Michael Winkler – Vernon, CT Town Council Candidate

michaelwinkler@comcast.net

•  Member, Vernon Town Council
  
• Past Member, Zoning Board of Appeals
• Member, Community Voice Channel Board of Directors
• Member, Friends of Valley Falls
• First Vice-President, Administrative and Residual Employees Union
• Masters Degree in Political Science (Public Administration), UConn

Marie A. Herbst – Vernon, CT Town Council Candidate

pemaherbst@comcast.net

•  Member, Vernon Town Council
  
• Former Vernon Mayor
• Former Member, Vernon Board of Education
• Founder, Community Tag Sale/Halloween Happening
• Chair, Public Safety Complex Building Committee
• Member, Town Capital Improvement Committee
• Bicentennial Committee (Bicentennial Book Chair)
• Member, Tolland County Chamber of Commerce
• Member, Friends of Valley Falls
• Member, Vernon Historical Society
• Member, Rockville Downtown Association and Rockville Community Alliance
• Retired Teacher
• BA, Albany St; MA, Columbia Teachers’ College; Intermediate Supervisory, UConn

“I got this notice in my tax bill and almost threw it out,” said VDTC Vice Chair Bill Dauphin. “I hadn’t heard anything about it from Town Hall, and it just seemed like an extra-cost add-on. Now that I know how much the town will benefit, though, I’m happy to sign up. We need to get the word out about this.” Dauphin, mayoral candidate Michele Arn, and others will be at the VDTC’s booth to explain the program, which helps the town reduce its energy spending through both cash discounts and free solar panels when residents sign up to purchase their electricity from renewable sources.

Vernon’s 20% by 2010 local clean energy contact Jeff Boulrice explains that the program allows CL&P customers to support green power from wind (80%) and small Connecticut and New England hydro (20%) sources. “It’s easy to sign up,” said Boulrice, “and doesn’t change anything about how you pay your bill. My household uses a fair amount of electricity, and the program only costs me about $6 dollars extra per month.” At a recent check, 149 Vernon residents had signed up for the program. For each 100, the town can qualify for a 1 kW solar panel worth $10,000.  Boulrice says our goal is to become an EPA Clean Energy Community and earn a free 4 kW solar panel system. Residents can also earn points toward the free solar panel system by installing solar systems at their homes.

Come to National Night Out to enjoy the food, music, and community, and be sure to visit the VDTC booth at for more information about the renewable energy program, and to sign up on the spot.

 “Energy policy is going to be critical to the town’s future,” said Arn. “If we do it right, we can not only save the taxpayers money and protect the environment, but also bring new jobs and tax revenues into Vernon.” In addition to the direct EECBG grant, Vernon would be eligible for regional bonus grants if we could partner with one or more other towns and put together a proposal by October 15.

 Both the direct EECBG proposal and the competitive regional bonus plans must meet specific federal criteria to be eligible for funding, and careful planning will be required to ensure Vernon leverages these grants for the maximum long-term benefit. At a recent multi-town meeting in Vernon, current mayor Jason McCoy said he would be meeting with “his staff,” but to date no public hearings or Energy Efficiency Committee meetings are scheduled. “Someone should be asking the public what they want,” said Arn, “and if the administration won’t, the Democrats will. Residents who have ideas about how they’d like to see Vernon implement energy conservation and efficiency measures should e-mail me at michele@vernondemocrats.com. Also, let me know if you’d be interested in attending a public meeting on this topic.”