Patch Candidate Profile: Jason Van Stone For Southbury Selectman

SOUTHBURY, CT — Election Day on Nov. 4 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing their towns.

Candidate's Name:
Jason Van Stone

What office are you seeking?
Selectman

What town do you live in?
Southbury

Campaign Website

Party Affiliation:
Republican

Occupation:
Vice President - Marketing, 25 years of experience

Family: I live with my partner, Marie. My two adult children, Lauren (25, an artist) and Nate (24, a police officer), live on their own. Marie’s children, Jackson (20, an auto mechanic) and Devin (19, a student), live with us.

Previous public office, appointive or elective: While living in Waterbury, I was elected to the Board of Education three times, serving nearly 10 years.

Here in Southbury, I was elected to the Planning Commission in 2023. In 2024, I was appointed to the Charter Revision Commission, where I served as vice chairman. Later that year, I was appointed to my current seat on the Board of Selectmen, filling the vacancy created by Greg Kuehn’s resignation for personal reasons.

Why are you seeking this office? I believe in giving back one’s time and talent. Southbury has a proud tradition of residents volunteering to make our community a great place to live and work. My service is a continuation of that tradition.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it: Overall, Southbury is in great shape. Recent challenges—such as the library reopening and flood recovery—were handled expertly by the administration and our town workforce. Looking ahead, I want to help set a strategic vision for what Southbury will look like in the next 10 to 20 years.

That means attracting the right tenant for the former IBM property, thoughtfully planning for the replacement of Gainfield and Pomperaug Elementary Schools, and ensuring the Southbury Training School property is developed responsibly.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? The other candidates are all capable and hardworking. What differentiates me is my depth of experience and perspective. I’ve held various elected offices—including my current role on the Board of Selectmen—for nearly two decades. Coupled with 25 years in business leadership, including running companies, I’ve developed a proven ability to diagnose organizational challenges and deliver solutions. My track record of getting things done is well documented.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign? As liaison to the Senior Services Commission, I’ve been a strong advocate for expanding hours and programs at the Senior Center. I also want to reevaluate our approach to economic development. Southbury must plan wisely in order to grow wisely.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? In my short time on the Board of Selectmen, I took the lead in drafting the language presented to the state legislature that jump-started redevelopment of the Southbury Training School personnel village. Without that initiative, the state would not have acted in its last session to amend the conveyance language and open a path forward for the town.

I also helped craft the plan to expand Senior Center hours—keeping late-afternoon programs running while reopening on Fridays. Others wanted to revert to old hours, but I recognized the importance of maintaining growing programs that serve our seniors well.

In short, I know what needs to be done—and how to get it done. That comes from
experience.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you? “Don’t be afraid to try. Even if you fail, you’ll learn.”

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions? People often describe me as rational and grounded in common sense—qualities we need more of in public office. I moved to Southbury because it’s a safe, well-run town with low taxes and a perfect balance of rural charm and suburban convenience. That’s exactly the kind of community I want to preserve.