Vernon Candidate Profile 2019: Mike Wendus, Town 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.

Michael D Wendus

Age (as of Sept. 1, 2019)

57

Town of Residence

Vernon

Position Sought

Town Council

Party Affiliation

Republican

Family

A lifelong resident of Vernon with three beautiful kids, four grand kids, and one soulmate, my beautiful wife Angela.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My wife is a town employee

Education

Proud graduate of Rockville High School and A.I. Prince Technical School ( Apprenticeship program ).

Occupation

CT Transit 29 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

I'm a current member of the Vernon Town Council and endorsed by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 425 while currently serving on my Union's Bylaw Committee - Finance Committee - Management Relations Committee. I am President of the nonprofit organization - Santa's House is Coming to Town.

Campaign Website

https://www.vernonrepublicans....

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

With all the state budget cuts impacting our town and loss of tax revenue from reassessments caused by the crumbling foundations it is of the utmost importance to have a qualified team that has already dealt with these issues. The team has successfully implemented a 0% mill rate increase. Your Republican team has delivered and remained fiscally responsible to meet this challenge head on.

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

I have a proven history, along with my team, of being involved in my town. I am a lifelong resident of the town and have been instrumental in bringing back the Santa House for the family's to enjoy during the holiday. I have been coaching Vernon girls basketball for three years and a former Little League coach. Currently, an active member of The American Legion Post 14 for 15 years supporting and volunteering for our veterans.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Serving on the Vernon Town Council while being fiscally responsible and maintaining the current high level of services our town residents have grown accustomed to is a main focus.

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

As a current Town Council Member I am extremely proud of my Republican Parties accomplishments. Over 90% of our roads have been maintained and redone. Over one million dollars presently spent sidewalk improvements. Valley Falls park renovated along with the dam adding handicapped fishing accessibility. Added necessary backup generators for all town buildings and new Fire Department pump truck. Exchanged street lights to LED saving our tax payers money with higher efficiency. Henry Park received a make over. New beautiful Senior Center along with a new bus for senior transportation. Purchased 23 new town vehicles along with new box trailers and 0 turn mowers for Parks and Recreation. Implementing a long, awaited dog park to Vernon. Appropriating funds for the purchase 42 acres of land for youth athletics while maintaining the natural wetlands. Attempting to cultivate the performing arts back to Rockville with U-Conn in our old Senior Center. Initiated construction upgrade on our outdated water sewer treatment plant in accordance to the State of CT. Purchased the house next to our Town Owned Library for expanded parking and so much more. All of this with a 0% mill rate increase and a Aa2 bond rating which is the highest rating in the state. I am very proud of our accomplishments and look forward to additional achievements.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

I actually put this quote in my R.H.S. yearbook and still live by it " If your going to do something do it right"

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

As a lifelong Vernon/Rockville resident, proud graduate of RHS, I am honored to serve my community as the Vernon girls basketball coach, president of the Santa's House is Coming to Town and the Vernon Town Council. This is my hometown, the town I love and have raised 3 children. I am proud of all we have accomplished during my tenure with Town Council inclusive of being fiscally responsible and not raising taxes. The Republicans are not done. There are more projects in the making and I would love to see them through to completion.