vt.Buzz ~ a political blog

Political notes from Free Press staff writers Terri Hallenbeck, Sam Hemingway and Nancy Remsen

1.21.2008

Cola Hudson passes away

Rep. Cola Hudson, R-Lyndonville, died Sunday, of congestive heart failure, serving right up to the end, as he undoubtedly would have wanted.

Hudson was at the Statehouse two days last week before seeking medical attention.

The 81-year-old retired farmer and school janitor had served in the Legislature since 1973. He started the same year a young Jim Douglas did. They both served on the House Government Operations Committee. Hudson was still serving on that committee.

"He epitomized the Yankee values that bind all Vermonters together – hard work, dedication, and a commitment to serving one’s community," House Republican Leaders Steve Adams and Patti Komline said in a joint statement.

"He was a straight-talking, matter-of-fact gentleman with a particular interest in making government more responsive to the people," Douglas said.

- Terri Hallenbeck

posted by vt.Buzz | 10:10 AM |

Comments:

Cola will be missed. He was the genuine article. Vermont would be better served if we had more people like him in the legislature.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:48 AM, January 21, 2008

Cola Hudson was the kind of Vermont legislator we used to have many of, but no longer do. He spoke plainly, loved the give and take but was never mean about it. I could listen to him speak for long periods of time and always felt I learned something valueable. He had a great sense of humor, so understated, and just like you'd expect of a Kingdom farmer and regular guy of his generation. Obviously he was slowing down in recent years, but still, his death is a shock and very sad indeed. Vermont has lost a good man.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:59 AM, January 21, 2008

Let's hope that the Democrats can show some civility in all this. If Ralph Wright were still in charge, you can bet that he would ram that campaign finance bill right through the House, now that the Republicans are short-staffed. Lucky for the Republicans, Gaye Symington doesn't operate that way.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:21 AM, January 21, 2008

An odd time for a partisan attack, isn't it??

That wasn't Cola's way.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:53 AM, January 21, 2008

Cola was real gentleman, and he will be missed by all. But his passing won't change the legislative timetable. As one of only three R's on Gov't Ops, Cola respectfully gave his opinion lat year against campaign finance reform, and that was that. He would have opposed any bill in any form, at any time, while respecting the will of the majority. To draw a link between coming House action and civility in honoring Cola's memory will be disrespectful, yet sadly par-for -the-course for this venue.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:55 AM, January 21, 2008

Cola was a great advocate for the NEK and a statesman in the Vermont tradition. He held strong beliefs, and I hope that the Republicans can find another great rep to fill some pretty big shoes.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:47 PM, January 21, 2008

May Cola rest in peace in the statehouse in the sky.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:53 PM, January 21, 2008

Cola entered politics for all the right reasons, taking great pride in being an "average" Vermonter. He had that wonderful gift of being plain-spoken, but God help anyone who thought this made him simple. He'd rip apart the sharpest commissioners in testimony before they even knew what hit them.

He didn't tolerate BS from either party and was a powerful force on the Government Operations Committee, right until the end.

Cola took a special interest in youngsters and was never too busy to have lunch and a chat with the pages, who all adored him.

A lover of the singer Patti Page and a hater of the Senate (a bunch of politicians), Cola holds a special place in VT history and will be remembered fondly be all who knew him.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:55 PM, January 21, 2008

Anonymous said...

"Let's hope that the Democrats can show some civility in all this."

Clearly, you can't. Otherwise ya wouldn't be using the opportunity to take partisan shots, little fella.

"If Ralph Wright were still in charge, you can bet that he would ram that campaign finance bill right through the House, now that the Republicans are short-staffed. Lucky for the Republicans, Gaye Symington doesn't operate that way."

Ah, yes, right on cue - another of your ludicrous Alzheimer's Extravaganza trips down memory lane seasoned with your usual heapin' helpin' of ignorant speculation and counterfeit civility offered up as evidence.

Nice try. No sale.

One second you're marking Hudson's passing with your usual ham-handed partisan shots laughably couched as solemn reflection with "Let's hope that the Democrats can show some civility in all this." as if you knew the meaning of the word and the next you're making with
"Lucky for the Republicans, Gaye Symington doesn't operate that way."

Make up your pitiful excuse for a mind, little fella.

As for gops being short-staffed, I don't recall you shedding any tears last Summer when the Dems had a couple of reps out of the Country and Doogie and the rubber-stamps forced a Summer Veto Session, so spare me your counterfeit concerns.

This is the Legislative Session, little fella. If the gops are short-staffed that's your problem.

Don't be cryin' mercy with the gop track record.

You don't offer quarter. You don't get quarter.

Always a pleasure.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 5:31 PM, January 21, 2008

Cola will be missed. His understanding of the importance of public service (at every level) made him a big advocate for Vermonters who choose public service as a career. He cared about the people who serve this State. We cared for him as well.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 7:09 PM, January 21, 2008

average joe said...

"Cola will be missed. His understanding of the importance of public service (at every level) made him a big advocate for Vermonters who choose public service as a career. He cared about the people who serve this State. We cared for him as well."

Yeah, he was a lot like Dean, Leahy, Jeffords and Bernie that way.

7:09 PM, January

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 8:00 PM, January 21, 2008

Cola would have taken JWcoop out to the woodshed and learned him somethin' fierce.

May he rest in peace - a true Vermonter to the very end.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:23 PM, January 21, 2008

Cola, Jim, Madeleine, and I were on Gov Ops together when we were new legislators in 1973. I will always cherish that experience for all that we learned from each other. Madeleine kept a journal of those days and captured the spirit of hard work, the politics, the humor, and the stories in her book, Living a Political Life. Cola was a true citizen legislator who held fast to his principles and worked hard on behalf of his constituents. I will miss seeing him when I visit the Statehouse but as he once wrote to me, "you can never take away the memories." JUDY ROSENSTREICH

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:27 PM, January 21, 2008

JUDY ROSENSTREICH

Hopefully, Cola didn't belong to the Vermont State Employees Credit Union. If he did, Ms. Rosenstreich and the VSECU Board voted late last year to take away his $5,000 death benefit. Words are nice, but actions are better Ms. Rosenstreich.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:45 AM, January 22, 2008

Again, this isn't the time to be attacking each other.

Let's just pay our respects to Cola.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:10 AM, January 22, 2008

This comment has been removed by the author.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 9:36 AM, January 22, 2008

*J*unior *W*hackjob The Speaker and Protem picked the date for the special session (veto override attempt)not the Gov.

Nap and ridlin time fot JUNIOR !!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:23 AM, January 22, 2008

Who said anything different, little factually-challenged fraudulent fella?

That's what I thought.

Symington's got to get tougher with her Caucus and come to terms with the fact that doogie has never had any intention of negotiating in good faith.

As for Shumlin, the override effort didn't fail because of him. What did he do wrong, little doesn't know the House from the Legislature or what day it is fella?

Take your time. You're not goin' anywhere.

If you wanna whine and cry about short-staffed gops during the Legislative Session, go cheney yourself, schmuck.

Let me know if I'm goin' too fast for ya, little fella.

Always a pleasure.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 10:45 AM, January 22, 2008

Anonymous said...

"Cola would have taken JWcoop out to the woodshed and learned him somethin' fierce."

He would've, eh? And your proof of that is...........?

Too bad he didn't leave ya a case, some legitimate arguments, the evidence to back them up, a leg to stand and a clue, little fact-free fella.

Don't be comin' on here with partisan attacks one second and cryin' mercy when ya don't know the meaning of the word the next, punk.

"May he rest in peace - a true Vermonter to the very end."

Yeah, just like Doogie and Bernie.

11:23 PM, January 21, 2008

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 11:00 AM, January 22, 2008

I knew Cola and his family for many years. Believe me, Cola was no Howie, Pat, Jim, and most of all, Bernie. And that's the greatest compliment I could pay Cola. A great person.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:38 AM, January 22, 2008

Yeah Bubba, you may have known Cola but you are definately no Cola. Cola had respect for public service workers. You call them slugs and many other derogatory names. Cola didn't have to exist under a rock. You do.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:18 PM, January 22, 2008

JW said..."Let me know if I'm goin' too fast for ya, little fella."

J W, P L E A S E S L O W D O W N....

Y O U A R E W A Y T O O S M A R T F O R U S S I M P L E F O L K S.

L I T T L E F E L L A

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:47 PM, January 22, 2008

*J* *W*

your seven daze articles are really becoming lite wate better stay away from the blog and get back to your regular job

or are you still at the ice cream shoppe ??

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:10 AM, January 24, 2008

Anonymous said...
"*J* *W*

your seven daze articles are really becoming lite wate better stay away from the blog and get back to your regular job

or are you still at the ice cream shoppe ??"

In other words, ya still got bupkis.

Always a pleasure.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 11:28 AM, January 24, 2008

JW,

I'll take 2 scoops of Cherry Garcia in a waffle cone with sprinkles.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:54 PM, January 24, 2008