Community Corner

Election Notebook 2013: Intros From Two Candidates

Local candidates for municipal office were nominated last week.

Two candidates have issued their first official introductory news releases after last week's local nominating conventions.

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From Adam Weissberger, Republican incumbent nominee for Town Council: 

Adam B. Weissberger, current Vernon Town Council member, has decided to seek re-election to the Vernon Town Council in the upcoming November election.

Prior to serving on the Town Council, Adam was actively involved within the town, serving on the Design Review Commission for 2 years, and is a past Chairman of the Water Pollution Control Authority.

Adam is currently the President and CEO of State Farm Insurance here in Vernon, CT with his office in Lafayette Square. Adam currently employs 3 people in his small business, and is creating jobs here in town. Adam has grown his business from scratch to over $1.5 million in revenues in the first 18 months it has been open. Adam’s brand of customer service and his consultative approach to client needs has made him the No. 1 new State Farm Agent in CT, and No. 3 overall in the state. It is this business experience that Adam believes will help the Town of Vernon grow, as it begins to undertake a game-changing development project in downtown Rockville.  

“The best times for this town are still ahead,” said Adam.  “We need to stay focused on making sure that we support economic development to encourage new businesses to grow and expand in Vernon, bringing jobs and revenue to our town.”  

Additionally, Adam is a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist, and a Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist, both highly regarded designations within his field.  His expertise in this area will prove to be invaluable as the town negotiates several contracts in the upcoming term.

Adam also believes very strongly in helping out within the local community.  
Adam’s business pledged the full amount of the lost deposit to the Rockville High School class of 2014, as a result of their venue going out of business. Adam has also used his office as a drop-off location for the Teddy Bear drive as a result of the tragedy in Newtown, CT. Most recently, Adam hosted a food drive to benefit Hockanum Valley Community Council, and donated a portion of policy sales to FoodShare, to directly benefit the food pantry in Vernon.  Adam has also participated in and sponsored the Vernon Police and Fire Charity Golf Tournament, and the Indian Valley YMCA Charity Golf Tournament. Adam is also a member of the Tolland County Chamber of Commerce.  

Adam summed up his involvement this way, “We can do great things as individual contributors, but we accomplish so much more, and make a real measurable impact as a community”.  

Adam graduated Binghamton University, with a BA in Political Science, and a minor in Finance.  Adam is recently engaged to his fiancée Leslie Brown.



From Mark Kalina, Republican candidate for the Board of Education: 

"As a parent, I naturally have been concerned about the quality and value of an education in Vernon. I would like to take that concern one step further and become an active member of the Board of Education to help improve the schools in town. 

"As a taxpayer, I want to see that we get maximum value from every dollar spent.

"I am excited and enthusiastic about running for the Board of Education. As a graduate of the Vernon school system, I look forward to continuing to give back to the community that has meant so much to myself and my family."

Here is a brief resume: 

• Lifelong resident of Vernon
• Rockville High School, class of 1979
• Degree from Eastern Connecticut State University
• Current chairman, Inland Wetlands Commission
• Member, Vernon Republican Town Committee
• Former member, Northeast School Governance Council
• Current scout master, Troop 86, BSA, Vernon
• Former Boy Scout Committee member, Troop 86 - advanced to scout master
• Founder and former publisher/producer at Compass Games
• Former scout den leader, Pack 807
• Manager, Tom's Coin World 
• Married to Beth, son Joshua, 12


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