Smart Growth for Vernon, CT
Heralding Herold for speaking out

Letters to the Editor
Journal Inquirer
Published: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 12:14 PM EDT

A little more than a year ago, I heard that Nancy Herold had decided to run for Vernon Town Council.

My excitement was quickly dampened when I heard she was running on the Republican ticket. As a longtime Democrat, I would have liked her to run on “our side.” However, the more I thought about this, I realized that it didn’t make a difference which side Herold was on. She is a good person and she would be an independent voice for Vernon residents.

When November rolled around, I gladly voted for Herold. After her actions last week, I can say that I have never been prouder of a vote that I have cast. When Mayor Jason McCoy named his Deputy Mayor Diane Wheelock his new executive assistant, Herold spoke out. She could have taken the easy way out and remained quiet, but she saw something inappropriate and she spoke out.

This is a topic that Herold knows about. She served as the mayor’s executive assistant for over a decade. Five years after retiring from that job, she chose to serve her town as a Town Council member. Herold has held both of these positions; if she says there is a conflict between the two, I believe her.

Herold will take some heat for speaking out against her own party, but I hope that it doesn’t discourage her. If the Republicans can’t see her value, the Democrats would be glad to have her. Vernon needs more people like Nancy Herold serving in public office.

Tim Poloski
Vernon