Vernon Connecticut Democrats

VOTE TOMORROW!

Tomorrow is V-Day, and we want you to VOTE!  Obviously we want you to vote for us, but it is important regardless of who you support that you get your voice heard.  Remember that is you are a Maple St. voter your new voting center is 375.

If you need a ride to the polls call us!

The Vernon Democrats are happy to supply rides to the polling stations on election day, Tuesday November 3rd.  If you need a ride please call us at 860-830-6471.

Also please make sure that all Maple Street voters know that their polling place this year is Center 375!

Hear Michele on WDRC!

Michele Arn, Vernon’s next Mayor, is scheduled to appear on WDRC 1360AM at 8:20am on November 2nd.  Make sure to tune in!

Also, the Vernon Dems are looking for any and all help.  We’ve got tons of stuff to do between now and the close of voting, so please let us now if you can lend a hand!  We are pushing hard for victory, and with your help we will get there.  Whatever else you do, make sure to vote!

MccCoy Disapoints

Dave Norman had a very nice Letter to the Editor that I think sums up a lot of feelings in town:

Vernon Mayor Jason McCoy has repeatedly selected political allies for well-paid town jobs that should be held by qualified professionals.

For the mayor’s executive assistant, McCoy appointed his own deputy mayor, Diane Wheelock — a respected, likable woman who nonetheless has no qualifications for the position. Wheelock makes more money than her predecessor and has an assistant.

For his director of public works, McCoy nominated Bob Kleinhans, a former Republican candidate for mayor and state representative who has no experience whatsoever in public works. Kleinhans cares so much about Vernon that immediately after losing an election, he moved out of town. His years on the Town Council were more notable for his grandstanding and crass political bumper stickers than any actual accomplishments. Fortunately, council Democrats — joined by two courageous Republicans — tossed Kleinhans’ selection.

Both appointments are so outrageous they would be laughable if they weren’t so cynical.

While Kleinhans failed to become Vernon’s mayor, McCoy succeeded with a promise of “lower taxes.” Unable to actually deliver on his pledge, he’s resorted to twisting the facts in his re-election bid. McCoy’s negative advertisements claim our town had “tax rate decreases and nearly zero- percent spending increases.” Yet the taxes on my house went up 6.8 percent in one year. This wasn’t a statistical anomaly. Most of my neighbors and friends saw their taxes increase 5 percent to 9 percent each year under McCoy’s administration.

This shouldn’t be surprising coming from the mayor who thought the biggest economic recession in generations was the perfect time to hire a friend as a lobbyist on the taxpayer’s dime and spend nearly $15,000 on Blackberry phones for himself and 20 other town employees.

In yet another dishonest claim, McCoy takes credit for projects he had no role in, such as the new Town Hall third floor and the reopening of Fox Hill Tower. Republicans such as McCoy brag about road repairs and school renovations when they did not support the bonding package to make those projects possible (as a council member, McCoy abstained or was not present when the council approved the bonding packages). When McCoy doesn’t like the facts, he just makes up his own.

Though I didn’t vote for him, I had nothing but positive things to say about McCoy in previous elections. When he first ran for mayor in 2007, I praised him in this newspaper as an “honorable and decent man” that I “respect.” I fully expected him to be a fair, honest, and bipartisan leader. Regrettably, he chose a different path, embracing cronyism, dishonesty, and cynicism. To say his term as mayor was disappointing is an understatement — and now he wants another two years! In this election, McCoy’s negative advertisements slam the Democrats trying to stop his shenanigans. He calls them a “gang.” I call them hard-working citizens who care about our town.

Please join me in voting for change by electing Michele Arn and the Democratic team Nov. 3. They’ll restore fairness, honesty, and transparency to Vernon government.

Letters to the Editor Due by 10/16!

If you intend to write a letter to the editor please note that they are due by 10/16.  Letters must discuss a candidate’s positions and issues, not just be a character reference.  We hope lots of you get a chance to submit them!  Letters should be directed to letters@journalinquirer.com.

Vernon Dems Party Pics

We Had a Great Party

Had a great time this afternoon with our fellow Dems. Bill Dauphin especially proved false the old adage that Democrats don’t have any rhythm!

Democratic chairman says McCoy should return salary paid for hours not worked

By Max Bakke
Journal Inquirer

Published: Saturday, October 10, 2009 1:16 AM EDT

VERNON — Democratic Town Chairman Tom Didio is asking Republican Mayor Jason L. McCoy to return salary he’s been paid for hours he’s not yet worked, after learning the mayor has received his pay in lump sum payments.

Didio said McCoy routinely has been paid for time he hasn’t worked, and should go on a traditional biweekly pay schedule like other town staff.

“The mayor claims to be fiscally responsible, yet he and his fellow Republicans seem to always have their hands in the honey pot,” Didio said recently. “Why is he being able to get this privilege when no one else is getting this privilege?”

According to payroll records, McCoy has received his part-time, $20,749 annual salary in installments since January 2008, shortly after he took office.

 McCoy was paid $13,000 on Jan. 28, 2008; $20,748 on July 31, 2008; and most recently, $7,581 on July 1, 2009, records show. The most recent payment covers the mayor’s salary until November.

The mayor also has received two stipends of $700 and $600 for opting out of the town’s health insurance benefits, records show.

McCoy, who is running for re-election this year against Democratic challenger Michele Arn, did not return calls for comment.

Town Attorney Hal Cummings said the mayor’s salary is determined by charter and is seldom changed. However, the charter doesn’t dictate the mayor’s compensation schedule.

“There’s nothing that says he gets paid quarterly or weekly or biweekly or whatever — I don’t see an issue here,” he said.

Former two-term Democratic Mayor Ellen Marmer, whom McCoy defeated in 2007, said she took her salary on a biweekly schedule, and said she was appalled McCoy was receiving his pay in advance.

“To me it’s unconscionable,” she said.

The issue also is before the state Freedom of Information Commission after Democratic Councilman Michael Winkler filed a complaint seeking information relating to the mayor’s salary.

He requested payroll records and any signed agreements about the mayor’s salary schedule.

Pictures from the Chernack’s Meet and Greet

Many thanks to Lance and Edie Chernack for hosting a meet and greet at their wonderful home last night.  The candidates had a great chance to talk to local voters and I think we all appreciated it.  Here are some pictures from the event.

Vernon Democrats Throw a Party!

Michele Arn’s Acceptance Speech at the 2009 VDTC Convention

Here’s Michele’s acceptance speech from the 2009 Nominating Convention. Make sure to check out our other great videos and come out November 3rd to vote Democrat!