Community Corner

Clay approved to Fill Vernon Council Vacancy

Tuesday's approval vote was unanimous.

Julie Clay was formally sworn in as a new Town Council member on Tuesday.

Clay was picked last week to replace Republican Judith Hany, who resigned because of recurring back issues.

Clay's appointment by the Republican Town Committee was unanimously endorsed by the Town Council. Speaking for the council Democrats, Thomas DiDio said that is maintaining "a tradition."

Town Clerk Bernice Dixon administered the oath of office immediately after the vote and Clay took her seat on the council.

According to a resume submitted to the town committee, Clay has lived in Vernon for 16 years and has three children - a Rockville High School graduate who is currently at Eastern Connecticut State University, an eighth-grader at Vernon Center Middle School and a freshman at RHS.

She and her husband, Richard, own Manchester-based Clay Furniture Industries Inc. Before she became president of the business, she was employed in the mortgage banking industry.

She attends the First Congregational Church of Vernon and is a member of the Connecticut Children's Medical Center Auxiliary. She has served on PTOs and is currently an active member of the RHS Football Booster Club.

After Tuesday's meeting, Clay began prepping herself for the budget season.

"I'm looking forward to serving on the Town Council," she said. "I realize the significant challenge facing the council over the town budget. The issues are very challenging. I know there's a lot at stake. I will do my best to balance the needs of our townspeople against what is realistically affordable."


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