The Burlington Free Press from Burlington, Vermont • Page 33

Nv i 1 a-1 ViA Che iBurb'ngton Jf ree Bubb Celebrating Vermont's Bicentennial, 1791 1991 35 cents Wednesday, August 14, 1991 LM fl Governor's body found at home By Michael Donoghue Free Press Staff Writer SHELBURNE Gov. Richard A. Snelling was found dead outside his home this morning by two state police officers. Snelling served as governor from 1977 to 1985. He opted against re-election in 1984.

Last year, worried about the state's sagging financial condition, he decided to run again and won election to his fifth term. State's Attorney William H. Sorrell said it appeared Snelling died of natural causes sometime Tuesday night. Snelling was found at 8 a.m. on a deck next to his swimming pool and was dressed in swimming trunks.

"It appears the death was last eve-, ling," Sorrell said while standing in the iriveway of Snelling's Harbor Road lome. Press secretary Glenn Gerschanek-said Lt. Gov. Howard Dean was notified immediately. "He is now Governor Dean," he said.

Snelling's wife, Barbara, was believed to be in the Buffalo, N.Y., area. Sorrell said New York State Police and New York Gov. Mario Cuomo were notified and that a New York State Police helicopter was expected to pick her up and return her to Burlington by early afternoon. Snelling had been scheduled to meet at 7:30 a.m. with Vermont Magazine officials David Sleeper and John S.

Rosenberg at Wesson's Family Restaurant in South Burlington. Trooper Kevin Scott arrived at the governor's home about 7: 1 5 a.m. to pick him up but found no response to his knocks. State Police Sgt. Dennis Madore, who was going to trade cars with Scott at the diner, also went to the house when they failed to appear.

Madore and Scott discovered the body on the back deck. "I'm at a loss," Sorrell said, noting the ramifications for the state are "very, very real." Several current and former Snelling aides and appointees were at the house Funeral still pending Funeral arrangements will be made after Gov. Richard A. Snelling's wife Barbara flies back to Vermont from a business trip in Buffalo, N.Y. Arrangements probably will not be complete until Wednesday night, Chief of Staff Elizabeth Edwards said.

Television reports Television coverage on the governor's death: WCAX-TV, Channel 3, will have coverage throughout the day with a wrap-up during the news at 6 p.m.. WVNY-TV, Channel-4, will have updates throughout the day and during the regular 6 p.m. news. WPTZ-TV, Cham 5, will have live updates throughout the day and live coverage of the news conference at 2:30 today. They will have a wrap-up on the evening news.

Vermont Gov. Richard Snelling, who returned to office in January for a fifth term, next to his pool by state troopers. PJl LiU i ret jiiz ymstu died this morning. He was found dead Mark Snellling, the governor's son, spoke briefly with reporters in the driveway and said that his father's health "up to today he was remarkably well." He noted "He's lived a very full life." One of the Gov's daughters', Diane, also arrived at the house at about 10 a.m. Mark Snelling said he had last seen his father Sunday night for dinner and discussed business, politics and cleaning the pool.

Sleeper said that the investigation suggests nothing but natural causes. Sorrell said there were no signs of foul play. been healthy since then. Frank McDougall, secretary of Development and Community Affairs, said he was out with Snelling Saturday night. "He was the best I ever saw him." Administrative Assistant Ed Von-Turkovich said he traveled with Snelling throughout the campaign.

"I'm stunned beyond belief," he said. "The guy was brilliant. The job is undone. I really believe that this is going to be a huge loss to the state." Edwards said people say it was difficult to work for Snelling. But she said he commanded a lot of loyalty because his motivation was not self-interest.

"What motivates him is his broad scope and vision to make things better for Vermont, the nation and the world." She said Snelling had planned a lunch staff meeting today. "It's hard not to believe it's not going to happen." Edwards said staffers are trying to put their emotions on hold so they can be effective in the job. "Certainly we all -are shocked and devastated by what is a great personal loss for us as well as a loss for the state," she said. "We of course are thinking a lot and our hearts are with the governor's family, which was of the utmost importance to him, and we hope to be as helpful and supportive of his family as we can be." UJ investigation. A hearse from the Ready Funeral Home was escorted by the state police out of the Snelling's home at 10:30 a.m.

Gerschanek said Snelling was believed to have last been seen at 6 p.m. last night when dropped off by his state police driver. State police Capt. Kerry Sleeper said investigators will attempt to determine if the governor had contact with anyone last night to help establish the time of death. Gerschanek said Snelling had not been ill since March when he was hospitalized with gastrointestinal troubles.

The job is undone. I really believe that this is going to be a huge loss to the state." Ed VonTurkovlch administrative assistant said. "I think of him of being very much alive. I don't want to give up my vision of him being vital, forceful and committed." Outside her office, two receptionists handled hundreds of telephone calls from concerned Vermonters. A somber Cassie Patrissi told one caller, "My recommendation is for you to listen to your TV or radio regarding that.

We aren't releasing a statement at this time." Michael policy analyst, groped for words to describe his pain. His eyes were red. "I can't talk," he said at first. "He's the last person I thought this would happen to. This is hard on everyone.

We're just going to have to be strong I guess." Gilhooly said Snelling was hospitalized earlier this spring, but that was because of a bout with the flu. He has Democrat Dean takes top post By Betsy Llley Free Press Staff Writer Democratic Lieutenant Governor Howard Dean will change little in the next few months as he assumes the office of governor following the Wednesday morning death of Richard A. Snelling. "My intention is to continue along the same path that we've been going in the fiscal area," Dean said from his Shelburne medical office. He plans a 2:30 p.m.

press conference today in Montpelier. By 10 a.m., Dean already had spoken to key state legislators and planned an afternoon meeting with House Speaker Ralph Wright, D-Bennington. He will be sworn in at 3 p.m. at the Statehouse by Secretary of State James Douglas. Dean, 42, was giving a physical in his office off U.S.

Route 7 in Shelburne when he learned that Snelling had died. "I actually was alerted to it by a patient who heard on the scanner," Dean said. Dean said he didn't believe the patient. "Then I was called by the governor's staff. Actually I was very shocked." Dean gave Snelling high marks for his first eight months in office dealing with a troubled state budget that threatened a 1992 deficit as high as $150 million.

"Gov. Snelling made a huge contribution to the state. I intend to follow his policies in the fiscal and taxation policy. I'm going to do whatever I can to make Barbara (Snelling) comfortable. I think it's important for everyone whether they are Democrats or Republicans to have the state in good financial condition.

"There's a lot I need to learn. Gov. Snelling has a very competent staff," he said. Dean and Snelling generally agreed on criminal justice issues. "We both worked hard to get Vermont's landmark DWI legislation through this past legislative session and we both agreed on issues such as tougher penalties for career criminals and a constitutional bail amendment to protect citizens from dangerous suspects," Dean said.

"I believe that Dick Snelling always felt the safety and security of Vermont's citizens was a top priority for state government." Snelling's death dramatically changes Dean's future political plans. See DEAN, 24 Free Press file Lt. Gov. Howard Dean, a Democrat, will assume the office of governor. It is the first time since 1870 that a Vermont governor has died in office.

I 7 II- I Vrv Iff during parts of the morning. Among those there were Luther F. Hackett, UVM trustee and former Republican gubernatorial candidate; R. Allen Paul, chairman of the state Racing Commission and former UVM trustee; and William Gilbert, general counsel to the governor during his first term. Gerschanek said the meeting with the magazine officials was a "get acquainted" session at Wesson's.

"It's his favorite place," he said. Dr. Paul Morrow, chief medical examiner, and his investigator, Dalian Baker, arrived at 9:30 a.m. to assist in the Montpelier reacts with shock By Andrea Zentz Capital Bureau Chief MONTPELIER The Post-it note said, "Denny is holding, It's an emergency." Elizabeth Edwards, the, governor's chief of staff, breathed a big sigh. "He never says it's an emergency, he says it's important." She switched the telephone line over to Vermont State trooper Dennis Madore and listened as he told her the governor was dead.

"I was just shocked and horrified," Edwards said. It was just after 8 a.m. and most of the staff was not in. Her first thoughts were of trying to contact the family, Lt. Gov.

Howard Dean and the constitutional officers. And 90 minutes later, police still had not notified Snelling's wife Barbara, who was on a business trip in Buffalo, N.Y. But news of Snelling's death was on the radio and television. At 9:55 a.m., Edwards learned that New York State Police had found Mrs. Snelling and she was flying home.

Edwards, giving commands to staff members about setting up a news conference, writing a news release, contacting state legislators, said she felt like she had to carry on as if the governor were there. "The governor is still my boss," she.