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

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.

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!

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

Present

Meet, Greet & Eat!

Meet … Michele Arn – Vernon’s Democratic Mayoral Candidate

Greet … All Democratic Candidates for Vernon Town Council & B.O.E.

Eat … Free Hot Dogs, Snacks & Beverages

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Balloons – Toys – Bring the Kids, Family & Neighbors

Sunday, October 11th 1:00
– 3:00PM

Democratic Headquarters – 500 East Plaza

500 Talcottville Road – Rt 83 (next to Pizza Hut)

Paid for by the Vernon Democratic Town Committee,
James Swicklas, Treasurer

We’re in this situation because the mayor has failed to do what Ms. Vale points out is his job: “… recommend candidates to the Town Council .” Instead, he has recommended one unsuitable candidate (unsuitable, by the way, not because he’s a Republican but because he has no relevant experience) whom the Council rejected on a bipartisan basis, and has stubbornly refused to bring forward any further candidates (though we know there were other finalists). If Democrats have resorted to extraordinary methods, it’s only because the mayor has refused to do his ordinary duty in this urgent matter.

More generally, accountability and evenhandedness in government is a real issue that affects Vernon. We have minority representation rules for a reason: ALL the town’s citizens deserve a voice in government, including those who voted for Democrats. Denying, as the mayor repeatedly has, Democrats the simple matter of a place on the agenda doesn’t hurt Herbst, Winkler, Schaeffer, and Fox, nor does it hurt Tom DiDio and the DTC; it hurts the people of Vernon, who deserve better than to be shut out of their own government.

I don’t know Mayor McCoy personally; he may well be, as Ms. Vale describes him, “honest, bright, energetic, and thoughtful” in his private and professional dealings. He has not, however, governed Vernon in a professional, effective, publicly accountable way, and that’s what voters deserve. “

The Town Council has our returning members Marie Herbst, Mike Winkler and Polly Schaefer. They have proven themselves time and again keeping Vernon first. Joining them will be Steve Taylor, Bill Dauphin, Jim Sendrak, Terilyn Rogers and James Krupienski.

Steve and Bill are Vice-Chairmen of the VDTC and have led the way for positive change.
Jim has cut his teeth on the Rockville Community Alliance and brings a message identifying the top 10 issues, fixing them and replacing them with new ones. Terilyn has had many years of experience in the business world and has a burning desire to share what she knows to help all. Last but not least is James. He has to be one of the most knowledgeable people in town who really knows how it all works and what we need to do to achieve greatness.

Best of all, we are reintroducing Michele Arn to the world of town government. Her experience on the BoE and in the business world allows her the ability to see through the “bull” and make the right decisions for All of Us. She will bring solid leadership and civility back to Vernon.

Now for the sales pitch: The cost of an election is extremely high. Each candidate has made a substantial contribution to the treasury to help pay for signs, brochures and advertising.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!!!

Please consider making a donation to the campaign. We REALLY could use money to pay for targeted mailings and spot ads. Needless to say these are all expensive and we do request your help to defray the costs.

Your can send a check to me 
Tom DiDio
112 Box Mountain Dr,
Vernon, Ct 06066

or

give it to me or Jim Swicklas at the Sept. 23rd meeting ( 7pm Police Community Room, Gary LeBeau guest speaker).

On behalf of our Democratic Team:  THANK YOU!

Tom