Peter Welch: “Donald H. Turner, Jr., epitomized public service. Don grew up in Milton, VT, a town of less than 11,000 people. When he…”

“Donald H. Turner, Jr., epitomized public service. Don grew up in Milton, VT, a town of less than 11,000 people. When he was a boy, it had half that number. Don's family owned the local bowling alley and a construction company. His family's outsized presence in the town may be why he saw the entire community as family. Don signed up as a volunteer firefighter at 16 and remained involved with the department for his entire life, serving 14 years as chief. On my last visit to Milton in March 2023, we discussed the challenges facing small fire departments and rescue squads, input that directly influenced legislation I introduced to reimburse emergency medical services providers for care they provide patients who are not transported to a hospital. For the past 7 years, Don served as town manager in his hometown. If the rescue squad was short a person to respond to a call, he would leave his office and hop in the ambulance. Prior to serving in town government, Don represented his community in the Vermont House of Representatives for 13 years, including 8 as the minority leader. Perhaps that is why when he assumed leadership of his hometown government, he made his and the town staff's motto, ``Get stuff done.'' And he did. A new town garage, something in the works before the birth of the town's current selectboard chair, was wrapped up in 2 years under Don's leadership. It is now named for him, with ``Getting stuff done'' written in large letters along one wall.…”