Vernon Election Profile 2021: Dan Champagne For Mayor

VERNON, CT — Republican Dan Champagne, 52, is running for Mayor in Vernon.

Occupation: Mayor

Family:
Wife - Karen Champagne
Daughter - Emily Champagne
Daughter - Melissa Peace
Son-in-Law - Nathan Peace
Grandson - Maddox Peace (11 months old)

Experience: Mayor of Vernon, State Senator 35th district, and Retired Vernon Police Officer.

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

The most pressing issue facing our town is the continued pandemic and its affect on our residents and businesses. Since March of 2020, because of COVID, our businesses were shut down, our schools were shut down and life became very difficult for many. As Mayor I immediately began to find solutions to help. I was able to bring in over 20 thousand pounds of food to help residents, we provided essential non-food items, personal protective gear was provided, allowing restaurants to have outdoor seating, working to help our nursing homes, keeping the town offices open while protecting the employees and the public as well as providing many other essential functions during the height of the pandemic. I prepared Vernon for the mass distribution of vaccine prior to the vaccine being available and at the point the vaccine became available Vernon was in a position to begin vaccinations long before many others. Our vaccination program was nationally recognized and was continually expanded to help anyone who wanted the vaccine. We worked so well that we assisted other communities and the state used many of Vernon's ideas in their own fight against COVID.

Vernon also led the way with drive through voting so that the people of Vernon could still have their say in our budget and financial expenditures. I created a drive through Christmas celebration and a drive through trunk-or-treat, and both at Henry Park to give people something safe to do.

Currently we are using some of the Federal funds provided too Vernon to help fund a mental health counselor who will help those affected by the pandemic. We will continue working on other ways to help our community through this very difficult time.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

The biggest difference between myself and my opponent is that I have a proven track record with actual experience in doing the job. As Mayor I have created and fostered an environment of creativity and innovation among town staff and I have an open door policy to hear from the staff and public on different issues. Over the years I have built a team of high performing administrators, supervisors, and employees that meet and exceed the needs of our community. I not only work to fulfill our current needs I have positioned Vernon for future needs as well.

Over the past eight years I have improved Vernon's infrastructure considerably (roads, sidewalks, sewer plant, buildings, etc.), I have fostered an atmosphere that businesses are welcome and many new businesses have moved into Vernon. The co-operation between both parties can be seen in the Town Council over the last two years with a bi-partisan unanimous voting record of over 98% (Over 95% during my time as Mayor).

During my tenure I developed a relationship with the Superintendent and Board of Education that became known as Shared Services. This developed into sharing between the town and the school system which has resulted in savings to the tax payers of millions of dollars. Our shared services program stands out and has been been taught to other communities across CT. The town and Board of Education recently came together to fund a the new Football Field and Track at the High School.

I am improving our infrastructure, working across party lines, saving tax payers money, and at the same time I have not had a Mil Rate / Tax increase in four years and that is what sets me apart from my opponent! I am also a life long resident of Vernon, and a 22 year veteran of the Vernon Police Department and I know our town better than most.

Accomplishments:

My list of accomplishments is quit large and I will hit some of the highlights;

A new Senior Center which has seen an enormous growth in membership.

Vernon's historic mills - I facilitated the completion of Loom City Lofts and Talcott Mill. I am partnering with a major company to develop Amberbelle, Daniel's Mill and Anacoil Mill. This almost $60 million project will transform the downtown and clean up a long blighted area.

Parks: Vernon Park's system has been expanded with the addition of the Saxony Dog Park, Gene Pitney Memorial Park, sports fields on Windermere Avenue, expanded trail systems, and Ecker Hill Disc Golf Course and many other improvements.

Roads- About 90 % of Vernon's Roads have been redone with many more to come.

Sidewalks- A new sidewalks and repair program has started and will be a multiyear program.

As of 10/18/2021 over $55 million in State and Federal monies came into the Town of Vernon (not including school budget funding) during my time as Mayor.

The sewer plant upgrade is currently on track and will be finished within the next two years.

Upgrading of the firehouses and new fire trucks.

The list continues but I will stop here.

All of this and again there has been no mil rate / tax increase in 4 years!

Other issues:

Other issues that define my campaign are the other boards that I am on and lead. I currently sit on the prospect ECHN Advisory Board, which has been a challenge during the Pandemic (A side not the in patient beds at Rockville Hospital which were closed at the beginning of the Pandemic will be opening back up soon). I sit on the Connecticut Foundation Solutions Indemnity Company Inc. Board (CFSIC) which provides money for those affected by crumbling foundations. I am part of the crumbling foundations caucus. I sit on Bolton Lakes Water pollution Control Board which consists of Vernon and Bolton and most recently Coventry will be added.

I am also the State Senator for the 35th District, which my opponent seems to think is a negative. In this position I have been able to bring my knowledge of local government to Hartford and stop some terrible bills that would have negatively affected all towns and taxpayers, and including Vernon.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

My entire life has been giving back to my community. I graduated Rockville High School and started out working at Rockville General Hospital (while in high school and College), I joined the Army National Guard and served in the Vernon Armory for about 5 years, I joined the Vernon Police Department and served for 22 years, receiving multiple awards and commendations before retiring as a Sergeant, I served 6 years on the Vernon Town Council, and in 2013 I was elected the Mayor of Vernon. In 2018 I was elected to serve as Senator of the 35th district. I have a Master's Degree in Public Administration from UConn, a bachelors degree in Sociology from Eastern Ct State University and an associates degree in Criminal Justice from Manchester Community College.

I have worked hard to find solutions for our community, from our infrastructure, to senior complaints involving the housing authority, storm damage, our hospital, the pandemic and many other situations I have faced, and each has its unique complexities but solutions have and are being found and experience is needed to solve these issues.

I have this experience and I ask for your support on November 2nd. Thank you!