2025 Patch Candidate Profiles: Bernie Sykes​ Town Council, Vernon

VERNON, CT — Bernie Sykes is running for a town council seat in Vernon.

Candidate's Name:
Bernie Sykes

What office are you seeking?
Town Counsel

What town do you live in?
Vernon

Campaign Website
https://VernonDemocrats.com

Party Affiliation:
Democrat

Occupation:
Retired

Family:
Wife Julie; Daughters Jullie, Annie, Arielle, Jayde; Grandsons JoJo, Gavin they are honest hard working and a family that Loves each other no matter what!

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
N/A

Why are you seeking this office?
I am feeling that I can take on any challenges that I will come across I am a Retied 20 year military Veteran there are so many things the Military trained me to do but it trained me the person I am today and that is willing to stick up for the working families. If I was elected I would work to Strengthen Community investment and Equity, affordable housing, transparency and accountability. What I also do on the local level is to push for fair contracting standards local hiring and reinvestment in pubic services we must keep unions and community organization to close the gap and build a more equitable economy

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
Affordable housing Try to be accountable over the budget see if they are areas where we can help the Citizens of Vernon.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
The incumbent has work to maintain stability but has not delivered the bold action our community needs. too often important issues like affordability, pubic safety, and transparency have been left unresolved or only partially addressed. The worst thing is a lack of urgency and accessibility people in my community feel unheard. To be fair, the incumbent has shown consistency in showing up for town hall meetings but what I heard there is only Arguing about rules that was set up at the biggening but later what's to change the rules. Our community deserves leadership that listens, engages and takes
real actions to meet todays challenges and that is me Bernie Sykes

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
I support my municipality by joining the Connecticut partnership plan to lower healthcare cost by expanding access to comprehensive benefits workers should not have to choose between affordability and equality. When it comes to healthcare by pooling resources through the partnership plan, municipalities can reduce
costs so families have access to the care they need

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I would go back to all my Army training and then completing college where I received my Bachelor's degree in General Studies with a focus on Social Work this is where I learned so much about our environment and especially we the people and the ways we can fight to work together to help each other out so we could thrive with dignity and respect.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Learn to listen more then you speak

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I dedicated my life to the military and now it is time for me to serve our community of Vernon I would work hard, I will give 100 percent to the working families as well as the young youth, as well as the seniors that I will fight for all people of Vernon/Rockville.