Media+Politics

WCAX anchor Darren Perron, winner of the Daysie for best Vermont journalist.

Let’s hear it for Darren Perron. The WCAX anchor has a lot going for him, starting with that great rhyming name. Voters in this survey even complimented his hair. “Darren Perron can work an understated fauxhawk,” one person remarked. But it wasn’t his coif that earned the Daysie this year; it was his newscast. Perron is the first broadcaster in Daysies history to win the title of best Vermont journalist. Congrats, Darren.

But voters also love runner-up Chris Bohjalian, who writes a weekly column in the Burlington Free Press and has won the Daysie for best Vermont novelist every single year of this contest. This year, we retired that category — no offense, Chris. We just thought it was time to try something new. But apparently, where there are Daysies, there is Bohjalian.

And, of course, there is Tom Messner. This year’s best local meteorologist category seemed to be all about sex appeal. One person voted for WCAX’s “Ian Oliver — he’s hot!” Another person put a bid in for FOX44’s “Kerrin Jeromin… my husband’s girlfriend :).” But the Daysie is safe with WPTZ’s Tom “The Mess” Messner. Or was that Tom “Never Messy” Messner? Oh wait, here it is: This year’s Daysie belongs to “Tom Freaking Messner.” Based on the number of pet names Vermonters have for this man, it’s safe to say Messner is not losing his title anytime soon. Runner-up Gary Sadowski of WCAX came in about 400 votes behind, with the Eye on the Sky team pulling up third.

WCAX still dominates the best local TV newscast category, but this year the station was recognized for its outstanding Twitter feed, @wcax, too. Other popular feeds? @tylermachado, @seven_days, @theberngallery and @sensanders.

Congrats to VTDigger.org, which isn’t a blog, but won the Daysie for the category anyway. (Last year, Digger founder Anne Galloway won for best blogger.) Actual blogs Seven Days’ Blurt and the House of LeMay were close behind.

Voters still love their Vermont Public Radio more than any other spot on the dial. But this year, Zeb Norris, program director at the Point, cruised to victory over longtime Daysie winners 95TripleX’s shock jocks extraordinaire Jamie Scavotto and Chantal Paulino. Norris’ colleague Mike Luoma came in third, with WRUV’s DJ Llu not too far behind.

—Megan James

Best Vermont journalist

[W] Darren Perron
[RU] Chris Bohjalian

Best local TV newscast

[W] WCAX
[RU] WPTZ

Best local meteorologist

[W] Tom Messner (WPTZ)
[RU] Gary Sadowski (WCAX)

Best local radio DJ

[W] Zeb Norris (The Point)
[RU] Jamie Scavotto & Chantal Paulino (95 Triple X)

Best Vermont radio station

[W] Vermont Public Radio
[RU] The Point

Best Vermont blog

[W] VTDigger.org
[RU] Seven Days’ Blurt

Best Vermont Twitter feed

[W] @wcax
[RU] @Seven_Days