Smart Growth for Vernon, CT
Rell swears in McCoy as Vernon mayor

By Kym Soper
Journal Inquirer
November 8, 2007

Irena Pastorello / Journal Inquirer
Gov. M. Jodi Rell administers the oath of office today to newly elected Vernon Mayor Jason McCoy at Town Hall in the Rockville section of Vernon.

VERNON - Jason L. McCoy was sworn into office by Gov. M. Jodi Rell today as the town's new mayor in a standing-room-only ceremony in the Town Hall lobby.

After McCoy took the oath of office, Rell cautioned him to not "lead with a heavy hand but rule with a good heart."

McCoy, who was elected in a landslide over incumbent Democrat Ellen L. Marmer in Tuesday's election, was visibly moved and honored by Rell's visit.

Surrounded by family and friends, the 36-year-old lawyer told town officials not to worry about the future.

"I know you all get nervous when a Republican is in office, but you don't have to worry - you are the consistency while we come and go. As long as you're doing your jobs everything will be fine," McCoy told the town staff.

Keeping taxes and spending down was at the forefront of the agenda, and while "we may change the way we deliver services, we won't change the services themselves," McCoy said.

McCoy then brought out large-scale drawings of the Rockville Downtown Association's vision for a revamped urban center.

"This is the kind of stuff that we need to be doing," McCoy said, showing the drawings of historically renovated buildings filled with shops, offices, and businesses to Rell and the audience. "This is the type of stuff that's going to make Vernon one of the most beautiful places in the state, and with the RDA, the town, and state help, we can make this happen."

Rell shook her head and chuckled at McCoy, then related the story of how the windows got renovated in Town Hall.

"I was here sitting across the street and we were talking about downtown revitalization, and then I saw the boarded up windows and thought, that's not the most charming redevelopment," Rell told the crowd.

Rell said she encouraged the town to come up with a plan and the state would meet them half way. The boards have been removed and the windows are nearly finished.

"When you have a vision, you can make it happen," Rell said.

©Journal Inquirer 2007