Champagne Takes the Oath as Vernon's Next Mayor

Daniel Champagne took the oath of office as Vernon's next mayor on Thursday. 

He officially starts at 12:01 a.m. on Monday (yes, it's a holiday but he will be in the office briefly), but that did not prevent friends, family, citizens, Town Council members and school board members from staging an enthusiastic welcome at Town Hall. 

The Board of Education was the first body to be sworn in. It was followed by the council. 

Then, it was Champagne - front-and-center. Town Clerk Bernice Dixon presided over the swearing in and Champagne, in a short address, simply thanked colleagues and voters from their support. His wife, Karen, then pinned the mayoral emblem on Dan's lapel in a ceremony similar to a badge pinning when he was a Vernon police officer. 

"I don't know if I'm excited or overwhelmed right now," the new mayor said. 

Council member Virginia Gingras was sworn in separately after an e-mail snafu made her a late arrival. A crowd - including Champagne - left the reception and entered the Council Chambers to witness her oath. 

Outgoing Mayor George Apel was presented with a commemorative book on his two-year term earlier in the day by the staff. Apel was visibly moved by the gesture. 

Before she left, Karen Champagne was asked what was better - pinning the badge or the mayoral emblem? 

"I'll tell you in about two months," she joked.