Wallingford Election 2025: Vinny Cervoni Running For Mayor

WALLINGFORD, CT — The 2025 municipal election is heating up in Wallingford with plenty of races on the ballot.

Voters will cast their ballots in the Nov. 4 election for the position of mayor, along with seats on the Town Council and Board of Education.

Wallingford Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Vinny Cervoni is running for re-election as mayor of Wallingford as a Republican.

Campaign Website
https://cervoniformayor.com

Occupation:

Mayor of Wallingford

Family:
Wife, Jane, Mini Australian Shepherd, Jeter, age 15, Australian Shepherd, Hawkins, age 3

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
Wife works for State of Connecticut

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
Yes, mayor, 2024-present. Town Councilor 2010-2023

Why are you seeking this office?
I have started a lot of great work to build better in Wallingford. I would like to continue this work.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
While there are several pressing issues, the cost of housing and its impact on taxes are significant issues. I will continue to work to grow the commercial grand list to reduce the burden on residential taxpayers. I will also continue to work with land use boards, our Economic Development Commission, and our town council to look for ways to make housing affordable and accessible to all age groups. Seniors need safe and affordable housing to move to which will free up mid and entry-level housing for small families. Similarly, our young workforce needs entry level and affordable housing.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I have over two decades of experience working for municipal government and relationships with all of the stakeholders in Wallingford government and the greater community. I have a proven track record of accomplishments and initiatives that have and will show results for Wallingford.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
I will continue to bolster our infrastructure, both digital, and brick-and-mortar. I will continue to promote our town, location, affordability and electric rates to businesses in an effort to bring new business and employment to Wallingford. I will continue to support family activities in town, both, with school infrastructure improvements and continuing to improve our parks throughout town. We look forward to opening Community Pool Park when the park construction is complete.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
After ten years as chairman of the Wallingford Town Council, I was able to hit the ground hard and running when I started in early January of 2024. We have shepherded Community Pool Park through the commencement of demolition and groundbreaking on the new park. We have significantly improved our town hall digital infrastructure after creating the Information Technology Department and the position of Director of that department. Our road and sidewalk maintenance budget has resulted in the pavement of more roads and sidewalks over the past year. As we have continued to support our Board of Education by funding boiler and elevator improvements, we have also taken the opportunity to eliminate office rental payments from the education budget. With the purchase of 4 Fairfield Boulevard, we have moved Adult Education out of the Historic Train Station (they had grown out of that building), and will move the Board of Education's Central Offices out of rented space....

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
I have been surrounded by so many mentors in my life, it's hard to choose one piece of advice. I'll choose my immigrant grandfather's advice, translated. Stay humble. Never forget your origins. Never forget the people who helped you become who you are.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
This position requires you to consider all aspects of life for residents. Schools are incredibly important, however, directly benefit only a portion of our population. Parks are important. However, not everyone takes advantage of them. The Senior Center is a beautiful, well run place. However, not even all seniors take advantage of it. While public safety is important to everyone at some time or other, the majority of us do not realize the benefits of those agencies on a daily basis. This position oversees all of those facets of the town, plus all of our public utilities. All of these things must be balanced.

See also: Wallingford Election 2025: Alida Cella Running For Mayor