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Kevin Witkos Runs for State Representative
It's official: Kevin Witkos has filed his campaign committee papers with the office of the Secretary of State, and the Help Us Help You—Witkos 2002 committee name now appears on the Secretary of State's website. Witkos, a 13-year resident of Canton and current Vice-Chair of the Canton Board of Education, has announced plans to challenge incumbent Jessie Stratton to represent Avon and Canton at the State Capitol.
Witkos, a Massachusetts native, was raised in Peachtree City, GA, until his family relocated to Granby in 1979. Witkos began his public service as a charter member of the G.E.M.S. (Granby Emergency Medical Services) while a sophomore at Granby Memorial High School. The purpose of G.E.M.S. was to add staffing to the volunteer ambulance weekdays, to compensate for a shortage of volunteers. Witkos worked part-time as a police officer for the towns of Farmington and Granby while obtaining certification as a police officer through the Connecticut Police Academy. Witkos was additionally employed full-time by the Connecticut Bank & Trust Company.
In November of 1989, the Town of Canton offered Witkos full-time employment as a police officer, and Witkos left his position as an auditor in the Asset Based Lending Division of the Bank of New England to become a full-time police officer. Witkos says that one of the most intriguing and rewarding benefits of being a police officer is interacting with the public. When asked what his single most valuable attribute is, Witkos says it is his ability to be approachable and understandable while working through complex issues.
Known by the kids as "Officer Kevin," Witkos was responsible for implementing and coordinating the DARE program in the Canton schools. Witkos' involvement in high school sports programs includes coaching the boys' junior varsity soccer team for four years and becoming the first girls' varsity soccer coach, and he continues in this tradition today by volunteering to coach his son's Park & Recreation t-ball team.
The Help Us Help You—Witkos 2002 committee is well underway in planning activities, fundraisers and social events so the citizens of Avon and Canton will have the opportunity to meet and greet the candidate. Events being organized include a golf tournament on Thursday, June 13 at the Canton Golf Course; a black tie dinner on Saturday, October 5 at the Avon Old Farms Inn; and picnics in both Canton and Avon. If you are interested in attending any of the events or would like to join the committee, please contact any of the following committee members: Lou Daniels, Vince Roche, Jay Croughwell, Heather Toyen, Julius Fialkiewicz, Kim Pisinski or Jay Cutler. The next committee meeting will be held on Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m. at the Realty Works office, Main St. in Collinsville.
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