2025 Patch Candidate Profiles: Dan Champagne, Vernon Mayor

VERNON, CT — Dan Champagne is running for re-election as mayor of Vernon.

Candidate's Name:
Mayor Daniel Champagne

What office are you seeking?
Re-election for Mayor

What town do you live in?
Vernon

Campaign Website
https://champagne4mayor.com

Party Affiliation:
Republican

Occupation:
Mayor 12 years, Retired Police Officer

Family:
Wife Karen Champagne, Daughter Melissa Pease (Husband Nathan Peace) Grand children Maddox Peace Age 4 and Maeve Peace Age 2. Daughter Emily Champagne

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
Karen Champagne School Teacher

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
Mayor of Vernon Currently (2013-2025), Vernon Town Council (2005 - 2011and State Senator 4 years (2018 - 2022)

Why are you seeking this office?
I have called Vernon home for almost 50 years and I became Mayor to make my hometown an even better place to live. I am fiscally conservative and have a long history of accomplishments. I believe Local politics is about taking care of our neighbors, providing a great education for our kids, parks, public safety (Ambulance, snow plowing, police, Fire Department, etc.) as well as many other day to day operations that enhance our lives.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
High cost of living. In the 12 years as Mayor, 7 years saw no tax increase and the remaining years the increase was minimal and less than surrounding towns. Fiscally conservative.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
The major difference between myself and other candidates is experience, knowledge and love of my home town and what priorities are important to all of our residents. I also want to protect the senior center which my opponents want to take away.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
Continue my fight to protect Rockville General Hospital which recently has shown success with a new owner. Continue to expand the capital improvements that I have been doing during my time as Mayor.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I have kept taxes in check during my tenure. Seven of the twelve years did not have any increase in taxes and the increases that did occur were kept to a minimum.

New Roads and Sidewalks throughout town. Many more to come. I have built four new bridges and new town parking lots throughout town.
New Senior Center built and membership increased to over 4000 members. An addition has also started.
The Vernon Sewer treatment plant has been completely upgraded.

Citizen Block which has sat empty since 1999 (built in 1879) has been completely renovated.
Citizens Block will contain: The probate court, youth services, Fire Marshall, Building Department, Planning Department, Economic Development and Engineering. A community room has also been added.

Rockville Public Library was in financial trouble so I stepped in to save the Library, making it a town department. The Library has expanded hours, increased services and programing.

Mill Development
Talcott Mill and Loom City Lofts were brought to completion under during my tenure after being stalled for years.
Amerbelle, Daniel's Mill and Anacoil Mill are under contract for redevelopment.
New and expanded Parks:
New Sports field on Windermere Avenue.
Gene Pitney Memorial Park on Grove Street.
Saxony Dog Park on West Street.
Miracle Field at Northeast School.
New Horowitz Pool at Henry Park.
Expanded and renovated trail system, including lighted crosswalk signals.
New Track and Football field at RHS(Town and Board of Education joint project).
Ecker Hill Disc Golf Course 248 West Street
Handicap fishing at Valley Falls and Walkers Reservoir added.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Always remember the people you serve!

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I have a proven record as being fiscally conservative. Next year is a revaluation year and I have already gone through revaluation and I lowered the mil rate to protect the taxpayers in Vernon.