Vernon Election: Nicola Chambers-Holder For Vernon Town Council

VERNON, CT — Democrat Nicola Chambers-Holder, 46, is running for Vernon Town Council in Vernon.

Occupation: Industrial Organizational Psychologist

Family in government: No

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

A lack of transparency. Half the time our community has no idea what is going on until it already happened and I was also taken aback by the lack of a data-driven process when allocating funds. How do we objectively decide what should be a priority? When the people of Vernon have questions, they need a place to get answers. Secrecy creates an environment where there is the potential for the lack of accountability and abuse of power. When information about how a local government operates isn’t forthcoming, it causes the public to be skeptical. Whereas the more our local government can provide the way of transparency, the more it increases trust, honesty, and integrity in the government leaders. If elected, I intend to improve transparency on how funds are allocated, transparency in both internal and external communications, and transparency on policies so the public knows how government officials should be handling things so they can hold them accountable. I am excited and ready to do my part to help Vernon-Rockville operate as governance where the best interests of ALL citizens are kept at the forefront of decision-making. Heading into the 2021 election, addressing the town’s juvenile crime crisis The juvenile crime crisis affecting our community and communities throughout Connecticut has grown more acute since the start of the year. This was a complete failure of the school’s system (low retention rate), our town (the lack of social services, behavioral health programs, and mental health programs for youths), and the Connecticut juvenile justice system, if you can say there even is one. Most of these teens are repeated juvenile offenders who have gradually moved up the chain of offense from a high school dropout, larceny (stolen motor vehicle), home break-ins, reckless driving, evading responsibility, robbery, violation of probation, assault with a knife, assault, possession of a firearm, and to the recent shooting which led to the loss of life in Vernon. To say we need to implement "long-overdue solutions" is a gross understatement. This is something I would like to work on with the town and others to tackle this issue head-on as quickly as possible.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

I am a black woman, psychologist, entrepreneur, and an active member of various committees and boards. I am a mental health advocate who founded the Gratitude Choice Project, a community hub that uses the science of nature, gratitude, mindfulness, and movement to heal and connect. If elected, I will use my skills and passion to find sustainable evidence-based solutions to the issues threatening the town of Vernon-Rockville’s environmental, economic, and social welfare advancements.

Accomplishments:

I live in the town of Vernon with my husband of 21 years, I have four sons and three grandsons, so this town is my home. I spend time mentoring underprivileged youths and supporting various social causes driven by my deep belief that everyone deserves equal economic, political, and social rights and opportunities. In 2020 I graduated with a Ph.D. in psychology. I was conducting my dissertation research while recovering from two major operations, being the primary caregiver of my one-year-old grandson and fulfilling my other responsibilities. I always wanted to be a doctor, but I was laughed at the first time I said it out loud. I am an example of hard work, resilience, and never giving up on your dream. The best advice ever shared with me was ... Do not sit down and wait for opportunities or for change to come. Get up and make them happen. We have come a long way, but there is still much work to do. So, and I got up and am making it happen. Bachelor of Arts – Politics and Government - University of Hartford Master of Science –Psychology with a specialization in Organizational Psychology – Southern New Hampshire University Ph.D. –Psychology with a specialization in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Other issues:

Even though property taxes were not raised this year it is still significantly higher than surrounding towns. There is also a lack of transparency, inefficient or ineffective programs and policies that enable all residents to play a full and valuable role in the social, economic, and cultural development of their town. It is time for a change! That is my pledge to you and the promise I will share with voters throughout this campaign—the property tax burden on all citizens, especially those with fixed or limited income. I plan to re-examine the tax credit in Vernon for seniors, what can be done for limited-income households, promote transparency, and more effective social services to meet the community’s needs. The health of our community is everyone’s business, and I am excited to do work that supports the community of Vernon’s health and well-being, and a place where no one will feel excluded or deprived.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

As a member of the town committee, small business owner, parent, and psychologist, I am exceptionally well qualified to serve as our Town Councilwoman. I am open-minded, committed, honest, knowledgable, and and operate with integrity in all my undertakings. I will ask the tough questions and hold the town accountable for every dollar spent and help create opportunities for our community to continue to progress and grow in a manner in which we can all be proud.