Vernon Candidate Profile 2019: Ann Bonney, Council

VERNON, CT — Vernon's election season is heating up, and there are plenty of contested races with candidates eager to represent their town in November's municipal election. Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns, and has been publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Ann Bonney is running for Town Council as a Democrat.

Occupation

Recently retired as Director of Credit-Free Programs (adult education) , Manchester Community College (MCC), 14+ years; Executive Director, CT Association of Mental Health Clinics for Children (the 25 Child Guidance Clinics in CT), 5 years; Policy Analyst, Connecticut Children's Health Project (oversight of Medicaid managed care implementation for the State Legislature), 2 years; Town in Manchester Youth Violence Prevention Coordinator, 1+ years; Child Life Director/Special Projects Director, ECHN (Manchester Memorial Hospital), Health Education; preparation of children and parents for surgery and procedures; parenting education; public relations; employee childcare center; grant writing; community collaboration.

I currently host The Good News Show on the Community Voice Channel Public Access (TV) station ... We feature good news about organizations in our region and the good work they are doing.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

This is my first run for government office.

The single most pressing issue facing our town/district is _______, and
this is what I intend to do about it.

High taxes; crumbling foundations; traffic congestion on route 83; need for businesses in Vernon, particularly downtown.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates
seeking this post?

The Democratic Team has a unified approach to these issues. As mayor, Claire Janowski will set up a local office to assist families facing crumbling foundations. We want families to get the support they need so they can stay in our community, repair their homes, so their children will not need to change schools , and so they can get a place to live temporarily while repairs are made.

Transparent government; reining in off-budget spending so that citizens have input into how funds are spent; thoughtful proactive planning and evaluations (so that money is not spent on unbuildable land such as occurred with the lot purchased for the Senior Center which was not able to be used and has not been able to be sold). I hear from people who work along Route 83 that there are traffic accidents there every day. Claire Janowski will request an updated traffic study from the State and recommendations to reduce the number of places where traffic enters and exits 83, as well as pedestrian safety. Self-discipline in following plans is essential, and not spending money we don't have. We plan to bring in outside money to stretch and enhance what we can do with public funds.

List other issues that define your campaign platform

Create an environment attractive to businesses; Promote business; Promote job growth; Foster current business and promote succession planning; work to revitalize downtown; Address parking problem in downtown; Foster community health and healthcare; Capitalize on the uniqueness of Vernon and Rockville to create reasons for people to come here the Gene Pitney connection; the annual Battle of the Bands; museums; the arts; the trail system and parks; historic markers in Talcottville, stunning architecture, etc.) encourage community involvement; solicit community input and utilize community input.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

At MCC, I established the successful downtown entrepreneurship center, now called WORK_SPACE. It is a small business incubator space with individual desks or offices and shared conference space, reception, coffee pot, copy machine, and printer, etc. The lower level houses an art gallery that can bring in the public or serve as conference and event space.

Marketing is as important for towns as it is for businesses. In all of my positions I have been responsible for marketing my programs and the larger institution. Marketing helps in attain grants; build businesses, engage people and help citizens appreciate what the community had to offer.

At ECHN, I brought in over a million dollars in grants. At MCC, I designed, developed and implemented thousands of short courses for adults for job training and for pleasure. I was liaison to the MCC Organization of Active Adults who gave input to the College on what to offer and where parking was needed, etc.

As a Manchester Town employee, I worked with schools, hospital, local agencies and faith communities to create positive youth activities, mentors and policies that solicited and reflected the needs voiced by young people.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

You have two ears and one mouth;use them in that order. I'm a good listener!

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your
positions?

The Democratic team will it Vernon first please vote for me, Claire Janowski for Mayor and the entire Democratic team on Tuesday, November 5th.