July 30, 2011
Connecticut Mayor Announces may Explore US Senate Race But Not 3rd Term as Mayor Friday July 22, 2011
Mayor Jason McCoy on Friday said he will not seek a third term as the town's chief executive and will spend some time with his family and law practice. Then, he said, he will explore a run for the U.S. Senate. McCoy's speech at a late-afternoon news conference was short - just 231 words - and to the point. Here is the text of Mayor Jason McCoy's speech on Friday, when he announced he would not seek a third term as the town's chief executive.
“Good afternoon,
First let me thank the residents of Vernon for allowing me to serve as their Mayor for the last four years.
I have invited you here today to announce that I have decided to spend more time with my family, focus on my career as a lawyer, and to exploring a run for the United States Senate. Its now time I move on, I do not think I can manage the Town of Vernon, and at the same time - spending time with my family, focus on my practice and if I decide after exploring the run for the US Senate, then working towards the convention and then the election election in 2012. Three maybe but not all four.
In Vernon, over the last four years, we have lowered taxes, we have reduced the cost of government, we have reduced spending in real dollars, and we have changed the economic environment to promote job opportunity and economic growth while expanding the tax base.
Part of this success has been due to the election of fiscal conservatives to the Vernon Town Council and Vernon Board of Education.
Going forward, our Country needs clear direction:
• To fix the economy.
• Create job opportunities.
• Lower unemployment.
• Control spending.
• Reduce debt and borrowing.
• End over regulation of every aspect of American life that crushes American creativity, one of the symptoms of the failing economy.
And maybe someone who can say ‘no’. Ask any Mayor of First Selectman.
Finally, it is vitally import that we elect those who support our military, national security and national intelligence to protect American vested interests at home and abroad.
I want to thank the residents of Vernon for allowing me to serve as their Mayor.
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July 22, 2011
Connecticut Mayor Announces May Explore US Senate Race But Not 3rd Term as Mayor Friday July 22 2011
Good afternoon
First let me thank the citizens of Vernon for allowing me to serve as their Mayor for the last four years
I have invited you here today to announce that
I have decided to spend more time with my family,
To focus on my career as a lawyer
To explore a run for the United States Senate.
It is now time that I move onto the next level. I have done all I can do here. I cannot do more than these three things and manage Vernon, so I will be focusing on my career, my family, the convention then the 2012 election.
In Vernon Over the last 4 years, we have lowered taxes, we have reduced the cost of government, we have reduced spending in real dollars, and we have changed the economic environment to promote job opportunity and economic growth while expanding the tax base.
Part of this success has been due to the election of fiscal conservatives to the Vernon Town Council and Vernon Board of Education.
Going forward, this Country needs clear direction:
• To fix the economy
• Create job opportunities
• Lower unemployment
• Control spending
- Reduce debt and borrowing
• End over regulation of every aspect of American life that crushes American creativity which is one of the symptoms of the failing economy
And maybe someone who can say no
Finally, it is vitally import that we elect those who support our military and national intelligence to protect American vested interests at home and abroad.
I want to thank the citizens of Vernon for allowing me to serve a their Mayor
I will be making a more formal announcement in the weeks to come. But right now we are focusing on our Convention on Tuesday.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
First let me thank the citizens of Vernon for allowing me to serve as their Mayor for the last four years
I have invited you here today to announce that
I have decided to spend more time with my family,
To focus on my career as a lawyer
To explore a run for the United States Senate.
It is now time that I move onto the next level. I have done all I can do here. I cannot do more than these three things and manage Vernon, so I will be focusing on my career, my family, the convention then the 2012 election.
In Vernon Over the last 4 years, we have lowered taxes, we have reduced the cost of government, we have reduced spending in real dollars, and we have changed the economic environment to promote job opportunity and economic growth while expanding the tax base.
Part of this success has been due to the election of fiscal conservatives to the Vernon Town Council and Vernon Board of Education.
Going forward, this Country needs clear direction:
• To fix the economy
• Create job opportunities
• Lower unemployment
• Control spending
- Reduce debt and borrowing
• End over regulation of every aspect of American life that crushes American creativity which is one of the symptoms of the failing economy
And maybe someone who can say no
Finally, it is vitally import that we elect those who support our military and national intelligence to protect American vested interests at home and abroad.
I want to thank the citizens of Vernon for allowing me to serve a their Mayor
I will be making a more formal announcement in the weeks to come. But right now we are focusing on our Convention on Tuesday.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
July 15, 2011
The TALK of Connecticut - Mayor of Vernon Jason McCoy
The TALK of Connecticut: "Mayor of Vernon Jason McCoy"
He heard the most bizzare statement on the news.The governor's departments are recommensing service reductions without staff reductions.
He heard the most bizzare statement on the news.The governor's departments are recommensing service reductions without staff reductions.
IN OTHER WORDS - The New York Times -- "It would be too much to say that the recent election was a loud gong signifying nothing. But if it signified much, it is hard to see what."
IN OTHER WORDS - The New York Times: "It would be too much to say that the recent election was a loud gong signifying nothing. But if it signified much, it is hard to see what."
“It would be too much to say that the recent election was a loud gong signifying nothing. But if it signified much, it is hard to see what.” This was a November 7, 2007 article that was written in the Journal Inquirer by the Editorial Staff.
After that election, I called the Editor and told him I would be happy to explain what change we were working towards. At that time there was no interest. Had I had the opportunity I would have explained what I am re-capping now. In the four years since that election, we have accomplished those “changes”. I believe it is much more that a gong signifying nothing. The Town of Vernon had come off of 16 consecutive budgets that could not pass over a four year period, each year the Town actually was operating on its reserves because it could not collect taxes without a 30 day tax warrant. Mainly that was due to failure of the government officials to examine labor, debt, pension, personal rules, waste in service delivery, waste in energy, wasteful staffing departmental collaborative efforts and spending money without assessing if that would reduce future budgets and borrowing money before paying down or retiring debt and absolutely no interworking collaborative efforts by the Town Government Administration and the Board of Education Administration.
For some reason prior to the 2007 election, Government Officials did not
recognize that the Town of Vernon budget ultimately goes to the taxpayers for
approval.
In recognition of all those issues during the past four years ever labor contract has be negotiated and re-written, the Town’s pensions have been reformed, pensions and benefits for new employees have been reformed which changes the structure of that cost, energy and fuel usage is down due to energy policies being implemented, departments now share and cross over in service delivery, the tax rate has been reduced in three budgets, taxes have been reduced for everyone in 2011, actual spending had gone down, staffing has been reduced. Access and accountability through softer ware applications and web based services have allowed instant access government officials and complaint tracking by the public. Management software application has been implemented and the financial and accounting system has been brought up to date. The municipal bond rating has been improved.
All staff replacements hired after retirements have had some type of private sector experience. Productivity has increased.
We have reduced the crime rate by 16 %- we have safer streets, we have finished 14 year old bridge projects we have safer streets, we have began a public infrastructure investment through expense reductions with new roads and a plan to complete the remaining roads - we have safer streets.
Our students scores have increased – we have better schools, we have completed our school building projects- we have better schools, we have began management of the school facilities through the municipality so the school system can concentrate on education and curriculum-- we have better schools, we have a new superintendant of schools who focuses on education and education of children but understands that taxpayers pay the bill- we have better schools.
We have cut the tax rate three out of 4 years and in 2011 we reduced taxes for every one taxpayer– we have lower taxes.
We have the safest streets, we have the best schools, we have the lowest taxes, and real spending is reduced and controlled.
This is my response to the November 11, 2007 article.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Mayor
Jason L. McCoy
The Journal Inquirer, Nov. 7 2007 "
“It would be too much to say that the recent election was a loud gong signifying nothing. But if it signified much, it is hard to see what.” This was a November 7, 2007 article that was written in the Journal Inquirer by the Editorial Staff.
After that election, I called the Editor and told him I would be happy to explain what change we were working towards. At that time there was no interest. Had I had the opportunity I would have explained what I am re-capping now. In the four years since that election, we have accomplished those “changes”. I believe it is much more that a gong signifying nothing. The Town of Vernon had come off of 16 consecutive budgets that could not pass over a four year period, each year the Town actually was operating on its reserves because it could not collect taxes without a 30 day tax warrant. Mainly that was due to failure of the government officials to examine labor, debt, pension, personal rules, waste in service delivery, waste in energy, wasteful staffing departmental collaborative efforts and spending money without assessing if that would reduce future budgets and borrowing money before paying down or retiring debt and absolutely no interworking collaborative efforts by the Town Government Administration and the Board of Education Administration.
In recognition of all those issues during the past four years ever labor contract has be negotiated and re-written, the Town’s pensions have been reformed, pensions and benefits for new employees have been reformed which changes the structure of that cost, energy and fuel usage is down due to energy policies being implemented, departments now share and cross over in service delivery, the tax rate has been reduced in three budgets, taxes have been reduced for everyone in 2011, actual spending had gone down, staffing has been reduced. Access and accountability through softer ware applications and web based services have allowed instant access government officials and complaint tracking by the public. Management software application has been implemented and the financial and accounting system has been brought up to date. The municipal bond rating has been improved.
All staff replacements hired after retirements have had some type of private sector experience. Productivity has increased.
We have reduced the crime rate by 16 %- we have safer streets, we have finished 14 year old bridge projects we have safer streets, we have began a public infrastructure investment through expense reductions with new roads and a plan to complete the remaining roads - we have safer streets.
Our students scores have increased – we have better schools, we have completed our school building projects- we have better schools, we have began management of the school facilities through the municipality so the school system can concentrate on education and curriculum-- we have better schools, we have a new superintendant of schools who focuses on education and education of children but understands that taxpayers pay the bill- we have better schools.
We have cut the tax rate three out of 4 years and in 2011 we reduced taxes for every one taxpayer– we have lower taxes.
We have the safest streets, we have the best schools, we have the lowest taxes, and real spending is reduced and controlled.
This is my response to the November 11, 2007 article.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Mayor
Jason L. McCoy
The Journal Inquirer, Nov. 7 2007 "
July 13, 2011
July 8, 2011
Vernon Connecticut Just Imagine: $218,000 in budget reductions
By Jason L. McCoy
Imagine: $218,000 in cost reductions
I opened a recent Vernon Town Council meeting, as I have done for last two years, by giving an executive summary of where the town is, projects being worked on, events I have participated in, and general progress of the town.
I shared what I thought was great news. I informed the council that we saved $90,000 by moving non-union employees to Heath Savings Accounts; that cleaning contracts were re-bid, reducing that cost by $20,000; that we have set in motion the move to P-Cards, electronic purchasing, and implementation of permissions and codes, resulting in savings of $108,000, not to mention the time reduction spent by staff under the old process.
Imagine that: $218,000 in cost reductions.
Good news, right? Maybe a smooth night at a Vernon Town Council meeting.
Oh no, not quite.
Not a single comment, concern, or request about those savings by Councilwoman Marie Herbst and her gang.
But the Herbst gang did move to the usual innuendo and misstatements, soaring off track into a grammar school test on the definition of the word “intern,” moving on to complain about photographs at Vernon parades and events.
Really?
I want Vernon citizens to know that these savings occur because this administration pushes forward (yes, I do mean push) on a regular basis — not at the last minute, not on the day before the municipal budget is due, but regularly.
We continuously move forward on policy initiatives and changes to achieve cost reductions or savings, to spur economic growth and fiscal responsibility with your tax money.
I guess at this point it may seem commonplace under my administration, maybe even expected — and it should be. But these are not simple matters and are not commonplace in government. They require persistence, long-term planning, and careful consideration as to impacts and implications in other areas such as labor relations.
The cost reductions listed above, along with forward thinking and persistence on a regular basis over the past four years, have come in handy allowing Vernon to be ahead of the state of Connecticut’s revenue curveball thrown at every municipality around the state each year. The state’s revenue curveball has come every year when the legislature will not finalize a budget or they cannot get spending on labor to fall in line with proposed or adopted budgets, or labor concessions have not come through.
Connecticut municipality budgeting requirements do not allow municipalities to set budgets the way the state plays. This governor has made it clear that he likes the municipal budget rules as opposed to the state budget game, but I digress.
Let me point out that since being elected by Vernon citizens in 2007, I have never complained about the debt situation incurred before I took office as mayor. I handled it, budgeted for it, and made sure we paid it, while improving our credit rating; we have even reduced it, through early repayment at one point.
Why?
Simply stated, I ran for this position. I have never complained about the extremely generous union contracts that were handed out before I was elected to the 15-plus labor unions.
I have patiently waited until contracts came up for negotiation and meticulously renegotiated contracts for the benefit of Vernon citizens and the employees because the interests of both groups actually meet when you consider the future affordability.
I am proud to tell you that it looks like we saved you $218,000. If we don’t get a curveball and revenue comes in as predicted, we can accelerate capital improvements and reduce the next budget or maybe pay some debt off.
Tell those folks who polarize everything to pay attention to what counts — your services and your money.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Mayor.
Mayor Jason L. McCoy
Imagine: $218,000 in cost reductions
I opened a recent Vernon Town Council meeting, as I have done for last two years, by giving an executive summary of where the town is, projects being worked on, events I have participated in, and general progress of the town.
I shared what I thought was great news. I informed the council that we saved $90,000 by moving non-union employees to Heath Savings Accounts; that cleaning contracts were re-bid, reducing that cost by $20,000; that we have set in motion the move to P-Cards, electronic purchasing, and implementation of permissions and codes, resulting in savings of $108,000, not to mention the time reduction spent by staff under the old process.
Imagine that: $218,000 in cost reductions.
Good news, right? Maybe a smooth night at a Vernon Town Council meeting.
Oh no, not quite.
Not a single comment, concern, or request about those savings by Councilwoman Marie Herbst and her gang.
But the Herbst gang did move to the usual innuendo and misstatements, soaring off track into a grammar school test on the definition of the word “intern,” moving on to complain about photographs at Vernon parades and events.
Really?
I want Vernon citizens to know that these savings occur because this administration pushes forward (yes, I do mean push) on a regular basis — not at the last minute, not on the day before the municipal budget is due, but regularly.
We continuously move forward on policy initiatives and changes to achieve cost reductions or savings, to spur economic growth and fiscal responsibility with your tax money.
I guess at this point it may seem commonplace under my administration, maybe even expected — and it should be. But these are not simple matters and are not commonplace in government. They require persistence, long-term planning, and careful consideration as to impacts and implications in other areas such as labor relations.
The cost reductions listed above, along with forward thinking and persistence on a regular basis over the past four years, have come in handy allowing Vernon to be ahead of the state of Connecticut’s revenue curveball thrown at every municipality around the state each year. The state’s revenue curveball has come every year when the legislature will not finalize a budget or they cannot get spending on labor to fall in line with proposed or adopted budgets, or labor concessions have not come through.
Connecticut municipality budgeting requirements do not allow municipalities to set budgets the way the state plays. This governor has made it clear that he likes the municipal budget rules as opposed to the state budget game, but I digress.
Let me point out that since being elected by Vernon citizens in 2007, I have never complained about the debt situation incurred before I took office as mayor. I handled it, budgeted for it, and made sure we paid it, while improving our credit rating; we have even reduced it, through early repayment at one point.
Why?
Simply stated, I ran for this position. I have never complained about the extremely generous union contracts that were handed out before I was elected to the 15-plus labor unions.
I have patiently waited until contracts came up for negotiation and meticulously renegotiated contracts for the benefit of Vernon citizens and the employees because the interests of both groups actually meet when you consider the future affordability.
I am proud to tell you that it looks like we saved you $218,000. If we don’t get a curveball and revenue comes in as predicted, we can accelerate capital improvements and reduce the next budget or maybe pay some debt off.
Tell those folks who polarize everything to pay attention to what counts — your services and your money.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Mayor.
Mayor Jason L. McCoy
July 1, 2011
Fireworks July in the Sky- June 30, 2011 | Journal Inquirer
Fireworks July in the Sky- June 30, 2011 Journal Inquirer: "Caption: Fireworks explode over the crowd gathered at Henry Park during 'July in the Sky at Henry Park' on Thursday June 30, 2011. (Leslloyd F. Alleyne / Journal Inquirer). "
Arts center breaks ground | ReminderNews
Arts center breaks ground ReminderNews: "Mayor Jason McCoy and other town and Vernon Community Arts Center officials throw dirt into the air as part of the ground-breaking ceremony for the center's reconstruction on June 30. Photos by Steve Smith"
Arts center breaks ground | ReminderNews
Arts center breaks ground ReminderNews: "Arts center breaks ground"
'July in the Sky' delivers on promise of fun | ReminderNews
'July in the Sky' delivers on promise of fun ReminderNews: "'July in the Sky' delivers on promise of fun"
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