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 "