Adams and Worthington are Dem candidates for selectmen

KENT — Selectman Bruce Adams will be nominated as the Democratic candidate for first selectman at the party caucus at Town Hall on Monday, July 27, at 7:30 p.m.

The party will also nominate John Worthington for selectman.

Adams, who has been a selectman since 2007, grew up in nearby Washington and has lived in Kent since 1986.

He received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Springfield College in Springfield, Mass., in 1971, and went on to receive a master’s degree in guidance studies from Central Connecticut State University in 1980.

Adams was the social studies teacher for seventh- and eighth-grade classes at Kent Center School from 1971 to 2004, when he retired. He also coached baseball, basketball and soccer teams at the school.

“Why am I running for first selectman? Because I feel like I’m ready for it,� Adams said. “The two years I served as selectman have been a great learning experience. I think I can continue the work that [current First Selectman Ruth Epstein] has started.�

Adams said his main goal if he gets elected is to improve communications within the town government.

“I think everyone at Town Hall and all the town’s commissions should do a better job of working together,� Adams said. “They’re doing a decent job right now, but I think we can do a better job considering that we are all in it for the same reason, which is to serve the town to the best of our abilities.�

Adams said he would also create a committee to help the town consider acquiring land for future purposes.

“For example, we could acquire land for the future site of a school instead of continuously adding on to an old building,� Adams said. “I think we’re going to have to look at the future of the town’s sewer system and the ongoing issues surrounding Schaghticoke tribal recognition. I think that we’re all in this together, which is why we all live in a small town like Kent.�

Worthington, who is running for the selectmen’s position being vacated by Vincent LaFontan, grew up “all over the place,� including New Milford and Sherman.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh in 1985 and then moved to Kent.

“When I came back to the area I worked for several different construction companies and then I started my own,� Worthington said. “I have served as the assistant building inspector for eight different towns, including Falls Village, Cornwall, Sharon, Kent, Sherman and Washington. For the past 16 years I have been the building inspector for Litchfield.�

Worthington has served on the  Park and Recreation Commission and the Selectmen’s Advisory Board.

He has been a member of the Kent Volunteer Fire Department for the past 17 years and has worked as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for the past 14 years.

“I want to use my experience of working for municipalities to help serve the people of Kent,� Worthington said. “How would I handle the pressing issues in town? If I were to be elected I would work with the other selectmen to come up with the best solution possible.�

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