About Mike

When President John F. Kennedy said in his inaugural address, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country,” these words, together with the philosophy of service I learned in the Boy Scouts of America, inspired me.  I began my political activism working for the Presidential election campaign of Senator Eugene McCarthy.

I graduated from King's College in Wilkes-Barre, PA, with a degree in Mathematics followed by a Master of Science degree in Mathematics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.  My 36 year career in the field of Computer Science started with Pratt & Whitney Aircraft and included stints with Computer Sciences Corporation and Simmonds Precision before I joined IBM in 1981.  In 2005 I retired from IBM and took up a new career as a Tax Specialist at H&R Block, a nice seasonal job that I held for 11 years and gave me a lot of time to attend to gardening, hiking and family, as well as the local political scene.  I have served in the Vermont House of Representatives since January, 2011.

I became involved in local Democratic politics wherever I lived, including Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Jersey, and finally in 1978 in Vermont.  I love the Vermont political system because it is so close to the people.  I have never missed a Town Meeting, either in Shelburne where I lived for 8 years, or in Charlotte where I currently reside with my wife, Janet.  I am the proud father of Dr. Julianne Icatar married to Roneil Icatar, Mark Yantachka married to Elizabeth Thibault, Jessica Yantachka, Jennifer Corman married to Kelly Corman, and Jackie Yantachka.  We also have 9 wonderful grandchildren.

Since I've lived in Charlotte, I held the office of Justice of the Peace from 1993 until 2017, and I served on the Charlotte Central School Board from 1998 - 2003.  I was elected Chairman of the Charlotte Democratic Committee in 1997 and held that post for 10 years.  I was elected Chairman of the Chittenden County Democratic Committee in July, 2006, and again in October, 2007, for a 2 year term.


Mike with House NR&E
Chair Rep.Tony Klein

Having been elected to the Vermont House of Representatives in 2010, I served on the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee until 2017.  After a reorganization of House committees in 2017, I continued my service as a member of the Energy & Technology Committee which has jurisdiction over energy, telecommunications and IT services. I was proud to have assisted in developing several pieces of legislation that promoted renewable energy development in Vermont as well as a solid waste bill expanding recycling and composting to extend the life of our  single remaining landfill.  I also added my support to bills promoting affordable health care, a sustainable working landscape, telecommunications enhancement, an increased minimum wage, and paid sick leave for working families.  More information about my work in the legislature can be found here.

When the Legislature is in session I regularly write columns for both The Charlotte News and for The Citizen, two local newspapers serving Charlotte.  I also co-host the Chittenden County Democrats Show on Burlington's Community Access TV station, CCTV Channel 17 on the first Monday of the month.  I post my columns and many of the TV shows on this website.