 10, 2009, 1:48 pm EST

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What a jerk... How disrespectful. He darn well better buy Mr. Craig a new phone and proffer a profound apology. Unbelievable.
-- Posted by John R. on Thu, Dec 10, 2009, 12:20 pm EST

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This is the type of behavior that a child would be punished for, but PV is right, Lauzon is just so cool. I really hope the citizens of Barre can find another person to run and defeat this moron come election day. I'm so sick of reading of his childish behavior in the TA.
-- Posted by Mel Parker on Thu, Dec 10, 2009, 11:23 am EST

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Mayor Lauzon is so cool, isn't he? When is his term up?
-- Posted by Proud Vermonter on Thu, Dec 10, 2009, 6:33 am EST

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