HCR 302

R-360  Page 1 of 2
2026
No. R-360.     House concurrent resolution congratulating former Shaftsbury
Selectboard Chair Arthur Whitman and his wife Kathy Whitman as the recipients of
the 2026 Shaftsbury Ordinary Hero Award.
                                         (H.C.R.302)
   Offered by Representative Durfee of Shaftsbury
   Offered by Senators Bongartz and Plunkett
   Whereas, Art and Kathy Whitman are lifelong residents of the Shaftsbury area, and
during their 60-year marriage, the couple’s professional and personal initiatives and
leadership have benefited their community, and
   Whereas, from 1988 until 2015, the Whitmans owned Whitman’s Feed Store, an
agricultural retailer that introduced state-of-the-art grain technology and best practices in
animal nutrition to the economic benefit of the business, and the store served as a reliable
source of employment; the Whitmans were known to help local farmers in need, and they
were generous donors to local animal rescue organizations, and
   Whereas, as the owners of A&K Agriservices, the Whitmans sponsor local community
events, including the Garlic Town USA Festival, and
   Whereas, in their roles as award-winning NorShaft Lions, the couple has supported
efforts aiding disabled individuals, a healthy environment, and seniors; the Whitmans
have chaired various community functions, including an annual Easter egg hunt, a charity
golf tournament, a chili fest, Christmas tree sales, the Night for Sight Dinner Dance,
Oktoberfest, the Peace Poster Contest, and youth camps; they are also long-term
supporters of the Shaftsbury Historical Society and the Eagle Square Museum, and, in
December 2025, they organized the town’s first tractor parade, and
   Whereas, as president and secretary-treasurer, respectively, of the Bennington County
Farm Bureau, Art and Kathy Whitman advocate for forward-looking agricultural policy
that is in the farming community’s best interests, and
   Whereas, Art Whitman has served his town and State in elected and appointed
positions; as a member of the Shaftsbury Selectboard (2014–2024), including as chair of
the town’s economic development and water committees, he advocated for the creation of
the Shaftsbury Town Green and community center; and he served as a member of the
Vermont Rail Advisory Council, and
  Whereas, in recognition of the couple’s extraordinary civic contributions to life in
Shaftsbury, Art and Kathy Whitman are the recipients of the town’s 2026 Ordinary Hero
Award, an honor that is richly deserved, now therefore be it
   Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
  That the General Assembly congratulates former Shaftsbury Selectboard Chair Arthur
Whitman and his wife Kathy Whitman as the recipients of the 2026 Shaftsbury Ordinary
Hero Award, and be it further
                                                                              VT LEG #389922 v.1
R-360  Page 2 of 2
2026
   Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to
Arthur and Kathy Whitman.
                                                                            VT LEG #389922 v.1