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 "

Watch my segment on #NCTV's Common Sense Connecticut, beginning at 32:32 #vernon #tov

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

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"

Thank you To the United States Government for Ridding The World of the Murdering Terrorist Bin Laden

Great News and Headlines Today- we are now one step closer to a safer and free world society again. We now need to finish the job by catching the rest of the Bin Laden command and cell members, then the world will be rid of these murdering terrorists.

Then freedom & safety can return for all to enjoy once again.

Mayor Jason L. McCoy


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